Education Minister visits Saintfield school presentation

Education Minister visits Saintfield school presentation

24 June 2020

EDUCATION Minister Peter Weir made a special visit to St Mary’s Primary School in Saintfield on Monday morning.

Mr Weir was the guest of honour at the annual P7 awards presentation which was held with social distancing and health and safety measures in place to protect the children and their parents.

Mr Weir presented some of the awards and was also on the receiving end of a gift when Ryan Walsh Williams presented him with a rainbow chameleon which he has specially painted for the occasion.

The children were delighted to receive the awards as an acknowledgement of their success during seven years at St Mary’s.

The Very Rev Father Anthony McHugh gave the children and parents a blessing for their future.

The school has remained open throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and plans to re-open for all children as soon as the Department of Education gives its permission.

A spokesperson for the school said: “St Mary’s is delighted to announce that it will be able to re-open with social distancing measures in place for all children as soon as a restart date is approved in mid to late August.

“Classrooms have already set out the two-metre social distancing rule and all staff are keen to welcome all children back in a safe and effective manner.” 

“Teachers are aware of the need to promote the health and well-being and of pupils and the school has a new nurture room, ready and waiting for use.”

“Teachers said their first aim is to address the wellbeing of our children using a nurturing approach.

“We believe that the best place to do that is in our school environment. Children need the friendship of peers, their class teacher and the comfort of a familiar learning environment to best access the curriculum.”