|
|
Waging battle for border school
pupils
16.12.09
by Dónal Campbell, Inishowen Independent
AN Inishowen primary school principal has taken the
unusual step of pursuing potential pupils across the
border into Northern Ireland to canvass their future
attendance and to make parents aware of the
facilities offered by her school. Joan Faulkner,
principal of St Aengus’ NS in Bridgend, held an open
day at her school last week and deliberately
targeted cross-border crèches that facilitate
pre-school activities for children living in
Bridgend and its surrounds.
In recent years there has been a population
explosion in places like Bridgend, Newtown and Muff
with many families moving into the area from Derry.
However, as Joan Faulkner explains, that hasn’t
translated into higher pupil intake at local
schools. “Unfortunately many of these families
proceed to send their children to schools in the
city, driving past their local schools. We are
currently engaged in a process to make them aware of
the wonderful facilities right on their chosen
doorstep – we have as much and maybe more to offer
as schools on the other side of the border in terms
of results as well as sport, music and recreational
activities.” |
 |
Despite several new
housing estates in Bridgend and Burnfoot, Faulkner
admits that pupil numbers are in decline at St
Aengus’: “We find ourselves in the position that we
are having to be pro-active in letting parents know
what we have to offer. We are having to publicise
the fact that we provide the absolute best in sport,
music and after-school clubs. In fairness we got
very favourable feedback from our open day so it has
been worthwhile to actively pursue the issue.”
Despite statistical evidence to the contrary,
southern schools have long had to battle the
erroneous assumption that the Northern education
system is superior. Joan Faulkner is aware of this
but acknowledges that while she can match and better
standards, she is powerless to fight the “granny
factor”. “There is no doubt a lot of parents are
taking their children across the border because they
are working there and their parents, i.e. grannies,
are providing after-school care. If it was just
standards we can compete with that – but we can’t
compete with grannies!”
Meanwhile neighbouring schools in Muff and Newtown
reported that they are enjoying healthy pupil
intakes, despite sharing similar population
demographics with Bridgend. Teresa Ward, principal
at Scoil Naomh in Muff said: “We’re thankfully not
in a position of having to attract pupils at the
moment – we have more coming in than out.” At Scoil
Colmcille, Newtowncunningham, principal James
Doherty also confirmed that their numbers “are on
the up.”
Joan Faulkner is confident that she can achieve
similar results in Bridgend. “We’ve already swung
the opinions of several parents courtesy of our open
day, we will continue in the same vein. It’s a work
in progress!” |
|
