St John's Primary School 100th anniversary

The Hazelbank Road school this week welcomed some former pupils back to mark the anniversary - four generations of the same family who have all attended St John's.

Year 2 and Year 4 pupils John and Lauren Quinn welcomed their dad and past pupil Colin to the school along with his father George and his mother Mary Quinn (nee Orr) - all past students at St John's.

It was also a special day for the Scott family when Year 1 pupil Jessica Scott was pictured with her mum and school secretary Jayne Scott who went to St John's and her grandad Kevin Mullan, also a past pupil. Unable to attend was Jessica's great granny 85-year-old Sarah Mullan who also went to the school.

It was a special day too for the O'Kane family. Year 5 pupil Aaron welcomed his mum Caroline to the school where she was once a pupil. Year 5 pupil Callum O'Kane's mum Anna was also a pupil however she was unable to attend the reunuion.

Also there was grandfather James O'Kane, a former St John's boy and his mother, great-granny 97-year-old Margaret O'Kane (nee Weir) was also a former pupil but she was unable to attend.

Great granny Margaret also has two other strong links to St John's through the Cartmell and Denton families.

Current pupils Eric and Aodhan Cartmell welcomed their mum Margaret Cartmell (nee Kennedy) back to the school along with her mother Margaret Weir and their great-gramnny is also 97-year-old Margaret O'Kane - again all former St John's pupils.

Great granny Margaret's other connection to the Hazelbank Road school comes in the form of the Denton family.

Luke and Oran Denton are current pupils and they were on hand to welcome former pupil uncle Peter Doherty along with his mum Veronica Doherty who also attended St John's as did her mother, Mrs O'Kane.

The mini reunion of the four generations of St John's pupils illustrated the strong place held by the school in the local community.

Back in 1909/10 Father Matthew Connery built a new school of two rooms on the site of the present school at Hazelbank Road.

St John's Primary School was first run by Ursuline Sisters from Chevanges in France until 1930 when the Loreto Sisters arrived in Coleraine to take over.

In 1930 there were about 90 children on the roll and the school was led by Mother Aidan and Mother Kevin.

Bishop Bernard O'Kane and Father Patrick Devine PP made arrangements for a bus to transport children from Dunboe to St John's Primary School as there was no Catholic Primary School in Dunboe. At this time the enrolment rose to 131.

The first "two roomed" school on Hazelbank Road opened in 1909/1910 soon became too small and in 1933 another two roomed building was built on the same site. The second two roomed school is still incorporated into the design of the present school.

As the school continued to grow, in 1952 two huts were erected to provide additional space. By 1959, the old school in Kyle's Brae had an additional room added and it was used again.

In 1967, the present school was started. The first two-storey block was completed in March 1969, and the whole school by September 1970. When it was completed the school had twelve classrooms and a library, an assembly hall and a school meals kitchen.

From the completion of the present school in 1970 to the present day the school has evolved and moved ahead with the times. In recent years the whole school has developed a new computer suite and library, as well as expanding and building new outdoor play areas.

In 2004 the school was upgraded to provide full disabled access with the introduction of lifts and ramps. The most recent development, to coincide with the 100 years celebration, was the introduction of the most up-to-date interactive whiteboards into every classroom.

"It's a long way from the slate to write on and the open fire in 1909/1910," said current principal Kieran O'Neill.

REPORT: UNA CULKIN