50th anniversary celebration!

Excited shouts and squeals could be heard streets away as school principal Nigel Dougherty led the children and guests out onto the playing fields at the rear of the school.

Children from the nursery unit right through to the senior school were each presented with balloons in blue and yellow, symbolising the school's official colours tied with ribbon in the same yellow and blue hues.

While some children could not contain their excitement and let their balloons go early, others who had accidentally let go of their colourful helium-filled treasure looked skyward almost in tears as the balloon sailed further away from their grasp.

While the children took the opportunity to indulge in a snowball fight, the adults and guests returned to the heat of the school building to continue their reminiscences.

The day began with a service in Ebrington Presbyterian Church, at which the school featured

The congregational hymns were 'Praise Him, Praise Him' and 'Lord Dismiss Us With They Blessing', which was also sung on the day the school moved from the church building to the new premises off Ulsterville Avenue, 50 years ago. The Hymn 'Thank you, Lord for Ebrington' was sung by the pupils in Years 1 to 7, while 'Shine Jesus, Shine' was sung by the pupils from year 4 to 7.

Towards the end of the service the children in Years 4 to 7 also sang the school anthem, 'Trust Can Build a Dream', the soloist for which was past pupil Rachel Stone, whose mother, Irene, is a P7 teacher. The song was sung in the Millennium Dome 10 years ago, when a contingent from the school travelled to London to compete in a prestigious competition.

Meanwhile, at the outset of the service the pupils staged the drama 'What Ebrington Means to Me' in which they dissected the school crest and illustrated the themes of friendship, reading, the oak leaf and music, and the narrators for the set piece were Hilly Walker and Jordan Magee.

As with all the items the children performed, the Scripture Union and School Band were warmly applauded for their contributions to the service.

The second Bible reading was from Psalm 23, which was read by former pincipal, Roy Wright, who also spoke of his time as principal of the school - a post he held for 25 years. Mr Wright spoke of his delight and pride to be able to return for the celebration, and paid glowing tribute to the children's efforts.

The first Bible Reading was by John Manning, Chairman of the Board of Governors taken from the Book of Joshua 1, verses 1 to 9.

Former vice-principal Ruby Millar also spoke at the event, recalling her days as both a pupil at the school and as an employee, and school secretary Marilyn McCarter also spoke, recalling how she was one of two senior pupils asked to remain behind with the then principal to help lock the old school building.

She recalled how not only the local press, but also the TV cameras had turned out to record the historic walk from the church to the new school.

A musical treat in the form of a specially-written 'Happy Birthday' medley of songs was sung by the School Choir, and they also sang 'The Lord is my Shepherd', again to much applause.

The birthday medley was also sung again when the pupils made the chilly trek back to the school, and they were again applauded for their efforts.

The 'tea ladies' duties were taken by the two school secretaries Marilyn and Dawn, and the canteen staff put on a sumptuous festive spread that included home made biscuits and goodies with a seasonal twist, including mini mince pies, white and milk chocolate bites, parkin, shortbread, and sandwiches, as well as enough tea and coffee to sink a battleship.

In addition, a special anniversary cake, decorated in gold ribbon with gold icing was cut to mark the golden jubilee on the current site, with the principal Nigel Dougherty assisted by the oldest and youngest pupils.