Renowned Co Tyrone singer-songwriter Malachi Cush has told how music is helping unite pupils at Northern Ireland’s most diverse primary school.
Malachi, who came to prominence in 2002 as part of the first series of the TV talent show Fame Academy, has been musical director of St Patrick’s Primary School in Dungannon since 2010.
“My wife, Claire, is a teacher here and back then the principal was a lady called Mary Hampsey, and she contacted me out of the blue one day asking if I could come in and give them a bit of a hand with music,” he recalls.
“I was reluctant at the start because I wasn’t too sure what I could offer, but I had some experience working with choirs and things like that, so I thought I’d give it a go and see how we got on.
“That was 15 years ago, and it has genuinely become one of the greatest moments of my week. I’m in here most Wednesdays working with the kids and it’s a joy. If they keep me for another 15 years, I’ll keep coming back.”
Malachi Cush leads the choir of St Patrick’s Primary School, Dungannon, one of the North’s most diverse primary schools. PICTURE: BRIAN LINCOLN
Over the years, Malachi has helped pupils prepare for performances at the Peace Proms, Dungannon Feis and various Christmas carol services, to name but a few.
“It’s a lovely break from the normal slog,” he laughs.
“And the kids keep it really fresh and new. They are always coming in with different ideas and they keep me current because my musical styles probably wouldn’t be what is on the hit parade at the moment.
“But that’s great because it challenges me to incorporate the music that they like and are listening to.
“It’s a little bit easier at Christmas though, because everyone wants to hear the old traditional stuff, so they make up a lot of this year’s performance, with a few new things peppered in as well.”
As part of this year’s Christmas concert, the children will be performing Malachi’s heartfelt hit Sleep Oh Infant Child, which he wrote, in part, while studying for a theology degree through St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth.
The Donaghmore-born singer says hearing the pupils, 92 per cent of whom are newcomer children from diverse backgrounds across the globe, sing his song was a real “pinch me moment”.
Read more: Peter Corry to bring festive favourites back to St Anne’s Cathedral
Pupils at St Patrick’s Primary School, one of the North’s most diverse primary schools, sing with the choir led by Malachi Cush. PICTURE: BRIAN LINCOLN
“One of the kids saw a video of me performing Sleep Oh Infant Child with the Omagh Community Youth Choir on YouTube and asked if we could do it as part of our Christmas show,” Malachi explains.
“I was really moved by that, so of course I said if that’s what they wanted to do, we could.
“So I’m going to sing it with them at the carol service, which is a privilege for me because they have beautiful voices and I think that song encapsulates the story of Christmas and the mystery and joy of it.
“And their voices just add that little bit of extra gold dust to the performance. The first time they performed it the whole way through was just magical.”
He adds that the school’s choir has become a key part of its identity, helping pupils form friendships and build confidence through shared performance.
“There is a communal thing about being in a choir,” he says.
“All the pupils have their own individual skills, they’ve all got their own individual sounds, but when they come together there’s a oneness.
Malachi Cush leads the choir of St Patrick’s Primary School, Dungannon, one of the North’s most diverse primary schools. PICTURE: BRIAN LINCOLN
“I think that’s really important with music, that it unites us when sometimes words don’t – especially for our children here because most of them are coming from different backgrounds.
“They have all got their own stories and when they come into the choir, we are in this together and I think that’s really special.”
As he reflects on the children’s effort and enthusiasm in rehearsals, Malachi says he’s looking forward to audiences seeing what the pupils are capable of.
“There are 150 children in this production, between narrators, kings, shepherds and all the craic that goes along with Christmas,” he explains.
“And while I hope people who come along to see the show enjoy it, I hope that they can also see that up there on the stage are children, performing at the best level, enjoying it, and that even though they might look different, they are one.
Pupils at St Patrick’s Primary School, one of the North’s most diverse primary schools, sing with the choir led by Malachi Cush. PICTURE: BRIAN LINCOLN
“Children are children, no matter where they come from, no matter what their background, and I think these kids are extra special. That’s why I’m here, that’s why I believe in the school. Part of my heart is here and always will be.”
The emphasis on unity and inclusion is reflected throughout St Patrick’s Primary, where supporting pupils who face additional barriers to learning is a core part of its ethos.
“Ninety-two per cent of our children in mainstream are from newcomer backgrounds, with the majority coming from Portugal, East Timor, Lithuania, Poland and Guinea Bissau,” explains principal of St Patrick’s, Seamus McCreesh.
“And for us it’s really important that the children feel settled and have a community and know that they belong. We place a lot of focus and emphasis on that.
“For example, we would have children coming in and maybe they are going swimming. We have a whole set of swimming stuff because they might not have it at home.
“Mr O’Hagan, one of our P7 teachers, his store is just full of football boots because many of the children don’t have their own.
“We also work with Saint Vincent de Paul to make sure we have uniforms for all the children as well.”
It is practical support like this, he says, that helps ensure every child starts school on an equal footing.
“We want to make sure the children get as much as they need in here.
“Every morning when they come in, every child gets fed. Something like 29 loaves of bread come in here every day and we feed the children before we start, just on the off chance a parent has been on an awkward shift and hasn’t had a chance to do their breakfast or something like that.
“We just want to make sure we are doing the best we can to look after the children who are here, and their families.”
Read more: Pony power: How equine assisted learning is changing lives in Northern Ireland classrooms
St Patrick’s Primary School principal Seamus McCreesh and singer-songwriter Malachi Cush with pupils at the Dungannon school. PICTURE: BRIAN LINCOLN
For staff, the sight of pupils sharing a stage is proof of what can happen when children are supported, welcomed and encouraged to shine.
“I’m so proud that those children who have come here and made this school the special beacon of hope and belonging that it is,” adds Mr McCreesh.
“This school is about the children. Malachi, our vice principal Roisin Campbell, our staff and I are all a team. We are all working towards the same goal and we know the most important thing is these children.
“So when we see them up on the stage it’s unbelievable and that’s really what inspires us to keep doing what we are doing.
“The more opportunities we can give those children and the more things we can help them with and give them exposure to, whether that’s sport, dance or music, the better.”
The pupils of St Patrick’s Primary School will perform Sleep Oh Infant Child as part of their Christmas concert in St Patrick’s Church Dungannon on Wednesday, December 10.