Keep up with Armagh i

Praise heaped on Armstrong Primary for “keeping our babies calm and safe”

Armstrong PS

It was a traumatic day for the pupils of the Armstrong Primary School.

But it was made a little easier by the kindness of others – and the sheer professionalism of the principal David Dickson and his staff.

Nobody expects when they send their child to school in the morning that they will have to return to collect them under such circumstances. No justification, no sane excuse, can ever be offered for putting these little children through such a trauma.

These young pupils of the Armstrong Primary School were taken to the Crozier Hall at St Mark’s Parish Church this morning after a sickening bomb threat.

It was the latest in a line of such sinister threats against innocent children.

Parents and public were horrified by what had happened.

But what followed was an example of a community pulling together.

Rev Malcolm Kingston, Rector of St Mark’s, and David Mansbridge, moved to provide the accommodation while the pupils waited for their parents and guardians.

Local supermarket Sainsbury’s also swung into action, providing juice, biscuits and fruit for the children and their teachers.

Today saw an amazing response by the community and school, with parents sending their thanks for the way in which staff dealt with the unfolding situation.

One mum tweeted to say “can’t wait to give my girl a big hug”.

Among those to visit the children too was local Councillor Garath Keating.

He was horrified by what had happened and commented on our Facebook page, aptly summing up what most were felling.

“Who in their right mind, or for what possible reason would anyone want to cause such disruption and distress to the youngest and sweetest members of our society ??? Called over there and the poor wee things have no understanding of such malice. Hope the idiot responsible is identified. Teachers and staff handling the matter excellently, but not the lesson they want to have to be teaching the children …”

We at Armagh I would like to pay tribute to all involved in today’s operation – it should never have happened, we don’t know why it did, but all involved are a credit and are to be commended for everything that they did.

 

Read more news:

Armstrong Primary evacuated after latest phone threat to school children

Further details of Borough’s newest Cinema emerge

New Loughgall potato breed wins competition final place for outstanding inventions

Investigation underway in Armagh after alleged attacks on pet owners and walkers

Junior Minister role for south Armagh MLA Megan Fearon

Piece of Armagh history goes on the market for ‘commercial development’

Council vote passed on funding for two more Somme centenary projects

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall sample Co Armagh’s delights during second day of visit

Sign Up To Our Newsletter

Most read today

More in Armagh