BOARD OF GOVERNORS’
ANNUAL REPORT
A long established tradition of achievement, success, quality teaching and learning
2010/2011
FOREWORD
The Board of Governors’ Report for 2010/2011 is a clear, impressive and detailed record of the school’s continuing work and achievement. The community which St. Mary’s serves can be confident about its unrivalled dedication to the pursuit of excellence for each pupil in its care. From its first days, the school’s motto has been “Gloria Deo Soli.” It is inspirational and re-assuring that these words continue to inform and motivate the ethos, life and work of the school.
As I commend this Report to you, I wish to pay tribute to my predecessor, Mr David Lambon. His vision for and dedication to the success and continued development of the school is very much in evidence in these pages. The St. Mary’s community has been enriched by his indefatigable determination to maintain the highest standards in every aspect of the school’s life and work.
Should you wish to discuss any issue arising from the contents of this report, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school (8:30am-5:00pm) on or before 8 December 2011.
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D Gillespie (Mrs) Principal and Correspondent to the Board of Governors December 2011
CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION
I am very pleased indeed to introduce the Board of Governors’ Annual Report for 2010/2011.
In June 2011, Mr David Lambon, Principal (2004-2011) left St. Mary’s to accept a new Principalship in St. Malachy’s College, Belfast. It seems fitting now to reflect on the continuing achievement of the school under Mr Lambon’s leadership.
The school’s core work in teaching and learning, pastoral care and extra-curricular provision continued to develop impressively and achieve the highest accolades. Most notable among the curricular awards was the designation of the school as a Specialist School for Science and P.Ed in 2007 for a four-year period. The spectacular success of this initiative will inform and inspire continued curriculum development, professional training and key educational partnership in the years ahead.
During this period, St. Mary’s also won many prestigious and highly-sought after awards, most significantly: The Irish News Award for Workplace Excellence, June 2011; The Sunday Times State Secondary School of the Year (2010); Investors in People Gold and Champion status (2010); Sharing Education Partnership (2010); EFQM (2010); The Irish News Top Performing Grammar School (2010); National Training Award (2009).
These awards were achieved after many years of careful planning, implementation of policy and procedure and honest review. They belong, of course, to the entire school community and most importantly to the staff, pupils and their parents/guardians.
The last seven years saw significant development in the school’s willingness and ability to look outside itself and build partnership and collaboration across schools and businesses for the benefit of its pupils. The Magherafelt Learning Partnership, under Mr Lambon’s chairmanship, is regarded as an example of excellence and a point of reference across Northern Ireland. It was highlighted recently in Link Ed, the newsletter which represents a range of education partner organisations in Northern Ireland.
The school continues to build significant relationships with schools in Africa, India and across Europe. The potential educational and employment opportunities for our pupils are confined only by our imaginations and are increasingly important in today’s restricted economic context.
Little of St. Mary’s success would be possible without the talent, loyalty and sheer dedication of the school’s staff. This report celebrates their tireless efforts in the interests of the pupils. In thanking and congratulating each member of the staff, I would also wish to thank all those who left St. Mary’s in June 2011, many of them after long, loyal and distinguished years of service. In particular, I would like to mention Mrs Shelagh O’ Brien, Vice-Principal who was a member of staff for twenty-eight years, fifteen as Vice-Principal and Mrs Marie Walls, Head of Economics and recently Acting Head of Careers, who completed thirty years’ service.
St. Mary’s is now well placed to move forward and embrace the challenges which lie ahead. On behalf of Governors and the entire St. Mary’s community, I welcome Mrs Deirdre Gillespie as Principal and wish her every success in the years ahead.
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Paddy Bradley Chairman, Board of Governors December 2011
Annual Report
CONTACT DETAILS
St Mary’s Grammar School 3 Castledawson Road Name and Address: Magherafelt Co Derry BT45 6AX
Telephone: 028 7963 2320
Fax No: 028 7963 4250
E-Mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: 8.30am – 5.00pm
Principal: Mrs D Gillespie
Chairman, Board of Governors: Mr P Bradley
Enrolment: 1078
Admissions No: 161
Age Range: 11-18 years
Voluntary, Co-educational Type of School: Grammar School
St Mary’s Grammar School Annual Report CONTENTS
MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2010/2011 ...... 1
SUBJECT CHOICE 2010/2011 ...... 2
THE CURRICULUM 2010/2011 ...... 3
ANNUAL ATTENDANCE RATES AND LEAVERS’ DESTINATIONS ...... 5
PUBLIC EXAMINATION RESULTS ...... 5
SAPHARA, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND COMMENIUS ...... 9
ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS 2010/2011 ...... 13
TRAVEL ...... 34
AWARDS ...... 35
LIBRARY AND TEACHING SUPPORT STAFF ...... 39
CHILD PROTECTION ...... 40
SPORTS REVIEW 2010/2011 ...... 41
CAREERS EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE ...... 50
STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING ...... 50
SPECIALIST SCHOOL ...... 56
MAGHERAFELT LEARNING PARTNERSHIP ...... 60
SHARING EDUCATION PROGRAMME ...... 62
SECURITY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT ...... 63
St Mary’s Grammar School Annual Report
MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2010/2011
Mr P Bradley 1 Chairman
Monsignor O’Bryne 1 Deputy Chairman
Miss E Bradley 1
Ms M Diamond 1
Mr R Scott 3
Rev. Fr Gates 1
Mr J McKee 1
Mr S McNeill 2
Mrs M Carr 4
Principal and Correspondent to Mr D Lambon Board of Governors
1 Appointed by Trustees 2 Appointed by the Department of Education 3 Elected by Parents 4 Elected by the Teaching Staff
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Annual Report
SUBJECT CHOICE 2010/2011
GCSE LEVEL Additional Mathematics History Art and Design Home Economics Biology ICT Business Studies Irish Child Development Mathematics Chemistry Music Drama Physical Education English Physics English Literature Religious Studies French Science – Double Award Geography Spanish German Technology and Design
GCE AS LEVEL Applied Business History Art and Design ICT Biology Irish Business Studies Mathematics Chemistry Music Design and Technology Physical Education Economics Physics English Literature Politics French Religious Studies Geography Spanish German Theatre Studies Health and Social Care
GCE A LEVEL Applied Business Health & Social Care Art and Design History Biology ICT Business Studies Irish Chemistry Mathematics Design and Technology Music Economics Physical Education English Literature Physics French Politics Geography Religious Studies Spanish Theatre Studies
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THE CURRICULUM 2010/2011
KEY STAGE 3 (YEARS 8-10)
YEAR 9 YEAR 8 YEAR 10 NUMBER OF AREAS OF NUMBER OF NUMBER OF SUBJECTS PERIODS STUDY PERIODS PER PERIODS PER PER FORTNIGHT FORTNIGHT FORTNIGHT English English with Library Skills 5 5 6 Drama 1 1 1 Mathematics 7 7 7 Mathematics Financial Capability - - 1 Science 6 6 6 Science and Technology and Design 3 3 3 Technology Information Technology 2 2 - History 4 4 5 Environment Geography 4 4 5 and Society Home Economics 3 3 3 Creative and Physical Education 4 5 4 Expressive Art 2 2 2 Studies Music 3 2 2 Two from: French 5 5 4 Language Irish 4 5 5 Options German 4 5 5 Spanish 4 5 5 Religious Studies 5 4 4 Learning for Life and 2 2 2 Work / PSE
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KEY STAGE 4 (YEARS 11-12)
ALL PUPILS NUMBER OPTIONS NUMBER AREAS OF STUDY SUBJECTS OF PERIODS PER OF PERIODS PER FORTNIGHT FORTNIGHT Year 11 Year 12 Year 11 Year 12 English English 7 8 English Literature Mathematics Mathematics 8 8 or 9 *Additional Mathematics Either: 14 12 Double Award Or: or
Science and Chemistry 7 6 Technology + Physics 7 6 + Biology 7 6 Technology & Design 7 6 ICT 7 6 Child Development 7 6 History 7 6 Environment and Geography 7 6 Society Home Economics 7 6 Economics 7 6 Physical Education 2 2 Art 7 6 Creative and Expressive Drama 7 6 Studies Music 7 6 Physical Education 7 6 (GCSE)
At least one of:
French 7 6
Or:
Language Irish 7 6 Studies Or: 7 6 German
Or: 7 6 Spanish Religious Studies 6 6 or 7 Learning of Life and 2 3 Work/Careers and PSE
*Additional Mathematics = Two groups study Mathematics and Additional Mathematics in the allocated time over the fortnight.
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Annual Report ANNUAL ATTENDANCE RATES AND LEAVERS’ DESTINATIONS
ANNUAL ATTENDANCE RATES
Annual Attendance Rates Number of possible Number of % Attendance attendance sessions sessions attended 385712 371560 96.3
SCHOOL LEAVERS’ DESTINATIONS
Year 12, 13 and 14
% of leavers going to: Year Number HE FE Another Training/ Employment/ Other/ Of School Apprentice Gap Year Unknown Leavers 12 29 0 13 15 0 1 0
13 3 0 2 80.0 0 1 0
14 136 130 1 0 0 4 1
PUBLIC EXAMINATION RESULTS
KEY STAGE 3 SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Year No of pupils in Year 10 2010/2011 163
% achieving Level % achieving Level % achieving Level % achieving Level
5 or above 6 or above 7* or above 8 or above
Teacher Eng 100 95.1 60.1 - Assessment
External 100 94.5 39.3 - Test
Teacher Maths 100 100 82.2 39.3 Assessment
External 100 97.5 80.4 26.4 Test
* In the tests in English, Levels 7 and 8 have been combined into a single band ‘Level 7 and above’ A pupil falling into this band is given the result ‘7+’
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YEAR 12 PUPILS GCSE SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Year No of % % % % No of % % % % % pupils entered entered achieving achieving subject A* A*-A A*-B A*-C achieving in for 5 or for 1-4 grades grades entries no Year more subjects A*-C A*-G grades 12 subjects A*-G 5 or 5 or 1-4 1-4 more more 2011 173 100 0 100 0 100 0 1610 20.5 60.7 89.8 98.4 0
GCSE % Achieving Grades Number A* A B C D E F G U Entered Art and Design 32 18.8 56.3 21.9 3.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Biology 18 27.8 55.6 16.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Chemistry 18 33.3 55.6 11.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Design and Technology 48 12.5 60.4 20.8 6.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Drama 14 42.9 50.0 7.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Economics 9 44.4 11.1 44.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 English 173 13.3 42.8 37.0 6.4 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 English Literature 168 15.5 36.9 33.3 12.5 1.2 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 French 73 16.4 30.1 21.9 17.8 12.3 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 German 13 15.4 7.7 38.5 7.7 0.0 30.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 Geography 19 15.8 47.4 26.3 10.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 History 71 18.3 29.6 38.0 12.7 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Home Economics: Child Devt 10 20.0 20.0 60.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 ICT 72 38.9 50.0 6.9 2.8 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Irish 42 21.4 28.6 50.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Mathematics 173 21.4 49.7 26.6 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Mathematics Additional 63 20.6 38.1 25.4 14.3 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Music 16 37.5 43.8 18.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Physics 18 27.8 55.6 16.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Religious Studies 173 21.4 41.6 31.2 4.6 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Science (DA) 155 13.5 37.4 32.9 15.5 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Spanish 49 38.8 22.4 22.4 16.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Sport/PE Studies 28 71.4 25.0 3.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
GCSE TREND DATA 07/08 08/09 09/10 St Mary’s NI Average St Mary’s NI Average St Mary’s NI Average % Achieving 5+GCSEs 97 96 100 96 100 97 at Grades A*-C %Achieving 7+GCSEs at 96 91 99 91 99 92 Grades A*-C
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YEAR 13 PUPILS GCE AS LEVEL - SUMMARY OF RESULTS
No of % achieving % achieving % achieving No of % % % % % Pupils in 4 or more at 3 or more at 2 or more at entries A A-B A-C A-D A-E Year 13 A-C A-C A-E 2011 138 42.8 92.0 100 481 51.1 80.5 95.0 98.5 99.8
GCE AS-LEVEL % Achieving Grades Number entered A B C D E U Art & Design 12 41.7 41.7 16.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 Biology 66 63.6 18.2 12.1 6.1 0.0 0.0 Business Studies 30 33.3 46.7 13.3 6.7 0.0 0.0 Chemistry 48 47.9 25.0 18.8 2.1 4.2 2.1 Design & Technology 11 36.4 27.3 36.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 Drama 11 90.9 9.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Economics 8 37.5 37.5 25.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 English Literature 35 40.0 34.3 14.3 11.4 0.0 0.0 French 17 41.2 35.3 17.6 5.9 0.0 0.0 Geography 22 40.9 31.8 22.7 4.5 0.0 0.0 Health & Social Care 12 25.0 50.0 25.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 History 35 65.7 14.3 17.1 2.9 0.0 0.0 ICT 29 72.4 17.2 6.9 0.0 3.4 0.0 Irish 11 72.7 27.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Moving Image Art 2 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Mathematics 53 62.3 26.4 7.5 3.8 0.0 0.0 Music 5 40.0 60.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Physics 27 51.9 22.2 14.8 0.0 11.1 0.0 Politics 14 0.0 57.1 42.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 Polish 1 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Religious Studies 20 30.0 55.0 10.0 5.0 0.0 0.0 Spanish 4 25.0 50.0 25.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Sport/PE Studies 8 62.5 37.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
KEY SKILLS No entered at % achieving No entered % achieving Level 3 Level 3 at Level 2 Level 2 Communication 3 100 - - Information Technology 42 100 - - Working with others 18 100 - -
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YEAR 14 PUPILS GCE A LEVEL - SUMMARY OF RESULTS
No of % achieving % achieving % achieving No of % % % % % % Pupils in 3 or more at 2 or more at 1 or more at entries A* A A*-B A*-C A*-D A*-E Year 14 A-C A-C A-E 2011 133 95.5 100 100 429 17.5 44.5 86.9 98.6 100 100
GCE A-LEVEL % Achieving Grades Number A* A B C D E U entered Art & Design 8 12.5 50.0 0.0 37.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 Biology 65 27.7 35.4 18.5 15.4 3.1 0.0 0.0 Business (Voc) 5 20.0 80.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Business Studies 14 7.1 21.4 50.0 14.3 7.1 0.0 0.0 Chemistry 39 15.4 69.2 12.8 2.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 Design & Technology 9 11.1 22.2 33.3 33.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 Drama 11 27.3 72.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Economics 12 16.7 50.0 33.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 English Literature 28 7.1 39.3 39.3 14.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 French 5 20.0 0.0 20.0 20.0 40.0 0.0 0.0 Geography 29 3.4 55.2 20.7 20.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 Health & Social 6 0.0 33.3 50.0 16.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 History 15 26.7 40.0 20.0 13.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 ICT 40 15.0 47.5 25.0 12.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 Irish 13 7.7 61.5 15.4 15.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 Mathematics 54 27.8 48.1 24.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Mathematics Further 1 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Music 8 12.5 25.0 37.5 25.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Physics 24 12.5 33.3 37.5 12.5 4.2 0.0 0.0 Politics 11 9.1 27.3 54.5 9.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 Religious Studies 17 5.9 35.3 47.1 11.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 Spanish 3 33.3 66.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Sport/PE Studies 12 33.3 41.7 8.3 16.7 0.0 0.0 0.0
GCE Trend Data 07/08 08/09 09/10 St Mary’s NI Average St Mary’s NI Average St Mary’s NI Average % Achieving 3+GCEs 90 74 92 75 96 78 at Grades A-C %Achieving 2+GCEs 100 99 100 100 100 100 at Grades A-E
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SAPHARA SAPHARA: NORTH WEST TEAM 2011 Endowed and four from Dominican College, Portstewart. The St Mary’s students were:- Orlagh McCollum, Rachel Mulholland, Rebecca Campbell, Niamh Lynch, Alice Coogan, Anna Johnston, Paoirse Toner, Richard Fitzgerald
Saphara is a Northern Ireland charity, established in Each student agreed to pay £650 towards travel recent years by Dr Christine Burnett, formerly a and costs and to raise £500 individually. As a team, Biology teacher in Methodist College, Belfast. Its we agreed to raise £4000. The Team proved to be purpose is to raise money and practical support for resourceful and imaginative in the number and under-privileged children in their schools in India. It variety of the fundraising events which they also assists children, women and families living in undertook throughout the year. They included poor, marginalised communities in India. Saphara ‘Hello, Dolly!’ Raffle works in partnership with other charities in India to ‘Hello, Dolly! Waiters who provided a sponsored provide education, materials and hope for thousands waiter-service in Café Bordeaux of people. Each year, teams of young people from School Carol Service different schools in Northern Ireland travel to India Cupcake Sale during the summer to teach in two different schools. Junior Drama Group
In June 2010, Dr Christine Burnett met with Mr Lunchtime Theatre Lambon to discuss the possibility of St Mary’s Europa Abseil participating in a Saphara trip. It was agreed that we Battle of the Bands would partner with Rainey Endowed and Dominican, Quiz Nights Portstewart and together would become the North Coffee Mornings West Team. Over thirty students in St Mary’s Supermarket Bag Packs applied for a place on the team and this was Curry Nights shortlisted to twelve for interview. Eight students were selected from St Mary’s, six from Rainey
In preparation for North West Team’s journey with Saphara, Mrs O’Brien travelled to India in February 2011. She spent a total of ten days there, travelling to all the places the pupils would visit. She later wrote:-
“I had many nerve-wracking experiences during my trip to India in February, not least the endless journeys on narrow, snow-covered roads in a rackety jeep, to the top of the Himalayas! But I survived and so will our courageous Year 13 students and their leader, Miss McKillop. I have now experienced first-hand the swirl of sounds, smells and sights which will assail them every day in India. My memories of the glorious Taj Mahal are tempered by the horrors of the slums of Dehradun. The serenity of the Lotus Temple contrasted sharply with the madness of the railway stations and the unsettling presence of the beggars everywhere.
At the heart of my trip were the children of the schools I visited: Sneha, Donk and Woodstock and the women’s projects in the Himalayas.
It is to assist in these schools that our young people are going to India in July. Thanks to the wonderful fund-raising efforts of the St Mary’s community, the children will have new educational resources, including printers and equipment for the youngest children. Miss McKillop and the team are also taking enough money with them to ensure the children have breakfast every day during July.
The fund-raising efforts of the St Mary’s community have been, as always, magnificent. I wish to pay tribute and thank whole-heartedly all those who contributed in any way, not least the Saphara Team and Miss McKillop. Finally, I would like to give special mention to Mrs U McKillop (Miss McKillop’s mother) and Mrs P McKee (Mrs Anderson’s mother) who so generously answered my pleas for hats for the children of Sneha school (about 1000!) against the winter cold. These indomitable ladies and their teams of knitters took up the challenge in February and at the time of going to press, are still knitting! Thank you!”
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North West Team 2011, accompanied by Miss McKillop from St Mary’s and teachers from partner schools, travelled to India on 22 July 2011 and while there, the students taught in two schools: SNEHA School in Dehradhun and Mussoorie School in the foothills of the Himalayas. The team focused on teaching topics on: Weather, Mathematics, and Music and worked with Indian children aged three to seventeen.
The lessons helped to develop the children’s language skills, build confidence and their sense of personal worth and value. In return, our young people gained confidence, self-awareness and an understanding of global issues outside that of their own communities.
North West Team 2011 also had the opportunity to visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort and witnessed first-hand the vast riches of India, in contrast to the living conditions of the marginalised community they visited, where they saw unimaginable poverty.
Miss McKillop recorded the team’s progress:
“On 22 July 2011 all the hard work of the previous twelve months came to fruition as the North West Saphara team departed from Belfast City Airport to begin their journey to Mussoorie and Dehradun, India. The meetings, preparation and fundraising were over; the real work was about to begin. The excellent rapport among the team was evident from the outset as they all supported each other along the way.
We spent our first couple of days in Dehli, shopping for our Indian clothes and getting acclimatised to the culture and humidity, before we took the seven hour train journey to the city of Dehradun. After a night’s sleep, we made our final leg of the journey to Mussoorie, 7000 feet up in the foothills of the Himalayas. We were literally in the clouds and could feel the air get thinner and very damp as we rose.
While in Mussoorie, our students taught in Kaplani High school, a rural school catering for local children, many of whom walk over 10km every day there and back to receive their education. It was truly inspiring to watch our students engage with the Kaplani students with such compassion and professionalism, teaching Music, Maths, Geography and English. Our students showed remarkable dedication, teaching all day with a little break in the afternoon and then planning lessons for the next day every evening. Of course, there was plenty of craic too! On our last day we had a cultural exchange concert. I never thought a group of students from Northern Ireland would be 7000 feet up in the Himalayas playing Dawning of the Day on tin whistle – a little surreal to say the least!
One of the highlights for everyone while in Mussoorie was our visit to Donk Primary School. It took an hour and a half to trek down the side of the mountain on tracks just wide enough for one, but it was worth every second – we even agreed it was worth enduring the leeches! The school is located in a stunning setting, surrounded by beautiful forests and waterfalls. But, more importantly, without Donk Primary, the children there would have absolutely no opportunity for education as the state school is completely inaccessible. There must be something in the mountain water at Donk as we all agreed that the children there were the cutest we had ever seen and we all fell in love with them within an hour. The boys, especially, went ‘gooey eyed’ and made some special bonds with the little ones, who were as young as three. One of the future plans is that Saphara will provide a lunchtime meal for every child as presently some of them do not eat from as early as 6:30am until they get home at 2pm.
On our last couple of days in Mussoorie, we all took time to reflect on what the trip had meant for us so far, through prayer, speeches, quotations and songs. It filled me with great hope to hear how our young people had been moved by their experiences and how they hoped it would change their lives for the better.
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We were all very sad to leave Mussoorie and the stunning Himalayan foothills but we were also excited to start the second stage of the trip. The heat of the city was intense and the sound of honking horns became the norm! The next four days were spent teaching in SNEHA Doon Academy, a school for all ages that provides education and support for young people and their families from the Dehradun slum. Teaching in SNEHA brought new challenges for our students, with class sizes of over 50 (nearly 100 in kindergarten!) and streetwise children who did not suffer fools gladly! Lesson content had to be quadrupled to keep the SNEHA students engaged and our young people soon learned that ‘firm but fair’ was the best way to manage such large classes. Despite the large numbers, our students and the Indian students made great friendships. The students of the North West team were surprised when they realised just how much they had in common with their Indian counterparts, sharing the same interests, hopes and dreams.
During our first day at SNEHA, we were taken for a walk through the slum to help us all understand the reality of just how difficult life can be for the SNEHA students. It is hard to describe all of the emotions we felt during and after this walk. The living conditions are indescribable and despite having seen them with my own eyes, I still find it hard to believe that human beings have to live like that. However, we were told of tremendous work that is being done by the SNEHA community project which helped turn our despair to hope. With adult literacy classes, women’s empowerment groups and health clinics to name but a few, a lot is being done to improve the quality of life for the families of the Dehradun slum. We will never forget what we saw that day, which is a good thing. Hopefully, it will inspire us all to think about our own lives and make positive changes.
At the end of our trip, we spent a couple of days as tourists. We returned to Dehli and did a little shopping and travelled to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. It was fantastic to have the opportunity to see another side of India, but, at the same time, difficult to marry the exceptional poverty with the obvious wealth.
Everyone was ready for home when the time came, having missed family and friends. However, lifelong friendships have been made with a bond that will remain special as the years go by and memories were formed that will never leave us. We are all now looking forward to inspiring others to take part in the Saphara journey and continuing to support the work that is done in India. Thank you to everyone who supported us in any way.”
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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SCHOOLS AND YOUTH COMENIUS PROGRAMME ‘MIGRATION’ PROJECT This is the sixth year St Mary’s has participated in the Mrs Daly and Miss McAllister Habitat for Humanity Schools and Youth programme, in worked alongside staff from partnership with Magherafelt High School. The Schools and Almere, in the Netherlands Youth programme is open to Year 13 students and involves and Stuttgart in Germany on two workshops, one in each of the partner schools and a a European Comenius day labouring on the Habitat for Humanity NI site in Belfast. Project focusing on Over sixty students applied for ten places. The following ‘Entrepreneurship and the students were successful in making the 2010/11 team: Conor McAuley, World of Work’ at the Antrim Aoife Donaghy, Martha McKenna, Sinead Sweeney, Phillip McDonald, Board Centre in January Enda Mulholland, Caitriona McAteer, Roisin McCloskey, Helen Quinn, 2011. It is anticipated that Colum Hegarty. the project will commence in
During the workshops, the students explore issues such as stereotypes, September 2011 and run for local and global poverty and local and global responsibility. While on site in two years. There will be Belfast, they could be doing anything from tiling a roof to insulating walls. exchanges of information on This year, the team was responsible for sanding banisters and putting up the history of plasterboard! entrepreneurship in the local vicinity, for example, the The Schools and Youth programme is provided to schools at no cost. In influence of the London return, Habitat for Humanity NI asks that the students hold one fundraising Companies in Ulster during event to raise money for the charity. This year, the team decided to the Plantations and an organise ‘St Mary’s Got Talent.’ They worked tirelessly to organise exploration of the Dutch East everything from promotion to the live semi-finals and final. Over one India Company. There will hundred students auditioned and all the finals sold out. As a result, the be several exchange visits team raised £2134 pounds for Habitat for Humanity NI. This team was a with partners to include particularly committed and enthusiastic one: the students represented their ‘Maths Hats Day’ in school and local community with remarkable maturity, good humour and St Mary’s which encourages dedication. students to use their creative
As a result of our long-standing relationship with Habitat for Humanity, the and mathematical skills to St Mary’s Senior Choir has been asked to sing at a Commissioning Service make and sell hats for profit. in Hillsborough Parish Church to celebrate the appointment of Habitat NI’s Reciprocal visits to Germany new Chief Director and to reflect on all of their good work done to date. included visits to local industry such as the Daimler CONNECTING CLASSROOMS SUB-SAHARAN PROJECT and Porche plants near St Mary’s, in partnership with Reutlingen, Germany. St Pius X College and Students will communicate Rainey Endowed, took part in through our Virtual Learning the British Council’s Environment, sharing their ‘Connecting Classrooms’ knowledge and experience of Sub-Saharan project. In the world of work and January 2011, the inspiration provided by local Magherafelt cluster of entrepreneurs such as schools hosted visitors from Genesis Bakery. At the end Kenya (Moi Girls Vokoli and of the project there will be a Chavakali Boys) and publication detailing all the Rwanda (Groupe Scoliare curricular and extra-curricular Kabaya and Bukane PS). work undertaken and There were visits to accounts of the exchange classrooms in all of the host schools and our visitors took part in a number visits. Staff will also have an of cultural events within the Magherafelt area. They were afforded the opportunity to share opportunity to visit some of the landmarks in Northern Ireland including the resources and experiences Giant’s Causeway and the Glens of Antrim. All the schools exchanged work with European colleagues in created by students including some artistic representations of Africa and their dedicated ‘virtual handmade post cards. There were exchanges of DVDs introducing the staffroom’ as part of the VLE. African schools, their staff, and students and exhibiting examples of their daily life. Valencia, a sixteen year old student, from Chavakali Boys’ School gave a presentation to the Science Fair on his work on conservation as well as judging work from the local primary schools.
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ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS 2010/2011
GCSE AND A LEVEL TOP CANDIDATES IN NORTHERN IRELAND St Mary’s is pleased to report that CCEA has advised the following top candidates in Northern Ireland:
A LEVEL
st Qiushi Xiang Chemistry, 1 equal
Paul Cosgrove Chemistry, 3rd
GCSE st st Peter Maguire Chemistry 1 , Physics 1
st Catherine Tennyson English, 1 equal
English, 1st equal Maria Tennyson Additional Maths, 3rd equal
rd Aimee McGuckin Physical Education, 3 equal
TOP STUDENTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND IN GCSE 2010
Caitriona McAteer pictured with her teacher, Mrs D McMahon and Mr Lambon Maeve McCarney, pictured with her three teachers: Mr McAuley, Miss Agnew and Miss Walker.
Maeve McCarney achieved the top mark in CCEA GCSE Double Award Non-Modular Science, 2010.
Caitriona McAteer was first equal in CCEA Irish Language, 2010.
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BUSINESS STUDIES/ECONOMICS DEPT
The Business Studies/Economics Dept during the academic year 2010/2011, has undertaken the following activities: INDUSTRIAL VISITS THE MINI ENTERPRISE SCHEME Year 11,12, 13 and 14 pupils participated in a ‘SMG’ enterprises, was organised again with a number of industrial visits : group of Year 13 pupils as an enrichment F G Wilson, Larne; Tesco; Tayto; Coca Cola, programme to complement their A Level Croke Park and Guinness Storehouse. studies. They each received a Key Skill of
CENTRAL LIBRARY ‘Working with Others’ worth 20 UCAS points. They met at lunch times and at break A2 Business Studies students (Applied) visited throughout the school year. The Managing the Central Library to access secondary Director (Rebecca Campbell) and Assistant research for their coursework. Managing Director (Jason Lennon), who were GUEST SPEAKERS democratically elected by the members of the A number of guest speakers from local banks group, led a very successful team this year. and industries, spoke to various student They made an impressive £2 200 profit groups across the Department. Mr Damien through various trading activities. Some of McErlain from Genesis Bakeries, was their most profitable activities involved selling particularly helpful to the Year 14 students who candy apples at Halloween, candy canes with must access detailed information about a local personalised messages, cup cakes and sports business. gear to the school community. They donated
ESSAY WRITING COMPETITION all of their profit to local charities, £1000 to Marie Curie; most of the remainder going to Two Year 14 Economics students entered the the NSPCC. Bailie Gilford essay writing competition.
STOCK MARKET CHALLENGE Year 11 pupils participated in a Stock Market Challenge organised by FOSEC (Foyle School and Employer Connections). Our team took on twenty-five other young fund management teams from various local schools and were placed within the top ten. The competition gave pupils the chance to experience the excitement of buying and selling shares on a live trading floor. Each team started with £15,000 in ‘virtual’ cash to invest, by YOUNG ENTERPRISE interpreting and analysing information from the Year 11 formed a Young Enterprise group, Stock Market. The simulated live trading took with the idea of embedding business theory place over a two hour period. The team through running a company. Their aim was to finished within the top ten. All the participants generate a profit, and they decided to donate loved the challenge and the day’s activities. the proceeds to charity. They made over GERMAN TEACHER £2500 through successfully marketing a ‘pink’ The Department hosted a German teacher football jersey to the school community! They who stayed with the Department for one week made a video of this with Jerome Quinn, an ex (11 April – 15 April). We shared good practice BBC news reporter, who is now a freelance and enjoyed discovering how a German journalist. The video is currently on the 0’Neill’s Economics/Business Studies student’s day web site. The whole experience was invaluable differed from that of a St Mary’s student. for the Year 11 group, and as a reward for their
INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS hard work, they each received a voucher for O’Neill’s sportswear. SHADOWING SCHEME Two Year 13 pupils ‘shadowed’ directors from prestigious companies within the Northern Ireland business community. They each had a great experience in observing how strategic business decisions were reached. Right: Jerome Quinn with Year 11 Enterprise Group
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Annual Report
ART AND DESIGN Rachel Mulholland (Year 14) has been selected as a Special Award Winner for an Arts Society of Ulster Award by members of the prestigious Arts Society of Ulster Trust, formerly known as the Royal Ulster Academy Association. The Arts Society of Ulster’s main aim is to provide a creative forum for artists and to promote the appreciation of the visual arts within the province and the wider viewing public. The prestigious ASU Annual Open Exhibition was held at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast in September 2011. This included Rachel’s art work alongside nationally acclaimed professional and semi-professional artists who covered an interesting spectrum of traditional and contemporary works in a huge variety of styles and media. All Members are elected to the Society on the basis of their skills as artists. Rachel received a highly sought after ASU certificate, a cheque for £50 and the school will also received an ASU certificate. She was presented with this special award on the Opening Night of the exhibition in September 2011.
RACHEL’S TRUE ARTISTIC COLOURS SHINE THROUGH The art work of Rachel Mulholland was included in the ‘True Colours’ exhibition 2010-11 and viewed proudly by our Art & Design students and teachers and staff who attended it. True Colours is one of the highlights of the Art & Design education calendar and Rachel’s work was viewed by over 8,000 visitors during the exhibition.
‘TRUE COLOURS’ EXHIBITION 2010 The Art & Design Department took over eighty pupils to the ‘True Colours’ exhibition in Omagh in December 2010. This was organised by the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment Council to showcase the best and most intriguing work from CCEA’s GCSE and GCE Art and Design summer 2009/10 work. During this visit, our students gained valuable insight and inspiration from the creativity and imagination of the work displayed and it helped them to recognise what it takes to achieve top grades in GCSE and GCE Art and Design.
FULL MARKS GCSE/GCE: 2010-2011 ‘TRUE COLOURS’ EXHIBITION Special congratulations are in order for six Art & 2011/2012 Design students who obtained full marks in GCSE Four students have had their work and A Level CCEA examinations 2010/11. Each recommended by visiting CCEA student received a certificate from the Examination moderators for 2011/2012 ‘True Board in recognition of this superb achievement. Colours’ Exhibition. They are: They are: Carla Heron (GCSE); Eilish Dougan; Orla Gilmore; Carla Heron; Tabitha Tohill-Reid (AS); Laura McKenna, Leanne McWilliams (GCSE) and Laurina Donnelly and Tabitha Tohill- Reid (AS) Fionnuala Ward (A2)
YEAR 9 ANIMATION CLUB During May and June 2011, Year 9 pupils participated in an interactive and fun Animation Club after school one evening per week. This gave students the chance to work in teams and learn and develop the skills for making animations using computers and cameras. In particular, students learned how to create a storyboard with characters, use special effects and add sound to animation. The students thoroughly enjoyed and benefitted from this opportunity.
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ART WORK WHICH ACHIEVED FULL MARKS GCSE / GCE AND / OR RECOMMENDED FOR ‘TRUE COLOURS’ EXHIBITION
Fionnuala Ward
Leanne McWilliams Orla Gilmore
Laura McKenna
Tabitha Tohill-Reid
Eilish Dougan
Carla Heron Laurina Donnelly
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DRAMA
DRAMA DEPARTMENT WELCOMES HAPPENSTANCE THEATRE COMPANY TO ST MARY’S In October 2010, the Drama Department was delighted to host a performance of a new play by Happenstance Theatre Company. Directed by Philip Crawford, The Boat Factory was written by Dan Gordon and featured this award winning actor in the lead role, alongside Michael Condron. Drama, Theatre Studies and Performing Arts students from across the Magherafelt Learning Partnership attended the performance and had the opportunity to engage in a post-show discussion with the actors and director.
With its blend of humour and history, this touring production received a standing ovation from audiences across Northern Ireland and the performance in St Mary’s was no exception. Reflecting on the event, Mr Quinn, Head of Drama, said: “I am delighted that Dan Gordon and Happenstance Theatre Company chose St Mary’s as a venue for the staging of this new piece of theatre. The Drama Department regularly takes pupils and staff to the theatre. In this instance, however, we have been able to bring theatre into the school and we look forward to similar events in the future.”
EDEXCEL CHIEF EXAMINER DELIVERS DRAMA AND THEATRE STUDIES COURSE IN ST MARY’S In March 2011, A2 Drama and Theatre Studies students from across Northern Ireland visited St Mary’s to attend a revision course with Alan Perks, Chief Examiner for Edexcel’s Drama and Theatre Studies specification. The course focused on Unit 4 of the specification and was attended by students from: Loreto College, Coleraine; Cambridge House Grammar; School, Ballymena; St Louise’s Comprehensive College, Belfast; Bangor Grammar School; Sperrin Integrated College, Magherafelt; St Cecilia’s College, Derry and St Mary’s College, Derry.
THEATRE WORKSHOP WITH LOCAL DIRECTOR, PHILIP CRAWFORD In March 2011, Year 13 Drama and Theatre Studies students participated in a workshop with local director, Philip Crawford. The workshop was part of the students’ exploration of Our Country’s Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker, one of the play texts studied as part of the AS Drama and Theatre Studies course. Having directed a production of the play in the past, Philip shared his directorial approach to the play with students.
DRAMA DEPARTMENT NAMES A SEAT IN THE NEW LYRIC THEATRE, BELFAST Staff and students of the Drama Department in St Mary’s were delighted when the doors of the new Lyric Theatre, Belfast opened in May and the Drama Department’s seat dedication in the main auditorium was unveiled. Explaining the decision of the Drama Department to name a seat in the new auditorium, Mr Quinn, Head of Drama, explained: “We named a seat as a reflection of our commitment to the continued development of drama in Northern Ireland. We believe that drama has an important role to play in education and that schools have a significant contribution to make to the growth of the arts in Northern Ireland. Since its inception in 1996, the Drama Department of St. Mary’s has gone from strength to strength. Naming a seat in the Lyric Theatre is both a celebration of our department’s success and a sign of our hope that the new theatre will contribute to the drama education of our students in the future just as it has done in the past.”
St Mary’s Grammar School became the first school to name a seat in the Lyric Theatre and is one of only two schools in Northern Ireland to have done so. The Name a Seat initiative was part of the Lyric Theatre’s Capital Development Campaign to build the new theatre. Drama students raised the money for the Drama Department’s seat dedication through a range of Lunchtime Theatre performances in the Drama Studio.
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ST MARY’S DRAMA STUDENTS VISIT THE NEW LYRIC THEATRE IN BELFAST On Wednesday 4 May 2011, students from the Drama Department of St Mary’s were among the first students in Northern Ireland to enjoy a matinee performance in the new Lyric Theatre, Belfast. Year 11 and Year 12 Drama students, accompanied by Mr Quinn and Mrs Anderson, travelled to the banks of the River Lagan to watch the theatre’s opening production of The Crucible by Arthur Miller - the playtext studied as part of the GCSE Drama specification. Following the performance, students were fulsome in their praise for a production which was traditional and true to Miller’s vision. The enthusiasm of students was reflected in a comment made by Year 12 student, Eilish Burns, after the show: “That was brilliant. I really enjoyed it. I honestly did.” Cillian Donaghy, another Year 12 Drama student, said: “Exploring the play in class is one thing but seeing it performed onstage like that by professional actors is something else. Going to see the play was the best exam revision I could have done.”
DANCE CLASSES THEATRE VISITS During Term Two, students in Years 8-11 took Theatre visits throughout 2010/2011 included: part in dance classes with choreographer Declan Moore who choreographed the The Plough and the Stars at the Abbey school’s recent production of Hello, Theatre, Dublin; Dolly!Students demonstrated talent, energy Calamity Jane at St. Pius X College, and enthusiasm as they perfected routines Magherafelt; from shows such as Mamma Mia! and King Lear at the Grand Opera House, Belfast; Hairspray, as well as those of chart stars such The Crucible at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast. as Katy Perry and Lady Gaga!
LUNCHTIME THEATRE AND PRACTICAL EXAMINATION EVENINGS Throughout 2010/2011, the Drama Department continued its tradition of Lunchtime Theatre as students showcased their performance, design and technical work. Throughout 2010/2011, audiences were treated to a range of performance work including improvisation, scripted performance, devised work, monologues and duologues. Performances this year included: • King Lear by William Shakespeare; • Be My Baby by Amanda Whittington; • Sive by John B. Keane; • Love in the Title by Hugh Leonard; • The Crucible by Arthur Miller; • Blood Brothers by Willy Russell; • The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde; • The Plough and the Stars by Sean O’Casey; • Our Day Out by Willy Russell; • Eclipsed by Patricia Burke Brogan; • The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh; • A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams; • Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling; • With God and With the Devil – a Year 14 devised drama; • The Lost and the Living – a Year 14 devised drama.
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‘Hello, Dolly!’
Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre Cookstown 8 – 11 November 2010
In October 2009, a quartet of Lower Sixth students approached Mrs O’Brien and beseeched her to produce another musical before they left St Mary’s. In a specially written letter, they reminded her that previous St Mary’s musicals, under her direction, had “touched the lives of so many people, creating beautiful, lasting memories that lingered in the minds of pupils, staff and audiences.”
And so, the Production Team came together; Mrs O’ Brien, Mr Cuddy, Mr Quinn, Miss McKillop and Mrs Kearney – and rehearsals began in late August 2010. Long evenings and some Saturdays were spent perfecting dance routines, learning the memorable score and rehearsing the dialogue. As Performance Week in November drew closer, the Cast and Production Team dared to hope that this show would be their best and most spectacular to date!
From 8-11 November, Hello, Dolly! played to capacity audiences and, as well as welcoming our families and friends, we also welcomed patrons from North and South of Ireland, England, Spain, France and Germany.
After the show, we received huge numbers of cards, letters, emails, texts and telephone calls congratulating the Cast and Production Team on this magnificent show. Dan Gordon described it as “brilliant” in his column in “The Sunday Life.” Mr Arthur Webb, Adviser for Arts Education and PE (BELB) wrote that this “was truly a professional show from beginning to end” and was “performed by an exceptionally well-chosen and talented cast” And one of the cast spoke for everyone involved in the production when she said, “I will take the memories of the last few months and especially Performance Week away and cherish them for life.”
We were delighted to have among the Cast a number of small performers from some of our local Primary and Nursery schools: Holy Family Primary School, Magherafelt; New Row, Castledawson; Magherafelt Primary School; Cookstown Primary School, St Trea’s, Ballymaguigan; St John Bosco, Ballynease; and, Lavey Community Playgroup. The tiniest performer, Anna (aged 4) declared she loved Mrs O’ Brien even more than her pet kitten, Nibbles, but once the excitement had died down she quietly transferred her affection back to Nibbles!
A special highlight of this production was the inclusion of a number of our male teachers who were brave enough to join in the Waiters’ Gallop. It is probably best for us all to forget the dress rehearsal when Mr Tracey accidentally threw his turkey into the orchestra pit, as he later proved himself a true Fred Astaire during the show’s run! St Mary’s Grammar School Page 19
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As always, the Cast and Production Team received generous and unstinting support from our colleagues, families and sponsors, without which the Production could not take place. In thanking them sincerely, we acknowledge the key role they play in our success. In particular, special thanks are due to Mrs S Fullerton who master-minded a most successful Dolly Fundraising week in support of the production. Ably assisted by her Front of House students, Natasha McKee, Evanna McAuley and Catherine Gallagher, she organized a raffle, sold` Dolly cupcakes, organised a “Design a Hat for Dolly” competition and was delighted when Mrs Pauline McGurk and the staff of Café Bordeaux served American-themed food all week.
Now that the curtain has closed on “Hello, Dolly!”, the entire St Mary’s community will remember it with much pleasure, great affection and enormous pride.
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ENGLISH
ARTY FACT THEATRE COMPANY VISITS ST. MARY’S In November 2010, Arty Fact Theatre Company visited St. Mary’s to present a performance of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men to Year 11 English Literature students from St. Mary’s Grammar School and St. Pius X College. Following the performance, students had the opportunity to discuss aspects of the text, such as characters and themes, with the company.
YEAR 9 CREATIVE WRITING CLUB Throughout 2010/2011, Mrs McErlain met with the Year 9 Creative Writing Club on a weekly basis. Pupils were given the opportunity to develop their creative flair and talent in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere with the most successful young writers getting the opportunity to participate in competitions and have their work displayed on the Creative Writing Noticeboard.
YEAR 8 BOOK REVIEW COMPETITION MARKS WORLD BOOK DAY 2011 To mark World Book Day in March, the English Department invited Year 8 students to enter 1st: Sarah Gallen
a book review competition and write a review of their most recent read. A number 2nd: Sinead McCann
of reviews were received and judged by Mr 3rd: Lauren McStocker Stewart, School Librarian. The winners of the competition were:
INTERCLASS DEBATING COMPETITION Throughout 2010/2011, Year 10 participated in the weekly Interclass Debating Competition. This competition generated great interest and a healthy level of inter-class competition with10B being the worthy winners.
PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITIONS Rotary Soroptimist Competition Three pupils, namely Orla McDonald, Catherine Tennyson and Maria
Martha McKenna Tennyson participated in the local heat of the Youth Annual was chosen to Soroptimist Public Speaking competition held in Ballymoney in represent the school November 2010. The standard was in the ‘Rotary Young exceptionally high; we were delighted Leaders of the that Orla was named runner-up while Future’ competition Maria was the winner. Maria then and was highly competed in the N Ireland Final held in commended on the Lurgan in March. She offered a leadership skills she prepared speech lasting six minutes on displayed during the the Welfare State; then she offered an interview process. extempore speech. Maria Tennyson INTERNATIONAL THEATRE VISIT WOMEN DAY In March 2011, AS and A2 English Literature students travelled to In February, Year 13 the Grand Opera House, Belfast to see the highly acclaimed Pupil, Grainne Donmar Warehouse production of William Shakespeare’s King Lear, McClenaghan starring the award winning actor Derek Jacobi. represented St Mary’s at THE ILLUSIONIST International Women’s In March, St Mary’s hosted a collaborative Literary Workshop with Day where she shared St Pius X on the A2 Text ‘The Illusionist’ led by Mrs McErlain. This her thoughts on the Workshop gave pupils from both schools the opportunity to discuss female role models who this core A level text and share their informed opinions on it as well have most influenced her as providing excellent preparation for their A Level Examination. life.
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GEOGRAPHY NORTH ANTRIM COAST - YEAR 14 Fieldwork makes Geography come to life, puts everything into context and helps students really grasp how Geography literally shapes the world around them. In St Mary’s participation in fieldwork activities is an important element in teaching and learning in the Geography Department. All year groups have the opportunity to engage in meaningful fieldwork activities. Coasts as a topic are now taught at GCSE and A level. Early in October Year 14 students visited Ballycastle on the North Antrim coast to observe coastal features and a variety of coastal management strategies to protect the coast from erosion.
NORTH ANTRIM COAST – YEAR 11 In November, Year 11 Geography students visited the North Coast including Ballintoy Harbour, Whitepark Bay, and the West Strand in Portrush. At these various locations, they observed the coastal features learned about in class including a raised beach, caves, an arch, sea stack and sand dune systems. They were also able to observe the human impact on the coastal environment and the variety of methods used by people to protect the coastline in different locations.
Year 13 students participated in a variety of fieldwork activities along the River Roe.
VISIT TO MULLAGHGLASS LANDFILL SITE Year 12 students studied the topic of waste management as part of the new GCSE specification. They visited Mullaghglass landfill site on the outskirts of West Belfast where they were taken on a guided tour of the facility, learning about the processes involved in the operation of a landfill site and the environmental issues concerned.
CRAWFORDSBURN COUNTRY PARK Year 9 pupils visited Crawfordsburn Country Park in Co. Down where they took part in some fieldwork activities relating to the study of rivers and coasts.
GEOGRAPHY CLUB At Key Stage 3, the Geography Club continued to meet weekly, with Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10 pupils in attendance. Pupils enjoyed taking part in a wide variety of activities designed by the staff of the Department, including quizzes, games and a variety of creative activities. The club also helped to co-ordinate the Oxfam stamp collection appeal which took place from December to February mid-term . GEOGRAPHY FILM CLUB
The Geography Film Club was held on Tuesday lunchtimes for Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 pupils. At this time they were able to enjoy watching a variety of films, which helped to enhance their learning of Geography in a fun and relaxed manner. Films shown during the year included ‘Invictus’, ‘Supervolcano’, ‘The Day after Tomorrow’ and ‘Twister.’
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COLLABORATIVE WORKSHOP INTERNAL WORKSHOPS In Key Stage 3 Climate Week is a Geography, new national fieldwork occasion for activities included everyone wanting to do their bit to combat a collaborative climate change. The Climate Week Mini- fieldwork activity Challenge took place during Climate Week which involved in March. The exact challenge was land use mapping revealed online at 9am on Monday 21 and looking at the March 2011. It set a specific task to be potential for completed by teams of pupils, competing environmental against the clock. All Year 11 Geography improvements in the centre of Magherafelt.Year 8 pupils students took part in the event. It provided from 8B in St. Mary’s met up with pupils from a Year 8 students with the opportunity to be class in St. Pius X - class 8 I in June when the pupils creative, be innovative and engage with from both schools participated in a collaborative environmental and sustainability issues, as workshop where they compared their results. well as having some fun along the way.
UK SCHOOLS SEISMOLOGY PROJECT Mr Paul Denton from the British Geological Survey was in Northern Ireland during March to visit the schools that have become part of the UK Schools Seismology Project. He visited St. Mary’s Geography Department and provided training to all Geography teachers and the ICT Technician, in the use of the seismometer which has recently been purchased by the department. This seismometer will be useful in teaching about earthquakes at all levels in school. The sheer destructive power of earthquakes has always held a fascination for children. This project capitalises on this natural interest by making use of earthquakes and seismology as a unifying theme to teach a range of basic concepts. Students will be able to detect world earthquakes in the classroom using a simple seismometer system and exchange their earthquake data with schools around the world.
CONNECTING CLASSROOMS St Mary’s is part of the “Connecting Schools” Project which is funded by the British Council and aims to connect schools within the UK to others from around the world. In February, schools within the Magherafelt Learning Partnership welcomed four guests: two teachers, Leonard and Aline from Rwanda, Lynette, a Head teacher, from Kenya and Valencia, a fifteen year old pupil, also from Kenya. Lynette and Valencia spent some time with the Geography Department, meeting pupils and exchanging information about Kenya with them. Lynette also talked to Year 14 pupils about one of their A Level Geography topics – the relationship between population and resources with relation to Kenya. SCIENCE FAIR PRIMARY SCHOOL The annual Science Fair was held in February 2011 to coincide LINKS with the visit by our African Guests. The Geography Department Year 14 Geography students made a significant contribution to this event which was attended visited New Row Primary by pupils from some of St. Mary’s feeder primary schools as well school in Castledawson on as pupils from schools within the Magherafelt Learning several occasions to assist Partnership. Year 9 pupils and members of the Key Stage 3 with the setting up of a Geography Club had worked very hard on a project investigating weather station within the the African Savanna grassland ecosystem. They recreated a grounds of the school. Masai nkang (or settlement) and learned about African tribes, their culture and traditions.
During Geography Awareness Week in November, AS students prepared and delivered
whole school assemblies to all year groups on the theme of freshwater which is one of the major environmental issues for the twenty first century.
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HISTORY
HISTORY CLUB The Senior History Club continued to meet twice weekly with an emphasis on extension materials centred around the Cold War and examination practice especially focused on the interrogation of sources. Junior History club met over a similar time frame and exercised their creative flair in ‘building’ a motte and bailey in N4, constructing a Norman collage on a notice board and giving their opinion on the historical accuracy of Holly wood as various films were watched that claimed to give the ‘truth’ of historical events.
WORKSHOP: NASTY NORMANS AND NAUGHTY KNIGHTS
Year 8 pupils were given the In May, two lucky Year 8 classes also had the opportunity to met some opportunity to absorb some more weapons ‘Nasty Normans and facts and chivalric codes from the same group. Naughty Knights’ in Term They had to take part in a weapons drill, One and were stunned not display fancy footwork and watched a display only at the quality of the with flashing, clashing swords from two sword play but at the experienced ‘Normans.’ They also learnt about ‘statue’ that came to life and chivalry and knightly orders. Following some put the aspiring warriors hectic games and suitability training, the through their paces. They students were whittled down to three in each were treated to a question and answers class who received prizes reflecting their session with Mr. Mark Davis aka Lord Ragnar suitability as ‘squires’ while two were deemed who filled them in on the intricacies of medieval prospective ‘knights’ and were duly inducted weaponry. When asked by one young ‘squire’ into the Naughty Knight Hall of Fame. We hope what was his favourite weapon, he responded to make this a fixture on the St Mary’s calendar ‘the one closest to hand’ and then proceeded and extend it next year with the appearance of to show the audience that even an innocuous some privateers. looking stick could be deadly in the right or wrong hands.
CONFERENCES Throughout the academic year, Year 13 and 14 students availed of the opportunity to attend various academic conferences at Queen’s University, Belfast and the Somme Heritage Centre, Bangor in support of their A level studies where they were addressed by such academic luminaries as Alan Sharpe and Stefan Anderson. Links were maintained between St Mary’s Departments and the sister departments across the Magherafelt Learning Partnership and with Politics Department at Queen’s University, Belfast.
SCHOOLS’ QUESTION TIME For the second consecutive year, St. Mary’s students reached the national finals of BBC School’s Question Time and hosted the event in March. Ciara Henry chaired the debate in front of an audience drawn from schools across the district of Magherafelt. Panellists included Martin McGuinness (Deputy First Minister), Patsy McGlone (MLA), Sandra Overend (Ulster Unionist candidate for mid Ulster) and Elizabeth Anne Forde (DUP) which ensured lively debate across a range of issues chosen by the pupils, reflecting their concerns and the breaking political stories of St Mary’s Regional Winners and finalists the day. The students were very much in the driving seat as in BBC Schools’ Question Time Mr Brolly reflected, “The talent within the department competition with members of the panel ensured a brilliant show. The team’s dedication and innovation constructed a lively event.” Martina Purdy from the BBC was one of the judges.
POLITICS ROAD SHOW St Mary’s Government and Politics students were able to attend a Politics road-show organised and hosted by Sperrin Integrated College where they had the opportunity to quiz local politicians on aspects of policy that concerned them from increased tuition fees to re-cycling. The supper afterwards afforded an opportunity for the students to engage in informal talks with members from various parties and political perspectives thus increasing their own appreciation of the process.
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HOME ECONOMICS AND HEALTH EDUCATION
In 2010-201, Key Stage 3 Key Stage 3 Home Economics students students participated in attended a cookery demonstration by the several cookery Livestock and Meat Commission. Year 10 competitions: the also completed their Heart Start Certificate Young Cook of the under the expert guidance of Mrs Mooney.
Year and the cross The majority of Year 10 students achieved border Safe Food Competition. the
‘Skills in Food Preparation and Food Hygiene’ certificates. As part of the Living and Learning Together and Big Lottery fund in Magherafelt, an The Home Economics Department after- school cookery club ran for most of the participated in the University of Cambridge year for Primary 7 pupils and St Mary’s ICT award: all Year 10 students completed pupils. a task which contributes to the overall award.
HEALTH EDUCATION AND HEALTHY EATING AWARDS St. Mary’s took part in many activities this year which were funded through the Living and Learning Together and Big Lottery fund in the Magherafelt area. A larger number of students and staff participated in Spinning, Fencing, Handball and Yoga throughout the year.
Nurse Mooney gave Indian Head Massage, Facials and Foot Massage treatments to teachers and students throughout the school year.
In February students with
the highest Healthy Eating Points were awarded vouchers totalling £70.
ICT
BRING IT ON A number of GCSE pupils participated in this event which provided them with an insight into Computing at university and as a career.
OLTE A number of year 12 students (Orla Bradley, Online Learning and Catherine Eastwood, Kevin McStravock, Matthew Devlin and Gary McKenna) took part in a two week Teaching for Educators online course lead by Miss G Downey as part of her Online Learning and Teaching for Educators Course.
MULTIMEDIA Key Stage 3 pupils were introduced to a range of multimedia resources, including Macromedia Flash, Photoshop and Games Development.
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MATHEMATICS
SENIOR UK MATHEMATICS CHALLENGE All Year 14 pupils who are studying A Level Mathematics participated in this competition: five students gained silver certificates and seventeen students gained bronze certificates.
INTERMEDIATE UK MATHEMATICS CHALLENGE All Year 12 pupils who are studying GCSE Level Mathematics participated in this competition: two students gained a gold certificate, fifteen students gained silver certificates and forty-one students gained bronze certificates. This was an excellent set of results with seventeen more pupils achieving certificates than the previous year.
‘HATS’ MINI-BUSINESS DAY Mini Hats Day All Year 10 pupils participated in a Mini Business project called ‘HATS’ in which their task was to make and sell ‘HATS.’
YEAR 9 & 10 NEELB COMPETITION Two pupils from both Year 9 and Year 10 participated in the NEELB Maths Team Competition. All schools in the North Eastern Board area participate in this event.
YEAR 8 MATHS FUN DAY All Year 8 pupils participated in a Maths Fun Day in June. This was a fun and exciting day for the pupils to engage in mathematically-enriched activities. A large number of Year 8 pupils participated throughout the year in the monthly numeracy puzzles and quizzes. Year 8 Maths Fun Day
MUSIC
THE PROMISE The Music Department produced ‘The Promise’ this year in celebration of Christmas. The English Department contributed readers for the occasion. ‘The Promise’ is based on a song cycle by the composer Michael Card and these were specially arranged for the choirs of St Mary’s by Mr S Cuddy, Head of Music. The music was performed by the Junior and Senior Choirs, the String ensemble and a number of Soloists. ‘The Promise’ was performed in school for each Year Group and for the public on 13 December 2010, the proceeds of which raised almost £1,000 for the Saphara Charity.
BATTLE OF THE BANDS Year 14 students in association with the Music Department, organised a ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition for their chosen Lenten Charity. Over £500 was donated to Saphara.
TRADITIONAL GROUP The Irish Traditional Group was chosen to perform in the World Music category of the UK National Festival of Music for Youth held in the Sir Adrian Boult Conservatoire, Birmingham in July 2011. This event featured some of the best young traditional musical ensembles in the United Kingdom.
ST MARY’S GOT TALENT The Music Department organised a ‘St Mary’s Got Talent’ competition, this time to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. The event which was extremely well supported by all Year Groups, raised over £2,000 for the charity.
Examinations Thirty four pupils were prepared for and passed Trinity vocal examinations in May 2011. Twenty-seven pupils successfully took Associated Board examinations in June 2011.
Fintan Mulholland, Colum Hegarty and Ciaran Logan, Joint Winners of St Mary’s Got Talent St Mary’s Grammar School Page 26
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MODERN LANGUAGES
FRENCH through French the Northern develop this initiative further Ireland education system. next year. HOLY FAMILY FRENCH Year 13 and 14 pupils had EUROPEAN DAY OF CLASSES the opportunity to sample LANGUAGES A large number of Year 12 some Provencal dishes The Languages Department French students went into which they enjoyed as they celebrated the annual Holy Family Primary School watched some French DVDs European Day of Languages for the day as part of the during lunch-time cultural with a wide range of classes. activities. Year 8 took part in school’s European Day of
Languages celebrations. The LE CLUB FRANÇAIS a European Flag quiz, Year Year 12 pupils worked in Mr McShane ran the junior 9 watched films in French, pairs to teach the Primary 5, French club. Pupils had the Year 10 took part in a 6 and 7 pupils some basic opportunity to play European Quiz and Year 13 French. All pupils and staff interactive language games. French students were taught enjoyed the day. some basic Polish and PEER MENTORING CULTURAL ACTIVITIES This year the French Slovak from two class The French Department Department introduced peer members. welcomed a number of mentoring. A small number Rwandan and Kenyan of junior pupils who were visiting teachers to the new to French received department. The visiting weekly support from some of African teachers spoke to the Year 13 French students the Year 13 French students who willingly gave up a about the differences lunch-time every week to between the education help these pupils. It has systems in their proved to be most respective countries. The successful and it is hoped to Year 13 students explained
SPANISH
TRIP TO CINEMAGIC AND LA TASCA (NOVEMBER 2010) A group of Spanish students from Year 12 and A-Level attended the Cinemagic Short Film Festival in the Queen’s Film Theatre. They saw a selection of award winning short Spanish films for young people. Beforehand, they sampled a variety of tapas in La Tasca Restaurant at the Odyssey.
EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES The Spanish Department collaborated with the other Languages Departments to offer a range of activities for all year groups to celebrate the day.
SPANISH CLUB In Term 2 pupils from Year 8 to 12 had the opportunity to watch Spanish films during the lunch time Spanish Cine Club.
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GERMAN
KLUB DEUTSCH Klub Deutsch continued every Thursday at lunchtime in Room G1 for Years 8 and 9. Pupils had the opportunity to learn songs, communicate with the Language Assistant, participate in quizzes, play bingo in German and use the interactive whiteboard to play lots of fun games. This provided an excellent occasion to learn new vocabulary and to discover lots of exciting information about German and Swiss culture. All those who took part were awarded a certificate for their endeavours at the end of the school year.
GERMAN ECO-PROJECT The German Department hosted a group of seventeen German pupils and their English teachers from our partner school Gymnasium Oesede, Georgsmarienhütte, from Wednesday 15 June until Tuesday 21 June. The German pupils took part in an environmental project with fifteen pupils from Years 8-10 at St Mary’s. The project was led by Mr K McAuley and Miss N MacOscar from the Science and German Departments of St Mary’s. The pupils met with Magherafelt Council member, John Murtagh to discuss the issue of recycling in the local area. As part of the project, the pupils also completed a study of the eel fishing industry in Northern Ireland and took part in a marine life study at Portaferry Aquarium. During their visit, the German group had the opportunity to visit some of our local tourist attractions and to experience some traditional Irish music and dance at a ceili, hosted by the Irish and Music Departments. The schools received funding from the UK-German Connection for this joint project, which will involve a return visit to Germany by St. Mary’s pupils in September 2011. GERMAN FORUM The German Department has established a forum on VLE so that St Mary’s pupils can communicate on a regular basis with pupils at our partner school in Gymnasium Oesede, Georgsmarienhütte. This link has provided pupils with the opportunity to exchange projects and information about Germany and Ireland and has allowed pupils to practise their language skills and make some new German friends.
ITALIAN Italian Language Classes continued on Thursday lunch- times and were very well attended. Miss Donoghue prepared the Beginners for the new OLA examination [On- line Language Assessment]. Mrs. Mallon continued work with thirteen Improvers from Year Groups 11 to 14 and these pupils successfully completed OLA Entry 3 in January 2011.
Paul Cosgrove receives OLA Certificate for Italian, Entry 3
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IRISH
GAEL LINN QUIZ AND CÉILÍ At the end of October 2010, all Year 10 Irish students were given the opportunity to attend the annual Gael Linn Quiz and Céilí in the Glenavon hotel, Cookstown. The event was hosted by Réamonn Ó Ciaráin who spoke to the pupils about the status of the Irish language at present, employment opportunities for Irish speakers and opportunities to attend courses in the Gaeltacht.
AN BHEARNA BHAOIL In November of 2010, the Irish department took to SEACHTAIN NA GAEILGE the screen when Seachtain na Gaeilge – Irish Language Week – the Irish language was the focus of our attention during the spring game show, An term and a huge variety of activities and events Bhearna Bhaoil, took place early in March: was broadcast on BBC 2. Despite a defeat for the Year 9 pupils visited Croke Park and had an teachers of the Irish department, this proved to be Irish-medium tour of the stadium and GAA a source of much enjoyment for the whole school Museum. community. Year 10 pupils prepared diligently for their
AISLING GHÉAR Fáinne Airgid and were awarded the fáinne Irish language theatre company, Aisling Ghéar, during Seachtain na Gaeilge. Our language broke new ground in the mid Ulster area with the assistant Mairtín examined the students. first Irish language production to take the stage in Year 8 pupils were treated to an introduction the Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown. The play to céilí dancing one afternoon, with excellent entitled, An Aisling, was attended by AS and A2 instruction given by Mrs Mc Mahon. students who thoroughly enjoyed the GAELTACHT Year 11 pupils visited the Gaeltacht in mid-June, performance. experiencing the wonders of Páirc Náisiúnta ABAIR Ghleann Bheithe (Glenveagh National Park) and A number of students, namely Éanna Ó Bodhráin, Ionad Cois Locha, Dún Lúiche (Dunlewey Roibeard Mac Pharthaláin, Ailéana Nic Siacais, Lakeside Centre). Orlaith Ní Scolláin agus Amy Ní Dhoibhlin, The Donegal Gaeltacht welcomed approximately represented St. Mary’s in the prestigious public thirty students this year many of whom had speaking achieved scholarships to attend Gael Linn’s event, Abair, colleges. The scholarship scheme, facilitated by with Ailéana the Irish department in cooperation with Gael taking 2nd Linn, awarded ten scholarships to students place at attending the Gaeltacht this year. The GCSE level, scholarships cover up to half of the cost of the and Roibéard course. Thanks must also go to the fundraisers in securing 1st the Ballinascreen and Randalstown areas, who place at AS donated their St. Patrick’s Day collection money level in the to support Irish learners from the area who intend regional bout. to attend a Gaeltacht course this summer. Comhghairdeas libh go léir. YEAR 8 TRIP TO BELFAST FÁINNE ÓIR The extra-curricular remit of the Irish department Continuing with last year’s success, April saw the drew to a close with the now well -established awarding of the most sought after accolade for visit of Year 8 pupils to Belfast Zoo. the Irish linguist. The Fáinne Óir is an award CLUB MHUIRE which represents fluency and pride in the Irish September 2010 saw the language. A member of Cumann Gaelach Chnoc continuation of the work of Club na Rós, visited the school and awarded Érin Ní Mhuire, the Irish language lunch Lochlainn, Aingeal Pickering, Emma Ní time club, which was facilitated by Dhonncaidh, Amy Ní Dhoibhlin agus Dearbhla Ní Year 13 Irish students. Activities continued Mhaoláin with the Fáinne Óir, much to the pride throughout the year and included bingo, film- of the department. viewings and quizzes, to name but a few – all
carried out through the medium of Irish. St Mary’s Grammar School Page 29
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
THE FAITH LIFE OF THE SCHOOL 2010 - 2011 One of the aims of St Mary’s, is to “develop the Catholic faith” and the “spiritual growth of each child.” Today, in a world challenged by the social, economic and cultural changes, the Religious Studies Department in St Mary’s, is very committed to nurturing the faith life of the pupils, not only through the taught curriculum, but also through the various extra-curricular activities they organise.
RETREATS ‘The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while ... So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.’ (Mark 6:30-32)
In October 2010, some Year 14 in times past brought forth pupils visited the Iosas centre the light of Christ, so we outside Derry for a day of too as parts of his mystical reflection and prayer. The Body are to be his eyes, weather was superb, the his hands, his feet for surroundings were beautiful, everyone we meet. and everyone experienced Nourished by his Body and Year 8 and Year 11 pupils peace and solitude. There was Blood in the Eucharist, we are participated in a full day retreat time to laugh, share and pray sent out as modern day delivered by Michael McGowan, while exploring the spirituality of missionaries to let the light of Accord. Pupils participated in our Celtic saints, like Patrick, Jesus shine out for others. a range of activities, again, exploring the connection Colmcille and Brendan, to Year 8-12 also enjoyed a day of between relationships and faith. name but a few. prayer and reflection in school. In this environment, pupils were The Holy Mass provided a This proved to be challenging, afforded the opportunity to fitting climax to the day as Fr reflective and thought provoking explore the nature of their Neil Carlin challenged us to with key speakers sharing their relationship with God and God’s preserve the legacy of the faith life experience and the relationship with them. This in these difficult times. He importance of God in their lives. proved to be an extremely stressed the need to see Christ We believe that such retreats enjoyable and enlightening in the poor, the marginalised are invaluable in such busy and experience for pupils. and those who stumble in the hectic school lives. darkness. Just as missionaries
PILGRIMAGES Pilgrimages are an important part of spiritual life for many Christians. Christians see life itself as a journey, St Mary’s pupils coming from God and returning to God.’ (Catholic Pilgrimages) joined with pupils from St Patrick’s College Maghera and a number of teaching staff (Mr Maynes, Miss MacOscar and Mr Campbell) to participate in the 2011 Medjugorje International Youth Festival, (July 31-Aug 6). This is an inspiring spiritual experience, enriched by the beautiful Masses, Prayer, Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, lectures and music of participants from sixty-nine countries, from all five Continents. All of the events of the Festival are accompanied in music and song by the International Choir and Orchestra made up of young musicians from more than twenty-three countries.
Forty five pupils, along with members of staff, are preparing for a Medjugorje International Youth Festival pilgrimage to Rome in October 2011 with great excitement.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Other key events include: A group of pupils from St. Mary’s and St. > A vibrant prayer group which met weekly not just Pius X College were also commissioned as to pray but to make Rosary bracelets. Eucharistic Ministers. It was a very special > Year group Assemblies enjoyed special evening where the young people were Assemblies which were arranged to mark key reminded of how they would be “important liturgical events such as Advent and Easter. role models for other young people now that > Christmas Hamper Appeal in aid of SVP, they had decided to become the ‘Hands of fundraising for Lepra and Fr Frank Diamond’s Christ’ in giving His body to others.” mission to Tanzania. St Mary’s Grammar School Page 30
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STAFF DAY OF REFLECTION AND PRAYER ‘In the fever and agitation of modern A day of prayer and reflection for Staff, in September 2011, was led by life, the need of meditation and Mr Hugo MacOscar. Hugo, a past pupil of St Mary’s, offered us an spiritual repose impresses itself on Christian souls who desire to reflect inspiring, entertaining morning. He shared his life story with us, made us on their eternal destiny, and direct think about the priorities in our lives, examine the place God has in our their life in this world towards God.’ lives and how we should cope with the pressures that school life can (Catholic Encyclopedia) bring. It was a light hearted and fun morning but with a serious and very important message for us all.
JOHN PAUL II AWARD THE EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS BELL The Pope John Paul II Catholic Eucharistic Congresses are gatherings of Award is dedicated to the ecclesiastics and laymen for the purpose of celebrating memory of the late Pope the Holy Eucharist. The first Eucharistic Congress was John Paul II whose love of held in 1881 under Pope Leo XIII. Forty eight congresses young people was so profound. It was have been organised by the Papal Committee for launched by the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, His Eucharistic Congresses to increase devotion to the Excellency, Most Rev Dr Giuseppe Eucharist as a part of the practice of faith, and as a Lazzarotto on 7th November 2006 in the public witness of faith to society at large. The 31st Diocese of Derry, Ireland. Nine KS4 pupils International Eucharistic Congress was held in Dublin, 21-26 June, 1932. The 50th International Eucharistic received their Muiredach Award and twenty Congress will be held in Dublin in June 2012. It is a time KS5 pupils signed up for this Award. In so to celebrate as this marks a special time for the Irish doing they realised that religion is for living Catholic Church. In preparation for next year’s Congress, and through taking an active part in their a Congress Bell calling us to pray, is currently touring church and community they experienced the every parish and diocese in Ireland. Its journey began in contentment and fulfilment that came from the Archdiocese of Armagh. serving others, especially those in great A number of our pupils along with their peers from St need. Pius X College, from the different surrounding parishes, Our pupils received their Muiredach and participated in a practical and helpful way to this Pope John Paul II Award at a presentation momentous event on Monday 21 March, 2011 by held in Armagh Cathedral (see photograph carrying the Bell into the Churches where a short service on front cover). These Awards marked the was commitment of these young people to their celebrated. At faith life, both in school and in their local the end of community. Pope Benedict XVI said to all each service, the Bishops of Ireland on Saturday 28th the pupils October 2006 - "even if Christian commitment carried the Bell is considered unfashionable in some circles, from the there is a real spiritual hunger and a generous Church again. desire to serve others among the young people of Ireland". We are very proud of our young people and would like to congratulate them on their committed service.
MASSES ‘Whoever eats my body and drinks my blood ... I will live in him.’ Fr David Moore, the school Chaplain, celebrated Mass every Wednesday in our school Oratory throughout the school year and during Lent, Mass was celebrated every morning. These Masses were very well attended, evidence that the faith is truly alive and thriving in St Mary’s. Throughout the year, Masses were also celebrated to mark key events, in particular, the beginning of the school year, when students and staff come together to pray for their own intentions and the intentions of each other. The Year 14 and Year 12 pupils chose to celebrate the end of their academic lives in school with a Year group Mass. Parents were invited to join their children for these joyful occasions, enjoying the music, thoughtful reflections and PowerPoint Presentations. These celebrations are FR DAVID MOORE, CHAPLAIN very important to staff, The St Mary’s Community was saddened to bid farewell to its popular parents and pupils. They Chaplain, Fr Moore, in June 2011 as he left St Mary’s to take up a new are an important part of ministry. the fabric of St Mary’s and Fr Moore was deeply involved in the life and work of the school, in the words of one young supporting, guiding and encouraging us in all our endeavours. His scholar, “I go to the presence was re-assuring to us; his words were always kind, wise and Eucharist day after day, human. We wish Fr Moore every possible success in the future and even every day I can, because though we will miss him, his influence will be felt for many years to come. that is what I am about.”
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TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN YOUNG INNOVATORS COMPETITION NORTHERN IRELAND REGIONAL FINAL, JUNE 2011 Over 600 pupils from schools throughout Ireland competed at the Sentinus Young Engineers for Britain Regional Finals, which is one of the largest events of its kind in the UK and provides a showcase for students to demonstrate the wealth of creativity and innovation which exists in schools and colleges.
A2 Technology and Design pupil, Justin Bradley, won a Gold Crest Award, trophy and £100 prize at the Young Engineer for Britain Regional Final in the Odyssey, Belfast.
National Finals, Manchester March 2011
The Big Bang Competition is the biggest ever UK celebration of young people’s achievement in Science and Engineering with prizes being awarded to students aged 11-19. This Fair, features the prestigious National Science & Engineering Competition. Around 29,000 people flocked to the UK’s largest single celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics for young people at London’s ICC ExCeL Centre on March. Vincent McKenna represented Northern Ireland at the National Finals ‘Big Bang Competition.’
GERMAN INDUSTRIAL VISIT As part of the STEM initiative (promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths with a focus on the related career opportunities in industry), 12 GCSE and A Level pupils from St Mary’s had the opportunity to visit German companies on a five day industrial visit. These international companies included John Deere, Roche, Daimler Mercedes and Siemens. A selection of these pupils were asked to attend the STEM celebration conference where St. Mary’s pupils met HRH Princess Anne. Princess Anne talked to our pupils about their upcoming trip to German companies.
TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN CREST AWARDS, JUNE 2011 CREST is a national accreditation scheme designed to recognise individual student achievement in Science and Technology through a practical problem solving approach. CREST stimulates industry linked project work and accredits students’ achievements at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. 163 KS3 pupils received Bronze CREST Awards.
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SCHOOL COUNCIL
‘One voice, together, our vision.’
The School Council was established in January 2010 and pupils responded very positively to its aims and procedures. Elected representatives undergo training in Stormont and take their roles and responsibilities very seriously. The School Council has its agreed Constitution; Policy; Logo and Development and Action Plans. The Student Council meets on Monday Lunchtime to discuss issues that have been brought to them by their respective year groups. The Council also produces a monthly bulletin which is e-mailed to teaching and teaching support staff. Form teachers are asked to read this every month and display it in their classrooms so everyone is kept informed of what is happening. Senior Management address the issues raised in the bulletin at their SMT meetings and their responses are then recorded in the following month’s bulletin. There is also a Student Council Notice board outside Café Bordeaux which is updated on a regular basis. In 2010/2011, the School Council contributed to the life and work of the school by: 9 requesting a return of morning registration; 9 contributing to a review of the school’s Discipline policy; 9 ensuring a School Council box is available for use by all pupils (located at Student Reception); 9 requesting a wider range of fruit on sale in Café Bordeaux; 9 consulting with peers regarding a possible future merger with St. Pius X College, Magherafelt; 9 campaigning successfully for a new seated area on “D” corridor and 9 organising a school-wide competition to ‘Name the new seated area.’
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the world’s assessed across four sections: Physical, Skill, leading achievement award for young people. It Service and Expedition. The timescale for these was founded in 1956, as a programme of individual sections depends on the level being personal development for boys between 15-18 undertaken. The Gold Award also requires pupils years. Within its first year, the lower age limit was to complete a Residential section. In 2010- reduced to 14 years, where it has remained. A 2011, thirty two Year 10 pupils participated in the girls’ scheme was launched in 1958 and the two Bronze Award and twenty two pupils participated schemes were amalgamated in 1969. in the Gold Award. The Bronze expedition saw pupils completing an assessed journey over The upper age limit has been increased on a 24km for two days and one night on the Antrim number of occasions and is currently at twenty Hills. Pupils at Gold Award level completed an five years. Today, the Award is a major enduring but rewarding cycle over four days and international programme, operated in over one three nights following the River Bann from its hundred and twenty countries. Its basic source in Spelga Dam in the Mourne Mountains philosophy is to inspire, guide and support young all the way to Kilrea. The pupils prepared for the people in their self-development and recognise expedition by completing classes in first aid and their achievements. It is not a competition but emergency; risk awareness; health and safety rather a balanced, progressive framework to issues; navigation and route planning; map skills; enable young people to focus on their interests, compass skills; camp craft and equipment and improve their hygiene; cooking; abilities and try the country code; something entirely observation and new. Each level of recording; the Award – communication Bronze, Silver and and teamwork. Gold – is
GOLD GIRLS GOLD BOYS St Mary’s Grammar School Page 33
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TRAVEL
‘He who does not travel does not know the value of men.’ – Moorish proverb travel does not know the value of men.” – Moorish proverb
MUSIC In September 2010, Mr Cuddy and Miss McKillop led a group of GCSE Music students to London. The students thoroughly enjoyed productions of ’Wicked’, and ‘Les Miserables,’ both of which they studied as part of their GCSE Music course. The students were also fortunate enough to attend a Lunchtime Piano Rectial in St Martins-in-the-Field.
SOUTH OF FRANCE In September, a group of twenty seven Year 13 and Year 14 French departed for the South of France for the Senior French Trip. The pupils were accompanied by Miss Donoghue, Mr McShane and Valérie Venot. The purpose of the trip was to allow pupils to see first hand the region of Provence which is part of the A2 French specification. The group were based in Nice but travelled to Antibes, Eze where they visited a perfume factory, Villefranche- sur-Mer, Cannes, Monaco as well as Nice itself. It proved to be a very successful trip where pupils had the opportunity to ‘approfondir ses connaissances culturelles’ as well as practising their spoken French.
SENIOR SPANISH TRIP TO ANDALUSIA (MARCH 2011) Three Spanish A-Level students had the opportunity to spend six days visiting the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. The highlights of the trip included visits to the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro castle in Malaga, the Mezquita in Cordoba and the world famous Alhambra in Granada. Students had the chance to see the interior of the Cathedral in Granada and an old Arab silk market. They witnessed an impromptu flamenco rendering in one of the gipsy neighbourhoods and sampled some Spanish typical dishes such as paella, chocolate con churros and tapas. Everyone had a wonderful time. Our only disappointment was the weather. It rained every day!!
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SKI TRIPS
‘Skiing is a dance and the mountain always leads.’ Unknown
The annual ski trips from St Mary’s are eagerly awaited with places booked up to a year in advance.
AUSTRIA NORWAY
In January 2011, seventy four St Mary’s Thirty four students from Year 12 and 13 were students set off to Austria for the annual Year 9 accompanied by Mr Lambon, Mrs Carr, Mrs ski trip. The group was accompanied by eight Daly and Mr Collins to Lillehammer in Norway members of staff and led by Mrs Carr. En in March for five nights. A fresh fall of snow on route, the students had a few hours to explore the first day ensured perfect conditions for the the beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria following four days. Despite the short trip, before driving the short distance to Ehrwald in students managed to do lots of skiing. After Austria. Erhwald is a lovely village at the foot lessons, they skied in their groups with their of the Zugspitze which is the tallest mountain teacher, thus ensuring that they got the in Germany. The group spent seven nights in maximum available time on the slopes. the cosy Sonnenberg Hotel where some of the On two evenings, they skied until 6.30 pm as party learnt to ski, and the others perfected the slopes were floodlit. The students provided their skills! They skied in several areas, their own entertainment, as among the group including the challenging Zugspitze glacier on were several talented singers and dancers who the last day. Weather conditions were perfect ensured St Patrick’s Day was celebrated in with lots of snow and bright sunny days. Irish style!
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THE IRISH NEWS WORKPLACE AND EMPLOYMENT AWARDS, 2011 In June 2011, St. Mary’s was delighted to win the Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards: Workplace Excellence Award (Education Sector). The following article appeared in the paper on 23 June 2011:
“St Mary’s Grammar School in Magherafelt, winner of the Workplace Excellence Award (Education Sector), is no stranger to having the outstanding quality of its teaching and workplace training recognised on the big stage.
The school was founded in 1927 by Monsignor John Ward, Parish Priest of Magherafelt, to provide secondary education for Catholic girls of the area under the direction of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux.
And from these humble beginnings, with just a handful of students, St Mary’s has blossomed into one of the top-performing schools in Northern Ireland and is at the leading edge of educational development.
It has won a string of prestigious accolades, including a National Training Award (2009), European Quality Award (2010) and Investors in People (both Gold and Champion).
Today, St Mary’s Grammar has 1,070 pupils, 180 staff and serves counties Antrim, Derry and Tyrone.
It offers a carefully selected, monitored programme of professional development for all staff; a culture and ethos of co-operation, opportunity and creative thinking; and a well-managed, diverse, proactive response to the health and well-being of staff.
The school continues to place the development of all staff at the heart of its development planning process.
There is evidence from all levels and job roles that staff are offered continued opportunities and encouragement for professional and personal development.
Learning and development strategies are used effectively to extend people’s roles and responsibilities and as a tool to retain and motivate staff. Among the many aims of the school is to develop and manage a learning environment which takes account of developing technologies but also to promote the well-being and professional development of staff.
It is a key principle of life and work in St. Mary’s that people are known as individuals and managed sensitively and compassionately – the context is the school’s motto: Gloria Deo Soli.
“We see ourselves as forward-thinking and are astutely aware of the changing educational landscape,” the school said in its submission.” St Mary’s manages change pro-actively, knowing that building the professional and personal capacity of its people is key to our continuing success.”
JUDGES’ CITATION
“The quality of education provided at this school is truly outstanding. But more than that, its people are seen as individuals and are managed sensitively and
compassionately. It doesn’t
just meet the required standards in teaching, but Kevin McAllister of PwC, presents the Workplace Excellence Award – Education Sector to Mrs exceeds them.” Shelagh O’Brien, St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt
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ST MARY’S TEACHER LANDS PILOT TRAINING COLLEGE ESCORT OF THE YEAR AT THE ROSE OF TRALEE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL, 2011. Mr Peter Sands, teacher at St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt and the Escort to the New Zealand Rose, Ailbhe Ryan, was announced the winner live on RTE One television during the first part of the Rose of Tralee selection. He has described the experience as life changing: “It’s been a very humbling experience and I’m sure that the only people happier than me right now are my parents and I’m sure there will be tears as well. There are thirty-one other gentlemen that I would put forward just as quickly. I am very surprised but thoroughly delighted to be here and I really didn’t expect it.”
Mr Sands was one of three Escorts who were shortlisted for the prize and he congratulated his colleagues Jim Healy from Co. Tipperary (Queensland Rose Escort) and Paddy Hogan from Co. Laois (Texas Rose Escort).
The CEO of the Pilot Training College, Capt. Mike Edgeworth, said, “Over the past number of years, I have been very impressed by the calibre of those who apply and succeed in becoming Escorts. They embody everything we look for in those that gain entry to Pilot Training – maturity, professionalism, reliability and the ability to remain calm under pressure. It may not be widely known that this year’s winner was chosen from up to 250 entrants.”
As the winner of the Escort of the Year competition, Mr Sands won €1000, a symbolic Pilot Training College jacket and a free two hour flying lesson. The two runners up each receive a free one hour flying lesson. Speaking about his win, Mr Sands recalled that the morning after it was announced, he was greeted in the Geography corridor with, “Good morning, Sir! Well done in the Rose of Tralee!”
Mr Sands described the Escort Bootcamp as an “interesting” experience as he balanced learning about etiquette and kayaking, not to mention preparing dinner with a penknife and cooking it over an open fire! He also completed a Sunday morning dip in the local river to the delight of the RTE camera men!
As the countdown to the International Festival continued, the Escorts embarked on a fundraising campaign for 1LIFE, a suicide prevention charity chosen by the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Over a six-week period, the Escorts held Charity Gigs in Belfast, Abseils, Festival collections, Bag Packs and even got Tommy Tiernan to endorse their cause! The fundraising total was £3500, a tremendous achievement!
St. Mary’s is very proud of Mr Sands and wishes him continued success in the future!
ALL IRELAND AND INTERNATIONAL IRISH DANCE CHAMPION The All Ireland and International Irish Dance Championships, hosted by An Comhdhail na Muinteoiri le Rinci Gaelacha, took place in the West County Hotel, Ennis, from 17th – 24th April 2011. This event attracted 2,500 competitors from all over Ireland, England, Scotland and from as far afield as the USA and Slovakia. Rebecca McErlean, from the Smith School of Irish Dancing, became All Ireland and International Champion (Ladies Under 18). Having danced from the age of three, it was a very proud moment for Rebecca and her family. Rebecca’s dancing skills were often in evidence at the school ceili. She also enjoys attending social events with other members of the Smith School of Irish Dancing where they showcase their talent and skill. Rebecca is currently working towards becoming a dancing teacher.
Also placed in this competition were :
Darina Coney 5th; Sarah Bella Brady, 8th; Claire Donnelly 9th.
We congratulate them all!
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LIBRARY AUTHOR VISIT – DAMIAN GORMAN BAFTA award winning playwright, writer and poet Damian Gorman visited the Library in September 2010. Damian worked with Year 8 and 9 pupils, focussing on the themes of creativity and reading.
CLASS VISITS Pupils in Years 8 and 9 came to the Library one period per month for scheduled English classes. The classes aimed to NEELB SCHOOL LIBRARY expose pupils to a variety of good fiction and develop their reading EVALUATION skills. St. Mary’s Library was SENIOR READING GROUP evaluated and assessed by From February 2011, a Senior Reading Group met on a monthly the NEELB throughout 2010 basis. The aim was to read and discuss a selection of fiction suitable – 11, based on its ability to for young adults. Pupils from Rainey Endowed also attended the promote reading for group. enjoyment. It was recognised that St. Mary’s Library LIBRARY LUNCHTIMES/PRE-SCHOOL LIBRARY SESSIONS regularly and successfully On Tuesdays and Thursday lunchtimes, respectively, pupils in Years promoted reading to “pupils 8 and 9 had exclusive use of the Library. These, like the daily pre- through both informal contact school Library sessions between 8.05 – 8.55 am, proved highly and planned activities and popular. events”. NEW BOOKS/ISSUE FIGURES St. Mary’s made a substantial investment in new Library book stock for junior and senior pupils. On average, six times as many books were issued in 2010-2011 than in the previous academic year.
ADMINISTRATION, HOUSEKEEPING AND DINING ROOM We acknowledge with thanks and gratitude the inestimable contribution to the life and work of St Mary’s by the Administration, Housekeeping and Dining Room staff. Without their hard work, good humour and ability to multi-task, the school would be a lesser place. Thank you!
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Annual Report CHILD PROTECTION
St Mary’s is fully committed to the principles of Child Protection outlined in Pastoral Care in School: Child Protection DENI 1999.
‘As well as their statutory responsibilities in relation to pupils’ learning, schools have a pastoral responsibility towards their pupils and should recognise that the children and young people in their charge have a fundamental right to be protected from harm. In particular, schools are expected to do whatever is reasonable, in all circumstances of the case, to safeguard or promote their pupils’ safety and well-being.’
The Designated Teacher for Child Protection In 2010 / 2011 was Mrs S O’Brien
The Deputy Designated Teachers for Child Protection were: Mrs E Daly Mr F Dunlop
In February 2008, ETI completed a standard Inspection in the School during which the school’s provision for pastoral care, including Child Protection was evaluated. The report found:
‘The quality of the arrangements for pastoral care and child protection in the school is excellent. The school has procedures in place which implement the guidance outlined in the relevant DE Circulars. The governors, staff, parents and pupils are fully aware of the school’s procedures and have had the opportunity to contribute to a range of effective policies which guide the work of the school.’
Throughout 2010/2011, training in Child Protection (Policy and Procedures) was given to all new and Beginning Teachers and newly recruited staff across the school. This was facilitated by Mrs S O’Brien, Designated Teacher for Child Protection. Following Child Protection Training (NEELB) in May 2010, and in consultation with the Governors, staff, pupils and parents / guardians, Mrs E Daly formulated an e-Safety Policy to complement the Child Protection Policy. She provided training to staff and pupils throughout the year. Members of PSNI were invited to address Assemblies in the Senior School (Years 11 – 14) on the significant dangers and possible consequences of cyber-bullying.
The Child Protection team has changed for 2011 / 2012.
The Designated Teacher for Child Protection is Mrs E Daly
The Deputy Designated Teachers for Child Protection are: Ms T Mullan Mr F Dunlop
A detailed Child Protection Policy document is available on request from the school office or can be downloaded from our website www.stmarysmagherafelt.com
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Annual Report SPORTS REVIEW 2010/2011
The Physical Education Department in St The sports facilities at the Mary’s aims principally to promote the healthy school include a fully- physical, social and psychological equipped sports hall, a fully development of all pupils. Accordingly, it equipped gymnasium, a offers to every pupil a wide and varied range fitness suite, an all-weather of sporting activities through its curricular and pitch, two grass pitches, two indoor one wall extra curricular programmes. handball courts and five tennis courts. The
St Mary’s Physical Education and Sports Staff school also makes regular use of the facilities includes four full-time teachers with other offered by the local council in particular the members of staff coaching in specialised swimming pool, squash courts and fitness areas. suite, driving range, golf course and all weather pitches. The school offers the following range of sports/ initiatives:
aerobics cross-country hurling squash athletics Gaelic football netball swimming badminton golf outdoor education table-tennis camogie gymnastics rounders tennis coaching Gold Mark fun sports handball qualifications Volunteers Olympic Group Olympic Young Sky Sports Living tag-rugby Top Link Ambassadors for Sport Volunteer Now circuit-training health-related fitness rugby volleyball
Throughout the year, individual pupils and teams are entered for Area Board, Regional and Provincial competitions. Successful teams compete regularly at All-Ireland level.
For the fourth year, The PE department was proactively involved in the Specialist Schools initiative, in collaboration with the Science Department. The pupils enjoyed an improved range of personal development opportunities, involving a number of outside agencies, and we were able to further develop links to our feeder primary schools and the community in general.
A-Level Physical Education ATHLETICS
In preparation for the AS Track and Field and A2 examinations, the This year proved a very busy year for Track and Field PE classes travelled to the Athletics. St Mary’s pupils competed at District and Antrim Board Centre for a one day Provincial level in track and field revision course. The chief examiners from a number of the Examination athletics. Boards were present to lecture and to Forty eight pupils were entered field questions. The AS level PE class for the NEBSSA track and field used Open Mind software to develop a district championships in Antrim number of websites which they used (from Years 8 to 11). The team won a number of medals with for revision. The A level classes were notable performances from Conor Conor McCluskey given the opportunity to participate in a McCluskey, Kirsty McLeod and and Kirsty McLeod wide range of certified coaching Roshan O’Donnell allowing them to qualify for the qualifications and PE specific NEBSSA finals. These three pupils qualified for the workshops throughout the year. They NEBSSA finals where they competed against fifty-four attended Lucozade Sport workshops other schools from the Board area. Conor McCluskey held at St Mary’s in conjunction with won the 800 m, Kirsty McLeod won bronze in the 800m UUJ and were invited to a question and Roshann O’Donnell won gold in the shot put. and answer session with British Miss Cathy Carey, who was assisting in the P.Ed Olympians Chris Cook (swimmer) and Department as a prelude to applying for a place on the Steve Frew (gymnast). UU PGCE Course, attended the NEBSSA AGM in June, Active Communities Project thus ensuring our continued involvement in NEELB St Mary’s became involved with the competition. As part of our on-going commitment to Active Communities Project this year. sport across NEELB, St Mary’s will organise a Year 11 Our Year 8 girls received multi sport Gaelic football blitz for schools in 2011/2012. coaching for a six-week period and our Odhran Totten (Year 11) and Ben McLaughlin (Year 12) Year 8 and 9 pupils enjoyed 6 weeks were nominated for the Athletics Northern Ireland Youth of tennis coaching. Academy. St Mary’s Grammar School Page 40
Annual Report
CAMOGIE Senior Team 7-A-Side Team The Senior Camogie team competed strongly The 7-a-side team competed in the Ulster throughout the Ulster Senior ‘A’ Competition Colleges 7-a-side tournament at Mid Ulster and recorded a superb win against St Sports Arena, Cookstown in September, 2010. Patrick’s, Keady and St Colm’s, Draperstown The team played at an extremely high level in the league stages. Having qualified for the throughout the day, resulting in qualifying for the final again St Patrick’s College, Maghera. The Ulster Semi Final, they were narrowly defeated final was tight but St Mary’s held onto a one by a very strong Cross and point victory to win the tournament. As Ulster Passion, Ballycastle Team. Colleges 7-a-side Champions, the team qualified to compete in the All Ireland Captain: Rachel Kelly competition in Dublin in October, 2010.
Captain: Claire Graham
Junior Team U-14 Team
A tenacious Junior Camogie team competed in The U-14 Camogie team competed in the the Ulster Junior ‘A’ Colleges competition. Ulster ‘A’ 15 a side competition. The girls After an outstanding victory in the Ulster Semi recorded excellent wins over St Patrick’s, Final against Cross and Passion, Ballycastle, Keady and Cross and Passion, Ballycastle. they went on to face St. Patrick’s, Maghera in The team then defeated St Patrick’s, the Ulster Final in Glen, Maghera. The girls Maghera in the Ulster Semi Final to set up worked extremely hard throughout this game an Ulster Final against Cross and Passion, but were unfortunate to be defeated in the Ballycastle. closing stages. Captain: Aine Murphy Captain: Aine McAllister YEAR 8 TEAM The Year 8 Camogie team travelled to Mid Ulster Sports Arena, Cookstown for the group stages of their competition, in April 2011. St Mary’s won all four of their games to finish top of the group, qualifying for a quarter final encounter with St Paul’s, Kilrea. Played in Greenlough, the St Mary’s Year 8 team contested every ball during the match to beat Kilrea by three goals. The team then progressed to the Semi Final of the Ulster Colleges competition where they met St Patrick’s College, Maghera. Again in a very competitive match, the girls worked tirelessly throughout the game, winning by just two scores. This set up a repeat of last year’s Ulster Year 8 Camogie final, with our Year 8 team meeting Cross and Passion College, Ballycastle. After a slow start, St Mary’s dominated the game to lift the title for the second year in a row. The match finished on a scoreline of St Mary’s: 5-0 to Cross and Passion: 1-3.
Captain: Rebecca Doyle
Internal Camogie Competitions
Three internal camogie competitions were organised to allow every girl in Year 8-10 to compete in competitive camogie in school. Each team competed in at least two games resulting in very entertaining and competitive finals.
A Jubilant Year 8 Team after winning the Ulster Colleges Cup
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Annual Report
CAMOGIE ALL STARS
St Mary’s were awarded three Ulster College All-Stars Awards this year. Eilish Keenan, Sarah McAllister (both Year 14) and Rachel Mulholland (Year 13) all picked up their first All-Star award. The girls competed in the All Ireland Inter Provincials and for the first time ever, won the competition. The Ulster team beat Munster in the first game to set them up for a final with Leinster. The final was a tight affair with Ulster narrowly winning by a point with the final score being 3-14 to 6-4. .
COACHING MODULE
Eight Year 13 students participants attended a course attended a six week coaching on Child Protection, taken by In addition to this, our new module taken by Chris Collins Brian Smyth, Derry coaches ran two Top Link (Derry Development Officer). Development Officer and Festivals for our feeder primary The course lasted for eight gained a qualification in this schools. In addition to our weeks and involved both area. They also attended a annual Gaelic Football (boys) theory and practical sessions. one-day course on teaching festival, we introduced a All the pupils were awarded the the Fundamentals of Gaelic Camogie competition in June GAA Foundation Level Football. for Primary 6 and 7 girls, in the
Coaching Award and are All our pupils had an expectation that this would qualified to coach underage opportunity to coach younger assist the girls’ transition to St teams. pupils from St Mary’s and our Mary’s. As a follow up from the feeder primary schools. coaching award, all the
BRONZE MEDALLION BASKETBALL LIFE SAVING Two Year 8 teams competed at the Maghera Leisure Centre Secondary Schools Basketball Pupils from the Year 11 Competition in December, 2010. The Boys’ A team GCSE PE class were able were narrowly defeated in the final of the to successfully obtain the competition. Bronze Medallion Lifesaving
Award. They were then able BELFAST MARATHON to use this qualification as Mrs McGee organised the very successful participation of Year 13 part of the coursework pupils in the Belfast Marathon as a fundraising activity for the element of their GCSE Lenten Trocāire Campaign. Over £700 was raised. examination. CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING
The 2010/2011 season was very successful for Despite difficult conditions, excellent the cross-country running club. The arrival of a performances were recorded in each year group: talented group of Year 8 pupils to St Mary’s • Conor McCluskey was placed first in the provides much hope for success in the near Year 8 boys’ competition and qualified for future. Participation levels for Wednesday and Minor Boys’ Ulster championship; Friday training sessions were good throughout • John Donnelly qualified for the Junior the year and some promising times recorded for Boys’ Ulster Championship; the 1.5 mile town circuit. • Maria Tennyson qualified for the
Races took place against local schools (Rainey Intermediate Girls’ Ulster Championship; Endowed, St Pius X College, Magherafelt High • Shauneen Donaghy qualified for the School and Sperrin Integrated College) and St Senior Girls’ Ulster Championship; Mary’s pupils performed consistently well. The • Patrick McGuigan qualified for the Senior main competition of the year is the District C Boys Ulster Championship.
Championships held at the University of Ulster, Coleraine. Conor, John and Maria were placed within the Top Thirty at the Ulster Championship. In the NEBSSA championship, Ben McLaughlin showed much promise during the early stages of the race but however, the injury problems that had appeared early in the season, prevented him showing his true ability.
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Annual Report
DANCE
Dance Competitions Year 9 and 10 girls enjoyed dance competitions within their year groups. Each group created and choreographed their dance to a song of their choice. There were four group finalists in each year group. The final dance off took place in June. All the girls put a huge effort into their performances with great time and dedication spent on perfecting their routines.
Year 9 Dance Finalists Year 10 Dance Finalists Team 1 Emma Robinson, Nicole McAllister, Sophie Team 1 Ellen Landers, Eadaoin McCorry, Orlaith Eccles, Nancy Devlin, Anna Coogan, McAteer, Shannon McVeigh, Niamh Aoibheann Devlin, Emily Harrison, McGarry, Gemma McLernon, Mairead Brenda McAuley Mitchell
Team 2 Aoife McErlain, Rachel Maguire, Anna Team 2 Aoife Hutchinson, Shannon Donnelly, Crawford, Orla Mallon, Gabriela Kacprzyk Niamh Marshall, Megan Diamond, Enya
Team 3 Maria Doyle, Clare Lynch, Sarah Loughlin, Maria Lagan Donaghy, Bernadette Henry, Team 3 Hannah Lydon, Orla McErlain, Eilish Niamh Martin, Aine Kelly Madden, Annie McGuigan, Rebecca Hastings, Ciara McCullagh, Lauren Team 4 Shannon McGillian, Ella Heron, Bronagh Cox, Lara Hartnup, Ellen Convery
Harkin, Maire Crawford, Maire McCrystal, Team 4 Olivia Young, Kate McKeefry, Lauren Megan McGlone. McTeague, Nicola Russell, Niamh Mullen, Leanne McNicholl
GAELIC FOOTBALL The Year 8 team competed in both the Ulster Colleges blitz hosted by St Mary’s CBS, Belfast in June and in a blitz organised by Omagh CBS involving the top College teams in Ulster. The Year 8 team was coached weekly throughout the year by Diarmuid Scullion, Derry Development Coach. Year 8 Blitz The internal Year 8 blitz was won by 8C. Conor McCluskey was selected as ‘Player of the Tournament’. The Year 9 team reached the semi final of the D’alton Cup competition where they were defeated by the eventual Ulster Champions, St Patrick’s College, Maghera. Captain: Mark Megarry
The Year 10 team competed in the Corn na nOg competition but did not qualify for the quarter final stages despite some excellent performances.
Captain: Conor Small
The Brock Cup team were defeated by one point, after extra time, in the quarter final of the competition by St Michael’s College, Enniskillen. Injuries to key personnel made all the difference in a very tight game. Captain: Terence O’Brien
Rannafast Cup Following a successful year in the Brock Cup, this year’s Rannafast panel had set themselves high expectations, and following a year of hard work and tough struggles, it was an undoubted success and achievement for all the boys involved. The panel launched their year with a number of competitive victories over schools, both neighbouring and from afar. However, they were narrowly defeated, and in a replayed game, by a strong Dungannon side to eliminate them from the knock out stages. The boys worked very hard this year and have done both themselves and St Mary's proud. With six of the team training with and on the buoyant St Mary's Mac Rory Team of 2010 - 2011, the expectations of the boys remain ever high and the future looks increasingly bright! Captain: Paul Devlin St Mary’s Grammar School Page 43
Annual Report
MACRORY CUP The MacRory Cup team had a fairly successful year reaching the semi- final of the competition, only to be beaten by a last minute goal by the eventual MacRory and Hogan Cup champions, St.Colman’s Newry. The team had a comfortable nine point victory over Omagh CBS at the quarter final stage and put St.Patrick’s College, Maghera out of the MacRory Cup for the first time in the school’s history.
Five of the team went on to represent Derry and one represented Antrim in the Ulster minor championship. Conor McCann played for the Antrim Senior Hurling Team in the Leinster Championship.
Captain: Nathan Rocks
McGirr Sponsorship Deal for Senior Football St Mary’s and McGirr Architects continued their sponsorship deal this year. The generous contribution from McGirr Architects helps in the preparation of our MacRory Cup team. In return,
McGirr Architects received excellent media coverage due to the team’s progress in the competition.
GAA MASTERCLASS A number of our senior players attended a one day GAA Academy player development masterclass for Ireland’s best schools’ players at QUB in November. The academy aims to develop the player’s knowledge base in a wide range of areas including nutrition, strength and conditioning and lifestyle management through a series of workshops and coaching sessions.
LADIES
The U14 team had an excellent year this year, progressing to the Ulster Final. They unfortunately lost out to Virginia College, Cavan in the last minute of an excellent match, by a single point. Captain – Niamh McGarry Vice Captain – Niamh Quinn
The U20 girls had another tough year reaching the Ulster semi-final, losing out to St. Genevieve’s High School, Belfast. Joint Captains – Niamh Kelly & Eilish Keenan
Ladies Gaelic All Stars This was the first year for Ulster Ladies Gaelic to introduce All Stars Awards to Ladies Schools football. These were sponsored by McKeever Sports and proved to be very successful. U20 girls from across the province were nominated by their schools and gathered for two days of trials at Mid Ulster Sports Arena, Cookstown. Four Upper sixth pupils from St. Mary’s attended these trials with one hundred and ten other girls; this was then reduced to forty five for the second trial. There was a very high standard of play displayed at both trials and so we are proud to say that Niamh Kelly was selected as one of the final twenty for the McKeever Sports Schools All Star Team for 2011. Congratulations to Niamh!
HANDBALL
As part of Year 4 of our Specialist School Plan, the sport of handball was introduced into the Key Stage 3 curriculum. Three handball walls were installed in the Sports Hall over the summer and the sport was delivered to the students during time tabled PE. The levels of enthusiasm were notable and there are plans in hand to develop the sport, in a playing and coaching context, over the next couple of years. We have received a commitment from GAA Handball, the National Governing Body of the sport, to provide us with support in the form of equipment and coaching expertise. St Mary’s was the first school in the County to introduce this exciting initiative.
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Annual Report
OLYMPICS PROJECT-LONDON 2012
As part of a collaborative project between St Mary’s and Magherafelt High School, a small number of teachers are organising a trip to the Olympics in London 2012. This project involves twenty eight Year 9 pupils (Year 10 in 2010/11) experiencing a full range of activities based around the modern Olympic movement. Twenty eight pupils from St Mary’s have secured their place on the trip and they have been involved in a comprehensive programme of events with their peers from our partner schools. St Mary’s hosted a large number of collaborative events this year, including a workshop hosted by UK Olympic athletes Steve Frew and Chris Cook. Having Olympic group receiving specially secured PEACE III funding from Magherafelt District Council, we commissioned gear from Magherafelt District Council’s Peace Fund were able to develop the range of opportunities for the pupils. The pupils were given a three day, all expenses paid, residential to Todd’s Leap outdoor pursuit centre in Ballygawley. They experienced volleyball coaching and participated in laser clay pigeon shooting. St Mary’s also hosted workshops examining inclusion, diversity and prejudice.
St Mary’s has signed up to the Get Set programme and the Get Set Network which are the official London 2012 communities. Todd’s Leap We have our own specific web page on which teachers and pupils can contribute. There is quite a lot of information posted already.
As a result of our work we were named UK School of the Month for February 2011 and have been applauded for our innovation in this area:
‘”Congratulations to St Mary’s Grammar School in Northern Ireland!
The school has been using the Olympic and Paralympic Games as a tool to celebrate diversity and friendship.
‘Here at St Mary’s Grammar School, we have formed a proactive Olympic group and have embarked upon a journey that will culminate in a visit to the Games in 2012. Students have met former Olympic athletes, designed t-shirts and taken part in taster sessions of Olympic sports. The Olympic group has also been on a three day residential trip to explore the subjects of discrimination, prejudice and diversity using the Olympic and Paralympic Values. Students focused on the subjects of age, gender, race, disability, and religion. St.Mary’s Grammar School is striving to leave a lasting legacy for its pupils based on the Olympic and Paralympic Values.’
The school was selected as a result of its inspiring blog posts displaying its Olympic and Paralympic inspired activities. The school will receive a visit from an athlete visit as a reward for their efforts and a letter of congratulations from Lord Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.” https://getset.london2012.com/en/your-space
The work of St Mary’s was also referenced in an upcoming presentation to the International Olympic Committee in South Africa. According to LOCOG (London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and The British Olympic Association:
‘The purpose of the presentation is to update the members of the IOC on our progress as an Organising Committee and, as part of this, we've been asked to provide a couple of examples of schools doing great activity through Get Set. They were particularly interested in examples from schools demonstrating how they are using sport to bring different parts of their school or community together. We sent through St. Mary's case study as one of our two examples and colleagues were really impressed and have suggested we use your example more often and in future presentations.’
GET SET NETWORK
St Mary’s has signed up to the Get Set programme and the Get Set Network which are the official London 2012 communities. The school has its own own specific web page on which teachers and pupils can contribute. There is quite a lot of information posted already on our blog https://getset.london2012.com/en/your-space . As a result of our work we were named UK School of the Month for February 2011 and have been applauded for our innovation in this area. Mr McElholm and Miss C Carey were invited to attend a ‘Get Set Goes Global’ planning meeting hosted by the International Education Team of the London 2012 Games, March 2011 in the offices of DECAL in Belfast.
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Annual Report
SKY SPORTS LIVING FOR SPORT
After the success of last An average of seventy five where he was a very special year’s Sky Sports Living for pupils from Year 8 attended guest of Sky Sports at a Sport Project, the scope of the six sessions which were lavish ceremony.
the ‘FunSports’ project was facilitated by Mr McElholm Due to our success, Tom developed to introduce it to and Year 13 Volunteer Now featured prominently in local both Years 8 and 9. The (GoldMark) participants. The and national press and Sky project encourages our numbers were higher in Year Sports facilitated the visit of junior pupils to participate in 9 with an average of one two Olympic athletes to the a range of activities every hundred pupils participating school to meet and inspire Thursday for six weeks at in ‘FunSports’ every our pupils. A film crew the Meadowbank Sports Thursday. One of last year’s visited the school and their Arena. The Sky Sports participating pupils, Tom footage of Tom and the Living for Sport project Johnston, from Year 8 was school’s case study can be involves a stringent nominated for the Sky viewed at; application process and the Sports Living for Sport http://livingforsport.skysports creation of a comprehensive Student of the Year award. .com/getting-started/case- case study on their website. Tom won the Northern studies/tom-johnston-st- www.skysports.com/livingfor Ireland region award and marys-grammar-school- sport attended the UK Awards in winner-northern-ireland- Lord’s Cricket Ground, regional-final/ London (January 2011)
NORTH EAST FUTURE GIFTED AND TALENTED WORKSHOPS CHAMPIONS SPORTS ACADEMY The P Ed. department organised two coaching workshops, March Fifteen pupils were nominated by and April 2011 hosted by visiting Olympic athletes. Chris Cook the school for the Northern Bank (swimming) and Steve Frew (gymnastics) met and spoke to a Future Champions Sports large number of our talented performers and inspired and Academy which was held at motivated them. All members of the senior teams in school were various venues in the Board area invited to attend both the sessions. The workshops were in February. Our pupils were designed to benefit all of our elite athletes in Camogie, Hurling, nominated in a number of sports Senior Ladies Football and Senior Boys Football. All GCSE, AS including athletics, squash and and A2 PE students had the opportunity to attend. badminton and all received intensive coaching. Many of the pupils progressed through the pathways and reached the elite standard in their chosen sports, some of them representing their region in the Junior Championships.
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Annual Report
GOLF St Mary’s Golf team, consisting of fourteen members, entered the Darren Clarke’s School Golf Spring League. This competition allowed them to play in four fixtures. Three of the fixtures took place at Moyola Golf Course in Castledawson and the fourth at Strabane Golf Course. The team consisted of fourteen players who were continuously rotated for each of the fixtures. The team was represented by pupils across Years 8-11 and was captained by Tara Wilson. The team came third out of five teams, but unfortunately, narrowly missed out on reaching the Ulster Finals. The team thoroughly enjoyed the competition and performed admirably. St Mary's Golf team also participated in the N.E.B.S.S.A. qualifiers held at Moyola Golf course. The team competed very well but narrowly missed out in making the final. The four ball representing the school was captained by Aidan Keenan and comprised of Niall Keenan, Aidan Doyle and Liam Shaw. The team competed very well and came third out of seven competing schools.
SPORTSDAY 2011
Sportsday 2011 was again a very successful event. The development of the event continued with a wide range of fun activities involving all the pupils. The awards were presented after the event at a special prize ceremony held in the Assembly Hall. Mr Gerry McElwee from the Ulster Cancer Foundation visited the school on Sports Day and provided us with sachets of sun cream for the pupils to use.
Victor Ludorum: Eamon Birt Victrix Ludorum: Eimear McGuigan
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING-YEARS 13 AND 14 This year, Miss Cathy Carey, PE technician, was available for any pupil who wished to undertake a personal training programme. Cathy met with the pupil, assessed his/her needs/targets and gave the student a personalised programme which could be carried out in the gym. The pupil was supported throughout the duration of the programme which was specifically tailored for weight loss, muscle gain. Miss Carey also provided Spin sessions for pupils and teachers, using our recently refurbished fitness suite.
SWIMMING The Ulster Minor Schools Swimming Championship took place at Ballymena Leisure Centre with ten pupils competing in a number of events each. The pupils who took part were Fergal and Conor McCollum, Ronan Donnelly, Tiernan McCloy, Aedan Quinn, Kyle Johnston, Beth Kilpatrick, Emily Laverty, Bridget McElhatton and Sarah McNeill. St Mary’s won seven silver medals at the Ulster Gala:
Tiernan McCloy – 50m Butterfly Ronan Donnelly – 50m Backstroke Aedan Quinn – 50m Back Crawl
In the Boys’ relay medley, Bridget McElhatton stepped in to become the fourth member of the team with Tiernan, Ronan and Aedan who came second in the event, picking up another silver medal.
The Ulster Grammar Schools Competition followed the Minor Championship with 11 St Mary’s pupils competing in the gala: Conan Bradley, Rory McGurk, Conor McGurk, Callum Mullan-Young, Tiernan McCloy, Jordan Hill, Hugh O’Donnell, Aedan Quinn, Aoife Hutchinson, Claire Kelly and Niamh McGarry all swam at this event.
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Annual Report
ULSTER COLLEGES VOLUNTEER NOW (GOLD MARK) ALL STARS AWARD
Conor McCann made history by becoming Mr McElholm met St Mary’s first Ulster Colleges Hurling All Star. Lyne Greenwood Peter Quinn was also awarded an All Star for from the football. The boys were presented with their Millennium awards, by BT, at a gala dinner in the Ramada Volunteer Hotel, Belfast, in April 2011.(see picture on p 35) organisation in September. The result of this contact was the acceptance of St Mary’s onto the Gold Mark Volunteering RUGBY scheme. The scheme was made All Year 12 pupils experienced a six week block available to our Year 13 pupils and of rugby taken by the local Youth Development around fifteen of them took the Officer, Kevin Gallagher. opportunity to get involved. They volunteered to help with the PEd. Our Year 13 students also attended a Tag Rugby department’s ‘FunSports’ project and Coaching Course in November. A large number helped coach Year 8 and 9 pupils every of Year 13 pupils from all the local schools (St Thursday afternoon at Meadowbank. As Mary’s, St.Pius X College, Sperrin Integrated a result of our work with this body, we College, and Rainey Endowed) achieved this were selected as an example of good qualification. practice and St Mary’s is featured on a We also introduced rugby coaching to our Year 8 new promotional DVD that will be pupils as an after school activity. The Play Rugby distributed to every school/organisation Scheme encouraged links between the school in N Ireland. Gareth Quinn, Year 13, and local club. The coaching was every Thursday features prominently on the DVD. The after school and lasted seven weeks. Twenty two pupils will receive an accredited Year 8 boys attended. A number of the boys then qualification/certificate from the Minister joined up with their peers from the other local of Education to acknowledge their schools to make up team that was trained and volunteering work. coached at Rainey Old Boys Club in Magherafelt. SOCCER ROUNDERS John Mulholland Motors presented the school St Mary’s hosted the regional primary with thirty five soccer balls which were used in schools rounders competition in June. our PE Programme
TENNIS OUTDOOR PURSUITS Twenty Year 8 and 9 pupils attended a week of As part of their GCSE Physical tennis coaching during May and June. The Education course, thirty Year 11 coaching programme lasted for twelve sessions students completed an intensive course by which time all the pupils had improved their in orienteering over three full days in game. Coaching was provided by the District June at the Woodhall Residential Centre Council’s Active Community Project. in Kilrea. This activity formed part of their GCSE practical coursework. All the pupils scored highly.
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Young Ambassadors (Olympics 2012) Coaches Lunch Ruairi McCann and Aimee McGuckin moved into their A special lunch was held in Café second year as Olympic Young Ambassadors by the Youth Pierre to thank all members of staff Sport Trust and again experienced a range of personal for their input into extra curricular development opportunities in the run up to the London sport in the school. Twenty-six Olympics in 2012. Ruairi, in his capacity as Leading Young members of staff were invited to Ambassador for N.Ireland, attended a number of meetings of the steering group at Loughborough University and in this annual event. London and was given added responsibility for the programme in this area.
Two Year 11 students were also chosen this year as Young Performance Analysis Workshop Ambassadors, Aaron McWilliams and Medb O’Dolan will Two members of the department help Ruairi and Aimee empower and inspire our junior pupils attended a Focus X2 Performance in the run up to the games in London next year. All four Analysis Workshop in Cookstown in attended the Young Ambassadors Conference – ‘It’s OUR December. Games’ in Craigavon in October, 2010.
TOP LINK
‘Designed to enhance links between schools, TOP Link encourages 14 to 16 year olds to organise and manage sport or dance festivals in local primary and special schools.
Part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Step into Sport programme, TOP
Link is connected to existing school leadership work such as the Junior Sports Leader
Award and the Community Sports Leader Award.
As well as developing school links, TOP Link also uses PE and sport to train and
encourage young people to become leaders who can use their skills to benefit the wider
community’.
For the sixth year, St Mary’s students became involved in the Top Link Programme. The department organised a primary school Gaelic football event, in December 2010, which was run by our Year 13 students, all of whom had attained coaching qualifications in Gaelic Football and Child Protection Certificates. Six of our larger feeder primary schools took part, with a total of ninety Primary 7 pupils experiencing a comprehensive coaching programme, lunch and a competitive blitz. Unfortunately, very poor weather affected the numbers participating. The blitz was won by Holy Family Primary School, Magherafelt.
In June 2011, St Mary’s organised a Top Link camogie blitz for P6 and 7 girls. This proved to be a great success and the tournament was won by St Patrick’s Primary School, Loup. This was our first year to organise a girls’ Camogie event and we look forward to building upon its success next year.
Paul Whitten from the Youth Sport Trust presented the school with a plaque in recognition of our contribution to the Top Link Programme.
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St Mary’s Grammar School Page 49
Annual Report CAREERS EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE
Careers Guidance forms an opportunity to investigate all the options integral part of all pupils’ which they may consider on completion of studies from Year 10 to Year their GCSE examinations. 14. Formal careers classes In Years 13 and 14 pupils have classes in are timetabled one period per Careers Education. As well as attending fortnight from Year 10 upwards. the taught classes, pupils are encouraged During these classes pupils take to use the Resources in the Careers Library part in a taught programme for private research. Individual and group incorporating elements of both interviews take place with all pupils in Years Careers Education and Education 13 and 14 to help guide them towards for Employability. making suitable choices for third level courses for the world of work. Throughout all Year Groups, pupils are guided towards being able to make informed All pupils in the school have access to a decisions in relation to their future. Specific purpose built Careers Suite which includes guidance is given on subject choice in Year a well stocked and regularly updated 10 and Year 12. In Year 12, pupils have the Careers Library.
PERSONAL CAREERS PLANNING GUIDANCE INTERVIEWS
All pupils are encouraged to develop their own Personal Guidance Counseling forms a very Career Plans to which they important part of all the work carried out in are introduced in Year 10. By the Careers Department and this is being involved in small group particularly important with pupils in Years interviews with their Careers teacher, as 12, 13 and 14. All Year 12 pupils have the well as having a taught programme of opportunity to be interviewed by a Careers Guidance, they gain confidence representative from the Careers Service in making an informed choice of subjects who visits the school one morning per which they choose to take at GCSE Level. week.
On obtaining GCSE EDUCATION FOR EMPLOYABILITY and ‘A’ Level results, all pupils in Year 12 All Years 8 – 12 pupils took part in a and 14 receive Programme of Education for Employability extensive support and linked to Learning for Life and Work. As guidance. The Head of Careers works well as engaging in taught classes, all closely with Year 14 pupils in August pupils in Year 8 took part in an Activity helping them to secure places in Third Day focusing on Entrepreneurship Level Education. In Year 10 and 12, pupils delivered by ‘Eastwood Business are interviewed before making their final Mentoring’, as a conclusion to the subject choices and parents are Programme. Year 9 pupils engaged in a encouraged to meet with their Project Based Assignment which son’s/daughter’s Careers teacher if they concluded with a presentation from have any concerns about their choices. Mr John Murtagh, Magherafelt District Guidance interviews can be arranged at Council, as well as an Activity Day any time for pupils either through referral organized by Young Enterprise. Year 10 from any member of the teaching staff or at took part in a Tourism Exercise, the specific request of an individual pupil. introduced by Mr Jim Eastwood, and judged by him at the end of the year.
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LINKS WITH EXTERNAL AGENCIES
Alongside the All pupils in Year 13 take part in a Work taught programme Shadowing Scheme organised and of Careers monitored by the Careers Department. This Education, there is scheme provides pupils with the opportunity a comprehensive to spend time in some of the largest programme of extra-curricular activities companies and organisations across organised by the Careers Department. The Northern Ireland and beyond. Magherafelt Learning Partnership organises a large Careers Convention on a biennial A programme of Careers Presentations from basis. This brings together representatives invited speakers targeting Year 12, 13 and from business and education from all parts 14 pupils is on-going throughout the year; of Ireland as well as from Scotland and ensuring pupils are kept fully informed of England. new opportunities in both the world of Employment and Further and Higher
The Careers Department has developed Education. close links with many outside agencies and Northern Ireland Companies who visit the All Year 14 students have the opportunity to school regularly to give presentations to the attend Medical and Paramedical Open Days pupils. organised by a number of Health Trusts as
well as the Programme of University Open As a conclusion to the programme of Days which take place in early September. classes in Interview Skills, all Year 14 pupils take part in a Mock Interview carried out by Linked to Specialist School for Science panels of professionals from a wide range of status an additional programme of activities career areas as well as representative from was planned by the Careers universities. A detailed assessment of the Department. This included an pupil’s performance in this event helps additional employability pupils to identify their strengths and can activity day for Year 11 also point to areas for improvement. delivered by Genesis and a Specific interview preparation is also presentation by Eastwood conducted for pupils who are applying to Mentoring on interview Oxbridge. preparation.
THE CARERS EDUCATION PROGRAMME AND EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMME
The Careers Education Programme and the Employability Programme are delivered alongside a very comprehensive range of activities, which forge links with organisations outside the school.
Careers Service NI There is a very closely structured link with the local Careers Officer, Mrs F Hyndman who supports the work of the Careers Department. She: gave a class talk to all Year 10 and 12 pupils helped all Year 12 pupils complete the Occupational Interests Guide conducted the Year 12 Assessment for interview, as part of Year 12 Induction carried out individual interviews with Year 12 pupils attended the Year 12 Parent/Teachers Evening A Service Level Agreement was signed by both the Principal and Head of Careers.
Year 13 Work Shadowing All pupils completed four days’ work shadowing during a mid term or at the end of June, in a variety of career areas. Pupils were encouraged to broaden their horizons and to consider career areas which might offer slightly different types of opportunity. Year 14 Mock Interview Programme All pupils in Year 14 had the opportunity to take part in a Mock Interview carried out by professionals from a wide range of career areas as well as representatives from Northern
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Ireland Universities. Pupils were assessed on their preparation and performance and were given verbal as well as written feedback. Oxbridge Interviews A group of highly skilled professionals worked closely with those pupils who applied for Oxford and Cambridge, culminating in a very comprehensive interview, in preparation for their Oxbridge Interview. Aptitude Tests Training was provided for the UKCAT (externally) and HPAT (internally). Opening Days / Evenings Ten Year 14 pupils attended an open evening in Altnagelvin Hospital for Medicine. All Year 14 pupils visited Queen’s University and the Jordanstown Campus of the University of Ulster. A few pupils availed of the opportunity to visit Open days in the Republic of Ireland and UK. Representatives from the Scottish Universities spoke to all Year 13 pupils on two different occasions. Five Year 13 pupils attended an evening in Altnagelvin Hospital, for students interested in a career in Nursing. Twenty Year 13 students attended a Careers Open Day in Altnagelvin for students interested in a career in the Health Professions. Two Year 13 pupils attended an Open Evening on Pharmacy at Altnagelvin and one Year 13 pupil attended a Pharmacy Open day in Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast Two Year 14 pupils visited the Dental School at Royal Victoria Hospital. Twelve Year 13 pupils attended an Information day on Law at Jordanstown. One pupil attended the Pathology Laboratory in Altnagelvin while another attended two days at Magee campus on Computing. Eighteen Year 13 pupils attended a Taster Day at QUB organized by the School of Management. Six Year 13 pupils attended a Sixth Form Engineering Conference at Methodist College Belfast Twelve Year 13 pupils attended an Oxbridge Conference in Lisburn. A number of Year 13 pupils attended Open Morning Sessions on Health Related careers eg Speech and Language in Magherafelt Oaktree Centre and a range of health related careers at Altnagelvin Hospital.
Additional Organisations: Sentinus – a number some of our pupils attended a conference on career opportunities in STEM subjects Genesis – representatives from Genesis worked closely with Year 11 pupils on an activity which involved product design F G Wilson – a number of Year 13 pupils participated in the CPS Simulated Work Environment at the plant in Larne and all Year 11 pupils were given a talk by a representative from F G Wilson on the range of careers within the company. Magherafelt District Council – a representative judged Year 9 pupils’ displays on recycling as part of the Employability programme.
Eastwood Mentoring – Jim Eastwood
- delivered a session to all Year 14 on interview preparation
- presented an Assembly to Year 12 on completion of their CV
- delivered an Activity day for all Year 8 pupils on Enterprise
- delivered a lesson to each Year 10 Class on marketing/promoting a good or service.
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Annual Report THE APPRENTICE “Jim is the greatest salesman I have seen for ages., Great bloke… he could sell Ireland!” Lord Sugar
Mr Jim Eastwood, who has been so supportive of the Careers Department, was one of the four finalists in this year’s ‘The Apprentice.’
Jim, a past pupil of St Mary’s, helped to create some of the memorable highlights of the series: Soup-er Man, Slang-a- tang, Jedi Jim, Hip Replacement, speaking franglais in Paris….! He landed the biggest sales order in ‘Apprentice’ history, an achievement which led to him being crowned “Lord Sugar’s Greatest Salesperson in the World” in the final!
St Mary’s followed his progress in the series with interest and excitement!
STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING
OVERVIEW OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2010/2011
DATE COURSE / MEETING Staff Meeting (to include ICT Guidance and rota teams) 25 August 2010 Departmental Meetings Specialist School: Into Year 4 Reflection on School Ethos Critical Incident Management SEP Awareness Training 26 August 2010 MLP Subject Teachers’ Meeting Induction and EPD Training Collaboration: MLP Discipline Employability /Citizenship 27 August 2010 Prizegiving Committee
Heads of Year Meeting Careers Meeting Pastoral Team Meetings/ Heads of Department 30 August 2010 Musical Team Meetings SIMS Training on GCSE Results to predicting AS Grades Epipen/CPR /CPR Training Drug Awareness 31 August 2010 Departmental / Pastoral Meetings Epipen / CPR Training 30 September 2010 Geography, Languages & History Departments – Traffic Lights & Yellis 13 October 2010 VLE Resources 23 November 2010 VLE Resources 16 December 2010 End of Term Assessment, marking and report writing 30 June 2011 Forward planning for September 2011
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OFFICE STAFF During 2010/2011, relevant office staff availed of the following training opportunities:
TRAINING St Mary’s Staff Development Programme (August/September 2010) Epipen/Anapen and ELS (Emergence Life Support) Critical Incident Management training Photoshop (Twilight Training during Term One) An Introduction to Adobe Photoshop 7.0 NISTR (October 2010) Training in the Northern Ireland Substitute Teacher Register Invigilator Training (November 2010) Invigilator training prior to Entrance Assessments in 2010 Customer Services Training (November 2010) Effective Customer Service (in-house training) Emergency Life Support Training (May 2011) UK Heartstart Update Training in Emergency Life Support (ELS) SIMS (May 2011) SIMS.net End of Year/Pupil Transfer (CTF) Overviews
CAFÉ BORDEAUX The staff of Café Bordeaux completed training in: Health and Safety Manual Handling and Till Training As part of the St Mary’s Staff Development Programme in August, key members of Café Bordeaux Staff undertook Epipen and CPR Training.
CLEANING STAFF The Cleaning Staff completed training in: COSHH training As part of the St Mary’s Staff Development Programme in August, key members of the Cleaning Staff undertook Epipen and CPR Training.
CHILD PROTECTION All staff appointed to St. Mary’s throughout 2010/2011 completed Child Protection training (Policy and Procedures), facilitated by Mrs O’Brien, Designated Child Protection Officer. Mrs E Daly, Mrs M McAuley, Mr K McAuley and Ms T Mullan attended a Pastoral Conference in May 2011 which included sessions on Raising Awareness of Mental Health Issues in the Young, Suicide: Prevalance and Prevention, Eating Disorders and Social Networking and Child Protection.
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ICT Throughout the school year, Mrs Daly facilitated the following training:- Creation of Front Pages; Topic Pages; Adding Text and hyperlinks; Tests and Surveys; Video Tutorials; Drop-in folders. Departmental Support Sessions (2 X 4 hour sessions) Pupil Data for ECDL: Through the SEP programme 10 pupils completed ECDL.
The Big ICT Day This event took place on Friday 3 June 2011; it provided us with a great opportunity to not only celebrate the work of our own school but to share the experiences and skills of colleagues within the Magherafelt Learning Partnership. Working collaboratively, MLP teachers had an opportunity to share good practice in using ICT as a teaching, learning and decision making tool; engage in professional development, fostering relationships with our colleagues and to become aware of the issue of e-safety. This event ensured that real ‘value added’ was provided in terms of improvement in learning and teaching and supporting the drive to raise standards for all our pupils. All teachers across the partnership had an opportunity to attend at least two workshops:
Workshop School Focus Presenter An Introduction to Photoshop St Mary’s/SIC T & L J Quinn, R Anderson Creating Video Tutorials St Mary’s T & L E Daly E – Testing MHS AFL E Martin Exploring Wikis and Blogs MHS Com E Woodhouse Using Data for Whole School Improvement RE M’ment Rainey Endowed Pedagogical Improvement through Interactive Whiteboards RE T & L Rainey Endowed Practical uses of a Swan-neck camera and projector Rainey T & L Rainey Endowed On-line Assessments – Yacapaca St Pius X T & L Mrs E McStocker Screen Casting St Pius X T & L Mr G Duffy Google Docs St Pius X M’ment Mr S Doyle To Introduce Video conferencing in the Classroom and beyond MHS Com Mr D Warke LNI to support a Culture of Independence Sperrin M’ment Mr N Small ICT to support Management and Monitoring Sperrin T & L Mrs M Hunter Scratch Animation for KS3 Maths Sperrin Numeracy Mrs T Farrell ICT Workshop: Personalised Learning and the Use of St Mary’s Data T & L Mr K McAuley
The event proved to be a huge success with very positive responses from teachers in terms of increased confidence in the use of ICT and recognising the effectiveness of ICT as a teaching, learning and management tool.
Comments made included
“An opportunity to meet colleagues from other schools in the MLP”
“The training opportunities provided were very useful, there was a wide variety of training opportunities.”
“I would welcome other opportunities to work collaboratively with other subject partnerships.”
St Mary’s Grammar School Page 55 Annual Report SPECIALIST SCHOOL YEAR 4: 2010/2011
St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt was designated a Specialist School for Science on 31 May 2007. Education Minister, Caitriona Ruane acknowledged the strength of the school’s application and its willingness to ‘engage meaningfully with other education partners and the wider community to enrich the learning experiences and life opportunities of young people and for the benefit of their local community.’
PARTNERS
‘We welcome the opportunity to network with other schools with the aim of raising attainment and access and making relevant connections between the school experience
and the world of life and employment.’
St Mary’s Specialist School Application PERSONALISED LEARNING
St Mary’s established close partnerships with ‘St Mary’s vision for the a number of local schools and businesses: future is to create an
environment of Local Schools Businesses personalised teaching St Pius X College, Magherafelt FG Wilson and learning in order Sperrin Integrated, Magherafelt Genesis to enhance progress, achievement and Holy Family Primary School, Magherafelt Northgate participation.’ New Row Primary School, Castledawson Bank of Ireland St Mary’s Specialist St Patrick’s Primary School, Loup Chambers School Application
PRIMARY SCHOOL PARTNERS The links established and developed in Years 1, 2 & 3 of the Specialist School Programme were further strengthened in Year 4.
FORCES AND ENERGY DAY STEM MODULE - MISCROSCOPY October 2010 May 2011 Primary 7 pupils participated in a Forces and The STEM Module visited the school and was Energy Activity Day which included a which set up for using a range of different included a carousel of energy changing microscopes. P6 pupils from New Row, demonstrations; the development of ‘fair tests’ Castledawson and St Patrick’s, Loup used and a ‘tug-of-war’ competition this facility to investigate Pond Life.
BIODIVERSITY DAY ECO SCHOOLS PROJECT June 2011 St Mary’s Eco Committee have assisted our Pupils from our partner Primary Schools plus partner Primary Schools in the setting up and Holy Trinity, Cookstown and Creggan attended delivery of the Eco Schools Project. Funding has a Biodiversity day in St Mary’s in June. Pupils been made available for each school to develop used a range of techniques to observe the plant their school grounds to increase pupil activities and animal life of hedgerows and ponds. and Biodiversity. .
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POST PRIMARY PARTNERS
A LEVEL A LEVEL REVISION DAYS New Specification The Biology Department of St Mary’s has Pupils from our partner post- primary schools and St collaborated with Sperrin Integrated and Mary’s pupils attended revision days for AS and A2 St Pius X in the development of Biology in January and May 2011. Pupils were given coursework activities for teaching AS and revision materials and advice on examination techniques. A2 Biology. St Mary’s Physics Dept KS 3 CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS assisted St Pius X in organising St Mary’s Science teachers observed a range of KS3 equipment for AS Physics which was Science lessons in St Pius X as part of the St Mary’s being taught in St Pius X for the first Science Department Self Evaluation process. time.
ST MARY’S SCIENCE FAIR The St Mary’s Science Fair was attended by our local Primary and Post Primary Schools. There were a total of four Primary School entries based on ‘The World Around Us’ and seven Secondary Schools entries completed during their Thematic Units. Dr T. Henry (DARD) was invited to judge the entries. All students involved were given certificates for the skills and capabilities most evident in their projects.
Our Rwandan and Kenyan visitors also assisted in the judging and Valencia, a Kenyan student, gave a talk on ‘Recycling waste materials.’
All pupils were then treated to a show presented by W5 on ‘Seeing is Believing.’
INDUSTRIAL LINKS STREET COLLECTION FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS Year 13 pupils assisted Genesis to carry out a street collection in Magherafelt for the Special Olympics.
YEAR 11 TALK ON CAREERS IN FG WILSON Mr P. Magee gave a talk to Year 11 students on the FG Wilson company and the career opportunities available within the company. Pupils were also given an insight into the life of an engineer employed by FG Wilson. He particularly encouraged girls to consider engineering and used career profiles of a number of women involved in engineering careers to motivate them.
YEAR 12 PROBLEM SOLVING WORKSHOPS FOR FUTURE ENGINEERS The course was developed and delivered by Mr P Magee, Electrical Engineer and Mr I Henderson, Mechanical Engineer. The aim of the course was to give pupils an insight into the work of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers. Twenty-eight Year 12 pupils completed the problem solving exercises, based on real-life problems which would occur regularly for engineers at FG Wilson. Mr P Magee and Mr I Henderson assisted pupils in the completion of the tasks.
YEAR 12 ELECTRONIC INDUCTION A group of FG Wilson employees came to St Mary’s and facilitated a workshop on Electromagnetic Induction to the Year 12 Triple Award Science students.
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VISIT TO FG WILSON SIMULATED WORK ENVIRONMENT A group of seventeen Year 13 Physics and Technology students attended an educational visit to FG Wilson (engineering) plant in Larne in May 2011. During their visit, the students took part in a Simulated Work Environment (SWE) and had a tour of the Acoustic Centre situated at the plant. In the Simulated Work Environment, they competed in two groups on a production line to produce wooden cars. They were then given an opportunity to evaluate and change the production line and compete again to see which was the most efficient.
TEACHER WORK PLACEMENT IN FG WILSON Mr Raymond Kennedy (Physics Department) had a one week work experience with FG Wilson in June 2011. He was given the opportunity to observe a range of careers and reflect on how the Physics knowledge taught in the classroom can be applied to the workplace. He was very impressed with the management structures and procedures put in place to allow all works to assist in the design and problem solving processes. He shadowed Electrical and Mechanical engineers. Mr Kennedy also visited a range of sectors: Power and Performance, Controls, Vibrations and Structures, Noise Testing, Renewable Power and Emissions.
CHEMISTRY DEMONSTRATION LECTURE AND CAREERS PRESENTATION BY LOUGHREY COLLEGE Sandra Witherspoon and Liz Simpson presented an interactive and engaging demonstration lecture to all Year 11 students on the role of acids in food. The students were given an insight into the number of different career opportunities through studying Food Science/ Food Technology and various other courses at this College.
RTU SHARING GOOD PRACTICE CONFERENCE
Mr K Mc Auley gave a talk on Personalised Learning at the RTU Sharing Good Practice Conference in October 2010. This included: the use of Midyis and Yellis data to identify underachieving pupils, subject and pastoral mentoring to motivate students and set realistic short term targets for their improvement; the use of Traffic Light Marksheets in the classroom to set individual targets and inform teachers and pupils of progress made throughout the year. The advantages of a Peer Mentoring programme in which Year 13 students mentor underachieving Year 8 pupils was also included. RTU also invited Mr Mc Auley to deliver an additional workshop on this topic in May 2011 and schools from across the province were invited to attend. Thirty seven teachers from a range of schools attended.
CREATE SPORT CHALLENGE In April 13, five Year 9 pupils: Annie O’Lone, Hannah Connelly, Estella Tohill-Reid, Cathal Mullan and Jordan Hill represented St. Mary’s in the Create Sport Challenge. The competition, organised by the Institute of Civil Engineers required pupils to design a model community sports stadium, accompanied by drawings and plans. Designing and building their own stadium model enabled the pupils to consider the challenges that civil engineers face on a day to day basis in a fun and engaging way. The pupils travelled to the Antrim Forum accompanied by their teacher Miss Agnew and presented the design and model of their stadium ‘The Mid-Ulster Ski Complex’ to a judging panel including Wendy Houvenaghel and engineering specialists.
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CHEMISTRY AT WORK EXHIBITION A group of Year 11 Triple Award Chemistry students attended the Chemistry at Work Exhibition organised by QUB and sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry. This exhibition provided the students with the opportunity to meet representatives from local and national chemical companies and to attend their interactive demonstrations of Chemistry in the workplace.
SALTERS’ FESTIVAL OF CHEMISTRY AT QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY, BELFAST
Ronan Rafferty, Caoimhe McAteer, Anna McCracken, and Niall Conlon (pictured right) in Year 8 were prize winners in the Practical Task at the Salters’ Festival of Chemistry at Queen’s University, Belfast. They were presented with certificates and various prizes.
IRISH CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD COMPETITION 2010 UK PHYSICS OLYMPIAD 2010 Three of our Year 14 Physics students were successful in the UK Physics Olympiad: Paul Cosgrove was awarded Bronze Medal; Conor Diamond and Patrick McGuigan each received a
Commendation.
Seventeen Year 12 Physics students participated in this year’s UK Physics Challenge: Silver Awards went to: Kerri Strain and Gavin Tennyson.
Bronze Awards went to: Caitlin Cosgrove, Cillian Darragh, Aisling Farren, Aileana Jackson, Qiushi Xiang, Aoife McVey, Emma McWilliams and Conor McColgan took part in the Irish Olympiad Sinead Kearney, David McCann, Fiona Competition which was held in Queen’s University, McKeever, Niall McShane, Conor Nolan and Belfast. Qiushi won the Bronze medal and Aoife, Maria Walls Emma and Conor were highly commended.
QUEEN’S SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES OLYMPIAD 2010
In November 2010, Queens University held a Science Olympiad for pupils in Years 12 and 13. The five pupils who participated from St. Mary’s were: Orlagh McCollum, Conor McAuley, Meave McCarney, Aoife Donaghy and Peter Maguire. It was held in the School of Biological Sciences and involved teams of students from eight different schools. The competition began with a lab-based experiment, where the students were instructed to solve a crime based problem, using molecular biology techniques such as DNA finger printing and gel electrophoresis. They worked well and managed to successfully solve the crime! The students were then given a challenging task in which they had to suggest ways to stop a pathogenic bacterium from replicating. The students had to draw on their scientific knowledge and discuss different strategies and approaches before presenting their ideas on a poster. St. Mary’s had the only team to win two prizes. The first was for the most creative poster and Peter Maguire (Year 12) won one of the individual prizes for showing a deeper understanding of the problem. The day was a great experience as the students got to develop their scientific knowledge and skills while working in a team. winning poster
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MAGHERAFELT LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
The MLP was established in 2007. It provides a full microcosm of the post-primary sector of Northern Ireland: it includes controlled, grant maintained, integrated, maintained and voluntary grammar, both denominational and non-denominational; only Irish Medium and single sex education is absent. Every school is co- educational, varying in size, type and history. The schools and Northern Regional College also have a long-standing history of working together, both in terms of pupil curricular provision as well as continuing professional development of staff. The MLP vision for the future of our schools and the purpose behind them can be summarised thus:
Education is central to our future;
Partnership will look to build community cohesion by ensuring equality of opportunity through the removal of barriers to participation in education and seeking to minimise variation in outcome through the provision of relevant and appropriate curriculae.
Shared activities to date include:
AS COLLABORATIVE SUBJECTS
In 2010/11, the MLP continued to evolve into a Learning Community offering a much wider choice of subjects to Sixth Form pupils. In total for Year 13, there were fourteen collaborative subjects on offer in common agreed timetable slots on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Two of these slots ran from break through to lunch and the other slot was first two periods in the morning ending at break. The subjects on offer were: Government and Politics, National Certificate in Sport & Leisure, Business Studies, Moving Image Arts, Travel and Tourism, Geography, Health & Social Care, Art, Performing Arts, Further Mathematics, Chemistry, Spanish, Psychology, and the National Award in Engineering. Twelve of these subjects were chosen by fifty pupils (one per pupil) who went on to complete the AS course with excellent results. Each of the mainstream schools had at least one collaborative pupil. Virtually all of these pupils are continuing their studies into A2.
In Year 14, there were twenty three collaborative pupils who continued their studies from AS into A2. (Thirty one Year 13 collaborative pupils completed the AS course in 2009/10.) The common agreed timetable slots for the Year 14 collaborative subjects were on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from break through to lunch. The twelve subjects on offer to these pupils in Year 13 were: Government and Politics, National Certificate in Sport & Leisure, Further Mathematics, Chemistry, Spanish, Moving Image Arts, Biology, French, Music, National Award in Construction, Health & Social Care (Single Award)and the National Award in Engineering. Seven of these subjects were studied by the twenty three pupils (one per pupil), who went on to complete the A2 course with excellent results.
Schools have a requirement to meet the Entitlement Framework by 2013, which demands that Sixth form pupils have access to at least 27 subjects with at least one third being applied and one third general. Of the collaborative subjects on offer each year, about 40% of these subjects are Applied which is of immense benefit to those schools whose Post 16 curriculum has traditionally been almost exclusively general subjects.
In the 2011/12 academic year, there are fourteen collaborative subjects on offer with eighty pupils embarking on one collaborative AS course.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT There are eight sub-groups operational within the MLP: the Principals Steering Group, and the Pastoral, Timetable, Coordinators, Careers, SENCO, Examination Officers and ICT subgroups. With each school being represented on all the subgroups and providing the chair-person for at least one of the subgroups, opportunities exist for the sharing of ideas and educational experience.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS The MLP is actively considering how to further widen curricular choice to Sixth form pupils, the development of the Bright Futures website, the use of video conferencing, the development of SEN provision/SENCO expertise, CEIAG, and the continued up-skilling of Year Heads.
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SHARING EDUCATION PROGRAMME REVIEW OF YEAR ONE
'It is today we must create the world of the future.' Eleanor Roosevelt
In September 2010, the Magherafelt Learning Partnership, in association Among the courses with Queen’s University, Belfast, launched the available to students Sharing Education Programme (SEP). Since its were: introduction, the Sharing Education Programme Introduction to has proven to be a highly successful initiative, Law; advancing interschool collaboration in the Magherafelt area. The Study of Ethics; Managed by the School of Education at Queen’s University and funded by Atlantic Philanthropies A Level Biology Solidwork students and the International Fund for Ireland, the key Support; aim of the Sharing Education Programme is to Introduction to Journalism; encourage schools in Northern Ireland to engage Introduction to Aromatherapy and in cross-sectoral collaboration as a means of Reflexology; improving the educational and personal development opportunities of young people. European Computer Driving Licence; Through the bringing together of pupils with SAGE; different uniforms in the same class, the Sharing Emergency First Aid and Sports Injury; Education Programme seeks to address the GAA Coaching and issue of social division in Northern Ireland. Refereeing Skills. The Magherafelt Learning Partnership was delighted to secure the patronage of one of Year 12 Extended Learning Programme Northern Ireland’s most reputable playwrights, The second strand of the Sharing Education Brian Friel, for the Sharing Education Programme Programme provided Year 12 students from across the Partnership with access to an in Magherafelt. Extended Learning Programme. In Term Two, Throughout 2010/2011, shared classes became students preparing for GCSE examinations in a regular feature of education in the Magherafelt Science and English had the opportunity to avail Learning Partnership as students and teachers of additional classes. moved between schools in the Partnership to attend or deliver a variety of courses. In Year Staff Development Programme One, the Sharing Education Programme had In the spirit of developing relations between the three key strands: teaching staff in each of the schools within the Year 13 Curriculum Enrichment Programme; Magherafelt Learning Partnership, the third Year 12 Extended Learning Programme; strand of the Sharing Education Programme offered teachers the opportunity to get to know Staff Development Programme. each other through participation in a chosen Year 13 Curriculum Enrichment course. Teachers in each school had the option Programme of selecting a course from a menu catering for The first strand of the Sharing Education both personal development and professional Programme provided all Year 13 students within development interests. The course menu the Partnership with access to an extensive included options such as: common Curriculum Enrichment Programme. Introduction to Photography; With over thirty courses to choose from, students Introduction to Aromatherapy; had the opportunity to pursue personal Introduction to Dance and development, academic or vocational interests. RTU Emergent Leadership Programme
Many teachers from across the Magherafelt Learning Partnership had the opportunity to acquire experience of teaching in a collaborative context through the delivery of Sharing Education Programme courses. Through the Sharing Education Programme, a Book Club for Year 14 students was also developed. The Book Club enabled students from across the Partnership to meet and discuss their views on various texts. In 2010/2011, the Sharing Education Programme in the Magherafelt Learning Partnership attracted local and regional media interest, featuring in ‘The Irish News’ and on ‘BBC Newsline.’ Journalism students with BBC Sports Jouralist Thomas Niblock
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SECURITY
The school continues to monitor the effectiveness of all existing security measures undertaken, and balances personal freedom with the need to provide adequate security for pupils. staff, visitors and protecting the fabric of the school estate.
The school has invested in updating the fire security and intruder alarm system in the academic year.
The school has separated pedestrian and vehicular access where possible and continues to monitor all vehicular traffic within the school site including school buses.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Financial Statement for the Financial Year Ending March 2011
INCOME £ Department of Education Northern Ireland 5,065,269 Other Income 97,878 TOTAL INCOME 5,163,147
EXPENDITURE £ TOTAL EXPENDITURE 5,108,230 OPERATING SURPLUS 54,917 RETAINED DEFICIT – carried forward 16,213
The school undertook extensive refurbishment work to the PE Department, adding two bright modern changing rooms. The school has taken steps to move to a break even position financially, and has undertaken restructuring to meet the Curriculum needs in the forthcoming period.
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St Mary’s Grammar School 3 Castledawson Road Magherafelt Co Derry BT45 6AX
Tel: (028) 7963 2320 Fax: (028) 7963 4250 Email: [email protected] www.stmarysmagherafelt.com