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The History of St. John's P.S.

It was as far back as 1962 that the idea of building a
new school to replace Harphall Girls, Harphall Boys
and Ballyvaddy P.S. was first mooted due mainly to the
cramped conditions of the original schools. However it
was not until some three years later that approval was
given to proceed with the work. A letter to Fr. Toal
P.P. dated 20th July, 1968 said the building should be
planned for an enrolment of 200/234 based on a minimum
accommodation of seven classrooms and assembly/dining
hall and that the cost should not exceed Ł46,550.

When Fr. Toal moved to Cushendall, Fr. Kelly was
appointed Parish Priest and with his appointment came
the responsibility of planning the new school. The
contract was awarded to McCarthy Sharpe of Cushendall
at Ł71,000 (inflation had taken its toll). Work
commenced in late 1969 and the school opened its doors
to the public on Sunday 28th February 1971 when it was
blessed by Fr. Murray who been appointed parish priest
in 1970 after the death of Fr. Kelly.

Monday March 1st saw a procession of children led by
teachers along the bay from Harphall P.S. to St.
John's P.S. - a new school, a new name. The enrolment
of the school -221- was made up of 95 girls from
Harphall Girls, 111 from the boys school and 15 from
Ballyvaddy P.S.

Initially the school had a staff of 7 - Miss M.
McAteer Principal, Mr K. McCann (R.I.P) Vice
Principal, Mrs M. McNeill, Mrs P. Mulholland, Mrs E.
Black (R.I.P.) Miss A. McAllister and Mr. B. Black.

A new era had dawned; James McAuley, Shingle Cove was
the first name to be entered in the register of
St.John's P.S. Michelle Tabb of Carnhill Manor was
the one thousandth pupil when she enroled in 1995/96.