Get a culinary and cleaning combo at Dalriada School

Friends of Dalriada has been formed as part of The Dalriada School 20/20 vision, in order to help negate the potentially disastrous effects of ever-decreasing government funding for schools.

The group is planning a wide range of fun-filled events and fundraisers over the coming months and believe that there is no better way to make a start than with a delicious breakfast and spring clean.

Headmaster of Dalriada School, Tom Skelton, says that the Friends of Dalriada group shows how the school is trying to be pro-active in the face of cuts to education budgets.

“We, like many schools are experiencing some incredibly difficult times with regards funding and budgets,” he said.

“I’m not sure that people truly understand just how much it takes to run a school such as ours. To be honest what we achieve here at Dalriada with the budget we have is bordering on miraculous.

“People I think just assume that government funding covers every aspect of school life. That is not the case and as a result of the recent cuts we have had to put our heads together and come up with innovative ways to make sure that we can maintain our excellent standards and sustain all aspects of school life.”

Mr. Skelton revealed that the first port of call for any funds raised will go towards renovating the 6th form Study Rooms.

“We want to greatly improve the environment our 6th formers enjoy while studying. A comfortable student is a happy student and happy students will be a lot more receptive to study, which will in turn ensure that our excellent academic record can be improved upon.

“There are several other projects the Friends of Dalriada group will be helping to raise funds for and we have high hopes that the community will get behind us.”

With the group still in its infancy it is aiming to add many more members in the coming weeks and months and have appealed to anyone who is interested to join up.

Members choose a level of monthly donation to the Friends of Dalriada fund and can get involved with any and all upcoming events. The aim is to have over 200 members of the group by the end of this school year.

Mr. Skelton continued: “At the minute we have 50 members including past pupils, current parents, teaching staff, local business owners and people who run award winning events, so we are incredibly excited about the potential of the group and the events we are planning

“We would love to expand the group even further and would implore anyone who feels that they can help make a huge difference to Dalriada School to sign up and get involved.”

You can begin to help with the Friends of Dalriada fundraising efforts at the Big Breakfast and Carwash which takes place at the School on the St. James’s Road, Ballymoney, on October 1 from 9am – 11am.

To join the group visit www.dalriadaschool.com and click on the Friends of Dalriada link.