Waringstown school raises cash for classroom iPads

Children at Waringstown Primary School getting their new Ipads. Included is current principal Carl McCambley, former principal Gary Kennedy, Mr Ian Somerville and Mrs Sharon Williamson (School ICT Co-ordinators) and local MLA Jo-Anne Dobson..

Principal, Mr Carl McCambley said, “The whole school is simply delighted with the backing we have received from our parents and local sponsors in the wider community. We initially hoped to raise enough money to purchase 30 iPads but were simply amazed by the parental response to the appeal.

“We launched the use of 50 iPads in school. Each of our 16 classrooms have also been equipped with Apple TV which enables the iPads to connect seamlessly with the Interactive Whiteboards. I am so grateful to our parents for the overwhelming support we have received. We were delighted to welcome the former Principal, Mr G G Kennedy MBE as he presented an iPad to the school as his retirement gift.”

Mr Ian Somerville and Mrs Sharon Williamson (School ICT Co-ordinators) were instrumental in the iLaunch. Every child in the school came together in the Assembly Hall to work on a ‘Book Creator App’ seeing senior pupils ‘buddy up’ with the younger children in the Foundation Stage.

Mr Somerville said, “We have anticipated the iLaunch for a long time in school and today has been incredible. We’ve seen our senior pupils peer mentor our younger children as they work collaboratively to create their iBook.”

Mrs Williamson commented, “It has been simply wonderful to see all of our children using the latest technology and we are very excited for the next step in the process as we seek to embed this equipment into our daily teaching and learning”.

Also present at the launch was Mrs Jo-Anne Dobson, Ulster Unionist MLA. Mrs Dobson, who lives in Waringstown, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see education being taken to the next level at Waringstown Primary School.

“Both my boys; Elliott and Mark attended the school and it was lovely to take the time to join the children as they worked away on their brand new iPads. It took me back to when my boys were at the school and it’s fantastic to see how the school is embracing new technology. I congratulate the Principal Mr Carl McCambley, his staff, the parents and everyone involved in securing the new iPads.

“It’s always important that schools look to the future and iPads have huge potential as an educational tool to improve creativity, help with reading and writing skills and engage, motivate and inspire children.”