Two page spread on Teconnaught education

In this week's Down Recorder is a two page spread dedicated to Denis Cahill's new book on local education. A fantastic write up that shows how important our school has been to the local area for the last 50 years.

A celebration of rural education in Teconnaught

5 October 2016

THE latest chapter in the proud story of Holy Family Primary School in Teconnaught, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, will begin this Friday with the official opening of a new extension.

The unveiling, which will be performed by the Most Rev Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor, will coincide with the launch of a new booklet, ‘A Short History of Education in Teconnaught,’ which has been compiled on behalf of the school by a former principal, Mr Denis Cahill.

It celebrates the many achievements of the school, which opened in January 1966, and its predecessor, Teconnaught National School.

For former pupils it’s a heart-warming trip down memory lane, while for others it’s a fascinating insight into the development of education is a small country parish over the course of more than 100 years.

It’s packed with photographs of staff and children from the early years of the 20th century right up to the present day and includes touching reminiscences of former pupils and staff.

Mr Cahill, whose family has been closely connected with education in Teconnaught since those early years, began teaching at Holy Family in 1966 and was principal from 1972 until his retirement in 2005.

He began work on the booklet in March and admits it has been something of a labour of love.

He is deeply grateful to the many people who helped him in his research or by providing photographs and information. He is particularly grateful to Dr Eamon Phoenix, the well known historian and broadcaster.

“I got a lot of help from a lot of people and I can’t thank them enough for their generosity,” Mr Cahill said.

“This book is a tribute to the people who are part of the tradition of education in Teconnaught, the children, the parents and the many talented teachers, classroom assistants and ancilliary staff.”

Although Teconnaught National School opened in 1900, the story of education in the area begins much earlier with the hedge schools, which started in the 17th century and continued until the 19th century when they were replaced by the National Schools.

The first recognised school in the Teconnaught area was Annacloy National School, which was built in 1828 at a cost of 204 18 shillings and ninepence. It had 17 children, nine of whom were Protestant and eight Catholic, thus beginning an ethos of shared education which has continued up until the present day.

Annacloy and the nearby Rann National School, which opened in or around 1867, were both supported by Protestant clergy. The first Catholic National School opened in nearby Kilmore in 1884 in a loft. Teconnaught National School opened in 1900 and was a single storey stone building comprising one large room divided in two by a wooden partition. There were 104 children and two teachers.

School began at 9.30am and the first lesson the day was religious instruction. While the Catholic children learned the catechism, the Protestant children played outside in the yard.

Following the Education Act of 1923 the school was renamed Tyconnett Public Elementary School and a further name change came in 1947 when it became simply Teconnaught Primary School.

As numbers at the school continued to increase it was decided in 1964 that a new school should be built on a greenfield site. Two years later Holy Family Primary School was opened by the Most Rev Dr William Philbin, Bishop of Down and Connor. It cost £25,000 and comprised four classrooms, an assembly hall and meals area.

The new school brought new opportunities for teachers and children, the improved facilities allowing for new subjects to be learned in addition to the ‘3 Rs’ of reading, writing and arithmetic.

A specialised unit for children with impaired hearing opened and attracted children from all denominations. With the help of dedicated teachers they were encouraged to become part of the school family and received the best possible educational opportunities. The unit eventually closed in 2007.

Holy Family has undergone many improvements and changes since it opened in 1966. However, the ambition and commitment to give children a good start in life remains the same.

The current principal, Mr Christopher Curran, said: “I would like to thank Mr Cahill for his outstanding effort in putting together this history of education in Teconnaught. It is something which will be cherished for years to come.”