| Principal
of Rathfriland Hill, Raymond Cassidy said, "I am delighted
to receive such a positive report on the school. Both staff
and children have shown continued dedication and commitment
to school life and effective learning, and the children relish
the opportunity to get involved in practical issues like ICT
and enjoy displaying their work for staff, other pupils and
their families".
This was one aspect of the school that was highlighted in
the inspection – the continued participation of the children’s
families. Rathfriland Hill is very much aware of the importance
of establishing regular home-school links and actively involves
the parents as "partners" in their children’s
education. This takes the form of regular meetings with staff,
social events and home-school diaries making it possible for
teachers and parents to communicate on a daily basis. Another
aspect clearly identified was ICT – at the school the
use of ICT has been carefully planned and the introduction
of a co-ordinator for ICT has already strengthened initiatives
and training for both children and staff.
Rathfriland Hill staff work hard to develop and interact the
children with society and have been involved in a number of
events in the local community, such as the inter-denominational
carol service and outdoor pursuits activities.
In the final statement of the Inspectorate the report stated,
"The school has many strengths, including the pleasant
ethos and positive atmosphere in which pupils are clearly
valued and respected, the good quality of the arrangement
of child protection and pastoral care, the active links with
parents and the good quality teaching".
The report did highlight the limiting facilities of the school
and welcomed the proposal for a new school building. Principal
Raymond Cassidy is also looking forward to a new school and
says construction is due to start in March 2002. The new school
at a cost of £3.1 million will be purpose built and
will alleviate current difficulties of stairs, small classrooms
and traffic congestion at the front door. The new school is
to be situated at a site in Carnagat. |
