ST. MALACHY’S
PRIMARY SCHOOL
& NURSERY UNIT
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
ANNUAL REPORT
2012 – 2013
1
SOUTH EASTERN EDUCATION AND LIBRARY BOARD
St Malachy’s Primary School & Nursery Unit
Principal:
Mr Stephen Rafferty
BA.PGCE.PQH(NI)
197 Clandeboye Road
Bangor, Co Down
BT19 1AA
Vice Principal:
Mrs Rosaleen Quinn
BSC.PGCE.PQH(NI)
Telephone: 91270594/ 91450768
Email: srafferty812@c2kni.net
www.stmalachysprimary.weebly.com
November 2013
Dear Parents
This report highlights the successes and achievements of your children and your
school. St. Malachy’s continues to cater for a wide variety of needs by providing a
broad and balanced curriculum within a supportive, caring and exciting
environment.
The Governors wish to congratulate the Principal and all of his staff on the
provision of a quality education for all and to thank all the parents for their help,
support and encouragement.
Schools are not now required to have an Annual Parents’ Meeting to discuss the
report. If parents require any further information about the school’s Annual
Report or wish to raise issues about its content, they should discuss this in the
first place with the Principal. If parents wish to raise a matter at Board of
Governor level, they should do so following the agreed procedures.
Yours sincerely
Paddy Hanna
Mr P Hanna
Chairman, Board of Governors
2
ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT
The Board of Governors has overall responsibility for the effective management
of the school. As well as nominees of the Trustees, the South Eastern Education
and Library Board and the Department of Education its membership also
includes an elected parent governor and an elected teacher governor. The
Principal completes this team, which represented all the main bodies concerned
with the school.
Trustees Representatives
Father J Gunn
Sean Johnston (Secretary)
Vacant
Colette Steed
Mr Paddy Hanna (Chair)
Mr Joe Edgar
Mr Stanley Smith
Mrs Jill Townsend
Mrs Tracey Butler
Mr Stephen Rafferty
DENI Representative
Board Representatives
Parents Representative
Teacher Representative
Principal
The Board of Governors was responsible for the implementation of the
curriculum, for making recommendations for the appointment and dismissal of
staff, pupil admissions, discipline, school premises and finance. The Governors
met regularly to discuss these matters with the Principal.
A School Management Team consisting of the Principal, Vice-Principal, and
three senior members of staff provided a framework for the management of the
school. Subject and Key Stage Co-ordinators had specific responsibilities relating
to curricular areas and ensured that the curriculum was delivered to your child in
as meaningful a context as possible, while at the same time attending to pastoral,
administrative and managerial duties. These responsibilities were continually
reviewed in light of changing circumstances.
These organisational structures within the school strengthen the school’s ability
to absorb the major changes arising from Government Policy and to respond
appropriately to them.
3
THE CURRICULUM
The Principal and staff of St. Malachy’s put the child at the heart of the
curriculum. The school provided a broad, balanced, challenging and relevant
curriculum, which was methodically planned, professionally implemented and
systematically evaluated.
Children had full access to the complete range of subjects prescribed in the
Northern Ireland Common Curriculum. Various learning strategies and
techniques were deployed in each classroom to ensure that all children
developed appropriate skills.
Staff attended regular curriculum and management meetings to ensure the
effective running of the school with a focus on identifying strategies to raise
standards in literacy, numeracy, assessment for learning and the development of
topic based learning. At the heart of the curriculum lies an explicit emphasis on
the development of skills and capabilities for lifelong learning and for operating
effectively in society. Three members of staff attended the Heart-Start training
programme.
The curriculum for the three stages at primary is set out in seven areas of
learning comprising:Language and Literacy – including Talking and Listening, Reading and Writing.
Mathematics and Numeracy – including Number, Measures, Shape and Space,
Sorting, Patterns and Relationships.
The Arts – including Art and Design, Drama and Music
The World Around Us – including Interdependence, Place, Movement and
Energy and Change over Time.
Personal Development and Mutual Understanding – including Personal
Development and health and Mutual Understanding in the local and wider
community.
Physical Development and Movement – including athletics, dance, games and
gymnastics.
Religious Education – including opportunities to learn about, discuss, evaluate
and learn from religious beliefs, practices and values.
4
Children with learning difficulties were identified at an early stage and were
supported by our Learning Support Teacher Mrs Moore, and when deemed
necessary
The four Educational Themes, viz Education for Mutual Understanding, Health
Education, Information Technology and Cultural Heritage were taught as an
integral part of the curriculum. The use of our CAPS programme (Character
Approach to Problem Solving) enabled these areas to be developed more fully
and led towards the promotion of citizenship.
The full development of each child was enriched through the provision of extra
curricular activities. Many of these activities, which ran outside of the statutory
school hours under the guidance of our staff and specialist coaches, were
considered an important and integral element of school life.
Staff Training






All teaching staff were trained in SIMS assessment
All teaching staff, CAs and ancillary staff were trained Pastoral Care
One teacher was trained in the Helping Hands Programme.
Three teachers were trained in the Y6/Y7 Heart Start Programme.
All staff successfully completed PRSD
Mrs Bradley was successful in her application for a place on the PQHNI
(Professional Qualification for Headship) training course with RTU.
Interactive whiteboards, installed in every classroom in the school building, are in
daily use with staff building up resources from websites – our school were
moderated again successfully this year in the CEA ICT Accreditation Scheme.
Each pupil has a continuous assessment folder which travels with them from
year group to year group. This tracks each pupil’s progress and identifies areas
for improvement and development.
Our school was inspected in June 2013 and we were very pleased with the
positive nature of the Inspection report which highlighted our –
 Outstanding Pastoral Care provision
 Very good provision for SEN
 Outstanding Nursery provision
 Very Good quality of Teaching & Learning – the majority of lessons
observed rated Very Good to Outstanding quality
 Very Good quality of provision
The one area for development was in the ‘Use of Data’ which the ETI
acknowledged the school had the capacity to address.
5
The following policies may, on request, be inspected at the school:
Whole School Curriculum Policy
Numeracy Policy
Literacy Policy
Science Policy
Special Needs Policy
Admissions Policy
Promoting Positive Behaviour
Fire Drill Procedures
Homework Policy
Smoking Policy
Sex Education Policy
Anti-bullying Policy
Charging and Remissions
and Use of Premises Policy
Teaching & Learning Policy
Geography Policy
Data Protection Policy
Art & Design Policy
Physical Education Policy
Drug Education Policy
Library Policy
History Policy
I.T. Policy
Music Policy
Pastoral Care Policy
Supervision Procedures
Marking Policy
Staff Development Policy
Child Protection Policy
Educational & Recreational
Visits Policy
Inset Policy
Crisis Management Policy
Monitoring and Evaluating Policy
Freedom of Information Policy
Sun Safe Policy
POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR
Our school continued with our well established Merit Award System which is
operational from Y4 – Y7.
HEALTH EDUCATION
Throughout the year, the school continued to successfully promote Health and
Well Being and deservedly achieved the 2012/13 GOLD Award in the Health
Action Competition run by Action Cancer.
The school held another successful Health Education month in January 2013
where children focused on various aspects of health including diet, exercise and
dental hygiene. We had visits from a variety of Health Promoting agencies
including The Belfast Giants and the Dental Hygienist.
The school continued with the ‘Cool in School’ Programme, encouraging children
to drink water during the course of each day. Water fountains are provided in
class ‘areas’ for the children’s use. The school also continued with healthy eating
breaks for the majority of the children. These breaks consisted of a variety of
breads, sandwiches, fruit and vegetables. The Breakfast Club proved to be very
successful once again, with over 80 breakfasts being provided on a weekly basis.
6
The School Garden
The School Garden continued to flourish this year under the management of Mrs
Hill and Mrs Cunningham.
The above staff ran a very successful Gardening Club with Key Stage II children,
teaching them to plant and look after a variety of vegetables including potatoes,
beetroot, leeks, cabbages, rhubarb, herbs and strawberries.
All of the elements work well to create a sensory rich environment for the children
of the school to enjoy.
APPOINTMENTS, RETIREMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
During the course of the year we had the following appointments, retirements
and resignations.
Mrs Sandra Jackson – Supervisory Assistant - Retired
Mr George Shannon – Crossing Patrol – Transferred to Kilmaine PS
Mr Cristoforo Marcella – Classroom Assistant – 1 Year placement
Mr Marcella and Miss Jessica Kelly, both working as Classroom Assistants, were
successful in their applications to study for their PGCE Teaching qualification at
Dundee University. Congratulations, we wish them both well!
LIST OF CLASS TEACHERS 2012 / 2013
Principal
Vice Principal
Nursery:
Playgroup:
Y1
Y1
Y1
Y2
Y2
Y3
Y3/Y4
Y4
Y5
Y5
Y6
Y7
Y7
Y5 & Y6
SENCO
Mr Stephen Rafferty
Mrs Rosaleen Quinn
Mrs Orla Mulhern-Caddell
Miss Donna McArdle / Mrs Pauline Keenan &
Miss Sarah McAuley / Mrs Yvonne Laird
Mrs Julie Barklie
Miss Noleen Bannon – covering maternity
Mrs Tracey Butler
Miss Bronagh Mullan
Miss Michelle Devine
Mrs Eithne McGoran
Miss Gemma Roddy
Miss Grainne Coulter
Mrs Rosaleen Quinn
Miss Laura McGrattan
Mrs Diane Bradley
Mrs Julie Spence
Miss Claire McAlorum
Miss Nicola McIntyre
Mrs Geraldine Moore
7
OUR ANCILLARY AND AUXILLARY
STAFF COMPLETE THIS TEAM
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Building Supervisor
Classroom Assistants
Mrs Joan Harpur
Mrs Karen Hughes
Mr Gerry Coy
Miss Jessica Kelly, Miss Andrea Hill,
Miss Leah Coulter, Mrs Julie Cunningham,
Mrs Jenny Hall, Mrs Karen McAllister,
Mr Cristoforo Marcella
Miss Joanne McCormick
Nursery Assistant
Nursery Lunchtime
Supervisors
Mrs Janice McVeigh, Mrs Jill Church
Supervisory Assistants Mrs Julie Cunningham, Mrs Anne Adair,
Mrs Jenny Hall, Miss Leah Coulter
Mrs Karen McAllister
Cleaning staff
Mrs Cathy Sterrett
Mrs Martha Fitzpatrick
Mr Kevin Adair
Mrs Roberta Drayner
School Crossing
Patrols
Mr John Walsh
Meals Staff
Mrs Martha Larmour
Mrs Elizabeth Crooks
Mrs Cathy Sterritt
ENROLMENT AND ADMISSIONS
The enrolment figure for 2012/2013 reached 356 children
A total of 36 children transferred to Post-Primary education. Each child received
a place in their first-choice school.
St.Columbanus’ College
Bangor Grammar
Glenlola Collegiate
Sullivan
Our Lady & St. Patrick’s
Bangor Academy
Priory Integrated College
24
5
3
1
1
1
1
Congratulations to all our Y7s who have transferred to their new schools, we wish
them well. The number of pupils admitted to Y1 in September 2012 was 60 (the
maximum allowed by DENI), an increase from 54 the previous year. Details of
the Admissions Policy were available from the Principal.
8
LEARNING SUPPORT
Provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs was ongoing in 2012/13.
Pupils with special requirements were identified, assessed and a programme to
remediate their particular needs was devised. Teachers along with the SENCo
developed IEP’s for each child. Three IEP’s for each child were written up over
the school year and evaluated.
A total of 46 children were on the learning support register. Two of these
children held a Statement for Special Educational Needs, one of whom left to
take up a placement in Killard Special School in January 2013. Twelve children
held a Record of Concern. Three children received outreach support (school
based) over the school year, one of whom was offered a full-time placement at
Cottown Reading Cente beginning September 2012 and returned to St Malachy’s
for the last term of the school year. Two children were issued with a statement of
Special Educational Need, both of whom transferred to other learning
establishments, Killard Special School and Towerview Primary’s SEN Unit.
A request was made for an urgent statutory assessment on a Stage 3 child. This
was granted but unfortunately the child moved to another Education Board
before completion. The child’s new school were informed of the stage of COP
and current provision. One other child is awaiting completion of documentation
which will result in a final Statement of Educational Need.
The ASCET personnel were involved with various children from Y1-Y4 over the
school year. They worked with individual children or in small group settings. The
programmes delivered were designed to improve listening, attention,
concentration and gross and fine motor skills. Some children were also referred
for speech and language difficulties. The service provided was invaluable and
most beneficial for children and staff involved.
Children were recorded on The European Framework of Reference which was
set up by a member of the Inclusion and Diversity team. This is a template which
record each EAL child’s progress as they gain confidence in developing their
fluency with English and master the intricacies of the English language. It will
follow each child throughout their primary school years, and will be updated
regularly. All new EAL children were added as and when they were admitted to
the school.
Contact was maintained throughout the year with outside agencies who offered
support and advice on children with particular Special Educational Needs.
Our Learning Support Policy reflected the Code of Practice and procedures for
the identification, assessment and remediation of pupils experiencing difficulties
and was in line with Code of Practice recommendations. Children with learning
difficulties also benefited from the support of our learning support classroom
assistants.
9
MUSIC / INSTRUMENTAL ANNUAL REPORT
September - Children were welcomed back in September with a musical
‘Beginning of year mass’. Music was provided by Mrs Finlay, Miss Devine and
the choir. October and November - Choir spent the weeks of Oct and Nov
practising for Christmas plays and open night. December - Year one performed
a very successful Christmas play. This was performed during the day for the
other children in foundation stage plus their parents and grandparents. The year
two and three children performed the Christmas play ‘The Fir tree’ beautifully. A
Big thanks goes to Miss Devine (yr2), Miss Hall (yr2), Miss Roddy (Yr3/4) and
Mrs McGoran who worked very hard with all the children to make their evening
performance such a success. Jan – March - All children prepared for the
‘Culture Day’ concert which was held on Wednesday 15th March. Each class
performed their own song. The nursery made two wonderful performances of the
Dingle Dangle leprechaun (morning group and afternoon group). Mrs Mulhern
Caddell sang from the front and Miss Mc Cormick accompanied the children on
the guitar. Miss Mc Grattan and Mrs Quinn’s classes read a poem and explained
to us how we celebrate St Patrick’s Day around the world. Mrs Bradley’s class
delighted us with their whistle playing. Ms McAlorum and Mrs Spences’ Primary
sevens performed some very witty Limericks. Miss Coulter’s class performed the
waves of Torey. Thanks to Mrs Eccles (Nicole and Robbie Eccles Mum) for
helping the class to learn their steps so well. We all enjoyed some line dancing
from the Primary two line dancers. Especially the moves made by both Mrs
Finlay and Miss Devine who seemed to be enjoying themselves too much!
Primary one sang Aunt Jane and Mollie Malone, and Mrs McGoran’s class
performed a lovely St Patrick’s Day poem. The choir completed the afternoon
with a few Irish songs such as the ‘Star of the County Down’ and ‘Past the Point
of Rescue’. A great day was had by all! April - The Primary five’s performed the
‘Passion Play’. Chloe McDonagh played the role of Jesus and she performed her
role to perfection. This may have been down to the fact that her costume gave
more authenticity to the role. The robe she wore belonged to Luke O’ Doherty,
who got it whilst on holiday in Israel, during a visit to the River Jordan. The music
for the play was performed on piano by Mrs Finlay and the songs were beautifully
sung by the choir. May –June - This was a busy time of year for the choir as they
were involved in the First Holy Communion and the Confirmations held in June.
Our thanks to the choir and music teachers who provided great entertainment
throughout the year.
SPORTING AND OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
St. Malachy’s once again has continued to provide excellent sporting and
competitive opportunities for all year groups. Once again an extensive after
school/extended school programme ran smoothly for the year. We continued to
provide a comprehensive, well organised and resourced program of events with
experienced coaches.
10
Football
Mr Cristoforo Marcella, a CA in school (and accomplished footballer) took charge
of our school team throughout the year and had them training in all weathers. We
successfully competed in SEELB competitions against other schools and
purchased a new PUMA kit which was well received by all.
Athletics
Our indoor athletics programme continued to be a huge success with a large
number of children enjoying this club. Mrs Hall continued to run this with vigour
and enthusiasm, and our thanks to her for that.
Swimming
Children from Y5 – Y7 continued weekly swimming lessons at the new Bangor
Arora. All children completed their swimming badges with some pupils swimming
the impressive distance of one mile! All children participated readily in this
activity and excellent progress has been made with all children receiving an
award – Well Done!
Extra Curricular Activities:
School clubs continued to provide our children with skill, fun and in-house
competitions – these included table tennis, tennis, hockey, badminton, athletics,
traditional music, Irish dancing, art, choir, tin whistle, drama, computers,
needlecraft, Ju-Jitsu, breakfast club and not forgetting our younger children –
tumbledown, fun club and lunch club! We were delighted to receive Extended
Schools Funding to help run these clubs.
Sports Day
Two very successful sports days took place in June 2013 with the weather being
very kind! Great fun was had by all and we are once again indebted to our
Parent Support Group for providing certificates and badges. All in all another fun
filled active year for St. Malachy’s, one of which all the children have thoroughly
enjoyed. May we also say a huge thank you to our parents who have supported
these events in all weathers!
PRIZEGIVING & Y7 LEAVERS EVENING
Our Annual Prize giving was held on Friday 21st June 2013 for both Key Stage 1
and Key Stage 2 children. Trophies were presented to KS1 and KS2 children
respectively. This event was very well attended by parents and we were delighted
to see so many children getting awards for achievement in swimming, cycling
proficiency, athletics, football, netball, badminton and table tennis.
11
On Thursday 20th June 2013 we had our Y7 Leavers Evening – a very moving
occasion for children, staff and parents as our Y7 pupils had their ‘last hurrah’ in
St Malachy’s. Each child was presented with a Yearbook, which had colour
pictures and self-penned memories of their times at our school, and all were
presented with their Records of Achievement. Altogether, 52 children received
major awards for achievement, endeavour and commitment. These trophies
provide a great focus for achievement.
Parents and children got a special treat on the night with a CD digital and sound
display of the various activities their children took part in during the year
List of Prizewinners
The Super Kid Trophy (Nursery) Achievement
The Progress Trophy (Nursery)
Character Trophy (Nursery)
The Trophy for Etiquette
Creative Arts
The Mary Towell Cup (Achievement)
The Ford Shield (Y1 Achievement)
The Louise McCourt Cup (Y2 Achievement)
The Crawford Shield (Y2 Progress & Effort)
The Eakin Cup (Y3 Achievement)
The Reilly Shield (Y3 Progress & Effort)
Most Promising Singer
The Porter Cup (Cappy Award KS1)
The First Trust Cup (Y4 Achievement)
The Jacques Shield (Y4 Progress & Effort)
Key Stage One Art Shield
The Price Shield for ICT (KS1)
The Fleming Cup for KS1 Boys Sport
The Pollock Cup for KS1 Girls Sport
Perry Cup (Literacy KS1)
Rogan Endeavour Shield (Homework/ Behaviour KS1)
Most Promising Footballer KS1
The Reynolds Cup (Y5 Achievement)
12
Daniel Lomani
Annie Rose Jamieson
Connor Price
Madison McConnell
Harry Draskinis
Lucas McCreedy
Thomas McVeigh-Reynolds
Danny O’Neill
Lewis Leddy
Cruz Harrison
Ruby Hamilton
Farah Boyd
Scarlet Sitlington
Kathryn Dickson
Tom Monteith
Amy Claney
Jack Ramsey
Tanisha Mullan-Ramsey
Troy O’Brien
Gabriella Lomani
Joel Nickels
Edwin Vattakkattu
Owen Cathcart
Emma Stratton
Gemma Rafferty-Johnston
Ryan Brotheston
Alicia Chapman
Lana Halliday
Reece McMullan
Adam Sandison
Louise Clarke
Endeavour Trophy (Y5 Progress & Effort)
Science Trophy (Most Promising)
The McCann Cup (Y6 Mathematician)
The Premier Cup (Y6 Achievement)
Endeavour Trophy (Y6 Progress & Effort)
The Topper Cup for Literacy (P6)
Most Promising Young Scientist (Y6)
The Gibson Trophy (Most promising footballer)
The Small Trophy for best newcomer to choir
The Steed Cup – Creative Expression
The Duffy Sheild – Art and Design
The CAPPY Award Y6
Downshire Cup (Girls Sports)
McKenna Cup (Boys Sports)
Key Stage Two Art Shield
Shirt Centre Cup (Music)
The Mathematics Cup (Best Mathematician)
Governors Cup (English)
PTA Cup (Personal Achievement)
Footballer of the Year
The Netball Cup
Saadat Cup (KS2 Overall progress)
The Jackson Cup (Attendance)
Brennan Cup (Cappy Award)
The Powell Cup for School Choir
The Price Cup for ICT
Aimee Hughes Cup for presentation
The Small Trophy for the outstanding pupil
at the Share Centre.
The John McMullan Shield (Best Kept Classroom)
The Attendance Shield for Best Attending Class
Charlie McCullough
Sam Brown
Ryan McDonagh
Keely Hughes
Caitlin Millar
Aleena Joseph
Mark Hennessey
Cohen Boyd
Holly Crawford
Chloe McDonagh
Jaira Sugabo
Nicole Nelson
Dani Gibson
William Simpson
Ethan Cheung
Sarah Fee
Erin Hoy
Lewis McKee
Jessica Fraser
Connor Menice
Erin Hoy / Lauren Sheilds
Lauren Sheilds
Ethan Cheung
Megan Griffin
Sophie McCormick
Chloe Taylor
Jake Claney
Holly Cree
Miss N Bannon (Y1)
Ms C McAlorum (Y7)
ASSESSMENT
Pupils in Y4 and Y7 were assessed this year.
Assessment Outcomes:
St. Malachy’s Outcomes
KS1
English
Maths
Level 1
0%
8.75%
Level 2
94.29%
85.71%
Level 3
5.71%
5.71%
St. Malachy’s Outcomes
KS2
English
Maths
Level 2
2.70%
8.11%
Level 3
16.22%
8.11%
13
Level 4
56.76%
48.65%
Level 5
24.32%
35.14%
Standardised Tests were administered throughout the school, from Years 3 – 7.
Results were recorded for each child on his/her personal pupil profile. This
profile, along with class tests, teacher observation and assessment gives an
overview of every child’s academic history in St. Malachy’s.
This academic year years 4 & 7 completed AU’S in English and Numeracy.
Years 4/5/6/7 completed INCAS assessments in October and parents received
verbal and written feedback in the month of November.
SCHOOL BUSES
The school was serviced by one Ulsterbus at 9.00am, and one at 3.00pm.
FINANCE
The Board of Governors had the responsibility of managing the school’s
allocated budget. The school’s budget was determined mainly by the number and
ages of pupils enrolled. The South Eastern Education and Library Board held this
budget centrally and the Board of Governors had delegated responsibility for
specified areas of expenditure subject to the conditions laid down by the South
Eastern Education and Library Board’s Scheme for Local Management of
Schools.St. Malachy’s operated under a delegated budget for the year and a
finance sub-committee of the Board of Governors managed and monitored this
budget in consultation with the Principal, South Eastern Education and Library
Board and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools. A summary of this
account is given below.
School Budget
Total resources available
£978,950
*Expenditure - Teaching/Support Staff
£871,502
Running Costs (Furniture & Equipment
Books and Practice Materials/Heating/Lighting)
And extended schools
£ 57,847
Gross Expenditure
£929,349
Carry forward to 2010/2011
£49,601
14
The carry forward will be offset by further improvement to facilities, equipment
and resources in the coming year. Pupil’s numbers have a direct effect on
school budgets. We see an increase in pupil numbers since last year. Prudent
management of the school budget is necessary in the forthcoming financial year.
SCHOOL FUNDS
The school also operated a school fund account for incidental expenses and
immediate requirements. The major fundraiser was the annual Sponsored
Bounce (£2,600), which was used to purchase resources for the various learning
areas around the school.
The Parent Support Group issues its own statement of accounts at its AGM.
Detailed financial statements are available on request.
PREMISES AND ACCOMMODATION
Our recently built extension was fully operational from September 2012 and
comprises of toilet facilities, a treatment room, facilities for KS1 Play, Activity
Based Learning and extended school clubs. Work was completed on full window
and external door replacement for the entire school in October 2012 and has
proved to be a very welcome addition to the learning environment.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Our partnership with parents was fully encouraged and there were many
opportunities for parents to become actively involved in their child’s/children’s
education and in the school as a whole.
Curriculum meetings for all parents were held in September.
Induction meetings were held for parents of Playgroup, Nursery and Y1 classes.
Parent/Teacher consultations were held in November and at request throughout
the year.
Various organised meetings were held for religion and other curricular areas to
include Transfer, Assemblies, Christmas Plays, Sports Days and Prize-giving for
KS1 and KS2, Curriculum information meetings for all parents. Liturgical
meetings for Y3, Y4 and Y7 parents were held. Y6 parents attended a meeting to
explain the procedure for movement to Post-Primary Education.
Parent Support Group meetings, organised functions and events
were ongoing throughout the year.
In addition to this, parents assisted teachers in a voluntary capacity with school
trips and the swimming programme
15
Some of the highlights of the year have been: Our Halloween disco proved to be a great success.
Prizes were given for the ‘spookiest’ costume.
 Christmas Ballot
 Christmas Craft Fair & Santa
 Sports Day
 Halloween Apple pies and baked pancakes
In addition to the above fund raising events, the Parent Support Group also
organised the buffet for the children and their families attending Confirmation and
provided a cake and refreshments for the First Communion Day.
The Board of Governors acknowledge the work carried out by the group not only
in fund-raising but in fostering the growth of the school as a Christian community
and encouraging closer co-operation between home and school.
EDUCATIONAL VISITS / VISITORS / COMMUNITY
During the course of the year the children were given lots of opportunities to
extend their educational knowledge through a wide variety of educational trips.
These include:





















Autumn Walk
Jollyes Pet Shop
Community Police
Bangor Fire Station
Ulster Folk and Folk and Transport Museum
Cultra Residential Centre
Heritage Centre
Residential to the Share Centre
M&M Productions Theatre Show
Specsavers
Nursery graduation
Action Renewables
School Pantomime
KS1 & 2 culture assemblies
EMU Carol Service
Sponsored Bounce
Get Active Month
School Book Fair
Belfast Telegraph Quiz
Helping Hands Programme
Dental Nurse
16





PSE Programme
Be Safe Conference for Y7 pupils
Fire Risk Assessment Officer
Local Authors
Students from South Eastern Regional College - ICT.
A colour school calendar was issued for all families free of charge at the
beginning of the school year. This proves very popular as all significant school
dates throughout the year are printed on this calendar,
Home/School Links ensured the social and welfare aspects of your child’s
education were attended to and that parents were kept fully informed of
developments in school. Regular news bulletins were issued to parents on all
aspects of school life.
SCHOOL LIBRARY
The children have made productive use of school library resources to assist their
learning. They have had opportunities to borrow books on a regular basis. Book
fairs and reading months are now well established and sharpen the children’s
focus on reading. The Library was refurbished in 2012/13 under the guidance of
our Literacy Co-ordinator Miss McGrattan.
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
Father Gunn, our school chaplain, was a regular visitor to our school during the
year providing support for our staff and taking a keen interest in all school
activities, celebrating Mass in school to mark the beginning of the school year,
and hearing confessions at both Christmas and Easter.
Meetings were held to inform parents and to assist the preparation for
Confirmation, Communion and First Penance.
Masses and paraliturgical
services were held to commemorate certain occasions and to tie in with a
planned programme.
During the year our pupils were confirmed, received First Penance and made
their First Holy Communion. Children’s work was displayed in St Comgall’s
Church celebrating Catholic Schools Week.
Key Stage 1 and 2 prepared assemblies which were celebrated each month to
link with our CAPS programme and the specific character trait being developed
at the time. A CAPS booklet has been prepared for all the families who attend
St. Malachy’s, a copy of which is available on request.
17
CHARITIES
During the year the school supported  Trocaire - £1000
 NI Children’s Hospice - £1000
ST MALACHY’S PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
Our pre-school playgroup opened in November 2006 and accommodates over 30
children of pre-school age. This playgroup is managed by the school and proves
very successful. Three classroom assistants are employed for the daily
management of the playgroup.
ATTENDANCE
The percentage attendance for 2012 / 2013 for Y1 - Y7 was 94.128%
Concluding Remarks
Our thanks to our parents who have supported St. Malachy’s throughout the
year. Our Inspection in June 2013 confirmed what we knew about the positive
learning experiences enjoyed by the children on a daily basis and the outstanding
Pastoral Care delivered, and I am pleased to say that the school continues to
provide a quality education for all of its pupils and the variety of learning
experiences available to the children continues to grow. A number of new
projects were taken on board during the course of the year. Review and
development of policy, procedures and practice in line with present and new
legislation is ongoing.
A word of thanks to the Principal, teachers, support and ancillary staff of St
Malachy’s Primary School & Nursery Unit, who are so committed to the work of
the school, making it such an exciting place for children to complete their primary
school education.
Thank you,
Paddy Hanna
Mr P Hanna
Chairman, Board of Governors
18