The Annual Report of the Board of Governors 2015-2016



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2.8 PASTORAL DIMENSION

In St. Mary’s, we believe that the quality of care and support provided for our students contributes significantly to the positive ethos of our school. Students recognise and appreciate the care and support available to them. The provision fosters good relations between staff and students, and promotes the values of respect, responsibility and co-operation among students. Such an environment is conducive to effective learning and teaching, hence enhancing outcomes for all students. We also believe that pastoral care underpins much of what we do in school. Some aspects of pastoral support include:




  • Induction Day for all students in each year group;

  • Information Evenings for parents and guardians in key year groups;

  • External speakers at key times in the year eg Gideons International (Year 8); Jackie Burke (Year 12); Workshop on self-harm, suicide self-esteem and personal economics (Year 11), General RE speakers for senior students - Year 14 had a variety of visiting speakers over the course of the year which addressed a range of age-appropriate, relevant  issues including safe driving, online profiles, mental health awareness and mindfulness, living in Belfast as a student and Faith development;

  • Study Skills Day – Amazing Brains – for a number of year groups;

  • Year 14 School Formal;

  • Year 14 Anti-Bullying Training and Prefect Training;

During Anti-Bullying Week the St. Mary’s pupil support team of Anna Coogan, Caroline Collins, Eva Kelly, Grace McKenna, Maria Doyle, Paul McCarron, Luke Doyle and Dillon Chapman visited all year group assemblies delivering a very important message about bullying and the impact it can have on students.  They offered weekly support every Wednesday at break time. Year 11 took part in an anti-bullying workshop “Together for You”

  • Student Counsellor addresses all students at Year Assemblies;

  • e-Safety Workshops - Talks from the Nexus and Wayne Denner on Internet Safety;

  • Parent Pastoral Interviews- Year 8 and 11;

  • Parents’ Evenings;

  • Charity involvement – year group, whole school and community level;

  • Peer and Subject Mentoring;

  • Muiredach/John Paul II awards;

  • End of Year Trips eg Year 8 to Craigavon Watersports Centre, Year 9 to Maghera Cinema and Meadowbank Arena, Year 11 to Odyssey; and

  • Year group Masses- Year 8, 12 and 14.



2.9 PASTORAL HOUSE SYSTEM

The Pastoral House System was in its third year during 2015-16. This vertical pastoral care structure, made up of five houses, has become an integral part of St. Mary’s and every pupil is encouraged to take an active role. Staff and pupils continue to embrace this initiative. Heads of Department and Heads of Year as well as Co-ordinators all contributed and organised many activities as outlined in our Pastoral House Calendars. In addition, a number of key House events were organised.  During Advent, as world leaders met in Paris to discuss how the world will tackle climate change, a House assembly ‘Gifts of Hope’ was organised during 14-18 December to reflect upon the gift of creation and take hope from Pope Francis’ letter to the world, Laudato Si’.  The main message of this House assembly was to highlight that putting the world back together again doesn't start with a grand plan in a big government office somewhere, nor as a great idea talked about around a table, but each person can be the one to make a difference and make this world a present worth passing on to the next generation.


During the week 8-12 February 2016 each House participated in ‘The Door of Mercy’ House assembly to celebrate the Extraordinary Holy Year announced by Pope Francis -  a Year of Mercy from 8 December 2015  to 20 November 2016. The theme of ‘Mercy’ is very dear to Pope Francis’ heart and he believes that “mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instils in us the courage to look to the future with hope.”  We in St. Mary’s opened our own Holy Door: a Door of Mercy and many pupils and members of staff participated in the multi-media  ‘Door of Mercy’ pilgrim journey. It was symbolic of entering into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and allowing our lives to be touched and transformed by the mercy of God - a moment of grace, an encounter with the Merciful Father.
The first Key Stage 3 House Star Celebration Talent Show took place in March 2016.  There were twelve budding gifted acts who displayed great talent in singing, playing a wide variety of instruments and also the superb Tae Kwando synchronised Martial Arts performance.  Key Stage 3 House members thoroughly enjoyed the Talent Show.
House Captains supported and assisted the very successful Year 8 House Christmas Tree event in December. This year House members from Year 8 decorated their House Christmas Tree with inspirational quotations. Sports Day Inter-House Fun games were very well supported and enjoyed by all House members.
During the Awards Ceremonies 2016, 45 students were awarded Key Stage House Champion Awards and 12 students were awarded the Key Stage House Star Champion Award.


  • All Heads of Year and Heads of Department completed Pastoral House System Activities Plan for his/her Year Group/Subject Department outlining specific activities/events whereby pupils could avail of House Points/Merits;

  • Each Head of Department  included activities on Schemes of Work for all Year Groups that offer opportunities for pupils to achieve House merits/points – at least three specific activities in Term 1 and three in Term 2 for each Year Group;

  • Heads of Year provided a Pastoral/PD activity during term one and another during term 2 whereby pupils could avail of House Points/Merits;

  • House Merits were also distributed to pupils who had 100% attendance in a month - they received 5 House Merits;

  • Any pupil in his/her Year Group who had a clear Conduct Profile in a month received 5 House Merits;

  • The number of House Points/Merits entered onto the system during 2015-16 increased from the previous year 2014-15.

  • There was a greater usage of the Achievement Points on SIMs by staff. 2013-14 = 82,478 Achievement Points; 2014-15 = 143,854 Achievement Points; 2015-15 = 227767 Achievement Points.  Pupils received 83,913 more achievement points in 2015-16 compared to the previous year.

Elm House of Peace, led by Mr P Kalla, were the House Champions 2015-16. The winning House Champion 2015-16 members celebrated by having a house breakfast.






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