Halloween fun at St Michael's PS, Clady

Pupils at St Michael’s Primary School, Clady, marked the end of the first part of the school year with a week that took learning beyond the classroom, culminating in the return of the school’s Halloween pumpkin patch and disco.

P6/7 pupils brought their current Titanic topic to life with a visit to Titanic Belfast, while there was success on the football pitch in the first round of the Malachy McGeeney Tournament at Clonmore GAC, with St Michael’s winning each of their games as they look to build on last year’s run to the final. Pupils also visited St Patrick’s High School, Keady as part of its transition programme, giving them an early experience of post-primary school life.

Closer to home, P6/7 turned their attention to some of the youngest children in the area as they prepared the return of St Michael’s pumpkin patch for neighbouring Clady Tiny Tots.

Following the success of last year’s event, the pupils helped design and set up the patch, while P1/2 created Halloween artwork. With pumpkins, bales and materials donated by families and local businesses, the children created different activities for the Tiny Tots children to enjoy, including Halloween stories and art, dressing up, dancing and chocolate apples.

The event also gave pupils another opportunity to spend time with their younger friends through a new buddy programme established between St Michael’s and Tiny Tots.

P6 pupils have been paired with preschool children and will come together for activities throughout the year.

For those children who go on to join St Michael’s, their buddy will be in P7 when they arrive in P1, giving them a familiar face as they make the transition to primary school.

Principal Johnny Guy said the programme also gives older pupils opportunities to develop strengths which are not always measured in the classroom.

“Every child has different strengths, and part of our role is giving them opportunities to discover and develop those strengths. Learning isn’t only about literacy and numeracy. The pumpkin patch brings together so many of the other things we want children to experience at school. They’re being creative, working with different age groups, taking responsibility and learning to look out for others.

“We talk to our children about kindness, respect and inclusion, but what really matters is giving them opportunities to put those values into practice. It’s lovely to stand back and see that happening naturally.

“Some of our children have a real natural ability to connect with younger pupils, this gives those children an opportunity to shine and recognise strengths in themselves that they might not always see in the classroom.

“At the same time, our Tiny Tots children get to know a friendly face who, for those joining us next year, will still be there when they begin P1. It’s a simple idea, but we hope that familiarity will make the move to primary school that little bit easier.”

The week finished with a Halloween disco organised by the Friends of St Michael’s, with the pumpkin patch providing a colourful backdrop for photographs of pupils in their costumes before an evening of music and dancing. The event also raised funds for the school.

The pumpkin patch was heavily supported by parents and local businesses, with pumpkins and supplies donated by Paula, Philip and the team at Tesco Portadown, Hunters, Markethill, and James McCracken from SPAR Portadown, while local farmers kindly provided the hay bales that helped bring the patch to life. When Friday’s weather forced activities indoors, Clady GFC provided the community hall for school use.

“So many people give their time and support to make days like this possible, and we’re very grateful to everyone who played a part. Our children are only this little for a short time, and we want school to be somewhere they can not only learn but enjoy all the experiences that come with being a child. Seeing them enjoy these sorts of experiences together makes all the effort worthwhile.”