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Saint Vincent de Paul Primary

School Prospectus (September 2020)

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Welcome Note from Principal The staff and I are very conscious of the trust, which you have placed in us when you enrol

your child in Saint Vincent de Paul Primary School. Saint Vincent de Paul Primary School is a

Catholic Maintained Primary School that welcomes and caters for children of all nationalities

and religious beliefs. We have strong partnerships with our local post primaries including

Mercy College, Blessed Trinity College, St Malachy’s College, Dominican College, Belfast Royal

Academy.

We are a caring school where the whole school community shares a common goal – to work

together in partnership to make a difference.

In Saint Vincent de Paul Primary School every child is treated as precious and unique. We aim

to develop the ability of each child sharing with the Home and Parish a growth in faith

through prayer and the preparation for the sacraments. We are committed to providing the

fullest of opportunities for all our pupils to allow everyone to develop their full potential in a

nurturing, secure and safe environment. We believe that your child’s education should be life

enhancing and should foster in them a sense of self-confidence and self-belief.

We recognise also that it is only when the school and home work together that your child’s

best interests are served. Therefore we strive to maintain close links with all our parents

throughout the year.

This year we continue to embark on the journey towards our new school build on Mill Avenue

in Ligoniel.

Along with all the staff of Saint Vincent de Paul Primary School I look forward to working in

partnership with you and it is my wish that the coming years will be happy and successful for

your child.

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School Board of Governors 2020-21

Governor Name Representing

Reverend Father Patrick

Devlin

Chairperson

Trustees

Mrs Lynne O’Neill Trustees

Mr Aldrin Banas Trustees

Mr Abraham Nibu Trustees

Mrs Christine Burns The Department of Education

Mrs Ethna Brady Secretary

The Education Authority

Mr Kieran Farrelly Vice Chairperson

The Education Authority

Mr Martin Breen Teaching Staff

Mrs Amanda Toner Parent Representative

Mrs Bronagh McVeigh Principal ( non voting)

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Summary findings from ETI Inspection November 2018

The leadership and management set out a clear vision and high expectations for

promoting respectful behaviours, improving children’s attainment and supporting

them to overcome potential barriers to learning.

The governors use their wide range of different yet complementary skills and

experience to support and challenge the school to meet the needs of the children

and celebrate their achievements.

The school development planning process is underpinned by extensive consultation

with staff, children, parents and governors and the information is used

effectively in conjunction with an analysis of the school’s qualitative and

quantitative data to inform current priorities. The documentation indicates a

whole-school approach to school improvement and an emphasis on continuous

professional development for all staff.

The processes for self-evaluation are supported by a broad range of evidence and

there are clear systems in place for monitoring and evaluating the progress being

made by the children.

The extensive range of partnerships with other schools and external agencies link

appropriately to the school’s priorities of supporting the pastoral needs of the

children and families and raising standards.

During the inspection, the school provided evidence that the arrangements for

safeguarding children reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of

Education.

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Mission Statement

Saint Vincent de Paul Primary School is committed to

working in partnership with our parents to ensure

the development of each child's full potential in a

climate of support, joy, challenge, co operation and

celebration. We value the realisation that every

child born into the world is a new thought of God,

an ever fresh and radiant possibility. We are an

inclusive school where all are respected and

cherished as individuals.

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Saint Vincent de Paul Primary School 167A Ligoniel Road BELFAST BT14 8 DP

Dear Parent/ Guardian You are cordially invited to our Virtual Open Day from Tuesday 8th of December 2020.

School FACEBOOK PAGE Link to school website via SEESAW School Website www.stvincentdepaulps.com

What our Parents say

Join us virtually and get to hear what our boys and girls have to say about their school.

Saint Vincent de Paul is a co-educational, inclusive Primary School and Nursery Unit. It has an extensive before and after-school Daylight to

Twilight activity and care programme.

“All the Teachers and Staff that I have come into contact with since

my child started have all been amazing and

genuinely care about the children and their

education.”

“I love the community feel of

the school- it brings us all together.”

“All the staff make an effort to say

hello and smile at the pupils even to those children who

aren’t in their class.”

“I like that all the Teachers appear

to know the children

individually”!

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School Information

Saint Vincent De Paul Primary School: Catholic Maintained School

Co-educational Primary School

167a Ligoniel Road

Belfast

BT14 8DP

Telephone No: 028 9071 7920

Email:bmcveigh625@c2kni.net

Website:www.saintvincentdepaulps.com

Enrolment No:280

Admission No:40

Principal: Mrs Bronagh McVeigh

School Chaplain: Fr P Devlin

Chair of Board of Governors: Very Reverend Father Patrick

Devlin

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School Teaching Staff 2020-21

Teacher Roles and Responsibilities

Mrs Bronagh McVeigh

Principal

Assistant SENCO

Designated Teacher for Child Protection

Mrs Margaret Mc Laughlin

Vice Principal

Primary Two Teacher

Numeracy Coordinator

Deputy Designated Teacher for Child Protection

Mrs Gemma McKiernan Nursery Teacher

Eco Schools Co ordinator

Nursery Designated Teacher for Child Protection

Ms Helen Glover Primary One Teacher

Foundation Stage Coordinator

Nurture Team

Management Allowance One

Mrs Caroline McVeigh Primary One Teacher

PE Co ordinator

Extended Schools

Management Allowance One

Miss Martine Jamieson Primary Two Teacher

Nurture Team

Mrs Nuala Hair Primary Three Teacher

Shared Education Co ordinator

TWAU Co ordinator

Mrs Anne Lally

Primary Three Teacher

Assessment Coordinator

Management Allowance One

Deputy Designated Teacher for Child Protection

Miss Fiona Donnelly Primary Four/ Five Teacher

Eco Schools/ Sus Trans Co ordinator

Designated Teacher

Miss Naomi King Primary Four/ Five Teacher

ICT Team

Mrs Clare McGrogan Primary Four/ Five Teacher

The Arts/ Drama Co ordinator

Miss Aislinn McFarland Primary Six/ Seven Teacher

ICT Team

Mrs Roisin Walsh Primary Six/Seven Teacher

Designated First Aider

Mrs Mary Mc Grath Primary Six/ Seven Teacher

Language and Literacy Co ordinator

RE and Liturgy

Management Allowance One

Mr Martin Breen SENs Support Teacher

Using ICT Coordinator

Special Needs Management Allowance

Deputy Designated Teacher for Child Protection

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School Non Teaching Staff 2020-21

Staff Member Position

Mrs Sally Mooney Primary One Classroom Assistant

Mrs Bronagh Rooney Breakfast Club Co ordinator/ Primary One Classroom

Assistant/ Special Needs Assistant

Mrs Paula Kelly Special Needs Support

Miss Emma Burns General Assistant/ Supervisory Assistant

Miss Joanne Mc Carthy Special Needs Assistant

Mrs Grainne Gallagher Special Needs Assistant

Miss Claire McPeake Special Needs Assistant

Mrs Christine Downey Special Needs Assistant

Mrs Amanda Toner Twilight Co ordinator/ Special Needs

Assistant/General Assistant

Miss Grainne Murphy Special Needs Assistant/Supervisory Assistant

Miss Brogan Fox Special Needs Assistant

Mrs Norma Blair Special Needs Assistant

Miss Gaby Masterson Special Needs Assistant

Mrs Stephanie Stewart Nurture Assistant

Mrs Martina Magee Nursery Assistant

Mrs Maureen Hill Secretary

Mr Paul Mc Aleese Building Supervisor

Mrs Tina O’Prey Crossing Patrol

Mrs Caroline Hogan Cleaning Staff

Mrs Paula Mc Kenna Cleaning Staff

Mrs Elaine Feenan Supervisory Assistant

Miss Berni Mooney Supervisory Assistant

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PRIMARY SCHOOL UNIFORM

Boys Girls Navy Trousers Navy Skirt

Light Blue Shirt Light Blue Shirt

School Jumper School Jumper

School Tie School Tie

Summer – Navy Shorts Summer Dress – Blue checked

Footwear Pupils should ONLY wear black shoes.

P.E. Uniform Light Blue Polo Shirt

Navy Track Suit Bottoms

Non-slip footwear i.e. gym shoes/track shoes

Swim wear

School sweatshirts, fleeces and rain jackets may also form part of the uniform and are

available together with school ties from Tiny Togs.

It is important that each child comes to school clean, neat and tidy. All children are

encouraged to wear their school uniform with pride and dignity. Only the official school

uniform is allowed.

In the interest of Health and Safety we request that jewellery is not worn to school.

Please mark all clothing with your child’s name to avoid loss or mix up with similar garments.

Thank you.

PLEASE NOTE THAT DURING THE CURRENT COVID 19 PANDEMIC THERE HAVE

BEEN SOME TEMPORARY CHANGES TO OUR NORMAL UNIFORM

Uniform Stockist

Tiny Togs

489 Crumlin Road

Belfast BT14 7GA

Telephone: 02890391114

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Health and Well Being in our Pupils 2019/20

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Initiatives to Promote Health and Well Being in our Pupils 2019/20 Organisation Area of the Curriculum Year Group Date

Shared Education

PDMU

Cross Curricular Skills

P1-P7 Term One- Two

Shared Education

Partnership Hub

Numeracy

PHSE- Nurture and Resilience

SFTS Sharing From The Start SVDP Nursery linked with Ballysillan

Nursery

Term One- Three

Parents Big Bedtime

Read

Early Talking and Listening Skills SVDP Nursery linked with SVDP Pre

school Playgroup

All Year

Harberton

Support Teacher Mary

Canning and Assistant

Cara Martin

Behaviour-SEBD Specific Children Term One- Three

SFNB

Supporting Families

North Belfast

P2 Healthy Eating

P3 Self Esteem

Counselling

Yoga

Specific Children/ Families Term One- Three

Clarawood Outreach

Support Teacher Julie

Logan and Assistants

Behaviour-SEBD Specific Children Term One- Three

St. Gerard’s Learning

Support Teacher

Mary Grant

Literacy Specific Children Term One- Three

Peripatetic Service

Lucy Andrews

Literacy support for children with specific difficulties Specific Children Term One- Three

Kelly Bernard Educational Psychologist Individual pupils Term One- Three

RISE Team Speech and Language Therapy/ Occupational Therapy/

Physiotherapy

Individual pupils Term One- Three

PSNI

Eamonn Canavan

Online Safety

Safeguarding

Whole School As Required

Treasa Toner EWO/ Attendance Individual Children

Promoting key messages at School

Assemblies

Term One- Three

EA School of Music

Ruth Mc Coy

Sing Out Programme

Music Makers

Key Stage Two

P3

Term Two

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Counselling Personal Social and Emotional Development

The Counsellor works with targeted groups and individual

pupils and parents on activities to raise self-esteem and

address issues of concern

Individual Children Term One

Ligoniel Community/

Healthy Living Centre

Centre

Lunchtime Playtime

Jujitsu/ Boxing/Football

Moving On Programme

Key Stage Two Term One- Three

Family Support Hub As required

Counselling

Specific Children and their families

As Requested

Extended Schools

Programme

The school offers a wide and varied range of after school

clubs to support the needs of the children- including Fabulous

Phonics, I Pads, Sports, Cookery, Art and Craft, Post Primary

links, Homework, Brain busters, Breakfast and Twilight. These

clubs are annually reviewed to meet the changing needs of our

pupils.

Extended Schools Programme AS Timetabled

Barnardos

Ready to Learn

Denise Agnew

KS1

This programme has been jointly funded through Barnardos

and through the School budget. The project is aimed

specifically at raising standards of Literacy and encourages

parental involvement. The after-school programme is

delivered by a Teacher to Primary Three children Tuesday-

Thursday.

P3 Term One- Three

Barnardos

Trauma and Resilience

Supporting Bereavement Training

Adverse Childhood Experiences

All Staff Term One

COMET

Programme aimed at a structured developed approach at the

acquisition of language skills. The programme is supported by

our COMET Assistant Mary Wallace .

Nursery/

Primary One/ Two

Term One- Three

North Belfast Family

Support Hub

Vine Centre

Family Support

Individual referrals

Individual Children and Families Term One- Three

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St. Mary’s University

College

6 first year students: Beginning Bed Observation Days

Key Stage One/ Two Term One

Drama Festivals

New Era Academy

The children get the opportunity to take part in local

Performing Arts Festivals including Belfast with considerable

success. P3-P7 Children are offered the opportunity to take

New Era Academy Speech and Drama exams. The results were

the best ever with all pupils obtaining a Merit or Distinction in

their grades.

P1-P7 Term Three

Save the Children

F.A.S.T.

FAMILIES CONNECT

We ran a fourth cycle of F.A.S.T. which promotes Families

and Schools working together through activities such as

Special Play. We have a Teacher and Classroom Assistant

trained to deliver this programme

P1-P3 Term One

Healthy Break

From a weekly parental

contribution

A Healthy Break programme is actively up and running in the

school. The children from P1-P7 operate a “healthy “snack

break in Class. The break is prepared by Classroom Assistants

and consists of Toast, Fruit and Plain biscuits.

The children are actively encouraged to keep hydrated

through the provision of drinking water, diluted juice and milk

in P1 and P2. Through the course of the day. Adults in school

are also encouraged to set a positive example regarding

healthy eating.

P1-P7 Term One- Three

UNICEF UK’s Rights

Respecting School Level

One Award

The Rights Respecting School Award recognises achievement

in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the

Child CRC at the heart of a school’s planning, policies, practice

and ethos. A Rights Respecting School teaches and models

rights and respect in all the relationships in a school.

Whole School P1-P7 Term One- Three

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Pupil Eco Council To raise environmental awareness in our pupils while

supporting our Positive Behaviour Policy. The Executive

Committee promote our agreed Eco Code.

Whole School Initiative

Term One- Three

Play Time Buddy/

Prefects

We have prioritised setting up a Pupil Council; this will help to

initiate our Council Code which promotes our positive ethos.

The Playtime buddies also lead by example in helping our

children to have positive play experiences in supporting our

playtime motto” Playtime is Your Time.”

P7 Term One- Three

WSNA

Whole School Nurturing

Approaches

Led by Sean Irving/ EA Behaviour Support Team

WSNA: Whole School Nurture Approaches

Rathmore Approach 1/Rathmore Approach 2

Rathmore Approach 3/ Rathmore Approach 4

RA WSNA Therapies-Relaxed Kids

RA WSNA Therapies-Theraplay revisited

Teaching and Non Teaching Staff

Term One- Three

Middletown Centre for

Autism

Middletown 5 weeks Training:

Autism & Social Communication

Learning Styles & Visual Teaching Methods

Autism & Sensory Processing

Autism & Anxiety Management

Autism & the Promotion of Positive Behaviour

Teaching and Non Teaching Staff Term One

Behaviour Support Team Whole School Training on The Rathmore Approaches

to Positive Behaviour

All Staff Term One- Three

Building Digital

Resilience

Parent Workshop

Series of Pupil Assemblies-Google

Heroes

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Saint Vincent de Paul Primary

School

Yearbook Highlights! September 2019– June 2020

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Enjoying time at school

with our friends from

Ligoniel and St.

Gerard’s Schools.

Making lovely Friendships!

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STEM Learning

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Story Sticks

P2 Outdoor Learning on Welly

Wednesdays

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P3 had a visit from the Northern Ireland Fire and

Rescue Service!

Delicious Chinese food! Travelling back in time at the

museum!

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Good News

Music

The Flax Trust Inter-Community School Choir Awards (FISCA) 5th

December 2019

Saint Vincent de Paul Choir took part with Forge Integrated Primary

School Choir. We are proud to say our boys and girls did us proud winning

The Tom Foley Award for the Most Promising Junior Choir. They won a

bursary of £500 for the school.

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Primary Seven Good News! Congratulations Arjun! We wish you

the very best in your new school.

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Liturgical highlights 2019/20 Sacraments

First Penance: The Primary Three Boys and Girls made the sacrament of

First Penance on Wednesday 11th March

Primary Six/ Seven Enrolment Mass: place on Wednesday 30th November

Service of Commitment and Light: Took place on Saturday 20th November

Confirmation: Took place on Sunday 26th January. The children were

confirmed by Bishop Noel Treanor.

Confirmation Class 2019/20

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St Vincent de Paul Primary School Drama (2019-20)

All children P1-P7 were offered the opportunity of participating in the Primary School Solo Verse Speaking section of the Lagan Festival of Performing Arts.

OUR LAGAN FESTIVAL VERSE SPEAKING WINNERS 2020

(FYI - This photograph was taken on Friday 13th March 2020 – the last day the children were at school this year) Kiana McDonnell 3rd Place Girls & Boys age 5 Aoibhinn McDonagh 1st Place Girls age 6/7 Brigin Elen Tennison 2nd Place Girls age 6/7 Joaquin Ang 1st Place Boys age 6/7 Niall Brady 2nd Place Boys age 6/7 Kobe McDonnell 3rd Place Boys age 6/7 Keilah O’Neill 1st Place Girls age 8 Tiana Kalu Highly Commended Girls age 9 We were also looking forward to participating, as usual, in the annual Carrickfergus Musical festival and also the Irish Poetry section of the Feis Bheal Feirste! However, sadly these events were not to be

FILM/T.V./CASTING OPPORTUNITIES Two of our P7 pupils Arjun Dev & Heaven Raju auditioned and were selected to participate in a series of educational online programmes for ‘BBC TEACH’

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/history-ks1-ks2-explain-this/zmyyvk7 https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/design-and-technology-dt-ks2-explain-this/z7w7mfr https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/science-ks1-explain-this/zn9dwty https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/geography-ks1ks2-explain-this/zfmsf4j

One of our pupils Niall Brady & his mum were chosen for the Northern Ireland Football Club Christmas Advert 2019!

https://youtu.be/ib6l6SW9hRc Niall has also acted in two student films for Queens University. Primary 4 pupil Aoibhinn Murphy McDonagh acted in 2 local films this year. She also had the opportunity of seeing herself on the big screen at one of the last ever screenings at the Movie House, Dublin Road, Belfast.

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AUDITIONS Some of our pupils have also attended castings for various popular T.V. Dramas & Films through Carla Stronge Casting Agency:

Assemblies & School Productions All classes have had their own theme based class assemblies. P1-P3 children participated in their annual Christmas productions. P4-P7 children were all involved in the senior Nativity Play in the church. Primary 7 pupils had begun rehearsing a production of ‘Footloose’ for their end of year show. However, sadly this will no longer take place. We are currently trying to encourage the children to participate in a mini movie instead depending on the level of interest/engagement from the children. Keeping Creative During quarantine teachers have been encouraging the children to be creative through their home learning activities in Art, Music and Drama. I have been uploading stories and poetry using the DO INK GREEN SCREEN APP which staff & pupils had just received training on. These have been saved to VIMEO as a resource we can use in future. We have also made several staff and pupil ‘Feel Good Friday’ videos which all staff have been invited to participate in & to remind the children that we the staff are all still here and still all very much connected!

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Other Year Highlights!

Halloween!

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Christmas Highlights!

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M and M Theatre Production of

The Wizard of Oz came to our School on the 14th of October

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Visit from The Ulster Rugby Team

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While our school was closed our Staff, Pupils and Parents were working safely

at home. Here are some highlights!

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