Hillhall Primary School
1893 - 2007

 

 

Commemorative Booklet

Index

Chairman of Board of Governors

2

Principal's Address

3

Staff of 2007

5

Members of Board of Governors

6

Historical Background of Hillhall Primary School

7

How We Were

23

School Trips

31

School Memories

39

Tribute to Rev. Dr. J. Richardson MBE

52

Our Work

53

Our Teachers

66

 

Rev Dr W T J Richardson Chairman, Board of GovernorsHillhall Primary School will, as long as I live, occupy a very prominent place in my memories. Its well-chosen caption � `Our Happy School' � is so apt for, as I am quite confident, there has been no happier Primary School in the length and breadth of our land than Hillhall.

High academic standards have been achieved and sound principles for life taught to generations of pupils, who have benefited from being part of an environment that has enabled them to grow strong and confident. What a sound foundation on which to build their subsequent educations, careers and indeed lives!!

How sad it is for all of us who have witnessed its work and worth within the lives of our own children and indeed the wider community, to see this all come to an end. Surely the closure of our school will inevitably be to the detriment of our whole community. I pay tribute to all those parents, teachers, governors and politicians who worked so hard to convince the South Eastern Education and Library Board and the Department of Education of its viability and worth. Alas, our most stringent efforts have been in vain and the doors of our school will now close to surely the most beautiful sound of creation � the sound and clatter of happy, confident children.

It would be unbecoming of me not to take this opportunity to underline the debt of gratitude we owe to a succession of principals, teachers and ancillary staff who have consistently gone beyond the bounds of duty to keep Hillhall Primary School what it has always been � `Our Happy School'.

Only eternity will reveal the blessing it has brought to so many, whose privilege it has been to have passed through its doors and benefited from the excellent education they received within its walls.

Yours sincerely

Rev Dr W T J Richardson Chairman, Board of Governors


Address given at the Farewell Service At Hillhall Presbyterian Church
June 3rd 2007 by
Mrs Angela Moore (Principal).

Mrs Angela Moore (Principal).Hillhall � our school � a name that will always conjure up for me memories of children's laughter and teachers' wonder; of respect given and respect received; of partnership between parents and teachers; of support of Governors; of a strong and involved PTA; of a Christian ethos and of true community spirit; of concerts and

dance recitals; of sports days and outings and residential trips; of examination worries and butterfly hatchings.

Hillhall is all of these and much, much more. Your children past and present have been fortunate to have had such a school and these memories will be with them, as they will be with me � always.

This has been a long and troubled year for everyone involved with our school. It has been the strength of our team, our happy focused children, the support of our governors, our parents, our colleagues, our friends and our families that has made the year more bearable. It has been the Hillhall community spirit that has pulled us through.

And so I stand before you this evening with a heavy and saddened heart in the knowledge that Hillhall Primary School which has served this community faithfully is about to close its doors for the very last time.

As I look around me, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride seeing the boys and girls, young men and women, older men and women that Hillhall has produced. As a community, and in partnership, we have reared our children to become responsible citizens, not an easy task in the world today.

Pride is a sin - but those of you fortunate enough to be part of Hillhall Primary have every right to be proud of your school and your memories of it.

I know all here tonight will be affected by the closure of the school but there are those who will be affected more strongly; those who are currently involved at Hillhall Primary School... the Governors, the parents, but especially the staff and the pupils - the pupils who will now finish their primary education away from Hillhall. For them especially I would like to read these words from H S Rice (with apologies.)

Bend in the Road

When we feel we have nothing left to give
For we know that our school has ended.
Now our time is over and the shadows fall
and the darkness of night has descended.
Where can we go to find the strength
to valiantly keep on trying
Where can we find the hand that will dry
the tears that our hearts are crying.

There is one place and that's to God
and without pretence and pride.
We can pour out our problems and our fears
and gain strength with Him at our side.
Together we've stood at life's crossroads
and viewed what we think is the end.
But God has a much bigger vision
He tells us - this is only a bend.

For the road will go on and get smoother
and the change at this time is a rest.
Though the future's unknown, unfinished
It may be sweetest and richest and best
So be calm now, relax and grow stronger
let go and let God share your load.
Your time here has finished, has ended
But you?
You've just come to a bend in the road

Mrs E A Moore

Principal 1993 � 2007 4

Staff of Hillhall Primary School 2007

Staff of Hillhall Primary School 2007

Photography Courtesy of: OPUS Digital (Roy Clements)

Principal
Mrs E A Moore, MEd, DASE

Assistant Teachers
Mrs H Young
Miss S Halliday
Mrs L Casement (part-time)

School Secretary
Mrs C McAteer

Classroom Assistant
Mrs A Carson

Caretaker
Mrs M Simpson

Catering Assistant
Mrs P Fleming

Supervisory Assistants
Mrs P Fleming
Mrs M Simpson


Board of Governors

Chairman
Rev Dr W T J Richardson

Vice-Chairman
Mrs I Sleator

Board Representatives
Mrs D Lyttle
Mr M McAteer

Transferors' Representatives
Rev Dr J Richardson
Mrs I Sleator
Mr J Lockhart
Mr P Hart

Parents' Representatives
Mr C McAuley
Mr M Thompson

Assistant Teachers' Representative
Mrs H J Young

Honorary Secretary
Mrs E A Moore

Minutes Secretary
Mrs C E McAteer