Curriculum
When planning our curriculum we take into account the uniqueness of each child and his/her individual needs. Our aim is to offer each child a broadly based and appropriately balanced curriculum in line with the Northern Ireland Curriculum.
This involves six areas of study
- Language and Literacy
- Mathematics and Numeracy
- The Arts (including Art and Design,Drama and Music)
- The World Around Us
- Personal Development and Mutual Understanding
- Physical Education
Religious Education
Our Religious Education Programme, prepares each child for participation in the liturgy and sacraments of the Catholic Church. Religious Education is not confined to the timetabled programme within the school but our Catholic ethos permeates the whole life of our school promoting caring and respectful relationships.
Learning Support
We endeavour to provide extra support for pupils with learning difficulties through early intervention and provision of extra help. Within the school this entails differentiated programmes in the class, the drawing up and implementation of Education Plans and the use of the Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO). We now have a Nurture Group for early years intervention. We also receive extra help for pupils from the Educational Psychologist, the Reading Centre and other Outreach and peripatetic services. A policy has been drawn up in line with the Code of Practice for Special Needs.
Use of ICT
Today’s technology is fast moving and we at St Paul’s realise the importance of ensuring that our children are ready for the world of digital communication.
The effective use of ICT is essential for modern learning and every day life. Our children experience a broad and balanced ICT curriculum. Every classroom has a computer and an electronic whiteboard which have now become integral in daily teaching and learning. We also have an ICT Suite which every class is timetabled to use. We have recently purchased a set of iPads which are in daily use in the classrooms.
Accelerated Reading, a digital programme to enhance all levels of reading, is fully implemented from P4-P7. In 2011-12 we successfully put in a bid for ten Apple Macintosh computers with City of Culture through the Nerve Centre—we now have a new state of the art iMac suite! All teachers and teaching assistants received training for the Apple Macs by the Nerve Centre Sept 2012.
Our Key Stage Two Classes took part in the exciting Digital Book of Kells Project
for City of Culture’s Return of Colmcille Festival. Our pupils have taken part in the WASPS Project facilitated by UU at Magee and were overall winners of the project.
Our P5 class worked with artists from GSCA and produced a Road Safety animated film which was launched at Stormont.
Music
Saint Paul’s children are well known for their musical talent. Every child takes part in our entertaining musical shows and Assemblies.
We have a beautiful choir which is held in high esteem in the school. The choir takes part in our many liturgical ceremonies, carol singing and community events. Children also have the opportunity to learn violin from the EA Peripatetic music service. All our Early Years children receive Musical Pathways to Learning delivered by EA Music Tutors. We also provide After School Clubs in Tin Whistle and Hip hop Dancing.
Sport
Our children receive training in Fundamental Skills from early years onwards through our close links with our local GAA clubs. They also receive basketball coaching, soccer training (making good use of the nearby state of the art Leafair Pitch), netball training, athletics and swimming.