TEDDY BEARS' PICNIC Saturday 16 August 2-4pm NOW AT MOIRA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HALL  

 

Welcome to Rowandale Integrated Primary School.

Click here for our Prospectus and here for an Enrolment Form.

We will be recruiting again soon. Click here to view job vacancies at integrated schools on the NICIE website.

If you would like to meet us and see the school, phone us on 02892 613946 to arrange a time to suit or go to the Events section of this website to find out about our events that are available to the whole community. 

About our school:

We are integrated - we will nurture every child in the values of their own background. Our aim is to enrich individual identity through the understanding of other beliefs.

We are child-centred - we base education around the child rather than around the teacher.

We are co-educational - we empower children to fulfil their potential irrespective of gender.

We are anti-bias - we encourage our children to have an unbiased approach to other people.

We are all-ability - we give each child the opportunity to achieve personal excellence.

We are democratic - we will consult with parents on all school policies and procedures - our Board of Governors of sixteen members will include six parents - all parents are encouraged to become involved in the Parents Council.

We are eco-friendly - we will involve and educate children about sustainability issues.

We are healthy - we will encourage and enable children to respect their health.

We are a whole school community - we will seek to create a close partnership involving children, parents, staff, governors and the wider community.

We are enrolling now! - From September 2008, we will be offering Years 1 - 5 (P1-P5). If you are interested in Rowandale Integrated Primary School please phone on 02892 613946 to arrange a time to visit the school. 

The SEELB booklet of schools in the Lisburn area is available by clicking here.

Click here to view Learning Together - our 2007/08 information for parents of children attending Rowandale Integrated Primary School. This has recently been revised for parents of children starting school in September - new version available soon.

For more information about Rowandale Integrated Primary School, please ring Denise at the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education on 028 90 236 200. Alternatively, please email Info@RowandaleIPS.co.uk or telephone the school between 2pm and 4pm on weekdays (02892 613946).

To see pictures of our Official Opening - and special guest Barry McGuigan - visit the Events section of this website.

We would like to acknowledge various funders who have shown great support to the school.

The work of the parent steering group was supported by the Integrated Education Fund, the Blackburn Trust and several businesses in the Moira area.

The Integrated Education Fund continues to provide funding towards school costs.

B&Q awarded the school a grant of £246.86 in August 2007 to create a small outdoor playhouse area for the children as part of it's Better Neighbours awards scheme.

The Co-operative Community Fund awarded our Parents Council a grant of £483.13 to run a series of 3 workshops for the local community. The theme of "transport" will be explored through the medium of Visual Arts, Dance and Music. The aim is to bring local children together to explore creative techniques, learn new skills and develop new interests in the area of the arts.

The Ernest Cook Trust, a charitable trust set up in 1952 by a grandson of Thomas Cook, the founder of Cook's travel agency awarded the school a grant of £2145.00 in March 2008 to help support literacy in the school. This has funded the purchase of 11 storysacks and 3 synthetic literacy schemes.

Firmus Energy awarded the school a grant of £250 in December 2007 to assist the school in our pursuit of the eco-schools project.

The Women Caring Trust awarded us £300 towards kitchen play equipment.

Rowandale IPS is grateful to all our funders and delighted to be able to offer exciting projects such as the arts workshops to the wider Moira community.

 

 

Parents of children attending the school received their certificates on Thurday 1st May in recognition for completing the DELTA course run by SEELB and facilitated by Fiona O'Dowd. The course promoted partnership between parents and professionals in developing the child's learning and thinking abilities. This final session which took place at the school covered positive parenting and encouraging independence.

Opening in Moira on Monday 3rd September. 

Latest site pictures - including our classroom (before decoration!)

 

Work on the school site has progressed well. More pictures like those above will be posted on the site - although it won't be long until they are no longer 'work in progress'!       

 

Rowandale’s Principal, Mrs Frances Hughes, has extensive experience in integrated primary school education. Early work between the steering group and Mrs Hughes has highlighted common aspirations for the school in terms of its integrated ethos, eco-friendly approach and healthy foundations. Click here for Mrs Hughes' biography.  Mrs Hughes is happy to discuss the school with interested parents - please ring 02890 236200 to arrange this.       

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW 'LEARNING TOGETHER' - PARENTS' INFORMATION BOOKLET ABOUT ROWANDALE IPS FOR 2007/08.

 

Mrs Hughes has worked hard this summer to access the materials and equipment for the school. School meals arrangements have been made (see the Learning Together booklet for a sample menu) and several parents have organised their ‘car pool’ schemes.   

 

Photographs of the uniform have been added to the Documents section of this site. An opportunity for fitting of uniform items can be made available on request.    

 

P1 Enrolments ‘New’ enrolments and 'change of mind' enrolments are welcomed for P1, for children reaching their 4th birthday by 1 July 2007. Enrolment applications should be sent to NICIE with proof of your child's age. For advice, please telephone Paula or Denise at NICIE on 028 90 236 200 or email Info@RowandaleIPS.co.uk.    

 

P2, P3 and P4 at Rowandale IPS  Rowandale Integrated Primary School also welcomes applications for transfer of children into P2, P3 and P4. The process for transferring your child into P2, P3, P4 at Rowandale is simple - advice is available from Paula or Denise at NICIE (telephone 02890 236 200) or by emailing Info@RowandaleIPS.co.uk.   

 

Anti – Bias Curriculum   The Anti-Bias Curriculum recognises and realises the positive potential of schools for challenging the negative attitudes, values and practices held in our society, rather than viewing education solely as a mechanism for consolidating and passing on 'accepted wisdom'. Mrs Hughes has extensive experience in integrated primary eduation and will ensure that the anti-bias curriculum is at the very core of Rowandale IPS. To view, please click here.     

 

We are delighted with progress in developing the school and meeting the conditions of approval set by the Department of Education for it to receive recurrent funding. The Integrated Education Fund has guaranteed to make alternative funding available to open the school in the unlikely event that any of the Department’s conditions are not met. This is certainly welcomed by the school prinicpal, the steering group and, we are sure, the school's 'founding families'. For more information on the IEF's work, please see www.ief.org.uk.   

 

For further information  For assistance or if you would like to know more, please telephone Paula at NICIE on 02890 236 200 or email us at Info@RowandaleIPS.co.uk.     

 

Acknowledgements  - We would like to acknowledge the support we have received from the Integrated Education Fund, the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education, The Blackburn Trust, B&Q, Tesco, local businesses within Moira, Mr Trevor Lunn, Mr John Daly, and of course, from all of the individuals and families in the area who have volunteered their help in working at the school site, at our events and supporting our fund raising and awareness raising.  

We are looking forward to opening Rowandale Integrated Primary School in Moira on Monday 3rd September and are absolutely delighted to be forming Rowandale IPS's founding class.  We thank the families enrolling in this new school for their enthusiasm and support. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES OF OUR MOST RECENT EVENT, INCLUDING P1s PROUDLY MODELLING THEIR NEW UNIFORM.

We are also indebted to the Integrated Education Fund who recently guaranteed to make funding available to open the school in the unlikely event that any of the three conditions set by Department of Education are not met. This is certainly welcomed by the school prinicpal, the steering group and, we are sure, the school's 'founding families'. For more information on the IEF's work, please see www.ief.org.uk. 

 

Rowandale’s recently appointed Principal, Mrs Frances Hughes, has extensive experience in integrated primary school education. Early work between the steering group and Mrs Hughes have highlighted common aspirations for the school in terms of its integrated ethos, eco-friendly approach and healthy foundations. See the 'Documents' section for Mrs Hughes' biography.  *** Parents are invited to come along to our Teddy Bears' Picnic where another opportunity to meet Mrs Hughes will be available. Details are posted in the ‘Events’ section of the web site *** It may also be possible to arrange for you to visit to an existing integrated primary school.     

 

Work on securing the school site is ongoing. As soon as information can be released about where the school will be sited in the Moira area, we will contact parents who have enrolled and/or registered with the campaign.     

 

Photographs of the uniform have been added to the Documents section of this site. An opportunity for fitting of uniform items can be made available on request.     

 

Enrolments  

 

We welcome both ‘new’ enrolments and 'change of mind' enrolments for P1 in September, for children reaching their 4th birthday by 1 July 2007. Enrolment applications should be sent to SEELB with proof of your child's age.  A template letter to be used to change your child’s enrolment to Rowandale IPS is available in the Documents section of this site. For advice, please telephone Paula at NICIE on 028 90 236 200 or email Info@RowandaleIPS.co.uk.  

 

Transfers into P2 and P3 at Rowandale  

 

Rowandale Integrated Primary School is accepting applications for transfer of children into P2 and P3. The process for transferring your child into P2 or P3 at Rowandale is simple - advice is available from Paula at NICIE (telephone 02890 236 200) or by emailing Info@RowandaleIPS.co.uk. A template letter for transferring your child to Rowandale is available in the 'Documents' section of this web site. 

 

Expressions of interest are welcome for  P4 at Rowandale IPS, please contact us as below.   

 

Anti – Bias Curriculum  You might be interested in reading the Anti-Bias Curriculum - a thought-provoking resource developed focussing on the 'anti-bias curriculum' as an essential aspect of the school's ethos and practice. The purpose and focus of the anti-bias curriculum (delivered alongside the statutory NI curriculum) is to recognise and realise the positive potential of schools for challenging the negative attitudes, values and practices held in our society, rather than viewing education solely as a mechanism for consolidating and passing on 'accepted wisdom'. The school Principal has extensive experience in integrated primary eduation and will ensure that the anti-bias curriculum is at the very core of Rowandale IPS. To view, please click here.   

 

Recruitment at Rowandale IPS  

 

Advertisements are placed in the local press and made available at www.nicie.org.uk/jobs.  

 

Rumours!    It is our understanding that there may be some rumours circulating - we assure you that we will post information on this site about any developments as they happen. Please feel free to contact us as below if there is anything that you have heard and would like clarified.    

 

For further information 

 

For assistance or if you would like to know more, please telephone Paula at NICIE on 02890 236 200 or email us at Info@RowandaleIPS.co.uk.   

We are looking forward to opening Rowandale Integrated Primary School in Moira in September.

Work on securing the site is ongoing.

As soon as information can be released about where the school will be sited in the Moira area, we will contact parents who have enrolled and/or registered with the campaign.  

We are currently enrolling for P1 in September, for children reaching their 4th birthday by 1 July 2007. Enrolment applications should be sent to reach NICIE. 

Our prospectus is available online, outlining the ethos we envisage for the school, and outlining the kind of educational experience parents can expect for their child. To view, please click here.

Please also read the Anti-Bias Curriculum - a thought-provoking resource developed focussing on the 'anti-bias curriculum' as an essential aspect of the school's ethos and practice. The purpose and focus of the anti-bias curriculum (delivered alongside the statutory NI curriculum) is to recognise and realise the positive potential of schools for challenging the negative attitudes, values and practices held in our society, rather than viewing education solely as a mechanism for consolidating and passing on 'accepted wisdom'. To view, please use this web link http://www.nicie.org/archive/abcrev2.pdf. 

Enrolment guidelines and some inspiring stories from Clogher Valley Integrated Primary School were heard at our recent information evening.

We offered a further opportunity for enrolment assistance at our January coffee morning and were pleased to have met some new interested families. We also arranged a visit to an existing integrated primary school so parents could see for themselves what it really means for a child attending an integrated school. 

Following how useful parents found these events for gaining valuable information, we have made arrangements for parents to hear first hand from a recent 'founding principal' about the practicalities of opening a new primary school.  If you wish to know more, please let us know (contact details as below).  

Click here for SEELB guidance and enrolment form. (This is based on Rowandale IPS being situated within the SEELB area, and so applies to all Rowandale enrolment applications, regardless of where the applicant lives).  

For assistance or if you would like to know more, please telephone NICIE on 02890 236 200 or email us at Info@RowandaleIPS.co.uk.  

It is our understanding that there may be some rumours circulating - please be assured that as developments happen, we will post information about them on this web site. You can also contact us as above if there is anything you would like to have clarified. 

We are delighted with the news that the Minister for Education, Maria Eagle, has granted conditional approval for Rowandale Integrated Primary School to open in September 2007.

Immediately after the announcement was made, letters were being sent out to everyone registered with the campaign to provide the details. You might like to read The press release issued by the Department of Education (including the conditions applied to the school's approval). 

We are looking forward to opening Rowandale Integrated Primary School in the Moira area in September. As soon as information can be released about where exactly the school will be sited, we will contact parents registered with the campaign. 

Our prospectus is available in the Documents section, outlining the ethos we envisage for the school, and outlining the kind of educational experience parents can expect for their child.  

We are currently enrolling for P1 in September, for children reaching their 4th birthday by 1 July 2007. Enrolment applications should be sent to NICIE by 22/01/07.  

We are offering Enrolment assistance at our information evening in Edenmore Golf & Country Club on Thursday 11/01/07, and at our coffee morning on Saturday 13/01/07 in Moira Methodist Church Hall. See the Events section for more details. 

Click here for SEELB guidance and enrolment form. (This is based on Rowandale IPS being situated within the SEELB area, and so applies to all Rowandale enrolment applications, regardless of where the applicant lives). 

For assistance or if you have any queries, please telephone NICIE on 02890 236 200 or email us at Info@RowandaleIPS.co.uk.

Open Enrolment begins as the Ministerial decision draws near...

We eagerly await the decision from the Minister for Education which we believe will be announced very soon. We are confident in our Development Proposal and hope that the demonstrated benefits and viability of an integrated school in and for the wider Moira area will mean a positive outcome.  

When the decision is announced, we will be contacting all of the parents registered with the campaign.

If the Minister approves our proposal, this is likely to be based on the condition (among others) that there are at least 12 children enrolled for P1 in September 2007. In other words, at least twelve children with Rowandale listed as the first choice on their Open Enrolment form.

On our behalf, NICIE are currently sending out enrolment forms and the 2007 prospectus to the parents of children who are due to enter P1 in September.

We are aware of some misinformation surrounding enrolment, and are keen to clarify that:

1. Having 'registered' your child at an existing school in any way other than the official Open Enrolment process (which at present has not begun) can not be used to make the decision about whether or not your child's enrolment application is successful.

2. If for any reason Rowandale Integrated Primary School is not opened for the school year 2007/08, the second choice listed on the Open Enrolment form must be treated by the 'second choice' school as if it was the first choice. The second choice moves into 'first place' and the third choice moves into 'second place'. NICIE will then indicate the situation to the Education and Library Board so that each enrolment form is then considered fairly with all the other applications.  

If you have any questions about the Open Enrolment process, please email us at Info@RowandaleIPS.co.uk or telephone NICIE on 02890 236 200. Alternatively there will be contact details provided by the Education and Library Board in the enrolment information supplied to parents.

 

The dream of integrated primary education for our children is close to being realised. It relies however on parents' commitment - their desire to achieve the dream and their commitment to enrolling their children in Rowandale.

As the campaign nears this critical stage, we need to be sure we can reach those of you who support it. Please email us at Info@RowandaleIPS.co.uk if you wish to provide / revise your contact details.

New school year 

With the new school year having just started, we are delighted to report that our Development Proposal has been submitted – evidencing demand across the whole community in the wider Moira area. We hope that our activities over the summer have reached even further than those parents who have already registered their children with the campaign. We would urge those parents, as well as our registered parents, to discuss integration with local schools.

In fact we are aware of one school actively seeking parental opinion on this subject.  It is often said that a school is ‘mixed’ and that this should satisfy the needs of the community. We would like to take this opportunity to indicate some differences between schools which are naturally ‘mixed’ compared to those which are ‘formally integrated’.  

 

There are over 1300 schools in Northern Ireland of which 61 are formally integrated. One third of these came about through ‘transformation’ - the process by which an existing school takes on integrated status. The other two thirds were created on green field sites by parents.  Of the 1240 or so non integrated schools, less than 40 have a balance of 10% or more of the minority tradition in their school. Indeed over 500 have none of the other tradition at all.  

Schools in the wider Moira area which attract the two major traditions, but are outside the integrated sector, may well carry on much excellent work in promoting tolerance, but they differ from planned integrated schools in three main ways:  

1. Structurally. Beginning with a minimum of 30% of the minority tradition for new schools (10% for existing schools wishing to transform), integrated schools actively recruit the student body aiming towards a 40%/40%/20% split  - Protestant/ Catholic/Other faiths and none. The staff and governors reflect a balance of the two major traditions as well. In other words integrated schools actively plan for a religious mix of all faiths and none. If the balance slips, the school is at risk of losing integrated status. 

2. Ethos and Culture. Integrated schools are all ability, child centred, co-educational offering a Christian rather than a secular approach to education in which they strive to create an anti sectarian rather than non sectarian ethos. Schools are encouraged to actively promote a culture of tolerance at every level - Board, staff and pupils - and this is reflected in school policies and procedures as well as Board and staff training. 

3. Curriculum. Pupils are offered the widest possible educational experience which is inclusive of the cultures and the religious nature of the two major traditions. This includes, for example, Ulster Scots studies, Irish sport and language opportunities.  Integrated schools at primary level provide for the sacramental preparation of children as well. 

We would be delighted if any existing school with a mix of traditions wished to have this formally recognised by transforming to integrated status and availing of the extensive support available, from within the integrated sector, to help consolidate and extend existing good practice.

Please have your voice heard by indicating to your local school your support for integrated education.      

The car boot sale held by the Rowandale Integrated Primary Education steering group was a huge success at Moira Demesne as over 40 seasoned ‘Car Booters’ sold their wares to the local public. In fact, the turn out was so large, cars had to be turned away.  

Delighted with the success of the event, the steering group Chair, Dave Foster, said,

“We are delighted that the event was so popular but regret we had to turn away potential stall holders due to lack of space.

We thank everyone who set up stalls, or purchased a bargain, for their tremendous support.” 

This event was doubly successful in helping raise both funds - a tremendous £400 - and awareness of the campaign for integrated primary education provision in the wider Moira area.

 

If you are looking for a bargain, or to earn a few pounds, head down to Moira Demesne this Saturday, 12th August.  Local parents working for the provision of integrated education in the area are hosting a Car Boot Sale between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm. Open to the public, admission is free but if you are hoping to sell the cost will be £5 to bring a car and £10 for a van.  Refreshments will also be available. Dave Foster, Chair of the group, said:

'Everyone is very welcome to our Car Boot Sale. Join us for enjoyable day out and by picking up some bargains you will also help contribute funds towards our campaign for integrated education in the local area.'

Rowandale Integrated Primary Education steering group today launch their new website www.RowandaleIPS.co.uk. This website will provide background information about integrated education and up-to-date details of events and campaign progress.

The development of the website was made possible through the goodwill, commitment and dedication of campaign supporters, Linda and Jonny Buchanan. Dave Foster, Chair of the Rowandale Integrated Primary Education Steering Group thanked them wholeheartedly for their support:

'The strength of desire for integrated primary provision in the area is epitomised by the outstanding contribution made by our supporters: Jonny donated his computer expertise, free of charge, by assisting in the development of the website, while his wife Linda ran in the Belfast Marathon in order to raise funds to sponsor it!'

The Steering Group is delighted with the design of the website and believe it will further enhance their campaign to secure integrated primary provision for the wider Moira area. Secretary of the Steering Group, Danielle Sinclair, encouraged parents to check out the website:

'Those who want to find out more about our campaign will have the opportunity to do so from the comfort of their own homes! Parents who wish to show their support can even download an Expression of Interest form and return it to NICIE.'

This dedicated group are campaigning, with the support of NICIE and the IEF, on the basis that they believe parents should have the right to choose to have their children (Catholic, Protestant, other faiths and none) educated together in an integrated environment.

Dear Sir  We were pleased to see so many Moira residents come together at the Friends of Moira Park meeting on Monday 19th June. As another voluntary group serving the wider Moira area, it is heartening for us to see such pride in the village and such a large number of people coming together to show support for this campaign.  

The unity of Moira residents from all sides of the community in a meeting in the Parish centre showed how much better our voices can be heard as a group. We pledge our support and wish the steering committee well in their endeavour to ensure a park that everyone can enjoy for many generations.

 

Rowandale Integrated Primary Education steering group. 

As a parent of a child soon to begin school in the Moira area I am writing in response to the Ulster Star article of 10th March 2006.

The proposal by parents in this area to provide integrated education was in no way an attempt at undermining existing schools. Perhaps it is necessary to outline the process we have gone through.

Before the steering group set out on its journey to start a new school, all schools within a 5 mile radius of Moira and a 5 mile radius from the mid point between Moira and Hillsborough were written to in order to see if one (or more) would consider transformation. Transformation is the process by which a school changes to become an integrated school. This happened back in spring of 2004 Of the 33 schools written to only 13 replies were received; unfortunately none of them favourable. The letters were sent out twice to ensure all schools had received them and had sufficient opportunity to consider this option.

As local parents we would have been absolutely delighted if one of the local schools had decided to embrace the ethos of integration and decided to transform at this stage. Once the replies had been collated, and only then, did the bigger task of evaluating and trying to start a new school commence.

The fact the there has been a large amount of interest with over 100 parents on our database would suggest that parents do want the option of an integrated ethos in this area. These numbers were gathered through awareness raising events, leaflet drops and press articles.

Since its outset the steering group has been determined to see the provision for an integrated school in this area and continues to meet regularly to develop the program and update the parents with a newsletter.To date the school has a website, prospectus and uniform, all of which have been designed with the wider context of integrated practice in mind.

While it is welcomed that some of our schools educate different faiths under one roof this is not what integration means. Integrated education is not simply the provision of a space in which protestant, catholic and other faiths can be educated together but a system through which they can learn about and respect their differences and grow as tolerant individuals. It is an all embracing ethos respecting not just different religions but also different abilities and backgrounds. The integrated education movement makes provision for the teaching of these different faiths using material as approved by the Department of Education.

Many parents who currently send children of one faith to a school holding a majority of another do so simply because there is no alternative within their area. As mentioned before, it would be easier for these parents with children at an existing school, as well as for the whole to strive for integrated education if an existing school were to consider transformation. Since this was not an option we feel that the provision must then be made outside of existing schools.

I am pleased to see that Mr Poots acknowledges that an integrated school in a segregated area would be beneficial to the community as a whole. I disagree however, that it is a 'soft option' to want such a school in an area such as Moira/Hillsborough. Unfortunately prejudice and distrust of differences whether in race, religion or ability do not restrict themselves to geographical or social limits as sadly the events of recent years have shown us.

The parents working for a new integrated primary school in the Moira/Hillsborough area have reacted with dismay and abject disappointment to the refusal of funding for their proposed school.

Following the fact no existing local school wished to transform to integrated status, the parents have worked tirelessly for two years to provide the option of educating children, Protestant and Catholic together from the age of four.

Working with the Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) they submitted a proposal in September 2005 with a view to a new integrated school called 'Rowandale IPS', opening in September 2006.

Despite having met the criteria for viability in terms of numbers and the required religious balance, the proposal was refused by the Minister Angela Smith essentially on grounds that there are spare places at other local schools.

This argument seems to contradict the Government's commitment to facilitate and encourage integrated education enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement, as well as the new stress on 'sharing' over separation and the unnecessary dual costs of a segregated system as recently announced by Peter Hain.

Gary Gracey, Rowandale Steering Group member, said:

'To say we are bitterly disappointed is an understatement. The Minister says she is still committed to integrated education but those words ring hollow. Where is the right to educate our children in an integrated school now? To be told there are spare places in segregated schools is simply not good enough. The Minister has failed not us as parents, but the future of Northern Ireland as well because surely we will never move forward as a normal society until it is the norm to have children educated together and not apart.'

Gary added:

'I would like to thank the many parents who have supported us so far, and still like us, consider this as a set back and not the end of the line. We retain the hope of an integrated school in the area, there is still a strong case to be made and we will consider every option open to us to realise the goal of an integrated education for our children.'

Deborah Girvan, from the Council for integrated Education, said:

'It is ironic that the refusal to fund a shared school followed the day after the Minister's announcement on this year's schools capital development programme which will supply over £372m to perpetuate segregated schools.

In the absence of any other alternative choice, Angela Smith has abandoned these children and their parents and effectively forced these children and their parents into a segregated school system against their wishes'.