Whitehouse Primary School

Whitehouse Primary School is a primary school in Newtownabbey. It was destroyed in an arson attack on 18 July 2009.[2][3] After the school was destroyed, its students were temporarily housed in nearby Newtownabby High School. On 14 May 2010, Education Minister Caitríona Ruane approved an amount of £3.6m for rebuilding the school.[4]

Whitehouse Primary School
Address
2 Doagh Road, Newtownabbey, Antrim

Newtownabbey
,
Northern Ireland
,
BT37 9NZ

United Kingdom
Information
Opened1938[1]
Local authorityEANI

In the arson attack, the entire building except for the front half was burnt down. The front half included the canteen, the Primary (Grade) 1 Classrooms and the Nursery Unit.

Principal David McConkey wanted the school to be rebuilt, but Education Minister Caitríona Ruane was against this. After Ruane decided to shelve the plans for rebuilding the school, McConkey and others led a campaign to get the school rebuilt with the ensuing debate receiving significant media coverage. Pupils protested with signs saying "We Love Whitehouse", "We need a school to learn in", "Why No school?", "WPS Betrayed by Ruane" and "New School Now".[5] On 14 May 2010, the Education Minister approved £3.6m for rebuilding the school.[4] In 2011, David McConkey was awarded the MBE for his services to education.[6]

School colours are Red, Green and White. There is also a new logo for the school, which reads "Whitehouse Primary School Learning to live". The old one simply said "Whitehouse P.S."

References
  1. "Whitehouse Primary School – History". Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  2. Protest as Newtownabbey school rebuild shelved. UTV, 21 April 2011.
  3. Primary school fire 'was arson'
  4. Whitehouse Primary School, BBC Democracy Live.
  5. Whitehouse protesters demand 'new school now'
  6. Queen’s honours for Newtownabbey trio, 18 June 2011

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