Laying the foundation of growth
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The pupils and staff of Kilmore Central NS in June 2025.Image 2 of 6
School principal, Lorna Moffett, is joined by Dean Nigel Crossey, to cut the first slice of the beautiful celebratory cake. PHOTOS: Sean McMahonImage 3 of 6
Planting a descendent of famed sycamore tree. Winston Heaslip was tasked with planting a young sycamore tree to mark the 50th anniversary celebrations at the school. Winston said this young tree is derived from a sycamore tree planted in 1632 by Bishop William Bedell. That famed tree is still standing and Winston grew this young tree from the seed of that same tree, which was planted almost 400 years ago.Image 4 of 6
The pupils at Kilmore Central NS reeling in the years with references to landmark occasions for the school over the past five decades.Image 5 of 6
The pupils at Kilmore Central NS were born to sing.Image 6 of 6
Gail Young with baby Sarah, enjoying the celebrations at the Kilmore Central NS on last Wednesday afternoon. Baby Sarah is seven months' old.Kilmore Central NS is only a small school in numbers, but its community is big in heart and passion. Generations of families have read books on the benches, kicked footballs on the grass, listened to the birds chirping and inspected the nooks on nature walks.
For its 50th anniversary, the 45 pupils and eight staff members thoughtfully composed a programme that reflected the colourful memory and the people who shaped the community and encouraged children on the way.
In 1975, the four schools Clonegonnell, Crossdoney, Gartbrattan and Ballintemple amalgamated to become Kilmore Central National School. Frank Brady, who used to own B&F Stores in Ballinagh, quite literally laid the groundwork for the new school, when he delivered the building material for it in the 1970s. His son Nigel was among the first children to enroll here, all of his four children went to this school.
On this glorious June day, he is here to see his grandchildren celebrate the big anniversary. “The teachers are great, the playground and yard are fantastic. All our children loved going here and so do our grandchildren,” he said, sitting next to his wife Violet in one of the neatly lined-out rows of chairs.
People of all ages came in droves to the celebration, showing their appreciation for the community’s institution. Former principal Charlotte Browne. who was in Kilmore from 1987 until 2005, reflected on the “many changes” she had experienced throughout her tenure.
“Until the telephone was installed, we had to rely on friendly neighbours to relay messages.”
It wasn’t until 1997 when a computer was first set on a desk in the office. Purchased with countless bundles of tesco-vouchers, she told bemused. “I’m sure Tesco made a good deal with us at the time.”
Not only the teachers are thanked on this day, but also those people who supported the school throughout. One man in particular who has been part of the journey nearly for the entire time: Bus driver John Gould is retiring, albeit reluctantly, after 48 years in service (see page 4 for full story). Teary eyed he addressed the students and their families.
“I’m going to miss all of you.”
It’s Lorna Moffett’s first year as principal and she looked “very proudly at the work and dedication of the whole school’s community”. The children presented a meticulously researched timeline of events, poems and lines of encouragement spelling out the word Kilmore School, embodying the school’s core values of kindness and uplift, cheering each other on and giving the children space to grow.
Following the school’s motto, the pupils wholeheartedly sang Natasha Bedingfield's 'Unwritten' to conclude the celebrations; Reminding them to let go of any inhibitions and to release their full potential. There will be many blank pages to fill with brilliant thoughts in the next 50 years to come in Kilmore Central National School