Speech Night - 14 November 2013
Headmaster’s Report
WELCOME
Good evening everyone and welcome to our annual Speech
Night
and
Prize
Giving in
this
our
55th
year
and
my
17th Headmaster’s Report. This welcome is especially extended
to our chief guest, Miss Kate Richardson, other invited guests,
members of Board of Governors, Sponsors, parents and most
importantly our pupils past and present.
INVITED GUESTS
This evening I also welcome:
Mr Gregory Butler, Chief Executive of SEELB; Counsellor Olive
Mercer (Chairperson of Banbridge District Council), MLA’s
Craig, Poots, Hale, and Councillors Rankin, and Gamble from
Banbridge District Council, Sponsors for Specialist School, Mr
B.
Poots
Bombardier
Aerospace,
Mr
Mike
Donaghy
and
Mr Aidan McCormack from the Southern Education and Library
Board and Mrs Linda Allen, new principal of Dromore Central
Primary School, Mr Raymond Pollock, Principal from Banbridge
Academy,
PTA
committee
members
Greenfield and Joanne Moore.
and
Chairs
Angela
It is also good to see past
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Dromore High School
members of staff here – a testament to their commitment and
allegiance to the school. In particular I welcome Mrs Joan Hall
Russell my colleague and friend (who gave up her W.I duties to
be with us this evening). Apologies have been received from
Governors Mrs R Bland and Mr Spiers and Mr P. Campbell
(Chair of SELB).
FOCUS FOR THE EVENING
This evening I want to speak on 3 major areas.
Throughout
the year I choose a focus for the school. Last year my chosen
theme was Courage and Risk Taking - how we as a school, and
as individuals, contribute to the development of this attribute –
locally, regionally and on an international basis through
courageous and calculated risk-taking activities. Secondly this
evening we want to celebrate the efforts of our pupils in
various aspects of school life – and in particular public
examinations.
And then thirdly I want to engage in some future thinking on
Dromore High School.
GUEST SPEAKER
Tonight we are pleased to have Kate Richardson as our chief
guest. If anyone epitomises courage and risk taking Kate
certainly does. Imagine sleeping for two hours and then waking
for two hours repeatedly for up to 45 days.
Then think about rowing across the Atlantic with no bathroom
facilities and limited cooking ability in these 2 waking hours.
This is the challenge Kate along with 5 other women undertook
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when they attempted to row 3000 miles unaided across the
Atlantic Ocean. And all this was done to draw attention to and
raise £1 million to help human trafficking victims.
Kate we are delighted you agreed to be our special guest this
evening and we look forward to your story and advice.
Courage and Risk Taking
Last year as a school we shared some ideas about and
celebrated examples of courage and risk taking.
As a
community of people within DHS we seek to build up our
capabilities in this area both on an individual and corporate
basis. This is reflected in many areas of our school life.
On an individual and corporate level there have been many
examples of heroic and courageous activity. One of the most
significant areas of courageous activity was the continued
development of our sixth form. As a school we entered into
this arena considerably later than other post primary schools.
But I believe we entered it for the right reasons. Of greatest
concern to me was the need for our young people to achieve to
their maximum at post 16. We wanted to give as many as
were gifted the opportunity to study A Levels and their
equivalent. Equally we wanted the overall sixth form
experience to be fulfilling and of the highest quality. We
believe we have achieved that; and more to the point - the
sixth form student evaluation of their experiences confirmed
our beliefs.
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To date we are offering 23 subjects. The vast majority of these
are delivered by our own staff. Subjects include:
Accounting
Eng Lit
Maths
R. Studies
Art & Design
Geography
Mod. Language Sociology
Applied Bus.
History
Music
Biology
H.Economics
Physics
Chemistry
IT
Psychology
Tech & Design
and
BTEC Level 3 Certificate in:
Engineering
Performing Arts
Creative Media
Health & Social Care
Sport
So we are offering 23 subjects with approximately 50% of
them falling into the applied area. This means that in terms of
the entitlement framework we are exceeding the government’s
targets.
At the outset our aim was not to replicate provision at other
schools – rather we wanted to devise a niche programme
specialising in STEM subjects supported with high achieving
subjects in general areas.
To augment this programme we devised enrichment courses
which gave our young people the opportunity to develop
personally and socially. Many of these young people had
already participated in the wide range of activities and
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experiences which this school offers between years 8 to 12 –
but additional provision was made for personal finance/money
management; health related fitness / Duke of Edinburgh
Award Scheme / PSHE / Habitat for Humanity / Business
Enterprise / Model United Nations / Ski Trips / Uganda Trip and
many other events such as – Art and Ceramic Day; Mock
Interview Evenings; Press Group Meetings; UCAS Convention;
a Business Study Day; Coastering; Bonding Days.
Over these two years, student support took many forms – from
the employment of a study supervisor (Mr Bothwell to whom
we are indebted), learning resource supervisors (Mrs Linda
Milford and Mrs Dorothy Roulston), DEL Careers support
officers; mentors; Mrs Scott, Head of 6th form and Mrs Mitchell,
Director of 6th form, offering support in academic and pastoral
areas.
Throughout the year parents were kept informed about
progress and given information about study, university and
other Higher Education opportunities. This level of personal
contact must be maintained as we continue to move forward
with our sixth form programme.
All of these developments over a short period of time would not
have materialised except for the hard, time consuming work of
staff, especially the Sixth Form Project Team.
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I commend all my staff on their heroic and courageous work in
this area over the past 3 years. No one should be in any doubt
about the significance and depth of work required to realise
this development and I commend in particular the school
Director of Sixth Form Mrs Mitchell and also Head of Year Mrs
Scott and the teaching staff for their efforts.
Another significantly courageous development was our work in
the area of assessment and pupil tracking.
The assessment
regime across Years 8-14 has continued to change to match
curriculum demands and enable careful monitoring of progress.
Miss Uprichard continues our development work at Key Stage 3
as we move into the area of ipsative assessment – another
courageous move which we are pioneering within the education
system.
Similarly we are making heroic strides in the area of ICT. Mr
Sidor is leading a team of change champions who act as
catalysts for IT development. The school is now well positioned
to meet the statutory demands for cross curricular ICT by
2015. Indeed our pupils are already receiving ICT certificates
from CCEA.
Just recently the school’s ICT infrastructure has
undergone a transformation, upgrading our system, and
creating a school wide wireless solution.
Whilst this process
continues to be painful, the school reacted magnificently and
we have now a well developed IT system.
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Last year, too, in November 2012 we received confirmation of
our continued status as an Investor in People.
We also
courageously sought Bronze Award status which we achieved
easily. We also received our ten year certificate for continued
high performance within this Investor in People Award. Thanks
to Mr Wright for leading this.
Whilst it is always good to measure ourselves against external
criteria, last year Mrs Herron led a team which asked one of
our client groups – our parents – to comment on our service.
This again was a courageous piece of work but one which
confirmed our efforts, and also identified areas for continued
work.
We are indebted to our parents for their support,
honesty and caring approach.
Last year I highlighted the school’s ‘integrating’ nature.
We
are delighted to have within our building a variety of abilities,
nationalities and creeds.
All this brings a multi-dimensional
aspect to our school. To provide further planned opportunities
for integrating across a number of cultures a series of trips
abroad were organised by staff last year. Such trips are very
very courageous and high risk. They included a rugby/hockey
trip to Rome; a German exchange trip; and a ski trip.
Last
year we continued with our Key Programme Residentials. Four
residentials were organised with Colaiste Feirste School Belfast
and Mohill Community Schools.
All of our pupils thoroughly
enjoyed the experience even though it was challenging. One of
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our students Sophie Fletcher in year 11 was awarded Young
Entrepreneur of the Year at the Waterfront Hall. This enabled
Sophie to participate in an all expenses paid trip to Canada to
take part in the Next Generation Leaders Conference in August
2013. We are all very proud of her achievements.
With regards to evidence of courage and risk taking in the
wider community we can cite numerous activities. We continue
to engage heavily with our local and wider community during
periods of work experience and work shadowing.
We are
indebted to the courage of our employers as they take on
young people and give them a meaningful work experience. A
high level of creativity and commitment is required from our
internal teaching and support staff and we continue to be
appreciative of their hard work.
As a school we want to express our thanks to the local and
wider community as they supported us during our 6th form
development.
They demonstrated great courage and support
for our 6th form programmes. This has been affirmed this year
as 94 students returned to take our Year 13 programme with
26 pupils coming from other schools.
Similarly we are pleased to report community support for the
summer scheme organised during the first week of July.
We
thank Mr Annett and the team for all their work in this area.
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CHARITIES
Our charity work in school, too, continues with it’s courageous
work.
Last year we raised a total of £8,055.56.
continues
despite
the
economic
hardship
This work
many
are
experiencing at this time.
Significant beneficiaries were…….
Charitable Donations
2013/2014
Main Beneficiaries:
Breast Cancer
Pink themed day – Business Studies Department
480.00
Buddy Bear Trust,
Dungannon
Carols by Candlelight, S.U. service
650.00
Cancer Research
Bun sale
200.00
Diabetes UK (NI)
Cake Sale – Vicky Black, Hannah Craig, Kerry Campbell
210.50
Emmanuel, Africa
(Uganda)
500.00
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Mrs J Anderson
142.00
New Beginnings
Charitable Trust
(Uganda)
Fun Run
Poppy Appeal
Sale of badges / collection in assembly
Readathon
English Department - sponsored reading in aid of children
suffering from Cancer/Hodgkin’s disease
Simon Community
Harvest Service Collection
301.55
Uganda Campaign
Mr Sidor / Citizenship class – carwash
150.00
150+ Food Parcels
Local Senior Citizens
Misc charities
Misc collections
1,518.00
296.86
2,190.85
1,415.80
TOTAL
£8,055.56
Further donations were made to a wide range of charitable organisations:
RAFA Wings Appeal, Cash for Kids, Friends of Africa Missionary Endeavour, Children in Need etc ………………..
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CLASS OF 2013
So let us now pay tribute to all our young people who took GCE
and GCSE exams or their equivalents during 2013. Firstly GCE
and BTEC Level 3 equivalents.
We are delighted with the results achieved by our A2 students.
The vast majority of these students did not manage to gain a
grammar school place when they were 11 years of age – but
they have made a suitable reply by achieving results which
secured university and other Higher Education places.
These results confirm our decision to develop 6th form and the
Governors and staff wish all our students every success as they
move on to university, college or into the world of work.
Approximately 91% of our students looking for university
places achieved that target... the rest are attending foundation
degree programmes.
Significant results were achieved by:
Andrew Sleator
James Camblin
Tara Meeke
Timothy Savage
Andrew Martin
Nadine Sullivan
Andrew Cunningham
Blake McVeigh
Neill Harrison
and many more.
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We are particularly pleased how some students, who join us in
lower sixth from other schools, performed. Some schools
which crave elitist status fear that by retaining some students
it will affect their overall school performance in the league
tables. Our philosophy is that where the basic criteria have
been fulfilled we will give them an opportunity. I congratulate
these students for their tenacity and obvious courage.
In terms of university places our students have accessed
courses mainly at Queens University Belfast and University of
Ulster – others are going to UCD and some to attend university
and colleges on the mainland.
Courses include:
Agriculture, Law, Education, Veterinary, Sports Studies,
Product Design, Business, Finance, Archaeology and various
Arts and Humanities subjects.
The overall subject pass rate at A*-C was 82% with
40% of our students achieving 3+ at A*-C
with another 10% having 2+ A*-C with a D grade
65% of our students achieved 2+ A*-C
Our 5 BTEC subjects were high performers achieving 100%
pass rate at A*-C with all entrants achieving a * Distinction –
the equivalent of an A* at A Level. Other subjects obtaining a
100% pass rate included RE and Business Studies. Two of our
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pupils Ellen Woods and Joshua Cargill achieved 100% in AS Art
and Ellen is exhibiting work in Londonderry at Turner Exhibition
for Young Artists.
In mid-September we met to recognise the achievements of
our first cohort of 6th formers. It was a fantastic afternoon
when our young people were challenged and encouraged by
our guest speaker – Mrs Janet Toal (née Cromie) a past deputy
Head Girl. Tonight we want to acknowledge the trophies which
were presented to mark achievement in various aspects of 6th
form work.
Mrs Elizabeth Brown is a former member of staff of Dromore
High School and Year Head. Both of her boys Andrew and
Richard attended this school and moved into the law
profession. Tonight she presents to the school the Elizabeth
Brown Cup for Achievement in A Level English Literature. I
invite Elizabeth to come forward and present this trophy to our
Chairman Mr Patterson.
The Sleator family have been strong supporters of DHS and
Mrs Joan Sleator continues to be a member of the Board of
Governors. Her 4 boys attended our school and have achieved
highly in their respective areas. I would ask Joan to present to
Mr Patterson the Sleator Cup for Achievement in A Level
Mathematics.
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Tonight too we receive from the Royal British Legion a cup to
be awarded for Best Overall contribution to Sixth Form I would
ask Mrs Hawthorne and Mrs Wilson to come forward and
present this trophy. We are delighted that members of the
Hawthorne and Wilson family have joined us this evening along
with Brian Hagan – Chairman of the Dromore Branch of the
Royal British Legion. The 2 families donated money to the
Branch in lieu of flowers following the passing of Mr Tommy
Hawthorne and Mr Tommy Wilson. As a school we are pleased
to accept the generosity of both families as they present a
‘Tommy’ figurine and a large shield for Best Sixth Form
Contribution.
Once again, at GCSE and equivalent level, the school sustained
its high level of achievement. In early September the Irish
News published the highest performing schools at 5+ A*-C and
Dromore High School featured very strongly in that list across
the entire jurisdiction and would have done even more strongly
using the benchmark of 5+ A*-C including English and Maths.
This year we have performed particularly well against expected
performance.
The 5+ A*-C was 76%
This year too the girls reflected the regional trend
outperforming the boys by 12%
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However of particular note was the achievement of 5+ A*-C
including English and Maths. We increased our past
performance by 9% to 56%.
This was a remarkable achievement and one which needs to be
sustained.
Amongst the high performers this year were:
Jane Ashfield
Chris Tinsley
Tammy Montgomery
Philip Best
Zoe Campbell
Jemma Smyth
Yasmin Erwin
Rebecca Chambers
Charlotte Jordan
Lauren Hamilton
PAST PUPILS
We always take great interest in the progress of past pupils.
For example:
Katie Louise Hunter
1st Class Hons in Media Studies and Production
Christopher Campbell
Graduated from Pennsylvania College of Medicine with a
B.Med and Bachelor of Surgery
Roderick Tate
MA with Hons in Economics and History
Nikita Harron
won Rooney Award at SRC
Michelle Herron
BSc (Hons) in Computing and Information Technology – now
studying a Masters
Rachel Gray (née Jess)
BA (Hons) Early childhood Studies
Timothy Greer
Hons History
Key Stage 3
End of Key Stage tests have been the subject of much media
comment and speculation. Department officials, Teaching
Unions, GTCNI and others have differing opinions as to their
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efficacy. In school we have continued to make our returns to
CCEA in Communication, Using Maths and ICT. Our pupils
have been performing extremely well and overall figures lie
comfortably in the Upper Quartile range. Indeed in ICT 92% of
our students are scoring Level 5 and above.
I believe it is important to end the uncertainty around the
‘fitness for purpose’ of these tests. Are they a system check in which case a much lighter intrusion into school would
suffice; are they a pupil/parent check for progress – in which
case the professionalism of teacher assessment should suffice
without a vast system of moderation.
Banbridge Area Learning Community
Over the past 4-6 years Dromore High School has been an
active member of the Banbridge Area Learning Community.
Whilst progress has been made it is my belief that to be more
successful it is timely that a Director or someone with general
oversight of course provision across each community should be
given responsibility for shaping direction and controlling
provision.
I would like to pay tribute to Mr Aiden McCormick, SELB and
David Vint / Robert Megarity from SRC and Mr Hawthorne (our
school liaison teacher) for all their work in this area.
Attendance
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Later this month we will recognise the achievement of those
students who attended school without missing one day last
year.
During the presentation 70 young people will receive
certificates and we congratulate them all.
Every year we manage to congratulate pupils on 5 years full
attendance.
Tonight we congratulate the following students
and their families on this remarkable achievement. Would the
following 5 students come forward and receive their special 5
year attendance award from Mr Donaghy.
Jade Gillespie
Timothy McCracken
Adam McDonald
Adrien Pelan
Jon Loney
And then we have 1 pupil who has performed heroically
achieving
14
years
attendance
without
missing
Congratulations are due to Andrew Sleator.
a
day.
Andrew has
already received his award at our 6th form recognition of
achievement ceremony.
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EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Participation and achievement in extra-curricular activities
remains very high. The young people in Dromore High School
are fortunate to have a wide range of activities from which to
choose and in which to challenge themselves. Many
courageous performances have been recorded.
For example the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme for our
young people enables them to demonstrate courageous and
risk taking activities by taking them out of their comfort zone.
6 members of last year’s Year 14 have managed to secure their
Gold Award and will be going to the Palace to receive it.
None of these types of activities would have been possible if
staff were not willing to do this voluntarily and so I pay tribute
to all staff who add value to the work we do in the classroom
and develops our young people personally and socially.
SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS
2012/13
CROSS COUNTRY
 Kerry McDowell (Minor Girls) finished 6th in Down Schools’.
She joined Brooke Shaw & Alanna Wilson as the team
finished 5th.
 Timothy McCracken won a silver medal in the Inter Boys
at the Down Championships.
 Kerry, Timothy and Matthew Surgenor all qualified to run
at the Ulster Schools’Championships – Timothy performed
best finishing in 25th
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NETBALL
 All teams participated in Banbridge District Councilsponsored events
 Year 8 – runners-up in Banbridge DC Cup
 Minors – runners-up in League & Cup
 Inter A – runners-up in League & SFs in Cup
 Inter B – League winners
 Representative Honours were gained by Rebecca Rooney
U19 and Sophie Fletcher U15 – Regional Development
Squad
HOCKEY
 U12 – winners Mid-Ulster League
 U13 – SFs MU Cup
 U15 – SFs MU Cup
 U16 – shared Ulster High Schools’ Cup, winning the MU
Lge & Cup
 2 XI participated in the grammar-school McDowell Cup
 Representative – Laura Morton (U15 SELB) & Emily Beatty
(U17 SELB)
RUGBY
 U12 – winners Ulster High Schools’ Shield
 U14 – finalists Ulster High Schools’ Shield
 U15 – QFs of Medallion Plate
 U16 – winners of Pollock Cup (14 yrs in row) & Ulster High
Schools’ Trophy
 U18 – participated in 2nd XV Ulster Schools’ Comp
 Winners of Masters Cup (against Banbridge Academy
across four age groups – 5th year in row)
 Ulster U17 Development Squad – Adam Cromwell, Luke
Fitzsimmons, Adam Ferris, Marcus Heath, Curtis Jackson,
Nathan Wallace
 Ulster U18 Development Squad – Jonathan Creighton,
Adam Reaney, Peter Dorman, Adam McDonald, Adam
Kelly
 Representative – Ulster U18 Inter-Pro (Ryan Hughes, TJ
Morris, Ross Bingham, Chris Wilson, Matthew McMaster)
as well as former pupils – Jason Gribbon, Jonathan
Rosbotham
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FOOTBALL
 U16 – winners of the inaugural NI Senior Plate & retained
the Banbridge DC Cup
 U15 – SFs South Down League
 U14 – South Down Shield runners-up
 U13 – SFs of South Down League & Mid-Ulster Cup
 U12 – Mid Ulster League & Cup runners-up
 U12, U14, U16 & U18 participated in the prestigious
Northern Ireland Cup competitions
ATHLETICS
 Co Down Schools – 1 Gold, 5 Silver & 3 Bronze medals.
Down Champion – Miguel Marques (Shot Put)
 Ulster Schools’ – Alanna Wilson produced a suberb run to
win gold in an age-group that she is still eligible for next
season. Dromore pupils fared well finishing in the top half
of their events – Kerry McDowell (High Jump), Kelsea
Knox (Discus), Timothy McCracken (3000m), Ben McCloy
(Javelin), Adam Walker (Discus) & MB Relay Team.
 Irish Schools’ – Alanna Wilson 6th 100m
 N.I. Club Championships – 4 gold (Thomas Stewart –
Triple Jump, Timothy McCracken – 3000m, Kerry
McDowell – 80m, Caitlin Allen-Collins – Javelin) 4 silver &
5 bronze
 Inter-Schools’ Sports – trophies won for Junior Girls,
Overall Girls, Junior Boys, Overall Boys & Overall School.
Robin Cantley – best overall JB athlete. New records were
set by Alanna Wilson (100m & 200m), Kerry McDowell
(High Jump & Discus), JG Relay, Robin Cantley (Discus) &
Matthew Corbett (Javelin)
 Both Girls & Boys teams had incredible success in the Year
9 Team Competitions – both were Co Down Champions,
with the Girls winning the Ulster Schools’ title and the
Boys finishing in 2nd place. This success is without doubt
unprecedented at this level.
 Representative – Year 9 Co Down Squad – Kerry
McDowell, Alanna Wilson, Brooke Shaw, Caitlin AllenCollins, Robin Cantley, Matthew Corbett, Reece
Montgomery (Dylan Branker & James Moore also selected
but unable to compete due to injury)
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 Kerry McDowell picked up an award for Co Down Athlete
of the Year in her age group sponsored by Ulster Athletics
Council
OTHER
Banbridge District Council Youth Sports Awards
 No fewer than 3 of the school’s teams were shortlisted for
the Youth Team of the Year – U16 Girls Hockey, U16 Boys
Football & U14 Athletics Squad
 TJ Morris won an individual award for Karate
Tennis
 Emily Beatty, Sam Bothwell & Peter Bothwell continue to
perform at the highest levels at both Ulster & Irish level.
Peter is studying at the renowned Spanish tennis school Sotogrande. Peter continues to improve his ITF worldranking
Equestrian
 Open team finished 1st in the 1m class. Competed
successfully at the Mossvale Schools Show Jumping
League
Fishing
 School participated in the Waterways Ireland Schools’
Coarse Angling Competition
Mountain Biking
 Jacob Dickson continues to participate at a high level in
Europe
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EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
My thanks are due to all staff who assist with games and extra
curricular activities and provide a richness to life at DHS:
Art
Mrs McMahon, Mrs Finnegan
Badminton
Mr Hawthorne, Mr Rankin
Chess and Draughts
Mr I Todd
Choir and Orchestra
Mrs Storey and Mr Currie
SU
Mrs Stevenson, Mr Wylie Mrs Graham, Mr Rankin
Mini Company
Mrs Neill, Mrs Milford, Mr Bronte
Angling
Mr Hawthorne
Extra Curricular Sport
Miss Robinson, Mrs Espie, Mrs Thompson, Mr
Kirk, Mr Benade, Mr Bronte, Mr S Todd,
Mr Sidor, Mr Hawthorne, Mr Haslam, Mrs Kerr,
Miss Kilpatrick, Mr Gamble, Mrs V Fitzpatrick
Equestrian Events
Miss Kilpatrick
STAFFING CHANGES
Since this time last year there were 7 new staff appointed to
Dromore High School.

Miss Preston- Teacher of English (Signature Project);

Mr Teggarty - Teacher of Geography;

Miss Comac – Teacher of ICT/Maths;

Mrs Best – Teacher of Science;

Mrs McNellis – Teacher of Science;

Mrs Fitzpatrick – Teacher of Maths (Signature Project);

Mr Annett – Youth Tutor

We also welcome on a temporary basis Miss Anderson
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We are sure these members of staff will bring significant skills
to our school community. We also welcomed back in
September 2013 Mrs Morris after maternity leave.
Several members of staff were married over the last year. We
congratulate:

Joanna and Gareth Kerr

Sarah and Shane Burns

Lynsey and Andrew Owens

Lorraine and Jason Brock
We congratulate and rejoice with:

Mr and Mrs Nelson on the birth of their daughter Beth

Mr and Mrs Rankin on the birth of their daughter Hanna

Mr and Mrs Wilkinson on the birth of their son Oscar

Mr and Mrs Stephenson on the birth of their son Tye

Mr and Mrs Morris on the birth of their daughter Annie May
Last year we said farewell to a long serving member of staffMr Sandy Todd. This gentleman has contributed so much to
the life of this school – from rugby coach to year head, to
exams office, to duty group leader, to report manager, to exam
scheduler, to timetable scheduler to SMT and much more. But
most of all he was a friend to many. We wish him every
blessing for the future. This year as sixth form supervisor he
completes 25 years service for Dromore High School and I
would ask him to come forward to receive his award from Mr
Patterson our chairman. Similarly we wish Mrs Anderson and
Mr Anderson a long and happy retirement and thank them for
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their varied contribution to school life especially in the
classroom and their interest in charity.
THANKS
Once again we want to thank Mr Walker for his help in
organising this event in such an effective way. He is
meticulous in his preparation and thanks to him, things run
smoothly.
My thanks too are due to Mrs Gribbon, Mrs Livingston and Mrs
Morris for the catering, Mrs Anderson and Mrs Owens for the
floral displays, the office staff for all their clerical work, all my
staff for their loyalty to the school.
FUTURE THINKING
Let me spend just a few minutes now looking into the future.
For Dromore High School there is still so much to be achieved.
Firstly
There is the challenge of securing a site for and the building of
a new school. Every effort must be focused on this. A game
plan must be agreed between
Governors/Principal/SELB/ESA/DE and the new sectorial body
for controlled schools. No quarter must be given. Our pupils,
staff and community deserve more.
Secondly
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This new school should consider the option of a full service
school. This needs to be secured and would be of enormous
benefit to the Dromore Community.
Thirdly
As the school has developed its sixth form this must be
consolidated and new targets relentlessly pursued and secured.
Fourthly
The 5+ A*-C including English and Maths target needs to be
driven up towards 70% and to do so intervention strategies
need to be further developed and targeted provision become
normalised.
In particular we need to address the needs of our
disadvantaged pupils; and those pupils who leave without a
Grade C in English and Maths. We have already begun to do
so… but we need to do more.
Fifthly
ICT provision needs to be enhanced and opportunities sought
out to take regard for significant developments similar to those
in USA schools.
Sixthly
A new organisational and leadership structure needs to be
developed bearing in mind our recent growth. This must be
done despite the school not moving into a new school group.
These are significant areas of work which must be initiated,
continued, developed or concluded.
However, the future looks extremely bright for this school.
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Dromore High School
It comprises a significant, hard-working Board of Governors
who are so supportive yet provide challenge for the leadership
as they seek to execute their roles. I pay tribute to their
loyalty, support and enthusiasm as they reach the end of this
term of office.
It has a well developed leadership team which works
courageously to secure the best outcomes for pupils. Mrs
Herron, Mr Wright, Mrs Mitchell, Mrs Ravey, Miss Uprichard and
Mr Todd who has just retired.
It embodies a professional and caring staff who are results
orientated, charitable and community focussed.
In short this school seeks to do its best for its young people by
providing rich experiences which reflect life opportunities in the
21st Century.
In Waterstones last Saturday morning they had a quote from
C.S Lewis on display.
“You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new
dream.”
This is such an encouragement for this school and for me in
particular.
This has been a tremendous year for me. Getting an OBE and
an Oscar in the same year; off-loading my daughter during the
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Headmaster’s Report
Dromore High School
heavy snow in March; seeing the first set of 6th formers
graduate from our school.
I have worked with amazing people, teaching staff and support
staff, and together we have moved this school to the forefront
of educational achievement and pioneered many projects and
developments which are now mainstream.
I want to pay tribute to all my colleagues and friends for the
way they have assisted me down through the years –
especially my wife Hazel – who has had to put up with my
moods, absence and single-mindedness. Without her support I
would have achieved little.
But as I get older I continue to dream new dreams, I continue
to see new goals to be achieved and God willing I’ll be given
the time and power to do it – as head of this school or
otherwise.
Mr Chairman the school has enjoyed another very good year.
We remain a happy and dynamic community, courageous and
willing to take risks. We are rich in talent and determined to
rise to the challenges.
Mr Chairman I am delighted to present my report which
records another exciting year in the life of this school.
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