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Half a century of learning celebrated
South Belfast News 28th of May 2008
by Gemma Burns
A local primary school celebrated a special birthday last week when they marked half a century of educating South Belfast children.
St Bernard's Primary School marked their 50th anniversary with a concert reenacting school life through the years as well as showing off the current pupils' musical talents. The Rosetta Road school will also be issuing a special anniversary magazine later this year with photographs and stories of the past five decades.
The school has a long history in South Belfast. The idea for a new school to be built in the Holy Rosary parish was first mooted in the mid 1950s as the local parochial primary school became more and more overcrowded.
Though far from ideal, Holy Rosary Hall on the Ravenhill Road reverted to its original use as a school. To remedy this situation the parish priest of Holy Rosary, Very Rev.Canon John O’Neill purchased five and a half acres of land at £2000 per acre at Ballymaconaghy, on which a school and a church would be built.
The school opened on May 1, 1958. It comprised an assembly hall, a principal’s office, a small staff room, a medical room and seven classrooms. There were 280 pupils, seven teachers, a caretaker, cleaners and kitchen staff.
Former principal Gerry McGettrick, who was associated with St Bernard's since its opening, said the early days of the school brought many exciting moments for the pupils.
"The school was built on what was known locally as the piggery. During the first year there would be bursts of excitement amongst the pupils when a rat would be spotted scampering about," he recalls.
It was quite common in the early days of the school to have classes in excess of 50, and in the odd case 60 pupils. The school grew steadily in numbers and soon a dual day system was begun, in which some of the classrooms would have had one set of pupils attending in the morning and another in the afternoon.
The school attendance grew to over 500 and the building of a large eight room extension in 1968 did away with the need for the dual day.
Mr McGettrick also recalled life in the school during the Troubles.
"During The Troubles we suffered less than many other schools, yet they made an impact," he said.
"Rotas were drawn up for parishioners who locked themselves in the unlit school to watch for suspicious activity and notify the police by phone. In an innovative gesture for the time the school had a visit from the wife of the Home Secretary, James Callaghan, while he was holding meetings in other places."
The population exodus to other parts of Belfast and outside Belfast caused the St Bernard's enrolment numbers to fall. Some of the spare classrooms were converted to resource areas which were becoming a growing part of educational provision, especially computers. Eventually with the arrival of better times, numbers increased and a three room extension was added.
Kieran McTaggart, current principal of the school said the heart of St Bernard's is the pupils, parents and staff who have helped it thrive over its 50 years.
"My vision is to ensure that St. Bernard’s will continue to be a school where every member of the school community, children, staff and parents feel happy, safe, motivated, supported and at all times are keen to take an active role in the life of the school," he said.
"Pupil life in St Bernard’s is enriched morally, spiritually, intellectually, socially, physically and emotionally through the promotion of dignity and raised self-esteem.
"The role of principal at St Bernard’s is enjoyable and thoroughly rewarding. However I know that success at the school depends on a wonderful team of professionals supporting the children on a daily basis.
"Each member of the team: teacher; learning assistant; secretary; caretaker; cleaner; playground supervisor or canteen staff brings their own talents to the school in a role essential in bringing each child to their full potential."
The head teacher said he is looking forward to St Bernards' next half century.
"We look forward to a very bright future at St Bernard’s Primary School as children are placed at the centre of educational change," said Mr McTaggart.
"In the near future a new school building will replace the current building but I am confident that the unique, traditional and special ethos that makes St Bernard’s the best Primary School in Belfast will never change.
“We are looking forward to the next 50 years."
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