Big thank you from Lisburn.com

Tributes paid as Ballinderry Primary principal retires

by JENNY MONROE

Mr lan Thomson who has retired as Principal of Ballinderry Primary School.

Mr lan Thomson who has retired as Principal of Ballinderry Primary School.

Mr Thomson Principal of Ballinderry Primary has retired after 22 years at the school. THE Principal of Ballinderry Primary, Mr. Ian Thomson, has retired after 22 years at the school. During his time in Ballinderry Mr. Thomson worked tirelessly for the school and an evening to mark his retirement held in the school recently attracted a huge attendance of parents and pupils past and present and staff. The turn out was indeed a testament to the high regard everyone has for Mr. Thomson.

The evening began with musical items from the school's guitarists, the school choir and the clarinet and flute group.

Many tributes were paid to the Principal including from Mrs. McStravick Chair of the Board of Governors, Mrs. Magowan Vice Principal, Ms Hamill from the PTA, parents, past pupils, Mr. Patterson from the Community Association and Rev Holdsworth from The Moravian Church.

Mr. Thomson said: "I was recently reminded that I said at my interview for the Principal's post at Ballinderry that seven years was a respectable time to stay in any school before moving on. Thanks to the welcome and continued support from the school community, the seven years passed and 22 years later I'm retiring from a job I found very fulfilling."

He continued: "Our move to the new school was very exciting for us all and I feel now is an
appropriate time for Ballinderry to embark on a new era of leadership and for me to open another chapter in my life.

"I want to thank my Vice Principal Mrs. Magowan, Staff, Board of Governors, parents, friends of the school and the Community Association for their most generous gifts and kind words of appreciation. I have enjoyed myself and take with me many fine memories of the past years and the excellent events of the past week."

Mr. Thomson was presented with a sundial, a birdbath and a wooden seat for his garden along with a generous cheque. One of the parents, Mrs. McRoberts, baked a beautiful retirement cake.

jenny.monroe@ulsterstar.co.uk

Ulster Star
17/12/2010