The principal of a Co Down primary school has hailed the local community, teaching staff and children for their togetherness and dedication to promoting positives in the area.
St Colmcille’s Primary School which has been serving the parish of Downpatrick since 1975, and with an ethos driven by community, the school says it's passionate about providing effective education for all children.
Situated in the heart of a close-knit community, generations of families in the Model Farm and Flying Horse estates have trusted the staff at St Colmcille's to be a major part of their children's lives.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, principal Stephen Austin shared his pride for the school, and visions for the future.
"I started here in 2008 and worked six years as a teacher and then two years as a VP," he added.
"Then I was seconded out to Sacred Heart Primary School in Dundrum and took up the role as principal for the guts of a years and then the job came up permanently. I had always wanted to come back to St Colmcille's.
"When an opportunity then had arisen to come back, I went for the job and was successful. That was in May 2020. The ethos of the school, the families that the school serves, made me always want to come back. I thought I had the ability to add value to an already great school.
"I had a vision for school improvement, and that was to ensure that improvement was done consistently. I really wanted to do my best for the children in St Colmcille's.
"I understand that sometimes people judge a book by its cover, and I wanted the school to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible. But more importantly, I wanted the school premises to be enhanced for the educational development of the children under its care. We developed an outdoor classroom, we now have wildflower gardens, play parks and soft area playgrounds.
"Years ago, a lot of education would have been classroom based whereas now it is widely known that children learn best practically. I wanted to ensure that children had access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources but also ensuring that the school is as bright and welcoming as possible.
"The pupils are really happy with the resources and our school council always mentions how fun school is. They love being able to learn outdoors. The children speak very positively about the school and are heavily invovled in maintaining it through litter picking, weeding and when possible, they also take part in painting. They really do respect and appreciate their surroundings."
Principal Austin went on to praise the staff team that he has behind him. With a quota of over 70 staff members, St Colmcille's is continuing to grow.
And beyond the educational side of things, there is a strong commitment to the families whose houses surround the school building. In a cost-of-living crisis, St Colmcille's has now opened their school one evening per week, to provide a safe and warm space for people to come to.
They also are providing a free trip to a Christmas pantomime, an experience which often comes with a price tag, which families could struggle to cover.
He said: "I am surrounded by staff who want to be here and many times I would have to chase people out in the evenings.
"Our staff give generously of their own time and they do enjoy working here. I want to say thank you to them, and let them know that we recognise their hard work and appreciate it. They come in every day and make a positive difference to the lives of our children.
"I couldn't be any prouder to be here in St Colmcille's and feel very lucky to be here. We are working with a great community, great families and great children.
"Meeting with senior management, we discussed what measures we were already doing to help families. Our VP Marianne, had flagged that there were schools in England opening in the evening for people to come. We are now doing that one evening per week, but I want that to grow.
"We don't anyone to feel like it is a stigma to come here. After Halloween, we are looking into running a knitting group and a music group. To get a proper programme in place so that people will feel comfortable to join us.
"We want to try and make life easier for parents and will continue to do all we can to help this community."
The area in which St Colmcille's serves, has been subject to negative publicity, due to anti-social behaviour. But looking beyond that, the serves a community which is there for one another in times of need, with strong senses of togetherness.
Speaking highly of the area, Principal Austin said while it is their core business to develop the children's education, they want to be able to help their families too along the way.
"When I think of this community, I think of a tight knit community who care deeply about each other," he added.
"Anybody that says the area is just an area full of antisocial behaviour, doesn't know this area. The vast, vast majority of people here are excellent people who do their best to look after their children and the community. That is demonstrated through support we as a school have received over the years.
"Whatever we ask for, there;'s always a huge wave of support for."
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