Queen's Award for Rowandale school

During a special ceremony at the school’s end of year celebration assembly, the Lord Lieutenant was welcomed by staff, parents and pupils and presented the group with a signed certificate on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen along with an exclusive commemorative crystal.

Pupils showcased a lively mix of song and dance which were enjoyed by all.

Dave Foster, a founding parent and current chairperson of Rowandale IPS Board of Governors, expressed his pleasure at the receiving the coveted award; “We are delighted to have the privilege of welcoming the Lord Lieutenant to our school today. All those involved in the development of Rowandale IPS are overjoyed and honoured by Her Majesty’s recognition of our work.

"The Queen’s Award is a positive reflection on all involved in the campaign to open our integrated school and is a very fitting tribute to the work of the steering group which we will treasure.”

As an annual prize the Queen’s Award provides special recognition to voluntary organisations, based throughout the UK, who have made outstanding contributions within local communities.

The Queen’s Awards are equivalent in status to the MBE and celebrate the intense efforts made by the steering group, through tireless campaigning to establish an integrated school where children from all social and religious backgrounds could come together to learn and play.

Rowandale Integrated Primary School has grown from strength to strength since it opened in September 2007 and will be delighted to welcome over 100 pupils through its doors in September 2010.

Commenting on the steering group’s success, Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) patron and former World Featherweight Boxing Champion, Barry McGuigan said: “I was delighted to learn that Rowandale IPS Steering Group has been presented with the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is a great honour and a fitting tribute to the painstaking work undertaken by parents’ and community members to develop integrated primary provision for the Moira area. It was a wonderful privilege for me to meet such committed people and to see the fruits of their labour when I officially opened Rowandale Integrated Primary School.”

Mr McGuigan - a stalwart supporter of Integrated Education - added: “We need people like this to take a step forward in Northern Ireland to develop shared spaces for the children of the future so they have opportunities to grow together and learn more about each other in an integrated environment where difference is acknowledged and celebrated.”

First formed in 2004, the Rowandale IPS steering group, was nominated by an appreciative parent who felt that it would be a fitting tribute for all group members to be rewarded for their perseverance and determination in bring Integrated Education to the Moira area.