Schools working together

Some schools which have been required to open are working in clusters. Below George Buckley, Principal of Magherafelt Primary School gives us an insight into the day to day workings of a cluster and what it’s like to be part of the Magherafelt ‘hub’ team.

A day in the life of ……

Today (Monday 27 April 2020) has been a typical day. As part of a cluster of local schools working together, the Magherafelt ‘hub’ team welcomed 15 children from 9 different schools and staff from 3 of those schools on rota duty.

It’s been another team effort, as it’s been every day since we came together. It’s my school building, but it’s an eclectic mix of pupils and staff from across the sectors. Today we catered for ages 4 to 14.

It’s a fact that children breathe life into a school and when they’re not there we miss that noise and energy and excitement.

During the lovely weather, we’ve been in the playground a lot and I’ve watched from the edge, the adult on duty.  Remember until a few weeks ago these children had never met, but as is typical of their openness and adaptability, they organised their toys, the scooters and the playground chalks, and played.

When they’d had enough and gone inside, the playground was a kaleidoscope of chalk drawings. Lovely! 

The principals and staff, who in many instances had never met, did again, what I’ve witnessed over many years, they stepped up, organised themselves and met the need.

Our key workers...one memory will remain with me.

A parent, a front line hospital worker walked up to the entrance with his girls for the first time.

They were from another school and sector and we’d never met. We introduced ourselves, with appropriate social distancing and then he took his leave as the girls walked in with one of our staff giving them reassurance.

He turned and said, “Would you mind letting me see where my girls will spend their day?”

I walked him to the door where he could see the little work/rest and play space we’d created for them.

He gave an imperceptible sigh of relief and said, “Thank you for this”.

I thought what he’d be facing today and said, “It’s the least we can do”.

The images are from one of our sunny days. The police officers saw that the gates were open for business and so they came in to say hello, lights and sirens flashing. Another hub day!

Best wishes to everyone.

The Magherafelt hub team.

29 April 2020