The Annual Report of the Board of Governors' 2014-2015
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The Annual Report of the Board of Governors’ 2014-2015 Inspiring Excellence … Fulfilling Potential FOREWORD The 2014/2015 academic year was another hugely successful year for St. Mary’s. From the staging of Meet Me in St. Louis in the first term through to the Investors in Pupils Award achieved in the third term, 2014/2015 certainly was a most busy and productive year for the school. Perhaps, one of the most notable events of the year was the inspection carried out by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) in February 2015. Following the inspection, ETI described the quality of education provided by St. Mary’s and the overall effectiveness of the school as “outstanding”. In each of the areas inspected, including the quality of achievements and standards, the quality of provision and the quality of leadership and management, St. Mary’s was deemed to be “outstanding” and meeting very effectively the educational and pastoral needs of learners. As a school, we are very proud of this external affirmation of our work. We will remain committed to our vision for “Inspiring Excellence, Fulfilling Potential” and look forward to the school’s continued success in the years ahead. This Annual Report of the Board of Governors offers an insight into the vast range of activities, events and successes enjoyed by the school in the 2014/2015 academic year. Once again, I wish to pay tribute to every member of staff – teaching and teaching support – for the immeasurable contribution they have made to the school’s success in the past year. I also wish to express my gratitude to you - the parents/guardians of our pupils - for your interest in and support of the school throughout the year. Should you wish to discuss any issue arising from the contents of this Annual Report, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school between 8.30am - 4.30pm. _______________________ D Gillespie (Mrs) Principal and Correspondent to the Board of Governors December 2015 CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION I am very pleased to present the Annual Report of the Board Governors for 2014/15. As you will read, St Mary’s has maintained the excellence we have come to expect and continues to enable staff and students to fulfil their potential in the breadth of the school’s activities and achievements. It is apparent that St Mary’s provides an impressive, enriching learning environment for students through its curricular and extra-curricular activities. Staff, students, parent/guardians and the local and wider community can be confident of the school’s capacity to sustain this high quality provision in the years ahead. I wish to pay tribute to the staff of the school who are dedicated, committed and highly skilled to ensure that each student realises his/her full potential, both within and beyond the classroom. As Chair, I want to convey how proud I am of the outcome of St Mary’s inspection in February 2015. My warmest congratulations to all staff and in particular to the Principal, Mrs Gillespie for her leadership and vision. In addition, I would like to recognize the work of retired Governors, in particular, Mr P Bradley, Monsignor O’Byrne, Ms M Diamond, Mr S McNeill and Teacher Governor, Mrs M Carr, for their invaluable contribution over many, many years. Finally, I would like to offer my thanks to you – the parents and guardians – and to the members of the Board of Governors, for the ongoing and generous support you have shown for all the activities engaged in by the school. As I commend this Annual Report to you, I look forward to your continued interest in and support for our work. _______________________ J McKee (Mr) Chairman of the Board of Governors December 2015 CONTENTS SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Membership of the Board of Governors ........................................................ 1 1.2 Key Statistical Information ......................................................................... 2-3 1.3 Staffing ....................................................................................................... 4-6 1.4 Use of Staff Development Days ................................................................. 7-8 1.5 Review of the Year ................................................................................... 9-11 SECTION 2: SCHOOL PROVISION 2.1 Curriculum Provision .............................................................................. 12-14 2.2 Careers and Employability ..................................................................... 15-16 2.3 Health Education.................................................................................... 17-18 2.4 Sports Review ........................................................................................ 19-24 2.5 International Dimension .............................................................................. 25 2.6 Educational Visits ........................................................................................ 26 2.7 Fundraising for Charity ................................................................................ 27 2.8 Pastoral Dimension .................................................................................... 28 2.9 Pastoral House System .............................................................................. 28 2.10 Eco-Schools/ Environment ......................................................................... 29 2.11 Magherafelt Learning Partnership .............................................................. 30 SECTION 3: EXAMINATION OUTCOMES 3.1 Key Stage 3 ................................................................................................ 31 3.2 GCSE .......................................................................................................... 31 3.3 AS Level ..................................................................................................... 31 3.4 A2 Level ...................................................................................................... 31 3.5 CCEA NI Placings ....................................................................................... 32 3.6 Achievements in Other Awards ................................................................... 32 SECTION 4: DEPARTMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES 4.1 Art and Design ............................................................................................. 33 4.2 Biology ......................................................................................................... 34 4.3 Business Studies and Economics ........................................................... 34-35 4.4 Chemistry ..................................................................................................... 36 4.5 Drama ..................................................................................................... 37-38 4.6 English ......................................................................................................... 39 4.7 French .......................................................................................................... 40 4.8 German ........................................................................................................ 41 4.9 Geography ................................................................................................... 41 4.10 History and Politics ................................................................................. 42-43 4.11 Home Economics ......................................................................................... 43 4.12 ICT ............................................................................................................... 44 4.13 Irish ......................................................................................................... 44-45 4.14 Mathematics ................................................................................................ 46 4.15 Moving Image Arts ....................................................................................... 47 4.16 Music ........................................................................................................... 48 4.17 Physical Education ....................................................................................... 49 4.18 Physics ........................................................................................................ 49 4.19 Religious Studies ......................................................................................... 50 4.20 Science ........................................................................................................ 51 4.21 Spanish ........................................................................................................ 51 4.22 Technology and Design ................................................................................ 52 SECTION 5: LINKS WITH PARENTS AND GUARDIANS 5.1 Parental Involvement ................................................................................. 53 5.2 Parent-Teacher Association ....................................................................... 54 SECTION 6: SECURITY & HEALTH AND SAFETY 6.1 Safety and Security ..................................................................................... 54 6.2 Arrangements for Health and Safety of Staff and Pupils ............................. 54 6.3 Premises ..................................................................................................... 54 SECTION 7: FINANCE 7.1 Finance Report to 31 March 2014..............................................................