Saintfield events went off well despite hitch

SIR, — I write to correct statements made by ‘Bewildered’ under the title ‘Poor Saintfield Planning’ in last Wednesday’s edition (December 7) of the Down Recorder.

Every year, in December, Academy Primary School (APS) holds an Open Night for parents and children considering APS for entry into the Nursery or Primary 1 classes the following September. This event is publicised in August so that prospective parents are given adequate notice of the event. In previous years there has been no conflict with other events in the town. Only a very few pupils are involved in Open Night.

This year the Saintfield Town Committee (STC) changed the date of their ‘Christmas Fayre’ from Monday 5th to Thursday 8th December at a very late stage. I got in touch with the STC as soon as I was made aware of the clash of dates to express my concerns. Thankfully, with the help and good support of the PSNI, both events were a success and passed off safely.

Every effort will be made to ensure that there is no clash of dates next year.

The Christmas productions, by the children currently attending APS, take place this week.

Yours etc.,

GEOFFREY PERRIN

Chairman,

Board of Governors

Academy Primary School,

Saintfield.