Positive feedback from first community coffee morning

The event, held on Thursday, aimed to promote local shops and services within Glengormley and give each of their representatives an opportunity to shine a light on their own role, purpose and goods/services on offer.

As well as being a good networking opportunity, the morning also allowed pupils, their parents and staff to assess the school’s impact and presence within the community.

Representatives from local churches, the council and Assembly Members attended the event in the Church Road school.

Members of community groups and private sector organisations also joined the staff and pupils for tea, coffee, biscuits and buns.

Guests were met on arrival by members of the School Council who welcomed, escorted and hosted them during the light-hearted event.

Each visitor was also invited by the pupils to be interviewed for a few minutes and asked a series of questions about the school.

Principal Nigel Arnold said the feedback was both constructive and very positive.

“To seek out views and opinions of members across our local community is instrumental to us, as we prepare to move forward with our 2013-16 School Development Plan.

“We value the input from our neighbours and want to consult with them in order to influence and contribute to the future development of the school as we move into the next phase of success for Glengormley Integrated,” he said.

Members of the school’s PTA were also on hand to assist with all the preparation, and provision of refreshments for visitors as well as contributing to the discussions.

They were led by P1 teacher Raquel McKee and vice-chair of the PTA Karen Henning.

Raquel said: “We felt that the morning was a success. Many parents and visitors said they appreciated the opportunity to meet with some members of their local community they did not know and the chance to learn how they could help each other.

“We think it would be great to have this kind of event more often here in our school, being right at the heart of the village of Glengormley, and here for all to use and appreciate.”

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