A NEWPORT high school opened the doors to its new sixth form facilities this week with an official ceremony to commemorate the school’s £1 million redevelopment.

Lliswerry High School, on Nash Road, Newport, opened the facilities yesterday with an event attended by staff and governors, along with students and their parents.

The refurbished sixth form is part of the school’s ongoing £1 million redevelopment. It has transformed the school with features that include separate study and social areas for students and office space for the sixth form team.

The study area has computer facilities and private study areas, while the social area has both comfortable seating and a cafeteri.

The opening was followed by the school’s annual awards ceremony which celebrated both academic and extra-curricular successes, led by Jeff Ellaway, director of Post 16 studies.

Students played a big part in the redevelopment work, choosing everything from the flooring to the furniture and even the colour schemes in the toilets, following consultations with architects and members of the senior leadership team.

Headteacher Alyson Mills said: “We know these beautifully refurbished facilities will enhance our sixth form provision and will be enjoyed by our students for many years to come.

“It is exactly what they deserve and they have waited very patiently for these new facilities.

“I would like to thank them for their patience and their contribution in making these rooms look so modern and exciting.

“If the first part of our redevelopment looks as good as this, we can’t wait to see what the rest will look like.

“Lliswerry High School is changing, and we would love you to come and see it for yourself when we celebrate both the opening of the next phase and also our 40th birthday in the spring.”

The next phase of redevelopment will include new performing arts facilities, including drama and dance studios with sprung flooring, and a recording studio.

The school will also have new music rooms, including the provision for a state-of-the-art “Jampod” together with remodelled and fully refurbished changing rooms for PE and performing arts, all scheduled to open in early 2014.