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ST. COLM’S

HIGH SCHOOL, DRAPERSTOWN

The Board of Governors

Annual Report

School Year 2012 – 2013

Foreword

This is the annual report of the Board of Governors of St. Colm’s High School in the academic year

2012-2013. All activities detailed within this report, both curricular and extra curricular reflect all

aspects of the life and work of the school and the combined activities of pupils and staff. The

Catholic ethos is central to all that we do in St. Colm’s.

If there is any aspect of this report that you would wish to discuss please do not hesitate to contact

me on or before Friday 20th

December 2013.

R. McKenna

Principal

Hon. Secretary to the Board of Governors

Contents

1. Contact Details

2. Membership of the Board of Governors

3. Staff

4. Public Examination Results

5. Financial Statement.

6. Activities and Achievements

7. Sporting Achievements

8. The Curriculum

Page No.

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St. Colm’s High School – Annual Report Page1

Contact Details

Name & Address: St. Colm’s High School

2, Magherafelt Rd

Draperstown

BT45 7AF

Telephone: 79628377

Fax. No. 79628973

E-mail : [email protected]

Office Hours: 8.00 am – 4.30 pm

Website: www.stcolmshigh.org.uk

Age Range: 11-18 years

Enrolment: Year 8 - 75 Year 9 - 69

Year 10 - 81 Year 11 - 62 Year 12 - 78 Year 13 - 45 Year 14 - 31

TOTAL - 441


Board of Governors:

March 2011 - 2014

The Board of Governors of St. Colm’s is made up of representatives of the North Eastern Education

and Library Board, Trustees of the Derry Diocese, a Parent representative and a Teacher

representative. They hold their position for a term of 4 years.

Mr P McShane, Chairman NEELB - Child Protection Officer

Mr P. Cassidy, Vice Chairman Trustee

Mr T. Scullion DENI

Fr. S. Kelly, PP Trustee

Mrs J. Conway Parent Rep

Mr. Adrian Mc Guigan Trustee

Mrs S. Donnelly Trustee

Miss E. Bradley NEELB

Mrs R McKenna Hon. Secretary

The Governors' main responsibilities include:

• Ratification of policy statements for those areas of management where a written policy is

required

• Ensuring the Northern Ireland Curriculum is implemented

• Managing staff to include INSET and PRSD

• Drawing up an admissions policy and applying it to prospective pupils

• Managing the school’s finances

• Providing parents with information about the school by the issue of a prospectus and an

annual report.

• Appointment of staff (teaching and non teaching

• Appointment of staff to internal posts

There were 6 meetings of the Board of Governors during the year including sub committee

meetings


Staffing

Teaching: 28 Full-time teachers

Clerical: 3

Librarian: 1

Technicians: 3

Classroom Assistants: 13

Caretaker: 1

Cleaning: 5

Canteen staff: 7

School Crossing Patrol 1

Sixth Form Supervisor 1


School Aims

• To create a caring Christian community within this school where the truths and practices of

our Catholic faith are taught daily, learned and experienced by all staff and pupils and, in so

doing, foster spiritual growth.

• To provide a learning environment that is caring and hard-working and cherishes the

nurturing and development of each individual pupil.

• To develop pupils who are appreciative of their heritage, their community and their civic

responsibilities.

• To prepare pupils for the experiences and responsibilities of their adult lives - personal,

social, cultural and working.

• To foster and develop in pupils an awareness and appreciation of other denominations and

cultures.

• To develop parent and community partnerships in the education of the next generation.

• To promote the well-being and professional development of all staff.


Curriculum

Key Stage 3 (Years 8-10)

• Religious Education

• Mathematics

• Science

• English

• Irish

• French

• Geography

• Art & Design

• Drama

• History

• Home Economics

• I.C.T

• Learning for Life and Work

• Library

• Music

• Physical Education

• Technology

Key Stage 4

In Years 11 and 12 pupils are required to follow the Northern Ireland Curriculum. This includes a

compulsory core and a range of optional subjects.

Compulsory Core:

• Religious Education

• English

• Mathematics

• Science (S Award & D Award)

• Careers Guidance

• General Physical Education

• Learning for Life and Work

Choices are then made from the following:

• Agriculture & Land Use

• Art and Design

• Business and Communication Systems

• Business Studies

• Child Development

• Construction

• Drama

• English Literature

• French

• Geography

• Health & Social Care

• History

• Home Economics

• Hospitality

• I.C.T.

• Irish

• Leisure & Tourism

• Media Studies

• Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies

• Music

• Occupational Studies

• Performing Arts

• Physical Education

• Technology & Design

All G.C.S.E. subjects are allocated 6 x 50 minute periods per 2 week timetable.

G.C.S.E. English and Maths classes will have seven classes, when possible.


Key Stage 5

All students study three subjects at Advanced Level and the opportunity exists for some to take four

subjects.

Choices are made from:

• Applied Business Studies (Double/ Single A Level)

• Applied Health and Social Care (Double/ Single A Level)

• Applied ICT

• Geography

• Biology

• Religion

• English Literature*

• Engineering*

• Performing Arts*

• Sport Studies

• Maths*

• Further Maths*

• Sociology*

• Moving Image Art*

• Music*

• Art*

• Economics*

• Chemistry*

• Home Economics*

• History*

• Physics*

• Politics*

• Irish*

• Psychology*

• Government and Politics*

• Child Care BTEC*

Through the Rural Learning Partnership and collaboration with Magherafelt Learning Partnership

and St. Pius X College pupils were offered the opportunity to study one A Level outside St. Colm’s

(*).


G.C.S.E. Results 2012/13

% Pupils achieving 5A* - C = 80%

Pupils Achieving Grades

G.C.S.E SUBJECTS Number

Entered A* A B C D E F G U

Art & Design 12 1 3 2 4 1 0 1 0 0

Business Studies 10 0 3 3 3 1 0 0 0 0

Child Development 14 1 2 6 4 0 1 0 0 0

Construction 15 0 1 4 4 4 1 0 1 0

English 70 0 4 14 22 14 8 7 1 0

Geography 13 0 2 2 7 1 1 0 0 0

Health and Social Care 24 1 6 9 5 3 0 0 0 0

History 20 0 3 6 6 3 2 0 0 0

Home Economics 8 0 0 3 3 1 1 0 0 0

I.C.T. 45 2 13 8 8 13 0 1 0 0

Learning for life & Work 69 4 18 13 15 9 7 3 0 0

Maths 70 0 4 7 27 16 6 9 1 0

Motor Vehicle Studies 15 0 0 2 6 3 3 1 0 0

P.E. 17 2 3 9 3 0 0 0 0 0

Performing Arts 16 2 3 4 5 1 1 0 0 0

Religious Studies 69 1 11 21 11 10 5 4 5 1

Science: Single Award 36 0 0 11 16 8 1 0 0 0

G.C.S.E SUBJECT Number

Entered ** *A AA AB BB BC CC CD DD

Science: Double Award 34 0 2 2 6 10 7 5 1 1

A Level 2012/13

% Pupils achieving 2 A Levels A-E = 100%

A Level SUBJECTS Number

Entered A* A B C D E U

Biology 9 0 2 4 3 0 0 0

Business Studies (Single) 7 0 3 4 0 0 0 0

Geography 10 1 2 4 1 2 0 0

Health & Social Care (Single) 6 0 2 2 2 0 0 0

I.C.T. (Applied) 17 0 4 7 4 2 0 0

Maths 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0

Religious Studies 16 0 2 7 7 0 0 0

A Level SUBJECTS Number

Entered ** *A AA AB BB BC CC CD DD DE EE

Business Studies (Double) 8 2 1 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0

Health & Social Care (Double) 17 0 0 2 6 4 2 2 1 0 0 0


St. Colm's is the 'Right Place to Work' in Northern Ireland

This award was in recognition of the strong links between St. Colm’s, the local communities and

charitable organisations.

Principal, Mrs Roisin McKenna said; ‘We live and implement community and charitable strategies in

every aspect of our work. In our 50 year history St. Colm’s has continually forged strong links with

the community to improve the lives of all local people, and our strategy has a central aim which is “to

be at the heart of the community.”

We understand that, in order to provide facilities for the local community, we have to make things

happen ourselves. With imagination, hard work and commitment we have made our community better,

for every individual member. Good examples of partnership in action are the facilities provided in the

last 7 years. Two important examples are the Backrow Sports Hall and the 3G pitch.

Workspace own and mange the Sports Hall, St. Colm’s have free use throughout the school day. St.

Colm’s owns the 3 G pitch and use it during the day and Workspace manages the use of this facility

by the community, in the evenings. A real insight of the school and a community organisation working

together for the good of all is the Youth Club. Draperstown did not have a Youth Club and, working in

partnership with Workspace, we secured premises and the school opened a Youth Club, which St.

Colm’s now manages. St. Colm’s works with many charities in the community helping to raise vital

funds and providing premises for meetings and workshops.

This Right Place to Work Award demonstrates the unprecedented strength of community-school links,

whereby the entire community benefits from our outreach work and partnership approach. It

demonstrates the delivery of our community and charitable strategies, and our environmental

commitment. St. Colm’s High School is truly at the heart of the community, and this is why our staff

have such a passion for the great work they do. It’s the right place to work …. and a great place to

learn.


Activities and Achievements 2012/2013

Curriculum

St. Colm’s pupils continue to enjoy the opportunities created by the Northern Ireland Curriculum to

become involved in their own learning. Key Stage 3 pupils enjoyed three excellent connected

learning themes.

• Year 8 – New beginnings – all departments played a vital role in helping our Year 8 pupils

settle into St. Colm’s. The work carried out in the classroom was showcased for parents at the

Year 8 Mass.

• Year 9 – Another successful Healthy Lifestyles morning involving many outside agencies

made our Year 9 theme very rewarding. St. Mary’s University College students became

actively involved with our students in outdoor activities.

• Year 10 – The curriculum theme in Year 10 is Our World. All departments contributed

through their classroom teaching. On 15th

June the Year 10 enjoyed a range of activities from

Archery to Cooking food from around the World.


Religious Education

• Year 11 celebrated the annual harvest mass in October.

• Yr 13 and 14 distributed children of Crossfire calendars within the parish and raised £1274.25.

• Year 10 also had a Jersey day to help promote the cause.

• Pupils from all year groups participated in the shoebox appeal in December, they created a total

of 159 boxes for this cause.

• Pupils from all year groups participated in school liturgies including the Christmas and Easter

services and daily reading during lent. (Through reading and Eucharist ministers)

• Year 14 celebrated their leavers mass.

• Religion department was involved in the Christmas reflective evening through reflective prayers

read by pupils.

• Pope John Paul II award-: 32 gold, 5 silver, 5 bronze, all yr13 have registered for the Pope John

Paul II award.

• Pupils raised £3339 for Trócaire through the following activities

Year 8-: Sponsored Silence and Easter Hunt

Year 9-: Wacky walk

Year 10-: Sponsored Silence

Year 11-: Bingo

Year 12-: Bingo

Year 13 & 14-: ‘Give to up’ (24 hours of giving something up)

Whole school (Pupils and teachers)-: Joggy day


Science

The science department were actively involved in a number of competitions.

Year 8 Recycling Competition

Year 9 Dragon’s Den Competition

Biodiversity Trip

Both Yr 11 and Yr 13 Biodiversity Trips were at Magilligian Field Centre and addressed aspects of

the GCSE and A level Biology course.


Eco School - Official Opening of Susan’s Trail

On Wednesday 26th

June 2013 ‘Susan’s Trail was officially opened. The area is dedicated to Susan

Potter, our secretary for over 30 years before a short illness led to her untimely death. This event

was attended by Susan’s family, the local community, staff and pupils from the local primary

schools, invited guests, all those involved in the project and staff and pupils of St Colm’s.

St Colm’s High School is recognised as a centre of excellence for environmental work and has

shared its expertise with local primary schools, schools in the MDC area, local community and has

hosted European educators wishing to develop environmental projects.

St. Colm’ s were successful in their application for a grant of £8,000 through NIEA Challenge

Fund to create a biodiversity trail through mini- habitats. Susan’s Trail includes a wetland area, a

pond, wildflower meadow, native wood, bird and bat boxes, mini-beast pile, insect hotel, native

hedging and seated area as outdoor classroom. High on the agenda is the conservation of native

species and particularly the promotion of endangered species, e.g. Irish Whitebeam (only 50 trees

in NI), swifts and tree sparrows.

The Ballinascreen and Desertmartin communities were invited to plant a tree in memory of a

deceased loved one. The response to this was phenomenal- 109 families planted trees. This

planting project was in conjunction with The Woodland Trust Initiative – plant one million trees in

one day. The area is known as an Area of Reflection, with seating and flowers, where the

community can come at any time. All our local Primary schools have been involved in the

planting and development of this trail.

While St. Colm’s were the project leaders, we worked in partnership with MDC, Network

Personnel, Sperrins Gateway, Brackagh Farm- a local focus farm, local businesses, community

volunteers and local primary schools played a major part the development of the area.

The school has worked closely with MDC through its’ Environmental Projects Officer, John

Murtagh, and is indebted to the advice given by John and Mark Edgar, Biodiversity Officer with

MDC on the completion of this application. Thanks are extended to Network Personnel, in

particular Brian Mc Alynn, John Graham, Philip Quinn and their teams for their dedication to this

project. Thanks also to Sperrins Gateway Landscape Partnership.

This was part of strategic 4-year Biodiversity Action Plan devised by Eco-members with the help

of Seamus Burns, RSPB and John Murtagh, MDC. The project developed pupils’ planning,

planting and species identification skills needed for this project and has achieved its aims to foster

pride in their school’s environment and provide opportunities for public speaking, education of

peers and community. This is a very special area form the wider community to enjoy for many

years to come.


Music/Performing Arts

September 2012

• Miss McGoldrick and the Senior choir performed at the Annual Prize Giving Ceremony.

October 2012

• All Yr8 pupils and senior choir pupils performed at the Yr8 ‘New Beginnings’ Mass.

• Senior choir and musicians performed at the Annual Harvest Mass, in the Holy Rosary

Church.

November/December 2012

• Our school choir were involved in a fund raising night for STEPS charity. They also

performed at our Christmas concert to raise funds for the St. Vincent de Paul societies in

Desertmartin and Draperstown.


February 2013

• Yr 11 Performing Arts pupils and Miss McGoldrick visited ‘UTV Studios’, Belfast.

March 2013

• Senior choir and musicians, under the direction of Mrs Young, performed at the Annual Easter

Service.

April 2013

• Ballymoney NRC Performing Arts Roadshow performed for the Yr10 pupils.

May 2013

• An AQA external moderator came to moderate the GCSE Performing Arts Showcase Exam

(Unit 2). The pupils’ families and friends came to watch a repeat performance of the

Showcase that same day after school.

*NEELB instrumental tuition in violin, guitar and woodwind continues throughout the school

year. Approx 20 pupils avail of these lessons.


English Department/Library

READATHON

Year 8 Promising Poets

Year 8 pupils recently entered the Yong Writers’ The Poetry Games competition.

A number of our aspiring poets work has been selected for publication in a special anthology

entitled The Poetry Games – Northern Ireland Poems. This will be kept at the British Library

and libraries across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Poems were selected based on perception, imagination, expression and creative use of language.

Our promising poets now have the chance to be selected as one of twelve finalists in the grand

finale of the competition. This is a fantastic achievement as competition entries are received from

all over the UK and overseas.

Library students ‘role play’ for prospective pupils on Open Night


History Department

Year 8 had their annual trip to Carrickfergus Castle on 30th

May. This incorporated a one hour tour

of the castle grounds, and a half hour weapons display and demonstration. This trip is closely

linked with the Year 8 scheme, in that the pupils have prior knowledge from the classroom on how

different castles are built, how to attack and defend, what they look like inside, etc.

Year 10 – On 11th

February, all Year 10 travelled to the Somme Heritage Centre outside Bangor to

experience life during world war one. This visit incorporates a weapons display, a tour of the

museum and then a walk through a man-made trench.

Year 11 visited Stormont building to learn about the government of Northern Ireland. This was in

preparation fro their exam and part of their GCSE course – ‘Changing relationships; Britain,

Northern Ireland and Ireland’.


Business Studies

Our students continue to enjoy the close, vital links we have formed with businesses in our

community. We are particularly appreciative of the strong links and assistance from SJG Maghera,

Dunnes Stores Magherafelt, and Tobermore Concrete who allow our A level pupils to apply all

knowledge and understanding covered in the classroom into real world business activities.

Our GCSE students enjoy close links with all local businesses and have formed strong links with

GMT Contract Furniture, Ardboe. Again we are very grateful for the time and assistance given

through visits from Thomas, GMT’s Director in order to provide our pupils with the opportunity to

apply and relate their knowledge and understanding to the world of business. As part of the

Applied Business course delivery we have teamed up with Holy Trinity College Cookstown in

order to allow all students to be equipped with information and resources to complete their CAT

successfully.


Mathematics Department

Year 8 pupils enjoying mathematics activities.


Geography Department

Year 11 GCSE river study at Magilligan Field Centre

Miss Tracey took 46 pupils to Magilligan field centre in October & November 2012 to carry out

primary data collection on Curley Burn River.

The Geography Department were also heavily involved in the development of Susan’s Trail.


I.C.T. Department

CC4G

St Colm’s Computer Club for Girls was set up in January 2013 to develop and enhance ICT skills

amongst pupils in year 9. The after school club was designed specifically for girls who had an

interest in ICT. It provided opportunities for pupils to discover how technology was used in a range

of subjects through a multitude of challenges and other interesting activities.

A group of year 9 pupils took part in an ICT competition to create a multimedia website about their

chosen famous celebrity. The websites contained movies, edited images and dynamic content.

On 19 March Year 11 ICT pupils from St Colm’s High School, Magherafelt High School, St

Mary’s Grammar School, and St. Pius X College attended the Bring IT On Road Show when it

arrived at St. Pius X College.

The event provided information about the skills requirements and career opportunities within the IT

sector in Northern Ireland which continues to create new jobs despite the current economic climate.

It also demonstrated the variety and attractiveness of a career in IT and offered guidance on the

selection of appropriate subjects.

Bring IT on Event


STEM- Intelligence Science Festival

A group of year 11 GCSE ICT students attended the 2013 Intelligent Systems

Science Festival. The exhibition showcased the practical application of

intelligent systems. It was an engaging and fun festival promoting STEM

subjects and the excitement of computing and engineering excellence. It

examined ICT challenges and opportunities for the next decade through

practical demonstrations including robotics, self parking cars, consumer

electronics, virtual worlds, smart vision, intelligent mobile apps and brain

science to mention a few.

Seagate – ICT Summer Camp

Year 12 GCSE ICT pupils participated in the Seagate Summer School in conjunction with the

School of Computing & Intelligent Systems from the University of Ulster. Pupils gained 5

university credits for successfully completing a module in Computing. Pupils developed skills in

website design, mobile application development and computer programming.


Modern Languages

Year 8 and 9 Ceili to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

European Day of Languages


Homework Club

Homework club is offered to pupils from 3.10 until 4.15pm each evening, Monday – Thursday.

This continues to be very well attended throughout the year. Parental feedback indicates that this

provision is vital in supporting learning outside the classroom.


Learning for Life & Work

• In November 2012, Mrs Hegarty accompanied a group of 15 yr10 pupils to compete in the

Investnui Step’N’Zones Enterprise competition at the Ramada Hotel, Belfast.

• Year 12 enjoyed trip to Stormont as part of GCSE studies.


Pastoral

Year 13 Team Building Day – The Jungle Friday 28th

September 2012

Year 13 Pupils along with their tutors took part in a teambuilding day at the Jungle Activity Centre

Moneymore. Pupils practiced essential skills such as problem solving, communication skills and

teamwork, as they embarked on their post 16 studies in St. Colm’s.

On Friday 26th

October Sixth Form and Year 12 pupils held a Daisy Day to raise money for

Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children. Some of the events that took place on the day included

a bun scale, ‘Hug in a Mug’ coffee morning for staff and both year groups participated in the Daisy

Day by wearing something yellow with their uniform. The pupils raised a fantastic £500 which was

presented to Ruth Hobson NICFC Schools Fundraiser.


• Year 12 Formal Wednesday 19th

September

• Year 9 LET programme – three residentials

• Year 9 and Year 11 together raised a total of £2090 for Action MS through a sponsored walk

in Drumanor forest park , April 2013.

• Year 11 and 12 Fire Safety talk, PSNI, NIFRS

• Year 12, 13, and 14 fundraising for Cancer “Think Pink”

• Year 14 Stress Busting

• Anti Bullying team attended training.

• As part of RSE education, yr 10 and yr12 received talks delivered by the Love for Life

organisation in December.

• Year 12 amazing Brains Study Skills

• Year 10 RSE Talk by NEYUS on safety.

• Year 8 Road Safety games, in conjunction with Youth Tutor

• Year 8 Fashion show

Yr 11 received a talk by TIPSA to raise awareness of the risks of underage drinking as part of their

pastoral programme.


Inspire/Aspire

All Year 8 students participated in the Inspire/Aspire competition, where they had to research and

write about an athlete who inspired them.

Michael McKillop, one of Northern Ireland’s most successful Paralympics athletics, presented the

Year 8 students with their Inspire > Aspire Awards.

The Millenium Forum

At Christmas the Year 8 students visited the pantomime ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ in the

Millennium Forum.


Home Economics

• Miss Kearney attended Health Action Awards at Action Cancer with two u6th pupils. This

was to receive a gold award for health promotion activities within the school.

• Year 11 Home Economics pupils attended Loughry College open day and participated in a

range of workshop activities.

• Marie Murray Ballinascreen Early Years spoke to GCSE child development class to support

their controlled assessment.

• A range of activities took place for Health Eating Week June 3rd

– 7th

. These included a

breakfast club, sale of fruit cups at break time and a healthy eating quiz.

• Year 10 pupils had the opportunity to participate in a cookery competition. From the entries

received, 5 were chosen to participate.

• Survival Cookery classes were made available for year 14 pupils.

• Members of Sperrin Gateways provided a workshop for year ten pupils to prepare Christmas

table decorations.

• Christmas bun sale for SVP

• Year 9 - Livestock and Meat commission cookery demonstrations


School Council

The Student Council was established in June 2008. The main aim is to give the student body in St.

Colm’s a voice in expressing their views on issues which concern them. The school community are

made aware of the members of the student council through the designated notice board and whole

school assemblies. Each member elected in a year group represents the views of their particular

year.

Successes to date include

• Drinking water provided free to all students

• Plasma screen playing music during lunch time

• 4th

Years and 5th

years Play together on the 3G

• Revision Club at Dinnertime

• Organise Activities at dinnertime such as Badminton, Tennis or music sessions

• New Radiators in both mobiles

• Ceili for 3rd

years as well as 1st and 2

nd years to raise more money

• Make girls ping pong table a communal table

• A new soccer team after football when Gaelic is over

• Change table tennis tables in terms of ability not year group


Cornstore Youth Club

• The Cornstore Fun Day in September was a great success in raising funds.

• There are two members of staff currently completing their Hill Walking Levels 1 & 2 so that

we have enough staff qualified to take the President’s Award on their expeditions during term

3. They should have completed their training on the 25th

March 2012.

• Patricia Murray is currently taking a ten week circuit course for 22 young males. This

programme will run until the 27th

November.

• Ann-Marie McKenna is currently taking a ten week life coaching course with 16 young

females and this programme will end with the girls showcasing their talents in a talent show

on the 27th

November.

• TIPSA are currently working with 18 young people and they have just begun work on their

projects. This programme will run until Christmas.

• All staff completed a 3 hour child protection course on Monday 22nd

October.

• Damien Doyle has just received trees for a tree planting project with 12 young people-this

project will start after Christmas.

• Bronagh Regan and Noleen McBride (L6th) are currently working towards their Trainee

Leader certification and will complete a project with the primary group over a period of 6

weeks.

• Shauneen McSorley and Michelle McNamee are currently liaising with Lucille Wright (ICT

Specialist) to see when she will be available to come and work with the young people on a

Road Safety Interactive Game.

• Eunan Murray is helping to secure table tennis and hockey coaches for January to work with

the young people. This should start on the 7th

January and the sessions will run for 6 weeks.

• Joanne Diamond will take 21 females for Zumba from the 8th

January 2013 for 6 weeks. This

will count towards their hours for the Bronze President’s Award.

• We have just started work on our Christmas play which will take place on Thursday 13th

December.

• Year 11 (Bronze President’s Award Group) completed a 10 week course in archery as part of

their skills training.

• Year 11 & Year 12 girls attended Zumba for 6 weeks as part of their physical training from

January-Mid Term-this was highly enjoyable.

• Year 11 & Year 12 attended a STEPS talk on Tuesday 25th

February which was aimed at

internet safety. It was very successful.

• A successful healthy eating project took place on Monday nights with young people aged 11-

13. The project was held over 6 weeks from January-Mid Term.


• 20 young people took part in a rackets course which was funded by the NRC. The course ran

for 8 weeks and finished at Easter.

• Cornstore’s Got Talent took place on Monday 25th

March and was very successful. Over 40

young people took part in the talent show.

• 22 Year 12 Pupils & 30 Year 11 Pupils are currently completing their President’s Award

Training in preparation for their assessment. The practice dates will be Friday 3rd

May –

Sunday 5th

May and the assessment will take place on Saturday 15th

June-Monday 17th

June.

• Edel McMaster & Eimear Hegarty recently received their Hillwalking Levels 1 & 2 award

from the NEELB which will equip them to assist with the President’s Award in St. Colm’s.

• 6 members of staff completed basic food hygiene training on Monday 15th

April 2013.

• 15 young people aged 11-13 will be travelling to Woodhall on Friday 19th

April-Sunday 21st

April 2013 to take part in a youth development course.

• Lucille Wright (NEELB) will be working with the youth club in order to complete an ICT

project which will begin on 22nd

April and run to the end of term.

• Year 11 will begin their First Aid Training on Tuesday 16th

April. This is a 3 week course

which is being facilitated by British Red Cross.


Technology

The STEM Module visited our school on 11

th June of a day. The lorry trailer classroom was set up

for the CAD and CNC activity. Time was divided between all the year 8 classes. This was

enjoyable activity as each of our pupils got to take home an engraved piece of personalised work.


Art and Design

International School Library Day

For International School Library Day, the Art & Design Department alongside the school Library,

created an intra-school competition for all the students in Year 8 and 9.

The Year 8s designed a bookmark. The top three designs (decided by O. Kearney and M. Regan)

were both displayed in the School Library and the Art & Design room. In addition, second and

third place received printing credits while first place received a £5 book token for the Book Fair

which was held later in the year. All winners were acknowledged within the art and deign classes

of the year group.

Year 9s designed a book cover based either on their then current English novel ‘Goodnight Mister

Tom’ by Michelle Magorian or ‘War Horse’ by Michael Morpurgo (which was extremely popular

within the Library). As with the above the top three designs (decided by O.Kearney and M.Regan)

were both displayed in the School Library and the Art & Design room. In addition, second and

third place received printing credits while first place received a £5 book token for the Book Fair.

All winners were acknowledged within the art and deign classes of the year group.

Lions International Peace Poster

This competition was open to Year 8 and Year 9 students (due to age restrictions set within the

Lions Club regulations). Each student designed a poster for the completion based on theme

‘Imagine Peace’. First place went to Jon Paul Devlin who received a prize from the Lions Club of

£50, and second place was Niamh Cusheran who received £30 cheque. Both pieces of work were

celebrated within the year groups and displayed in the classroom.

School Christmas Card

Year 10 students were given the opportunity to design an image for the school Christmas card based

on the Nativity. The top ten designs were displayed in the foyer and all students throughout the

school voted for their favourite. Julie-Ann Mc Elhennon’s design won and was used as the school’s

2012 Christmas Card. Her design was framed and displayed in the school (along the RE corridor).


The Mac

Year 9 students were studying the artist Andy Warhol under the theme ‘Portraits’ and as a direct

result of one of their ideas (given through our ‘Suggestion Box’) the year group visited the Andy

Warhol exhibition in The Mac in Belfast. In addition the children participated in three different

workshops.


Careers

The Careers Education Programme and the Employability programme are delivered alongside a

range of activities which links with outside agencies.

Careers Service N.I.

• The Careers officer Eileen Olivent supports the work of the Careers Department.

• Individual interviews are carried out with Year 12 pupils parents are invited to attend.

• Attendance at the year 12 parent meeting

Year 11 Work shadowing programme

All pupils completed four days work experience in June in a variety of career areas.

Year 12

Progress File Preparation

Year 13 Work Shadowing programme.

All pupils completed one weeks work experience in the world of work in which they would be

interested in pursuing that particular career.

A number of Year 13 pupils attended Open Morning sessions on Health Related Careers.

Year 13 Talks

• University of Ulster

• QUB

• Belfast Metropolitian College

• Scottish Universities

• Leeds University

• Northern England

Year 14 Mock Interviews

Pupils were given comprehensive guidance on how to prepare for interviews. This was followed up

with a timetable of mock interviews focussing on their particular area of interest.

University Open Days

All Year 14 pupils visited Queens University and the University of Ulster Jordanstown.

Those pupils who are interested in pursuing a career in teaching visited St. Mary’s College Open

Day.


Young Enterprise Training

• Year 10 participated in Project Business

• Year 11 participated in Learn to Earn

Links with External Agencies/Careers provision

The BIG School Young Enterprise day, this was a very successful settling in/team building

workshop for year 8.

LET Programme:

This programme involves enterprise training and outdoor activity. Pupils participated in four

residential ending with a celebration and presentation of certificates of achievement in the spring

term.

Year 9 pupils were involved in the LET programme. The aims of the programme are:

• To provide a high quality experience of self-development and enterprise training for young

people, from both community backgrounds

• To provide a unique opportunity to young people in Ireland, evaluate their experiences and

assess its lasting value to the individuals.


Year 14 Interview Skills Day

In St. Colm’s Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) is provided across all

key stages and our pupils benefit from expert guidance to prepare them for all aspects of life and

work.

As part of this programme we led a successful Interview Skills Day for our Year 14 pupils. This

day was designed to help pupils market themselves effectively in an interview situation, whether for

employment, higher education or training programmes.

To make this event a success we invited a range of members of the local community to assist in the

interview process which greatly enhanced the programme and made it a very valuable experience

for the pupils. This was an enjoyable day for all involved and helped to promote the important

community ethos which is so prevalent in the local parish.

St Colm’s pupils enjoying a

stimulating workshop on board

the mobile laboratory STEM

Module. The STEM bus courses

are designed to augment the

curriculum and promote careers

in STEM related industries by

helping to develop creative and

innovative approaches to

learning and teaching in

Science, Technology,

Engineering and Maths.


Sport

The U16 Boys Gaelic team created History by winning back to back Co Derry Vocational School

titles. In the final they beat St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s Claudy and were defeated by the minimum

by Donegal champions in the Ulster Semi Final after accounting for Monaghan winners in the

previous round.

A party of 49 pupils and staff had a fantastic experience as they spent one week in the Ehrwald ski

resort, Austria, 26 January – 2nd

February.


U16 COUNTY DERRY CHAMPIONS

YEAR 9 NETBALL WINNERS


ALL STARS

Our Gaelic All Stars: Michael Doyle, Ronan

Murphy,

Mark Glass, pictured with Liam Watson, was

awarded an

CONGRATULATIONS

Brian McIver presents awards to our Victor and

Victrix, Reece McSorley, Sean Thayaparan and

Casey McKenna for their

Year 8 Boys—Winners of the Ulster Hurling Blitz

Mary Hegarty was awarded an

Ulster Colleges Camogie All Star Year 9 & 10 Boys who competed in the World

Handball


Charges and Remissions

A wide variety of opportunities exist to develop pupils beyond the requirements of the Northern

Ireland Curriculum. These optional extras are funded privately.

Attendance

• Total attendance of all pupils on roll as percent of possible days 2012/13 is 95%.

Special Education Needs

St. Colm’s curriculum caters for pupils of all abilities. Pupils with special educational needs will be

accessed by the SENCO Mrs P. Glass and provision made according to individual needs. A full

copy of this policy is available from the school on request.

Child Protection

Governors trained by N.E.E.L.B. in Child Protection procedures.

All staff received refresher training in Child Protection procedures. This was led by Mrs Ca Devlin

Designated Child Protection officer assisted by Mrs R. McKenna deputy Child Protection Officer.

New staff received full child protection training as part of their induction.

A copy of the Child Protection Policy can be downloaded from the website or obtained on request

from the school office.

If a parent/ guardian has a concern about the safety of his/ her child or any child he/ she can talk to

any of the following:

• The child’s tutor, Head of Year or any teacher.

• The designated teacher for Child Protection – Mrs Ca. Devlin.

• Principal – Mrs McKenna.

If a parent/ guardian has a concern about a member of staff he/ she can contact the Chairman of the

Board of Governors – Mr P. McShane.


Security/ Fire Safety

The school continues to monitor and measure the effectiveness of all existing security for pupils,

staff, visitors and protecting the protecting of school premises. The Department of Education

agreed a minor works contract to increase fire safety measures throughout the school. This

extensive work was completed during the summer of 2013.

Refurbishment Programme 2012/2013

Refurbishment programmes throughout the year included:

• The installation of laptop suite

• Painting of two classrooms and corridors

• Staffroom refurbishment

• The installation of a fully functional gym

• New furniture in classrooms

• Wi-Fi connection throughout the school building

• Sixth form relocation to Plantation Centre (Partnership with Workspace)

• The second training pitch drainage scheme in excess of £75,000


Finance

School Draw

The money raised is used for the following expenses:

• Minibus expenses

• Hire of other buses

• Outside agencies

• Open Night expenses

• Minor classroom expenses

• Awards Ceremony

• School trips

Financial Statement

Financial Statement for the Financial Year Ending March 2013

INCOME £

Department of Education Northern Ireland 1,822,454

Other Income 20,000

TOTAL INCOME 1,842,454

Operating Surplus 55,000

the board of governors annual report school year 2012 …€¦ · the board of governors annual...

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