News from the Integrated Education Movement in Learning Issue 6 Together 07

in this issue

Demand for Integrated Trevor Phillips OBE gives a Education Continues Public Lecture on Education Soundhouse at Hazelwood New enrolment statistics Launched for Integrated Education in September 2007 reveal that there are now 62 integrated Martin McGuinness Opens schools in Northern Ireland Sperrin IC educating 19,183 children compared to 61 schools and 18,733 enrolments in Clogher Valley IPS Takes September 2006. The annual Centre Stage for Special gathering of enrolment data Visitors also revealed that 753 pupils were turned away due to lack of places, indicating that there Le £100,000 Grand Bal still continues to be strong parental demand despite the demographic downturn in pupil numbers across Northern Halloween being celebrated by pupils Kailey Smith, Sophia Ireland schools. Armstrong and Michael Miskimmon from Kircubbin Controlled Integrated Primary School, which transformed to integrated status in 1998. At this time of year, in the autumn term, development Successful parental ballots which have taken proposals are submitted to the Department place recently include the Model Primary of Education, either from parent groups School in Ballymoney, High seeking approval of new Grant Maintained School and Cliftonville Primary School in Integrated schools or from schools wishing to . Straidhavern Primary School, near transform to integrated status. Blackwater Nutts Corner, has recently approached the Integrated College (the merger of Rowallane Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Integrated College and Academy) is Education (NICIE) to inquire about hoping to receive approval to build a new transformation and the governors and parents Grant Maintained Integrated school in the have resolved to proceed to ballot before the area to satisfy the growing demand end of Autumn term. However, each school from parents who want an integrated choice which seeks to transform must produce a for their children. Knockbreda Primary School, robust, viable and sustainable development Belfast, and Conlig Primary School, near proposal if they are to have any chance of , have submitted their second success. If you have any stories that you development proposals, both having had would like included in future similar projects turned down last year. Once Deborah Girvan, NICIE and IEF Communications Manager said, “We are very pleased at the Integrated Education newsletters the public consultation process has been then please contact Kyra Hunter at completed, Caitríona Ruane, the Minister for growing interest in transformation. However, Education, will announce her decision on we recognise that each potential transforming NICIE or Siobhan McKenna at IEF these projects which is expected by the end of school must be viewed on its own merit December or early New Year. taking into consideration enrolment numbers, religious balance, the demography of the Email: [email protected] The past few months has seen a flurry of surrounding area and that there is genuine Phone: 028 9023 6200 parental ballots from controlled schools commitment from the parents and staff to wishing to transform to integrated status. embark on the transformation journey.” Email: [email protected] Phone: 028 9033 0031 Learning Together Issue 6 2007

News in Brief Martin McGuinness Opens Sperrin Integrated College

In 2001, when he was Minister for Education, Omagh Martin McGuinness approved funding for a new college in Magherafelt, Sperrin Integrated College. The deputy First Minister returned Integrated to open the college’s new premises on 26 October. The Minister said: “It is a pleasure to be Primary asked to perform the official opening of such a valuable resource for education. This is particularly so since I was in at the start of School this initiative and am here again to mark its Martin McGuinness (deputy First Minister), Deborah Girvan (NICIE and IEF Communications completion.” Welcomes Manager) and Michael Wardlow (NICIE CEO) its 300th The Launch of the Integrated Pupil Education Roadshows The Roadshow, which will tour Northern Ireland, aims to inform the public about Integrated Education and promote the positive benefits of educating children in integrated schools, where Catholic and Protestant children, along with other faiths and none, are educated together. Representatives from NICIE and the IEF will be setting up a stand in shopping centres and libraries up and down the country. The Roadshows will give parents the opportunity to ask questions about Integrated Education, explain how integrated schools differ from the Zhang Peng Cai with Principal Eric other sectors, and also promote the Bullick Fort Hill CIC pupils visit the Integrated Education Roadshow in Bow integrated schools which are located Street Mall, on 17 November in the area. Omagh Integrated Primary School offers a warm welcome to Zhan Date Venue Town Peng Cai its 300th pupil. Zhang Monday 5th November Quay’s Shopping Centre Peng arrived in Omagh with his th parents in the Summer and he Thursday 8 November Tesco Ballymoney Day Date Month Venue Town joins a growing number of pupils Saturday 10th November Erneside Shopping Centre Enniskillen whose parents are working far th Monday 5 Nov Quays Shopping Centre Newry Thursday 15 November Lurgan Library Lurgan from their homeland. Despite Saturday 17th November Bow Street Mall - outside Dunnes Lisburn Thursday 8 Nov Tesco Ballymoney the rapid growth of the school th Saturday 10 Nov Erneside Shopping Centre Enniskillen over the past 17 years, the staff Saturday 17 November ASDA Strabane have succeeded in maintaining Saturday 24th November Tesco Dungannon Thursday 15 Nov Lurgan Library the warm family atmosphere Tuesday 27th November ASDA Saturday 17 Nov Bow Street Mall of a much smaller school. Thursday 6th December Tesco Antrim Saturday 17 Nov ASDA Saturday 12th January ASDA Omagh Saturday 24 Nov Tesco Saturday 19th January Foyleside Shopping Centre L’Derry Tuesday 27 Nov ASDA Thursday 6 Dec Tesco The Integrated Education movement Saturday 12 Jan ASDA Omagh Saturday 19 Jan Foyleside Shopping Centre L’Derry wishes all its supporters a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Out and About with Politicians

The Integrated Education movement has been continuing to lobby local MLAs from all the parties over the last couple of months. NICIE has been represented at each of the party political conferences and found this a very useful networking opportunity. The MLAs themselves have been visiting integrated schools in their constituencies and learning what Integrated Education really means in practice. NICIE and IEF’s NI Lobbyist, Pam Tilson, has also been interacting with the MLAs and ensuring that the agenda of children being educated together remains Avril Hall Callaghan (General Secretary of the Michelle Gildernew (Sinn Fein Fermanagh and Ulster Teachers’ Union), Pam Tilson (NI Lobbyist at the forefront of their minds. South Tyrone MP and MLA) visited Clogher Valley for NICIE and IEF), Dawn Purvis (leader of the If you would like information on lobbying, or on Integrated Primary School on 28 September. She PUP) and Ian McKay (Outreach Officer for NICIE how you could invite your local MLAs to visit your is pictured with Andrea Gilbert (the Principal), and IEF) at the PUP Conference on 13 October Deborah Girvan (NICIE and IEF Communications school then please contact Pam Tilson at NICIE on Manager) and pupils from the school (028) 9023 6200 or 0780 3235362. The Launch of the Integrated Education Roadshows

Edwin Poots (Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure) at the opening of a new state-of-the art synthetic pitch and sporting pavilion at Erne Integrated College, Enniskillen, on 19 October

Mark Durkan (leader of the SDLP) with his daughter Lady Sylvia Hermon (UUP MP for North Down) and Caitríona Ruane (Education Minister) with Dearbhail and Pam Tilson (NI Lobbyist for NICIE and Stephen Farry (Alliance MLA and Mayor of North Emmett Gallagher and Stuart Hyndman from IEF) at the SDLP Conference on 3 November Down) at Priory Controlled Integrated College’s recent Groarty Controlled Integrated Primary School, Celebration of Achievement on 26 October L’Derry, on 3 October

Soundhouse at Hazelwood Launched Hazelwood IC recently launched The Soundhouse™ network was their brand new in-school launched in Australia in 1994 and multimedia and music technology now boasts membership from centre. The Soundhouse™ facility schools and institutions not only is the first of its kind in Europe throughout Australia but also and was officially opened in around the world. September. Eileen Lenehan, Principal, said, ‘This will provide an excellent The new state-of-the-art resource opportunity for our students in was made possible through cutting-edge music technology the Soundhouse™ Alliance in and we are proud to be part of this Melbourne and The Australian network.” Hazelwood was recently Ireland Fund who provided the granted Specialist Schools status in Dr Joe McKee (City of Belfast School of Music), Briona Gill (Chatswood funding to set up the facility. Digital Arts. High School Sydney), Heather Lowry (Director of Music Hazelwood IC), Sarah Martin and Samantha McDowell (both pupils from Hazelwood IC) Learning Together Issue 6 2007 Integrated Message Rowallane Taken to USA Says Thanks Rowallane IC held a special reception and evening of entertainment in November to show their appreciation for the support given by the many donors, supporters and advocates, parents and pupils to the College over the past two years. Speaking at the event the Principal, Dr Olwen Griffith, said “Rowallane Integrated College is indebted to all its funders and supporters who have played a huge role in the development of the school. We are confident that with growing parental demand for integrated provision in mid- Down this support will continue.”

John Fitzpatrick (CEO Fitzpatrick Hotel Group), actors Ciaran Hinds, Geraldine Hughes and Liam Neeson, with Baroness May Blood. Baroness May Blood, Paul Caskey, Dr Olwen and Paul also undertook visits to New York Griffith and two students from Rowallane and Washington to attend a series of events IC, Erin Doherty and Shannon McMullan, and meetings. At a reception held at the visited the United States last month to Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel in New York, raise awareness of Integrated Education leading home grown Hollywood stars Ciaran and say thank you to The Ireland Funds for Hinds, Geraldine Hughes and Liam Neeson Geraldine Tigchelaar with Christine and Herman their support for our work. Olwen and the joined Baroness May Blood to help raise the Harpur, and Gerald Steinberg students were special guests at The American profile of Integrated Education. (Photo courtesy of Kris Tait Photography) Ireland Fund Boston Gala Dinner, whilst May Clogher Valley IPS Takes Centre Launch of ‘Integrate to Accumulate’ Stage for Special Visitors In a new controversial and ground- breaking book, authors Tony Carson Children attending Clogher Valley and Cy Jamison look at the risks to Integrated Primary School recently played any society of allowing segregation host to two special visitors, Minister for and sectarianism to create conflict Agriculture Michelle Gildernew on 28 and division. The thesis of the book is September and the new United States that Integrated Education builds social Consul General to Northern Ireland, Susan cohesion and social capital, which Elliott on 19 October. have a direct impact on boosting economic growth. US Consul General Susan Elliott’s visit is the latest in a long line of high profile The book focuses primarily on the endorsements by Washington and the State social and economic gains that can be Department of the contribution made to made from creating a more integrated peace and reconciliation by the Integrated society, motivated by that society’s own Education movement. It was also the children. This accessible book provides Consul General’s first school visit since her US Consul General, Susan Elliott on her visit to a study of the impact of integrated arrival in Northern Ireland. Clogher Valley IPS education on societies across the world. Andrea Gilbert, Principal of Clogher Valley Both of the VIPs met with staff and pupils Priced at £10, plus postage and IPS, said “It was a tremendous honour to learn more about recent developments packaging, the authors will donate to welcome Susan Elliott and Michelle at the school and they were also given all proceeds from this book to the Gildernew to our school, particularly as a tour of the newly expanded school Integrated Education Fund. To order Northern Ireland is moving into a new era accommodation. a copy of the book please contact of reconciliation.” Gemma Marlowe on (028) 9033 0031 or [email protected] Learning Together Issue 6 2007

Le £100,000 Grand Bal News in Brief

New E-Learning Centre Opens at Integrated

Barry McGuigan and Eddie Jordan US Consul General, Susan Elliott and Sir Reg Empey Primary School

Former World Featherweight Champion Irish rugby shirt signed by First Minister, Ian and winner of Hell’s Kitchen 2007, Barry Paisley and Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuigan, hosted a star-studded gala event McGuinness which sold for the staggering in support of the Integrated Education price of £6,000. Fund in Northern Ireland on Saturday 20th October, which raised over £100,000 Barry McGuigan said “As a patron of the for integrated schools across Northern Integrated Education movement it was Ireland. One of Northern Ireland’s leading a privilege for me to host this event for companies, BC Plant JCB Ltd co-ordinated Integrated Education in Northern Ireland. the event. Themed on 18th Century France, We raised a fantastic amount of money ‘Le Grand Bal’ was held at the Europa Hotel, which will help to safeguard the future of Belfast and was an extravaganza of comedy, integrated schools in Northern Ireland, in music and dancing. particular Clogher Valley Integrated Primary School and Rowallane Integrated College.” The night’s entertainment included Senator Maurice Hayes, Dorinda Lady Dunleath and Geraldine Tigchelaar OBE performances by comic legend Frank IEF Fundraising Manager Brian Small, said “There are many people that we owe our join pupils from Portaferry IPS Carson, founder and former owner of Jordan (Photo courtesy of Kris Tait Photography) Grand Prix, Eddie Jordan with his band thanks to, who helped make the event such Senator Maurice Hayes, one of The Robbers, as well as an appearance by a huge success including all our volunteers Ireland’s most distinguished public Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy. and the many people and organisations who generously supported this event by servants and former chairman There was a series of exclusive auction donating auction prizes, money and their of The Ireland Funds, the world’s items, including the opportunity to bid for time. While we cannot mention each and largest charitable foundation of the first right-hand drive Fiat 500 in the UK every one, the Integrated Education Fund Irish Diaspora, officially opened a and a signed guitar by Snow Patrol. Other owes a huge debt of gratitude to Alison new E-Learning and Special Needs auction prizes included two exclusive tickets and Philip Chick whose vision, commitment Centre at Portaferry Integrated to the MTV Europe Music Awards in Munich and long hours of planning made this event Primary School in October. which went for £4,000 and an authentic such a wonderful and rewarding occasion.“ The new centre will provide all children attending the school with opportunities for E-learning and will also provide appropriate space and resources for teaching children with special educational needs.

The new centre will be named The Australian E-Learning and Special Needs Centre Choir from Hazelwood Integrated College Philip and Alison Chick, daughters Sarah and and will further enhance the Victoria, with Stephen and Karen Chick, Barry broad range of educational McGuigan, and Joy and David Chick support provided to children at the school and make the school outstanding in terms of technology and special needs provision.

The funding of £50,600 needed for the facility was generously provided by the Sir Warwick Fairfax Trust and The Australian Lord Dubs with US Consul General, Hollyoaks star, Gerard McCarthy, with Alison Chick, Barry McGuigan and Ireland Fund. Susan Elliott, and Baroness May Blood Barry McGuigan Baroness May Blood Learning Together Issue 6 2007 Trevor Phillips OBE Public Lecture Success On 21 November Trevor Phillips OBE came to News in Brief the Lecture Theatre at W5, Odyssey Pavilion, to European Day give a public lecture on ‘The Role of Education in Promoting Equality and Social Cohesion’. at Shimna Trevor Phillips became the Chair of the new Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on 1 October 2007. The EHRC is responsible Integrated for enforcing equality legislation on age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and transgender status and will also College promote human rights. Bishop Donal McKeown, Michael Wardlow (NICIE CEO) and Rev Ian Ellis Trevor Phillips said: “We face greater, more rapid social and demographic change than at The event was sponsored by the Community any time in living memory, testing our ability Relations Council and it brought together to cope with our differences to the utmost. In leading stakeholders in education, human these unsettling times, Northern Ireland has an rights and equality organisations. Duncan important role to teach the world how to deal Morrow, Chief Executive of CRC said, “If we with the challenge of living together. are serious about creating a fair and open society, then the question of what and how “Nothing is more powerful in achieving we teach our children and young people is social cohesion than education. In the daily crucial. Without an inclusive approach to our experience of school, college and university life differences, then all projects for justice will fall our common humanity and aspirations can be apart in competition and recrimination. Trevor more powerful than our differences; and we Philips has been a key voice in forcing us to pay look to the young to start building a society attention to these critical issues.” based on fairness and respect rather than Pupils and staff at Shimna IC enjoying their prejudice and stereotypes.” This public lecture, which was supported by European Day NICIE, the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS), the Northern Ireland Human Shimna Integrated College, Newcastle, Rights Commission, the Equality Commission celebrated the annual community event with for Northern Ireland, and the Office of the First a variety of activities, including Salsa classes, Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), international food, a quiz with students from also included an address by Caitríona Ruane, Down Academy, teachers teaching in another the Minister for Education. language (and being judged by the pupils!) and a foreign film night. Caitríona Ruane said: “Education has a huge contribution to make in shaping young citizens who are at ease in a diverse and inclusive The Speakers at the public lecture: society, and who are confident in their Frances McCandless (NICVA Policy Director), own identity and respectful of others. It is Eamonn O’Neill (Commissioner of NI Human Rights important that our communities of learning Dates for your diary Commission), Trevor Phillips (Chair of the Equality are models of that vision so that equality and Integrated Education and Human Rights Commission), Caitriona Ruane inclusion are both learned and experienced (Minister for Education) and Bob Collins (Chief directly by our young people.” Week 2008 Commissioner of Equality Commission NI) Monday 3rd March – Friday 7th March 2008 Join us on Facebook and show your support for Integrated Education

Facebook is a worldwide phenomenon that started in 2004 as a University social networking website that allows people to communicate

with their friends and exchange information. It Integrated Education Fund currently has over 42 million active members 41-43 University Street, Belfast BT7 1FY worldwide. Tel: 028 9033 0031 Fax: 028 9033 0061 E-mail: [email protected] Go to www.facebook.com to sign up for your Website: www.ief.org.uk own Facebook account, or search the groups to join “The Support Forum for the Integrated Education movement in Northern Ireland.” As a member of the Support Forum you will receive information on upcoming events and also be able to get in touch with others involved with Pupils at an integrated college working together Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education the Integrated Education Movement. 13-19 University Road, Belfast BT7 1NA Tel: 028 9023 6200 Fax: 028 9023 6237 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.nicie.org