October 2000
Dear Parent/Guardian
For St Colman’s Abbey Primary School the academic year 1999 - 2000 year has been one of much success
and millennial celebration but also one of great sadness.
Most notably, the death of Brother Thomas
Beausang, a son of Blessed Edmund Rice and Chairman of the Board of Governors was a great loss to the
whole school community and indeed to the whole town of Newry.
Furthermore, on 12 th October we were
saddened to learn of the untimely death of Mr G Hatchell, a former teacher in the school.
In my capacity as acting Chairman of the Board of Governors, I would like to invite you to the ANNUAL
GENERAL PARENTS’ MEETING to be held in the Abbey Primary School Assembly Hall on
THURSDAY 9th NOVEMBER @ 7.30 pm.
I enclose a copy of the School Annual Report of the school year September 1999 - August 2000. I hope that
you will find it informative and that it will help to facilitate any queries that you may have.
If there is any point in the Report that you would like to have clarified, please forward - no less than 4 days
before the meeting - your request to:
The Secretary
Board of Governors
St Colman’s Primary School
NEWRY
BT34 2ED
Wishing you and your family every good wish and blessing.
Yours sincerely
_____________________
Rev Fr Niall Sheehan cc
Acting Chairman
THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS 1997 - 2001
Annual Report 1999 - 2000
BOARD REPRESENTATIVES
Mrs Eileen Murphy
Mr Arthur Ruddy
TRUSTEE REPRESENTATIVES
Very Rev Canon A Hamill Adm.
Rev Fr Niall Sheehan (Acting-Chairperson)
Mr Gerard Keenan
Mr Luke Curran
Mrs Margaret Comer
PARENT REPRESENTATIVE
Mrs Pauline Boyle
ASSISTANT TEACHERS’ REPRESENTATIVES
Mr Denis Ward
PRINCIPAL/SECRETARY TO THE B.O.G.
MINUTES’ SECRETARY
Mr G McNulty (Non-voting member)
Miss M Connell
The Governors are ultimately responsible for the overall management of the school and are required to meet
for a minimum of three times a year.
Some of their duties include:1
The overview of the curriculum.
2
The control of the budget.
3
The provision of information to parents.
4
The selection of staff.
5
The maintenance of the school premises.
6
The Admissions Policy.
ANNUAL REPORT 1999 - 2000
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Annual Report 1999 - 2000
STAFFING
(a) The teaching complement consists of Principal + 21 teachers Mrs C Bennett - Nursery Class
Mrs E Mullan - Reception Class.
Mrs S Murphy & Mrs A Rocks - Primary One.
Mrs D Russell & Mrs L O’Hare - Primary Two.
Mr J Watterson & Mr Bell - Primary Three.
Miss M Connell & Mr T O’Hare - Primary Four.
Miss S Tremers & Mr D Ward - Primary Five.
Mr T Rafferty & Mr H Savage - Primary Six.
Mr P Murphy, Mr E Sweeney & Mr P Rocks - Primary Seven.
Miss B O’Shea - Physically Handicapped Unit.
Mrs M McKevitt - Reading Recovery.
Mr J Aitken - ‘Traveller’ teacher.
Mrs N Magill - Disadvantaged Pupils’.
(b) The School Secretary is Mrs M Treanor, assisted by Mrs P Higgins.
(c) The School Librarian is Mrs T McNulty.
(d) The School Chaplain is Rev. A. McMahon.
(e) The Classroom Assistants are Mrs A Austin, Mrs A Doyle with Mrs M McArdle (P.1) and Miss A Raftis
(Nursery Class).
(f) The P.H.U. Classroom Assistants are Mrs M Kelly and Mrs T Hollywood.
(g) The School Caretaker is Mr S Mallon who is supported by a splendid band of auxiliary cleaners led by
Mrs W McShane.
(h) There are eight lunchtime supervisors + the Principal. The supervisory team includes Mrs P Woods, Mrs
G Murphy, Mrs A Coburn, Mrs S O’Hare, Mrs J Fox and Miss R Murphy.
(i) The canteen cooks are Mrs A Crilly and Mrs P O’Hanlon.
(j) During the year the school was delighted to welcome the input of the SELB peripatetic music tutors - Mrs
T McArdle, Mr L Burke and Mrs G Gallagher.
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Annual Report 1999 - 2000
Other peripatetic SELB tutors provided support to meet the individual needs of some pupils.
2 MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
The school operates an effective management structure as detailed below-
(a) Mr G McNulty (Principal)
Miss M Connell (Vice Principal/Head K.S.1)
Mr D Ward (Head K.S.2/SENCO)
(b) YEAR GROUP LEADERS
Nursery Class
Mrs C Bennett
Reception Class
Mrs E Mullan
Primary One
Mrs S Murphy
Primary Two
Mrs D Russell
Primary Three
Mr Bell
Primary Four
Miss Connell
Primary Five
Mr D Ward
Primary Six
Mr T Rafferty
Primary Seven
Mr P Murphy
(c) CURRICULUM CO-ORDINATORS
English
Mrs S Murphy & the Literacy Team
Mathematics
Mr P Murphy / Mrs L O’Hare
Science
Miss M Connell / Mrs M McKevitt
Music
Mrs D Russell/Mr J Watterson
Art & Design
Mrs E Mullan
Physical Education
Mr C Bell
Information/Educational Technology
Mr T O’Hare
Reading Recovery/EMU
Mrs M McKevitt
Structured Play
Mrs S Murphy
Religious Education/Pastoral Care
Mr E Sweeney
Assessment
Mr T Rafferty
Special Educational Needs
Mr D Ward
Traveller Education
Mr J Aitken & Mrs N Magill
Geography
Mrs A Rocks/Mr D Ward
History
Mr H Savage
Drama
Miss B O’Shea
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Annual Report 1999 - 2000
3 STATISTICS
There were 401 pupils on register during the school year.
There were 43 pupils in the Nursery Class.
There were 25 pupils in the Reception Class.
There were 6 pupils in the P.H.U.
4 MAINTENANCE
The main school building is in good order with a bright, cheerful appearance. The caretaker and cleaning
staff are to be applauded for their efforts in keeping the school looking so well. Other SELB contract
services are employed to maintain the shrubberies and other areas of grass. The mobile classrooms
continue to provide the usual problems of security, leaking roofs, floor repairs, etc.
5 Accommodation
The main school building consists of (a) the offices of the Principal, V.P. and School Secretary,
(b) the Reprographics Room,
(c) the Assembly Hall and stage area,
Beyond the main school building are -
(d) fourteen classrooms,
(a) the mobile classrooms at the rear of the building,
(e) the School Library,
(b) the mobile classrooms in the Orchard area,
(f) the Reading Recovery room,
(c) the Physically Handicapped Unit.
(g) the Staffroom.
(d) the Nursery Classroom
6 SECURITY
Through extra SELB funding the school has acquired 24-hour closed-circuit television surveillance
cameras which have proved useful for the constant guarding of the premises.
The internal
security alarm system remains very effective and, has been improved and upgraded.
The front of the main building is covered by light-sensitive halogen lamps which keep the premises wellilluminated at night.
The school remains secure during the working day with the normal supervisory arrangements in place.
Once again, parents are reminded never to remove a child from school without first informing the class
teacher, principal or other personnel in charge at that time.
7 RESOURCES
(a) The school enjoys a good level of resources. The Principal has directed funds to acquiring new computers
for the school. Each classroom has at least one PC and the Principal has continued to upgrade the stock
including appropriate software, etc. as finances permit. New books are added to the School Library. A
number of new library books were acquired through the collection of tokens from crisp bags, etc.
(b) Shortly before the Easter Holidays the new Nursery Class was opened officially by Very Rev Canon
Hamill. This new facility is a great asset to the school and the local community - and the whole staff was
delighted to welcome Mrs C Bennett and Miss A Raftis to St Colman’s Abbey P.S.
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Annual Report 1999 - 2000
8 INSET
The whole staff was involved with various inservice and school-based courses which included(a) The development of staff ICT proficiency and school-based - led by Mr O’Hare.
(b) A complete review of the scheme of work for Mathematics - led by Mr Murphy and Mrs O’Hare.
(c) Staff Development Performance Review Whole Staff.
(d) The completion of a Child Protection Policy led by Mr Sweeney.
(e) Developing the process of Target-setting - led by Mr Rafferty.
(f) The Principal and Vice-principal attended courses and seminars and were also involved with CASS
management development programmes.
(g) Individual teachers received training with Pastoral Care, Art and Design, Mathematics, Pastoral Care,
Reading Recovery, Special Needs, Curriculum Co ordinator roles and other INSET
courses.
9 THE CURRICULUM
The school has implemented the statutory requirements of the N.I. Curriculum and the staff has been
involved in programmes of development. SELB music tutors offered Brass, String and Recorder tuition to
selected pupils. The staff continues to address and implement the various ongoing requirements and
initiatives issued by the Department of Education with co ordinators leading specific subject reviews.
P.2 - P.7 pupils used the ‘Children of God’ series for Religious instruction. The new revised version - now
entitled ‘Alive-O’ is gradually and systematically being introduced to classes throughout the school.
10 SPECIAL NEEDS
Mr Ward organised the regular programme of withdrawal for pupils who needed individual attention and
met with their teachers to discuss action plans.
Mr Aitken worked closely with the Traveller pupils in order to integrate them fully into the life of the
school. Mrs Magill provided much-valued support for ‘disadvantaged pupils’ as part of the Newry
Community Schools’ Project. Mrs Mullan was also involved, in afternoon sessions, providing support for
individual needs.
Mrs McKevitt, continued to organise and manage the ‘Reading Buddies’ project for P.2 and P.3 pupils.
The ‘Reading Buddies’ from the P.7 classes provided marvellous help during the course of the initiative.
Individual pupils received curriculum support from SELB peripatetic tutors.
The school’s involvement in the National Year of Reading culminated in a marvellous presentation to the
‘Box of Memories’ competition organised by Newry Library. The children’s collected stories and
memories from their parents and grandparents, collated by Mrs M McKevitt and Mrs E Mullan, formed a
splendid submission which gained first place for the school in the competition. The pupils were justly
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Annual Report 1999 - 2000
proud when they accepted the winner’s unique, carved trophy which was created by local sculptor, John
Haugh.
11 PARENT/COMMUNITY LINKS
Parents have been kept informed and involved with the life of the school throughNews-sheets, pamphlets, letters, induction meetings and P/T meetings.
Seasonal, Religious and Ceremonial activities and services and P.7 Graduation event.
The SELB music tutors entertained the pupils to a marvellous Christmas Concert.
Pupils participated in the RUC Community Relations’, ‘Top of the Form’ Quiz and were twinned with
pupils from Windsor Hill P.S. All of the pupils in the school received special Millennium Mugs and
keyrings to celebrate the year 2000.
Individual pupils participated in local music festivals and feisanna - and won many awards.
Pupils in the Reception class enjoyed a number of very enjoyable music-making sessions with the group
‘Young at Art’.
Staff from Newry Library made regular visits to the school to tell stories to the pupils.
Pupils from Miss Connell’s and Mr Savage’s classes entertained Senior Citizens in The Orchard Centre,
Dromalane and P.7 pupils participated in special Millennium Carol Service for all of the schools in Newry.
Pupils participated in, and won prizes, for submissions made to Newry Agricultural Show, Newry
Library’s Easter Competition and Boots’ ‘No-Smoking’ Poster Competition
The school played host to Madame Rolde, a French teacher from Tours. She was full of praise for the
marvellous time she spent in the school.
P.6 and P.7 classes were involved in activity days in St Joseph’s High School, the Abbey Grammar School
and St Mark’s High School.
Towards the end of the year the school was delighted to welcome visits by teachers from England,
Denmark, Portugal and Sweden. P.6 pupils participated in Environmental Education Workshops.
The pupils in the Nursery Class held a very successful sponsored walk to raise funds for Barnardo’s and
Newry Hospice.
The Connexions Theatre Company presented some tales from ‘The Arabian Nights’ for P.4 - P.7 pupils.
12 TRANSFER
58 pupils participated in the Transfer Procedure.
32% of pupils achieved Grade A (18)
10% of pupils achieved Grade B1 (6)
6% of pupils achieved Grade B2 (3)
9 % of pupils achieved Grade C1 (5)
6% of pupils achieved Grade C2 (3)
37 % of pupils achieved Grade D (23)
P.7 pupils transferred to the Abbey Grammar School, St Colman’s College, St Joseph’s H.S., St Mark’s
H.S., Newry H.S., St Paul’s H.S. and Newbridge Integrated College.
The Principals of St Joseph’s H S and the Abbey Grammar School + representatives of other secondary
schools spoke to the P.7 pupils re entry qualifications, induction procedures, expectations, etc.
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Annual Report 1999 - 2000
13 CCEA ASSESSMENT OUTCOMES
Key Stage I (Number of eligible 7 year olds 56)
Percentage of pupils gaining Level 2 or above in English
“
“
“
“
Level 3 “
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
98.21% (N.I. Average: 91.74%)
“ English
37.5%
( “
“
28.13%)
Level 2 “ “
“ Mathematics
98.21% (
“
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92.93%)
Level 3 “ “
“ Mathematics
35.71% (
“
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37.31%)
Key Stage 2 (Number of eligible 11 year olds 88)
Percentage of pupils gaining Level 4 or above in English
70.15%
(N.I. Average: 65.21%)
11.94%
( “
“
14.69%)
“
“
“
Level 5 “
“
“ English
“
“
“
Level 4 “
“
“ Mathematics 74.63%
( “
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71.58%)
“
“
“
Level 5 “
“
“ Mathematics 38.81%
( “
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34.68%)
14 SPORTING EVENTS
During the year P.4 - P.7 pupils participated in lessons at Newry Swimming Pool and other pupils took
part in a range of sporting activities such as basketball, hurling, Gaelic football, Cross-country running and
soccer.
The school team won the Runners’-up medals in the C.B. School Basketball Tournament. The P.7 CrossCountry team won the Bro McDermott Shield in Armagh.
P.4 - P.7 pupils won many individual awards at the N.M.D.C. Cross-country event in Kilbroney Park.
The P.5 pupils won their team race, as did the P.7 pupils.
The school football team were semi-finalists in the Rice Cup Competition and competed in the Down
County League.
All pupils took part in both indoor and outdoor P.E. sessions.
Sports Day was one of the highlights of the year for all pupils in the school.
The Athletic team won many medals at the C.B. inter-schools sports at the Mary Peters Track.
15 STUDENT/WORK EXPERIENCE
The school has provided practice/work placements for students from local Secondary Schools, Grammar
Schools, Newry College of Further Education, Newry Catering College, the University of Ulster and St
Mary’s Training College and other training agencies.
16 EDUCATIONAL VISITS
Pupils participated in a number of visits ranging from the Tayto Crisp Factory, Ardress Farm, Kilbroney
Park, a Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Carlingford Heritage Centre, St Colman’s College and St Joseph’s High
School.
17 FUND RAISING/CHARITIES
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Annual Report 1999 - 2000
Through school collections and fund-raising activities, such as Penalty Kick Competitions and Speciality
Days, donations were made to various charities including the C.B. Zambian Missions, NSPCC, USPCC,
the Pontifical Society of Missionary Children, Save the Children, Newry Lions, Children in Need and
Newry Hospice. The Parents’ Association organised several successful functions such as draws for a
Christmas Hamper, Easter Eggs, a Flower Arranging Display and a Sponsored Walk to raise funds for the
school.
Once again, many thanks must go to all of our parents who support these causes so generously throughout
the year.
18 HEALTH & SAFETY/PASTORAL CARE
Good health is an important feature of areas of the curriculum such as Science, Health Education and
Religious Instruction.
School visitors have talked to students about healthy eating and care of their teeth,. The School nurse and
Doctor have made their regular visits and the school operates its Drugs Awareness Policy and Child
Protection Procedures. Mr Sweeney is the designated teacher for Child Protection.
Through supervisory care, talks at morning assemblies and promoting good practices, the school hopes to
secure the good health and safety of all pupils.
19 ATTENDANCE
The attendance rate of pupils at the school in the school year 1999 - 2000 was Nursery and Reception
90.18%
P.1 - P.7 91.92%
CHARGES AND REMISSION POLICY
(a) VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS: During the school year various educational trips and entertainments
are planned to make a valuable contribution to the pupils’ understanding of the curriculum. The school is
unable to finance such activities unless the parents are willing to make a voluntary contribution towards
the cost.
When an educational trip or entertainment is arranged, parental approval will be sought in writing in
advance and parents will be asked to confirm their willingness to pay the cost. When pupils are away from
school at lunchtime, those entitled to a free meal will receive a packed lunch from the school canteen on
the morning of the educational trip. If a child is prevented from participating in an activity during the
school hours we will try to arrange for him to be supervised in school and he will be provided with work to
complete.
(b) CHARGING POLICY: Parents will be asked to pay for wilful damage done to school books or
equipment by their children.
(c) FUND-RAISING: From time to time the school will undertake some extra general fund-raising activities
whose emphasis will be to benefit the school and the education of the pupils.
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Annual Report 1999 - 2000
PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION
An active Parent/Teacher Association for the school has been established with a splendid group of hardworking, dedicated parents led by their enthusiastic Chairperson Mrs C McEvoy. The members of the
Association have already been of great service to the school and the Governors thank them for their interest in
the welfare of St Colman’s Abbey P S. Don’t forget to support the various activities the members undertake
on behalf of the pupils in the school.
POSTSCRIPT
(a)
At the end of the school year Mr J Watterson retired from the school staff. The Board of Governors
express thanks to him for his loyal service to the school and wishes him good fortune in the years
ahead.
The Governors also thank Mr Aitken for his work with ‘Traveller’ pupils.
The Governors welcome Mrs N Magill’s return to the staff and hope that she will enjoy the
challenges and rewards of her role dealing with the ongoing demands of the pupils in her care.
(b)
The Board of Governors and Staff were delighted to have Rev A McMahon as School Chaplain.
(c)
Plans, etc. continue to be updated for the new co-ed Primary School which will serve both the boys
of St Colman’s and the girls of St Clare’s. More information will be forthcoming to parents as the
scheme progresses.
(d)
The Board of Governors wishes to reiterate the fact that, although reasonable efforts are made to
secure pupils’ and teachers’ property, the school is not liable for any losses which may occur from
time to time.
The Governors wish to express their thanks to the whole staff, teaching and non-teaching, for their
commitment to the educational welfare of all of the pupils in the school. Finally, sincere thanks must be
extended to all our parents who, by their continued support and co-operation with the management of the
school, provide the firm foundation for the high academic, social and aesthetic standards of St Colman’s
Abbey P.S.
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