Page 17 - The Bellfort - Summer 2015

tation initiative called Make friends. The programme was which will lead them through your Mark, run by the Youth managed by Peace players the gateway to the future Parliament. The aim is to International, a charity which with just the right amount of become more and more in- builds community relations awe and just the right volved in our community as through the use of basket- amount of confdence. The well as being involved in ball. Our students benefted noble calling of the teacher matters that afect school from a number of coaching brings humility and challenge life and the elected candi- sessions facilitated by the for educators but it holds dates are ready for the chal- governing bodies of Ulster rewards that surpass all oth- lenge! Rugby, Irish Football Associa- er professions and to see tion and GAA in addition to children shine makes it all Further, in the area of Com- basketball skills expertly led worthwhile. Going forward, munity Relations the school by our own specialist Mrs we simply want to keep on participated in the Communi- O’Dornan. getting better. Thank you. ty Education initiative. Our programme was designed To conclude: this September around two themes- Building has seen our enrolment rise self-esteem and developing to 840 pupils due to Area study skills. The programme Planning and we are thankful concluded with an event to have enjoyed a very pro- ductive frst half-term! Dur- ing their Induction, we met supportive parents and stu- dents eager to learn. This meant signifcant planning, which in turn has led to a smooth transition. It has been business as usual and we have been blessed, yet there is a great deal of work which was attended by all 9 still to be done! We are not schools in the initiative. To inclined to panic or to lament attract the large crowd to time-scales or budgetary de- hear about the programmes, mands. We have never al- a cookery demonstration lowed ourselves to make was given for the communi- excuses for outcomes, to ty, assisted by two profes- embrace politicism over edu- sional chefs who tantalised cation, to lament over our our taste buds with their challenges, nor indeed to demo and then served up a brag over our achievements, tasty two course meal. but instead we face up to our responsibility to deliver Over an 8 week period a learning for everybody who group of students from Dun- comes here! What a chal- clug and St Patricks Colleges lenge for all schools! We took part in a Community simply want every child who Sports Programme funded enrols, regardless of back- by the CRED Enhancement ground, culture, or ability to Scheme. This was a good enter a world of opportunity opportunity to learn new in a warm environment, be skills whilst playing new inspired to discover, to ex- sports and meeting new plore and to grow: a world THE BELLFORT SUMMER 2015 17