St Mary’s Primary School 43 / 48 Melmount Road Strabane · St Mary’s Primary School 43 / 48...

St Mary’s Primary School 43 / 48 Melmount Road

Strabane

Principal: Mrs Sandra O’Doherty Tel: 71382422

GOVERNORS’ REPORT

TO PARENTS

2015-2016

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St Mary’s Primary School is situated in the Parish of Melmount. The school opened in 2012 as a result of the amalgamation of St Mary’s Boys’ and St Mary’s Girls’ Primary schools. We have an enrolment of 728 pupils, 622 primary school pupils and 106 nursery pupils. The permanent staff comprises of the Principal, 2 Vice-Principals, 31 teachers and 27 classroom assistants (mainly special needs). The school operates on multiple sites, St Mary’s Nursery Ballycolman, Junior School (including Melmount Nursery and P1-P4) and the Senior School (P5 – 7). The Staff of the school are to be commended for their continued hard work and commitment during the fourth year of the amalgamation. They are to be commended on their continued provision of this caring, supportive and safe environment for the development of all children’s talents and abilities during the year. During this year we said good-bye to some of our long serving members of staff, Mrs Duffy who was replaced by Miss Donaghey, Mrs Mc Namee, Mrs Curran and Miss Lagan. Miss Mc Menamin also took a Career Break this year and was replaced by Mrs Mc Cauley. This report is intended to give an overall view of the work of the school and how Governors and others with responsibility for the school have carried out their duties. The Education Reform Order places a duty on the Board of Governors of each school to prepare an Annual Report.

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January 2016 Dear Parents I have just completed my 4th year as Chairperson of the Board of Governors of St. Mary’s Primary School and I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the following people. I thank you the parents for your co-operation and support throughout the last four years of St Mary’s. The school would not be the success that it is without the role that you play. The dedicated work by the Principal and her staff is shown on a daily basis by the way the children are taught and by the way the school is run. Thank you all very much. A special word of thanks to Fr. Doherty, our School Chaplain, for his attentiveness and guidance throughout the year. My thanks must also go to the secretarial staff, building supervisors, classroom assistants, lunchtime supervisors and cleaning staff and school patrol crossing man for the important function they play in the smooth running of the school. To all, your co-operation and hard work was very much appreciated. The role of Governor has increased dramatically over the past few years. The decisions and responsibilities which we have to take are much more complex now due to issues such as raising standards, finance and Child Protection. The Governors of St. Mary’s P.S. in their first few years of their role have all shown a genuine interest and complete loyalty to the school by the amount of time and the work they have put in to ensure the curriculum is fully covered. I thank them most sincerely for their co-operation and assistance. Finally I would like to pay a special thanks to the children of the Junior, Senior and Nursery schools. We all should be very proud of them particularly in the way that they have joined together and have worked so hard to make our amalgamated school such a success. They are an inspiration to all of us. Yours sincerely

Ms Liz Kavanagh Chairperson

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Board of Governors of St Mary’s Primary School

Chairperson /DENI Ms Liz Kavanagh Vice Chairperson /ELB Mr Jonathan Mc Gonagle Secretary Mrs Sandra O’ Doherty Trustee Mrs Mary Mc Menamin Trustee Mr Aidan Mc Grath Trustee Mr Mark Quigley Trustee Mr Michael Houston ELB Mrs Maria Horsburgh

Parent Mr Stephen Devine Teacher Representative Mr Aiden O’Neill

Their main responsibilities:- The Governors are ultimately responsible for the overall management of the school and work with the Principal and staff in the following areas;

1. The overview of the Curriculum.

2. Allocation of the School Budget so that statutory requirements and individual pupil needs are met.

3. Admission Policy

4. Appointment of Staff

5. Maintenance of the school

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Teaching staff Principal Mrs O’ Doherty Vice-Principal Nursery & Junior School Mrs Roarty Vice-Principal KS1 (P4) & Senior school Mrs Flanagan Nursery Mrs Johnston Nursery Miss Mc Glade Nursery Mrs Conlan Nursery Mrs O’ Hagan P1A Mrs Anderson P1B Mrs Feeney P1C Miss Donaghey P2A Mrs Kennedy P2B Mrs Mc cauley P2C Mrs Mc Kinney P3A Mrs Mc Namee P3B Mrs Haughey P3C Mrs Curran P4A Mrs Strawbridge P4B Mrs Harkin P4C Mrs Cooke P5A Mrs O’Hara P5B Miss Lagan P5C Miss Haughey P6A Mr Carlin P6B Mr O’Neill P6C Mrs Scally P7A Mr Mc Laughlin P7B Mrs Mc Hugh P7C Mrs Devine Learning Support -Literacy - Mrs Wolfe

Posts of Responsibility

Mr Mc Laughlin Numeracy TA3 Mrs Anderson Literacy TA3 Mrs Wolfe SENCO TA2 Mrs Devine ICT TA2 Mrs Harkin Assessment TA2 Mrs Conlan Head of Nursery TA1 Mrs Kennedy Physical Education TA1 Mrs O Hara PDMU / Health Education TA1 Mrs Mc Hugh Religion TA1 Mr O’Neill World Around Us TA1 Mrs Feeney The Arts TA1 The Leadership Team consists of the Principal and two Vice Principals.

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The Senior Management Team consists of the Principal, Vice-Principals and TA3 and TA2 post holders.

ANCILLARY STAFF

Nursery Unit (Nursery Assistants) Melmount Miss T Patton

Mrs M O’Neill Mrs A Dolan (SEN)

Ballycolman Mrs O Devine Mrs V Mc Gonagle

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Administration Mrs L Houston Mrs M Dooris

Classroom Assistants Foundation

Mrs B Glover Mrs H O’Reilly * Mrs N Ward-Walsh Mrs C Kelly Mrs G Doherty * Mrs L McGinley

Special Needs Assistants

Mrs J Cassidy*

SENIOR SCHOOL

Administration Mrs M Patton Mrs C Stewart

Mrs A Devine

Special Needs Assistants

Mrs S Hamilton * Mrs L Logue* Mrs M Mc Glynn * Mrs M Boyle Mrs V Mc Gillian* Mrs L Mc Grath Mrs M Callaghan* Mrs D Duncan Mrs J Devenney

ICT Technician Mr Aidan Mc Hugh

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Lunch –time supervisors Mrs R Hannigan Mrs M Roarty Mrs L Barr Mrs M Mc Curdy

Miss S Dunne Mrs T Flanagan

The classroom assistants asterisked (*) above are also lunch-time supervisors.

Auxillary Staff - Ballycolman Nursery Building Supervisor: Mr M Kelly Cleaner : Mr E Kelly

Auxillary Staff - Junior School

Building Supervisor: Mr M O’Kane Cleaners : Mrs P Brennan Mr L Mc Colgan Mr E Kelly School Patrol Man Mr Danny Mc Garrigle

Auxillary Staff - Senior School

Building Supervisor Mr M Kelly Cleaners : Mrs Gertie Mc Intyre Mrs Siobhan Farrell Mr M Kelly

Canteen Staff Mr Peter Mc Callion Mrs Martina Mc Cosker Mrs Marie Farrell Mrs Linda Coyle Mrs Shauna Maxwell

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT The Board of Governors are kept informed and make decisions on staffing matters and curriculum development within the school. This includes staff development,

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policy development, curriculum provision and management of resources. We are currently in the final year of our three year School Development Plan. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT This school aims to provide a broad and balanced curriculum for all pupils in keeping with the requirements of the Northern Ireland Curriculum. The Board of Governors are kept informed of all curriculum initiatives and development within the school. Staff received training in several areas to ensure that they are providing the best possible education for the children in their care. These included training in iPads provided by iTeach and the Nerve Centre, Child Protection, Relationships and Sexual Education, Junior Librarian and Rights Respecting School Award. This year the following areas were identified as priorities for development:- Literacy (updating scheme of work, implement Junior Librarian), Numeracy (Transition between KS2 & 3), ICT (embed the use of iPads) ,Assessment (continue with target setting and school improvement and implement new GL Assessment packages) and Nursery(outdoor play). A curriculum audit was carried out in Religion. Target setting was developed in order to raise standards in Literacy and Numeracy. The evaluation of our three year School Development Plan was implemented through the use of a staff and parent questionnaire. The primary three pupils were involved in a Paired Reading Project and the primary four classes participated in Paired Maths. Identified pupils were involved in Accelerated Reading and Reading Partnership. ROLE OF CCMS CCMS advised on a variety of employment and management issues and supported the school throughout the amalgamation process. They provided advice on transfer redundancy procedures. ROLE OF DENI DENI advised on management, curriculum and policy development. They sanctioned Minor Works to be carried out within the school. ROLE OF CCEA CCEA provided advice and guidance on the changes in Assessment procedures, Cross Curricular Skills and Computer Based Assessments. ROLE OF EA EA has also made a significant contribution to school life in the past year. They have supported those pupils with special educational needs by providing help from their

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Educational Psychology and Learning Support teams. They have also provided many of the pupils with extra music tuition and primary four pupils have received general music tuition. Individual pupils from primary five to seven have obtained instruments and received lessons in brass, string or woodwind instruments. EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES St. Mary’s Primary School places great emphasis on the holistic development of its pupils. This year we provided a wide variety of extra- curricular activities. The programmes offered include fundamental movements, cricket, football and hurling coaching. Pupils also have the opportunity to develop their ICT skills by attending after schools clubs and through EA we provided tuition in string, brass and woodwind instruments. In addition the school had an extensive and varied Extended Schools Programme available to its pupils and parents. Clubs which were available for pupils include football, netball, multi-skills training, homework club, cookery, Jo-Jingles, Reading Partnership, parent and child ICT clubs and Heartstart (first aid training for children). Through our Extended Schools’ Cluster group we organised parent and child cookery, adult Numeracy and Literacy classes and TEFL classes. Our school choir performed at the Feis and a variety of liturgical celebrations and were invited to provide musical entertainment and carol sing at Greenfield Home, Manor Home and ASDA at Christmas. The choir also entered the School Choir of the Year and got through to the regional heats. ASSESSMENT Due to industrial action by teachers unions End of Key Stage assessments results have not been published. We held our annual parent/teacher meetings in November and parents of all pupils received their child’s annual report in June using the new Annual Report format.

FINANCIAL REPORT The school has been responsible for the management of its own budget. The total budget is calculated by the EA using a formula, which applies to all schools in our area. The main element in the formula is the age and number of the pupils attending the school. Other factors taken into account include, deprivation (based on the number of pupils receiving free school meals), the number of pupils on the Special Needs register and factors relating to the size and design of the school buildings which has a direct bearing on running costs. For 2015 / 2016 the school’s budget amounted to £ 2,163,328. The Board of Governors is responsible for the distribution of monies from the school’s allocated budget. The Governors monitor the budget, but the Principal and Secretary look after the day-to-day administration.

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Summary

Funding £ 2,163,328 Expenditure £ 2,061,205 ____________ Carry-over £ 102,123

School Chaplain The Governors and Staff would like to extend their gratitude to our Chaplain Fr. Michael Doherty for his dedication to the school and for the contributions he made through regular visits to the school, his involvement in preparing the pupils for the sacraments of First Confession, Holy Communion and Confirmation and for the various Liturgical services provided during the year.

Parents We would also like to extend our gratitude to the parents for their help and support during the year. Your continued commitment to school life in terms of supporting pupils’ attendance, their class work and homework and the development of their faith makes a positive contribution to the education of the pupils in our care. Our sincere thanks to everyone for your continued generosity towards raising monies for school funds and charity. This year we raised £2,385 for Trocaire, £2500 for Save the Children, SAN-NAS and Strabane Downs Syndrome both received £375 each, Clarity received £100 and Ventures II, £50. £2013 was raised by the pupils for school funds as well as £11,449.21 by our dedicated and hard- working PTFA who give their time freely to this cause. Their commitment to the school is very much appreciated.

In conclusion, I would like to thank our Board of Governors who give so generously of their time on a voluntary basis to undertake the wide range of tasks associated with school management. Governors make a wonderful contribution by ensuring that the responsibility of educating the pupils entrusted to our care is carried out in a manner that provides each pupil with the best possible education in a positive, caring and supportive environment. Yours Sincerely,

Sandra O’ Doherty Secretary to the Board of Governors

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End of Key Stage Projections 2013/2014 Comparison with 2013 NI Average

Communication

Level St Mary’s PS NI Average Difference

2+ 89% 89.5% -0.5%

4+ 80.2% 76.5% +3.5%

In St Mary’s Primary School the percentage of pupils projected to

achieve on or above the expected level (Level 2) at the end at Key Stage 1

is 0.5% lower than the Northern Ireland Average. The percentage of

pupils projected to achieve on or above the expected level at the end of

Key Stage 2 (Level 4) is 3.5% higher than the Northern Ireland Average.

Using Mathematics


2+ 87.9% 90% -2.1%

4+ 79.1% 78% +1.1%

In St Mary’s Primary School the percentage of pupils expected to achieve

on or above the expected level (Level 2) at the end at Key Stage 1 is 2.1%

lower than the Northern Ireland Average. The percentage of pupils

expected to achieve on or above the expected level at the end of Key

Stage 2 (Level4) is 1.1% higher than the Northern Ireland Average.

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Communication


2+

overall

89% 89.5% -0.5%

Boys 83% 86.78% -3.78%

Girls 97.4% 92.36% + 5.O4%

4+ 80.2% 76.5% +3.5%

Boys 81.4% 70.97% +10.43%

Girls 78.1% 82.29% -4.19%

In St Mary’s Primary School the percentage of pupils

projected to achieve on or above the expected level (Level 2)

at the end at Key Stage 1 is 0.5% lower than the Northern

Ireland Average. The percentage of pupils projected to

achieve on or above the expected level at the end of Key Stage

2 (Level 4) is 3.5% higher than the Northern Ireland Average.

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Using Mathematics


2+

overall

87.9% 90% -2.1%

Boys 84.9% 89.01% -4.11%

Girls 92.1% 91.48% +0.62%

4+

overall

79.1% 78% +1.1%

Boys 79.7% 75.52% +4.18%

Girls 78.1% 80.4% -2.3%

In St Mary’s Primary School the percentage of pupils expected

to achieve on or above the expected level (Level 2) at the end

at Key Stage 1 is 2.1% lower than the Northern Ireland

Average. The percentage of pupils expected to achieve on or

above the expected level at the end of Key Stage 2 (Level4) is

1.1% higher than the Northern Ireland Average.

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End of Key Stage

Projections and Confirmed Levels

2013/2014

Communication

Level St Mary’s PS

Projected

Levels

St Mary’s PS

Confirmed

Levels

Target

achieved

Key Stage 1

2+

overall

89% 88%

*No

Boys 2+ 83% 83% Yes

Girls 2+ 97.4% 95% *No

Key Stage 2

4+

overall

80.2% 77% **No

Boys 4+ 81.4% 78% **No

Girls 4+ 78.1% 79% Yes

*At the end of Key Stage 1 one girl did not achieved the expected

level as projected.

**At the end of Key Stage 2 one pupil did not achieve the expected

level as projected and also the year group total differed from

September to June. This in turn brought the percentage achieving the

expected level down and therefore accounts for the percentage

difference.

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End of Key Stage

Projections and Confirmed Levels

2013/2014

Using Mathematics


Projected

Levels

St Mary’s PS

Confirmed

Levels

Target

Achieved

Key Stage 1

2+

overall

87.9% 90% yes

Boys 2+ 84.9% 88.4% yes

Girls 2+ 92.1% 92.1% yes

Key Stage 2

4+

overall

79.1% 80% yes

Boys 4+ 79.7% 83% yes

Girls 4+ 78.1% 75% *No

*One girl did not achieve the expected level as projected at the end

of Key Stage 2.

At the end of Key Stage 2 the difference in the number of pupils from

September to June did not affect the target percentage. Additional

pupils achieved the expected level than

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End of Key Stage Levels 2013/2014

Communication

Level St Mary’s PS NI Average

2013

Benchmark

Band 5

2012/2013

Key Stage 1

2+

88%

89.5% 86.8%

Key Stage 2

4+

77% 76.5% 69.8%

In St Mary’s Primary School the percentage of pupils who achieved on or above

the expected level (Level 2) at the end at Key Stage 1 is 1.5% lower than the

Northern Ireland Average and 1.2% higher than the FSM Benchmark. The

percentage of pupils who achieved on or above the expected level at the end of

Key Stage 2 (Level 4) is 0.5% higher than the Northern Ireland Average and

7.2% higher than the FSM Benchmark.

Using Mathematics

Level St Mary’s PS NI Average Benchmark

Band 5

2012/2013

Key Stage 1

2+

90% 90% 87.7%

Key Stage 2

4+

80% 78% 71.7%

In St Mary’s Primary School the percentage of pupils who achieved on or above

the expected level (Level 2) at the end at Key Stage 1 is equal to the Northern

Ireland Average and 2.3% higher than the Benchmark. The percentage of pupils

who achieved the expected level at the end of Key Stage 2 (Level 4) is 2%

higher than the Northern Ireland Average and 8.3% higher

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End of Key Stage Projected Levels

2014/2015

Communication


Projected Levels

Number

of Pupils achieving

Expected Level

Key Stage 1

2+ overall

86.5% 71

Boys 2+ 83.3% 40

Girls 2+ 91.1% 31

Key Stage 2

4+

overall

84.2% 64

Boys 4+ 82.6% 38

Girls 4+ 86.6% 26

Total Number of Pupils in the Year 4 = 82

Total Number of Boys = 48

Total Number of Girls = 34




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End of Key Stage Projected Levels

2014/2015

Using Mathematics


Projected Levels

Number

of Pupils achieving

Expected Level

Key Stage 1

2+

overall

87.8% 72

Boys 2+ 81.2% 39

Girls 2+ 97% 33

Key Stage 2

4+

overall

86.8%

66

Boys 4+ 84.7% 39

Girls 4+ 90% 27







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“Please note that from the 2012/13 school year, all schools assess pupils using the more challenging Levels of Progression. Due to the more demanding nature of the Levels of Progression, the outcomes for some pupils are likely to seem lower than might have been the case if assessment had been carried out using the previous system of assessment. 2012/13 outcomes are not therefore directly comparable with results in previous years.”

*Due to Industrial Action on behalf of the Teachers’ Unions the most recent Key Stage results have not been published.

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TEL. No. 028 71382422 Fax No. 028 71882951 Email : [email protected] Web : www.stmaryspsmelmount.com

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