Windmill’s First School Principal Windmill Integrated Primary School First Years 1988-1990
The opening of Windmill Integrated primary school in September 1988 was an exciting and challenging experience for myself and the group of dedicated parents who wanted integrated education for their children. I was appointed Principal in June 1988 and we had parents and children enrolled but a suitable building was needed by September. After looking at several buildings the parents found St John’s Hall in John Street, Dungannon. It was a large open hall which after much hard work proved to be a very bright and open space easily divided by moveable boards into the two classrooms initially needed in the first year with 2 small rooms alongside to give a small office and staff room and a cloakroom area in the entrance. We had an enclosed play area at the rear of the building which provided a play area.
The school opened in September 1988 with two classes: Primary 1/2 taught by Pauline McGarry and my small P4/5 class, followed later by a Nursery class in January taught by Martina McElhatton, and an extra mobile classroom as the second group of Primary 1 children came to school in 1989. Our first years were very challenging for teachers and parents with setting up the curriculum, establishing a Board of Governors, searching for a permanent site for the school, establishing relationships with churches in the community particularly ensuring our children from the Catholic Community could be prepared for and make their First Communion, including a visit with parents to the Archbishop in Armagh. Most of all we focussed on providing a wide curriculum with practical and engaging activities to challenge the children and reach high standards. My class particularly enjoyed a day at the Ulster American Folk Park experiencing a Victorian School Day and volunteering to be ‘caned’ for “alleged misbehaviour”!
High points in those first years were the children’s enthusiasm for the first Christmas play written by themselves, and the involvement of parents such as giving the opportunity for the youngest children to visit an apple orchard, organising a treasure hunt and several other activities.
In 1990 on a windy February morning parents and children, staff, members of the Council for Integrated Education and children met at the digging of the first spade of soil on the site for the building of Windmill Integrated Primary School. It was an achievement that would not have been possible without the determination and dedication of the families and Board of Governors, and the support of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education.
Lesley Marriott
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