On Friday 2 June the children of Christ the Redeemer Primary School, Lagmore celebrated major success in the Accelerated Reader programme.

Accelerated Reader is a computer-based reading assessment programme that helps teachers manage and monitor children's independent reading practice. Each child selects books pitched at their own level as determined by their STAR reading test result. Having read the book the children take a short quiz on the computer to check their understanding of what they have just read. In doing so they build up points towards a differentiated point’s target.

The 'Master School' award is awarded to top performing schools that have a school-wide average of 25 minutes engaged in daily reading time, whilst 80% or more of students enrolled in classes, have 85% or higher average percent correct on their Reading Practice Quizzes.

St Joseph's Primary School, Lisburn were delighted to receive new kits for their Netball and Olympic Handball girls teams. The kits were sponsored by Brian Magee of Magee Fitness Belfast, himself a former past pupil and father to Katie (P7) and Darcy (P1). The kits were designed by PE and Active Lifestyles Coordinator Suzanne Gartland and Brian.

Congratulations to the students from Lismore Comprehensive School, Craigavon. The school’s ‘Easy Lace’ team were awarded the Best Overall Company for Northern Ireland in the Young Enterprise Company Awards 2017. They are through to the UK final in London in July. The students created their innovative Easy Lace product which is designed to help children, athletes or anyone who struggles with the physicality of tying laces.

Young Enterprise reported;

‘Some of the best products are those that solve real life problems. After students heard a story of one of their teacher’s children getting their laces stuck in an elevator, they began to look for a way to solve the problem.

In St Colm’s High School, Draperstown, staff and pupils firmly believe in the importance of health and well-being. Following discussions with Malachy, Margaret and Karen McGuigan from S.T.E.P.S and Draperstown’s Men’s Shed the Eco-group decided on a programme to enrich the health and well-being of staff, pupils and the local community. They were successful in being awarded a Workspace grant to run an eight week ‘Exercise in the great outdoors’ exercise for staff and pupils. This was held every Monday and Wednesday after school. In addition they received £20,000 from the Challenge Fund 2016-17 to develop a community health walk through Susan’s trail, the School’s biodiversity trail.

CCMS recently welcomed Nursery and Primary School Principals from across the Catholic Maintained Sector to two conferences in Derry and Lisburn.

Several serving Principals and Vice-Principals spoke about the great work they are doing in relation to Special Needs Provision and Safeguarding.

Clare Evans and David Ryan (EA) also spoke as did Dr Lynne McMullan, Education Associate for CCMS.