The Friends of St. Mary’s Primary School Brookeborough who have started work on the preparations for the school’s 75th anniversary celebrations next year, pictured looking over old roll books and photographs. They are back from left, Angela Murray, Tom Howell, Anthony McManus, David McKenna and Geraldine Hannigan. Front, Rose Wray, Sandra McDonagh and Tom Campbell.
SEVENTY-FIVE years ago this year the contract for St Mary’s Primary School in Brookeborough was awarded.
Although it was some time before the school was completed, and children finally moved over from the Old National School, a group of ‘friends’ of the primary school have begun working on the 75th anniversary celebrations – and they need your help.
The group, calling themselves ‘Friends of St Mary’s Primary School, Brookeborough have started gathering together old photographs, roll books and anything else they can get their hands on which will help recognise, and celebrate the work of the school over the past 75 years.
“We are making an appeal for photographs or school work e.g. old school books. Have a look and also ask relatives living outside the area who might have been at the school, or have any connections to the school” said Tom Donnelly, a past pupil and member of the ‘friends of St Mary’s’ group.
Mr Donnelly said the school was probably opened, and blessed in 1940 but, after speaking to some of the older residents of the area they believe the school was opened in September 1939.
“We have time on our hands to get ready for this, but it can be a slow process gathering all this information and memorabilia together” admits Tom.
“Some photos might have left the area, as people moved away, and we are hoping to get some of those back.
A display of material the group have gathered to date will be on show in the school on Sunday March 24 from 3pm to 5pm.
“As well as showing people what we’ve collected already we would encourage people to write a few stories about the school, their time there and their experiences.”
Anyone who has any information, photographs, roll books or anything else connected with the school can send it to ‘friendsofstmarysbrookeborough@hotmail.co.uk or call into the school on Sunday, March 24 and have a chat to Tom and the other members of the group.