The community of Duneane is preparing for a poignant farewell as students at Duneane Primary School perform their final Christmas nativity play. This event marks the end of an era for the school, which has served the rural community near Toomebridge in County Antrim for an impressive 135 years. The nativity, taking place in the nearby Presbyterian Church, is not just a highlight of the school calendar but also a significant occasion for bringing residents together.
Paula Matthews, the principal of Duneane Primary, expressed the mixed emotions surrounding this year’s performance. “We’re a rural school, we’re very much at the heart of the community and we have been for 135 years, and the nativity has always been part of that,” she stated. The school currently has just 18 pupils, and the closure has stirred feelings of nostalgia and sadness among both students and families.
Mrs. Matthews emphasized the enduring impact of the school on local families, some of whom have deep roots in the area. “You see the same names appearing and that’s maybe going back 40, 50, 60 years. That’s a farming community and they’ve been here all that time,” she noted. The closure represents a significant change for these families, marking the end of a legacy that has shaped their lives for generations.
Future Uncertain for Other Rural Schools
Fifty-six miles away, students at St Malachy’s Primary in Kilclief are also preparing for their Christmas show against a backdrop of uncertainty regarding their school’s future. Principal Ciaran Clifford highlighted the school’s role beyond education: “This isn’t just a place where children come to learn but also where the community comes to meet and discuss plans. It’s an everyday, every week place.” Established in 1867, St Malachy’s currently serves 35 pupils and has been earmarked for closure, echoing the challenges faced by rural educational institutions.
Mr. Clifford pointed out the integral role of schools, churches, and local clubs in rural areas. “If you remove any of those elements, it would be devastating,” he remarked. Despite the uncertainty, he and his staff are committed to maintaining a sense of normalcy, continuing with events like their Open Day and Christmas play.
Mairéad Curran, a long-time resident of Kilclief, has witnessed the challenges facing rural schools firsthand. Having lived in the area for 54 years, she shared her perspective on the declining school populations. “I think it’s the lack of housing,” she said. “But also people aren’t having as big families. I am the eldest of 18 children. I had two children, and my two children have two children. But I suppose times are different; there’s financial restraint as well. But I think the main thing is the housing.”
The local real estate market reflects these challenges, with only two houses currently listed for sale in Kilclief, both priced just under £515,000.
Voices of the Students
In the playground of St Malachy’s, students engage in various activities, from football to riding scooters. Ella, a P7 student, expressed her love for the school, stating, “I love this school because it is so fun with my friends and all of the teachers are so lovely.” She enjoys the nearby beach and is preparing to transition to secondary school in Downpatrick next year.
Her classmate Bella, who is excited about her role as narrator in the Christmas play, reflected on the upcoming challenges of moving to a larger school. “It will be a big change because at the minute we have just over 30 people in our school, and we’ll be going somewhere with 30 people in a class,” she explained.
Another student, Rhys, in P6, shared his enthusiasm for school and rural life. His favorite subject is maths, and he plays a Wise Man in the nativity. “I like to see my friends when I’m at school. I play football, hurling, and Gaelic football. It’ll be hard moving to a big school and making new friends other than my friends here,” he said, adding that his family farms crops and sheep.
As the nativity play at Duneane Primary approaches, the community stands united in both celebration and reflection, aware that the closure of their beloved school signifies a profound change in their rural landscape.
