Celebrating Annie McKillop

This week, we gathered as a school community for a very special assembly to celebrate and say a fond farewell to someone who has been at the very heart of St Mary’s Primary School for over three decades—our much-loved Primary 1 classroom assistant, Annie McKillop.

Annie brings to a close an incredible 31 years of dedicated service to our school. Remarkably, she was the first classroom assistant appointed under what was then a new Department of Education initiative back in 1995. From those early days, Annie became a constant, reassuring presence in Primary 1, supporting and nurturing generations of children as they began their journey in St Mary’s.

For so many of our pupils, Annie has been one of the very first friendly faces they encountered. Her deep knowledge of Primary 1 routines, combined with her patience, kindness, and gentle guidance, has helped countless children settle into school life with confidence. At the same time, she ensured that they learned the important rules and routines that lay the foundations for future success. Annie has played a vital role in giving so many children the very best start to their education.

Although she was proudly based on the Coonasillagh Road in the "metropolis of Ballerin,” Annie remained utterly committed to her role here in Portglenone—a testament to her loyalty and love for St Mary’s.

We are truly blessed to have had Annie as part of our school family for so long. Her contribution cannot be measured simply in years, but in the hundreds of young lives she has positively influenced along the way.

As Annie now begins an exciting new chapter, we send her our very best wishes. We hope this new phase of life will also allow her more time to enjoy the things she loves most—spending time in her garden, indulging her flair for interior design, and, of course, continuing to look after the McKillop boys!

Annie, thank you for everything you have given to St Mary’s. You will always be part of our story. We hope you won’t be a stranger and that you will call back often—especially to let us know about those term-time holidays you can now enjoy!

From everyone at St Mary’s Primary School, Portglenone—we wish you every blessing and the very best of luck for the future.