Published: Wednesday, 30th December, 2009 3:15pm

'New school' for pupils returning this week

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RENFREWSHIRE Council has given Johnstone High School a late Christmas present by completing the school in time for the start of the Spring term.

Pupils and staff are set to return from their Christmas holidays and back into their school, as the £8.5million revamp is finally finished.

The school has been housed in the close-by, former St Cuthbert's High School building for the last 18 months to allow the regeneration to take place.

The school will now reopen on Monday January 11 and head teacher Walter Hayburn can't wait. He said:

"It's like coming back to a new school.

"The whole school building has been transformed.

"As well as major structural work on roofing, windows, flooring, heating and lighting, the interior of the school looks bright and welcoming.

"And in addition to the new look, we have upgraded facilities which will boost learning and teaching opportunities."

Pupils and staff and have been visiting the new school, which is the largest in Renfrewshire, to allow them to familiarise themselves with the new surroundings.

Walter added: "Everyone is impressed and can't wait to start the new term.

"I'd like to thank everyone involved, and particularly the school community of Johnstone High - staff, pupils and parents - for making our time at St Cuthbert's work well and for completing the transition back to our own school so smoothly."

Councillor Lorraine Cameron, convener of Renfrewshire Council's Education Policy Board, is also impressed with the revamp. She said: "I have visited the school and there's no doubt that the investment in Johnstone High has created a high quality educational facility.

"Johnstone High already has strong links with its local community. Now that the school is back in its own building with all its new facilities and opportunities the school will be able to strengthen that connection even further."

The school was originally opened in 1965 and it currently has 1,117 pupils and 96 members of staff.

In addition to the now completed refurbishment, it was announced in June that the school will have a £6.3m community sports hub, including a swimming pool and full size synthetic pitch, as part of Renfrewshire Council's £92million investment in community facilities.

While other schools in Renfrewshire will start the new term on Wednesday January 6, Johnstone High will get a couple of extra days holiday, to allow a few days for final arrangements, before it reopens on Monday January 11.