On Friday 21st October 2011, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils visited the Palace Stables in Armagh where they participated in a range of activities to celebrate ‘National Apple Week’. A most enjoyable day was had by all.

Please see Gallery for all the photos.

The Minister for Education Mr John O'Dowd, MLA visited Ballyoran Primary School on Thursday 13th October 2011.  During his visit the Minister met with pupils, teachers, school staff, representatives from the Board of Governors and the school chaplain Fr Michael O’Dwyer. He had the opportunity to hear about the educational experience being provided as well as the range of clubs and extra-curricular activities run by the school to further support and develop the children.

 

He said: “It has been a pleasure to visit Ballyoran Primary School today. I was very impressed by the dedication of the staff and the enthusiasm of the children. In particular I was interested to hear about the school’s Pupil Council which provides the children with a platform to put forward ideas and bring about positive changes in their school. Many good ideas have been brought forward and implemented such as more activities in the playground at lunchtime, more after schools clubs and a new school website.

 

“It says a lot about the management of the school that they are prepared to engage with their pupils and listen to their views. But more importantly, it speaks volumes about the children involved that they are keen to make a difference.”

The Minister continued: “As well as learning through the core curriculum, the children and young people at the school are involved in a number of other activities. These include a range of services offered through the Extended Schools Programme which has been funded by my Department.

 

“These schemes include a breakfast club which has been put in place to help encourage healthy eating, a homework club aimed at improving numeracy and literacy by providing ICT facilities and a supportive environment in which pupils can complete their homework, and a reading partnership where classroom assistants work with pupils to improve their reading.

 

“Ballyoran Primary School also places emphasis on the important role of sport in a child’s development. The school participates in the GAA strand of my Department’s Primary Sports Programme. This is a great way of encouraging children to embrace physical exercise and I hope the pupils here are enjoying being part of this great programme.”

In conclusion the Minister said: “I have enjoyed my visit to Ballyoran Primary School today and I thank everyone involved for their welcome. I would also like to commend the Board of Governors, Principal, teachers and all the staff for their continuing hard work.”

Please visit the Gallery to see the photos. More will be added as they come in.

On Thursday 6th October, children from Year 5 and 6 attended a poetry workshop at the Navan Centre. The workshop offered the children an opportunity to work with professional poet, Maura Johnston. Maura shared her knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise and helped the children to think and write poems like poets. 

 

The theme of the day was "games" which gave the children an opportunity to plan a poem from their own experience. Children also witnessed how games have changed throughout the ages and were introduced to a Victorian traveller and a Celtic resident of Ireland.

Please visit the gallery to see all the photos.

Year 7 had a very enjoyable and educational visit to Stormont, home of the Northern Ireland Assembly, on 7th October 2011. We discovered what the Assembly does, who works there and how it affects us. We even got to sit in the Chambers that we often see on television!!!

 

We discovered that we can have our say by organising or signing petitions, joining Pressure groups, contacting our MLA or writing to a newspaper. A Youth Committee is also to be formed in the near future and Brooke and Zuzanna were very interested in this. 

 

We now know that we can get involved if we feel strongly about an issue and we’re really looking forward to the new website – www.education.niassembly.gov.uk which is to go live on 25th October 2011.

Please see Gallery for all the photos.

Ballyoran Primary School is to have a £500,000 refurbishment. The work which is due to start before Christmas, will greatly improve accommodation. This work which is a major investment and vote of confidence in the school by the Department of Education and the SELB, will leave us with twenty-first century facilities. There will, unfortunately, be disruption during this work but we will endeavour to keep it to a minimum. The school will have to close for all pupils for two days, on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th October 2011, to facilitate the relocation of classes. We will keep you up to date with all developments as information becomes available but we would ask for your patience and co-operation during the refurbishment works in the knowledge that when the work is completed, we will have a much improved school building.