A new look and a new principal at Ballyhackett Primary School

Everyone at Ballyhackett Primary School has been busy getting ready for their Christmas celebrations.
Friends and families connected to the school volunteered their free time recently to give the school outside space a bit of a spruce up. It was all go with painting, sweeping and weeding, but after a weekend of hard work the exterior of the school is now looking fresher and tidier.Friends and families connected to the school volunteered their free time recently to give the school outside space a bit of a spruce up. It was all go with painting, sweeping and weeding, but after a weekend of hard work the exterior of the school is now looking fresher and tidier.
Friends and families connected to the school volunteered their free time recently to give the school outside space a bit of a spruce up. It was all go with painting, sweeping and weeding, but after a weekend of hard work the exterior of the school is now looking fresher and tidier.

Friends and families connected to the school volunteered their free time recently to give the outside space a spruce up, painting, sweeping and weeding. The exterior of the school is now looking fresher and tidier.

And the clean-up comes just in time for the annual Christmas extravaganza taking place on Saturday, December 3rd from 4pm to 7pm at the school. Alongside some traditional favourites including storytelling sessions, face painting and craft activities there will a few new additions for all the family to enjoy and of course Santa will be there to meet the children and get everyone into the holiday mood.

2016 has been a year of hellos and goodbyes for the school. Antoin Moran left to take up a new post in Derry and the school welcomed interim principal Mrs. Sinead Gillen in his place. At the end of October, the new permanent principal Mrs. Ann-Marie Kealey was appointed.

Ballyhackett's new permanent principal Mrs. Ann-Marie Kealey.Ballyhackett's new permanent principal Mrs. Ann-Marie Kealey.
Ballyhackett's new permanent principal Mrs. Ann-Marie Kealey.

Mrs. Kealey taught in St. Matthew’s P.S, Drumsurn, for 22 years and last year was acting principal. She is delighted to take up her new post in Ballyhackett and has settled in very well.

“I have been overwhelmed by the warm welcome I have received from everyone in the whole school community. I look forward to working with all the children and I am thrilled to be part of such an outstanding team,” she said.

“We are very fortunate at Ballyhackett P.S. to have a Parent, Friends and Teachers Association that is an integral part of the school. In its time the PFTA has raised many thousands of pounds which have been spent on improving equipment and resources to enhance our children’s education and the facilities in school in general. Throughout the academic year the PFTA arranges a variety of events which raise money for school funds and just as importantly enable pupils, parents, and teachers to have some fun together. One of our biggest events is the Christmas Extravaganza which I hope everyone will come along and support.

“Admission is great value at only £3 for both adults and children.”