St Brigid's end on a high

It has been a very successful year for the school with strong academic performances in CEA End of Key Stage Assessments in English, maths and Information Communication Technology.

The school's Principal, Mr Malachy Conlon, congratulated the children for their academic performances this year and drew their parents' attention to a number of significant achievements in examinations. At the End of Key Stage 1 (P4] 100% of the pupils reached the required national standard for 8 year olds with 60% of the children achieving the highest possible level in English (NI average 41%]. In mathematics 65% of the pupils achieving the highest grade (NI average 47%]. At the End of Key Stage 2 (P7] St. Brigid's pupils were once again performing at levels higher than the national average. At level 5, the highest possible level for primary school children, 36% of St. Brigid's children achieved the grade in English compared to NI average of 31%. In mathematics, 44% of St. Brigid's pupils obtained level 5 compare to a NI average of 41%.

The school's Prize Day also celebrated the children's spiritual, sporting, artistic and cultural achievements which is a strong focus of the ethos of St. Brigid's Primary School.

Sporting achievement was recognised with presentations to the Foundation Stage Pupils (P1-2] who participated in a Fun & Fitness Morning which saw the children complete group based, sporting activities. The emphasis was very much on fun and working together, a strong feature of the new Primary Curriculum. Presentation of medals were also made to Sports Day winners in P3-7 who competed in sprints, relay races, obstacle course, sack race and the traditional egg and spoon race. As with the younger children, the importance of team sports and working together was also recognised with the awarding of medals for the soccer team, hurling/camogie team and netball team who won the inter-school competitions. Individual excellence was also recognised with Sports Day Champion shields presented to the top boy and girl in both Key Stage 1 and 2; Gaelic games, soccer and netball players of the year as well as Endeavour, Circle Time, Achievement, Creative & Expressive individual pupil awards. This year also saw the introduction of the Information Communication Technology (ICT] Award, in recognition of the relevance and importance of computers in the lives of all of the pupils.

Trophies won by the school's netball, rugby and quiz team were also on display. These included the Dalriada Leavers' Shield won for the fourth year in a row by the school's netball team; Ballymoney Credit Union Quiz shield, which was retained once again by the school as well as the Ballymoney Rugby Fair Play award. Mr Conlon also recognised the school's soccer, hurling, swimming and camogie teams who competed in tournaments throughout the year.

Sport forms a very important part of the curriculum and after schools programme with golf, tennis, camogie, hurling, soccer, netball, aerobics/dance and cycling all on offer to the children. However sport is only part of the after school programme as the children also enjoyed Spanish, computers, art, cookery, nature, photography and science clubs.

Prize Day was also an opportunity for the school to reflect with the parents and pupils on the important of religion in the life of the school. During the year the children have grown spiritually under the guidance of their teachers and Fr O'Brien with their preparation for First Confessions, Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Attendance certificates were presented too, with 26 children in the school having 100% attendance. A special presentation was also made to Y7 leaver, Sean O'Kane who never missed a day during all of his time in St. Brigid's Primary School.

Mr Conlon thanked the staff, parents and pupils for their contribution to making this year in St. Brigid's a happy and successful one and added, 'I hope everyone has a well earned rest over the summer months and I hope too that the children have a lovely time with their families. In September we will once again look forward to an exciting new school year. It will indeed be an exciting year for the school with two P1 classes starting in September as well as new desks for every pupil in the school.'

Prize Day 2010:

Key Stage 1 Sports Day Boy Award: Aaron Wallace

Key Stage 1 Sports Day Girl Award: Megan Kirgan

Key Stage 2 Sports Day Boy Award: Mateusz Bubacz

Key Stage 2 Sports Day Girl Award: Elle Kirgan

Achievement Award Class A: Megan Fleming

Achievement Award Class B: Conor McCambridge

Creative & Expressive Award: Caitlin Cosgrove

Endeavour Award Key Stage 1: Chad O'Neill

Endeavour Award Key Stage 2: David Finnerty

Circle Time Boy Award: Patrick McKay

Circle Time Girl Award: Megan Duffy

ICT Award: Aideen Reid

Footballer of the Year: Ciaran McCormick-McKenna

Netball Player of the Year: Kealey Neill

Hurling/Camogie Player of the Year: Deaglan Brogan