The first day in September 2007 was a proud day for the parents and also for the steering group who worked since 2004, campaigning for the school to be opened.

The school is based in a mobile building, put up in a remarkably short space of time.

Parents were involved in making the outdoor area bright and stimulating, using a farmyard theme in keeping with the school's surroundings.

The first year has seen many interesting projects developed at the school.

The children created an eco-garden using recycled materials and also grew their own vegetables.

They had visits and class sessions with Roads Safety and Community Police and school trips to Oxford Island for pond-dipping and Palace Stables in Armagh.

It was a good year for sport with PE lessons taking place in the church hall and a very successful sports day and barbecue was held at the end of term.

Parents were involved in open assemblies throughout the year and various clergy from the area supported the assemblies.

Parents also took part in the DELTA programme (Developing Early Learning and Thinking Abilities).

In the community, co-operative funding was granted for three community events – dance, music and arts/crafts.

A monthly craft club was held for children in the local area and the school put on a nativity play, a harvest festival and a festival of lights.

The end of year play - The Hungry Caterpillar - featured Northern Ireland boxing legend Barry McGuigan, who was also on hand to officially open the school back in September

The school took part in a lot of charity work including raising money for the Integrated Education Fund, the British Heart Foundation with a Jump Rope for Heart sponsored skip, the Meningitis Trust with a Toddle Waddle through the forest adjacent to the school grounds.

Harvest gifts were given to Salvation Army and St Vincent De Paul.

Prior to Rowandale IPS, Principal Mrs Frances Hughes taught for 11 years in Portadown Integrated Primary School. As a member of the Senior Management Team she held posts of responsibility as Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator and as Music Co-ordinator. She was also involved in piloting the New Curriculum and has brought her expertise in this field to Rowandale.

Mrs Karen Greer, Assistant Teacher began her teaching career in Millennium IPS and has been employed by Portadown IPS as Special Educational Needs teacher. Her teaching ethos is "meeting the needs of all children".

Mrs Heather McCarter, Classroom Assistant, published her first book this years, "David and his wheels go to the park," a book she wrote for children in her school so that they could ask questions about life in a wheelchair.