County Derry Primary Schools shine with six awards at Families First ceremony

Following the recent Families First Awards ceremony, County Derry Primary Schools came back with no less than six awards. 

The ceremony, which took place at the iconic Titanic Museum in Belfast on Saturday, April 20,  aims to reward school staff for their work. 

A total of four schools won awards throughout County Derry.

Principal Ciaran Loane of St. Canice Primary School in Dungiven was honoured with the ‘Best Principal Award 2024’.

Meanwhile, Drumachose PS in Limavady secured the esteemed title of ‘Best School 2024’ and St Matthew’s PS in Drumsurn won the ‘Best School of the Year’ award. 

Speaking to the County Derry Post, Mrs Ann-Marie Kealey, principal of St. Matthew’s PS, said that receiving the award ‘is a great privilege’, particularly considering the size of the rural school which has around 100 pupils.

“We were so honoured to receive this award, it is prestigious,” she said.

St Matthew’s PS has seen almost a 30 percent growth in its pupils over the last five years.

“Our school model is small enough to care but big enough to inspire. What we hope to do every day is inspire our children to be the best they can be,” said the Principal.

“We hope that this will put Drumsurn on the map and that more people will hear about our school even though we're small and rural.”

The most rewarded County Derry school was Magherafelt Primary School which brought back three awards. 

Ian Sommerville, Principal of Magherafelt PS said he was ‘delighted’.

“It's just amazing to see really hard work and staff acknowledged for the great job they do,” he said.

“There's been a real buzz about the school over the last week. People just take a lot of pride in their school and they are just delighted to be acknowledged.”

During the ceremony, Ian himself was honoured with the ‘Principal of the Year’ award.

“It was a real shock,” he said. 

“I was absolutely surprised. I suppose it's almost like impostor syndrome. You look around the room and you see lots of other excellent principals who absolutely deserve an award. 

“It's strange to hear your own name being called out.”

Also in the Magherafelt team, Mrs Doherty won the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award and Mrs Flemming, the lunchtime supervisor, won the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for her four decades of service.

These schools have been granted these awards by the parents, friends or families that voted for them by sending a comment to Families First. 

Indeed, these comments will have an essential role in motivating the school staff and allowing them to see the positives in their work. 

“You get lots of comments coming in, before the awards. Those are the things that mean the most even if you didn't win an award, those are the bits that actually really make an emotional impact,” added Ian.

Limavady school Drumachose PS’ Principal, Marshall Kilgore said that they had received over 170 positive comments about the school and staff. 

“I try to go through them with the staff because they are very affirming,” said Mr Marshall.

“It's something that you don't normally get. The only time we are communicating with the parents is through questionnaires.”

Other County Derry schools and their staff also received acknowledgement on the night, including Mrs. Ciara Walsh from St. Mary’s Gortnaghey Primary School, who received a certificate of ‘highly recommended’ in her category.

In the Magherafelt team, Mrs. Wilson was highly commended in the ‘Teacher of the Year’ category and Michelle was highly commended in the ‘Classroom Assistant’ category.

The vote for next year's awards is already open. To nominate your favourite school staff email [email protected] giving the name of the nominee and the reason why you are nominating this person.