Annual Report
2011-2012
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Chairperson:
Mrs Pauline Fitzsimons (DENI Rep)
Due to complete office 2013/14
BELB Reps:
Mr Brendan Henry
Mr Michael Mc Clean
Both due to complete office 2013/14
D.E.N.I. Reps:
Mrs Anne Stewart
Mr Gareth Jones
Mrs P Fitzsimons
All due to complete office 2013/14
Parent Rep:
Ms Jeanine Beattie
Mr Brian Madden
Both due to complete office 2013/14
Teacher Rep
Mrs Caroline Mc Carthy
Due to complete office 2013/14
Secretary
Mrs F Leneghan (Principal)
Chairperson’s Comments
During the 2011/2012 school year, the pupils, staff, management team and Principal have
again attained exceptional achievements. Parents, carers and families together with
volunteers and external networks have supported our work and assisted the school population
in a variety of ways. The numerous school, class and individual projects being delivered
throughout the school continue to add value to the school population. We thank all those who
have supported projects particularly the new innovative ideas that challenge our pupils to
achieve and work to the best of their ability
Unfortunately we are still continuing to lobby and seek clarification from the Belfast
Education and Library Board and the Department of Education on proposals to remedy the
issues we face around accommodation and over population of the school. We will inform you
of any developments or progress as and when we hear.
Our commitment to provide essential therapies to all the pupils within the school continues.
The Senior Management team and the Board of Governors have met with the Belfast Trust
representatives to ensure they realise our commitment in seeking adequate provision despite
the economic climate. We realise their financial pressures however we believe our pupils
have the right to therapies identified. We will continue to liaise with the Belfast Trust and the
Belfast Education & Library Board to secure resources required for our pupils to enjoy the
rewarding and learning environment.
We are committed to share information and knowledge with parents, carers and families. The
Glenveagh website has become a reliable source of information. The Parent’s liaison teacher
has established a network of information providers and many successful events have informed
parents of their rights and the rights of their children. The after school clubs and youth club
have proved to be a great success with many children and parents benefiting from this
initiative.
Finally a big thank you to all the staff, lead by our Principal, Fionnuala Leneghan, who have
ensured another successful year in the life of Glenveagh School.
Pauline Fitzsimons
Chairperson
Board of Governors
2011-2012, as always has been an action-packed year for our pupils, parents and staff in
Glenveagh. Staff in all areas of the school worked hard to ensure that our pupils learnt a lot,
laughed a lot and were loved a lot.
All 5 classes quickly settled into a busy year which saw their pupils accessing a wide range of
both class-based and extra curricular activities.
These included Gymnastics at SALTO and Swimming at Fleming Futon – both of which were
availed of for the first time; Horse Riding; Fitness Freddie; Football and Library visits to
Finaghy. Our younger pupils really appreciated the appearance of ‘Bailey’ our fantastic
Rocking Horse, courtesy of the very kind efforts of our retired nurse Daphne Cuthbert. We
now have very few reluctant first-time horse-riders.
The Junior Department class benefited greatly this year from swimming lessons at Fleming
Fulton and going to horseriding.
The Junior Department played a big role in our money week, hosting a very successful café at
which lots of goodies were bought and sols and also their version of ‘Deal or No Deal’. This
really tested everyones money skills, and proved highly successful with pupils and staff.
The delivery of externally accredited units linked to pupils individual IEPs, again proved a
purposeful aide to our pupil assessment, with __ pupils receiving awards reflecting many
learning areas of the Junior Departments Curriculum. The department’s super prize day in
June was a true reflection of all that our pupils could achieve and more. Our good friend from
the Belfast Trust, Louise Radcliff presented the awards.
The Middle Department
The Middle Department led by Anne Moore also enjoyed a great year in 2011-2012 with lots
of exciting activities going on in all classes.
P.E featured highly this year again with a number of pupils throughout the department
participating in a pilot pre-Duke of Edinburgh Programme – helping prepare our 11-14 year
olds for more serious outdoor education further up the school. Children also enjoyed
Gymnastics at SALTO, Fitness Freddie and various coaching sessions with Sports Disability
N.I.
Home Economics/cooking proved to be a highly popular dimension to the departments
curriculum with increasing focus being made on the pupils independence skills in this area.
Two classes participated in pizza making demonstrations at Pizza Express.
Art was also a subject which lent itself to exciting projects this year with Class 7 participating
in a number of workshops at the Ulster Museum and Class 8 enjoying an unusual project with
Taughmonagh and St Itas Primary Schools – making beautiful Mosiacs for all three schools.
This project was funded by the I.E.P. Class 7 were involved in an art project with St
Malachys College having super opportunities such as making their own ceramics
Class 9 participated in a mask making project with an artist from the Arts Council and they
also enjoyed a fantastic drama scheme called the Bliss Project, produced by Replay.
The externally accredited AQA units, as in the Junior Department, are a valuable part of the
assessment process in this department, with each pupil successfully completing at least one
unit this year.
The Senior Department
This department, led by Andy Whitson and Kathleen Maguire made sure that 2011-12 was
another action-packed year, as their pupils prepared themselves for taking a step closer to
their final years in Glenveagh in the Sixth Form.
Like their younger counterparts, much exciting learning activities took place within the school
and the pupils particularly enjoyed their department’s team games sessions held each
Tuesday. The focus here being - learning with pupils outside your class. Pupils undertook an
exciting Team Enterprise project this year along with friends in the 6th Form.
Pupils from the Senior Department also took part in the following activities:
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Weekly NOCN word-processing classes in St. Louise’s.
Weekly P.E classes in St. Malachys (Soccer and Basketball).
NOCN car valeting class in Belfast MET.
Soccer sessions in term 2/3 at the all-weather outdoor pitches at Inst.
Lets cook Project with Fleming Fulton
Sports Disability NI
Sixth Form
2011/2012 was a busy year for the Sixth Form. At this stage in the school career of the young
students in the Sixth Form the major focus is on life after Glenveagh School and on
developing the skills our pupils need for this next step in their lives.
The curriculum continues to be very much skill based with pupils working on communication,
Functional Literacy and Numeracy and of course life skills and work skills.
The Duke of Edinburgh programme commenced in 2011-12 saw the Gold group and will
complete in 2012. John McClune, Daniel Purse and Ross Stewart successfully completed the
Gold Award. We are very proud of these achievements and of all the hard work our pupils
gave to the programme as well as the commitment from our staff. Without their dedication
the Duke of Edinburgh Awards would not be possible.
Our department continue to have strong links with NOW from North and West Belfast,
Orchardville from the South and East of the City and from Stepping Stones from the Lisburn
area. Staff from these organisations work very closely with our pupils, staff and of course
parents to find training programmes and work experiences to meet the individual needs of our
pupils. Mencap also had a range of courses delivered. Our thanks to all these organisations.
Without them our task would be significantly more complex.
Students attended the Belfast Metropolitan College for a taster week prior to leaving school in
June and all these students commenced the college in September 2012. We also took part in a
collaborative 2 year cookery course with pupils from Park school at the Springvale Campus.
This opportunity to learn with teenagers from other schools proved really popular.
Sport plays a major part in the sixth form curriculum. We kept up our gym membership to
develop pupils recreational skills. This was a great success with our male students. Coaches
also visited the school for weekly sessions for football, in the schools FA cup which proved to
be a great success. We hope to develop our links with Q.U.B ar their DUB pitches with the
aim of starting a Glenveagh Tag Rugby Team.
Horticulture classes were delivered be Damien Mc Callin from Environment and Education at
Ligoneil Wellbeing Centre. Last year classes from throughout the school benefited this
resource including the sixth form. Larche (ABLE) has also provided work experience in
Horticulture.
As always, our school leavers group enjoyed a superb LEAVERS NIGHT OUT at the
Beechlawns hotels, we wish them good luck in all they do!
Throughout the Entitlement Framework during the year 2011/2012 the following courses
were delivered:
Accreditation
Accredited Body
NOCN
NOCN
NOCN
NOCN
NOCN
NOCN
NOCN
NOCN
CEA
CEA
Princes Trust
Princes Trust
Duke of
Edinburgh
Unit
Number
Introduction to using a word
processor
Introduction to
understanding Diversity in
society
Introduction to undertaking
an Enterprise Project
Health+Safety Awareness
Essential Skills Numeracy
Essential Skills Literacy
Living in the Community
Introduction to participating
in Leisure Activities
Performance Skills
Performance Skills
Introduction to Food Drink
+Cooking
Preparation for Work
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Level
E3
E3
Pass Grades
4
6
E3
6
E3
7
E3
E1
E1
E3
E3
11
6
6
8
9
Level 1
Level 2
E3
7
7
6
Level 1
6
4
4
13
Accredited Body
NOCN
NOCN
KS 4 Accreditation
Unit
Level
Health+Safety
E3
Awareness
Intro to the Local E3
Community
Pass Grades
11
7
The Music Department
The music Department, led by Catherine Gorman were busy from September to June this year
again, being as creative as ever. Along with the many school events at which our pupil’s
musical expertise can shine (Christmas show, weekly assemblies, prize days, etc) 2011-12
saw special appearances/performance at:
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Carol Singing at Westwood Shopping Centre, Sprucefield Shopping Centre and The
Kennedy centre
We performed at St Geogres market where we had a great welcome from the traders
Pupils from the Junior and Middle department went to the Waterfront Hall for a Carol
celebration arranged by the BELB ‘School of Music’
We were particularly proud of a number of pupils who successfully passed the ABRSM
Music medals exams in their instruments:
Music Medal Exams
Copper Level
Bronze Level
Amanda Jones – Clarenet
Aaron Irvine – Saxaphone
Katie Clarke – Violin
Daniel Purse – Flute
Sean Mc Nearney - Trombone
Passed with ‘Excellence’
Matthew Graham – Trumpet
Benjamin Alford – Flute
Also special mention to Matthew Graham who successfully lead a Brass Band ‘The
Laureldale Brass Ensemble’
We look forward to these pupils progressing to the higher level and to the many other
instrumentalists and singers in the school achieving the Copper Level.
Music in Glenveagh was given an additional boost this year with the development of Music
Theraphy sessions – both individual and group. We welcomed Emma Donnelly to our staff,
and look forward to extending this service which is mostly funded by the P.S.A
Sensory Dept Report for 2011-12
The highlight of the year in our Department started at the very beginning and continued all
year – learning to ride a donkey. Everyone started lessons and their skills exceeded
everyone’s expectations thoughout the year. Everyone was either Sitting on a donkey or
riding in the cart holding onto the reins. There was chat and laughter and incredible
concentration. We made new friends with the volunteers that helped us learn and of course the
amazing donkeys – Suzie, Benji, William, Matt and Daisy.
Sen 1 held their annual harvest assembly, this year the story of the Enormous Turnip, and
with all the donations brought in by all the pupils they delivered the proceeds to Faith House,
Taughmonagh Fold, Whiterock Fold and Manor Lodge. They were very greatful.
The Chirstmas show was a terrific success with us performing Walking in the Air – the Ska
version, great performances by all our pupils for the parents and great fun had by all
throughout the rehearsals.
This year we held special balloon releases for the pupils that passed away during the year,
Damian Breen, Meabh McDermott and Jordan Beattie. Meabh’s family also brought up a tree
which they planted in the sensory garden we can’t wait for it to blossom in the spring.
In March we took part in the whole school sports day event at Valley Leisure Centre – we all
got very competitive and had great fun playing new games and mixing in teams with the rest
of the school.
European day was a great opportunity to celebrate Sofia’s Italian heritage and the whole class
got in the spirit with a fast car theme.
At the Mother’s day market Sen 1 made beautiful strawberry planters which sold like hot
cakes and Sen 2 Made fudge and peppermint creams which were delicious.
The Zulu Warriors performed for the whole school and really captured the imaginations of
our pupils, the singing, shrilling and dancing brought a smile to everyone’s face and had a few
dancing along.
There was some terrific cooking happening all year and with the addition of chef’s hats
everyone looked really professional with some delicious results.
Our pupils particulary enjoyed the Jubilee street party for the whole school which brought
everyone together and the atmosphere was truly amazing, banners and bunting were out all
around the school.
The Sensory Dept enjoyed the last ever Balmoral show, the small farm was a great success
with everyone getting to feel the snakes, chicks, rabbits and beautiful puppies. And just as we
left we got a special performance by 30 drummers – and Aidan danced and cheered.
The year finished off with a spectacular musical Prize Day with the Rainbow rooms, everyone
was playing instruments (Parents and guests included) and the incredible achievements of the
pupils were celebrated.
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2011-2012
GLENVEAGH PREMISES AREA
Fuel – Gas
Electricity
Water
Toilet Requisites
Waste disposal
Cleaning Materials
Repair and Maintenance: Buildings
Grounds Maintenance
Protective Clothing
Contractual Cleaning
Telephones and Postages
SPEND
GLENVEAGH PUPIL AREA
SPEND
36,281
18,872
6,223
2,518
3,120
1,775
2,157
568
951
10,086
82,551
SPEND
Books and Practice Materials
Furniture + Fittings under £3,000
Equipment under £3,000
Repair and Maintenance of furniture and fittings
Hire of Teaching Equipment
Hire of Facilities
Professional Fees
Hire of other Vehicles
Photocopying +Printing
Link Course Fees
Conference Expenses
Sundry/Food
SPEND
29,529
438
11,901
185
TOTAL SPEND
136,285
BUDGET 2011-12
TOTAL SPEND
BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD
224,810
136,285
88,225
877
4,511
2,745
6,644
1,363
52
53,734