One final hurrah for the leavers at Drumadonnell Primary School

Parents and friends of the Primary 7 children joined with the rest of the school for this special day in the school’s calendar.

The principal, Mr. Keith Spiers, welcomed parents and friends and a programme followed, presented by the Primary 7 children and co-ordinated by Mr. Davis, the class teacher.

The programme included singing, choral speaking, poems which were written by the children, dancing, instrumental items and a sketch written by Mrs Lisa McCready, and performed by the class. At the end of the programme the school choir sang The Leavers’ Song.

After this very enjoyable programme, during which the children displayed their wide and varied talents, Records of Achievement were presented by the class teacher, Mr Davis. Individual awards were also presented.

Mr Spiers thanked the children for the contributions they had made to the school throughout the seven years of their attendance. He wished them well as they moved on to post-primary school, imploring them to reach their full potential and fulfil their dreams

A presentation of a bird bath for the school’s sensory garden was made by the Primary 7 children. Mr. Spiers thanked the children and their parents for this generous gesture

A presentation was made to Mrs. Gracey, on behalf of the parents and children, by Katie Adams and Calum Moore to mark her early retirement.

Mr. Spiers thanked Mrs. Gracey for her faithful service since the school opened in 2000 in her role as Primary 4 teacher and literacy coordinator.

She had been responsible for many of the literacy themed initiatives over the years including the very successful Paired Reading programmes, the Reading Partnership, School Book Fairs and Awareness Evenings for Parents.

Mr Spiers commented further that he had worked with Mrs Gracey for a very long time and always found her to be extremely hard-working.

He wished her a long, happy and fulfilling retirement, suggesting that she and her husband, Alister, would have plenty of time to take up new hobbies.

Mrs Bingham and Mrs Minnis then made a presentation to Mrs. Gracey on behalf of the teaching and non-teaching staff.

Mrs Minnis commented that not only had Mrs. Gracey been a hard-working and dedicated teaching colleague but also a very good friend.

A very pleasant morning ended with refreshments prepared by Mrs. McDowell and her staff.

Individual awards included:

The Wilson Cup for English - Thomas Johnston

The Spiers Cup for Mathematics - Julie Bicker & Thomas Johnston

The Gracey Shield for Science - Jamie Stewart

The Governors’ Cup for Endeavour - Hannah Bingham & Kerri Hanna

The Minnis Shield for Art and Design - Jonathan Porter

The Barlow Shield for Music and Drama- Zara McAllen

The Bell P.E. Shield - Sasha Martin & Sam McConnell

The SELB Attendance Cup - Thomas Johnston

The Mikie Chapman Memorial Shield for “Footballer of the Year” - Luke Cochrane

The Jelly Cup for Respect and Mutual Understanding - Emma Priestley

The Cromie Cup for Respect and Mutual Understanding - Edmund Whiteside

The Tuplin Shield for Progress at Key Stage 2 - Ellie Scott & Joseph Weir

The Aaron Macaulay Memorial Shield -Pupils’ Choice - Emma Priestley