Downpatrick primary pupils receive full attendance awards

Downpatrick primary pupils receive full attendance awards

16 October 2019

EIGHTEEN pupils with full attendance records were honoured at a special assembly held recently at Downpatrick Primary School. 

The pupils were presented with certificates by Mrs Elsie Storey, chairwoman of the school’s board of governors. 

Guests who attended the special assembly included parents and school governors with tea kindly provided by the school’s PTA.

The school principal, Mr Niall Stevenson, said it was “wonderful” for the school family to mark and celebrate the 18 children and their respective attendance records.

He said 12 pupils achieved one year’s full attendance, while two never missing a day in two years.

Three pupils clocked up three years’ unbroken attendance with one child not missing in day in five years and another not absent in six full years.

Mr Stevenson said that the combined attendance of the students who never missed a day was 6,105 days in a row.

“I am delighted that so many parents could come and share their children’s success at the assembly,” he said. 

“Achieving 100% attendance is a team effort and I should like to thank the children and especially their parents for treasuring the gift of education and ensuring that their child gets to school every morning.”

Mr Stevenson said the school’s total attendance for the 2018-19 school year was significantly higher than the Northern Ireland average.

He added: “The average reflects the efforts of the school and the parents to promote good attendance. I was also delighted to welcome former P7 children who came back to the school to get their certificates.”