A big thank you to the Parkhill brothers who have had a rummage around and unearthed another couple of little treasures. We're not sure of an exact year of the group photograph, but we reckon it's in the mid 1950's, and the canteen photograph stars their very own Granny!

Don't worry about the difference in size-just click on each side and you'll get a real close up!

Some more old photos were unearthed today, feel free to browse through them below. Some of the pics that were too large to go in the scanner have been done in two parts!

Remember-click on the images to see them full size!

Sorry-but I can't find a good reference site to tell me what was happening inthe 1950's!

Now anyone that says Margaret was the Secretary in these photos is being very unfair!

Believe it or not-1976 was the year of the first Rocky movie!!

1978 Must have been a very good year for photographs.....and seriously groovy jumpers!

'We are the Champions' was the year's best selling single, and Barry Manilow won an award for the Best Male Vocal of the year with 'Copacobana'........that must be why he's Joanne's favourite singer!

It was also the year where Grange Hill was riding high (proper Grange Hill-the one with Tucker etc!), Grease and Superman were on the big screen and everyone wanted a pair of Wonderwoman boots!

And then there were the 1980's.....who remembers the Kids from FAME????

In 1982 the 'Young Ones' caused a stir on TV.....and an Extra Terrestrial melted big screen hearts!

In 1990 did anyone really understand 'Twin Peaks'???? While that was going on poor Kevin was left 'Home Alone'....and Vanilla Ice was cool?@!*&

Anyone hazard a guess at the year of this one?

IF ANYONE HAS ANY OTHER OLD PHOTOS, PLEASE SEND THEM IN-OR SCAN THEM AND EMAIL THEM, AND WE'LL ADD THEM ON!

If you enjoyed the trip down memory lane, take a walk through this site.....though it may make you feel old!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/

The overlapping of holidays in Secondary Schools in the area has seen a recent influx of recent leavers-and those from previous years......yes, even Hollie graced us with her presence!!!

In the past few days we have seen Cassie, Hollie, Annalise, Nicole G, Natalie, Dean S, Jack D, Ryan, Timothy, Aaron McD, Tara, Judith, Sheree, Debs, Kim, Catherine and........Andrew Gamble!

It has been great to see them.....bringing back many memories, and telling the current P7's how wonderful their new schools have been-even the red writing....?"!#@* Not that any of them have had any (cough, cough, splutter, splutter!)

Mrs Crosbie found some old photos of recent leavers when they were only in Primary 1 & 2.....looking so young and innocent-it's hard to believe it's the same kids!!!!! See how many you can spot!

Remember you can enlarge the pictures in a new window by clicking on them!

Ed's Note: This is our first post from a former student-big thanks to Zoe for starting us off....hopefully others haven't forgotten us and will sign up and consider posting as well! Zoe's post will be of particular interest to all the P.7's currently interested in applying for this opportunity of a lifetime!

Me, Myself and America?

Hi it’s Zoë

Remember me? I went to America through the Project Children last year so I thought I would give you some idea what its like to help you make your mind up if you are given the opportunity this year!

This time last year:

Mr Guy told our class that there were only be two places allocated to Donemana Primary School. He decided he would put the names in a hat and get another pupil to draw two names out. I couldn’t sleep the night before. Every time the classroom door opened that day, everybody stopped breathing. Final Mr Guy came in and drew the names I couldn’t believe I was going to America.

My thoughts about going.

I was so thrilled. I had to wait on a letter sent from my American family.I didn’t know what state I was going too, where there any children in the family or how far away from Hollie I would be. It would all be in my letter. Every day I couldn’t wait to see if the postman had left me anything. A week had past, Hollie had already got her letter and still nothing. Then on the second week a purple letter arrived for me. It was from one of the children. A girl called Hailey Kirchner. She was 12 years old, had a brother and a sister who were twins and were 10years old and they lived in Kensington, Washington DC.  I was delighted I had girls my own age to stay with in America. I just needed to sort out my suitcase now and I was off!

My Mum's thoughts about me going.

1.       If she would have to stay overnight in a hotel before meeting the family?

2.     Would they all get on?

3.     How often would I hear from Zoë?

4.     Could she carry that great big suitcase full clothes all on her own!!!!!

5.     How much Lee would miss her!!

6.     Would she have enough money with her?

7.     Everything else!!!!!

On my way!!

The 28^th June 2006 finally arrived. We had to be in Strabane Primary School

for 5.30am. I was too tired to be excited, that was until I meet up with Hollie.

Then on the way to Strabane I realised I was on my way to America, no Mum,

and no teachers to boss me around for four whole weeks. Happy days.

While I was there!

I stayed at Bethany Beech for a week ate doughnuts for breakfast, ice cream every night and even tasted shrimp. I then headed of to camp Hemlock to meet up with everyone who came to the same district as me. We stayed overnight to have team building games i.e. peanut butter pit and the zip wire. We left the next morning for Deep Creek Lake. It was cooler than the beach but it was still very warm. We went kneeboarding, tube riding and played miniature golf we even went to the cinema.

I had just over a week left when we left to go back to Kensington in Washington DC.  We took some photos inside The Capitol Building, went to the top of the Washington Monument and seen the Abraham Lincoln Memorial. At end of July I returned home. I loved my time in America. My host family are lovely. We e-mail and phone regularly.

Would I recommend it?

To everyone!! The places you see are just amazing. It’s so warm, you meet new people, taste all kinds of food (you just don’t get in Donemana) and did I mention how spoiled you get?

Most do or see if you go!!

Starbucks

7/11

McDonalds

An ice-cream parlour

Would I go back?

Yep! I leave on the 27^th June 2007. This year I am going to stay in New York for a week and I am going to a wedding on 14^th July 2007. It means a bit more shopping but what can you do!!!