Home Staff Calendar What's New Curriculum Special Events Before School Contact Us What's New Click here to download our September 2011 newsletter. (Word format) Click here to download our Autumn 2011 newsletter. (Word format) Click here to download our Christmas 2011 newsletter. (Word format) Click here to download our Winter 2012 newsletter. (Word format) CRIS Project (Community Relations In Schools) Steeple Nursery School has been involved in a cross community project since 1992 with St Joseph's Nursery and Riverside Special School. This involved an extensive programme ranging from visits to each other's school, school trips together, art/ music projects and staff training together. The relationships with St Joseph's has developed over the year, and we are now involved in an innovative Community Relations project. As of April 2009, Steeple has been involved in an exciting and forward thinking programme entitled" Whole School Community Approaches". This is a 3 Year fully funded programme that will enhance the Good Relations capacity of every individual attending and working within the school as well as building on our commitment to provide an inclusive and child centred education environment for pupils. Our partner in this initiative is CRIS - Community Relations In Schools- A voluntary organisation that has been involved in community and good relations educational provision and training since 1982. Joining us on the journey are 6 other Antrim area schools: St Joseph's Nursery School Antrim Primary School St Joseph's Primary School Mount St Michael's Primary School Parkhall Integrated College St Benedict's College Through this collaboration work we will be in a prime position to enhance the capacity of each child, at every age and stage, to live in a diverse and vibrant Northern Ireland. Some areas of impact from this programme: Personal and professional training for every member of staff in Good Relations Enhancement of pastoral practices of all staff and overall pastoral care within the school Access to specialised training for staff in fields such as; history, facilitation, conflict mediation and migrant awareness issues and forgiveness Involving parents in residential/training to extend project UNICEF R.R.S. Steeple Nursery school is involved in the UNICEF Rights Respecting School Awards, this has given our school community an opportunity to consider and highlight the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and understand and embed these values in the life of our school. We received our Level 1 Award May' 10 Reference: Rights Respecting School Award Level 1. This academic year we are working towards Level 2 award. Eco Schools Awards We received our ECO Silver award this year and are now working towards our green flag. Comments from a recent Education and Training Inspectorate inspection: "Positive ethos based on very good relationships between the staff and the children. The staff are caring and supportive and the children show high levels of confidence and self-esteem." "The staff create an attractive and stimulating learning environment both indoors and outdoors." "Particular strengths within the nursery include the promotion of the children's personal, social and emotional development; the children's confident use of materials and tools to express their own creative ideas; the development of the children's oral language; the wide range of activities provided outdoors; and the many good experiences that foster investigation and an awareness of the environment." "The staff's involvement in the play is always caring and sensitive. The nursery assistants work as an integral part of the staff team and contribute to the effective adult interactions within each room." "The staff have worked hard to develop the written planning to ensure a broad and balanced curriculum." "Effective links have been developed with the parents." "The nursery admits a significant number of children with special educational needs. The staff demonstrate a strong commitment to the integration of these children and liaise effectively with parents and other professionals in order to meet their needs." "All of the staff work well as a team and contribute to the good quality of the provision." "The needs of the children are being well met."