Rural nativity plays ‘an opportunity to bring everyone together’

The Christmas nativity play is a highlight in the school calendar but for rural communities it’s also “an opportunity to bring everyone together”, according to school principals.

This year’s nativity at Duneane Primary, near Toomebridge in County Antrim, is the school’s last as it is closing after 135 years, something Paula Matthews said is “poignant”.

Her school’s 18 pupils are performing in the nativity for a final time in the Presbyterian Church next door.

“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,” Mrs Matthews said.

Mrs Matthews said the nativity is bringing the community together but that there are “mixed emotions”.

“Everything is a last for us at the moment. We’re trying to keep it upbeat but there is a tinge of sadness as well,” she added.

Mrs Matthews said Duneane Primary has “meant everything” to the community.

“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. Suddenly there’s going to be a huge change for those families because that tradition is going to come to an end and that is going to be the end of a legacy for the school and for the farming and rural community we live in.”

Fifty six miles away students at St Malachy’s Primary in Kilclief are also preparing for their Christmas show amid uncertainty about the school’s future.

Nestled on the Lecale coast between Strangford and Ardglass, the principal, Ciaran Clifford said his school is also at the heart of the community.

“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.”

St Malachy’s opened its doors in 1867 but with 35 pupils now, it’s been earmarked for closure.

“This area is like any other rural area in Northern Ireland – you’ve the church, the school and the GAA club,” he said.

“If you remove any of those elements it would be devastating.”

“For me and the staff it’s to continue with normal school life until you hear a final decision. We’re having our Open Day, our Christmas play and planning our end of year trips as normal,” Mr Clifford added.

Mairéad Curran has lived in Kilclief for 54 years. Her late husband attended St Malachy’s, so did her children and grandchildren.

She says the challenges the school faces can be seen in many rural communities.

“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 restraints as well. But I think the main thing is the housing.”

At the time of writing there are just two houses listed as being for sale in Kilclief.

Both have an asking price just shy of £515,000.

In St Malachy’s playground pupils are playing football and catch as well whizzing around on scooters.

They’re also keen to talk about school and rural life.

Ella is in P7. Her favourite subject is English. In her spare time she plays camogie and Gaelic football for the local club. Next year she’ll travel in to Downpatrick for school.

“I love this school because it is so fun with my friends and all of the teachers are so lovely. I live beside the beach and I like going down there.”

Her classmate Bella will join her in Downpatrick – she has been busy prepping for her role as narrator in the Christmas play. She also has one eye on big 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 tells BBC News NI.

“I love the countryside. There are fields with cows just across from me.”

One young man who loves school and the fields is Rhys.

He’s in P6, his favourite subject is maths and he is playing a Wise Man in the school show.

“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.

“You can do a lot of farming here, it’s way better. My family farm crops and sheep. I help out with the sheep.”