6 Glenburn Park, Bangor, Co. Down. BT20 5RG BOARD OF GOVERNORS 17TH ANNUAL REPORT TO PARENTS 2012/13 CONTENTS Page 1. Contents 1 2. Chairman’s Remarks 2 3. Board of Governors 3 4. Principal’s Report 4 5. School Holidays 5 6. Child Protection 6 7. School Aims/Vision/Curriculum/Assessment 7 - 9 8. Musical Events 10 - 11 9. Sporting Activities 12 - 14 11. To Pastures New 15 APPENDIX A. School Accounts 16 - 19 6 Glenburn Park, Bangor, Co Down, BT20 5RG CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS Dear Parent, 2013 is another landmark year for B.P.S., being 60 years since the school opened. Ballyholme has always enjoyed a reputation for high standards in education and I am pleased to say that it remains a school of which we can be proud. As Governors we would like to congratulate the staff and pupils for their achievements in many fields – academic, sporting , music and many others. But most important is the ethos of caring that prevails throughout the school with children respecting one another and all the needs of each pupil being considered by the staff under the leadership of the Principal. Yours sincerely, JENNIFER GRAHAM BOARD OF GOVERNORS Principal: Mr D A Hewitt B.Ed., Dip.Sc. Tel: 028 91270392 Fax: 028 91270158 BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2009 – 2013 Board Representatives:- Cllr P Weir Mrs D Johnston Transferors’ Representatives:- Miss J Graham (Chairman) Mr I Bailie Rev P Lyle (Vice-chairman) Rev S Doogan Parents’ Representatives:- Mrs K Walker Mr N Morrison Teachers’ Representative:- Mrs H McCracken Principal Mr D Hewitt (Hon Secretary) PRINCIPAL’S REPORT The school year began even before the previous one had ended it seemed, as new P1 pupils attended our induction programme in June. September came with over 600 pupils commencing school, bringing with them the usual mix of eager pupils of various abilities and challenging behaviours. As well as the hard work that goes in to learning and teaching the core subjects, a large number of our pupils benefit from the musical and sporting opportunities presented at various times throughout the year. In October ’12 a group of P6 pupils performed in the Mac Theatre Belfast as part of the Queen’s Festival. This was a very different venture for them, yet the pupils enjoyed the whole experience. The after schools programme is quite extensive. Of note this year, were the pupils who qualified as N.I.Champions in both trampoline and sports acro gymnastics - both groups making the journey to England for UK Finals. We continue our sporting link with the Belfast Giants and also N.D. Athletic Club with many pupils now members there. Outside visitors play a part in extending our horizons and this year was no exception with such people as Geoff Rich (Status Quo drummer), Michael Mc Killop (Paralympics Gold Medallist), Craig Gilroy (Ulster and Ireland rugby player and former pupil) to name just three people who impressed both pupils and staff. Our swimmers were successful at Irish Schools level, taking many gold medals and the Ballyholme Chorale sang at a Peace Proms at the Waterfront Hall. All that in the first half of the school year. During the remainder of the year, that level of involvement and performance continued with Choral and Speech Festivals, Hockey, Soccer and Athletic competitions, as well as P7 residential weeks at Killyleagh Outdoor Centre. Towards the end of the year Mrs Best acquired a permanent teaching position in Rathmore P.S. and Mrs Magowan retired from teaching after over 20 years service in Ballyholme. Challenges are many - particularly those handed down from the Department of Education without due thought and planning into how they will impact at a school level. However, in Ballyholme we have a dedicated staff who do much beyond the expected contractual time to ensure our pupils benefit and the school remains at the forefront of educational change. This requires effort, patience and time and I commend staff who willingly give of these attributes in order to provide a very good educational experience for all pupils. So as staff, pupils and parents work together, I am confident that we can continue to make changes ensuring the best possible educational experiences for our pupils. SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2013 – 14 (Inclusive Dates) School commences: Wednesday 28th August 2013 - 9.00 am – 12 noon - no lunch served Thursday 29th August 2013 - 9.00 am – 12 noon – no lunch served Friday 30th August 201 - 9.00 am – 12 noon – no lunch served Exceptional Closure - Staff Wednesday 30th September 2013 Development Day Halloween Monday 28th October 2013 – Friday 1st November 2013 Christmas Monday 23rd December 2013 – Wednesday 1st January 2014 Exceptional Closure - Staff Thursday 2nd January & Friday 3rd January 2014 Development Days School recommences Monday 6th January 2014 Mid Term Monday 17th - Friday 21st February 2014 Easter Monday14th April 2014 – Friday 25th April 2014 May Day Monday 6th May 2014 Exceptional Closure- Staff Monday 26th May 2013 Development Day Friday 27th June 2014 Term Ends Lunch will not be served on Friday 27th June At the end of each term ie Christmas, Easter and Summer pupils will be released from school at: 12 noon P1 & P2 12.10 pm P3 & P4 12.20 pm P5, P6, P7 Staff Development Days: The Department of Education has agreed 5 closures for school year 2012/2013. Day 1 Friday 30th September 2013 Day 2 Thursday 2nd January 2014 Day 3 Friday 3rd January 2014 Day 4 Monday 5th May 2014 Day 5 Monday 26th May 2014 CHILD PROTECTION LEGISLATION If there is concern about a child’s welfare the relevant contact people are: 1. Designated Teacher – Mrs P Rothwell. 2. Deputy Designated Teachers– Mrs H McCracken T.Henry SCHOOL AIMS 1. To provide a secure and caring learning environment which promotes respect and co-operation within the school community. 2. To deliver a broad and balanced curriculum, which fulfils the requirements of the Education Order. 3. To encourage independence, self-worth and self-discipline in preparation for adult life. 4. To help each child achieve full potential through the promotion of spiritual, moral, cultural, intellectual and physical development. 5. To develop high personal standards of work and behaviour. 6. To develop a partnership between home, school and the wider community. VISION STATEMENT Ballyholme Primary School is a caring school where everyone is welcomed, valued and respected. It is a happy school, where all, individually and together, play a part in developing pride in self, in school, in others and work towards developing their potential in becoming responsible future citizens. THE CURRICULUM In addition to the delivery of the Northern Ireland Curriculum, we endeavour to build self-confidence, self-esteem, a sense of responsibility and a respect for the property and feelings of others. A variety of teaching approaches is adopted, based on practical experience whenever possible, with children working in class, small group and individual situations. All classes go on educational visits, the Primary 6 and 7 classes enjoying residential experiences. There are 21 classes of mixed ability plus specialist teachers for music and physical education and maths support. A full time teacher is employed as Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, with part- time staff supporting literacy and numeracy. The statutory assessment procedures are now in place with each child receiving an Annual Report, inclusive of levels at end of P4 and P7, and the Primary 7’s receiving a Record of Achievement at the end of June. Parents also have an opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher on 2 formal occasions in the year to discuss progress. Parents are encouraged to maintain contact with their child’s teacher and the principal is happy to meet with parents who may have a concern about their child’s progress or welfare. END OF KEY STAGE 1 RESULTS 2013 The expected level for a pupil at the end of Key State 1 is Level 2. The tables below show the levels attained by pupils in Ballyholme Primary and the Northern Ireland summary. Communication Communication Percentage of pupils Percentage of pupils Level achieving this level in achieving this level in Ballyholme PS Northern Ireland Working towards 1 0 0.85 1 4.6 9.64 2 65.5 70.91 3 29.9 18.59 Using Maths Using mathematics Percentage of pupils Percentage of pupils Level achieving this level in achieving this level in Ballyholme PS Northern Ireland Working towards 1 0 0.75 1 3.4 9.03 2 75.9 71.0 3 20.7 19.22 END OF KEY STAGE 2 RESULTS 2013 The expected level for a pupil at the end of Key State 2 is Level 4. The tables below show the levels attained by pupils in Ballyholme Primary and the Northern Ireland summary. Communication Communication Percentage of pupils Percentage of pupils Level achieving this level in achieving this level in Ballyholme PS Northern Ireland Working towards 1 0 0.10 1 0 0.52 2 2.3 3.93 3 17.0 18.91 4 50.0 60.12 5 30.70 16.43 Using Mathematics Using mathematics Percentage of pupils Percentage of pupils Level achieving this level in achieving this level in Ballyholme PS Northern Ireland Working towards 1 0 0.10 1 0 0.52 2 2.3 3.55 3 17.0 17.91 4 45.5 55.03 5 35.2 22.90 MUSIC REPORT 2012/13 The school year had barely started when we received an invitation to take part in an innovative dance-drama in the newly opened Mac Theatre in Belfast as part of Belfast Festival at Queen's.