A NEWTOWNARDS man has been included in this year’s New Year’s Honours list for his work at a Donaghadee school and with the local community.
John (Jack) McMurray, the building supervisor at Donaghadee Primary School was awarded a BEM for his services to education and the community of the seaside town.
Jack who has been in the role for almost 12 years, retired on New Year’s Eve and says he will ‘miss it terribly’, but is honoured to receive this recognition.
“I really loved it – I had a good rapport with the children, school and the parents,” he said.
“At the end of the day I did everything I could for the kids and just felt I was doing my job; I didn’t think I was doing anything outstanding.”
Jack explained he did things because he enjoyed doing things. “I did anything I was able to do for the benefit of the children, such as making things for them, and fixing things,” he said.
“I would do anything at all for the school.”
Jack played an important backstage role in productions of school plays, providing the sound system and making props.
He was also involved with the school reaching out to the community and organised the school choir to visit Edgewater Care Home in the town to sing for the residents at Christmas.
Jack was also approached by Dee Bloomers, creating a planter for them in the form of Donaghadee Moat which sits in front of the town’s sailing club.
Jack, who lives in Newtownards, enjoyed his time working in Donaghadee, adding he will miss it terribly but promised he will be going back.
“They already have me going back for the P7 play, sports day and other things,” he added.
