Primary 5 Shared Education Day in Cushendall
29th April 2025

What an incredible day we had at Cushendall for our shared education trip! We were absolutely delighted to have the use of the Cushendall Boat Club as our base for the day. A massive thank you goes out to them for providing us with their wonderful facilities.
Our adventure kicked off with a captivating talk from the RNLI. A heartfelt thank you to Conor and all the dedicated volunteers who generously gave their time to share their expertise with us. We learned so much, and a real highlight was when the children had the chance to sit on the lifeboat and try on the lifeguards' clothing. The excitement on their faces was priceless! Our children made a donation to the RNLI and we were shocked to find out a helmet costs £263!
After that, we were thrilled to welcome Gareth and Aodhan, two enthusiastic field officers from Keeping Northern Ireland Beautiful. They arrived bright and early, bringing along some marine animals they had collected from the water. The children were amazed as they got to create rock pools and learn about the various creatures that call our coastline home. It was a fantastic hands-on experience, and the children’s curiosity was at an all-time high.
Gareth also told us to of his 'Take 5' approach to Marine Life. He encouraged each of us to take five minutes or to pick up five pieces of litter each time we visit the beach or any body of water. This ties in perfectly with our Take 5 programme (Notice) and the importance of being mindful about our environment. It's crucial for us to keep habitats safe for all creatures, and the children were eager to get involved.
To cap off the day, we made our way to the play park, where the laughter and excitement continued. It was such a great way to wind down after a day filled with learning and fun. Overall, it was a fantastic day combining knowledge and enjoyment—the perfect mixture!
I’m sure this trip will be a memorable experience for the children for a long time to come. We’re already looking forward to our final shared education meet-up next week in Camphill!
Miss McGurk