Portstewart Primary School
Encyclopedia
Portstewart Primary School is situated in the town of Portstewart
, County Londonderry
, Northern Ireland
. It caters for children from the ages of 4 to 11 years. The school is located in Central Avenue, close to the town centre.
The principal of the primary school is Alan Millar. The school nursery is placed right beside the main school, giving young children the chance to settle in before progressing to the main school.
Rapid growth in the local population during the late 1920s gave rise to an increase in school enrolment. In 1925 it had been agreed to transfer the school to the Regional Committee, subject to the church having use of the premises for church work. However, they perceived difficulties because of the existence of the Agherton School, suggesting that the two schools amalgamate to form one new-site school. Eventually, Portstewart Public Elementary and Technical School was opened on 30 May 1938, with three classrooms, 140 places and provision for future extensions. At this stage, the two schools did not amalgamate.
The war brought an influx of evacuees and by May 1941 the school was catering for 200 pupils. Changes took place in staffing and with the new Education Act of 1947, Agherton P E School and Portstewart P E School at last amalgamated to be known as Portstewart Primary School, with an enrolment of 268. With the resulting lack of accommodation, Agherton was still used for some classes until new classrooms could be built. Three infant classrooms and a dining hall were put up in 1952.
Growth continued and in April 1961 it was decided that a second extension was required to provide two further classrooms. In 1964 the numbers rose by 42 within one year to take the enrolment to 356 and in 1966 the local Guide hut and two temporary classrooms were in use, while the domestic science and woodwork rooms had reverted to normal class use. The last extension, of 1968 provided the school with its current accommodation, adding a two-storey extension, an assembly hall, staffroom and other ancillary buildings.
Standing in Central Avenue, the view of the front entrance of the school is still the same as that of the original building of 1938.
The most recent addition to the school is the provision of a Nursery Unit by DENI.
Annually, pupils participate in football matches, hockey tournaments, the Inter Schools' Swimming Gala, Coleraine & District Primary Schools' Athletics Championship, Cricket tournaments and Cross Country events.
Portstewart Primary has enjoyed success on the football pitch, including a 5–1 victory in the 2000 Doherty Cup Final at the Coleraine Showgrounds.
At different times during the school year, the following activities are offered:
Athletics, Cricket, Hockey, Netball, Football,
Cycling Proficiency, Orchestra, Scripture Union, Dance, Drama,
Computer Club, Art Club, Radio & TV Club
Portstewart
Portstewart is a small town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 7,803 people in the 2001 Census. It is a seaside resort neighbouring Portrush. Of the two towns, Portstewart is decidedly quieter with more sedate attractions. Its harbour and scenic coastal paths form an...
, County Londonderry
County Londonderry
The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It caters for children from the ages of 4 to 11 years. The school is located in Central Avenue, close to the town centre.
The principal of the primary school is Alan Millar. The school nursery is placed right beside the main school, giving young children the chance to settle in before progressing to the main school.
History of the School
Education in Portstewart began with the opening of the Presbyterian Church and “adjoining schoolhouse” in 1828. This old school building now serves as a choir room for the present church building. Three other “schools” also came into existence under various auspices, including Agherton Parish. In 1896, the Presbyterian Church Committee decided to look for a new site and apply for a grant for building a new school, which was to serve pupils’ needs until 1938. That building was eventually incorporated into the Presbyterian Church Halls.Rapid growth in the local population during the late 1920s gave rise to an increase in school enrolment. In 1925 it had been agreed to transfer the school to the Regional Committee, subject to the church having use of the premises for church work. However, they perceived difficulties because of the existence of the Agherton School, suggesting that the two schools amalgamate to form one new-site school. Eventually, Portstewart Public Elementary and Technical School was opened on 30 May 1938, with three classrooms, 140 places and provision for future extensions. At this stage, the two schools did not amalgamate.
The war brought an influx of evacuees and by May 1941 the school was catering for 200 pupils. Changes took place in staffing and with the new Education Act of 1947, Agherton P E School and Portstewart P E School at last amalgamated to be known as Portstewart Primary School, with an enrolment of 268. With the resulting lack of accommodation, Agherton was still used for some classes until new classrooms could be built. Three infant classrooms and a dining hall were put up in 1952.
Growth continued and in April 1961 it was decided that a second extension was required to provide two further classrooms. In 1964 the numbers rose by 42 within one year to take the enrolment to 356 and in 1966 the local Guide hut and two temporary classrooms were in use, while the domestic science and woodwork rooms had reverted to normal class use. The last extension, of 1968 provided the school with its current accommodation, adding a two-storey extension, an assembly hall, staffroom and other ancillary buildings.
Standing in Central Avenue, the view of the front entrance of the school is still the same as that of the original building of 1938.
The most recent addition to the school is the provision of a Nursery Unit by DENI.
Sports
The school holds a sports day at the end of every academic year where the whole school takes place in a variety of sporting events in an attempt to help their House team win. There are four different Houses: Agherton (red), Drumslade (blue), Cromore (yellow) and Roselick (Green).Annually, pupils participate in football matches, hockey tournaments, the Inter Schools' Swimming Gala, Coleraine & District Primary Schools' Athletics Championship, Cricket tournaments and Cross Country events.
Portstewart Primary has enjoyed success on the football pitch, including a 5–1 victory in the 2000 Doherty Cup Final at the Coleraine Showgrounds.
Extra- Curricular activities.
The provision of extra-curricular activities is viewed as an important element of school life. In order to maintain a full programme of extra-curricular activities, we rely on the co-operation and expertise of each staff member. Parental involvement is always welcome. We believe that our pupils greatly benefit from the opportunity to participate in activities of a non-academic nature which also foster social and physical development. Such involvement allows them to experience success and develops feelings of worth and self-esteem.At different times during the school year, the following activities are offered:
Athletics, Cricket, Hockey, Netball, Football,
Cycling Proficiency, Orchestra, Scripture Union, Dance, Drama,
Computer Club, Art Club, Radio & TV Club