REVIEW OF THE 1999/2000 YEAR
REVIEW OF THE 2017/2018 YEAR
Enrolment and Staffing
The upward trend in enrolment continues. By the end of the year we had 273 pupils on roll. The Department of Education also turned away 15 applications for the nursery. Our teaching compliment is principal and 10.68 teachers. One full time teacher and one part-time worked with children who have special educational needs. The local College of Further Education continued to provide us with students doing childcare qualifications and Strabane Academy and Holy Cross sent pupils who are taking part in a work experience enrichment programme. All these programmes enabled us to provide a measure of one-to-one and small group support for many pupils as well as in class help for teachers. At the end of August Mrs. Smith retired. We thank her for her service and wish her a long and happy retirement.
Ancillary Staff
Once again the ancillary and auxiliary staff demonstrated their commitment and care for our children in numerous and very practical ways and we must record our grateful thanks to them. Their important contribution continues to help make our school special.
Ancillary Staff
1 Part-time secretary 25 hours
2 Classroom Assistants P.1 25 hours and 20 hours
1 Classroom Assistant P.2 20 hours
6 Classroom Assistants (Special Needs) 25, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15 hours + 5 hours medical support
2 Nursery Assistants 20/13 hours
1 Caretaker 36 hours
1 Part-time cleaner 13.6 hours
1 Part-time cleaner 10 hours
1 Part-time cleaner 6 hours
4 Supervisory Assistants 5 hours each
1 Crossing Patrol 15 hours
Parent Teacher Association
Our ‘Calendar of Events,’ at the centre of this report, demonstrates the school has had another extremely active year and the PTA were very supportive as always. Amongst the events undertaken were two discos for the children, Table Quiz and the Summer Fair. Thanks to the parents who supported the school’s events and contributed to the PTA subscription. PTA Funds have:
- made important contributions to the annual Pantomime
- subsidised the school swimming programme
- given all new pupils a free high visibility vest
- given all Year 7 leavers a commemorative hoodie on prize day
- supplied book tokens and plaques for prize day
- funded the learning support programme, Lexia
- funded Jo Jingles in the Nursery
- subsidised ‘Everybody Active Coaching’ programme
- funded Year 5 African drumming lessons
- funded office and classroom essentials
- purchased 8 Academia iPad airs and robust covers
- funded prizes for pupil of the month and Accelerated Reader
- continued subscription to the Mathletics computer programme.
We are also grateful to the ever growing list of sponsors and supporters of the school including, McColgan’s, New Horizons Garden Centre, Strabane & Lifford Rotary Club, Caffé Fresco, Milltown Digital, Subway, Cilento, GMG, Multi Span, Doran’s Costcutters, Eclipse Cinemas, Derry and Strabane District Council, Mr. M. Barclay, Mrs. McBride, Mrs. B. Hogg, Mrs. I. Galbraith, Mrs. Watterson, Eyewear Opticians, TCM Dairies, Bready Ulster Scots, Cutting Edge and the Spar Shop, Derry Road. By the end of the year over £8,256 had been raised to help support the education of our children. Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to all the parents who donated books for the purpose of the School Book Fair and raised funds in this way.
Bookfair
We had two book fairs during the year. “Travelling Bookfairs” came in November and the Pupil council organized the school’s first very own Book Fair in March coinciding with World Book Day. This provided us with a very wide range of quality books. In total £1342.55 of books were purchased through the Travelling bookfair. The school benefited from £140 raised through the Pupil council Book Fair. We are indebted to the parents for helping us in this very practical manner. The single greatest benefit of course is that obtained by our children when they see how important reading is and gain quality books to keep for themselves. Thank you again for your support.
Key Stage Assessments 2017/2018
Key Stage 1 Communication
School percentage Level 2 72.09% Level 3 25.58%
NI average Level 2 70.99% Level 3 16.65%
Key Stage 1 Using Mathematics
School percentage Level 2 79.06% Level 3 18.60%
NI average Level 2 72.27% Level 3 16.95%
Key Stage 2 Communication
School percentage Level 4 55.88% Level 5 35.29%
NI average Level 4 63.33% Level 5 15.90%
Key Stage 2 Using Mathematics
School percentage Level 4 38.23% Level 5 47.05%
NI average Level 4 58.42% Level 5 21.22%
Key Stage 1 ICT Level 2 97.67%
NI average Level 2 84.79%
Key Stage 2 ICT Level 4 100%
NI average Level 4 80.51%
Please note that the Northern Ireland figures quoted may not be an accurate reflection of standards as, due to industrial action, the summary figure is based on approximately 14% of primary schools.
Pantomime
Our pantomime ‘The Pied Piper’ was performed to packed houses on the 13-14 December. The children were excellent as always and the experience proved to be a very rewarding one for both audience and performers. To all who came to these performances we would like to express our sincere thanks for contributing to the success of the nights by being such encouraging audiences.
Sport
In addition to the wide variety of sporting activities offered on a Friday afternoon during club’s time and the numerous Extended Schools activities the primary 6/7 boys and girls were involved in the Strabane District Primary Football Cup at Melvin Park. The girls came third in the competition. The Year 7 football team played a friendly match against The Glebe Primary School and against Sion Mills. The girls participated in a friendly netball tournament against Sion Mills.
Furthermore, 30 children in P5, 27 in P6 and 27 in P7 received swimming certificates and badges during their time at the pool in Lisnafin Park. Five of these children managed to gain 1000m certificates. The gala in Riversdale is a highlight of the swimming calendar. In total 18 schools competed this year. Our teams returned with 2 silver and 3 bronze medals. The rounders competition was again a great success and generated considerable excitement and fun – as well as noise! The 17 members of team ‘PEGASUS’ emerged as the victors and were awarded the gold medals, silver went to team ‘KELPIES’ and bronze to the ‘ELVES’. Finally, our annual Sports Day saw the customary large turnout of parents. This added greatly to the success of the event as did the weather which was almost too kind to us on such a warm and sunny day.
Extended Schools
With Extended Schools funding we were able to continue with the breakfast club every morning before school and offer our pupils free fresh fruit at break time one day a week. Once again our after schools sports programmes have had the added benefit of leading some of our pupils into local sports clubs such as Maiden City Football Club, Ballylaw Badminton Club and Strabane Cricket Club. We have also been able to compliment our curricular provision with an after school Maths Catch up programme for P5, P6 and P7, we continued the WellComm Speech and Language Toolkit for the nursery, continued the Musical Pathways programme to P1 and extended the Accelerated Reader license. The P6 class was also involved in a STEM programme in conjunction with Bombardier Aerospace. This culminated in a visit to W5 and a flight around the country. The P7 children were able to avail of the services of ‘New Horizons’ for an after school gardening club. ‘STEM Aware’ was engaged with the Year 6 class through their ‘Vikings’, ‘Fair Trade’ and ‘Flight’ topics. Year 7 also availed of the opportunity to attend our STEM ‘Coding Club’. First Aid training was also given to parents at joint sessions in two schools. Finally, every Thursday afternoon from 3-4 pm, the Scripture Union club operated for children from P4-7.
Parental Involvement
As well as the many informal meetings parents had with teachers, formal parent interviews took place in October and Easter for children getting Learning Support and in February for the whole school with P7 parents having interviews in September and February. There were excellent turnouts at all sets of interviews – thank you for your support. Parents also received a detailed written report about their child’s achievement in June. In addition to this P7 pupils were presented with Records of Achievement in front of their parents on Prize Day.
P4 and P6 parents were trained to do Paired Reading with their children. Similarly, a PIN (Parents in Numeracy) programme also gave parents in P5 opportunities to use educational mathematical games and ‘apps’ to support their children’s mathematical development. Thanks to the PTA, parents and children have access to the ‘Mathletics’ programme from home. Both the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day breakfasts once again saw large numbers of parents and grandparents come along on each occasion. This was quite a remarkable turn out and indicative of the excellent parental support we have. Parents of children in the nursery unit benefited from the WellComm Speech and Language Programme and RISENI provided an information evening for the parents of the new nursery intake. Furthermore, the DE’s EITP scheme instructed parents on how to support their children’s learning at home. Finally, some parents were again enabled to use the Lexia programme with their children from home. Parents of children entering Nursery and P1 had induction days in May/June.
Music
Special tuition in cello, viola and violin continued to be provided by the EA Western Region. These pupils all performed at the annual pantomime in December. Some of the older children also attended EA Western Region’s strings group after school and they performed for parents at the end of the year in the Alley Theatre. Over this time the children gained 3 copper, 10 bronze, 1 silver and 7 gold medals from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music – an outstanding achievement. Fourteen of our pupils also participated in the Highland Bagpipe Tuition programme. One of these children achieved a bronze award and six gained silver awards. One pupil achieved a silver award and a further three pupils gained gold awards in the advanced Progression to Bagpipes Award. In addition to this all children P2-7 were involved in a Highland Dance programme and P5 pupils received tuition in African drums. These children performed in the Alley Theatre twice during the year. Finally, our children competed in the Strabane Feis and won the ‘large choir’ category in the Rotary Club choir competition – another set of excellent achievements.
Curriculum
As you can see from the information set out under in service training staff were once again involved in training to update and extend their expertise and experience. Information gleaned by teachers at INSET was disseminated to staff at exceptional closure days, baker days and staff meetings. Of particular note is the continuing work done on training staff to overcome barriers to learning, develop the STEM subjects, support children with medical conditions and promote Shared Education.
In mathematics teachers continue to use ‘Mathletics’ (P2-P7) and extend the use of this at home. We had one pupil who achieved 100 000 points! Completed questionnaires from all stakeholders provided information on best use of the programme. ‘Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities’ are documented in teacher’s planners and Assessment for Learning is systematically recorded. Pupil’s understanding of Place Value was reviewed alongside teaching strategies and resources. Samples of work were collated from each class evidencing the effective teaching of Place Value. Maths Catch-up clubs took place this year again and ensured the foundational understanding of place value was embedded for specific learners. Understanding of Financial Capability was promoted through play, contextualised learning and the involvement and visit from a local bank. Every class participated in financial capability problem solving Assessment Tasks. The PIN programme was completed in P5 with pupils and parents using educational games and programmes specific to Maths. The transition from paper testing to online computer testing began for Mathematics.
In literacy teachers continued to use the highly motivational Accelerated Reader programme throughout KS2. We had 16 children become word millionaires during the year. One child even managed to read well over six million words! An astounding achievement. The scheme of work for Writing is being embedded and scrutiny of planners show that the Reading and Writing Schemes of work are well embedded in classroom teaching. Programmes of work have been well established and there is continuity and progression from Year 1 – 7. The scheme includes provision for intended learning outcomes, activities and cross-curricular links. Monitoring samples of work and discussing good practice whilst referring to the Cross curricular skills levels ensures there is both continuity and progression across the school and across the learners. It has also demonstrated the effectiveness of contextualised cross-curricular learning in both stimulating the learner and producing the final product. Staff have been monitoring the breadth and effectiveness of writing resources and practices and this area will continue to be monitored in line with financial viability and worthwhile resources. A whole school writing portfolio has been completed for Levels 1 – 5 with teachers moderating samples of work. Four out of the five Foundation and Key stage 1 classes have visited either Strabane or Omagh library in 2017/2018. Through SESP, Year 4 had an interview session with the author Liz Weir and the Year 6 and 7 classes met and interviewed Marita Conlon Mc Kenna as part of the Extended Schools cluster groups. Paired Reading took place in Year 4 and Year 6. Two Book Fairs were held, one in November and one in March. World Book Day was hugely successful with a new initiative involving the School’s Pupil Council. Pupils brought in books from home and sold them for 50p. This raised £140 for funds and correlated to each pupil purchasing at least one book. The transition from paper testing to online computer testing began for Literacy.
Teachers were trained to deliver the new element of ‘Music and Sound’ and use some of the CCEA Assessment Tasks for this area. Training was delivered by The Nerve Centre and our school clustered with our Shared Education partner school. All teaching staff and classroom assistants attended and in total 28 members of staff were trained. Time was then allocated to allow staff to implement programmes suitable to their class and a scheme of work was drawn up. Teachers also focused on helping pupils self-evaluate their ICT work more systemically including developing appropriate vocabulary to do so. The use of Mathletics both at school and home was promoted. Accelerated Reader, Mathletics and Lexia are now well established programmes to support literacy and numeracy teaching. The website was revamped and now receives more than 1000 hits per month. A Programming Club was held again this year after school for P7 children. This was well received and proved very successful. Likewise, all children now have much better access to iPads as 8 more were purchased and they can be used every day.
The Department of Education is encouraging schools to promote the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) in order to enhance the growth of our economy and help our young people become more employable. This year our pupils availed of opportunities using ‘STEM Aware’ including Practical Maths, ‘Famine’ (Food deterioration), ‘Titanic’ (unsinkable), ‘Water’ (3 states of matter). This included interactive activities specifically for Year 7 to draw on their skills in team work, prediction, recording results and evaluating. Year 6 enjoyed the Bombardier Flight project and a trip to W5. Sentinus presented a seminar to the senior pupils on, ‘How ICT influences jobs’ and the school purchased an Easi-scope and 5 measuring cylinders.
Our P1 pupils again experienced an innovative music programme called ‘Musical Pathways’. In addition to improving musical skills children’s attention and listening skills including their capacity to distinguish between sounds was enhanced. All the teachers involved reported significant benefits for their class and the children’s engagement was exceptionally good.
Following the Department of Education’s decision that all schools should promote the objectives of ‘Shared Education’ our school is partnered with Sion Mills primary and the children in P4-7 joined with their opposite numbers in Sion Mills to share educational experiences. The overall aim of the project is to improve education standards and reconciliation by enabling schools to work collaboratively more often. Opportunities were provided for P7 to explore prejudice and discrimination through a study of the novel, ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.’ using music, drama, dance and ICT. P6 studied the novel ‘Under the Hawthorn tree.’ They went to the Ulster American Folk Park to follow the ‘Famine Trail’ and played Victorian games together. P5 completed a unit entitled ‘The Church Trail’ which included visits to different churches in Strabane and Sion Mills. "Getting to know you" sessions were held with ice breaker games, singing and Highland dancing. Parents were invited to joint assemblies based on the project, one in Sion Mills and one in Strabane PS. This was Year 4’s first shared Education project together. The focus was on Literacy were they shared reading sessions and enjoyed a visit from the well-known author Liz Weir. Teacher Professional Learning Modules were also availed of; Collaborative Middle Leadership for 3 members of staff, Playful Learning in Practice for 1 member of Staff and Religious Education for 1 member of staff. Finally, the teachers shared good practice and received joint INSET training in ICT to enhance their teaching of the ‘Music and Sound’.
Credit should also be given to the 21 children who gained full attendance certificates. All the children in P7 completed their Healthy Lifestyle (Drugs Awareness) Training programme. Once again they achieved a 100% pass rate. The school also participated in both the Healthy Munch Bunch challenge (for the 10th successive year) and the Travelwise Walk to School Week (for the 7th successive year). Finally, 30 Year 7 pupils successfully completed their cycling proficiency training (with Cycle Helmet award) in June – another 100% pass rate.
In–Service Training
14th September 2017: Nursery, “Music in the classroom and the inspection process” ETi
14th September 2017: Diabetic Training – Year 7, Year 5, Principal and CA
19th September: DENI census overview training Strabane Library: Principal and secretary
19th September 2017: school improvement NAHT – Principal
25th September 2017: Principal: Shared Education Conference with Sion Mills (partner school)
26th September 2017: Principal ETI conference
29th September: Principal’s Conference
2nd Oct: Nursery – Cluster meeting ‘Getting ready to Learn’
5th Oct: EA Principal’s course
13th Oct: EA Principal –Safeguarding and Child Protection.
24th Oct: EA Principal’s Course
24th Oct: Nursery cluster – Getting Ready to Learn.
25th Oct: Staff development
7th Nov: Year 6 and Principal: Shared Education
9th Nov: Year 3/4 Maths Co-ordinator training day
14th Nov: EA Principal’s course
16th Nov: Nursery child protection training
22nd Nov: Principal’s EA engagement session
23rd Nov: Principal, BOGs training
23rd Nov: SENCo and SEN CA – AAIS training toolkit day 1
24th Nov: SENCo and SEN CA – AAIS training toolkit day 2
29th Nov: AAIS training 1 teacher and 1 SEN CA.
29th Nov: Principal and Secretary c2k Admissions overview
30th Nov: Year 5, Global Learning seminar in Stranmillis university
4th Dec: Mathletics training for teaching staff
5th Dec: Chairperson’s Child protection training
7th Dec: Year 6 shared education
8th Dec: EA Principal’s training
3rd Jan: Staff Development Day
9th Jan: Music and Sound training with Sion Mills PS at Strabane PS (focus group Foundation and KS1)
10th Jan: Year 6 Extended schools cluster
15th Jan: 6 staff trained on using the defibrillator
16th Jan: Music and Sound training from Nerve centre with Sion Mills PS at Strabane PS (focus group KS2)
16th Jan: Team Teach Training - Principal, SENCO and SEN CA
16th Jan: Year 7 Shared Education
17th Jan: Team Teach Training - Principal, SENCO and SEN CA
18th Jan: EA Principal’s Training
23rd Jan: Year 5 Shared Education
31st Jan: Nursery ETI Associate Assessor training.
9th Feb: EA Principal’s Training
21st Feb: Extended schools Year 6
22nd Feb: Collaborative Middle Leadership: Principal, Year 1/2 and Year 6
22nd Feb: Nursery ETI Associate Assessor
5th March: Collaborative Middle Leadership: Principal, Year 1/2 and Year 6
7th March: Year 6 Extended school’s
9th March: SEND 2016 Principal’s training
Year 6 Extended Schools
20th March: Secretary iprocurement training
Principal Governor training
Nursery GRTL
Year 4 Shared Education
21st March: Shared Education Year 1/2 and Year 6
22nd March: Nursery GRTL day
Principal: Pushkin
11th April: Principal - Primary Assessment and Analysis training
12th April: Collaborative Middle Leadership: Principal, Year 1/2 and Yr 6
12th April: Nursery ASD training
4th May: Secretary - Finance
10th May: Principal NAHT school improvement
SENCo - SEND 2016 training
11th May: Principal NAHT school improvement
16th & 17th May: Nursery Shared Ed: Playful Learning in practice
18th May: Numeracy co-ordinator training
21st May: Surestart – Nursery ‘Mental Health seminar – Early Years’
31st May: Nursery- Shared Ed: Playful Learning in practice
6th June: Shared Education Principal, Year 6 and Year 1/2
Learning Support
In September 2017 there were fifty-nine children on the Special Needs register (including six pupils who have a statement of SEN and benefit from having the support of a classroom assistant). Three more pupils have since received a statement of SEN and two more are currently at stage 4 on the Code of Practice so may receive a statement later. Pupils are on the SEN register for one or more of the following reasons –
Moderate learning difficulties, Specific literacy difficulties (SpLD.), Social and emotional difficulties including ASD and Language and communication difficulties
Pupils were monitored throughout the year and moved either up or down through the Code of Practice stages according to their level of need. This year thirteen pupils including eight year sevens were removed from the register. This is because their needs are now not significant enough to require provision additional to or different from those generally available for all pupils. Also, as concerns were identified eleven new names were added. These decisions were agreed by class teachers, SEN teachers and parents and were based on standardized tests scores, teacher’s assessment and reports from outside agencies. A separate register is used for those who have medical needs only e.g. food allergy.
Forty pupils were withdrawn from class by the Special Needs teachers to work on numeracy and literacy. In consultation with the class teacher Education Plans were drawn up with targets which are achievable and measurable (SMART). Work was delivered at an appropriate level, broken down into small steps and taught using a variety of strategies and materials. Throughout the year progress was monitored and assessed and provision altered accordingly. If a need was evident which could be addressed by one of the outreach support teams a referral was made to the appropriate outside agency. Parents were kept informed and they had the opportunity to meet formally with the special needs teachers at least twice during the year.
Mrs. McConnell delivered an intensive individualized programme to one pupil again this year to address literacy problems. This ‘in house’ support has been very beneficial as it can be used to address difficulties without the delays of referrals and paperwork or the constraints of meeting external criteria and can be adapted to suit our own circumstances. These pupils showed significant improvement in their work in class over the years, in standardized scores and confidence levels and, as a result of this intervention, are now able to work within the class without needing further withdrawal.
Three children were put through the literacy screening process which is a ‘fast track’ system to access the SpLD service. In total two pupils met the criteria and will receive SpLD outreach support. This is one-to one support for an hour each week with a peripatetic teacher provided by the EA.
One pupil received similar support for Moderate Learning Difficulties from EA. Outside agencies used by our school include-
The EA peripatetic teacher for Specific Literacy Difficulty
The EA peripatetic teacher for Moderate Learning Difficulty
ASD service, (communication and social skills)
EA Language and Communication support
SEBD team Knockavoe Resource Centre, (behaviour)
Speech and Language Services
RISENI multi-disciplinary team – individual and group support for both child and parents
AAIS Autism Advisory and Intervention Service
Middletown Centre for Autism
CAMHS
These services are under significant pressure and waiting lists are getting longer so it is of great benefit to our pupils that they receive a good level of support within the school.
Some ICT and after school activities which also proved successful in raising standards included-
Paired Reading Programme, Parents in Maths Programme (PIN), Lexia computer programme (for use at home and in school.), Mathletics computer programme (for use at home and in school.), Extended schools Maths ‘Catch Up’ clubs, Accelerated Reading and Educational Apps e.g. Spellosaur
Staff Development and Capacity Building
We continued to up-skill our staff in regards to dealing with autism and Asperger’s syndrome and one classroom assistant attended the ASD two-day tool kit course this year. Also, the SEBD team provided advice and strategies to help address behaviour issues to a teacher and a classroom assistant.
This year funding was granted by the EA for a three year programme for Nursery children and their parents called ‘Getting Ready to Learn’. A number of evenings were held for parents including-
The ‘Well Comm’ Speech and Language programme, information sessions with a dentist and a speech and language evening with Jo Jingles and a speech and language therapist, (for parents and children).
There were also three ‘stay and play’ sessions when parents heard about children’s stages of development and routes to take if there are concerns. This programme was well supported and is to be commended as it gave parents a greater insight into their children’s education and provided opportunity for early intervention where necessary.
We also continued to work towards earlier identification of pupils needs throughout the school. The training received through the SEN CPD Literacy Project Literacy Project is part of our established practice and helps -
• staff recognize and have a fuller understanding of literacy difficulties and use strategies to help address them
• When concerns are voiced there is close collaboration between SEN teachers and class teachers in order to decide on a course of action e.g. referrals etc.
• SEN teachers can use ability and attainment tests on individual children at any time in order to gain more information. (This is also useful for pupils who have moved to our school during the year)
Eco-Schools
Strabane Primary School was successful in achieving a third Green Flag in March after a visit from Eco-Schools assessors, Ms. Lynn Greer and Dr Ian Humphries. The assessors were very impressed by the:
''wonderful ethos in the school- friendly, respectful and engaging with happy, confident and articulate pupils led by a knowledgeable Eco-Committee. This is a very special school and the staff and pupils should be extremely proud of their achievements... Congratulations to all concerned- staff and pupils alike, and not forgetting the caretaker and many parents who helped your school achieve its environmental targets"
Strabane Primary School continues to promote environmental and sustainable education through the internationally accredited Eco-Schools programme. The eco-committee of pupils and staff met several times during the year to ensure successful progress towards achieving a third Green Flag and to inform the rest of the school via assembly. An eco-themed competition was held in spring with all classes, including nursery unit, producing wonderful works of art from recycled material.
The after -school gardening club, facilitated by New Horizons Garden Centre, planted vegetables in raised beds and the polytunnel, and prepared containers of flowers for sale in the Summer Fair. The enclosed pond area was also maintained as a learning resource for environmental studies and service station for butterflies, bees and other wildlife. Congratulations also to Mrs. Smith on achieving ‘The Green Teacher Ambassador’ Award in June 2018.
For the Eco-Schools Global Awareness topic, our pupils once again gave very generously to the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Shoebox Appeal. One hundred and fourteen boxes were donated to less privileged children in Eastern Europe – an increase of twenty-six boxes from last year.
School Council
This year again the school council have organised and participated in a variety of events, not only to raise funds but also their profile, in addition to addressing issues of importance to the whole student body.
Firstly, they began the year with a charity ‘Hot Chocolate & Woolly Jumper’ event, which saw pupils and staff throughout the school participate in spreading some festive cheer by wearing their woolly jumpers and feasting on hot chocolate topped with cream and marshmallows. All proceeds from the day were donated to the worthy cause of the Foyle Hospice with a special assembly and cheque presentation to representatives of the charity taking place in February.
In the second term school councillors put their stamp on World Book Day, by organising a second hand book sale, which allowed pupils from Nursery right to year 7 not only to purchase a book, but also to adorn costumes and attire to represent their favourite characters. Such was the success of this event, that the school council then liaised with the PTA and for the first time, and had a stall at the annual summer fair which allowed them to continue to sell the remaining books, all of which contributed to boosting their own school council funds.
Finally, the school council dedicated their time in the third term to the organisation of a special assembly to mark the retirement of our Year 5 teacher, Mrs Smith. They led a special assembly in her honour, with poetry, hymns and invited guests highlighting some of Mrs Smith’s interests and leaving us with many memories of her fruitful time at Strabane PS. She was presented with gifts from the council, on behalf of the student body, to bring to a close what proved a wonderful event for staff and pupils alike.
Budget
Full LMS budget expenditure details are provided elsewhere in this report as is information about the school’s own accounts. Once again we have to acknowledge the fundraising efforts of the PTA and thank you the parents sincerely for the time and energy you put into ensuring the events the PTA organised were successful. All schools now have to demonstrate that they are sustainable across a range of criteria. This includes enrolment, finance and educational standards. In all instances this school was once again recognized by the Education Authority as secure.
Health, Safety and Security
A new digital and much improved CCTV is now fully operational. It functions 24 hours a day for overall site security and access control exists on all outside doors. All visitors are required to report to reception and sign in and out. A monitored intruder alarm protects the buildings after working hours and all equipment has security markings. The waste bins are secured away from the building as a fire prevention measure and a fire detection and emergency lighting system was installed in 2015 along with the new state of the art intruder alarm. The Education Authority installed a bunded oil tank in a protective cage away from the school building in May 2017 to enable us to comply with new health and safety legislation. They also surveyed the car parking facilities in 2016 and discussed plans with the Governors to improve safety. Work commenced on improvements to the car park. These have yet to be completed. We continue to liaise with EA on these works.
Accessibility
To facilitate access arrangements a disabled parking bay is available to blue badge holders (only) directly in front of the main entrance and all doors into the school have ramps. The main doors are also equipped with automatic opening apparatus as is the assembly hall. Finally, a chair lift operates to the classrooms on the first floor. This gives all pupils full access to every facility the school has to offer.
Nursery
The nursery plans in accordance with the 2018 Northern Ireland Curricular Guidance for Preschool Education. It was once again awarded the Gold Educating and Promoting Healthy Eating 3.2.1. award by the Western Health and Social Care Trust.
The WellComm speech and language programme continues to be implemented in the nursery, (funded through Extended Schools), providing speech and language screening and appropriate support for all nursery children. The Speech and Language therapist held a parent information evening in November, providing advice on how to promote speech and language skills in the early years.
For a second year, the nursery implemented the DE ‘Early Intervention Transformation Programme’. This enabled the nursery to provide a home/school lending library, information sessions for parents and stay and play sessions. Funding for this programme has also been secured for 2018/2019.
Music was enjoyed through weekly Jo Jingles sessions, which took place over twenty weeks including a parent session aiming to promote the importance of rhythm and rhyme in early literacy.
RISENI provided an information evening and resources on ‘Preparing for Nursery’ for the parents of the new nursery intake.
The children enjoyed day trips to the Surestart Play and Learn Centre/Strabane Community Library and Lifford Cinema.
The nursery maintains strong links with the local community, and have had a very busy year. This has included visits from the NI Ambulance Service, Nurse, Fire Service, PSNI, the dental hygienist, the librarian, local baker David McKnight, Eyewear Opticians and Santa Claus.
Summary
The Governors continue to be greatly encouraged by the excellent support proffered year in and year out by the PTA committee in particular and the parents in general. The high esteem which the school is held in by the wider community is also clearly demonstrated by the significant number of sponsors we have for our various activities. We wish you to know that your help is very much appreciated and does indeed make a difference to our children. Parental support also plays a significant part in the good attendance figures of 94.1%.
We are also delighted that the kitchen continues to maintain its Grade 5 food hygiene rating from environmental health – the highest grade possible – this is an excellent achievement for Margaret and her staff.
Likewise, we wish to take this opportunity to express our thanks and appreciation to the principal and staff of the school for the continued high level of commitment and the excellent standards achieved both inside and outside the classroom. The Governors wish to congratulate the principal, teachers, parents and children for their efforts over the past year and commend this report on the life and work of the school to you all.
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