TODAY marks the end of an era at a Newport school. It is the last day for thousands of pupils and the staff at the current St Joseph's High School building before they move to a new purpose- built school at Pencarn Way, Duffryn.
The £10m building is the first new secondary school to be built in Newport for 32 years.
Today may be a sad day for pupils and particularly some staff, but the head teacher, Susan Jenkins, is determined to take the traditions and history of St Joseph's to the new school.
She said: "The school is made up of people and we are taking the people with us, that's the very heart of the school."
The decision to build the new school came after water was found to have penetrated the existing building.
The pupils have been given a specially extended half-term holiday for two weeks before their staggered return to the new school between November 1 and 3.
Paddy Landers, deputy head teacher, has been a teacher at the school for all its 32 years.
She said she had many happy memories of the old school but was looking forward to moving.
She said: "I am absolutely delighted. The new school is fabulous."
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