Former teacher shares memories of 'a wonderful school'

Glengormley man Tom Walsh, who started work at the school in September 1973, served under three headmasters - Mr Kerns, Mr Billingsley and Mr Johnston - during his 36-year career.

Mr Walsh, who took early retirement in June 2009, spoke to the Times this week about his “very happy memories” of his years as a teacher at the King’s Drive school.

Describing King’s Park as “an absolutely super school with great staff”, the former P6 teacher recalled how six or seven additional mobile classrooms were needed when the school’s pupil population peaked at around 800 in the early 1970s.

Mr Walsh revealed that the staff at King’s Park were a tight-knit bunch, with many who started in the late 1960s and early 70s staying at the school into the 80s, 90s and beyond, with many even sending their own children to the school.

“They (the teachers) loved working at the school and the fact that there was that nucleus of staff was good for the stability of the school. The working environment was very, very good. King’s Park has always been a very friendly and very forward-thinking school,” he said.

A keen sportsman, Tom played Amateur League football for Star of the Sea, had trials with Middlesbrough and enjoyed spells with Distillery, Glentoran and Portadown. He also played cricket for Greenisland and Cooke.

Looking back on his years at King’s Park, he is particularly proud of the school’s many sporting achievements.

Having been long-term coach of the school football team, and the Newtownabbey District side, he has particularly fond memories of his cup-winning team in the 1990s.

“We had Craig McClean, Christopher Reaney, Mark McKay and a couple of other great players that year. That was about the best team we ever had. That side won the Ulster Bank Cup and five of the team went on to form the nucleus of the Newtownabbey team which won the Northern Ireland Inter-District tournament in Coleraine.”

Having coached many talented players over the years, Mr Walsh can point to at least two former pupils who’ve gone on to make a career out of the beautiful game. His past players include former Hull City and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Alan Fettis and current Sunderland and Northern Ireland U21 midfielder Robbie Weir.

But it isn’t just footballers that King’s Park has catered for over the years, the school has also enjoyed considerable success in a variety of other sports including hockey, netball and badminton.

Among his other favourite memories of his years at the school, Mr Walsh recalls Mr Brian Moore’s “cracking” drama productions and the enjoyment the children got from trips to the Glendun Hotel in Cushendun in the 1970s.

“Thirty-six years in the one school is a very long time, but it was 36 years of bliss in a beautiful school. They were absolutely super years. King’s Park is a wonderful school with great staff and really appreciative parents,” he added.