Last year we were successful in securing funding from the Department of Education and the Education Authority to host a Shared Education Programme for our Primary five classes. The Department of Education are committed to a process of encouraging schools across Northern Ireland to partner together more systematically. In particular, they want schools that traditionally serve the protestant or catholic community to come together.

The goals of developing these partnerships include:

• Improving the standards of achievement of all our pupils;
• Increasing the skills of staff in partnering schools;
• Enhancing the use of resources of the schools involved;
• To help children develop more friendships across the community;
• To empower all stakeholders to be able to embrace diversity;
• To impact community relations now and in the future.
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In September we began our shared education journey together with Nettlefield Primary School.

Both schools throughout the years have engaged in many different projects together which has had a positive impact on everyone involved.

Shared Education funding will, however, allow us to bring our friendship and ability to cooperate to a new level of excellence. Our project is called ‘Health and Well-Being’. For us, the Shared Education Programme enables cross-sectoral collaborations to become an integral part of school life, creating enhanced educational and personal development opportunities for everyone involved.

In November Primary 5 met with Primary 5 from Nettlefield for an ‘Ice breaker’ session at Belfast Activity Centre. The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience and new friendships were made.

Good luck to all of our Primary Five children in both schools!!