Annual Report 2001~ 2002 - Belfast Education & Library Board

Shankill/Drogheda PartnershipSchools ProjectIn November, the Shankill/Drogheda PartnershipSchools Project was launched. This cross-borderinitiative with an international dimension was chairedby the board’s Principal Psychologist. The aim of theproject is to extend cross-border contact and promotea greater understanding of shared history. The Belfastschools involved are:■ Boys’ Model School■ Girls’ Model School■ Mount Gilbert Community CollegeThree schools from Drogheda are participating and aprogramme of exchange visits has been set up centredaround a study of the Irish contribution to the FirstWorld War.Sharing Museum Skills MillenniumAwardThe Sharing Museum Skills Millennium Award schemeaims to improve the public’s experience of museums,archives and libraries by enabling the staff in theseinstitutions to share, learn and apply new skills.Belfast Public Libraries and the Public Records Officeof Northern Ireland were successful in obtaining anaward for the development of a website that could beused as a template by schools wishing to explore theirhistory. Euston Street Primary School was chosen andthe resulting website directs users to a range ofhistorical information sources from libraries andPRONI.The template can be viewed athttp://proni.nics.gov.uk/school/intro.htmCommunities in SchoolsThe Communities in Schools (CIS) initiative, firstlaunched in November 2000, aims to enable pupilsto maximise their potential by empowering them tomake the best choices for their future. The programmeco-ordinates the work of voluntary, community,statutory and business organisations at the school tosupport teachers, pupils and their families.The six post-primary schools involved in the pilotprogramme are:■ Corpus Christi■ St Gabriel’s■ Girls’ Model■ Castle High■ St Genevieve’s■ Mount GilbertPartnership working with the North and West BelfastHealth and Social Services Trust has led to theestablishment of:■ Health-related peer education programmes■ Health profiling■ Drop-in clinics■ Health input into the school curriculum■ Healthy breakfast clubsBusiness partnerships have facilitated the developmentof business mentoring programmes.The key focus of the programme is to target and addressneed by working in partnership, while making theschool the centre of service delivery.Special Schools Careers ConventionThe board, in partnership with Northern IrelandBusiness Education Partnership (NIBEP), hosted thesecond Special Schools Careers Convention at theWaterfront Hall.300 children from special schools got the opportunityto see how they can enter the world of work. Withspecial guest Julian Simmons, the convention was alsosupported by Belfast City Council, British Telecom,McDonald’s, Laganside, Coca-Cola Bottlers (Ulster)Ltd, Tayto and W5.✓Strengthening Partnerships21