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. __________________ 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. _____________________ 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 St Mary’s Grammar School Page 1 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 St Mary’s Grammar School Page 2 Annual Report 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 St Mary’s Grammar School Page 3 Annual Report 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