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Prayers for exams

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Photo credit: Ben White/Unsplash.

The Church of Ireland Board of Education (Northern Ireland) wishes to encourage parishes and schools in their prayers over the next few weeks to remember all those undertaking exams and those invigilating and marking them. The prayers below are offered as a guide and include prayers for use in a church service or assembly and prayers that can be shared with young people for their personal use.

For all those taking exams:

Father God,
We thank you that our names are written on the palm of your hand,
Not in the way we write things on our hands so as not to forget.
But because OUR name is constantly on your mind,
Because you KNOW us by name,
Because you CALL us by name
Because our name is PRECIOUS to you.

Today dear Lord we lift to you all those who are preparing for exams.
Bring peace to their bodies,
Quieten the beats of their racing hearts,
Allow clarity to reign in their minds.

May they rest and rejoice knowing
YOU are speaking their name,
YOU created them and know their inmost being,
YOU have a plan for their lives.

God of peace surround them,
God of power go before them,
God of love hold and sustain them.

Amen.

Author: Rachael Murphy, Church of Ireland Children and Families’ Officer

 

Dear Lord of body, mind and soul.

We think today of those about to take school and university exams and we ask you to give them your peace. We think also of those who invigilate and mark the exams, may you give them wisdom and compassion.

Be with the teachers, parents, family, and care givers as they support the young people both through the exams and with the results. May they show love and understanding and give them insight in guiding the young people forward with their lives.

Amen.

Author: Peter Hamill, Church of Ireland Board of Education (NI)

 

For young people to help them as they prepare and take exams:

Jesus,

Keep reminding me of the bigger picture over the next few weeks,

Keep me in your hands when all other hands disappear,

For I am convinced that neither entry requirements nor exam results, anticipation nor doubts, neither success nor failure, nor any expectations, neither last minute fears nor anxieties, nor anything else in life, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Please, don’t let me forget it!

Amen

Author: Church of England

 

Dear Lord,

As I prepare to write the test ahead of me, I pray that You will quiet any anxious thoughts inside me. When various distractions tempt me, could you help me remain focused and calm?

Please grant me the discipline to prioritize my studies and to be able to take my test knowing that I have done my part. I pray that You will bring to mind what I have studied when I write, give me an understanding of each topic, and peace when the time comes so that I might finish strong.

In Jesus’ matchless name, I pray. Amen.

Author: Charismatic Episcopal Church

Readers may also be interested in making use of and sharing prayers from Praying Together: Prayers for Primary School Assemblies, published by the Church of Ireland Centre at Dublin City University.

Education workshop goes ‘Beyond the Stereotype’

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A lively discussion involving around 50 representatives from churches, schools and a range of other key organisations with a role in education took place in Portadown, on Friday (25th March 2022) with a view to helping our children and young people to reach their full potential.

Attendees at the TRC’s workshop in Seagoe Parish Centre.

The workshop at Seagoe Parish Centre was hosted by the Transferor Representatives’ Council – representing the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church and Methodist Churches in relation to education in Northern Ireland – and focused on a new research report from Stranmillis University College, Beyond the Stereotype: Approaches to Educational Under(Achievement) in the Controlled Sector in Northern Ireland.

The study, which was commissioned and funded by the TRC, aims to go ‘beyond the stereotype’ of the well-documented challenge of underachievement among Protestant working-class boys from disadvantaged inner-city communities, and to ‘cast the net wider’ to provide a broader and more representative picture.  Particular challenges in rural communities, which have not been reported extensively to date in previous studies, are identified with some school leaders speaking of the difficulty in motivating boys to work hard towards GCSEs.

Significantly, Beyond the Stereotype also finds that while pupils view educational achievement as largely related to success in external exams (such as GCSEs and A-levels), many school and community leaders (including employers) place greater value on a wider range of skills and abilities, and pupils’ mental and physical health, self-confidence, happiness and willingness to learn.

From left: Dr Noel Purdy, Stranmillis University College; Linsey Farrell, Department of Education; Dr Peter Hamill, TRC Secretary; Rosemary Rainey OBE, TRC Chair; and Archbishop John McDowell.

Dr Noel Purdy, who led the research through Stranmillis’ Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement, said: “We’ve certainly identified lots of challenges – there are big challenges facing controlled schools and indeed every school in Northern Ireland – but what we did see was a diverse, committed, community-orientated and innovative sector which is committed to maximising achievement for all children.  In other words, allowing all the children in schools to stand tall and achieve to their full potential.”

Panel discussion with (from left) Mark Baker, Controlled Schools’ Support Council; Robin McLaughlin OBE, Principal of Banbridge Academy; Rosemary Rainey OBE; Cindy Poots, Principal of Seagoe Primary School; and Dr Noel Purdy.

The TRC represents its member churches in all matters of education in the region, and oversees the appointment of over 1,500 governors to controlled schools.  The three churches transferred (hence the origin of transferors) their school buildings, pupils and staff into state control on the understanding that the Christian ethos of these schools would be maintained.

More information on the work of the Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement (CREU) can be found at www.stran.ac.uk/research/creu

Please see gallery below for more photos from the workshop.

‘Beyond the Stereotype’ – Q&A with Dr Peter Hamill and Dr Noel Purdy

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Dr Peter Hamill, the Church of Ireland’s Education Officer for Northern Ireland, and Dr Noel Purdy from Stranmillis University College, discuss the findings of ‘Beyond the Stereotype’, new research commissioned by the Transferor Representatives’ Council.

What is the main role and purpose of the TRC?

PH: The Transferor Representatives’ Council represents the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church in Ireland and Methodist Church in Ireland in all matters of education in Northern Ireland.

Controlled schools are ‘church–related schools’ because in the mid–20th Century, the three Churches transferred (hence the origin of transferors) their school buildings, pupils and staff into state control on the understanding that the Christian ethos of these schools would be maintained.

What was the purpose of the research undertaken for Beyond the Stereotype?

NP: The project, which was sponsored by the TRC and undertaken by a research team from Stranmillis University College’s Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement (CREU), aimed to explore the experiences and approaches of controlled schools and their communities to educational achievement and underachievement in order to make recommendations to key policy–makers and stakeholders.

In order to achieve this, the project team undertook a series of case studies with eight participant schools across Northern Ireland, using group interviews with a sample of pupils, community leaders and school leadership to obtain a cross–sectional sample of qualitative data.

What, in your opinion, were the most important questions raised by the findings of the research?

NP: The study raised a number of important issues that have hitherto attracted little attention in Northern Ireland, including the disparity between the broad skills–focused objectives of the Northern Ireland Curriculum and the assessment–driven reality in many schools; and the challenge of addressing inter–generational educational disadvantage and lack of educational aspiration in some rural communities.

More positively, the research also highlighted the tremendous commitment and dedication of school communities in working together to maximise the potential of their pupils, and to mitigate against the socially–mediated impact of the current pandemic.

PH: Important questions were raised about the role of the Churches in promoting educational aspiration and attainment in disadvantaged communities. The Church of Ireland Board of Education (NI) encourages all churches to support their local school and we want them to find new and innovative ways of providing that support.

What have you found to be the main challenges facing education during the pandemic, and what can be applied as we emerge from it?

NP: This wasn’t an explicit aim of the research, but inevitably emerged as a very strong theme among school leaders, community representatives and pupils themselves.  Some teachers spoke of the learning deficit of pupils as a result of disengagement during the extended periods of home–schooling, while others mentioned the heightened anxiety of some pupils on their return to school.

While there were undoubted challenges experienced by many families (including digital poverty), school and community leaders also spoke of the potential benefits from increased online home–school engagement and communication, as well as the greater sense of community spirit that emerged out of the crisis.  The impact of the pandemic is, of course, still keenly felt in schools with record pupil and staff absences over recent weeks.

How do difficulties, in terms of educational outcomes, differ between urban and rural settings?

NP: This was undoubtedly one of the most interesting themes to emerge from the research where the project aimed precisely to move ‘beyond the stereotype’ of previous research studies which had often focused predominately on densely populated, inner–city communities.  The scope in this research was much broader, exploring the experiences of controlled schools outside Belfast and Derry/Londonderry in smaller towns where many pupils came from rural communities.

For the first time, this research presented the challenges faced by schools in motivating and engaging some children from farming backgrounds who struggled to see the purpose of education. Some school leaders, for instance, spoke of the difficulty in motivating young boys to work hard towards GCSEs – for example, one teacher relayed that a boy in his class remarked: “I don’t need English, I don’t need maths, I drive a tractor, sir.”  While there were some positive accounts of pupils being motivated to achieve the entry requirements for agricultural college, often it appeared that a ready–made path to “take over the family farm” discouraged academic engagement in an academic curriculum which bore little relevance to their chosen career.

Your research found that there is enormous potential for churches to help to improve educational outcomes. How can this be applied across the island?

PH: The Board has been actively supporting parishes to engage more meaningfully with their local schools through grant funding a small number of projects. In the Southern context, there are over 200 Church of Ireland schools already fully integrated with their local parish. We would encourage all other parishes to engage with their local school and see how they can provide practical help for the school.

Do you see a move towards less focus on standardised testing?  And what are the benefits of a wider focus, for the education of young people?

NP: There was an acceptance that standardised testing has a place in education (not least as a diagnostic tool), but there was also significant frustration that schools were currently left with no option but to buy in their own tests from private companies in the absence of government–sponsored tests. This resulted in additional pressure on already over–stretched school budgets.

One of the most interesting disparities was between the lofty aims and objectives of the Northern Ireland Curriculum (in terms of preparing pupils for life and work) and the reality experienced by post–primary pupils which was heavily dominated by pressure to succeed in high–stakes external tests (GCSE and A–level).  This study therefore raises fundamental questions about what we see as the purpose of education and how we measure success.

‘Beyond the Stereotype’ is available to read and download at this link.  This article was first published in the March 2022 edition of the Church of Ireland Gazette.

Helping parishes to serve schools

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Supporting teachers and pupils is one of many ways in which the Church fulfils its missional role in today’s society.  To empower parishes in how they serve schools, the Church of Ireland’s Board of Education (Northern Ireland) has offered more than £7,000 in grants over the last three years to nine projects which build on these local relationships.

Even small initiatives have brought about really positive results.

Giggle Box Live is a monthly community outreach event in Holywood Parish Church with most families coming from the local school.

 

In Eglinton, Co. Londonderry, children and teachers enjoyed an outdoor Christmas display and star hunt at the parish church – all classes came together over several days for what was the first activity they had done outside school since the start of the pandemic.  Canon Paul Hoey says: “We built on that by having assemblies outside of the school – remarkably it only rained once!  These have gone so well that the school has since purchased a structure that allows for assemblies to take place outside in all weathers.”

St Mark’s, Portadown, partnering with its local school, Millington Primary School, has made great progress in its project for P7 pupils called ‘Boys To Men, Girls To Ladies’ which has taught practical skills about basic woodwork tools, cooking, sewing, cleaning your shoes, cars and clothes to using an iron! Coming up to Easter, the church teaches one RE class on the reasons for the Resurrection. The project has run at full speed ahead and from March plans have been put in place to run a version of it on a Sunday afternoon as a new Junior Youth Fellowship. One P7 pupil called this one hour per week “the best thing in the whole week!”

Other parish–school links have reached back into the past to encourage a better understanding of local communities and their history.  St Augustine’s, Londonderry, used its money alongside funds from other sponsors to commission a special educational video which was made available to nearby primary and post–primary schools together with a copy of ‘The Little Church on the Walls’, the parish’s history book.  St Augustine’s sits on the site of St Columba’s first monastery in Ireland and, in 2021, marked 1,500 years since his birth.  The video – ‘St Columba: A Tale from Bad to Good’ – was written and produced by Kieran Griffiths in a Horrible Histories format and launched at a special service at the end of June last year; it can be viewed here:

In Florencecourt, St John’s parish is working with P4 and P5 pupils to help them learn about the current and historical links between the church and Florencecourt Primary School.

Transforming Lives for Good was launched in Ballysillan Primary School, in North Belfast, by the parish of St Peter and St James last October.  A small group of volunteers provide one–to–one support for children for one hour a week – a time to try out their creative abilities with some arts and crafts and also to receive emotional support and talking therapy.  Feedback has been very positive and at Christmas, a present for each child and a hamper were delivered to each family home along with a personalised note with details of the parish’s Christmas services.

Willowfield Parish Church has run financial awareness classes for Key Stage 2 pupils in local schools in East Belfast, based on material developed by Christians Against Poverty.

Not far away, in Holywood, the parish church has received funding to help to deliver a puppet ministry (in–person or on video) around Personal Development and Mutual Understanding, focusing initially on drug awareness.  It has run two years of these workshops with P7 pupils and hopes, over time, to help more classes and more schools.  The puppets are also used to tell Bible stories in a fun and interactive way in school assemblies and to primary school children at its after–schools club, Mini–Gap.

“Once a month we have puppet workshops, where the children get a chance to learn how to use them,” the parish’s children’s worker, Angela Megarry, explains. “We have also started a space for families to come into the church together, and then the children perform a song or act out a Bible story with the puppets to their families. This is along the lines of Messy Church but takes place after school and connects with parents as well as children.”

Summer outreach with the puppets in a housing estate in Holywood.

The Board of Education (Northern Ireland) is delighted to see the work ongoing in parishes with local schools. It hopes to open this funding opportunity for new projects in the autumn of 2022 and will be contacting parishes after Easter with details of the next scheme.

This article was first published in the Church of Ireland Gazette.

A letter of encouragement from the Church of Ireland Board of Education (NI)

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The Church of Ireland’s Board of Education (Northern Ireland) has written to all principals of schools in the controlled sector with the following message of encouragement:

Dear Principal,

The Church of Ireland Board of Education (Northern Ireland) is writing to express its continued thanks to all involved in school life at this time and to outline its approach to the Integrated Education Bill.

Covid–19

The Church of Ireland is conscious that schools are currently experiencing a high incidence of Covid 19, recently reported by the Public Health Agency, as being more than five thousand cases among staff and pupils. Thankfully, it is also being reported that in most cases the virus is not leading to individuals experiencing serious symptoms that require hospitalisation. It is acknowledged that required periods of isolation for those testing positive for Covid–19 brings disruption for both staff and pupils and significant organisational pressure on school leaders.

It is clear from reports from school leaders that the absences of affected staff and pupils has had and continues to create challenging circumstances as schools work to ensure that children and young people continue to have access to education, with particular challenges for staff and pupils in those year groups working towards examinations.

The Church of Ireland Board of Education (NI) wishes to commend Principals, Teachers, Staff and Governors on their outstanding dedication and day to day endeavour and resilience in coping with these extraordinary times and to extend our heartfelt thanks to all for their professional work in schools. The Board is encouraged to hear that many restrictions may soon be eased and is hopeful that this will be of benefit to reducing the pressures on the operation of schools. It is also pleasing to note that some direction is emerging in respect to 2022 examinations and that already some examinations have taken place in person.

Integrated Education Bill

Schools will also be aware that the Northern Ireland Assembly are currently considering a Private Member’s Integrated Education Bill which contains elements that, if approved, will have far–reaching effects on the schooling system in Northern Ireland in the years ahead.

The Church of Ireland Board of Education believes that all pupils should learn together.

The Board recognises that the Controlled Schools Sector, which by in law and ethos is non–denominational, provides an environment for children and young people of all faiths and none, to learn together and would wish to express support for the opportunities provided in these schools.

The Board encourages churches to engage with their local schools and work with them in whatever way helps the pupils, the school and the local community.

Thank you for your time and, again, for all that you do on behalf of our young people.

Yours sincerely,

 

The Most Rev John McDowell
Archbishop of Armagh, Chairperson

Dr Peter Hamill
Secretary

With thanks to the Controlled Schools’ Sector Council

Talking Education conference

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Over 100 teachers, senior leaders, school governors and other education professionals from across the Presbyterian Church in Ireland came together today for ‘PCI Talks Education: A vision for the future in Northern Ireland’. With the launch of the Independent Review of Education providing the backdrop for the conference, delegates welcomed the Minister for Education, Michelle McIlveen MLA, who addressed the morning event, which took place in PCI’s Assembly Buildings in Belfast.

Speaking at the conference, Michelle McIlveen said, “I am very pleased to be invited to speak at your conference today, which has the theme of ‘a vision for the future’. It is heartening to see so many people interested and invested in the future of education in Northern Ireland. I am well aware of the positive impact that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has on the lives of our children and young people through your various youth ministries, as well as your invaluable contribution to the management of our schools.”

The Minister continued, “The education of our children and young people goes far beyond the Department of Education, or even schools and colleges. It requires the dedication of teachers, governors, parents and many more. The support of local churches, such as yours, is also key in placing schools at the heart of their communities.

“Sessions like today, when we can discuss ethos and vision, consider the strengths and challenges in the current system and build consensus of how we work together to bring improvements, are extremely valuable,” she said.

Having heard PCI’s Moderator, Right Reverend Dr David Bruce, commit the conference to God in prayer, those attending had the opportunity to hear from Dr Andy Brown, Chair of PCI’s State Education Committee. Speaking about the event he said, “Supporting and participating in education has been part of the DNA of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland for over a century. Our church’s history in education is undeniable and enviable, having formed schools in our quest for social justice and a desire to make education accessible. Then as now it is also our desire for children and young people to flourish, reaching their full potential in a nurturing and holistic way.”

Contributing to the morning’s discussions was keynote speaker Dr Irvin Scott, founder of the Harvard University Leadership Institute for Faith and Education. In a recorded address from Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dr Scott noted that while the context of education in the United States and Northern Ireland were, on the one hand very different, the goal of education in both places was very similar. “…[I]n the end we’re after the same thing – a group of students and educators who are achieving at high levels, who are becoming increasingly understanding of one another, who are learning across differences and who are just thriving… that’s what we are ultimately after..” he said.

At the socially distanced event, perspectives from different spheres of the local education system were also heard during the panel discussion. Panellists included Rev Robert Herron OBE, a transferor representative on the board of Northern Ireland’s Education Authority, Dr Barbara McDade from Stranmillis University College, Leanne Dunlop, who is experienced in schools’ ministry through Scripture Union Northern Ireland, and a local principal, Mark Beattie, from The Diamond Primary School in Cullybackey. Delegates were then free to participate in small group discussions on key themes, the feedback from which will inform and shape PCI’s response to the Independent Review.

Speaking at the close of the event, Dr Brown said, “We are grateful to the Minister for Education for taking time to join us this morning and to Dr Scott, for providing us with some thought-provoking insights. Our panel discussion reflected some of the diverse roles that PCI members and other Christian people play in the education system. Another important part of today’s proceedings was the small group engagement, which will provide us with much food for thought, as we seek to respond to the Independent Review of Education positively and creatively.

“We believe that the values and Christian ethos that PCI, and the other churches, cherish and promote in education are healthy and positive for children and young people. At the same time, our partnerships with local schools in our communities are an act of service for the common good. This morning has been an important opportunity to reflect on how, in a changing world, we can continue to be effective in our mission to serve our society, our communities, our families, our children and young people, through constructive leadership and partnership in education.”

Dr Brown concluded by saying. “Many Presbyterian people are involved in education at all levels throughout Northern Ireland, often regarding it as a vocation rather than simply another job and I would like to thank everyone for coming and for their contributions today. In the context of this changing educational landscape, this has been a vital moment for us to pause and consider what that involvement might look like for the next 100 years.”

Echoing Dr Brown’s comments, the Moderator said at the close of the conference, “Today across many areas of life, education included, we find ourselves in a different place than the one we were once used to, which can be both a new experience and somewhat disconcerting. This morning’s conference has been an important opportunity to reflect together and I would like to personally thank everyone for their very positive engagement and extend my warmest thanks the Michelle McIlveen, Irvin Scott, and our panellists for their contributions.

Dr Bruce continued, “The Mission of God is less something we do, it is more something in which we participate, responding to what He is already doing – and God is active in this new secular environment. We give thanks for that, as we partner with Him, reflecting on where we are, reframing partnerships and relationships, while endeavouring to be a blessing in our schools.”

Pictured above are the following participants in the conference:

(1) Minister for Education, Michelle McIlveen MLA and (2) Dr Andy Brown addressing the conference. (3) Members of the panel in discussion. (4) Participants at today’s conference (left to right) Dr Barbara McDade, Rev Robert Herron OBE, Leanne Dunlop and Mark Beattie. Seated are the Moderator Dr Bruce, Michelle McIlveen and Dr Andy Brown who are also pictured (5) in discussion prior to the start of the conference.

Beyond the Stereotype

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New research explores views of educational success and underachievement

A significant new research report into educational underachievement in controlled schools – commissioned and funded by the Transferor Representatives’ Council – has been launched by Stranmillis University College.

Beyond the Stereotype is based on group interviews with principals, teachers and pupils in eight primary and post-primary schools in suburban, town and rural areas, and also with school governors and other leaders in those communities.  The study aims to go ‘beyond the stereotype’ of the well-documented challenge of underachievement among Protestant working class boys in inner-city areas, and to ‘cast the net wider’ to provide a broader and more representative picture.  It raises important questions about the purpose of education and how we measure success.

The study finds that while pupils view educational achievement as largely related to success in external exams (such as GCSE and A-levels), many school and community leaders (including employers) place greater value on a wider range of skills and abilities, and pupils’ mental and physical health, self-confidence, happiness and willingness to learn.

Particular challenges in rural communities, which have not been reported extensively to date in previous studies, are identified with some school leaders speaking of the difficulty in motivating boys to work hard towards GCSEs.  Disadvantage across generations and a lack of educational aspiration, often associated with inner-city working-class contexts, are also reportedly strong features of many farming communities.

Beyond the Stereotype also finds that schools lack support in terms of sourcing standardised tests for pupils, which are bought in from private companies in the absence of government-funded tests.  A resulting variety of approaches in testing at primary level mean that post-primary schools often test pupils within their first few days at their new school; this, in turn, adds to an impression among pupils that post-primary education is about tests and scores.

School leaders are doing “sterling work” in keeping education going throughout the pandemic with one positive consequence of this crisis being that “schools and families are often now better connected than ever before” due to the increased use of remote technology.

Many community leaders speak of their passion for supporting schools and helping local children to succeed.  A range of perspectives – supportive and critical – on the role of Protestant Churches in education is heard; the study affirms that where school leaders are open to church involvement (which cannot be assumed) and where a local church engages meaningfully, tangibly and unconditionally in its local school, “there is enormous potential to improve educational outcomes.”

 

 

Praise for schools on Glengormley visit

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On a visit to Glengormley High School this morning, Presbyterian Moderator, Right Reverend Dr David Bruce, took the opportunity to praise the work of principals, teachers, governors and all who have worked in schools across Northern Ireland during the pandemic – and the pupils who have had to continue learning under such difficult circumstances. He also praised teachers and staff for the turnaround the High School had seen in recent years.

Dr Bruce was speaking at the school following a visit which formed part of his tour of PCI’s Presbytery of North Belfast, which takes in parts of the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area as well. Each Moderator makes four such tours during their year of office, which are primarily to encourage the local Church and its members in each area, to see the work that they are doing and to encourage others who play a large part in the life of the local community.

“Earlier on in the week I had the opportunity to visit Mossgrove Primary School and I found there the same commitment to learning, the personal development and welfare of the children in their care as I did at Glengormley High School. Both schools, and indeed all schools during the last two academic years, have experienced extremely difficult times, not least when we were in the depths of the lockdown and home learning last year, then having to make special arrangements to return to school afterwards,” Dr Bruce said.

“The impact and the upheaval on everyone involved in education; governors, principals, teachers and support staff, has been considerable and I would like to add my tribute to everyone who has stepped up, rose to the challenge and went the extra mile in these exceptionally difficult circumstances. And I also include in that the parents who juggled working from home and home schooling, and the children, who had to try and learn through these abnormal times.”

During his visit that lasted all morning, the Moderator met with a range of staff and heard of the changes that had taken place and the process the school was undertaking to move to integrated status. As he toured the school Dr Bruce took part in a Year 9 RE lesson and a Q&A session on his life and faith journey with 6th Formers. He also sat in with 5th year GCSE students to talk about church leadership. At lunchtime he met with members of Glengormley High’s Scripture Union Club.

During his visit Dr Bruce learnt of the turnaround that the school had made since the Education and Training Inspectorate had raised considerable concerns on a visit in 2017 concerning a range of issues that had led to a severe deterioration of the school’s performance. “I was quite shocked to hear that in 2018, out of a potential school community of 1,200 pupils there were only 650, and how in that year’s September intake, when you might have expected over 200 pupils transferring from primary schools, only around 80 did so.

During his visit that lasted all morning, the Moderator met with a range of staff and heard of the changes that had taken place and the process the school was undertaking to move to integrated status. As he toured the school Dr Bruce took part in a Year 9 RE lesson and a Q&A session on his life and faith journey with 6th Formers. He also sat in with 5th year GCSE students to talk about church leadership. At lunchtime he met with members of Glengormley High’s Scripture Union Club.

During his visit Dr Bruce learnt of the turnaround that the school had made since the Education and Training Inspectorate had raised considerable concerns on a visit in 2017 concerning a range of issues that had led to a severe deterioration of the school’s performance. “I was quite shocked to hear that in 2018, out of a potential school community of 1200 pupils there were only 650, and how in that year’s September intake, when you might have expected over 200 pupils transferring from primary schools, only around 80 did so.

Speaking about the visit, the principal of Glengormley High School, Ricky Massey said, “The school has enjoyed a close relationship with Ballyhenry Presbyterian Church and has received support through the North Belfast Presbytery. The Moderator’s visit was a natural culmination of these relationships and was such an encouraging experience for the pupils and staff of Glengormley High School.

“Dr Bruce participated in a range of lessons and met our 6th Form for a question and answer session with a wide range of questions relating to faith and everyday life.  The pupils were taken aback by his personal journey from being a young atheist to becoming a minister and Christian leader in Northern Ireland.”

Mr Massey concluded by saying, “Our members of the school Scripture Union club were delighted that the Moderator was fully involved in their games, which he followed up with an insightful interview. This visit has been one of the highlights of our school calendar.”

The photos above, in order from the top of the article, picture:

(1) Dr Bruce with the principal of Mossgrove Primary School, Elaine Sinton, and the minister of Ballyhenry Presbyterian Church, Rev Niall Lockhart. (2) Dr Bruce at Glengormley High with Trevor Long, Clerk of the North Belfast Presbytery, Lynda Greer, Head of Business Studies, Rev Niall Lockhart, Ricky Massey, Glengormley High’s principal and Margareta Cummings, teacher in the special educational needs department. (3) Dr Bruce with Glengormley High School 6th Formers. (4) Dr Bruce with Stephen Dodds, Associate Pastor at Glengormley Baptist Church, at Glengormley High’s Scripture Union Club.

Transferor Representatives’ Council thanks schools for continued commitment

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The Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC) – representing the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and the Methodist Church in Ireland in educational matters in Northern Ireland – has again expressed its thanks and deep appreciation to school principals, staff and governors for their commitment to management, teaching and learning, pastoral oversight, and financial control in these unprecedented times.

Speaking on behalf of the TRC, its Chairperson, Miss Rosemary Rainey OBE, said: “Schools have experienced enormous pressures since the pandemic began. We, as a society, owe a great debt to principals, teachers, support staff and school governors who have had increased workloads, and had to change methodology, including adapting to remote and blended learning and teaching, prior to the re–opening of schools to all pupils, a return to face–to–face classroom experience and children spending time together again with peers.

“The TRC recognises and applauds the tremendous contribution of school governors, who work tirelessly on a purely voluntary basis in the interests of schools, children and young people. They deal with – alongside other commitments – finance, staffing issues, appointments, complaints, inspections, and school policies, and attend functions in schools on a regular basis. During the pandemic, more responsibility fell to chairpersons who dealt almost daily with their respective principals to ensure that schools continued to deliver teaching and pupils continued to learn. Their service to schools and to our society is vastly undervalued. The TRC commends them and all school governors who faced particular challenges but continued to serve the local community faithfully and well.

“Governors’ tenure has now been extended for a further additional year so it is both fitting and appropriate that we pay tribute to their service at this time. Schools cannot operate without governors yet their sterling service often seems to go unnoticed and unappreciated by society in general. The TRC gratefully acknowledges the variety and wealth of skills, knowledge, and experience that governors bring to schools. Principals value their support and guidance, often relying on them to be critical friends.

“The TRC thanks all school governors for their service and assures them of the prayerful support of the three Churches, their respective Boards of Education, and their membership as a whole.”

Congratulations for Robin McLoughlin OBE

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The Church of Ireland Board of Education (Northern Ireland) has congratulated the Principal of Banbridge Academy, Mr Robin McLoughlin, on his award of an OBE for services to education in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.  Mr McLoughlin is a member of the Board of Education.

Archbishop John McDowell.

Archbishop John McDowell, Chair of the Board, said: “I would like to add my congratulations to those of Robin McLoughlin’s many friends within and beyond education. Robin’s wise counsel and extensive knowledge and experience will continue to be greatly valued by the Church of Ireland Board of Education (Northern Ireland).”

Dr Peter Hamill, Secretary of the Board, added: “I have known Robin for many years through Scripture Union and Summer Madness, and lately through my role in education both on the Board of the Controlled Schools’ Support Council and our own Board of Education. Robin always brings great energy and passion to his work, and has an unbounding desire to see young people reach their full potential. Many congratulations on this well–deserved honour.”