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Harbour space gives light and hope in Harmony Hill

19 May 2025/in News /by TRC_Adm1n

Churches and their members have wonderful opportunities to support and serve schools from words of encouragement at the school gate to helping to make decisions on boards of governors.  The harbour space in Harmony Hill Primary School, Lisburn, is one innovative way in which a school is meeting children’s needs with support from a local Church of Ireland parish.

This project is featured in a new video in the Inspiring angles series.  With funding from the Church of Ireland Board of Education (Northern Ireland) and St Columba’s, Derryvolgie, a repurposed classroom includes a sensory room and a calm area for counselling, listening and mentoring.

As interviewees explain, the partnership between the school and church provides light and hope in the local community through a real sense of teamwork.

https://trc-churcheducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Harmony-Hill-Primary-School-Hilary-Johnston.jpg 723 1183 TRC_Adm1n https://trc-churcheducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/logo-300x273.png TRC_Adm1n2025-05-19 14:10:062025-05-19 14:10:06Harbour space gives light and hope in Harmony Hill

Fane Street: A unique school

8 November 2024/in News /by TRC_Adm1n

Presbyterian Moderator, Rt Rev Dr Richard Murray, with the choir that greeted him at Fane Street Primary School in south Belfast.

Having opened his weeklong tour of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s (PCI) Presbytery of South Belfast at Lowe Memorial Presbyterian in Finaghy on Sunday – where he worshipped with his family from the 1970s – PCI’s Moderator, Right Reverend Dr Richard Murray, paid a visit to Fane Street Primary School, where, by coincidently, his late mother attended. He described the school as “one of the most diverse and unique schools in the city.”

Dr Murray spent the morning with the principal and chair of the school governors, where 89% of the children attending the primary school come from overseas speaking 47 languages (including English) and 75% of those are classified as ‘Newcomers’. Situated off the Lisburn Road, the Moderator was welcomed on his arrival by a choir who sung two songs for him.

Speaking about his visit, Dr Murray said, “I had a wonderful and very special welcome from one of the most diverse and unique schools in the city. In our resolutions to our General Assembly over the years, we have often praised the work of schools and encouraged their teachers and governors across this island, especially during and after Covid. The dedication and care of the staff at Fane Street for the children, many of whom, through no fault of their own, have been uprooted from their homes and all that which was once familiar to them to come to Northern Ireland, was a joy to see.

Outside Fane Street Primary School with (left to right) Allan Ranson, vice chair of the board of governors, Fane Street teachers Carole-Anne Stewart and Joy Johnston, with Cecil Graham, chair of the board of governors, Dr Murray, principal Hillary Cunningham and vice principal, Gordon Nicholl.

“It was a very happy place, but not without the problems and issues that other schools face, and some that are unique to it. I was astounded to discover that in any one year, there is roughly a 50% turnover in children due to the transitional nature of their families’ circumstances.”

During his visit, Dr Murray was accompanied by Cecil Graham OBE, LVO, Fane Street’s chair of governors for the past six years, who like the Moderator’s late mother, was a pupil at the school in the early 1940s. The principal, Hilary Cunningham also gave him a tour of the school where he met teachers and children in a number of classes.

Mrs Cunningham, who has been principal for the past 10 years thanked the Moderator for coming and explained that at the moment the school had 296 children, a figure which can fluctuate depending on the status and circumstances of the children’s families.

She also explained that the figure could go down to 200 or up to 350, due to a number of factors, from parents leaving Queen’s University where they had been studying, or working, to return home with their children, to families who are seeking asylum being moved to other accommodation, or Roma families whose lives are traditionally transient. “While we face many of the challenges that other schools face, in many respects we are a very unique school, with unique challenges.

“We have a long tradition of educational excellence here at Fane Street and our vision is not just to care for our children, but to care pastorally for the families as much as we can. Every morning myself and the vice principal, Mr Nicholl, meet the children at the front door, as we want them to arrive happy and leave happy. In the teaching of English, we are very strategic and have a synchronised approach, which we try to make fun. For example, the children who have limited or no English, are taught separately during the time their friends in class, who are more advanced, are being taught, and it works. Afterwards they all come back together again.”

Talking about the school’s pastoral approach, Mrs Cunningham said that they try to support the whole family, and one important support mechanism is the recently appointed Family Co-ordinator who supports families to get others to listen, be it the immigration service, or health service, or directing them to clothing and foodbanks. “Some of the children have experienced considerable trauma in their journeys here and need additional, patient support. It hasn’t been an easy year, and I am very proud of my staff team who are resilient, and our children too, especially after what happened during the summer,” Mrs Cunningham said.

As a controlled school, Mrs Cunningham told Dr Murray that they were open to all, and welcome children of all faiths and none. “We are a richly diverse and inclusive school, with a Christian ethos, which is important. Like other schools, we have just had an assembly for the Hindu festival of Diwali, we had one for Muslim festival of Eid, and we are looking forward to celebrating Christmas with a whole range of activities.”

Thanking Mrs Cunningham and her staff for their warm welcome, the Moderator said, “Today has been a great experience. I sit on the board of two schools near Ballymoney as a governor, and the challenges that we face are similar, but at the same time, worlds apart. I really want to commend the work, not just the teaching that is being done at Fane Street, but the Christian heart of the school in being so welcoming, supporting and nurturing of the children, and their families, in such a diverse environment.”

https://trc-churcheducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Moderator-Fane-Street-Primary-School-02-scaled.jpg 1439 2560 TRC_Adm1n https://trc-churcheducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/logo-300x273.png TRC_Adm1n2024-11-08 10:22:122024-11-08 10:24:00Fane Street: A unique school

‘Celebrate the distinctiveness of our schools’

14 October 2024/in News /by TRC_Adm1n

Churches should be prepared to celebrate the distinctiveness of the schools in which they have a role and actively promote them for the value they bring, Church of Ireland bishop Ian Ellis has remarked while reflecting on this vital area of outreach and influence in local community life.

Bishop Ellis was speaking in the course of his Presidential Address to the Diocese of Clogher’s Diocesan Synod (its annual general meeting) which took place on Thursday, 26th September, in Enniskillen.

“I am constantly amazed how God uses our experiences and background for his purposes in our ministry,” he remarked. “I began my working career as a teacher before feeling the call of God to ordained ministry.  And all through my ministry, that educational background has been helpful in the schools I have been privileged to be associated with.”

The bishop has recently been elected to chair the Board of Governors of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and, in leading a cross-border diocese, is also patron to four national schools in County Monaghan and joint patron of Monaghan Collegiate School.

“Like many clergy in these educational roles, they demand quite a bit of our time, but they are vital links to the wider community and express not just our historic role in education but also the outreach and influence of the church in the public square.”

Bishop Ellis continued: “There are some in wider society who are critical of denominational education particularly in the Republic of Ireland.  We should not take our position for granted but be prepared to celebrate the distinctiveness of our schools and actively promote them for the value they bring to the education of children and their contribution to diversity in wider society. We must cherish this gift we have to offer to parents and children of education in schools under Church of Ireland patronage and ensure that they continue to flourish.”

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Moderator’s praise for SEN schools as he hears of ‘difficult times’ on school visit

14 October 2024/in News /by TRC_Adm1n

The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Right Reverend Dr Richard Murray, has praised the work of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) sector, and expressed the Churches’ ‘great appreciation for the dedicated and compassionate way that staff provide such a vital service for some of the most vulnerable in our society…” adding, ‘especially in such difficult and constraining times.’

The Presbyterian Moderator, Dr Richard Murray, with one of Roddensvale School’s teachers, Jane Montgomery, with Charlie during his P7 assembly.

Dr Murray was speaking during a visit to Roddensvale School in Larne, as part of a week-long series of engagements as part of his tour of PCI’s Carrickfergus Presbytery, which takes in the town. “I really want to thank the school’s principal, Mr Madden, for taking the time to show me and my colleagues around the school, introducing us to some amazing children, and staff, who work so hard to help each one to fulfil their full potential,” he remarked.

Originally opened as Larne Special Care School in 1964 with a group of six pupils, today there are 255 children and young people with a range of special educational and physical needs, from the ages of 3-19. While the current school opened on the site in 2005, with further development promised, the Moderator found that resourcing and space was still a major issue.

“It was great to take part in a P7 assembly quiz, and talk to some of the children and staff, and hear how as a controlled school the non-denominational Christian ethos was important, as was being part of the broader local community,” Dr Murray said.

“Talking to Mr Madden, I was really struck by the complex challenges and the increasing need that there is, and how the school is trying to meet those needs. While great work is being done, it is being undertaken in very difficult and pressing circumstances. For example, a store room has become an additional classroom, as have other rooms. The teachers have also given up their staff room, which is  a classroom now. ‘Needs must’, Mr Madden said, when telling us about it.”

Dr Murray with the Principal of Roddensvale School, John Madden MBE.

The Moderator continued, “A good working relationship with Larne High School, which is close by, has meant that seven refurbished classrooms are now used by older Roddensvale students, which eases some of the pressure. While there has been investment, more needs to be done.”

Before going onto visit a local food bank and specialist farm, Dr Murray said, “I really want to express our church’s great appreciation for the dedicated and compassionate way that staff provide such a vital service for some of the most vulnerable in our society, across the sector, and here at Roddensvale in particular, especially in such difficult and constraining times.”

Mr Madden, who received the MBE for services to education and children with special educational needs in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours, welcomed the opportunity to show the Moderator around. “We are very much a part of the local community and some of the local ministers in the town, and surrounding area, would come and support us in different ways, so it was great to have Dr Murray and his colleagues visit us,” Mr Madden said, who has been at Roddensvale for 22 years, and a teacher for over 30 years.

One of those ministers, the Rev Peter Bovill of Islandmagee Presbyterian Church, would take assemblies at the school from time to time. He accompanied the Moderator and took the opportunity to see his son who is in P4.

The Rev Peter Bovill, who accompanied the Moderator on his visit to Roddensvale School, with his son who attends the school and his P4 teacher Janine Lynn.

Mr Madden continued, “Our main purpose at Roddensvale is to provide the most appropriate education for our pupils within a safe and secure environment, and we have worked hard to create a shared ethos and we are committed to developing a school which meets the personalised learning and emotional needs of every child in our care.

“At the same time, we also recognise each pupil’s strengths and weaknesses, and endeavour to fulfil the full potential of the ‘whole’ child. That means having the appropriate resources available. While there has been investment, I sincerely hope that the two programmes that will lead to an additional 14 classrooms will be fulfilled.”

He concluded, “As I explained to the Moderator, it is isn’t just about bricks and mortar, across the SEN sector support services and specialisms like occupational therapy, physiotherapy and clinical psychiatry, need to dovetail seamlessly with the service that each school provides to produce the best possible outcomes for children and young people. At the moment, especially with clinical psychiatry, there is a resource issue, which has implications for the small percentage of pupils who are in most need of this service.”

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Presbyterian Moderator thanks school governors

14 June 2024/in News /by TRC_Adm1n

With the school year drawing to a close and with Boards of Governors being reconstituted in schools across Northern Ireland, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), the Right Reverend Dr Sam Mawhinney, has written to retiring transferor governors to thank them for their ‘hard work and perseverance’ saying that while it has not been without its challenges, the ‘opportunity to be involved in our schools in this way is both a huge responsibility and an awesome privilege’.

Dr Sam Mawhinney

Writing on behalf of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, to thank governors for their service, Dr Mawhinney said, “This has been a particularly difficult time to be involved in leadership within education, with governors facing many challenges including industrial action, financial constraints and the global pandemic. Although much of the work you have done has been unseen, please be assured that it is highly valued, and as a denomination we do not take it for granted.”

Membership of Boards of Governors differs according to the school sector and whether they are nursery, primary, post-primary, or special schools. PCI, along with the Church of Ireland and Methodist Church in Ireland nominate over 1,800 governors to serve on the boards of Northern Ireland’s controlled schools. This is as a result the transfer of their own schools to the state, hence the term ‘transferor’ and ‘controlled’. The churches relinquished control of their schools on the understanding that the non-denominational Christian ethos would be maintained.

The vast majority of transferor governors are nominated directly by local congregations and they work together with others nominated by the Education Authority, and those representing teachers and parents, seeking the best educational outcomes for the school’s children and young people.

In his letter the Moderator spoke of the unique opportunity that churches have, not only to share Christian values with others, but also to practically demonstrate the unconditional love of Jesus. “As questions continue to be asked more widely in society about the role of the church in education, we can be confident in Christ as we seek to serve Him and our local school communities,” Dr Mawhinney said.

Thanking transferor governors who are standing down for their service, and assuring those who have been renominated of the Church’s continued support, Dr Mawhinney concluded by saying, “The opportunity to be involved in our schools in this way is both a huge responsibility and an awesome privilege, and we do not take it for granted. Your hard work and perseverance are very much appreciated.”

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National Secular Society’s survey on collective worship in England

15 May 2024/in News /by TRC_Adm1n

In response to a request for comment from the News Letter, on the National Secular Society’s survey on collective worship in England, Dr Andy Brown, Chair of the Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC), said:

“This survey by the National Secular Society is drawn from responses from teachers in England, which has, in the main, a very different culture and attitude towards faith. As we have said before, collective worship, and indeed RE in Northern Ireland, gives space for children to learn about faith within the Christian ethos of our schools, which encourages and promotes the importance of recognising and respecting the different views of those of other faiths and none.”

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RE & Collective Worship in Northern Ireland’s controlled primary schools

3 May 2024/in News /by TRC_Adm1n

Having intervened last year in the appeal hearing with regards to Justice Colton’s decision in respect of JR87 on the delivery of Religious Education

and provision of Collective Worship in primary schools in Northern Ireland, Dr Andy Brown, Chair of the Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC), said today, “The Court of Appeal Judgement is detailed and merits careful consideration. However, we are heartened by the Court’s view that there was no breach of the relevant Protocol of the European Convention on Human Rights.”

Dr

Dr Andy Brown.

Brown continued, “The TRC intervened in support of the Department of Education’s appeal to give important historical and contextual information which we felt had been overlooked in the original case. This included apprising the court that the churches had recognised areas in the RE Curriculum which need addressed and how TRC had, for some time, pressed the Department, successive Ministers of Education, elected representatives, and officials to remedy this. We are therefore pleased that the court recognised and referred to the work that is ongoing to refresh the Northern Ireland curriculum which will, of course, include consideration of ‘the complexion and changing needs of our modern society’, as recommended in yesterday’s ruling.”

Dr Brown concluded by saying, “The teaching of RE is a vital component of the primary curriculum in Northern Ireland, an area in which children are able to explore and consider life’s big questions, in preparation for life outside the classroom. Given the history and context of our society and education system, RE gives space for children to learn about faith within the Christian ethos of our schools, which encourages and promotes the importance of recognising and respecting the different views of those of other faiths and none.

“We will continue to work together with all relevant agencies to ensure that children and young people across Northern Ireland have access to high quality Religious Education, which will enrich their learning and understanding of the world in which they live,” he said.

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Churches in Schools: ‘Preparing for Reconstitution’ events highlight opportunities to serve

26 April 2024/in News /by TRC_Adm1n

“The two constants in any community, no matter how small, are the local church and the local school,” Dr Andy Brown noted as he opened the first in a series of Preparing for Reconstitution events for clergy, school governors and church members held just after Easter.

Dr Brown welcomes attendees to the Lisburn event.

The Transferor Representatives’ Council’s roadshow, in Lisburn, Coleraine and Enniskillen encouraged Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist congregations to choose good candidates for the role of governor, as the reconstitution of boards of governors approaches later this year.

Controlled schools been well-served by the three Churches over the last century, following the transfer of most of their schools into state control. Whilst there is a clear missional opportunity and rights are enshrined in legislation to promote, maintain and defend our schools’ Christian ethos, TRC Chair Dr Brown reminded attendees that we are there to serve our schools and communities.

Keynote address by David Smyth (Evangelical Alliance).

Setting the scene in a keynote address, Evangelical Alliance’s Northern Ireland Director David Smyth outlined some major trends that are shaping society and the opportunities to make a difference in the communities which churches and schools both serve.

“We are living in a moment where it is very hard to keep up with life,” David remarked. Three words can help to sum up a prevailing attitude in society:

  • I – individualism
  • Buy – consumerism
  • Stuff – materialism

There’s a widespread desire to find fulfilment in possessions, such as a slightly better house or car, although a desire to put broken things right shows “a good and healthy yearning for justice and redemption.” The internet and social media have dramatically changed education and employment, and a sense of ‘perma-crisis’ confronts young people – who experience crises around identity, truth, trust and relationships as they try to find their way in a changing world.

Participants in Lisburn.

Wider society is forming our children and young people “in ways that we are only beginning to understand.” Trust in civic institutions is lower, debates on a range of contentious issues continue, and budgets are under immense pressure in a region which has lacked political leadership in recent years.

Amid these challenges, teachers, principals and pupils are always “doing their best in the amazing schools that we have here.”

A significant proportion of Northern Ireland’s population still identifies as Christian – 79.7% in the 2021 Census, compared with 46.2% in England and Wales in the same year. Evangelical Alliance’s survey-based research report, Good News People, published in February, found that one in two people in Northern Ireland described themselves as practising Christians, and 57% agreed or strongly agreed that faith should have a role in education.

For many people here, their lives are shaped by a very different story than what is told by secular culture – one which “provides redemption and forgiveness far beyond what is offered by the world around us.” Churches have great opportunities to shape the moral formation of young people, in its widest sense, advocating for what is true, good and beautiful.

Dr Peter Hamill, Bishop Ian Ellis, and Dr Andy Brown at the Enniskillen event.

At each event, a local principal shared some ways in which transferor governors strategically, practically and pastorally help their schools – with examples including:

  • A supportive and sympathetic understanding of the complexity of the principal’s role.
  • Being aware that schools pick up the consequences of problems that other public services in society are unable to deal with.
  • A ‘joined up’ approach to service with other community partners.
  • Training in health and safety, finance, and child protection.
  • Looking around creatively for funding sources.
  • Helping families to find help with living costs – groceries, fuel, and small, simple gifts.
  • Pastoral and spiritual support with the principal and members of staff.

Governors can be the channel for random acts of kindness from your congregation – from end-of-term boxes of chocolates to remembering times when staff will feel under particular pressures, and asking about their well-being.

The principal, as the leader of the school, has a key role in relationships between churches and schools so it’s essential that he or she trusts their governors. And the best approach, Andy Brown related, is for churches to pull their sleeves up and “go in and give, and ask for nothing in return.”

 

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TRC meets with Education Minister Paul Givan

13 March 2024/in News /by TRC_Adm1n

The Transferor Representatives’ Council recently met with Northern Ireland’s Education Minister, Paul Givan MLA, to discuss a range of challenges and opportunities facing schools as the new Executive begins its work. Pictured with Minister Givan are, from left, TRC representatives Dr Anita Gracie, Dr Rebecca Stevenson, Dr Andrew Brown (Chair), and Dr Peter Hamill (Secretary).

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TRC welcomes publication of Independent Review of Education report

13 December 2023/in News /by TRC_Adm1n

The Transferor Representatives’ Council has welcomed the publication today of the report of the Independent Review of Education in Northern Ireland.

The Council’s Chairman, Dr Andrew Brown, said: “The TRC welcomes the publication of this important report and will consider its recommendations over the coming weeks.

“Every child and young person living in Northern Ireland has a unique and incredible potential.  We again express our thanks to all principals, teaching and non-teaching staff, and school governors who give their time and commitment to help children to learn and thrive, and encourage their mental, physical and spiritual development.

“Our education system serves one of the youngest populations in Europe and ensuring that it is fully funded must be a high priority for all in government.  We look forward to continuing to work with colleagues across education to seek the best for our schools, families and communities.”

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Latest News & Events

  • Harbour space gives light and hope in Harmony Hill 19 May 2025
  • You’re welcome! Invitation to Christian Teachers’ Conference 14 April 2025
  • Fane Street: A unique school 8 November 2024
  • ‘Celebrate the distinctiveness of our schools’ 14 October 2024
  • Moderator’s praise for SEN schools as he hears of ‘difficult times’ on school visit 14 October 2024

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