BOARD OF GOVERNORS’
ANNUAL REPORT
2013/14
CONTENTS
Membership – Board of Governors
page 2
Responsibilities
page 3
Staffing Complement
page 4
Curriculum
page 5
Extra-Curricular Achievement
page 6
Special Educational Needs
page 6
Attendance
page 7
Assessment
page 7
Educational for Mutual Understanding
page 8
Religious Matters
page 8
Charities
page 9
Finance
page 10
Family Fund
page 12
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BOARD OF GOVERNORS - MEMBERSHIP
CATEGORY
POSITION
TERM OF OFFICE ENDS
TRUSTEE REPRESENTATIVES
The Very Rev. B Hickland
Mr P McAlister
2014
Chairperson
2014
Mrs N McCabe
2014
Dr John Sweeney
2014
DENI REPRESENTATIVE
Mrs P Hill
2014
BELB REPRESENTATIVES
Mrs K McSherry
Mr C Bradley
2014
Vice-Chairperson
2014
PARENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE
Mr J Deeds
2014
TEACHER REPRESENTATIVE
Miss E Smyth
2014
CO-OPTED MEMBER
Dr D Hanna
2014
PRINCIPAL
Mrs C Molloy
Secretary
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non-voting member
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Board of Governors has overall responsibility for the effective management of the school.
They are required to meet for a minimum of three times each year but in practice may meet more
often than this. Their range of duties and responsibilities are diverse and would include such
things as:
 Oversight of the Curriculum
 Control of the School Budget
 Provision of information to parents
 Selection of staff
 Maintenance of premises - a responsibility shared with BELB
 Admissions Policy
 Fostering links with the local community and pursuing the objectives of mutual
understanding
- in addition to other duties not specifically listed above.
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STAFFING COMPLEMENT
2013/14
Teaching Complement
Mrs C Molloy
Principal
Ms U MacAllister
Vice-Principal & Y7
Mrs Walsh
Y1
Mrs Friel
Y3
Mrs Branniff
Y1
Mrs Connolly
Y3
Mrs Keane
Y1
Mrs Prior
Y4
Miss Campbell
Y1 (S&L Centre)
Mrs King
Y4
Mrs Conlon
Y2
Mrs Finch
Y2
Mrs Crutchley
Y5
Miss Carey
Y2
Mrs Durkan
Y5
Mrs Kelly-Bogue
Y2 (S&L Centre)
Miss Cullen
Y6
Mr Haughey
Y6
Miss Smyth
Y7
Mrs Ellis
Y7
Mrs McLean
Y3&4 (S&L Centre)
Ancillary Staff
Clerical Officer
Mrs G Bennett
Miss N Kennedy
Building Supervisor
Cleaners
Mr G Austin
Mrs K Gillespie, Mrs K McLean, Mrs D McIllhatton,
Mrs A McLaughlin, Mr G Siwicki, Mrs C Cichosz
Learning Support
Learning Support (SEN)
Mrs TL McCann
Mrs B McFarlane
Mrs M Smyth
Mrs S Shields
Miss C Finn
Mrs J Bleakley
Mrs G Kearney
Mrs E Barnes
General Assistant
Miss F Bernnett
Miss A McGreevy
Mr C Hughes
Miss C Morgan
Miss L McKeown
Foundation Stage Assistant
Mrs M Crosbie
Mrs M Delaney
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Mrs P Barnes
Mrs R Connolly
Mrs T Kennedy
Mrs J McMahon
Mrs P Martin
CURRICULUM
Under the Education Reform Order the responsibility of Governors for the curriculum i.e. what is
taught in the school, has been increased. The Governors’ control however, is more apparent than
real, as much of what is to be taught has been determined by law.
The curriculum is not just about formal lessons. It includes all the opportunities for learning
provided by the school including sport, music, culture, opportunities for travel and so on. In a
Catholic school such as ours the teaching and expression of our Catholic values are also
important elements of the curriculum.
It is our responsibility to ensure that a broad and balanced learning experience is provided for all
pupils. To this end the school has implemented the statutory requirements of the Revised
Northern Ireland Curriculum in Language and Literacy, Mathematics and Numeracy, the Arts,
the World Around Us, Personal Development and Mutual Understanding, Physical Development
and Religious Education.
The Department of Education have also set targets relating to the knowledge, skills and
understanding which pupils are expected to have at various stages of their school life and have
determined what the school should teach pupils at various stages.
We, along with the Principal and Staff, ensure that the school continues to provide high quality
education provision through a structured programme of staff development. Listed are the areas
that were the main priorities during the academic year.

Pastoral Care - review of Child Protection policy & procedures;

Literacy
- Assessing the Cross Curricular Skills, Implementing the Big Cat
Reading Scheme.

Mathematics - Assessing the Cross Curricular Skills, , implementing Heinneman
Active Maths.

ICT
- Using I-Pad technology, using Fronter and My School upgrades
Assessing the Cross Curricular skills.

SEN
- ASD training;

PDMU
-Media Initiative for Schools.

Governors
- Induction; Appointments
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The school also considers how to further enhance the curriculum provision for the children in
challenging and innovative ways.
Such projects have been commended by many outside
agencies and the school is regarded by the education board as exhibiting best practice. During
the year the pupils took part in a ‘Media Initiative for School’s’ project with the Early Years
Organisation.
Parents are informed of curriculum initiatives and how to support their children’s learning with
focused parent information evenings.
The after school clubs are extremely popular and the children have a wide menu of activities to
choose from including: Gaelic Football, Soccer, Basketball, ICT, Sewing, knitting, Literacy and
Numeracy support, Art, Drama, Irish Dancing, Judo, English as a second language, tin whistle
and Choir.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACHIEVEMENT
The pupils’ academic achievements are well renowned and recorded in this report. However, the
school has also received success in other areas:
West Belfast PS Cross Country – Winners
GAA
-Primary 6A winners of the Monsignor Toner Memorial Cup
TUNISP
-Exchange visits with St John Bosco’s School in Uganda
Music
- 10 pupils sat Music Exams Grades 1 – 3
STEM
-Participation in the Sentinus Science Challenge
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
It has become a statutory obligation for the Board of Governors to report annually to parents the
steps taken by the school to implement the school’s Special Educational Needs & Inclusion
Policy.
The school’s Policy is in line with the Education (NI) Order 1996. This enables the staff to fully
implement the requirements of the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of
Special Educational Needs published by the DENI.
During the year, where appropriate, parents of children on the school’s Special Needs Register
were invited to attend interviews with the staff of the school, so that they became familiar with
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the provision being offered for their child. Individual Educational Plans were drawn up, in
consultation with parents, and a review process initiated.
In addition, the parents of children who have a Statement of Special Educational Need were
invited to attend an Annual Review meeting in November.
Parents can be assured that St. Teresa’s is committed to providing an effective education service
- one that is set to meet the individual needs of all children. Mrs U MacAlister, the leader of
Special Needs & Inclusion, has led the staff during the year ensuring that the implementation of
the Special Needs Policy has been effective.
ANNUAL ATTENDANCE
Throughout 2013/14 attendance in general at school remained very good. The average daily
attendance stood at 95.1%. When the attendance of a pupil is of concern and is affecting their
learning, the school discusses same with the parent. The Governors, where applicable, worked
closely with the Education Welfare Office in the best interests of the pupils.
ASSESSMENT
We, in St. Teresa’s, fulfil the statutory obligation DENI has placed on all primary schools to
formally assess pupils at the end of the respective key stages i.e. Year 4 (end of Key Stage 1)
and Year 7 (end of Key Stage 2).
Last year we did report the outcomes of these assessments to Year 4 and 7 parents. However due
to industrial action we are unable to report the outcomes in this annual report.
Alongside the formal assessments prescribed by the Department, the teachers who work with
their pupils, are constantly monitoring and assessing work and progress - both formally (with
tests/assessment materials) and informally (through observation, evaluation and monitoring of
samples of work).

REPORTING TO PARENTS
In the Autumn Term parents of all pupils are invited for parent consultations.
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In the Summer Term all parents receive a written progress report in line with the statutory
requirement. In addition, the End of Key Stage assessment results for pupils in Y4 and Y7 are
provided for parents.
EDUCATION FOR MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
Education for Mutual Understanding became compulsory for all pupils of school. It is taught,
not as a separate subject but as a cross-curricular theme, in other words through the medium of
other subjects.
A sample of activities for the 2013/14 school year included:
Sep
Media Initiative for Schools training and implementation of the programme
Oct
Fire Safety workshop
Nov
Dairy Council fitness and health workshop
Dec Carol Singing in Sainsbury’s Supermarket
Jan – May Green Day celebrations, TUNSIP visits from Uganda.
Terrible Trash Tales/ Litter talks by Belfast City Council- FS/ KS1.
Highly commended Road Safety Competition winners
The Governors are pleased to note the caring emphasis that is at the heart of school life and the
respect the children are encouraged to develop for themselves, other pupils and adults - which
remains the underlying principles of our Programme.
RELIGIOUS MATTERS
In promoting the Aims of our school, and in particular, our first aim, which commits us to the
Statement of Aims of a Catholic School - the core Religious Programme we offer all pupils is
that of the ALIVE-O Series.
The teaching of this formal Religion programme is supplemented by class assemblies, prayer
services and frequent pastoral visits by the local clergy.
With Fr Hickland. Fr Aloysius and the staff of Years 3, 4 and 7 prepared pupils for receipt of
their respective Sacraments - Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation.
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Special Masses of
Thanksgiving, attended by all pupils and staff, were offered at the beginning and end of the
academic year.
The parents of Year 7 attended meetings hosted by Mrs Durkan regarding the initiation of a
GIFT programme for our Year 7 pupils.
The children in Year 4 enrolled in the Do This In Memory programme in the parish. The
Governors are indebted to the parish team who support the school in preparing the children for
the sacrament of the Eucharist.
CHARITIES
The pupils of our school are encouraged to think not only of themselves but the plight of others particularly those less fortunate than themselves. During the year the school raised funds for the
following charities:
Macmillan Cancer Coffee Morning
£ 987.26
The Ugandan Northern Ireland Schools Project
£ 831.00
Trocaire
£ 1912.12
Children’s Hospice
£ 3004.00
Morning Star Christmas Appeal
A range of donated items of clothing.
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FINANCE
Since April 1992 the Board of Governors has been responsible for the management of its overall
budget. This is commonly referred to as full delegation. To this end, the Board of Governors
has overall responsibility, but on a day-to-day basis this is exercised by the Principal, and
monitored on a regular basis by the Governors’ Finance Committee.
The Budget is calculated by the BELB using a ‘formula’ that applies to all schools in the area.
The main element in the formula is the age and number of pupils attending the school.
For 2013/14 the allocation to the school amounted to £1,254,578. This figure is used to account
for all staffing and other running costs.
Overleaf is a copy of the Outturn Statement for St. Teresa’s Primary School. This statement
details how the overall allocation was spent and the balance which remained at the end of the
financial year.
The school’s delegated budget share for the 2014/15 financial year is £1,277,670. This slight
increase from the previous year has enabled the school to release a teacher from class
(Mr. Haughey) to carry out the role of learning support teacher. Additionally we were able to
fund a third class teacher in Year 3 to ensure small class sizes from Y1-3.
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DRAFT
BELFAST EDUCATION AND LIBRARY BOARD
LMS OUTTURN STATEMENT FINANCIAL YEAR 2013/2014
SCHOOL:
COST CENTRE:
0546
St Teresa's Primary School
School
Budget
£
Centre
Funds
£
Total
£
RESOURCES AVAILABLE
Common Formula Allocation
Carry-over from 2012/2013
Contingency – General
Contingency – In Year Growth
Curriculum Reserve
Class Size
Extended Schools
Entitlement Framework
Full Service Schools
Achieving Belfast
Board Initiatives – Weaknesses in Formula
PPP – Cleaning
Nurture Unit
Community Education Initiative Program (CEIP)
Miscellaneous
Centre Funds
1,143,505
77,764
0
4,934
0
0
28,375
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
520,763
1,143,505
77,764
0
4,934
0
0
28,375
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
520,763
TOTAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE
1,254,578
520,763
1,775,341
916,034
181,563
177,683
-20,702
153,059
200,288
380,998
-213,582
1,069,093
381,851
558,681
-234,284
1,254,578
520,763
1,775,341
EXPENDITURE
Teaching Staff
Non-Teaching Staff
Other Costs
Income
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
CARRYOVER TO 2014/2015
0
0
ANALYSIS OF CENTRE EXPENDITURE
Teaching/Non-Teaching Long-term sickness
Teaching/Non-Teaching Maternity
Teaching Miscellaneous
Redundancy/Premature Retirement Costs
Statemented Pupils
Special Units
Youth Tutors
Resources for Schools
PFI/PPP
Rates
Other
Landlord Maintenance
Capital
8,772
2,651
0
30,635
134,929
188,235
0
12,054
0
41,790
14,986
86,711
0
TOTAL
PART 3: ANALYSIS OF RESOURCES AND EXPENDITURE
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520,763
THE FAMILY FUND
The Board of Governors are very aware of the support afforded by the parents through their
contribution to the family fund and would like to put on record their invaluable contribution to
the life of St. Teresa’s.
Date
Balance
September 13
£1,050.00
October 13
£490
November 13
£630
January 14
£580
June 14
£530
TOTAL
£3280
The funds raised last year will be given to the Student Council who will be supported by staff to
spend on improvements in the playground. Details of how the money was used will be outlined
in due course.
GENERAL PURPOSE ACCOUNT
The school operates a General Purpose Account for the day to day handling of money. Accounts
are available for perusal upon written request.
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