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.
@thearmstrongps thanks to all the staff for their efforts in keeping our kids safe during the bomb alert. And thanks @sainsburys of Armagh!
— Laura Livingstone (@LauraL_1992) 27 May 2016
@thearmstrongps well done to all staff for their quick action today, keeping our babies calm and safe .????
— Carolyn Edwards (@carolyn19811) 27 May 2016
@thearmstrongps well done Mr Dixon and your staff for getting the children moved quickly. Thoughts are with you all.
— Ms Honey (@jak_ie) 27 May 2016
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