London to Loughgiel for St Patrick's

IT would be difficult to equate St Patrick's Primary School, Loughgiel with anything other than success in 2010.

In 2006, Mrs Dallat (Principal) of St Patrick’s Loughgeil recognized the need for her students to acquire the techniques and skills necessary to become confident and competent communicators, and she saw Speech and Drama classes as her vehicle to achieve this.

She employed Mrs Shorna Meggitt ( Ballycastle School of Speech and Drama) to facilitate these classes. More recently Mrs Meggitt has been working closely with Mrs Mc Auley the Primary 3 Teacher, in preparing the children for their LAMDA Examinations (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) which fully endorses the aims of the National Curriculum in English.

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Preparation for LAMDA also enhances the work begun in the classroom, “it facilitates children’s awareness of their own creativity, it enables them to develop skills and techniques to master their language, and most importantly to facilitate each child in becoming empowered by fostering confidence, clarity of expression and communication”. National Curriculum attainment targets AT1 (Speaking and Listening) and AT2 (Reading) can be closely linked to the LAMDA Examinations.

St Patrick’s is the only school in the region to facilitate and fund the LAMDA Examinations. A total of 28 children took their Examinations in February 2010, and will receive their certificates in 3 weeks.

The LAMDA Examiner Ms. Powell (centre of picture) had nothing but praise for the children `s performances.

She reported: “The Ballycastle School of Speech and Drama’s careful organization and St Patrick’s enthusiasm for the LAMDA Examinations was clearly evident in the candidates I examined. Everyone came into the room lively and well prepared, and fully committed to doing their best.”

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Speaking to the Ballymoney Times after the examinations Mrs Meggitt Proprietor of the Ballycastle school of Speech and Drama said: “The results the children will receive in a few weeks time will be gratifying but it is the children’s dedication to and enthusiasm for hard work and, the support and commitment given me by Mrs Dallet, and Mrs McAuley and indeed the entire teaching staff which has made this Examination Centre a great success; and which makes teaching in St Patrick’s a pleasure.”

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