Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Primary School Principal Uses 'Toy Story' To Explain To Students Why Their School Is Closing Down

Primary School Principal Uses 'Toy Story' To Explain To Students Why Their School Is Closing Down
Mr. Baine's letter to the schoolchildren at St. Colman's Primary School in Lambeg, and Mr. Baine with a pupil (Pictures courtesy of Stephen Baine)

The principal of a primary school in Northern Ireland has written to pupils explaining the impact of the global pandemic using Toy Story.


Stephen Baine, who runs St. Colman's Primary School in Lambeg, County Antrim, sent the letter to pupils on Thursday to explain school closures.

In his letter, Mr. Baine used the "rootin', tootin' cowboy" Woody, the film's protagonist, to help explain to students how to cope with social distancing and help at home.

Stephen Baine's letter to students at St. Colman's Primary School in Lambeg (Stephen Baine)

"I remember when Woody, Buzz, Rex and the others had to stay apart for a while until a problem was solved when they could all come back together," the letter read.

Mr. Baine expressed concern that children were being left out of the conversation and were not being briefed about the ongoing pandemic.

"Over the past number of weeks we have been writing letter after letter to parents informing them of the school closure procedure," Mr. Baine told the PA news agency.

"I wanted to make sure children understood in their terms what a school closure meant."

Stephen Baine, who sent a 'Toy Story'-themed letter to his students during to explain the situation, talks to a student (Stephen Baine)

Mr. Baine said that the Pixar classic was one of his favorite films, saying:

"I absolutely adore it."

He added that the movie was a great way to :use characters that children are familiar with" to help communicate a clear message during the pandemic.

"Just like the end of the movie it won't be too long until we are all back together as one big group of friends ready to learn, play and have fun together," the letter read.

The principal signed off his letter as "Mr. Baine (Sheriff Woody)" having written that he would "miss you guys to 'infinity and beyond'!"

More from Trending

Tim Burchett
Al Drago/Getty Images

MAGA Rep. Ripped For Changing Story About Why He Sleeps In His DC Office To Fit Trump Agenda

Tennessee Republican Representative Tim Burchett was criticized for claiming that he "lives" in his office because of crime in Washington, D.C., even though he gave a completely different reason earlier this year to explain how he maintains productivity.

Burchett's remarks came as President Donald Trump federalized the Metropolitan Police and deployed about 800 National Guard troops to the nation’s capital this week while claiming crime in D.C. is "out of control" despite falling crime rates.

Keep ReadingShow less
A man smiling at a woman looking down.
woman reading book
Photo by Hello Revival on Unsplash

Women Break Down The Biggest Mistakes Single Men Make When Flirting

It isn't always easy for a single woman to enjoy a night out on her own.

Be it at a bar, in a store, or merely sitting on a park bench, they frequently catch the attention of a single man.

Keep ReadingShow less

Women Reveal The Dumbest Thing They've Witnessed A Man Believe About Women

Men... LISTEN UP!

This is going to be an important life lesson for y'all.

Keep ReadingShow less

People Share The Most Bada** Thing Their Dad Has Ever Done

I grew up without a dad.

I often get a sense of FOMO when I hear dad stories.

Keep ReadingShow less
Actor Kevin Sorbo visits Hallmark's "Home & Family" at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

Sorbo gripes about Vikings cheerleaders

American actor and sudden cheerleading morality police Kevin Sorbo appeared to spontaneously combust online when the Minnesota Vikings announced the addition of two male cheerleaders to their 2025 squad.

Born in Mound, Minnesota, Sorbo has long cultivated his brand of brawny, bicep-flexing alpha male heroics—playing Hercules in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Captain Dylan Hunt in Andromeda, and starring in the 2008 parody Meet the Spartans, where he famously shared an on-screen kiss with Sean Maguire’s King Leonidas.

Keep ReadingShow less