Board of Governors' Annual Report
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SSSttt... MMMaaarrryyy’’’sss GGGrrraaammmmmmaaarrr SSSccchhhoooooolll BOARD OFGOVERNORS’ ANNUAL REPORT 80 th Anniversary Commemorative Edition 2007/2008 FOREWORD The academic year 2007/2008 was a special and memorable one for St. Mary’s as the school celebrated the 80th Anniversary of its foundation. This Board of Governors’ Report will give you an insight into every aspect of the life and work of St. Mary’s. I would like to pay tribute to the staff, pupils and parents/guardians for their continuing interest in the school and their commitment to its success. The trust and dialogue in this important triangle of relationships has ensured the school’s success throughout its history and, I am confident, will continue to do so. St. Mary’s has as its central thought Gloria Deo Soli, a conviction and vision which can be traced back to Monsignor Ward and which has permeated the school throughout its history. That same thought gives the St. Mary’s community the strength and vigour to face the future. 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 12 December 2008. __________________ D A Lambon Principal and Correspondent to the Board of Governors CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION I am very pleased indeed to introduce this 80th Anniversary Edition of the Board of Governors’ Annual Report. ‘It was a humble enough beginning. A few rooms were set aside in the Convent House. Sister Cassian Tracey was nominated as Principal. For the first month, the month of September, there was only one pupil but four others enrolled at the end of the month (with five further pupils later in the year) and the Monsignor’s ambitious project was underway.’ From ‘The St. Mary’s Story’. The story of St. Mary’s over eighty years is the story of Monsignor Ward’s vision, a vision which has been cherished and safeguarded by each Principal. It is the story of the selflessness, sacrifice and dedication of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux and it is the story of the sheer hard work and determination of successive generations of pupils, parents and staff. The ethos and core values of St. Mary’s always remained firm and enduring as the struggle and belief of the early years gave way to the optimism and confidence of the later years. Today, the school’s spirit, in every aspect of its work continues to be enshrined in its motto Gloria Deo Soli. This Board of Governors’ Report records specifically the work and achievements of St. Mary’s in its eightieth year. There is much to celebrate, for example, the glittering prizes of the school’s academic excellence; the prowess of the pupils in every sporting arena; the BECTA award for ICT development and the magnificent production of Oliver! staged in the Grand Opera House, Belfast, November 2007. I am confident that education in St. Mary’s is well placed to face the challenges of the 21st Century. The Education and Training Inspectorate conducted a Standard Inspection in February 2008 and affirmed: ‘In the areas inspected, the quality of education provided in this school is outstanding. The educational and pastoral needs of the learners are being very well met. The parents and the community can have confidence in the school’s capacity for sustained self-improvement.’ Report of an Inspection, February 2008, ETI As I commend this report to you, I wish to pay tribute to all the people across the years who were inspired by Monsignor Ward’s vision and who contributed so generously, their time, talents and efforts, to bring it to reality. Ad Multos Annos. _____________________ Paddy Bradley Chairman, Board of Governors December 2008 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: Mr D A Lambon Chairman, Board of Governors: Mr P Bradley Enrolment: 1070 Admissions No: 153 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 2007/2008 ......................................... 1 Subject Choice 2007/2008 .................................................................................. 2 Annual Attendance Rates and Leavers’ Destinations ...................................... 3 Public Examination Results ............................................................................... 4 Education for Mutual Understanding (EMU) ..................................................... 8 Activities and Achievements 2007/2008 ............................................................ 9 Travel .................................................................................................................. 27 Becta Award ...................................................................................................... 29 Standard Inspection .......................................................................................... 30 Comenius Project 2005-2008 ............................................................................ 31 Child Protection ................................................................................................ 33 Sports Review 2007/2008 .................................................................................. 34 Careers Education and Guidance .................................................................... 42 The Curriculum 2007/2008 ................................................................................ 44 Staff Development and Training ...................................................................... 46 Specialist School .............................................................................................. 47 Security .............................................................................................................. 50 Financial Statement .......................................................................................... 51 St. Mary’s Souvenir Leaflet .............................................................................. 52 St. Mary’s Grammar School Annual Report MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2007/2008 Mr P Bradley 1 Chairman Monsignor O’Bryne 1 Deputy Chairman Miss E Bradley 1 Mrs M Hughes 1 Mr J McBrien 1 Mrs M Brown 3 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 St. Mary’s Grammar School Page 1 Annual Report SUBJECT CHOICE 2007/2008 GCSE LEVEL Additional Mathematics Home Economics Art and Design ICT Biology Irish Child Development Mathematics Chemistry Music Drama Physical Education Economics Physics English Religious Studies English Literature Science – Double Award French Spanish Geography Technology and Design History GCE AS 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 Further Mathematics Spanish Geography Theatre Studies Health and Social Care GCE A 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 St. Mary’s Grammar School Page 2 Annual Report ANNUAL ATTENDANCE RATES AND LEAVERS’ DESTINATIONS ANNUAL ATTENDANCE RATES Annual Attendance Rates Number of possible Number of % Attendance attendance sessions sessions attended 393942 376388 95.5 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 20 0 55 40 0 5 0 13 1 0 0 0 0 100 0 14 135 96.3 1.5 0 0 2.2 0 Grand 156 83.4 8.3 5.1 0 3.2 0 Total School Leavers' Destinations 140 120 100 80 Year 12 60 Year 13 Year 14 40 20 0 Number Of Leavers HE FE Another School Training/Apprentice Employment/ Gap Other/Unknown Year St. Mary’s Grammar School Page 3 Annual Report PUBLIC EXAMINATION RESULTS KEY STAGE 3 SUMMARY OF RESULTS Year No of pupils in Year 10 2007/2008 151 % achieving Level 5 % achieving Level 6 % achieving Level 7 % achieving Level 8 or above or above or above or above St. N.Ireland St. N.Ireland St. N.Ireland St. N.Ireland Mary’s Grammar Mary’s Grammar Mary’s Grammar Mary’s Grammar School School School School Average Average Average Average Teacher Eng 100 99.6 96.7 91.9 63.6 49.1 N/A N/A Assessment External 100 45.5 98.7 39.7 59.6 18.9 N/A N/A Test Teacher Maths 100 99.5 100 92.8 90.8 64.3 27.2 15.5 Assessment External 100 48.7 100 44.8 85.4 32.1 25.8 6.8 Test Teacher Science 100 42.7 99.4 39.4 74.2 24.7 30.5 5.6 Assessment External 99.4 38.0 95.4 32.0 60.3 17.3 13.9 3.3 Test (2007) (2007) (2007) (2007) * 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+’ Key Stage 3 tests in all subjects and Teacher Assessment in Science are now voluntary St. Mary’s Grammar School Page 4 Annual Report 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