The day Barack Obama and David Cameron visited a Fermanagh school

Principal Adele Kerr recalled the visit with good humour, and in particular the preparation. Speaking to The Impartial Reporter from her office looking at a photo of President Barack Obama giving her a hug she said: “I was sworn to secrecy and told no one. The Secret Service and communications moved into the school on the Thursday and swooped the place. I was told if I told anyone about the visit, it would be pulled and it would not happen – no one knew.”

Recalling the top secret preparations with humour, she said: “The secret service had actually taped our phone. I remember my mum rang the office and said to bring the children out to the top playground and they’ll see the helicopter [belonging to the US President and other dignitaries] and all I could think was, if only you knew where he was going,” said Adele with a laugh.

Adele Kerr, Principal Integrated Primary School.

When they arrived, The principal prepared for a handshake with these two powerful men and got a hug instead.

While speaking with The Impartial Reporter, Adele and some of the office staff remembered how they asked the President and Prime Minister to sign in as visitors to school.

Adele said: “One of the girls said to them, you didn’t fill in your car registration and then Obama shouted: “Hey, what’s the number of the beast’ to his team?

Adele Kerr, Principal Integrated Primary School.

A buoyant Mrs Kerr walked the Impartial Reporter around the school and the mementos from the visit, recalling memories with vigour – the school has art pieces, photos, a letter from Downing Street, certificates from the White House and the two paint brushes used by the world leaders when they joined the children for some art.

The two world leaders were shown around the school by two pupils John Sammon from Bellanaleck and Meabh Mackin from Enniskillen, both now 21.

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron watch as students work on a school project about the G8 summit during a visit to the Enniskillen Integrated Primary School in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland ahead of the G8 summit.

John recalled the security presence at the school and thinking that it was just the procedure as a result of the G8. Remembering the occasion, he said: “ I was called up to one of the classrooms and we were told by Mrs Kerr that we were going to be having some visitors to the school. The President of The United States and The Prime Minister of the UK and that they would like us to show them around our school.

“It was completely surreal being told that we were going to be showing two of the most powerful and important people in the world around our small school in Fermanagh. After the news had time to settle we were sent back to our classmates but had to promise not to say anything for the time being.”

Recalling a conversation with the President, John said: “I was next to the President and I thought what on earth am I going to talk about. Throughout my childhood I have always been interested in engineering and at the time I was very interested in aeroplanes, I asked the president a couple of questions about how his flight was but I wanted to know what Airforce One was like, I was completely fascinated and I think he could tell also and replied: ‘Ah, you want to know about Airforce One’.”

John still maintains his interest in engineering and is currently completing a placement as a Marine Engineer as part of his studies.

Adele Kerr discussing one of the letters that EIPS recieved following the G8 visit.

John was interviewed for TV as part of this visit and recalls being “stuck for words”. In addition, he also remembered the reaction from family members abroad who seen him on the news, he said: “By the time I got home that day I already had family members phoning to talk to me. My Aunt and Uncle who were all the way in Africa at the time had seen me on the news before I had even told them. Nobody could believe it.”

When asked by this newspaper, if he took President Obama’s advice on board to ‘dream big dreams’, John said: “What the President said that day “dream big dreams” has many interpretations. For me it has influenced some things I have done. I was always encouraged to try out for things, even if I was unsure if it would be suitable for me.

“When I was 15 I went on the Ulster Project to America for a month which was also an incredible experience. ‘dream big dreams’ may have also influenced where I have ended up today, following a career that I love and nobody around me had followed the same path.”

Prior to the visit, the school had received confirmation that they could double their intake in what was a milestone achievement. But, since they were told by President Obama to “dream big dreams” ten years ago, the school and all associated with it have continued to dream those dreams as cemented by the recent opening of a new £6.9m extension just last month.

Adele Kerr, Principal Integrated Primary School.