A POPULAR headteacher who died a year ago will be officially remembered tomorrow (Friday).
Vicky Dassoulas, the former headteacher of Anagh Coar Primary School, will have a family room within the school dedicated to her.
Before her death, on May 17 last year, Vicky had helped to draw up plans for the room that would be used by community groups and the families of pupils.
After her death staff decided to continue with the plans for the room and work on it was completed last year.
Tomorrow the room will be formally dedicated to the former headteacher and a memorial plaque and door signs will be erected. There will also be a special assembly to mark the occasion.
Rob Coole, who was deputy headteacher under Vicky Dassoulas and who took over following her death, said: "Although Vicky wanted the room to be named The Family Room the staff and parents agreed that it would be better named Vicky's Place.
"Thanks to the Department of Education and Children's works division, B&B Furniture and the Friends of Anagh Coar School, we now have a wonderful room to use which is a fitting tribute to Mrs Dassoulas.
"This is a place for all members of the Anagh Coar School community to use and enjoy for many years to come."
Vicky's Place was first used last year by The Friends of Anagh Coar School, who use the room to discuss fundraising ideas.
At their first meeting in the room they hung a picture frame and a memorial plaque to remember the headteacher. The picture frame is filled with photographs of a Chinese lantern release that the headteacher had organised before her death as a way for the pupils and parents to say goodbye to her.
The room is also used to host the Captain's Table event which rewards children for good behaviour at lunchtimes. Each week a number of children are picked to eat in the room at a dining table, provided by B&B Furniture, which gives the illusion of eating at home or in a nice restaurant.
Groups of parents also use the room for monthly coffee mornings, baby massage groups and for play therapy sessions. Teachers also use the venue to meet with parents.
Picture caption: Pupils clockwise from bottom - Teddy-Lee Clinton, Chantelle Taggart, Shakiera Shimmin-Crellin, Joshua Molyneux, Joe Foster, Christina Astley, Alyssa Crawford and Keeley Ellwood.
