Cregagh Primary

🏆P3 to P7 Final Assembly 2026 🏆

CREGAGH PRIMARY SCHOOL AND DEAF UNIT CELEBRATES SUCCESS AND SAYS THANK YOU

Today, we enjoyed our final assembly of the 2025–2026 school year at Cregagh Primary School and Deaf Unit.

Our school hall was packed with parents, grandparents, governors, friends and supporters as we gathered to celebrate the achievements, hard work and success of our wonderful girls and boys throughout the year. Gold and Super Gold Awards were presented, alongside High Attendance Awards, recognising the effort, commitment and perseverance shown by so many pupils.

A particularly special part of the morning was the opportunity to honour Mrs Maureen Kenny, who retires at the end of June after 39 years of faithful service to our school as a valued member of our cleaning and caretaking team. Throughout those years, Maureen has been far more than a member of staff – she has been a cherished part of the Cregagh family and is held in great affection by pupils, colleagues and parents alike.

To mark her retirement, Maureen was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a specially engraved cut-glass commemorative award. In her remarks, she thanked everyone for their friendship, kindness and encouragement over many years, spoke warmly of how much she had loved working in the school, and shared her best wishes to all of the children for the future. She will be greatly missed by everyone in our school community.

We were also delighted to welcome one of our Governors, Rev. Robin Aicken, who spoke thoughtfully and encouragingly about the importance of placing our trust in God as we step into the future. His message was particularly relevant for our Primary 7 pupils as they prepare to leave us and begin an exciting new chapter in post-primary education. His timely and uplifting address was warmly appreciated by pupils and adults alike.

Principal Mr Heggarty also took the opportunity to thank parents, governors and staff for their continued support, dedication and hard work in helping to make Cregagh Primary School and Deaf Unit the success story that it is today. He acknowledged the vital contribution of the entire school community and expressed his appreciation for the partnership and commitment that continue to benefit the children in the school’s care.

Proceedings drew to a close with the singing of our school anthem, bringing a memorable and uplifting morning to a fitting conclusion.

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event. Most importantly, congratulations to all of the girls and boys of Cregagh Primary School and Deaf Unit. Your hard work, positive attitudes and achievements throughout the year have made us immensely proud. You are a credit to your families, your community and your school.

We wish all of our pupils and families a safe, happy and restful summer break.

David Heggarty, Principal of Cregagh Primary School and Deaf Unit, East Belfast, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to education.

***PRESS RELEASE PREPARED BY THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF CREGAGH PRIMARY SCHOOL & DEAF UNIT***

East Belfast Principal Honoured with MBE After 30 Years in Education

The Principal of Cregagh Primary School and Deaf Unit in East Belfast has spoken of his pride and gratitude after being awarded an MBE in The King’s Birthday Honours for services to education.

David Heggarty, who is completing his 30th year in education, said he was both honoured and humbled to receive the award, which recognises a career dedicated to teaching, school leadership and service to children, families and local communities.

A former pupil of Cregagh Primary School himself, David returned to the school as a teacher in 1999 after previously teaching at Black Mountain Primary School and Avoniel Primary School. He later served as vice-principal before being appointed principal in 2014.

Chair of Governors, Mrs Moyra Hunter, welcomed the announcement.

“I am delighted that David has been awarded an MBE in recognition of his exceptional service to Cregagh Primary School and Deaf Unit, a school at the heart of its community.

“David’s leadership has helped shape a vibrant, inclusive and high-achieving school, most recently recognised through an excellent inspection outcome and recognition as a place where all children are supported to flourish.

“This honour reflects not only David’s unwavering commitment, but also the strength, ambition and success of the whole school community he has helped to build.”

Speaking following the announcement, David said:

“I am deeply honoured and grateful to receive this award. While it is wonderful to have dedication, commitment and hard work recognised, I am very conscious that no school leader succeeds alone.

“Over the course of my 30-year career in education, I have had the privilege of working alongside some truly exceptional colleagues. I have been fortunate to learn from outstanding school leaders and today continue to work with some of the finest teachers and support staff anyone could hope to find in a school.

“While this honour has been awarded to me personally, it reflects the encouragement, support and friendship of colleagues, governors, parents, pupils and members of the wider community throughout my career.”

Reflecting on his connection to the school, he added:

“I often joke that I was ‘born, bred and buttered’ in the Cregagh area of East Belfast. As a young boy walking through the doors of Cregagh Primary School, I could never have imagined that one day I would return as a teacher and ultimately have the privilege of leading the school as principal.

“That long connection with the school has given me a deep appreciation of its place at the heart of the community.”

Cregagh Primary School is home to Northern Ireland’s only primary-school Deaf Unit, where deaf and hearing children learn and flourish together in a fully inclusive environment.

The school’s ethos is reflected in the three words displayed on its badge:

Learning • Family • Community

“Those three words are much more than a motto,” David said. “Learning, because education changes lives. Family, because schools are about people and relationships. Community, because schools work best when they are rooted in and serve the communities around them.”

David also paid tribute to his wife, Gill, and their five children.

“No one builds a career in education entirely on their own. I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to my wife, Gill, and our children for their love, support and encouragement over many years.

“While this honour has been awarded to me, it also reflects the support and sacrifices of those closest to me.”

Reflecting on the award, he concluded:

“As I look back on 30 years in education, I feel enormously grateful for the opportunities I have been given and the young lives I have had the privilege to serve. Receiving an MBE is a tremendous honour, and one that I accept with both gratitude and humility.”

*** PRESS RELEASE ENDS ***

Cregagh Primary A small city school with a big heart, where every child is genuinely known, valued & supported. Through excellent teaching, a caring family ethos & modern facilities, Cregagh Primary School & Deaf Unit helps children aspire, believe, belong & achieve.

Please remember DO NOT IDENTIFY CHILDREN BY NAME IN COMMENTS

Thank you for helping everyone safe 😀

🪩 *Disco reminders for tonight*🪩

✏️ Our P7s wrote fantastic letters to people who inspire them to do great things. This fantastic P7 pupil wrote to Francis McCrory Fine Art to tell him how inspirational he was and how much he admired his artwork. This morning we were stunned to have Francis, himself, arrive at school with the very painting that was mentioned in the letter and a handwritten letter. A truly memorable moment for this P7 pupil and one he will never forget! Thank you so much again to Francis! 🎨

✏️ Our P7s wrote fantastic letters to people who inspire them to do great things. This fantastic P7 pupil wrote a letter to Dame Mary Peters. This morning she received a beautifully handwritten card from Dame Mary Peters. A wonderful moment and confirms her reason to write to Dame Mary Peters as she really is a truly inspirational lady from Northern Ireland! Thanks so much!! 👏🏻✏️

🪩🪩 Summer Disco 🪩🪩

You’ve only got a couple of days left to buy your child’s ticket for the Summer Disco at the cheaper price of £3!

We’ve also got the usual mix of accessories on sale in school everyday this week! 😎

Please remember to bring cash on Friday night for your child to buy sweets and drinks from the tuck shop! 🍭🧃