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Children cheer as foundation stone laid for new junior school 19 October 2007 THE foundation stone for the new £7.5 milion junior school in Ramsey, Scoill Ree Gorree, was laid today (Friday). Carrying out the honour was Mr Mike Boulton BA RBV, who taught at the current Albert Road Junior School between 1967 and 1998 and who remains closely involved in education. He was awarded the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan award in 1996 for his services to music and teaching. In a ceremony on the site of the new school, Minister for Education the Hon Mrs Anne Craine MHK described Mr Boulton as 'the greatest living contributor to the foundation of Manx education in Ramsey'. The Minister said it was a 'red letter day for Ramsey', adding that the creation of the school in Lezayre Road was the final piece of a jigsaw that had seen a new Auldyn Infants' School constructed next to it and a new South Building added to Ramsey Grammar School across the road. That will be formally opened by the Minister next Wednesday. The Minister explained the historical significance of the name, which translates as King Orry's School, saying that when King Orry invaded the Isle of Man through Ramsey in 1079, the site was the scene of a great battle. Headteacher Mr Mike Faragher, who brought along all his 257 excited pupils to witness the historic moment, said it was 102 years since Albert Road School opened: 'We are here today to begin a new chapter in the history of Albert Road School.' He praised the Department of Education's investment, builders Auldyn Construction Ltd for creating the school and all those who had brought the project to fruition. The school will take in its first pupils from September 2008. Pupils gave three cheers for their new school before returning to the classrooms they will soon vacate. Two pupils in their final year at Albert Road, Ellen Quane and Aidan Jaques, both 10, were invited to step forward and help lay a time capsule containing, among many items, a copy of the school song, a poem written by children about the move, a piece of roof tile from Albert Road, a penny whistle, reflecting the strong musical tradition at the school, and a swimming cap. The capsule will lie under the entrance to the new school. Among those at the ceremony were Chairman of Ramsey Commissioners Mrs Mary Bruce JP, Treasury Minister and Ramsey MHK Mr Allan Bell and Ayre MHK Mr Eddie Teare as well as Director of Education Mr John Cain. More stories >>>
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