First Minister's first official engagement at Pond Park Primary

Northern Ireland's new First Minister, Arlene Foster, conducted her first official engagement at Pond Park Primary School in Lisburn on Tuesday (January 12).
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Jan 2016, 14:20 BST
Updated 12th Jan 2016, 14:23 BST
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 12th January 2016 - New First Minister Arlene Foster visits Pond Park Primary School in Lisburn on her first engagement. She is pictured with meeting pupils from Primary 3 Dylan McKinstry and Casey Richardson during the tour of the school. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 12th January 2016 - New First Minister Arlene Foster visits Pond Park Primary School in Lisburn on her first engagement. She is pictured with meeting pupils from Primary 3 Dylan McKinstry and Casey Richardson during the tour of the school. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 12th January 2016 - New First Minister Arlene Foster visits Pond Park Primary School in Lisburn on her first engagement. She is pictured with meeting pupils from Primary 3 Dylan McKinstry and Casey Richardson during the tour of the school. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Mrs Foster was welcomed to the school by Lagan Valley MLA Paul Givan and Principal Mr Geoffrey Cherry, who both said they were delighted that the new First Minister has chosen to visit Pond Park Primary.

The First Minister was taken on a tour of the school and had a chance to meet with some of the pupils, who presented her with a card to thank her for taking the time to visit.

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After spending time with some of the younger pupils in P1, P2 and P3, Mrs Foster held a Q&A in the school hall, giving the older children the opportunity to ask some pressing questions, including why Mrs Foster got into politics, what her view was on the transfer test and what she would like to achieve as First Minister.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 12th January 2016 - New First Minister Arlene Foster visits Pond Park Primary School in Lisburn on her first engagement. She is pictured with meeting pupils from Primary 3 Dylan McKinstry and Casey Richardson during the tour of the school. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 12th January 2016 - New First Minister Arlene Foster visits Pond Park Primary School in Lisburn on her first engagement. She is pictured with meeting pupils from Primary 3 Dylan McKinstry and Casey Richardson during the tour of the school. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 12th January 2016 - New First Minister Arlene Foster visits Pond Park Primary School in Lisburn on her first engagement. She is pictured with meeting pupils from Primary 3 Dylan McKinstry and Casey Richardson during the tour of the school. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

During the Q&A Mrs Foster revealed she first became interested in politics whilst studying at Queens University, she also said she believed there should be one single transfer test, that her most memorable engagement to date had been meeting the Queen and that one of her main aims was to ensure that every child in Northern Ireland had the best possible opportunities in life and that they would be proud to come from Northern Ireland.

Following the Q&A the school’s senior choir, which holds the title of School Choir of the Year, sang two pieces for the First Minister, who admitted she was very moved by the performances, even having a tear in her eye at one stage.

Principal Mr Geoffrey Cherry thanked the First Minister for visiting the school and wished her every success during her time in office.

Related topics:Arlene FosterFirst MinisterPaul GivanLisburn