Dear Memories
My memories of Hillhall Primary School are dear to me. The school and
everyone associated with it during my time there held a very special
place in my heart.
Over the years I saw many changes leading to better facilities for
both pupils and staff. After my first few years a telephone was
installed. Previously, calls were made and received at the Meals Kitchen
just outside the entrance. The girls' cloakroom was transformed into a
library and afterwards it became the school office. We began having
swimming lessons in Lisburn and weekly visits to the Leisure Centre.
Football matches with neighboring schools always caused great
excitement.
I particularly remember Harvest Services and Christmas Plays when
each child was involved and performed superbly on the Jay! The School
Outing each June included mothers, grannies, aunties and neighbouring
friends. Throughout the years we visited almost all of The National
Trust properties, The Folk Museums at Cultra and Omagh, the Planetarium
etc. One former parent recently recalled that she had visited "all
places of interest with Hillhall Primary!" Weeklong school camps were
taken during the Summer Holidays when we joined with Newport Primary at
Ardglass, Newcastle and Donaghadee. We slept in Primary School
classrooms on camp beds and had the services of the School Meals Staff.
In later years we enjoyed term-time breaks at The Share Centre, Cultra
Folk Museum and Ardnabannon Activity Centre.
It was a privilege and pleasure to work with the following teachers
at Hillhall: Patricia Black, Jean Campbell, Frances Elliot, Myrtle
Millar and Judy Robinson. I am pleased to say hat we still keep in touch
and meet up from time to time.
Mrs Mac, Dorothy Davison, Patricia Fleming and Mary Simpson bring to
mind happy memories, not forgetting several support staff and students.
The hard work and dedication of staff and pupils of Hillhall Primary
over the many years right to the present day have resulted in great
achievements and success. Both pupils and staff may look back with
pleasure remembering the friendly, family atmosphere.
I feel very sad indeed that the school is due to close at the end of
term and I take this opportunity to wish staff and pupils every blessing
in the future.
Mary McKeag
Principal 1973 � 1992
Past Pupils of Hillhall Primary
Photography Courtesy of J Kelly
What will I remember about Hillhall Primary? - the happiness and joy
that being a member of the school community has brought to me. For a
small rural school we aimed high, with school productions, concerts,
charity work, choir, art competitions, Scottish Dance, Cycling
Proficiency, 10 Stet Award, day trips and residentials as well as our
day to day) education - an education second to none. Nothing was too big
for us to try because as well as having a willing staff; we had superb
parents who backed us in all our ventures, supportive Governors and a
wonderful community spirit.
Some things I will never forget:
- The mud walk in Tollymore Forest Park where we trudged through
30cm � 45cm deep mud beds and the children found the real meaning of
`stuck in the mud.'
- Crawling through the irrigation tunnels (again in Tollymore) and
trying not to think of rats! Remember Mrs Young and the pipe.
- Being hosed down before being allowed into the Killyleagh Centre
because we were so dirty.
- On my 50th birthday jumping into a freezing mountain
pool and wondering how many people in other walks of life were
having as much fun as I was. (Thanks to Aaron Evans who pulled
me/pushed me up the river bed so that I got that far.)
- Losing my dignity when I sat down on the ice in Edinburgh and
having two P5 boys (George Sleator and Andrew Henry) search the ice
for it � unfortunately it was long gone.
- Getting locked out of our London hotel - after Dr Doolittle.
- Pretending not to be scared as I held a tarantula � couldn't
pass on my fears to the children.
- The reaction to our `tour hats' from all and sundry and the fun
this gave us.
- The looks of amazement as the Eiffel Tower lit up and began to
flash.
- The wonder in a child's eye when he/she sees something new and
the happiness when the penny drops.
I could go on and on... Hillhall has given me so much to remember, so
much to be thankful for, and so much to miss now that it is gone. I have
been honoured and privileged to be a part of it and although our school
is going � no one can remove my memories.
Angela Moore
Principal 1993 - 2007
Then ...
Photography Courtesy of J Kelly
Photography Courtesy of J Kelly
And Now.
The Parent Teacher Association
On behalf of the Parent Teacher Association we would
like to thank everyone for his or her help and support over the years.
Our motto sums it up "Our Happy School". This could only have happened
with teachers and parents working together. We have had many great
successes and `memorable moments'. Who could forget the Queen's Jubilee
celebrations and the typical Northern Ireland weather that destroyed our
flags and bunting � but even the weather didn't dampen our spirits.
For such a small PTA the amount of fundraising we were
able to do was a credit to all. Between craft sales, car boot sales,
family fun days, BBQs, cake sales, treasure hunts, bus trips to Dublin,
ladies nights, table & fireside quizzes to name but a few. Through this
fundraising we were able to provide our children with new tables,
chairs, books, computer equipment, arts and crafts and helped support
fund some school trips.
All that is left to be said is thank-you all again and
as we move forward may we all take fond memories of "Our Happy School"
with us.
Shirley McAuley
Chairman PTA 2002 - 2007
Photography Courtesy of J Kelly
Hillhall School Choir � Farewell Thanksgiving
Service 3rd June 2007
The Right Worshipful the Mayor and Mayoress meet 92
year-old Jim Rush, the oldest surviving past pupil of
Hillhall Primary School. Farewell Thanksgiving Service 3rd
June 2007
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HILLHALL PRIMARY SCHOOL
MISSION STATEMENT |
How we were.
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1940's |
1950's |
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1960's |
1970's |
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