Every day’s a schoolday for Liam... and every day’s a gran day as well
He’s kept his promise to grandma and not missed a single class at Fordbank
A Paisley school pupil who promised his late gran he would never miss a day of school has kept his pledge.
Liam McInteer, 12, was awarded a special 100 per cent attendance award at Fordbank Primary School.
The Johnstone boy has been present every day at school since he started primary one in August 2010, and he has never been late.
On his first day, he promised his gran Jeanette Potter – who used to be the principal teacher of pastoral care at Johnstone High – that he would never be absent and he has stuck to his word.
Jeanette passed away in October 2012, aged 61, after a six-year battle with cancer, and her death made Liam all the more determined to keep his promise to her.
Liam said: “When I started in primary one, I made a promise to my gran and I just wanted to make sure I kept it.
“Even if I wasn’t feeling great or was tired, I still made sure I went to school.
“Moving to the high school, where gran was a teacher, might be difficult – but I am looking forward to going there in August. “I hope she is proud of me.” Liam’s grandfather Alan Potter, 69, said it was an emotional achievement for Liam because it meant so much to him and his close family.
He told us: “Jeanette doted on Liam, her first grandchild, and was keen to see him make his way in the world.
“During Jeanette’s illness several years ago, Liam showed the caring nature he was developing by accompanying her to chemotherapy sessions – but only during school holidays.
“His gran’s death came as a blow to him, but it made him all the more determined to keep his promise to her.
“Now, Liam’s move to Johnstone High School is particularly poignant since, for many years, his gran taught in that school.
“Will he aim for 100 per cent attendance in secondary school? Only Liam can tell us that.”
Not only is Liam an expert in attendance, but he has excelled in academic and sports subjects during his school years.
The keen footballer, who plays for Johnstone Burgh, recently won a 100m sprint at a school event, coming first place out of all the kids in Renfrewshire.
To recognise his achievements, Liam was presented with a special attendance gong by Fordbank’s acting headteacher Carol McCormick.
He was also crowned boys’ sports champion at the school.
Mrs McCormick said the merits were well deserved, saying: “Liam is a great kid. He is a good all-rounder and very mature for his age.
“He has achieved great things since being at Fordbank and he really takes part in the life of the school.
“It’s the first we have granted an attendance award of this nature – it’s extremely rare for a pupil to achieve 100 per cent attendance and it deserves recognition.
“We wish him all the best when he moves up to secondary school. I’m sure he’ll do very well at Johnstone High.”