Tributes paid as Ballinderry Primary principal retires
by JENNY MONROE
Mr lan Thomson who has retired as Principal of Ballinderry Primary 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.
Ulster Star
17/12/2010
