As a school Principal I have the privilege of having conversations with a lot of different people. Through these conversations I get to experience aspects of their life’s journey and the topics we discuss can cover everything from joy to sadness. This past week saw extreme examples of both. On Tuesday last, I had the most delightful conversation with Daphne our caretaker on her 70th birthday. I saw genuine joy as she received gifts from the staff and PTA and as she watched the video wave from over 90 pupils and staff members posted on our school website.
However, by the end of last week, joy in one event turned to extreme sadness in another at the news of the sudden passing of one of our parents, Mr Andrew Vaughan. Our whole school community has been left shocked and deeply saddened by this. As many of you will know, Andrew was very active in his support of our school which saw him help out at regular PTA events, take photos at our many special events and was the first to volunteer when an extra pair of hands were needed. He and I enjoyed numerous conversations about photography at the school gates over the years. Andrew was also heavily involved in the work of the Anahilt and Magheraconluce Community Association organising events and initiatives many of which were based in our school building. Andrew will be sorely missed as a member of our school community but much more importantly as a dad and a husband.
On behalf of our school governors, our staff, parents and pupils I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Andrew’s wife Rachel and their three children Tilly, Benji and Micah. Over the days, weeks and months ahead we will lift them up in prayer and endeavour to support them as best we can through this very difficult time.
R Reid