{"id":11774,"date":"2020-10-20T13:42:23","date_gmt":"2020-10-20T12:42:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/derrynooseps.co.uk\/website\/?page_id=11774"},"modified":"2024-02-19T16:31:07","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T16:31:07","slug":"we-are-a-changemaker-school","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/derrynooseps.co.uk\/website\/?page_id=11774","title":{"rendered":"We are a Changemaker School"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Background<\/h2>\n

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We are a rural school, set in the heart of our community Derrynoose.\u00a0 We opened in September 2003, following the amalgamation of two smaller schools, Our Lady\u2019s PS Carrickaduff and St. Mochua\u2019s PS Derrynoose.\u00a0Our ethos is reflective of all the best aspects of both schools and has been seamlessly embedded into all areas of life within our school.\u00a0 We believe that we are a school of the community and for the community.\u00a0 We were the proud recipients of Changemaker status in 2014 and remain the only school from Northern Ireland to achieve this award.\u00a0We made a very decisive and conscious decision, within the first 2 years of achieving the award, that we would embed the core principles within our school fabric.\u00a0 We did not want it to be simply a title but be actively visible within the school.\u00a0 What sets a Changemaker school apart from all other schools?\u00a0 That was our starting point and in the subsequent years we have grown into our role as a Changemaker school.\u00a0 All staff and children are invested in this and we seek ways to promote the characteristics of being a changemaker.<\/h5>\n

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Empathy<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]We have been running the Roots of Empathy program since 2011.\u00a0 This is an evidence based program, founded by Mary Gordon and originating in Canada.\u00a0 It encompasses social and emotional literacy and tackles issues such as bullying and aggression.\u00a0 At the heart of the program a local parent and her baby visit a classroom 9 times over the course of the school year.\u00a0 The class interact with and observe the growth of the baby and attachment to its mother.\u00a0 The baby is the \u201cteacher\u201d and the catalyst which the instructor uses to help children to identify and reflect on their own feelings and the feelings of others \u2013 empathy. The instructor Mary, who is a staff member, visits the week before and after each family visit to reinforce teaching.\u00a0 While the mum and baby only visit one class the program is embedded across the whole school community.\u00a0 This is particularly important for our identity as Changemakers as all children and staff have an understanding and knowledge of the role of Roots of Empathy within our school.\u00a0 Our strong links with local charitable organisations such as Mary\u2019s Meals, SVP and local nursing home foster and promotes our Changemaker values, particularly empathy.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_zigzag][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”12492″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_zigzag][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Creativity<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]We found that creativity was one of the more challenging pillars to put into practice within the school.\u00a0 However, it has evolved as we have progressed on our Changemaker journey.\u00a0 To ensure that creativity is fully understood we promote it through our curriculum work, our interactions with others and the children are encouraged to \u201cthink outside the box\u201d.\u00a0 Through After Schools Clubs, local talent within the community and celebrating diversity we give the children and staff opportunities to be creative in their thinking and in their actions.\u00a0 There is an understanding within the school that we are educating the children for life and thus national and international activities form part of the curriculum of the school.\u00a0 Here the staff and children have opportunities to be creative thinkers about the world outside the classroom.[\/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][vc_single_image image=”12497″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_zigzag][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Leadership: \u00a0Teacher and Student<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]While we do have a management structure within the school, all staff champion the skills of leadership.\u00a0 This is promoted through various committees; Pupil Leadership Team, Eco-Committee and Changemaker Committee which involves members of both teaching and non-teaching staff.\u00a0 All staff members are encouraged to award Changemaker marks in relation to the 4 key principles of Changemaker status.\u00a0 Many of our staff members are also leaders within the community and these skills are transferred into our school environment.\u00a0 Our ethos of inclusion allows all staff to feel that they can contribute to the overall management and running of the school.<\/p>\n

Our school motto: Reaching for the future, a voice today means that we promote leadership qualities within our pupils.\u00a0 Their voice is heard through the Pupil Leadership Team, Changemaker Prefects, House Captains and members of various committees.\u00a0 The children know that they have a role to play in the school and that their opinions are important and valued.\u00a0 This idea is cultivated from Primary 1.[\/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”12503″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_zigzag][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Teamwork<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The staff in the school lead by example and teamwork is the bedrock on which our school has been founded.\u00a0 We support each other in our various roles and ensure that all work is a team effort.\u00a0No task is seen as beneath any of us and when things need to be done we work as a team.\u00a0 The children can clearly see this in our day-to-day interactions with each other and it is then fed down into their behaviour.\u00a0 The expectation is that the children will also support each other, both in and out of class.\u00a0 They are also encouraged to support the staff in their various roles within the school.[\/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”12505″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_zigzag][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Innovation<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Each year we have tried to build upon the practices which mark us out as a Changemaker school.\u00a0 For the last 6 years we have developed the 4 key principles of Changemaker status; empathy, leadership, teamwork and creativity.\u00a0 We are now looking at how we can innovatively build upon our progress and are seeking new ways to move forward as a Changemaker school.\u00a0 We would like to expand the ideals of Changemaker into our wider school community, particularly with our parents and the extended family circle.\u00a0 What is their understanding of Changemaker and how can we develop the ethos among them?\u00a0What impact will this then have on our children and the community of Derrynoose as a whole?[\/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”12504″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_zigzag][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Student Agency and Voice<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]We are proud of the opportunities we have developed to allow the children to be active participants in our school.\u00a0 The children vote for their representatives on our committees with the older children able to speak to their class about why they would like others to vote for them.\u00a0The children can also nominate other children for a weekly Changemaker mark and explain how they demonstrated one or more of the key principles.\u00a0 Each classroom has a Suggestion Box and these suggestions are brought forward by the class representatives to the Pupil Leadership meetings.\u00a0 Our pupils lead assemblies, special occasions and House groups.\u00a0As a staff we are always looking for opportunities to commend the children for acts of kindness and using their initiative.\u00a0 This was epitomised this year when Sarah was elected onto the Pupil Leadership Team by her classmates.\u00a0 As she had already served on a committee she decided to forgo her place for a child who had not yet served on a committee.\u00a0 Since she would not be able to serve on this committee again she was asked to discuss her decision with her family before a new election.\u00a0 Her family agreed with her and another child was elected in her place.\u00a0 We feel we are empowering our children to make these critical decisions and to understand the consequences of their actions.[\/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”12502″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_zigzag][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Entrepreneurship<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]We are a flagship school for the Young Enterprise program which educates and develops our children\u2019s knowledge and understanding of business, entrepreneurship and social responsibility.\u00a0 In 2012 we won the prestigious Young Enterprise Award, A Centre of Excellence.\u00a0 This has been followed up by the Best Business Award, 2019 which the Primary 7 children won for their business, Oakers\u2019 Enterprise. \u00a0This business was set up in 2015 and each year produces a product which can be sold in the community.\u00a0 Part of the profits raised go to a nominated local charity.\u00a0 Last year we collaborated with Clontibret National School, as part of our Shared Education Partnership to produce Sweet Treats in time for the Easter market.\u00a0 Our Swop Shop Day has been running for many years and is one of the highlights of our school year.\u00a0 Children donate or sell new, second hand or handmade goods to each other in a stock market trading scenario.\u00a0 When the bell rings trading begins.\u00a0 Children are encouraged to donate some of their profits to a designated charity.\u00a0In one particular year a child donated all \u00a320 of her profits to the charity.\u00a0 Equally we have had children who sold all their goods and ended up with less money than when they began trading.\u00a0 Important lessons were learned by all![\/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”11816″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_zigzag][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Wellbeing<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]One of our main concerns this year, as a result of the pandemic, was that we would lose the hidden, pastoral curriculum which is so dominant in our school.\u00a0 Each morning we have a whole assembly: praying together, singing Happy Birthday to any staff or children and communicating events and news.\u00a0 We always felt that it was so important for the children and the staff to visually see each other, first thing each day.\u00a0 We are able to celebrate news and events from home and school.\u00a0 We also place great importance on greeting anyone we meet each day by using their name.\u00a0We made very a conscious decision to ensure that this type of wellbeing would not be lost as a result of the COVID 19 restrictions.\u00a0 We have put in place several strategies such as a staggered return to school in August, staff breakfast in August, socially distanced assemblies outside at least twice a week, a curriculum heavily focused on Literacy, Numeracy and Pastoral\/PDMU activities and staff socially distanced breaks to allow for socialisation in the week.\u00a0 Our Mindfulness program has been running for several years and has been supplemented this year with a program called Relaxed Kids.\u00a0 Here the children are taught the skills of resilience, dealing with change and meditation.\u00a0 This has been very useful for some children who have found the return to school, after Home Learning, challenging.\u00a0 P6 and P7 share a buddy system with P1 and P2 as a way of helping the younger children adapt to the structure of school life.\u00a0 In turn this also helps the older children by teaching them responsibility, how to lead by example and the practical application of empathy.[\/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”12214″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_zigzag][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Creativity during the time of Covid 19<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]When we changed to Home Learning back in March we wanted to ensure that we all still felt part of a whole school community rather than isolated learning.\u00a0 To this end we maintained a weekly assembly which went digital each Monday morning.\u00a0These assemblies became the highlight of our Home Learning experience and even became a must watch in houses in France and Dublin.\u00a0 The children were encouraged to send in information, pictures, movie clips of their Home Learning experiences and we even managed a virtual Walk to School during Walk to School Week.\u00a0 Each staff member led at least one assembly during this time.\u00a0 Our teaching staff kept daily contact with their class through email and were able to assist the children with any problematic work in their work packs.\u00a0 Upon return to school we have had to stagger the children coming to and leaving school.\u00a0Each morning either the Principal or Vice Principal greets families at the gate.\u00a0 The teachers and Classroom Assistants are in class to greet the children and settle them into the routines of \u201cHand, Face and Space\u201d.\u00a0 We want to ensure that this warm welcome puts both the children and their families at ease during these challenging times.\u00a0 We have had to be inventive with our buddy system by giving the children opportunities to come together in a socially distanced environment.\u00a0 Digital technology has assisted with this and the use of smaller groups getting time to meet together. All staff and parents have been upskilled in the use of technology and from September supplemented Home Learning has taken place through Google Classroom.\u00a0 Despite the restrictions which we all now live under, we continue to put the wellbeing of our whole school community at the forefront of our work and continue to support our charities through the use of technology.\u00a0 We have already taken part in Anti Bullying activities such as Odd Sock Day to celebrate the diversity and creativity of all and produced a virtual Christmas Carol Service involving every child in the school.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_zigzag][vc_single_image image=”11347″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_zigzag][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Have a look at our 2023 Changemaker Promotional Video<\/h2>\n

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_zigzag][vc_column_text] Background [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] We are a rural school, set in the heart of our community Derrynoose.\u00a0 We opened in September 2003, following the amalgamation of two smaller schools, Our Lady\u2019s PS Carrickaduff and St. Mochua\u2019s PS Derrynoose.\u00a0Our ethos is reflective of all the best aspects of both schools and has been seamlessly embedded into all […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11774","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/derrynooseps.co.uk\/website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/derrynooseps.co.uk\/website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/derrynooseps.co.uk\/website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derrynooseps.co.uk\/website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derrynooseps.co.uk\/website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11774"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/derrynooseps.co.uk\/website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11774\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16376,"href":"https:\/\/derrynooseps.co.uk\/website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11774\/revisions\/16376"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/derrynooseps.co.uk\/website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}