Ballynahinch primary schools get together for learning partnership

Ballynahinch primary schools get together for learning partnership

12 December 2018

PRIMARY schools in Ballynahinch have reaffirmed their commitment to shared education.

For over 20 years children at Ballynahinch Primary School and neighbouring St Patrick’s Primary School have been coming together both in and out of the classroom.

For the past four years their efforts have been boosted by funding from the Shared Education Programme, but even if the money was to dry up the schools would continue to meet to learn and play.

That’s the view of Mr Michael Moore, Ballynahinch Primary School principal, who insists the partnership has benefited both schools.

“We would still continue with the programme even if our funding stopped tomorrow — it works that well,” he said.

“We have worked in building strong links with St Patrick’s for over 20 years. We just set about formalising a programme in earnest back in 2014.

“Our programme works so well it is held up as a model for other schools across Northern Ireland to learn from and to embed its principles into their schools.

Mr Moore says there is a fundamental difference between shared education and integration.

“The main difference is that each school can hold on to their faith and culture but still be able to reach out in other aspects of the curriculum.

“Our parent teacher associations, for example, have been working together for some time. And on other levels we pull our resources too.”

Mr Moore’s views were echoed by Mr Paul Coulter, his counterpart at St Patrick’s, who said the idea for shared education came from parents at both schools.

Mr Coulter said that demand had grown over the years and that the schools were pulling their resources to fund shared experiences, such as educational trips.

“When you talk to the children you will see that they are really excited about coming together. Many strong friendships have been formed.”

Mrs Helen McEvoy, Shared Education co-ordinator at St Patrick’s, says the programme has given children the opportunity to come together and take part in learning together. 

She added: “The vision for the programme is to enhance the learning of all pupils in an environment where there is equal opportunity, good relations and mutual respect fostered, while at the same time acknowledging differences and celebrating them.”

The Recorder met children from both schools last Thursday morning when they busy designing a new logo for their Shared Education Programme.

Ten year-old Mya McCurry, who attends St Patrick’s Primary School, said she wasn’t able to see any differences between pupils and teachers at both schools.

“We started doing this programme when I was in P5,” she remarked. “I am in P7 now. It’s really fun and I look forward to having my friends from Ballynahinch Primary School coming here or visiting them at their school. 

“To be honest we were friends before we began getting together in school. I would have played with them on our street sometimes. Now we get together in school too and its terrific fun.” 

Leon Rose, a P6 pupil at Ballynahinch Primary School, revealed that taking part in the Shared Education Programme has helped him become less shy.

He said: “I enjoy it a lot and we maintain the friendships we make outside of school too.”

Also taking part in the programme is Patrick Pillitteri, a P7 pupil at St Patrick’s. Eager to reveal the best thing about shared education he said it was the trips they got to go on. 

He added: “My favourite trip was to the Kingspan Stadium at Ravenhill. I’m not big into rugby but this was something else. It was a fabulous big stadium and it holds many thousands.”

“I’m more of a soccer fan myself. I love Liverpool and I don’t ever see that changing any time soon. By the way, Liverpool beat Burnley 3-1 last night. That may not seem important to you, but it sure is to me.”

It came as no surprise then to learn that Patrick wants to be a Premier League footballer when he grows up.

He said: “I’m going to play for Liverpool when I’m older. I get lots of practice in with my friends from Ballynahinch Primary. Finlay and Leon are my best friends in this programme.”

Animal lover Becky Martin is in P5 at Ballynahinch Primary. She said the best thing about being part of the programme was organising and planing activities together.

“We have been to Castleward, W5 and, as Patrick has said, we went to the Kingspan Stadium. There have been loads of trips. 

“I love organising events. Together we agree on what we would like to do and see it through to the end.”

When asked what she hoped to do when she grew up, she said: “I love animals but being a vet would make me sad. I would have to put animals to sleep and I wouldn’t like that. I think I would like to be a professional dog walker or groom dogs and cats when I’m older.” 

Becky added: “The boys and girls from St Patrick’s Primary School bring lots of energy with them. And that’s a good thing.”