Garnock Community Campus opened its doors for the first time on Tuesday (January 10) – and was immediately given top marks from pupils.
The fantastic new facility on Beith Road accommodates pupils from the former Garnock Academy, Glengarnock Primary School and Glengarnock Early Years class.
It also features state-of-the-art leisure facilities, including a new swimming pool, to be operated by KA Leisure.
Head teacher Alan Dick said: “It’s wonderful to finally be in the new campus – it’s an amazing building.
“The staff are delighted with the facilities and teaching spaces and I’m sure the children will love the learning environment.
“It’s a real privilege to be here for such a momentous day. The campus will really shape the future of the Garnock community over the coming years.”
The new £40 million school, community and leisure campus will serve the Garnock Valley’s three main towns - Kilbirnie, Beith and Dalry.
As well as providing state-of-the-art educational facilities for pupils, the campus includes a high quality six-lane swimming pool leisure facility, operated by KA Leisure, to replace Garnock Pool and a synthetic pitch suitable for rugby and football. The campus also features a number of sports halls.
On their first day at the new campus, excited pupils gave the facility a big thumbs-up.
Head Girl Alice Gilliland said: “I think it’s going to be great. With the early years pupils right through to sixth year, the campus will really live up to the name and have a real sense of community.
“The facilities are much better at the new campus and I think it will really enhance our learning.”
Katie Macdonald, Depute Head Girl, said: “It seems like we will have a real feeling of togetherness because the campus is so spacious but there are many social areas.
“Although I will only be here another four months or so before leaving, I am looking forward to getting the most out of it.”
Fourth, fifth and sixth-year pupils were first to sample the new school on Tuesday while first, second and third year pupils started on Wednesday, January 11.
Pupils from the former Glengarnock Primary and early years class took part in a procession from their old building to their new surroundings, led by pipers Angus McDonald and Paul Sproat.