INTEGRATED EDUCATION 3 2 INTEGRATED EDUCATION WEDNESDAY JANUARY 5 2011 WEDNESDAY JANUARY 5 2011 CONTENTS 4 Ballymoney IPS is a ‘model’ school 6 Saints and Scholars IPS and the wonderful woodland classroom 8 Hazelwood IPS pupils are Forest School Project pioneers 12 Shimna Integrated College goes from strength to strength 16 Author’s inspiration for Malone Integrated College students 17 Surf’s up for Mill Strand IPS 18 Two decades of success for Portadown IPS 20 Forging ahead for a quarter of a century From children in the playground to 21 Out and about at Lough View teenage students such as the ones from Shimna Integrated College (right), integrated education in Northern IPS Ireland has many benefits — not just for pupils but for society as a whole 24 Oakwood IPS’s award success Integrated Education —it is an truly 31 NICIE Chief Executive Noreen Campbell explains the system inspirational story of success and growth CREDITS & CONTACTS 30 YEARS ago this month, a group of parents and reconciliation rather than one which INTEGRATED SCHOOLS ARE: have friends from the ‘other side', to have ADVERTISING held the first meeting which would lead to perpetuates division. • structured to ensure mutual respect of them in greater numbers and to maintain Salesforce NI the establishment of Lagan College, the Their pioneering action has inspired both major traditions and of others these friendships into adulthood. [email protected] first planned integrated college in others ever since and there are now 61 • are inclusive and welcoming to all, cele- Young adults who have been educated in Northern Ireland. integrated schools, 40 of which have been brating diversity integrated schools are more optimistic about Lagan College opened its doors in founded by parents as planned • are all ability and co educational the potential for building good community ADVERTISING MANAGER September 1981 with 29 students. 30 years integrated schools and 21 through a parental • are child centred where the school is relations. Anne Nelson on Lagan College is one of the most success- vote for transformation to inte grated status. structured around the needs of the individ- INTEGRATED EDUCATION WORKS [email protected] ful schools in Northern Ireland with an en- This parental movement is unique; there ual child, committed to the holistic develop- More than 20,000 young people are ben- rolment of 1,200 students and, along with is no other country in the world where par- ment of the child efiting from an integrated education. Each Slemish Integrated College, is the most ents have taken the initiative and estab- • built on a partnership with parents year the numbers seeking this type of edu- PRODUCTION oversubscribed second level school in North- lished the type of schools which they judged cation grows. Complete Newspaper Solutions ern Ireland. would be best both for their children and for The educational excellence of our schools The wisdom, courage and vision of those Those courageous parents, supported by the future of society. is testified through academic outcomes and original parents has been vindicated through [email protected] All Children Together, tapped into a desire Much interest has been shown in this in- through inspection. the demand of parents for and the continu- shared by many — the desire to see their chil- tegrated movement and our schools are Academic research fills in the rest of the ing growth of schools where children learn EDITORIAL CONTENT dren educated together, the desire to see an among the most researched in the world and picture: young adults who have been educat- together, side by side, with each other, from Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) educational system which promotes respect have received global acclamation. ed in the integrated sector are more likely to each other and about each other. INTEGRATED EDUCATION WEDNESDAY JANUARY 5 2011 INTEGRATED EDUCATION 5 An open letter to parents ... A — There are 20 integrated colleges finding out anything more about any of Dear parent ... across Northern Ireland. There will be the colleges listed, you should contact one within a reasonable distance from the school directly, attend the school's This is the time of year when you decide on the your home. open day/evening and/or arrange a visit second level school of choice for your child. There and a meeting with the principal. are many questions on your minds as you seek to In this supplement, you will find the make the right choice: names, addresses and contact details of Integrated education gets the thumbs up all the schools. If you are interested in from Slemish Integrated College students Q — WHAT WILL MY CHILD GAIN FROM AN INTE- GRATED EDUCATION? A — If your child attends an integrated pri- P7 pupils from Ballymoney CIPS during the performance of The Peace Child mary school, then you are aware of the bene- fits that s/he receives through being able to meet children from other communities and different backgrounds. Excelling both inside If you are not involved with integrated edu- cation then you can expect: and outside school • educational excellence through a wide ranging curriculum • friendships across the religious and wider di- THE Department of Education with all schools in the Ballymoney vide in an inclusive environment granted conditional transformation area and the number of Governors • access to an extended range of extra curricu- to integrated status for Ballymoney increased to fourteen with increased lar activities Model Primary School, following representation from parents • high expectations of all students with target- the positive result of a parental bal- and teachers. ed support within academic studies to meet in- lot in 2007. At present there are four parent dividual needs In 1856, Ballymoney Model School Governors and four parents who • a stimulating programme of local and global was built at a cost of £1.878 on a site have been elected as Board or De- studies not too distant from the present partment representatives: • a warm and welcoming environment where one. In total 12 ‘Model Schools’ We embarked upon ‘The Rights each young person is nurtured and developed. were built in Northern Ireland — the Respecting School’ programme — an original objectives being “the promo- initiative supported by UNICEF. Q MUST MY CHILD DO A SELECTION TEST IN tion of united [integrated] educa- A breakfast club was started ORDER TO GAIN ENTRY INTO AN INTEGRATED tion,” improved methods of literary to promote healthy eating and COLLEGE? and scientific education and the help parents who may have to training of teachers. travel some distance to their place A No. Your child can apply for a place in any The Department's decision reaf- of employment. integrated college without having to sit a test. firmed the original ideals. For the first time we had two chil- Having successfully obtained dren who were prepared for their Q — HOW DO I KNOW THAT MY CHILD WILL greater than 10% of the P1 enrolment sacraments by a member of staff. ACHIEVE ACADEMICALLY AT AN INTEGRATED from the minority community in We continued to obtain impres- COLLEGE? September 2009, the school was sive results in statutory assessments granted Controlled Integrated Sta- and at the end of June 2010, year 7 A — Integrated colleges have consistently tus from September 1, 2009. children were admitted to eight dif- delivered excellent exam results at GCSE and The first year as an Integrated ferent post primary schools. A level. Our schools closely monitor and tar- School has been completed and it is We continued to provide a wide get student achievement. Each school will a year in which our school commu- variety of after school activities — have its own story of student successes. nity has taken many positive steps to both sporting and non-sporting. Contact them directly for more details. ensure that the pupils are being pre- Individually many children ob- pared for a shared future. tained successes at the Coleraine Q — WHAT CAN I EXPECT AS A PARENT? The entire staff is committed to Music Festival and at the Road Safe- building upon its sound academic ty Public Speaking Competition. A — Parental involvement is one of the key foundations and already well estab- The school teams were victori- principles of integrated education. As a parent lished links with the community. ous in the local Credit Union Quiz, you can expect: We provide an environment where the PSNI Community Relations the children will be encouraged to Quiz, the Ballymoney Primary • a programme of induction for your child become good citizens and be able to Schools' Swimming Gala and Divi- • close on-going contact with you, the parent live in an increasingly challenging sion Two of the Killowen Cup Foot- •comprehensive reporting on your child's and multi-cultural society. ball Tournament. progress Ballymoney Model Controlled In- The end of the first year as an In- • an opportunity to be involved in school events tegrated Primary School offers its tegrated School was marked by the •an opportunity for structural involvement pupils a particularly broad and bal- Primary 7 pupils' production of a through parents' council and board of governors anced curriculum within a happy wonderful and thought provoking and caring environment. We recog- musical entitled The Peace Child. Q — HOW DO I APPLY FOR A PLACE IN AN INTE- nise that all of us in school have a This musical told the story — set GRATED SCHOOL? very significant impact on the lives in the mythical land of Mambica — and ultimately the futures of of two tribes, the Wannakeekee our children. and Sotongi, whose lifestyles and During the first year as an values differed. integrated school, staff attended With continued careful planning, training courses dealing with Ballymoney Model Controlled In- issues that will confront our children tegrated Primary School will play an in the days ahead as our society even more important role in provid- continues to grow and become ing an enriched learning environ- more diversified.