PLAYTIME has got even better for children at one primary school thanks to brand new adventure equipment.

Parents at Holy Rood Catholic Junior School helped raise £45,000 to install an adventure trail and outdoor classroom.

The trail, which is made up of swings, ropes and tyres, and classroom have been officially opened by chair of governors Monsignor Richard Twomey.

Headteacher Tony McAteer said: “Grateful thanks are due to the Parents and Friends Association for their enthusiastic fundraising efforts over the last three years, without which this project could not have gone ahead.

“I am sure that the children will thoroughly enjoy the exciting adventure trail for many years to come and will also benefit from the enhanced learning environment that the outdoor classroom provides.”

He also thanked the governing body for its support for the project. The school’s children turned out to see Monsignor Twomey cutting a red ribbon and blessing the new equipment.

Monsignor Twomey said: “The governors are continually striving to ensure that the children of Holy Rood are being educated in a first class school with first class facilities.

“The ceremony went very well and the children had good fun trying out the new equipment. The new facilities are quite impressive.”

The area at the rear of the adventure trail and surrounding the outdoor classroom will be seeded so it is covered in a lawn when spring arrives.

The celebration also coincided with the school’s International Day, which focused on Italy. Youngsters came to school dressed in the colours of the Italian flag and enjoyed a themed breakfast.