FOREWORD
The 2014/2015 academic year was another hugely successful year for St. Mary’s. From the staging of Meet Me in St. Louis in the first term through to the Investors in Pupils Award achieved in the third term, 2014/2015 certainly was a most busy and productive year for the school.
Perhaps, one of the most notable events of the year was the inspection carried out by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) in February 2015. Following the inspection, ETI described the quality of education provided by St. Mary’s and the overall effectiveness of the school as “outstanding”. In each of the areas inspected, including the quality of achievements and standards, the quality of provision and the quality of leadership and management, St. Mary’s was deemed to be “outstanding” and meeting very effectively the educational and pastoral needs of learners. As a school, we are very proud of this external affirmation of our work. We will remain committed to our vision for “Inspiring Excellence, Fulfilling Potential” and look forward to the school’s continued success in the years ahead.
This Annual Report of the Board of Governors offers an insight into the vast range of activities, events and successes enjoyed by the school in the 2014/2015 academic year. Once again, I wish to pay tribute to every member of staff – teaching and teaching support – for the immeasurable contribution they have made to the school’s success in the past year. I also wish to express my gratitude to you - the parents/guardians of our pupils - for your interest in and support of the school throughout the year.
Should you wish to discuss any issue arising from the contents of this Annual Report, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school between 8.30am - 4.30pm.
______
D Gillespie (Mrs)
Principal and Correspondent to the Board of Governors
December 2015
CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION
I am very pleased to present the Annual Report of the Board Governors for 2014/15. As you will read, St Mary’s has maintained the excellence we have come to expect and continues to enable staff and students to fulfil their potential.in the breadth of the school’s activities and achievements.
It is apparent that St Mary’s provides an impressive, enriching learning environment for students through its curricular and extra-curricular activities. Staff, students, parent/guardians and the local and wider community can be confident of the school’s capacity to sustain this high quality provision in the years ahead.
I wish to pay tribute to the staff of the school who are dedicated, committed and highly skilled to ensure that each student realises his/her full potential, both within and beyond the classroom. As Chair, I want to convey how proud I am of the outcome of St Mary’s inspection in February 2015. My warmest congratulations to all staff and in particular to the Principal, Mrs Gillespie for her leadership and vision.
In addition, I would like to recognize the work of retired Governors, in particular, Mr P Bradley, Monsignor O’Byrne, Ms M Diamond, Mr S McNeill and Teacher Governor, Mrs M Carr, for their invaluable contribution over many, many years.
Finally, I would like to offer my thanks to you – the parents and guardians – and to the members of the Board of Governors, for the ongoing and generous support you have shown for all the activities engaged in by the school. As I commend this Annual Report to you, I look forward to your continued interest in and support for our work.
______
J McKee (Mr)
Chairman of the Board of Governors
December 2015
CONTENTS
Section 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Membership of the Board of Governors...... 1
1.2 Key Statistical Information...... 2-3
1.3 Staffing...... 4-6
1.4 Use of Staff Development Days...... 7-8
1.5 Review of the Year...... 9-11
Section 2: SCHOOL PROVISION
2.1 Curriculum Provision...... 12-14
2.2 Careers and Employability...... 15-16
2.3 Health Education...... 17-18
2.4 Sports Review...... 19-24
2.5 International Dimension...... 25
2.6 Educational Visits...... 26
2.7 Fundraising for Charity...... 27
2.8Pastoral Dimension...... 28
2.9Pastoral House System...... 28
2.10Eco-Schools/ Environment...... 29
2.11Magherafelt Learning Partnership...... 30
Section 3: EXAMINATION OUTCOMES
3.1 Key Stage 3...... 31
3.2 GCSE...... 31
3.3 AS Level...... 31
3.4 A2 Level...... 31
3.5 CCEA NI Placings...... 32
3.6 Achievements in Other Awards...... 32
Section 4: DEPARTMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
4.1 Art and Design...... 33
4.2 Biology...... 34
4.3 Business Studies and Economics...... 34-35
4.4 Chemistry...... 36
4.5 Drama...... 37-38
4.6 English...... 39
4.7 French...... 40
4.8 German...... 41
4.9 Geography...... 41
4.10 History and Politics...... 42-43
4.11 Home Economics...... 43
4.12 ICT...... 44
4.13 Irish...... 44-45
4.14 Mathematics...... 46
4.15 Moving Image Arts...... 47
4.16 Music...... 48
4.17 Physical Education...... 49
4.18 Physics...... 49
4.19 Religious Studies...... 50
4.20 Science...... 51
4.21 Spanish...... 51
4.22 Technology and Design...... 52
Section 5: LINKS WITH PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
5.1 Parental Involvement...... 53
5.2 Parent-Teacher Association...... 54
Section 6: SECURITY & HEALTH AND SAFETY
6.1 Safety and Security...... 54
6.2 Arrangements for Health and Safety of Staff and Pupils...... 54
6.3 Premises...... 54
Section 7: FINANCE
7.1 Finance Report to 31 March 2014...... 55
Section 8: POLICY DOCUMENTS...... 56
Section 7: CONCLUSION...... 56
APPENDICES
Appendix 1:GCSE Statistics
Appendix 2:AS Statistics
Appendix 3:A2 Statistics
Appendix 4:Year 14 Higher Education Destinations
Appendix 5:Music Examinations
Annual Board of Governors’ Report 2014-15
SECTION 1: BOARD OF GOVERNORS
1.1MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS
The Board of Governors is comprised of nominees of the Trustees and the Department of Education, as well as an elected Parent Representative and an elected Teacher Representative. The Principal is the Correspondent to the Board of Governors. The Term of Office of the members is four years.
EFFECTIVE UNTIL MARCH 2015
Mr P BradleyChairperson
Monsignor C O’Byrne Deputy Chairperson
Rev Father J GatesTrustee
Ms M DiamondTrustee
Mr S DaceElected by Parents
Dr E HutchinsonTrustee
Mr S McNeillDENI Appointee
Mr J McKeeTrustee
Mr K TraynorDENI Appointee
Mrs M CarrElected Teacher Representative
Ms D GillespiePrincipal, Secretary and Correspondent to the Board of Governors
EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 2015
Mr J McKeeChairperson
Dr E Hutchinson Deputy Chairperson
Mr S DaceTrustee
Ms M DiamondTrustee
Mr S DaceElected by Parents
Rev Father J GatesTrustee
Mrs R FoxDENI Appointee
Mrs N SkellyTrustee
Mr K TraynorDENI Appointee
Miss U DonnellyElected Teacher Representative
Ms D GillespiePrincipal, Secretary and Correspondent to the Board of Governors
The Board of Governors has worked closely with the Principal in helping to implement recent educational reforms and members have kept themselves informed of current developments in educational policy. They have applied the school’s admissions policy to prospective students, recruited and promoted staff, approved school policies and overseen the school's finances.
1.2KEY STATISTICAL INFORMATION
ENROLMENT
The total enrolment for 2014-2015 was 1080. This is divided into each Year Group as shown in the table below.
Year 8 / Year 9 / Year 10 / Year 11 / Year 12 / Year 13 / Year 14Girls / 75 / 79 / 87 / 74 / 88 / 82 / 88
Boys / 79 / 81 / 70 / 81 / 68 / 60 / 66
TOTAL / 154 / 160 / 157 / 155 / 156 / 142 / 154
The pattern of total enrolment for the past five years is shown in the table below.
2010-11 / 2011-12 / 2012-13 / 2013-14 / 2014-15Total Enrolment / 1080 / 1078 / 1086 / 1096 / 1080
YEAR 13
At Sixth Form, six students sought admission to St. Mary’s and were accepted.
2013-14 / 2014-15No. of Boys / 4 / 2
No. of Girls / 3 / 4
Total / 7 / 6
ATTENDANCE
The attendance for 2014-15 was 96.1%. The attendance by Year Group for 2014-15 is shown in the table below. The Northern Ireland average for 2013-14 was 95%.
Year 8 / Year 9 / Year 10 / Year 11 / Year 12 / Year 13 / Year 14Total Attendance / 96.7% / 96.3% / 95.5% / 95.2% / 96.9% / 96.7% / 95.5%
The pattern of attendance for the last five years is shown in the table below.
2010-11 / 2011-12 / 2012-13 / 2013-14 / 2014-15Total Attendance / 96.3% / 96.2% / 95.3% / 93.9% / 96.1%
NI Average / 95% / 95% / 95% / 95% / 95%
FREE SCHOOL MEALS (FSM)
The percentage of students entitled to free school meals in 2014-15 was 8.51%. The percentage of students entitled to free school meals for the last five years is shown in the table below.
2010-11 / 2011-12 / 2012-13 / 2013-14 / 2014-15% FSM / 6.76% / 7.06% / 6.54% / 5.1% / 8.51%
DESTINATIONS OF PUPILS
SUMMARY OF YEAR 12 LEAVER DESTINATIONS 2014-15
Number Leaving = 23
NO. ANOTHER SCHOOL / NO.FE / NO.
APPRENTICE-SHIP / NO.
EMPLOY-MENT / NO.
HE / NO.
GAP YEAR / NO.
OTHER / NO.
UNEM-
PLOYED
14 / 9 / 0 / 0 / N/A / N/A / 0 / 0
SUMMARY OF YEAR 14 LEAVER DESTINATIONS 2014-15
Number Leaving = 145
QUB / UU / St Mary’s University College / Universities in / Further EducationScotland / England & Wales / USA
62 / 50 / 7 / 2 / 5 / 1 / 4
Further information about Year 14 destinations is outlined in Appendix 4.
1.3 STAFFING
TEACHING STAFF
Principal / Ms D GillespieVice-Principal / Mr F Dunlop
Senior Teachers / Mr P Campbell
Mrs E Daly
Ms T Mullan
Mrs I Hynds
Mrs D McCann
Mr G Quinn
Miss S McAllister (temp)
Miss A M Anderson (temp)
Art and Design / Mrs J Patton (Head of Department Acting)
Mrs N McKernan (sub Mrs Finnegan / Miss Paul)
Biology / Mrs K McAuley (Head of Department)
Mrs I Diamond (sub Miss Fulton)
Dr L Hamill
Mrs S Johnston
Mrs S McGee (Head of Year 13)
Business Studies / Economics / Mrs M McKeever (Head of Department)
Mr M Francis (Head of Year 12)
Careers / Miss C Donoghue
Chemistry / Mrs A McGuckin (Head of Department)
Dr L Hamill
Miss S McCloskey
Mrs R McComb
Mrs P McGale
Ms T Mullan
Drama / Mr G Quinn (Head of Department)
Mrs A M Anderson (Head of Year 8)
Mrs S Fullerton
English / Mrs O Reid (Head of Department)
Miss R Allen
Mrs A M Anderson
Miss H Cassidy (temp)
Mrs S Fullerton
Miss M Hatchell
Miss S McAllister
Mr G Quinn
French / Mr N McShane (Head of Department)
Miss N Macoscar
Miss V Venot
Mrs M McPhilomey (temp)
Geography / Mrs C Bradley (Head of Department)
Mrs U McNeill (Head of Year 14)
Mrs A Stevenson
German / Miss N MacOscar
History / Mrs M McCormick (Head of Department)
Mrs D McCann
Mr P Brolly
Miss S McAllister
Home Economics / Mrs M Carr (Head of Department)
Mrs B McAuley
ICT / Mrs Grainne Gartland (Head of Department) (sub Miss D Dynes)
Mrs E Daly
Mrs S Higgins (Head of Year 11)
Mr P Kalla (also Moving Image Arts) (HOD ICT Acting)
Mrs U McNeill
Mrs B Mateo-Loughlin
Irish / Mr W McPhilomey (Head of of Modern Languages Department)
Miss M McGouran (temp)
Mathematics / Mrs S Monaghan (Head of Department)
Mrs K McErlean
Mrs B McGahon
Mrs M O’Neill
Mr M Tracey
Music / Miss U Donnelly (Head of Department)
Miss C McKillop
Physical Education / Mr J McElholm (Head of Department)
Mr K Brady
Ms C Donnelly (sub Miss R Cowdry)
Miss O Donnelly
Physics / Mrs A McKee (Head of Department)
Miss P Agnew
Mr F Dunlop
Mr R Kennedy
Religious Studies / Mrs I Hynds (Head of Department)
Miss H Cassidy (temp)
Mrs S Higgins
Mr G Maynes
Mr G Robinson
Spanish / Mrs B Mateo Loughlin
Mrs M McPhilomey (temp) (sub Miss L Ballentine)
Technology and Design / Mr S O’Connor (Head of Department) (sub Mr P McGlade
Mr P Campbell
Mr M McVeigh(Head of Department Acting)
TEACHING SUPPORT STAFF
Bursar / Mr E ConwayAssistant Bursar / Mrs C Henry
Facilities Manager / Mr C Hinfey
Office Manager / Mrs E Beattie – Mrs C McErlean (Acting)
Catering Supervisor / Mrs A Dawidziuk
Principal’s PA / Mrs C Gallen
Education Technology Manager / Mr V Cassidy
Year 13 Supervisor / Mrs M O’Donnell
Librarian / Year 14 Supervisor / Mrs C Keenan
Reception /Finance / Miss M Gribbin
Switchboard / Mr C Prior
General Office / Mrs M McCusker
Mrs C McKee
Café Bordeaux Admin / Mrs M McGiuigan
Exams Admin / Ms R McKernan
Classroom Assistants / Ms N McCann
Ms A McCormick
Mrs L A O’Melvena
Miss L Smith
Miss B Warnock
Cleaning / Maintenance / Mr G Trainor
Mr P McKenna
Technicians / Mrs C McErlean (Art and Design)
Mrs H Shaw (Biology)
Mrs K Mitchell (Chemistry)
Mrs M O’Kane (Home Economics)
Mr N Higgins/ Mr M McCullough (PE)
Mr J McCann (Physics)
Mr P Teague (Technology and Design)
Ms V McKinley (Repographics)
CHANGES IN STAFFING
At the end of the 2014/15 academic year, the following members of staff left St. Mary’s:-
- Mr P Campbell (Senior Management) who has taken retirement;
- Mr N McShane (French) and Mrs S Fullerton (English / Drama) have left to take up positions in other schools; and
- Martin Birt (Irish Language Assistant) who has left to complete his PGCE.
We thank all of them for their commitment and contribution to St. Mary’s over many years and we wish them every success in the future.
1.4use of staff development days 2014-15
DATE / COURSE/MEETING26 August /
- Whole Staff Meeting
- Back to Basics – Expectations to promote Learning
- Back to Basics – Developing a Climate for Learning
- ICT Transformation
- Departmental Meetings
- Key Stage Pastoral Meeting
27 AUGUSt /
- Departmental Meetings
- Year 8 Pastoral Meeting
- New Year 13 Welcoming Team Meeting
- SEN Pupil Update
- Literacy/ Numeracy Priorities for 2014-15
- Using Data to Support Pupil Progress and Learning
- Money matters
28 august /
- Child Protection Training
- Departmental Meetings
- Digital Learning Team
- Learning Support Team
- Coaching Team
- TRACE Team
29 August /
- Departmental Meetings
- Defibrillator Training
- Pastoral Teams Meeting Time
29 sEPt /
- SEN – Setting Targets
- Use of VLE – The Department Structure
- Departmental Meetings
2 January /
- Substituted by twilights
To support the roll out of iPads and effective use within the classroom
PRSD
Aim: To support continuous staff development.
29 & 30 january /
- Preparation and attendance at Open Evenings
16 March /
- Positive Behaviour Strategy Feedback
- Feedback and follow up from Learning Walks
- Start of Lesson
- Assessment of Learning
- Whole and Departmental School Targets
- Addressing Underachievement
- Using Grade Boundaries for Improvement
- Using ICT
- Departmental Meeting Time
2 april /
- Inspection Feedback
- Nearpod (iPad Training)
- Socrative (iPad Training)
- Aim: To receive training on interactive quizzes, using questioning to gauge whole school levels of understanding, gaining instant feedback on lesson planning and collecting and exploring data to measure progress.
- Departmental Meetings
1.5A REVIEW OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
Review of the year 2014-15
sEPTEMBER /- Year 13/14 ‘Amazing Brains’ Workshop
- ‘Back to Basics Parents’ Workshop for Years 13 and 14
- Year 14 Formal
- Year 8 photographs
- Year 12 Theatre Trip to ‘Blood Brothers’ at The Grand Opera House
- Year 13 Biology Field Trip to Portaferry and Exploris Aquarium
- Year 14 Applied Business students visit Central Library, Belfast.
- Year 13 Saphara Assembly
- Saphara Parents’ Information Evening
- Year 14 Anti-bullying training
- Information Evening and Parent Power Workshop for Year 8 parents
- University Open Days
- Year 14 Prefects Training
- GL Familiarisation Morning
- Year 11 – 14 Theatre Trip to ‘Hairspray’
- Internal and External Prizegiving Ceremonies
- Year 10 Language Quiz
- Sports and Exercise Nutritionist Talks to GCSE and A Level PE Students
- Year 8 Amazing Brains Workshop
- Presentation to Year 8 Parents/Guardians: ‘Empowering Parents to Support their Children’s Learning
- German Visitors from Partner School
- Staff Development Day
- Masses to begin new academic year
- School Counsellor addresses all students at Year Assemblies.
oCTOBER /
- Year 12 ‘Back to Basics’ Parents’ Information Evening.
- Year 8 Parent Pastoral Meetings
- Year 11 complete Yellis testing
- VLE Club commences
- Year 9 Girls’ HPV vaccination
- Year 13 Economics / Maths students attend University Investment Challenge at QUB Management School
- Year 13 interviews for Rotary Young Leader of the Year.
- Year 8 MidYis testing
- Year 11 Study Skills Workshop
- Year 10 STEM mini Careers Event at Rainey Endowed School
- Marie Claire Ferguson, local Milliner talk to Year 14 Art & Design students.
- Studio On Moving Image Arts Workshop
- Year 14 Business Studies Trip to Wrightbus, Ballymena
- Year 12 ‘Drugs Talk’ by Jackie Buke
- Year 13 Geography Fieldwork activity.
- Non-uniform day to raise funds for ‘Meet Me in St Louis’ musical production.
NOVEMBER /
- Year 12 Study Skills Workshop
- Eco Schools Committee organise Power Down Day
- Year 14 Maths Students compete in Senor Maths Challenge
- Year 11-14 Drama students visit Lyric Theatre to see ‘Sive.’
- Senior Traditional Group performs at Albert Hall.
- Year 13 Business Studies trip to FG Wilson
- Year 10 and 12 Culture Tech IT Workshop
- Year 8 and 9 Use of iPad presentation
- Year 14 Parent/Teacher Meetings
- GL Assessment
- 8C attend an Invest NI Workshop on enterprise skills in Tullyglass, Ballymena.
- Key Stage 3 French Club commences
- ‘Week of Action’ ‘One United World organised by Mr McGuckin.
- ‘Meet Me in St Louis’ musical
December /
- Year 8 Norman Workshop
- Year 13 female ICT students attend ICT Event for girls at the Titanic, Belfast
- Year 12 and 13 French Coffee Club.
- Year 10 Parent Teacher Meeting
- Year 11 FG Wilson Careers Talk
- NSPCC Numbers Day
- Year 12 Chemistry at Work Event in Queen’s University, Belfast
- Year 14 Mock Interview Evening.
- Year 9 Ski Trip to Austria.
- Year 11 complete RSE Questionnaires
- Year 11 History Students attend workshop entitled ‘Northern Voices.’
- Year 8 iPad Basic Skills Training
- Junior and Senior Carol Services.
- Year 8 PIE and PIM tests
- Robotics Workshop
- Talk by P Bradley, Architect to Years 10 – 14 Art & Design Students.
JANUARY /
- Year 10 Young Enterprise Day
- Euroscala Seminar led by European Studies Programme
- Action MS Thankyou Lunch in Ramada Hotel, Belfast
- Young Enterprise NI Presentation Skills Workshop
- Year 13 Parent Teacher Meetings
- Year 8 Student Council Elections
- iPad Basic Skills Training
- Year 8 Parents’ Coffee morning.
- Year 11 – 14 Mock Exams
- Year 11 – 14 True Colours Exhibition
- Year 13 Maths Students attend QUB School of Management for a taster day.
- Open Evenings
- Staff Development Day
- Year 10 Young Enterprise Day
- Preparation Seminar by Euroscala for European Studies Programme.
- Young Enterprise Ni Presentation Skills Workshop
- Staff and Parents Coffee Morning.
FEBRUARY /
- Year 11/12 Business Studies Trip to Tayto.
- Year 8 BMI Health Checks
- Year 11 Eye for Education Talk
- Anti-Bullying Consultation with senior student team and student support team.
- QUB and past student, Donal McGuckin delivers talk to AS Maths students.
- Three Year 12 students participate in public speaking competition ‘Young People
- Year 14 Chemistry students take part In Chemistry Olympiad Competition
- Year 12 Drama students attend course with Chief Examiner for GCSE Drama.
- Year 13 Work Experience
- Ulster Cross Country Championships
- Year 10 Maths Assessment
March /
- Year 13 History students visit Somme Heritage Centre
- Professor of Mathematics from Atlanta visits Year 10 students
- Music students attend Ballymena Festival
- Year 11-14 Drama students visit Abbey Theatre, Dublin to see ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’
- World Book Day.
- English Support Sessions
- Physics Olympiad GCSE Challenge
- Year 14 English Literature students attend Stranmillis College for A Level Lecture Day.
- Physics Olympiad AS Challenge
- Rehearsals for Spring Concert
- Year 8 Céili
- Year 11 and 12 Drama Moderation
- Year 12 English Speaking and Listening Moderation
- Year 11 and 12 GCSE PE Orienteering Event at Drum Manor
- Year 12 GCSE Art & Design Exam
- Year 12 presentation on the transition to Sixth form.
- Year 12 Tree of Knowledge Workshop.
- Moving Image Arts Media Workshop
- Year 14 History trip to Dublin
- Staff Development Day
- Year 8 Parent Teacher Meetings.
- Spring Concert
april /
- Medical Physics Visit to Antrim Hospital
- Kelly Gallagher Paralympic Athlete Visit.
- Year 11 Immunisations
- Year 13 & 14 Art & Design Exams
- Year 11 GCSE PE Orienteering day to Palace Stables, Armagh
- Library visit to St Pius X College – Colin Bateman Tour
- Year 8 & 9 e-Safety Pupil Workshop
- Year 9 Junior Maths Challenge
- Year 13 e-Safety Pupil Workshop
may /
- E-Safety Parent Information Evening
- Year 9 HPV Vaccinations
- AS and A2 Chemistry and Physics Practical Examinations
- GCSE Performing Arts Moderation
- Year 14 Leavers’ Mass
- Year 12 Mass
- Eco Schools Green Flag Assessment.
- Key Stage 3 Internal Exams
- Year 11 – 14 External Exams commence
- Year 13 attend Global Wind Awards
JUne /
- Year 9 sponsored walk in Drum Manor Forest for Action MS.
- Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expedition
- Junior Sports’ Day
- Spanish Trip to Catalonia
- Spanish Exchange Trip to Madrid
- RCUK schools University Partnership Initiative
- Year 8 End of Year Trip to Craigavon Water Sports Centre
- Year 10 Fundraising Event for LEPRA
- Year 9 Geography Fieldwork trip to Crawfordsburn.
- Year 8 Moving On Workshop
- Year 10 End of Year trip to Cinema and Meadowbank Sports Arena.
- Sentinus Young Innovators’ Competition,
- Induction Afternoon for new intake
- Sentinus / NIE Roadshow for year 9.
- House Champions Lunch in Café Bordeaux
- Year 10 Musical Trip to Lyric to see ‘The Last Five Years.’
- Year 11 Geography students’ fieldwork activities for GCSE Controlled Assessment.
- Year 13 Cambridge Chemistry Challenge
- Year 13 Careers Parent Information Evening
- GCSE and A Level Students Art & Design Exhibition
- Year 8 Art Exhibition in Magherafelt Parish Centre.
SECTION 2:SCHOOL PROVISION
2.1CURRICULUM PROVISION