Maria McCann,North East reporterand
Cormac Campbell,South East reporter, BBC News NI
Rural school hosts its last nativity
Being a part of the school play is a childhood highlight of for many people and this year every pupil at Duneane Primary will create those memories as they take to the stage.
The rural primary school in County Antrim has just 18 pupils and each will have a starring role in the nativity.
Principal Paula Matthews said this years performance was particularly poignant as the school is closing after 135 years.
“We’re a rural school, we’re very much at the heart of the community and we have been for 135 years and the nativity has always been part of that,” Mrs Matthews said.
‘Everything is a last for us at the moment’
Mrs Matthews said Duneane Primary has “meant everything” to the community
Mrs Matthews said the nativity is bringing the community together but that there are “mixed emotions”.
“Everything is a last for us at the moment. We’re trying to keep it upbeat but there is a tinge of sadness as well,” she added.
Mrs Matthews said Duneane Primary has “meant everything” to the community.
“You see the same names appearing and that’s maybe going back 40, 50, 60 years.
“That’s a farming community and they’ve been here all that time. Suddenly there’s going to be a huge change for those families because that tradition is going to come to an end and that is going to be the end of a legacy for the school and for the farming and rural community we live in.”
This year’s nativity at Duneane Primary, near Toomebridge in County Antrim, is the school’s last
Fifty six miles away students at St Malachy’s Primary in Kilclief are also preparing for their Christmas show amid uncertainty about the school’s future.
Nestled on the Lecale coast between Strangford and Ardglass, the principal, Ciaran Clifford said his school is also at the heart of the community.
“This isn’t just a place where children come to learn but also where the community comes to meet and discuss plans. It’s an everyday, every week place.”
Ciaran Clifford and his staff are continuing as normal as they wait to hear about the future
St Malachy’s opened its doors in 1867 but with 35 pupils now, it’s been earmarked for closure.
“This area is like any other rural area in Northern Ireland – you’ve the church, the school and the GAA club,” he said.
“If you remove any of those elements it would be devastating.”
“For me and the staff it’s to continue with normal school life until you hear a final decision. We’re having our Open Day, our Christmas play and planning our end of year trips as normal,” Mr Clifford added.
Housing shortage
Mairéad Curran, pictured with granddaughter Charlotte, would be sad to see the school close
Mairéad Curran has lived in Kilclief for 54 years. Her late husband attended St Malachy’s, so did her children and grandchildren.
She says the challenges the school faces can be seen in many rural communities.
“I think it’s the lack of housing,” she said.
“But also people aren’t having as big families. I am the eldest of 18 children. I had two children and my two children have two children. But I suppose times are different, there’s financial restraints as well. But I think the main thing is the housing.”
At the time of writing there are just two houses listed as being for sale in Kilclief.
Both have an asking price just shy of £515,000.
Ella loves her school
In St Malachy’s playground pupils are playing football and catch as well whizzing around on scooters.
They’re also keen to talk about school and rural life.
Ella is in P7. Her favourite subject is English. In her spare time she plays camogie and Gaelic football for the local club. Next year she’ll travel in to Downpatrick for school.
“I love this school because it is so fun with my friends and all of the teachers are so lovely. I live beside the beach and I like going down there.”
Bella is anticipating a big change next year when she goes to secondary school
Her classmate Bella will join her in Downpatrick – she has been busy prepping for her role as narrator in the Christmas play. She also has one eye on big school.
“It will be a big change because at the minute we have just over 30 people in our school and we’ll be going somewhere with 30 people in a class,” she tells BBC News NI.
“I love the countryside. There are fields with cows just across from me.”
“It’ll be hard moving to a big school and making new friends other than my friends here,” says Rhys
One young man who loves school and the fields is Rhys.
He’s in P6, his favourite subject is maths and he is playing a Wise Man in the school show.
“I like to see my friends when I’m at school. I play football, hurling and Gaelic football. It’ll be hard moving to a big school and making new friends other than my friends here.
“You can do a lot of farming here, it’s way better. My family farm crops and sheep. I help out with the sheep.”
