Scottish Catholic Observer

On the final day of last term, St John’s Primary School officially closed, with its pupils moving on to join their counterparts at St Patrick’s Primary School, in the neighbouring town of Auchinleck.

Fr Stephen McGrattan, parish priest for Cumnock, Auchinleck and Muirkirk, celebrated Mass on the evening of Friday October 4, alongside clergy from Galloway Diocese. Among those present at the closing Mass was Fr Eddie McGhee of Kilmarnock, who attended St John’s Primary School as a pupil.

Catriona Gray, headteacher at St John’s and St Patrick’s, highlighted that the recent Mass provided an opportunity to celebrate learning and life at St John’s, which opened in Cumnock in 1886 and moved to its final site in June 1974.

Mrs Gray emphasised that St John’s—which took in pupils from St Thomas’ Primary School in Muirkirk, after it closed in 1996—was ‘always well known for providing quality education for all pupils and having a strong link with parents, parishes and the community.’

“The evening was a wonderful celebration of the learning and teaching which has taken place at St John’s Primary School for over 125 years,” Mrs Gray said. “It was a poignant mix of celebrating the school’s past and looking to the future. St Patrick’s Primary School now hopes to support and strengthen the provision of Catholic Education for all the young people in the Auchinleck and Cumnock area.”

This year’s staff and pupils were joined by many of their counterparts from years gone by, including former headteachers Ann Loy, Hugh Gallagher, Maureen Cardie and Ann Murray.

Following the Mass, Mr Gallagher, who was headteacher at St John’s from September 1996 until March 1999, said he was ‘honoured to attend a very nostalgic evening’ at St John’s.

“My sincere thanks go to colleagues, pupils, parents and the community for wonderful memories and for the warm welcome and generous gifts received at St John’s,” Mr Gallagher said. “Best wishes to Catriona Gray, staff, pupils, parents and the community for the future.”

Fr McGrattan (above with pupils and staff including Mrs Gray) commented that the final Mass at St John’s was ‘uplifting and dignified, even though there was sadness.’

“In the homily at the final Mass, I encouraged all parents, pupils and teachers not to see this closure as failure but rather a new opportunity to build up the Catholic education that is theirs and tell others about the quality teaching and Christian ethos at St Patrick’s Primary,” Fr McGrattan said.

Mrs Gray added that, following the Mass—which concluded with pupils singing The Time I’ve Spent With You—prayers from each child at St John’s were tied to a prayer tree, which has been planted in the garden of St Patrick’s.

“As we move forward, we will continue to nurture the Christian and educational values that will enrich the lives of our children within their new school, St Patrick’s Primary,” Mrs Gray added.

Due to a falling school roll, and following a public consultation, East Ayrshire Council took the decision to close St John’s Primary School earlier this year. As the closure was announced, the council expressed its belief that ‘by the creation of a larger school at St Patrick’s, Catholic education in the area will be strengthened and safeguarded for the future.’

St John’s pupils moved into St Patrick’s Primary School during the summer holidays and ahead of their former school’s official closing date.

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PIC: PAUL McSHERRY