Downpatrick school gives ‘warm’ welcome and opens doors to public amid cost-of-living crisis

Downpatrick school gives ‘warm’ welcome and opens doors to public amid cost-of-living crisis

12 October 2022

A DOWNPATRICK primary school is responding to community need by opening its doors to the public.

St Colmcille’s Primary School — based on the Killough Road — has been praised for reacting to the cost-of-living crisis by doing all it can to help at what is a particularly challenging time for many people.

The school is spearheading a number of initiatives which were outlined recently to parents and has been widely praised for the move.

It says it understands the cost-of-living crisis is impacting on a number of members of its school community and wants to help.

“We greatly value everyone in our school community and want to help in whatever way possible,” the school said, confirming that it is putting a number of measures in place, which are designed to be of assistance.

A free break will be available from Monday to Friday for those who need it, with parents asked to book via their child’s respective teacher via Seesaw.

A free Christmas pantomime trip is being organised for all pupils, in tandem with a meeting the school principal and deputy principal, at the request of parents, to explore support available from local agencies.

In addition, St Colmcille’s is offering low-cost after-school and breakfast clubs and has launched a “warm places and spaces initiative” which enables members of the community to make their way to the school on Monday nights between 6pm and 8pm.

The school says anyone can visit for free tea, coffee and biscuits, to read the newspapers or magazines and socialise. 

St Colmcille’s has also confirmed that additional evenings may be made available if demand is sufficient.

Downpatrick councillor Dermot Curran has praised the primary school for “thinking of if its pupils, parents and the wider community at this difficult and challenging time”.

He continued: “This is a wonderful initiative and congratulations to St Colmcille’s for putting local people front and centre as the cost-of-living crisis intensifies and people struggle to make ends meet.

“Down District is known for its community spirit which this particular primary school epitomises. To think of others at this time will give comfort to many.

“Everyone is acutely aware of how tough things are for people and with the onset of winter, there will be even more pressure on household budgets.”

Cllr Curran extended his thanks to St Colmcille’s principal Mr Stephen Austin and everyone at the school for putting the needs of its pupils and the wider community at the centre of what it does.

“I have no doubt that pupils, parents and families will warmly welcome the support the primary school is making available to them. Congratulations to everyone involved,” he added.