A local primary school is ensuring that memories of the pandemic will never be forgotten by burying a time capsule.
Pupils at St Mary’s in Granemore, from nursery right up to P7, recorded their experiences of lockdown, either through written accounts or drawings.
These were then placed in the Lockdown Memories time capsule – a watertight, steel container – and buried in the school ground along with items including a mask and hand sanitiser.
Oran King, the oldest child in the school, was chosen to plant the capsule while caretaker Sean McClelland oversaw the digging and cementing.
P7 teacher Michael Murray said the capsule had been the idea of his colleague, P6 teacher Eunan Magee.
“His view is that we are living through a point in history and that we will all look back on those memories -good and bad – some day,” said Mr Murray.
“A lot of the children talked about enjoying having more time to spend with their parents than they would have normally.
“It also made them realise the importance of being outside, and of being part of their community, in particular the major part the Gaelic club plays in the community as so much of their lives revolved around it.
“They also missed other activities like dancing and swimming and music and not getting to see their grandparents.
“I think some of them even realised they missed school and seeing their friends! They didn’t like the home learning.”
He added: “We are leaving a legacy for that group of children.”
