Stormont to hear of fight to save Burrenreagh primary

Stormont to hear of fight to save Burrenreagh primary

29 May 2013

THE battle to keep open the doors of a rural primary school near Castlewellan moves to Stormont today.

The principal of St Patrick’s primary, near Burrenreagh, Mr. James Hunt, and a number of parents will be addressing the Assembly’s Education Committee about the controversial proposal to recommend the rural school’s closure.

In March, the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) recommended that St. Patrick’s should close, a move which stunned pupils, parents, politicians and the local community.

St. Patrick’s primary is the only school in Down District recommended for closure following a review into all primaries in Northern Ireland.

Today’s meeting with the Education Committee is the latest in a series of initiatives being proposed to vigorously oppose the closure. Mr. Hunt will be joined at Stormont by parents Siobhan Rice and Daniel McIntosh and a number of local MLAs will also be lending their support.

“We will be putting forward a robust case on why St. Patrick’s should stay open. We are all very determined to have this decision reversed,” the principal declared.

In addition to the Stormont meeting, an innovative music video to support the Save Burrenreagh Campaign featuring every single pupil is being filmed shortly with a specially written song to the tune of world famous boy band One Direction’s global hit What Makes You Beautiful. The finished video will be sent to Education Minister John O’Dowd.

Mr. Hunt said the video will be called Burrenreagh is Beautiful and said the lyricists who penned the original One Direction hit have given the project their blessing.

“We believe the video and the song reflect the feelings of pupils within the school and their parents about the decision to recommend St. Patrick’s for closure,” the principal explained.

“We passionately believe the lyrics, written by one of our parents, reflect how the children feel. We plan to shoot the video and record the song shortly and present the finished article to Mr. O’Dowd.”

Mr. Hunt said the idea to make a music video as part of the campaign to keep the rural primary school open has received great support.

“The backing of so many people is particularly encouraging. Parents are helping in all sorts of ways, with some in charge of vocal coaching, while the original song writers of the One Direction hit, Carl Salk and Rami Jacob, have given our music video their blessing.

“These two men are among the world’s most prolific song writers and to have their support is tremendously encouraging. To have their backing for what we are doing is a real boost for everyone.”

Mr. Hunt said he is delighted with the support the school has received for its campaign and has thanked the parents who came up with the idea to shoot a music video.

“Many hours have been spent rewriting the original lyrics and we have secured the services of a video company which will start filming shortly,” he continued. “Everyone is really committed to the project.”

Mr. Hunt said the campaign to oppose the proposed closure of St. Patrick’s is going from strength to strength, with many people working tirelessly to help secure its future.