The 2009-2010 Annual Report of The Board of Governors of St Mary’s High School presents information on some aspects of the school and as such does not include all the activities and/or developments which have taken place during the school year.

                        Membership of  The Board of Governors 2009-2013

Term of Office ends 2013

 Chairperson                            Mr E McGrady                         (DENI)

Vice Chairperson                    Very Rev Canon N Conway      (Trustee Representative)

Secretary                                 Mrs P Smyth                             (Principal)

Trustee Nominees                  Very Rev Canon N Conway     

            Mrs M MacNabb

            Mrs N McStay

            Very Rev Canon S Rogan                     

Parent Governor                     Mr C Fitzsimons                       

SEELB Nominees                  Cllr C McGrath

            Mr P Stewart

DENI Nominees                     Mr E McGrady

Teacher Governor                  Mrs R Gorman

Principal                                  Mrs P Smyth (until 31 August 2010)

Acting Principal                      Mrs M Wylie (01/09/10-31/10/10)

Principal                                  Mrs S Darling (from 01/11/10)

Sub-committees

There were Sub-committees to deal with:

Appointments              Finance               Salaries             Appeals                        Education

Minutes of the Annual Report 2008/2009

Annual Report was presented to Board of Governors at their meeting of 4 February 2010.

Governors Present:              Mr E McGrady                        (Chairperson/DENI)    

Rev Canon N Conway (Vice Chairperson/Trustees)

Rev Canon S Rogan                 (Trustees)                    

Mrs M MacNabb                     (Trustees)

Cllr C McGrath                        (SEELB)

Mrs R Gorman             (Teacher/Governor)

Mrs P Smyth                            (Principal/Secretary)

Apologies:                              Mrs N McStay                         (Trustees)

                                                Mr P Stewart                           (SEELB)

 It was agreed that a copy should be put on the school’s website.

Responsibilities of the Governors

The Board of Governors is responsible for the management and administration of all aspects of the school including:

(i)                  Admissions

(ii)                Staffing

(iii)               Curriculum

(iv)              Accommodation

(v)                Finances

(vi)              Sub-Committees

Admissions

The Governors approved the admissions criteria for pupil intake during 2009-2010.  The intake number was 77 students.

Staffing

During this year total number of teaching staff was 31 with 2 part-time teachers.

Curriculum

Key Stages 3 & 4

The Northern Ireland Curriculum has been introduced into Years 8 and 9.

19 Subjects were studied by the students in Years 8, 9 and 10.

All students in Year 10 were entered for CCEA KS3 ICT Accreditation

All students in Year 10 are entered for CCEA KS3 English and Mathematics

The students in Years 11 and 12 studied the compulsory subjects:  English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Education and Learning for Life & Work.

One Year 11 group followed a reduced number of GCSEs, Occupational Studies Level 2, Text Processing and Wider Key Skills.

Post 16

Students who elected for Post 16 Education at St Mary’s choose GCE Applied Business, GCE ICT, ‘A’ Level Art and Design, ‘A’ Level Mathematics, ‘A’ Level Media Studies, ‘A’ Level Moving Image Arts, ‘A’ Level Religion and Level 2 Health and Social Care.

Lecale Learning Community

St Mary’s is one of seven Post Primary Schools working together under the umbrella of the LLC.  To facilitate full access to the Entitlement Framework at Post 16, St Mary’s High School, De La Salle High School and St Patrick’s Grammar School are collaborating to allow students from each of the schools access to their Post 16 courses.  Teachers of selected subjects at KS4 and Post 16 will be working from September 2010 to produce on-line resources to enhance the Teaching and Learning in their schools.  Staff from St Mary’s chair the Pastoral and Careers Working Groups within the LLC.

Inclusion/Special Educational Needs

The aim of St Mary’s is to provide access to a broad and balanced Curriculum which is differentiated to ensure that all students, including those with SEN/disability, strive to reach their full potential.  Students whose first language is not English will experience an ethos of support, challenge and encouragement to succeed.

Teaching and learning will be adapted to meet the needs of the students and their learning styles.  The school adopts a flexible approach to SEN provision, eg in-class support, withdrawal and Outreach Support as deemed necessary.  At KS3 students with educational statements receive support in our MLD Unit or in mainstream.  Classroom Assistants are provided by the SEELB for those students who require additional assistance due to their SEN/disability.

We value the partnerships that have been forged between home and school in order to maximise support for our students.  The school aims to provide a caring environment where all students feel included and valued and their self-esteem is raised in order to prepare them for the world of work.

Wider Key Skills

11G took part in the Wider Key Skills which involved making books for Primary School children.  They made a number of books for students in the Convent of Mercy Primary School, Downpatrick.

Occupational Studies

Occupational Studies is now being taught in two areas, Business and Horticulture (Science).  Year 12 students will now have the opportunity to achieve a Double Award.

Pastoral

The school has a strong Pastoral Care system provided by

·       Vice Principal Pastoral Care

·       Key Stage 3 Pastoral Coordinator, Heads of Year for Years 11, 12, and Sixth Form

·       Form Teacher for each class

·       School Merit System KS3

·       Behaviour Tracking KS4 Pilot

·       Assertive Discipline Programme

·       School Chaplain

·       Home School Links

·       Parent/Teacher meetings for each year group

·       Sixth Form mentors for KS3 and KS4 form classes

·       Pupil Mentoring by Heads of Year

·       Sixth Form Peer Mentoring Training

·       Links with appropriate outside agencies

·       EWO Stress Management

·       ‘Mind Out’ Programme

·       Progress Files

·       Counselling

·       Counselling for Youth

·       Chrysalis Programme

·       Baby Borrowers

School Council

·       The School Council held elections in November.  Students were nominated by members in their form class and elections took place after nominees had presented their manifestos to their form class.  Publicity for the nominees was made possible through the collaboration of the ICT, Art and Design, English and History Departments.  Voting booths and ballot boxes were supplied by Down District Council for Election Day and voting was regulated by Head Girl, Deputy Head Girl and Mentors.  Nine student representatives were elected and results were announced at Whole School Assembly.

Induction Programmes

The following induction activities were held in September 2008

·       Year 8 ‘Your School Your Business’ facilitated by Young Enterprise

·       ‘Learning Skills‘Success Skills’ for Years 11 and 13 by Young Enterprise

·       Mentor Training by CHIPS for Years 13/14

·       UCAS Personal Statement Preparation by Sentinus for Year 14

·       Peer Mentor Training facilitated by CHIPS

Pastoral Support Programmes

A carefully prepared PD programme in line with the Revised Curriculum included the following Programmes which took place in June 2009

·       Learning Skills (Preparation for KS4) and Build in Progress Files (Preparation for Personal Statement) - Year 10 PD Programme (Learning about Learning)

·       The School Health & Alcohol Harm Reduction Project facilitated by SHARP held a one day Workshop for Years 9 and Years 13/14 students.

·       Teenage Cancer Trust Talk for Years 8-14 students

·       Women’s Aid Talks for Years 12-14

·       Health Education Talks from School Nurse for Year 10 students

·       PSNI Road Safety Roadshow for Years 13-14 students

·       The Department of Regional Development’s Road Safety Play ‘The Price’ for Year 8 students took place in April 2010

Key Stage 3 Merit System Awards

·         Students receiving Gold Awards – Trip to Cinema

·         Students receiving Gold and Silver Awards – Party

·         Students receiving Gold, Silver and Bronze each received a certificate

Key Stage 4 Pastoral Awards

·         Students receiving Pastoral Awards each received a certificate

Pupil of the Month Awards

·        These were introduced for KS3/KS4/Post 16 students who were excellent role models in every way.

School Environment

·         Minor Works regarding subsidence in the Technology Block has been completed

·         Refurbishment for the following has been given approval:  Home Economics, Sixth Form Accommodation, Toilets and additional Storage Facilities for Caretakers/Admin

Finance

The Governors have overall responsibility for the management of the budget. The day-to-day responsibility is undertaken by the Senior Management Team.  The Finance Sub-Committee of the Board of Governors meets to monitor the budget.

Financial Year 2009-2010

Budget 2009-2010

The above carryover was planned to enable the school

·       to allow for increased provision for students at Post 16

·       to improve the school environment

·       to improve resources

·       to review and implement the Management Structure of the school

·       to provide funding to cater for statutory curriculum changes

Sport

·       Years 9 and 10 students enjoyed a very successful Ski Trip in January to Italy organized by the PE department.

·       St Mary’s Year 10 students were successful in winning the Junior Netball Finals with one of the students being awarded the ‘Most Valuable Player’ in the final.

·       Successes were also achieved in Gaelic with a Year 11 student receiving a County Medal for Down Ladies U16’s and a Year 10 student being awarded the U16 Player of the Year by her local club.

Links with the Community

Outside School Activities - Careers

1.    There is a close link with the Department of Education and Learning with a Careers Officer designated to St Mary’s to oversee Year 12 individual interviews, completion of UCAS forms in Year 14 and to help with preparation for the school’s Mock Interview evening in March for Year 12 students.

2.    A close link with local employers for help with Years 12 and 13 Work Experience and Year 12 Mock Interviews, as well as acting as guest speakers throughout the year.

3.    A Careers Convention took place for Years 12 students in March in the Down Leisure Centre.

Inside School - Speakers

Throughout the year during Careers classes in Years 11, 12, 13 and 14 there has been a selection of speakers making the girls aware of job opportunities and career choices in various sectors of the community.

Mrs Arkins is a member of the local Business Education Partnership where links are forged between Business and Education in the district.

Careers Events

1.         Year 13 students attended Higher Education Careers Convention in Belfast to enable them to obtain information from Universities and Colleges across Great Britain and Ireland.  This proved a great help in the completion of UCAS forms for Post 18.

2.         Aimhigher Roadshow for Year 10 students – Introduction to Higher Education

3.         Year 12 Work Experience Programme took place in October with students gaining experience in a wide variety of careers.

4.         Year 13 Work Experience Programme took place in February

5.         Mock Interviews for Year 12 students took place in March.  The evening proved to be a great success and beneficial to the students.

6.         PSNI Roadshow Production showed Years 13/14 students the impact on driving carelessly and the severe consequences that this can have.  Students found the production excellent and it made them think more about the effects of driving without paying attention. 

7.         St Mary’s University College visited Year 14 Careers Class

8.         BMC Presentation to Year 14 Careers Class

9.         Cragrats (Workshop for Year 12 students)  

10.     Year 9 STEM event facilitated by W5 took place in March in collaboration with the Lecale Learning Community.

11.     Year 10 STEM event facilitated by Sentinus in Columba’s, Portaferry

12.     Year 8 STEM event facilitated by Sentinus took place in June.

Fundraising Activities/Charities

·         The Head Girl/Deputy Head Girl and four Senior Prefects organized a ‘Hug in a Mug’ Coffee Morning raising £302.16 for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.

·         £120 was raised at our Annual Carol Service for the St Vincent de Paul’s Christmas Appeal

·         Once again our Annual Shoe Box Appeal was very generously supported by students, parents and staff.  The appeal brought in over 150 shoe boxes for children in Romania.

·         A group of students held a Coffee Morning in which they raised £470 for the Downpatrick House Orphanage in Romania.  The students visited the orphanage last year with members of the Patrician Youth Club to help build a playground.

·         A one day collection from students and staff raised £1215 for the Haiti Appeal.

·         Our Lenten Fundraising this year raised £4950.  The money was raised by holding various activities such as our Sponsored Fast, a Sponsored Walk, Raffles, Cake Sales, and a Crazy Sock, Nail & Hair Day.  Presentations were made to the following charities:

o        Trocaire - £2000

o        Concern - £2000

o        MacMillan Cancer Support - £950

Awards/Competitions

·         A Year 9 student was successful in designing the winning logo in the Lecale Logo Competition.

·         St Mary’s students took part in the ‘Walk to School Week’.  Pupils who participated in the walk were entered into a competition with one lucky Year 9 winning a bicycle.

·         Five of our students were successful in the Downpatrick Credit Union Poster competition.  The competition themed ‘Your Credit Union’ had entries from six schools with five students from St Mary’s winning 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place in the 11-13 category and 1^st and 2^nd place in the 14-17 category.

·         St Mary’s girls swept the board in a competition run by Down District Council

International Links

The school continues to develop links with schools in other parts of the world.

European Studies Programme

The European Studies Programme continues to run in the school.  Year 13 students undertake collaborative tasks with schools in Denmark, Finland, Dublin, Germany and Newry.

Comenius

·         As part of their Lifelong Learning Programme, Comenius seeks to develop knowledge and understanding among young people and educational staff of the diversity of European cultures, languages and values. The Comenius Project commenced with St Mary’s hosting the first planning meeting in September.  The title of the project is ‘Equal by Law but not in Reality’.  Teachers from schools in Germany, Turkey, Spain, Poland, Lithuania and Birmingham attended the meeting to plan a programme of activities for the project for the first year.  During their visit Downpatrick District Council hosted a dinner for the visiting schools and entertainment was provided by St Mary’s students who gave a wonderful display of Irish Dancing.  

·         The meeting was concluded in Broadway College, Birmingham attended by the Principal, International Links Coordinator and one teacher.   Nine Year 11 students are participating in the project. 

·         In April two teachers and three students traveled to Izmir Science High School in Turkey in April where they met all the students participating in the project.  A range of activities was planned for the week.  This turned out to be an eventual but successful visit in more ways than one!

Jordan

In November, as part of the British Council’s International Inspirations Programme, a delegation of teachers from our partner school, Princess Alia School in Jordan, visited St Mary’s.  A two year programme has been agreed and both schools are currently working on the project.  It was agreed to use PE and Sport to raise standards and improve the physical fitness of young girls.  It was also agreed to carry out a fitness award programme with selected students and gradually extend this to the rest of the students within the schools.  St Mary’s students presented Princess Alia School with a Gaelic strip, a video of a 7-a-side Gaelic match and a training manual.

Civic Voices

The Head of Drama was accepted to participate on a study visit to America for two weeks as part of this project.  The focus of the project is on Civil Rights issues and gives students the opportunity to record the history of activists in their community who have stood up for issues they believed in strongly in.  Seven countries around the world who have suffered conflict or civil rights issues are: USA, Northern Ireland, Georgia, Philippines, Mongolia, Poland and South Africa.  The project was officially launched in Washington DC by the US Deputy Secretary of State of Education, Kevin Jennings.  The ceremony and two days training took place at the Library of Congress behind Capital Hill.  The visit also included spending a day teaching in a school in Maryland, a trip to Birmingham, Alabama to visit the 16^th Baptist Church where Martin Luther King held many of his Civil rights meetings and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York.  The Head of Drama will host a visit by two American teachers in July to Northern Ireland for two weeks.

Departmental Events

Art & Design Department

·         Congratulations to five students who were winners in the Credit Union Poster Competition.  From 200 entries received St Mary’s students were awarded 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Place in the 11-13 Category and 1^st and 2^nd Place in the 14-17 Category.

·         In October the AS/A2 Art & Design took part in a study visit to the Down Arts Centre

Business Studies Department

·         Years 13/14 students participated in the ‘Make your Mark Challenge’, a UK Enterprise Challenge for Post Primary Schools

·         10J/10K students formed Mini Enterprise companies as part of their Business Studies course.

·         A2 Double Award Business Studies students studying the Unit Managerial and Supervisory Roles shadowed the Manager in MacNabb Waste Management.

·         The proprietor of ‘Wrap and Roll’ spoke to A2 students studying the unit ‘Business Planning’ and outlined her experiences of setting up and running her own business.

Drama Departments

·         Years 11/12 Drama Classes attended Pantomine in Grand Opera House in December

·         In October Year 8 Drama classes visited the Down Arts Centre

English Department

·         St Mary’s took part in the Carnegie Medal Shadow Group along with students from St Patrick’s Grammar School and De La Salle.

Geography Department

·         A group of Geography students took part in a ‘Beach Clean Up’ to Ballyhornan Beach organized by NI Water as part of their ‘Bag it and Bin it’ campaign.

History Department

·         Year 8 History Trip took place on 3^rd and 5^th November to Carrickfergus Castle as part of the Unit of Work on the Normans in Ireland

·         Year 10 History Trip took place on 30^th September to the Somme Heritage Centre.  The trip gave students an insight into their Unit of Work on ‘Fighting and Living in the Trenches’.

Home Economics Department

·         The Home Economics Department organized Cookery Demonstrations with the Meat & Livestock Commission for our Years 9 and 10 students.  This proved to be very successful with students eager to try out the new recipes at home.

 Moving Image Arts

In September AS Moving Image Arts students took part in a Workshop by Studio On

Music Department

·         Throughout the year the school choir provided music for many school events such as Prize Night, Whole School Masses, Assemblies and our Leavers Mass.  They also performed Karl Jenkins’ ‘Dei is era’ at St Patrick’s Grammar School’s 75^th Anniversary Concert in the Great Hall.

·         The choir has performed pieces in a variety of languages spanning from the 8^th Century to modern day classics.

·         An Irish Traditional Group has been formed and entertained at Open Night and other school events.

·         Students receiving Instrumental tuition this year have made excellent progress with many successfully taking part in the Associated Board Grade examinations.

PE Department

·         A Year 11 student received a County Medal for Down Ladies U16 with another Year 10 student being awarded ‘Ladies Player of the Year’ by her local club, Bright GAC.

RE Department

Sep 2009           Gideon New Testaments were presented to all Year 8 students

Oct 2009           Reception Mass for Year 8 students and family members was celebrated by the School Chaplain, followed by light refreshments

Oct 2009           Year 12 students attended the Schools’ Annual Life Conference in Down Leisure Centre, which reflected on issues relating to ‘Relationships and the Sanctity of Life’.

Oct 2009           ‘A’ Level RE students and Head of RE attended Youth Congress in Dundalk

Apr 2010          Whole School Mass and Distribution of Ashes

Jun 2010           Thanksgiving Mass for Year 12 and Post 16 students was held in the school gym

Events 2009-2010

14/09/09            Damian Gorman (Writer in Residence, St Patrick’s Grammar School) spoke to Year 8 students re Creative Writing

24/09/09            Mercy Day Mass for Whole School

01/10/09            The Northern Ireland Electoral Officer visited the school to register all Year 13 students with identity cards and to prepare them for voting in any upcoming elections.

08/10/09            Prize Night

09/10/09            Junior Prize Giving

14/10/09            Blood Transfusion Service visited the school to talk to Year 14 students

15/10/09            Year 8 Mass

18/12/09            Annual School Carol Service

02/02/10            Open Night

09/02/10            Belfast Metropolitan College visited by Year 14 students

24/02/10            Bunscoil Primary School Indoor Camogie Tournament was held in Sports Hall

03/03/10            Careers Convention in the Slieve Donard Hotel was attended by Year 12 classes

23/03/10            St Mary’s hosted the SEELB’s Primary Technology Challenge Day for Primary Schools

30/03/10            Stations of the Cross attended by Whole School

21/04/10            The Year 8 East Down Netball Finals were held in St Mary’s

17-21/05/10       Students participated in the Go & Glow Walk 2 School Week

07/06/10            Presentation of Trocaire Solidarity Awards were made to Years 8, 9 and 10 students

09/06/10            New Intake Induction Day

School Performance Tables 2009-2010

ANALYSIS OF GCSE RESULTS (YEAR 12)