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St Malachys Primary School Armagh

NATIONAL AWARD FOR LOCAL TEACHER

16th Jan 2009
NATIONAL AWARD FOR LOCAL TEACHER

NATIONAL AWARD FOR LOCAL TEACHER ST. MALACHY’S P.S. TOPS IN THE UK FOR TEACHING SCIENCE

Excellent school nationally recognised. At the recent Primary Science Awards Banquet for 2008, held in Reading University on January 10th last, Miss Sinead McGleenon from St. Malachy’s Primary School, Armagh, received the top UK wide accolade for her innovative approach to the teaching of science in the primary school. Sinead received a certificate and a cheque for £1000, also a thousand pound cheque will be presented to the school at a later date. This national award, recognising excellence in primary science teaching, is sponsored by the AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust in conjunction with The Association for Science Education. The national award is given to primary school teachers who are judged to be actively raising the profile of Primary Science. It recognises talented teachers who engage children in exciting science projects throughout the primary school. Sinead was nominated for the award by Dr. Jim Beggs from St. Mary’s University College, Belfast and during the adjudication process Sinead was observed in her role as teacher by visiting professors from The AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust. In their summation they praised Sinead for her “innovative and creative approach in teaching science and for her ability to contribute to developing science throughout this wonderful school by engaging pupils in the excitement and fascination of science.” School Principal, Mr. Paul Duggan, was only too delighted to recognise the wonderful contribution Sinead makes to the life of St. Malachy’s P.S. “Sinead McGleenon is an excellent teacher. She is innovative and her enthusiasm for teaching is infectious. She has been Science co-ordinator in St. Malachy’s Primary School for a number of years and throughout that time Sinead has carried out her duties enthusiastically and professionally. She is a contemporary person who sources ideas and materials from wonderful and exciting places, indeed Sinead has built up a network of colleagues with whom she shares classroom approaches and techniques. She is widely travelled, having taught for periods in Australia and the US, and brought back, enthusiastically, to St. Malachy’s different skills and novel teaching approaches. Sinead willingly contributes to staff development and shares with her colleagues often volunteering to team-teach or demonstrate. Sinead has the distinct ability to encourage our children and they respond to her with zest and enthusiasm. She is able to reach out to children and speaks to them with respect whilst at the same time challenging them and encouraging them to discover the world around us. Children in Sinead’s class are confident and only too willing to share what they have been learning. She is child centred and it is a joy to enter Sinead’s room to marvel at the latest displays and models. Of more significance is the fact that the children volunteer information about what they have been learning with energy and joy. Parents marvel at the work in her class and are often invited in to contribute to lessons whether it is making concrete blocks or baking scones. Children just love Sinead and respond fantastically to her. We are all naturally delighted at this national award. It is the second time this year that one of our teachers has received an award as Miss Eilis McNicholl was given the Vere Foster Award from St. Mary’s University College in October last. There is no gimmickery in St. Malachy’s, just excellent teaching and learning and it’s fantastic to be nationally recognised by external, expert judges. Enrolment forms for September 2009 are available from the school office.

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Mrs Mc Kenna congratulating Miss Mc Gleenon on behalf of the staff of St. malachy's PS Armagh

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Pictured Mr Colin Press ASE field Officer for Northen Ireland, Miss Mc Gleenon and Mr Peter Mc Alister the Northern Ireland Treasurer of ASE.

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Miss Mc Gleenon pictured with Dr John Olvery, course leader at Reading University.

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Pictured Miss Mc Gleenon with her 'National Primary Science Teacher of the year Award'

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Pictured Dr Jim Beggs (St. Mary Uni. Belfast), Miss Mc Gleenon and Dr Collette Murphy (QUB).