Derry Model PS pupils were World War II classmates
P1 Pupils surprise 94 year-olds with bouquets of flowers and 1942 school roll book at Foyle Hospice reunion
Nonagenarian school friends Jean Peoples and Aileen Clarke were treated to a special surprise at the Foyle Hospice last week when their Alma Mater Model Primary School P1 pupils Penny Hannah and Grace McGavigan stole their hearts presenting them with bouquets of flowers and well wishes on meeting up again ninety years later!
It follows on from the story last week when the two former Model P1 pupils Jean Peoples and Aileen Clarke met up by accident at the Hospice’s Day Therapy Unit and after a brief conversation discovered that they were in the same Primary 1 class at The Model away back in the early 1940s!
This amazing discovery happened when they got speaking to one another as they ate their breakfast in the unit. Both ladies are 94 years old and, unbelievably, have birthdays less than one week apart.
They spent the rest of the morning reminiscing about the ‘good old days’ and going to school with gasmasks as the ‘War was on’.
The story was picked up by retired Model PS Principal, Mrs. Michelle Ramsey who got in contact with Mrs. Julie O’Loughlin, principal, and with the help of Mr. Michael Bradley, Vice Principal – all thought it would be a ‘lovely idea to surprise the two ladies with the original roll book for 1942 in which their names were side-by-side and marked ‘present.’
Jean and Aileen were surprised and delighted to see their names and overjoyed to receive bouquets of flowers and a lovely natter with the two ‘chatty’ P1 stars Penny and Grace.
Mrs. O’Loughlin takes up the story. ‘Michelle saw the piece on Facebook, contacted the school, we contacted the families and the staff at the Hospice. Jean and Aileen are at the Hospice every Wednesday and so we put a plan into action.
‘After discussions with Hospice staff and Jean and Aileen’s families, we took great delight in spending some time with them. And no better two pupils than Penny and Grace to chat the day away!’
Mrs. Michelle Ramsay said it was an honour to be in the presence of two lovely women and she was proud to hear they were former Model Primary School pupils who spoke very fondly of their days at the school.
During the table conversation with the two sprightly 94 year-olds, Jean commented about living through the war years.
‘I remember getting the bus to school and walking up Asylum Road summer and winter. Even though we lived through hard times in those days, I would not have wanted to live in a different time than we did. Honestly, I wouldn't change a thing.’
Aileen recalled having to wear a gas mask to school and how you wouldn’t have got out the front door without it. ‘We lived through the war years but we still have lots of good memories’.
Reminiscing over their years at the Model, both remembered their teachers’ names recalling being taught by a Ms Fazelle and Ms Patterson and how they had a lovely big classroom.
The pupils and principals spent over an hour with the two ladies, and the highlight of the day was being able to present both with ‘Pupil of the Week’ certificates – a great honour to receive at the Model Primary School these days.
Mrs. O’Loughlin said she hoped come September and the new school year that the two ladies might pay a visit to the school and speak with some of the pupils.