Weather kind to nursery’s lucky ducks

Recent years have been dogged by great weather for ducks, terrible weather for duck races, but this year the climate played ball.

“It was a relief this year that the weather was kind to us,” said principal Sharon Beattie of the recent celebrations. “I even managed to get the ducks into the river and have a real duck race.

“With the aid of the local Fire Brigade, the Red Cross and the local Anglers the ducks set of down the river and quacked their way to their finish line.2

Duck number 27, Megan McDowell, claimed victory in the children’s race, with Spencer McClurg and Philip Mitchell hot on its tail-feathers. Duck 273, Katie Kerr, won the general race and the winning business duck was sponsored by John Nelson.

The prize for most original name went to Toni McKee and her ‘Quackma Duck’.

There followed a children’s performance, during which Mrs Beattie highlighted key events from the school year, including its being highly commended in the ‘Best Kept School’ competition and receiving a Silver Award in the Investors in People programme.

The parents’ and children’s charity work throughout the year raised an impressive total and Mrs Beattie welcomed Paul Russell to the school to receive a £1,300 for ‘Paul Russell Trust’. The principal also presented a £100 cheque to Hazel Watson of Dromore Red Cross, whom she thanked for their ongoing support.

Mrs Beattie went on to thank the many people who helped to make the day a success, among them Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church, Dromore High School, the Angling Club, the School Governors, Donald Duck, for making a special appearance, her ever faithful staff and of course the children and their parents.

She also encouraged parents to support the many local businesses who had supported the event to the tune of more than £717 in duck sponsorship.

Dromore Nursery School, which will see 79 children moving on to local primary schools, is now set to see out the school year with a variety of events, including a walk in thepark, a trip to the cinema, a safety day, a musical movement day led by the Patricia Hamilton School of Music, a physical activity day at Dromore Community Centre, and, to cound it all off, a Sports Stars Special’.

“We intend to go out with a bang, “ said Mrs Beattie, now looking