St Mary's opening well worth the wait!

St Mary’s RC Primary School in Bonnyrigg finally enjoyed its official opening and Mass on Friday almost three years after it first threw open its doors.

Special ceremony

Pupils, staff, parents and invited guests agreed the special ceremony and Mass celebrated by His Grace Archbishop Leo Cushley was well worth the wait.

Opened during lockdown

Head Teacher Liz Laird said: “The school opened in August 2020 during lockdown so it’s been a long road to this point today. However, everyone who came has helped make it a day to remember and it’s wonderful to finally be able to officially celebrate the opening of our much-loved St Mary’s.”

VIP guests

VIP including Midlothian’s Lord Lieutenant Richard Callander, Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Education Councillor Ellen Scott, Executive Director, Children, Young People and Partnerships Fiona Robertson and Education Chief Operating Officer Michelle Strong, were among more than 150 guests and pupils who came along to the mass and plaque unveiling.

Pupils make the school

Archbishop Cushley blessed the building and everyone in it. He told the children: “You are the school, you make this a good school.”

Gifts for the Archbishop

After Mass including hymns, readings and prayers led by the children, P7 pupil Ethan Martins and Jayden Herron, who is in P1, presented the Archbishop with a framed, hand-sewn school emblem.

Plaque unveiling

School House Captains Julia Glaner, Benjamin Biju, Luke McNeill and Elise Robertson then unveiled the opening plaque with Archbishop Cushley. See picture above.

Very proud

Ms Laird said: “I’m so proud of the pupils. They are testament to our school ethos – treat others as you would like to be treated. There’s a real sense of family in our school building and that is thanks to our staff, pupils, parents and the wider Bonnyrigg community.”