The Religious Sisters of Charity confirmed that they were withdrawing from the process of merging St Vincent's Secondary School and North Presentation Secondary School in light of "considerable opposition" from students and parents at St Vincent's.
A large crowd of students, parents, teachers and local reps gathered outside the gates of St Vincent's yesterday to voice their opposition to the plan.
Parents said they were not consulted before the plan was announced, while students said they did not want to leave their school.
In a statement today, the Religious Sisters of Charity say they were left with no other option but to withdraw from the process of amalgamation.
The trustees went on to say they also want to acknowledge -with regret- the potential impact their decision with have for the North Pres community.
Speaking to RedFM News, local Councillor Kenneth Collins says the community at St Vincent's is very relieved:
"I mean, it's great that everyone stuck together- the parents, teachers, and especially the students that were worried about their school. They have now got a bit of relief to hear that it's going to be kept a single-sex school and they're going to be in their own school; St Vincent's Secondary School."
