St. Malachy's P.S. Prospectus

1

St. Malachy’s Primary School Principal: Mr B White Telephone: 02890327460 E-Mail: [email protected]

S c h o o l P r o s p e c t u s Eliza Street

Belfast

BT7 2BJ

Principal: Mr B. White

Telephone: 02890327460

E-Mail: [email protected]

Website: www.stmalachysps.belfast.ni.sch.uk

2


Principals Welcome Page 1 Mission Statement

School Classification Page 3-4

Admissions Criteria (Nursery Unit) Page 5-7

Admissions Criteria (Primary 1) Page 8 Admissions Criteria (Primary2-7) Page 9

School Day Page 10

School Staff Page 11 Board of Governors Page 12

School Building Page 13

School Environment Page 14

School Uniform Page 15 Homework / Dinner Arrangements Page 16

Visiting Arrangements Page 17

Charging and Remission Policy Page 18 The Curriculum / Assessment Page 19

Discipline Page 20

Special Needs / EMU Page 21

Sports Page 22 Extended Schools Programme Page 23-24

1


Dear Parents, Welcome to another year in the life of St. Malachy’s Primary School. It is with great pleasure that I present this year’s prospectus of our school. The purpose of the prospectus is to give you the information you need to have a better understanding of how our school operates and what we have to offer the children. I hope you fine the book both interesting and informative.

Of course no booklet can be totally comprehensive in the information it can give, so if there is any additional information you may require please feel free to contact me at any time.

Finally, may I take this opportunity of thanking all our parents for their co-operation and support in the past and of welcoming all those you are with us for the first time. I look forward to working with all of you during the forthcoming school year.

Yours truly,

Mr. B. White (principal)

Principals Welcome

2


The Governors and staff of St Malachy’s Primary School believe the school to be a vital part of our parish and the wider Catholic Community. As such we are firmly committed to the following

1. The aims of Catholic education.

2. Providing effective education for all our children.

3. Developing positive pastoral care systems.

4. Developing a loving and caring atmosphere in our school centred on Christ so

that his Gospel message pervades the whole life of the school.

Mission Statement

3


School Classification, Policy

And Aims

St. Malachy’s Primary School is a Catholic Maintained Co-educational School. The school was opened in 1987 as a result of the amalgamation of St. Colman’s Boys Primary School and St. Malachy’s Convent Girls’ School.

It is our policy as a Catholic school to maintain an atmosphere in which our pupils will be helped to live and experience Christian values which will promote their spiritual, emotional, intellectual, cultural and physical development.

Education is the formation of the whole person here and hereafter. Hence the following aims must be considered in order to bring about this formation.

Aims 1. To provide the opportunities and facilities to enable staff, parents and

pupils to share the Catholic ethos of the school.

2. To provide within the school a loving and caring environment which will support and encourage all the pupils to reach their fullest potential and allow them to develop their own unique talents.

3. To encourage the development of the personal qualities of self confidence, independence, resourcefulness and self discipline.

4. Through the establishment of a broad, balanced and stimulating curriculum we will promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, intellectual and physical development of our pupils.

5. To lead the children to an awareness, understanding and respect for their own and other cultural traditions and to encourage the sharing of these traditions.

6. To enable the children to appreciate the importance of having a positive attitude to their environment, to see what is beautiful in that environment and to want to maintain and extend that beauty.

4


It is our intention here in St. Malachy’s to provide the full range of activities necessary to fulfil our stated aims and to build in the many successes and traditions of both St. Colman’s and St. Malachy’s Convent schools , thus fostering a sense of pride in our community.

7. To establish and maintain links with other schools.

8. To develop home school and community links so that children may benefit from such co-operation.

9. To provide opportunities for all our children to meet success in a variety of ways. The school recognises the importance of children with special educational needs and aims to provide the structure and resources necessary to make the curriculum accessible to them.

10. To provide the teachers with the resources to develop professionally, thereby improving the quality of teaching in the school.

5


Admissions Criteria (Nursery )2012

The Board of Governors has drawn up the school’s admission criteria and has delegated to the principal its functions and responsibilities in relation to the application of these criteria and the admission of pupils to the school.

1. Children born between 2nd July 2009 and 1st July 2010 whose parent(s)/guardian(s) is/are in receipt of Income Support or Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance who reside in St. Malachy’s Parish, Belfast.

2. Children born between 2nd July 2009 and 1st July 2010 whose parent(s)/guardian(s) is/are in receipt of Income Support or Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance.

3. Children born between 2nd July 2009 and 1st July 2010 whose parent(s)/guardian(s) reside in St. Malachy’s Parish.

4. Children born between 2nd July 2009 and 1st July 2010 from St. Malachy’s Parish, Belfast who are considered by an Education and Library Board as having significant special needs which indicate that the child would benefit from nursery education. (Documentary evidence must be submitted to the Board of Governors)

5. Children born between 2nd July 2009 and 1st July 2010.

6. Children born between 2nd July 2010 and 1st July 20011 whose parent(s)/guardian(s) reside in St. Malachy’s Parish, Belfast.

Sub Criteria. In the event of over-subscription within any of the above criteria (1-7), the following sub-criteria will be applied:

a. Children who have St. Malachy’s Nursery Unit as their first preference.

b. Children who are already in their penultimate year at St. Malachy’s Nursery Unit.

6


c. Children whose parent/guardian, brother/sister, half-brother/half-sister are past pupils of St. Malachy’s. (Indicate name and dates of attendance)

d. Children whose parent/ guardian will be permanent members of staff in the school year 20013/2014.

e. If over-subscribed in any of the above sub-criteria taken in order, final selection will be on the basis of the initial letter of the surname in the order set down below. The surname used will be as registered on the birth certificate or as subsequently legally changed and documented.

E M Y K T S L Mac Z Q O G N A Mc I H F V P R W D B C U J X

The order was determined by a randomized selection of the letters of the alphabet.

In the event of two surnames beginning with the same initial letter the subsequent letters of the surname will be used in alphabetical order. In the event of two identical surnames the alphabetical order of the initials of the forenames will be used.

f. Children who have special circumstances e.g. medical, educational, social, etc., supported by evidence from parents and/or statutory agencies.

g. Children who are in the process of a statutory assessment at the time of proposed admission.

Should a vacancy arise after Friday 31st May 2013 all applications for admission to St. Malachy’s Nursery Unit that were initially refused, new applications, late applications and applications where new information has been provided will be treated equally and the published criteria applied. This waiting list will be in place until 30th June 2014.

The school will contact you in writing if your child gains a place by this method.

Your child’s name will be automatically added to the list. Please contact the school if you wish for your child’s name to be removed.

When considering which children should be selected for admission, the Board of Governors will only take into account information which is

7


detailed on or attached to the application form. Parents should therefore ensure that all information pertaining to their child and relevant to the school’s admissions criteria is stated on the application form or attached to it. Examples of such information include whether the child is the eldest child / has brothers or sisters attending the school.

Duty to Verify

The Board of Governors reserves the right to require such supplementary evidence as it may determine to support or verify information on any Application Form. The provision of false or incorrect information or the failure to provide information within the deadlines set by pre-schools can result in the withdrawal of a place and the inability to offer a place on the part of any school nominated on the applicant’s Application Form.

8


Admissions Criteria (Primary 1) The Board of Governors has drawn up the school’s admission criteria and has delegated to the principal its functions and responsibilities in relation to the application of these criteria and the admission of pupils to the school.

Only children of compulsory school age (i.e. children born on or between 2nd July to the following 1st July inclusive) will be admitted to the school. In the event of the school being over-subscribed the Governors will select children for admission to Primary 1 using the criteria set down below. The criteria will be applied in the order in which they are set down. When applying the criteria, should the number of children who satisfy the requirement of any criterion exceed the number of places available within the school’s admission number, the remaining criteria will be applied successively and in the order set down, until all the places have been allocated.

Priority will be given at all times to pupils regarded by the Board of Governors, on the basis of supporting evidence by parents and/ or statutory agencies, as having special circumstances e.g. medical / social factors.

Criterion 1. Children who have attended St. Malachy’s Nursery Unit.

Criterion 2. Children who normally reside in the parish of St. Malachy’s.

Criterion 3. Children who have a brother / sister (half brother / sister) presently enrolled in the school.

Criterion 4. Children whose parent / guardian, brother / sister (half brother / sister) are prior pupils of the school (or St. Colman’s / St Malachy’s before the amalgamation in 1987).

Criterion 5. Children whose parent / guardian will be permanent

9


members of staff in the school. Criterion 6. Children who live in the immediate area of the school. In

applying the criteria the Governors will award the places to children on the basis of the walking distance from the front door of their home to the main gate of the school, priority being given to those who live the shortest distance from the school.

Applicants should note that they may be required to produce documents verifying their address.

Admissions Criteria (Primaries 2 -7) The following criteria will be applied in the order set down.

Criterion 1. A pupil will be considered for enrolment provided that the

school will not exceed its enrolment number as determined by the Department of Education.

Criterion 2. A pupil will be considered for enrolment in a particular

class provided that the number of pupils already in that class is thirty or less.

Criterion 3. Pupils will be accepted in order of application. If

oversubscribed on this criterion children will be selected on the basis of the following sub criteria applied in the order set down:

3 (a). Primary 2 children before Primary 3 children and so on

3 (b). Shortest walking distance from the school

The criteria will be applied by the principal.

10


Primary School begins at 8.45 am.

Nursery School begins at 8.45am.

Break times: All classes take their break at 10:45 - 11:00 am. For health reasons we do not allow the children to bring sweets or biscuits for break. To help encourage healthy eating we ask that the children bring either a piece of fruit or a small sandwich. We encourage all children to drink milk or a sugar free drink at break time. Good eating habits are easier to develop at a young age and we would appreciate your co-operation in this valuable exercise.

Lunchtimes: Nursery: 12:00 noon - 12:45pm

P1 - 3: 12.00 noon - 12.45pm

P4 - 7: 12.45pm - 1.30pm

Home times: Nursery: 1.45pm

Primary 1: 1.50 pm

Primaries 2/3: 2.00 pm

Primaries 4 - 7: 2.45pm

Punctuality is an important habit which can be developed at an early age. Please help your child develop this habit by ensuring that they come to school on time every day.

The teachers work most days until 4.00pm. If you wish to see any teacher please make an appointment through the school secretary.

The School Day

11


Staff for the year 2012-13 Principal: Mr. B White Vice Principal: Mr. D Flynn Teaching Staff Nursery: Mrs. Gribbin, Mrs. Moore. Primary One: Miss McDonagh, Mrs. McSherry. Primary Two: Mrs. Rafferty/Miss Deazley, Mrs. Campbell. Primary Three: Miss White, Mrs. Torley Primary Four: Mr. Flynn, Mr. White Primary Five: Mrs. Magee. Primary Six: Mr. Keenan / Mrs. McSorley Primary Seven: Mrs. McGuigan. SEN Teacher: Mr. Flynn (V.P.). Classroom Assistants Nursery: Mrs. Heath, Miss S Black, Miss Meighan, Miss Davison, Mrs Gribbin. Primary One: Mrs. McAllister, Miss Burns Primary Two: Mrs. Morrison, Miss Elliott Primary Three: Mr. White. Primary Four: Miss M Black, Mrs. Rashbrook. Primary Five: Mrs. Doherty, Mrs. Xia. Primary Six: Mrs. White, Mrs. Finnegan. Primary Seven: Mrs. Brennan, Mrs. Gusta. Secretary: Mrs. Smyth. Caretaker: Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Flynn. Librarian: Mr. McConkey.

12


Board of Governors Trustee Representative (chairman) Very Rev M. McGinnity PP

Trustee Representative (secretary) Mr. B. White

Trustee Representative Mrs. D. Mc Loughlin

Trustee Representative (parent) Mr. N. Burns

Principal Mr. B. White

BELB. Representative (vice chairman) Mr. J. Donnelly

BELB. Representative Mr. P. Mc Carthy

DENI Representative Mrs. M. Wadell

Elected teacher representative Mrs. K. McGuigan

Elected parent representative Mrs E Murray

Organisation and Management

The Board of Governors has overall responsibility for the effective management of the school. As well as nominees of the trustees and the local education and library board, its membership includes an elected parent governor and an elected teacher governor. The principal is also a member. The Board represents all the interests concerned with the school and is committed to improving standards and involving parents in the affairs of the school.

Board Of Governors

13


St. Malachy’s is a modern single storey building with twelve classrooms within the main building. Each room has its own storeroom and has access to additional work areas. There is a well equipped PE hall enabling us to offer a comprehensive range of sporting activities. Meals are served in the canteen and there are two sittings daily, one

for each key stage. The children have access to many additional educational resources, including computers and electronic whiteboards in each classroom, design / technology equipment and a range of audio visual aids.

The school also has its own IT suite and all classes are timetabled for this. There are two mobile classrooms, fully equipped to a high standard and with full toilet facilities. At present all classes use one of these rooms for “Eco-garden” activities. From Easter 2007 the ‘Surestart’ organisation has occupied rooms and provides a service for children in the 0-3 year age bracket. These children can then transfer to the nursery and later move to the main school. Educational provision is available for all children aged 0-11 on one site.

A classroom was converted for use as an oratory (Prayer room) and was officially opened by the Lord Mayor, Cllr. Pat McCarthy. This provides a place of peace and reflection and is used by all classes. Many thanks to all those involved in the preparation and decoration of this room.

There are separate play areas for the two key stages and a full size flood lit pitch which is also used by the local community after school hours.

The school has its own nursery unit with fully qualified staff. The unit has two classes operating on a full day basis with dinners provided. It also has a bright, well equipped parent’s room which is used regularly for a range of parenting courses and for the mothers and toddlers group.

School Building And Site

14


The staff and pupils of St. Malachy’s are rightly proud of their award winning wildlife garden. This was started about ten years ago to create an

interesting and stimulating natural environment to augment the children’s education. After many years of hard work involving staff, parents, pupils and Andy and his team of able helpers from the Conservation Volunteers we now have a woodland, meadow area, a pond and many habitats for minibeasts. There is also an outdoor classroom and picnic area. The garden

was officially opened by President Mary Mc Aleese and among other awards has won the coveted Green Flag.

To fully utilise the educational value of the wildlife garden we have created a cross curricular Eco trail. A series of work books have been designed for each year group, covering every subject and classes are timetabled for regular visits around the trail.

For some time the staff in the school have been looking at ways in which we could improve playground facilities so that the children would benefit not only in a stimulating and fun way but would also encourage a healthy and fit lifestyle. Funding recently secured from EU11 monies has allowed us to build a colourful and exciting new adventure playground in the main school as well as a new climbing frame facility in the Nursery unit. All the children in the school are now benefiting and enjoying these wonderful new resources.

School Environment

15


The school uniform consists of

A green jumper or cardigan.

A grey skirt or grey trousers.

A white shirt or blouse.

A green and gold tie.

A school Sweatshirt.

School fleeces are also available but are not compulsory.

The uniform must be worn at all times and black indoor shoes are compulsory.

Ties, sweatshirts, school tracksuits and fleeces are all available from the school secretary.

The PE uniform consists of

Shorts and tee- shirt and/or tracksuit.

The Nursery School uniform consists of:

School sweatshirt / white polo shirt / green tracksuit bottoms. Jewellery / Valuables / Mobile Phones / PSP etc. For health and safety reasons jewellery (with the exception of stud ear rings and watches) is not allowed in school. Children should not bring any valuables to school. They are not allowed to bring mobile phones, Ipods, PSP’s etc into school. If they need to bring money it should be handed over to the class teacher for safe keeping. The school and its staff cannot take responsibility for the loss of money or any personal items brought unnecessarily into school.

School Uniform

16


Homework is regarded as an integral part of every pupils learning. It is school policy that homework is given every night (with possible exception of Friday) and this can

vary from 5 -10 minutes work for infants to as much as an hour for P6/P7 children.

Homework can let you see your child’s progress, and so it can be of great benefit if you talk about it, look at it and if necessary help with it. Please feel free to write any comments in your child’s homework diary.

To ensure that homework is being done we would ask you to sign your child’s work on a regular basis.

Children should get used to the regular discipline of homework and accept it as an extension of their school work. We encourage you to contact the staff if you are having any difficulties. It may also at times be necessary for the staff to contact parents and we would appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

We recognise and value the role that parents play in their children’s’ education and every effort is made to ensure that you feel welcome. Should you need to speak to any member of staff please arrange an appointment through the school secretary.

The cost of milk is 85p per week. The dairy will only accept orders on a Wednesday, so if children do not bring money in then they will not get milk the following week. MILK MONEY ON WEDNESDAYS ONLY. Nursery children get milk free of charge.

The cost of school dinners is £2.30 per day and £2.20 per day in the nursery. If you feel your child is entitled to free school meals please complete a form, even if he/she is not presently going to dinners.

A room is available for those children bringing packed lunches and supervision is provided. Please do not send in glass bottles with your child.

Homework

Milk And Dinner Money

17


It is our aim to provide parents with as much information as possible in the education of their children and to keep them informed about their progress at school. The initial contact you will have with your child’s class teacher will be at the pre admission meeting in June. At this meeting you will meet the teacher and be given advice on how you can ease the transition between home and school. Any important information you may have about your child should be brought to the teacher’s attention at this time.

During the school year there are many opportunities for staff and parents to meet. Some of these will be on a formal basis and you will be notified of those in due course. These include:

Curriculum Meetings; The teacher will talk to the parents as a whole group early in the first term to give information about the programme of work for the coming year and suggested ways in which you can help.

Parents Meetings: Each parent will have an opportunity to meet with the class teacher individually to discuss their child’s work. These meetings usually take place in December.

Annual general meeting of the Board of Governors.

Transfer Meeting (P7 leavers): This meeting will be with the principal, P7 teacher and the parent(s) to discuss the pupil’s transfer from primary to secondary school.

Parents will also get a written report of progress before the end of each school year.

Visiting Arrangements

18


In line with the requirements of the Northern Ireland Education Reform Order 1989 it is the policy of the Board of Governors to:

1. Maintain the right to free education for all pupils.

2. Establish that activities organised during school time are available to

all.

3. Require parents to pay for board and lodgings for their children on

residential trips, taking account of any relevant remission

arrangements.

4. Confirm its right to invite voluntary contributions for the benefit of

the school or in support of activities organised by the school.

5. Make changes in respect of optional extras as determined by the

board of governors.

A FULL COPY OF THE CHARGING AND REMISSION POLICY IS AVAILABLE AT THE SCHOOL FOR INSPECTION

Charging And Remissions Policy

19


The curriculum is not just about formal lessons. It includes all opportunities for learning provided by the school, including sport, music, UICT etc. In a Catholic school the teaching and expression of our Catholic values is of paramount importance and occupies a high priority in St. Malachy’s.

The Northern Ireland Curriculum is meant to insure that all pupils have the same opportunities for learning no matter what school they attend. We have produced programmes of study in all subjects and these have been translated into schemes of work which reflect the needs of St. Malachy’s and which are now in operation within the school. As well as the compulsory subjects a wide range of policies are also in place –e.g. health education/ structured play/ education for mutual understanding.

The school has policies relating to drugs/ child protection and dealing with complaints. Copies of all of these have been sent to all homes.

Parents who would like any information about any of these are invited to contact the principal.

Knowing that your child is doing well in school is important.

General curricular meetings are arranged for parents in term 1. At these parents will be given an overview of the work the children will be doing throughout the year. The parents meeting in December will provide an opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher on an individual basis. Parents will also receive a written annual report in June and they can then if they so wish call to discuss this with the teacher.

Children will be observed at work and play in both the nursery and Primary 1. Parents will be provided with opportunities in the early years to meet with staff to discuss any relevant issues. The teachers will begin to build up a picture of what the children are able to do and to work out their future teaching needs accordingly.

Aspects of children’s successes and developments as they progress throughout the school will form part of their overall Record of Achievement.

As far as possible all assessment work will be carried out in manner which will minimise feelings of stress or anxiety.

Statutory assessment is compulsory for P4 and P7 children but we regard the assessment of all our children as an integral part of classroom life. New assessment arrangement from the Dept. of Education includes computer based assessment (CBA) known as NINA (Numeracy) & NILA (Literacy). These will be undertaken during the Autumn Term and outcomes reported to parents at the December Parent/Teacher meeting.

The Curriculum

Assessing And Recording

20


Good discipline in any school is a result of everyone – parents/ pupils/ teachers and all staff – working together in harmony. If parents feel there is a problem please arrange to see either the class teacher or principal as soon as possible. A complaints procedure has been devised in keeping with recommendations from both BELB and CCMS and if necessary should be followed.

We would like to remind pupils of some basic school rules: 1. Pupils are expected to be courteous, well mannered and respectful

to each other and to all staff.

2. Children should treat the school building and equipment with respect. Deliberate vandalism will be treated seriously and anyone causing damage should expect to pay part costs of such damage.

3. Pupils are expected to take part in all subjects on offer during the school day.

4. In the interests of safety, earrings (other than ear studs) are not allowed in school. Jewellery should not be worn to school.

5. If a child is absent from school a note of explanation should be sent with him/her on their return.

6. Running in the school corridors is not allowed.

7. Children should be on their best behaviour on their way to school. In the interest of safety “bus rules” will be enforced and we ask for your cooperation with this.

8. Parents should consult with the school principal first before visiting any classroom during the school day.

If good discipline is not maintained then everyone in the school is affected and inevitably standards will fall. To help us maintain standards a number of both rewards and sanctions exist within the school. These include Monthly certificates of merits and can also include extra homework and at times a period of detention. We hope that parents will appreciate that all these are in the children’s best interests.

Discipline

21


The educational needs of each child are catered for by his/her own teacher with the support of our own special needs staff and other outside agencies when considered necessary.

The special needs coordinator – Mr D. Flynn – provides a programme of support for children from P4-P7 on both a group and individual basis. The children are encouraged to work at their own pace and level and every opportunity is taken to develop their potential and self esteem.

Mrs Mc Ananey also offers a reading recovery programme for children in P2 and group literacy support for P2 and P3.

We are grateful for the support and help offered by both the Outreach and peripatetic services and feel that together with them we are working effectively to address a variety of needs.

We are very aware that all children can benefit from the additional support and encouragement of another adult hearing them read and talking to them about their reading. For this reason we would like to express our appreciation to the various assistants who over the years have trained in and delivered the Better Reading programme to many of our children.

The Northern Ireland Curriculum makes EMU compulsory for all school age children. It is about respect for self and others and the improvements of relationships between people of different cultural traditions.

In school we encourage the children to think about others by an on going collection of mission money and this is given particular significance during Lent.

It is our aim to provide opportunities for our children to show respect for themselves and others. We achieve this through meetings with children and adults from other schools and communities and through Circle Time activities.

Through music, we join with others at music mornings, carol services and concerts. As part of our ongoing programme to develop the children’s cultural awareness we are working hard at promoting the teaching if the Irish language, poetry and culture within the school. All classes, including the nursery, are taught Irish songs, rhymes and basic Irish phrases. Irish language signs are displayed throughout the school and the children have successfully participated in local feis.

It is our aim to extend our EMU links with other schools in the future.

Special Educational Needs

Education For Mutual Understanding

22


Our aim is to provide all the children with a wide range of activities to suit all personalities and which suit children who are interested in individual activities and those who like team sports. We are especially keen to promote after school activities and in this respect we are always looking for parents who would be willing to help us in any way. We greatly appreciate the help of all those who have offered their time and talents over the years.

The school has a history of many successes on the sports field and we hope to build on these over the coming years. Every child has the opportunity to participate in:

1. Camogie

2. Hurling

3. Gaelic Football

4. Soccer

5. Athletics

6. Swimming

Sport In

St. Malachy’s

23


Many schools have been allocated an additional sum of money to provide extra facilities that might benefit their pupils. Schools working in partnership with local groups were asked to devise an action plan and to submit this for approval to the BELB. The action plan would then allow for various plans to be operational over the next two years.

On our action plan we put strong emphasis on the well being of the whole child – physically, emotionally and mentally. The additional monies have allowed us to:

1. Set up an in school counselling service which will provide a member of staff trained as a schools’ counsellor to meet with both children and parents to discuss any problems affecting their learning or well being and to look at ways of developing coping strategies. Many children have been making use of this and we hope that by providing an early intervention approach we may be able to reduce the levels of difficulties some children may be experiencing. Any parent who wishes to discuss concerns about their child should ring the secretary and arrange a meeting.

2. Two members of staff have been trained in the “Rainbows” project. This is a programme aimed at children who have suffered a bereavement or who are having problems coping with a family break up or a change in a family structure. This is not counselling but it does provide the children with the opportunity to discuss their feelings in a small group in which they can feel safe and know they will be listened to. If any parent would be interested in finding out more please contact either Mrs McAnaney or Mrs McGuigan.

3. St Malachy’s is rightly proud of its excellent gardens and much work has gone on over the years to establish and maintain these. This funding has allowed us to appoint a new eco assistant and this post will be taken up in the third term. The assistant will help with garden maintenance and will also set up workshops and a gardening club to promote awareness of the need to care for the environment.

4. An after schools homework club takes place two afternoons each week in the community centre. This targets children in the P3/4/5 year groups.

5. A summer school takes place every year to provide additional work in mathematics, literacy, sports, art and IT for children in the P6 year group.

6. The assistant extended schools co-ordinator liaises with outside agencies such as school medical staff, dental staff or social services. Throughout the year other community groups etc will be invited into the school to provide workshops and discussions on various ways to keep ourselves healthy.

The Extended Schools Programme

24


7. Various parents’ workshops will be set up over a two year period. Two agreed courses have been planned on Linguistic Phonics and English as a second language. Parents who are interested or who have any suggestions for other courses should contact Mrs Gribbin. Mrs McAnaney will also be running a parenting course for parents in P1 to P4 in helping your child with reading, writing and sound work. This will run for 8 weeks and for one hour one day of each week. For further information please contact the school.

8. In order to extend the range of physical activities on offer to the children we have bought in the support of tutors from the Community Sports Development office and the Highways to Health team. This again is a joint venture with community groups, the school community and outside sporting agencies working in partnership to promote healthy routines and lifestyles.

9. Music plays an important role in the school curriculum and in order to allow us to extend the range of musical activities we have again bought in the services of extra music tutors who will provide tuition in traditional music, song and culture. Children in P5-7 will get tuition in the tin whistle by Mr N McClean. He will also tutor a composite group of P4/5/6/7/ children in using the tin whistle, guitar, fiddle, bodhran and songs and dances. Mr Rohan Young and Mr Stephen Downey will take a composite P4/5/6/ group for bodhran tuition. We hope that this will increase the children’s awareness of music both as a source of entertainment and enjoyment and will also increase their awareness of their own talent thus improving their self confidence.

I hope this prospectus gives you a flavour of life in St Malachy’s Primary School. If you would like any more information you can contact me by arrangement through the school secretary. Thank you for taking the time to read it.

Mr B White (Principal)

The Extended Schools Programme

St. Malachy's P.S. Prospectus

Documents

Transcript of St. Malachy's P.S. Prospectus