The Apprentice Boys Donate over £6,000 to the Fountain Primary School

Governor William Allen and S.A.C. Chairman John McAvoy present cheques to Kathy Arthur, Fountain Primary School.

Officers of the Mitchelburne Parent Club present a cheque to the Fouuntain Primary School.

Scottish Brethren present a cheque to the Fountain Primary School

The Fountain Primary School is at the heart of the Estate. The school was created with the amalgamation of a number of smaller schools around the edges of The Fountain and is now the only Protestant primary school on the west bank of the Foyle.

With the Protestant population on the west bank of the Foyle numbering only hundreds now, the school draws nearly 85% of its pupils from the Waterside. Last year the Western Education and Library Board decided to withdraw the funding which allowed the school to provide a bus service to bring its pupils across the river.

Facing the prospect of having to raise thousands of pounds to pay for the bus service themselves, the Parent and Teacher Association of the school was forced to look for outside help.

Early in 2007 the Apprentice Boys General Committee received a letter from the principle of the school explaining the situation. Given the support the Apprentice Boys have received from the people of the Fountain, there was no hesitation in deciding to make a considerable donation to the school.

The Branch Clubs in Scotland have long been supporting the children of the Fountain Estate with the “Kids of the Fountain” appeal. It was no surprise then that the Scottish Amalgamated Committee added a considerable amount themselves, with even more coming from various Branch Clubs in Scotland.

The Mitchelburne Parent Club also donated a large sum to the school’s appeal.

In total the Apprentice Boys donated in excess of £6,000 to the school’s appeal.

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