Prize giving for past and present pupils from Willowbridge took place on Wednesday 24th November. The assembly was well attended by parents, present and past, invited guests and pupils.

Pupils received recognition for academic achievements, Enterprise award, Sports boy and Sports girl and Form teacher awards.

The vice Principal spoke about how Willowbridge is a very special place in the lives of all the pupils and their families. Special schools are unique in that they have pupils aged 3-19, so effectively they can be pupils in the school for 16 years. The staff get to know all the pupils very well. A great strength of the school is catering for the unique individual needs of each pupil; trying to bring out the best in each of them and encouraging each to develop their unique interests and talents. This was evident throughout the assembly, in the awards that were presented and the musical performances by the pupils.

This theme was reiterated by the guest speaker Mr Simon Mc Intyre, sports journalist with UTV. He recalled that he grew up in a house where there was a great interest in sport. This interest lead him to pursue it as his career. He encouraged the pupils to keep going at whatever they were passionate about, whether that was singing, drumming, making models -and you never know where that path may lead.

Pupils were told that while only a few were getting formal recognition they should all be very proud of their achievements over the past year and proud of the efforts they put in daily. Pupils were told that the staff are very proud of them all.

Staff in the school were thanked for their commitment to the pupils and the hard work they put in daily and how clear it was to others how much they love their job.

Parents were thanked for their ongoing support of the school. Their partnership with all the staff enables the school to achieve the very best for all their sons and daughters every day.

Thanks were extended to Mr Simon Mc Intyre for attending the Prizegiving ceremony.

The school choir entertained guests and a solo performance from Shannon Mc Phillips was enjoyed by all present.