Pupils were today enjoying their first full day in a new primary school since it was officially opened by humanitarian Terry Waite.Mr Waite CBE, who was kept as a hostage in Beirut for five years in the 1980s, cut a tape to officially open St Joseph's College new primary centre yesterday, and unveiled a plaque.

PUPILS were today enjoying their first full day in a new primary school since it was officially opened by humanitarian Terry Waite.

Mr Waite CBE, who was kept as a hostage in Beirut for five years in the 1980s, cut a tape to officially open St Joseph's College new primary centre yesterday, and unveiled a plaque.

The £3.6million eco-friendly primary centre in Belstead Road, Ipswich, took its first intake of pupils in September. Architects Wincer Kievenaar won the contract to design the building with a mandate of creating a school to inspire the youngsters, while the firm RG Carter built the structure.

Sian Grant, school principal, said: “It is every educator's dream to be able to provide a purpose built school for pupils with state-of-the-art technology and the latest educational equipment.

“It's such an innovative design and it is much more spectacular than a normal school box building.

“I wanted a building that made children feel comfortable and wasn't just a factory for them.”

Parents, pupils, teachers, and governors attended the service in the school chapel, which featured hymns, prayers and readings. Mr Waite also made a speech during the service.

He told the pupils: “You have a got a lovely new building here. Well done to all those who contributed to this. By the look of it, you should have got Doctor Who to open it!”

The school contains a cinema screen, and large classrooms, each with their own toilets and art and creative areas.

The building was blessed by Brother Sean Sellors, a member of the De La Salle network of which the college is part.

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