Dawning of a new era at Coleraine College

Mr Marsh, who is orginally from Cookstown, will take up the post from May, taking over from acting principal Madam Skobel, who will return to her role as Vice Principal.

In an exclusive interview with The Times this week, Mr Marsh, who is currently Vice Principal at Coleraine High School, talks about education in the Coleraine area, and his vision for the Carthall Road school.

“I am very excited at the prospect of taking up the post of principal at Coleraine College. This is the dawn of a new era for educational provision in Coleraine, and I believe that Coleraine College can be a key beneficiary of the changes that are occurring.

“These changes will provide a real opportunity for the College to grow in numbers and deliver an educational pathway that best suits the needs of young people in this area.”

Mr Marsh, a history teacher, who previously held the post of joint acting principal at Cookstown High School, said he is looking forward to working in partnership with Coleraine Grammar, as the main non selective school in Coleraine.

“I envisage a close collaboration with the newly established Coleraine Grammar School,” said the father of three.

“This will mean that the College can offer a wider curriculum choice, thus maximising the opportunities for the all of the pupils of Coleraine College and enabling them to fulfil their academic potential.”

Substantial renovation work is currently underway at the Carthall Road school. New windows are currently being installed, and pupils are set to benefit from a new English Department and a state-of-the-art Art Department, which will be completed before the end of the school year.

Paying tribute to his predecessor, Madame Skobel, Mr Marsh added: “We have already been working together as we plan for next year, but I look forward to working with Madame Skobel as my Vice Principal when I take up my post in May.”

Having already met many of the Coleraine College pupils, teachers and parents, Mr Marsh proclaimed: “I have found the pupils to be very pleasant and I have to say that they are very good ambassadors for the school.”

Looking to the future he added: “My aim is to make Coleraine College the non selective school of choice for parents and young people in Coleraine, eliminating the need to travel elsewhere. These are exciting times for Coleraine College, I look forward to working with the community and the stakeholders to lead the school from strength to strength.”