St Theresa’s primary scoops ICT accolade

ST Theresa’s Primary School in Glebe was in celebratory mood recently after being branded ‘highly commended’ at an awards ceremony in Belfast.

The local school was noted for its enthusiastic and innovative use of digital technologies in advancing pupils’ learning at the Capita ‘ICT Excellence Awards’, held in the Merchant Hotel. Winners on the night were rewarded for their focus on collaboration between school and home learning, as well as providing opportunities for teacher professional learning.

Whem asked how it all came about, teacher at the school and ICT co-ordinator, Shane Coyle, said, “Our principal, Mr Brogan, sought to recognise the impact that staff, parents, pupils and the wider community made to the ICT provision of St Theresa’s during the pandemic and within the last five years.

“So it was he who nominated St Theresa’s for the award.

“With the support of myself, we completed a lengthy and thorough online application, and were shortlisted as finalists in December of last year.”

He continued, “A judging panel made up members of the Education Authority, Capita and C2k visited St Theresa’s in January, and went through a rigorous interview process, speaking to Mr Brogan, Mr McNulty our vi犀利士
ce principal, myself, parents and teachers, governors and pupils as well as teachers for other schools. Based on those interviews, six schools across the North were shortlisted in the Primary School category, and St Theresa’s achieved a ‘highly commended’.

The local school boasts a modern ICT environment, built up through investment which has enabled St Theresa’s to give its pupils the best learning experience across the curriculum.

After receiving the accolade, Mr Coyle spoke of his elation at the recognition, “This is some achievement for St Theresa’s to be highly-commended, because as a small rural school, we are demonstrating effective practice and the hard work of our school community is being used as an example of good practice. It also highlights the outstanding teaching and learning provision at St Theresa’s where our pupils are considered ‘digital leaders’ as they become more familiar with different technologies, gaining knowledge through daily use, and staff are developing their own teaching methodologies to incorporate the new technology.

“It is a testament to the school community and beyond; something for which we thank everyone involved in the school as they buy into our vision for the future.”