The event, at the Canal Court Hotel in the city, followed a celebratory mass in Newry Cathedral.
Congratulating the school’s pupils, staff and the wider school community on the anniversary, Ms Ruane said: “St Joseph’s has served its community well over the last half century and has prepared generations of boys for life beyond the school gates.
“As it reaches this milestone, I am pleased to see the school is building on its success and is looking at new ways of broadening the education it provides. St Joseph’s has been at the forefront of collaborative working, for example, forging linkages with other schools and the local Further Education College to open a world of opportunities for its pupils.
“At a time when we will soon see the end of academic selection, I am pleased to see a successful school which does not select on the basis of academic ability and is able to provide its young people with a quality and varied education.
“I would like to congratulate the school community on reaching its golden anniversary and wish it well for the next 50 years.”
Notes to Editors:
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