The park is seen as a vital addition to Straidbilly where members of the Board of Governors, staff and local politicians campaigned for a long time to have the facility built as an important safety measur.
Last Friday's ceremony was attended by the chairman of Moyle District Council, Cllr. Willie Graham, a former pupil of the school, former principal, Mrs. Kathleen Taggart and her husband, Mrs. Mary McConaghie and Mrs. Pamela McLaughlin, former teachers. Mr. Phil O'Doherty from White Mountain Construction, and Sharon Saunderson from the North Eastern Education and Library Board.
The chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr. James McConaghie, welcomed all present and said the occasion was an important milestone in the history of Straidbilly and demonstrated to all the community the commitment of the NEELB to the future of the school.
He thanked Mr. Storey for all his practical support in the early stages of the project.
Mr. McConaghie said the car park was first mooted by the Board of Governors some eleven years ago.
"It has been a long process but with a good ending," Mr. McConaghie said, adding that the project would be further enhanced when warning lights will be installed next September ont he roadway.
"The safety of our children, parents and staff are paramount to the Board of Governors and we believe that this addition will provide a more safe environment to all who visit our school," he added.
Mr. McConaghie thanked principal, Mrs. Valerie McIntosh, for all the work she carries out at the school.
"It is because of her foresight and expertise, supported by an excellent staff that Straibdilly is experiencing so much success today. We now have a fine teacher base and with the support and belief of the community we inted to carry this into the future," he said.
In his speech, Mr. Storey described Straidbilly as an excellent school and it was a privilege for him to be asked to perform the ceremony.
He said the construction of the park would resolve the issues surrounding the safety of parents, staff and children.
Mr. Storey said there were many challenges facing education today, but it was schools like Straidbilly that successfully met those challenges. Primary schools played a key and vital role and he pledged to do all he could to ensure that funcing for such schools would continue to meet the many challenges and opportunities ahead.
Councillor Graham revealed he had first started the school 53 years ago in 1946 and had great memories of his time there. When he began, there wee 100 pupils and he was delighted to note that intake was creeping up to that figure.
Mrs. Tosh thanked the NEELB for providing the funding for the park and said it had made a big difference to the school. She was pleased to note that the Board were still supporting rural education.
By September the school would have 94 children and five teachers in the four classrooms and Mrs. Tosh suggested that they might be looking for another mobile classroom soon.
She welcomed Governors from Barnish PS and revealed that funding for the partnership arrangement with Barnish had been extended for a further three years as was the case with the two schools in Armoy.