Whitehouse Primary School Explained

Whitehouse Primary School
Motto:Learning to Live
Streetaddress:2 Doagh Road, Newtownabbey, Antrim
City:Newtownabbey
State:Northern Ireland
Postcode:BT37 9NZ
Country:United Kingdom
Schooltype:Primary
Opened:1938[1]
Lea:EANI
Principal:Miss D Blain [2]
Viceprincipal:Mr O Dowds
Avg Class Size:25-30
Language:English
Colours:Red, Green and White
Website:School website

Whitehouse Primary School is a primary school in Newtownabbey. It was destroyed in an arson attack on 18 July 2009.[3] [4] After the school was destroyed, its students were temporarily housed in nearby Newtownabby High School. On 14 May 2010, Education Minister Caitríona Ruane approved an amount of £3.6m for rebuilding the school.[5]

In the arson attack, the entire building except for the front half was burnt down. The front half included the canteen, the Primary (Grade) 1 Classrooms and the Nursery Unit.

Principal David McConkey wanted the school to be rebuilt, but Education Minister Caitríona Ruane was against this. After Ruane decided to shelve the plans for rebuilding the school, McConkey and others led a campaign to get the school rebuilt with the ensuing debate receiving significant media coverage. Pupils protested with signs saying "We Love Whitehouse", "We need a school to learn in", "Why No school?", "WPS Betrayed by Ruane" and "New School Now".[6] On 14 May 2010, the Education Minister approved £3.6m for rebuilding the school.[5] In 2011, David McConkey was awarded the MBE for his services to education.[7]

School colours are Red, Green and White. There is also a new logo for the school, which reads "Whitehouse Primary School Learning to live". The old one simply said "Whitehouse P.S."

References

54.6607°N -5.9093°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Whitehouse Primary School – History. 30 June 2012.
  2. Web site: Staff . Whitehouse PS . 13 November 2023.
  3. http://www.u.tv/News/Protest-as-Newtownabbey-school-rebuild-shelved/e8f0df47-04b4-4130-b358-c4be8ae2abf3 Protest as Newtownabbey school rebuild shelved
  4. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8157163.stm Primary school fire 'was arson'
  5. http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/northern_ireland/newsid_8677000/8677663.stm Whitehouse Primary School
  6. http://www.newtownabbeytoday.co.uk/news/local/whitehouse_protesters_demand_new_school_now_1_1700806 Whitehouse protesters demand 'new school now'
  7. http://www.newtownabbeytoday.co.uk/news/local/queen_s_honours_for_newtownabbey_trio_1_2775847 Queen’s honours for Newtownabbey trio