Baroness May Blood officially opens extension at Forthill IPS

One of Northern Ireland’s leading campaigners for integrated education, Baroness Blood praised the pupils during the assembly, of their recent achievement and successes.

The special assembly also marked the official opening of the school extension, a seven month long project which was completed in August.

The extension includes a new front reception, office and foyer, a new multifunctional area, staffroom, governors’ board room and PTA room.

The extension freed up office space, an old staffroom, therefore allowing the school extra space for curriculum storage and small group learning rooms. The school was granted integrated status back in 2009.

Principal Clive Anderson said, it was a pleasure to have the Baroness, who officially unveiled the brass plaque, opening the new front and rear extensions at the school.

“Baroness Blood spoke to all the children about how she didn’t enjoy school, but if she had gone to a school like Fort Hill Primary, with so many great activities including the standard of the choir and dance she saw it would have been very different,” he said.

“She reminded us of the importance of remembering where we came from, wherever life takes us and congratulated the school on receiving all the well earned awards.”

Baroness Blood was also at the school to celebrate recent successes and achievements at the school.

Tina Summerville from the Ulster-Scots Agency presented the school which has set up a number of initiatives over the last 18 months, with the Ulster Scots Flagship Award.

The School also achieved the Royal Scottish Dancing Award for its promotion and standard of dance within the curriculum and afterschool clubs.

Principal Clive Anderson thanked Mrs Lucy Mulholland (tutor), for her expert instruction with the children.

The School Choir performed, ‘Let there be peace,’ with choir mistress Mrs Irvine.

The President of the Royal British Legion Lisburn, Raymond Corbett presented the choir with a framed photograph of the children singing live at the city’s first Festival of Remembrance at the Island Civic Centre, on November 6.