St Patrick's & St Brigid's Nursery Unit

Our Board of Govenors has been supported by the North Eastern Education & Library Board's Pre-School Advisory Committee in their application to increase the existing'part time' hours of Nursery attendance at our school next year to one 'session ' with full day provision (5 hours) and a second 'session' with part day provision (2.5 hours).  This is subject to the Department of Educations approval.  Parents should contact the school for further information and application forms.

However the school will accept names and enquiries now by ringing  (0280 2076 2765) and providing information to the school secretary Mrs Gemma Colgan.

Our school also provides out of school hours "WRAPAROUND" care from 7.30am to 6.30pm

Available monday to friday including school holidays.  Contact the school for details.

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Phase on of our New School Building has been completed and the children have settled in well too their new environment.

The whole school building has been designed by the architect with a nautical theme in mind due to Ballycastle's proximity to the sea.  The class windows represent the sides of a ship, while the wall are permeated with porthole windows.  Out of the building's roof protrudes funnel like structures.  Meanwhile at the main entrance tothe school, a feature wall gives the apperance of a ship's sail.  Each of these features serve to enhance the School's apperance.

The Interactive Classroom

The latest Promethean Interactive Whiteboard Technology allows our children to interact in lessons in all subject areas thus appealing to all types of learners, including those who learn best visually, by auditory means or kin=aesthetically, improving motivation, interest, technological awareness and knowledge of the topic being studied.

The Classroom

The modern, spacious, colour co-ordinated and airy classrooms allow children to be taught in relaxing surroundings.  The inclusion of floor to ceiling and skylight windows, thermostatically controlled heating and ventilation systems along with contemporary chairs and desks ensure children learn in a conductive atmosphere optimising their potential.

The extended Classroom

Two large resource areas allow groups of children to experience learning opportunities outside the normal confines of the classroom, giving them freedom to express themselves and take part in a range of differentiated activities independent of the class teacher satisfying and important requirement of the Revised Northern Ireland Curriculum.

Multi Purpose Hall

The expansive Multi Purpose Hall accomodates both PE and dining area, however the whole hall can be used for PE activities when meals are not being served.  Alternatively the hall can be split into two sessions by means of a dividing wall allowing different activities to take place simultaneously.  Store areas around the hall house a wide range of new PE equipment, a mobile stage system and the most up to date sound and lighting control centres.

The Nursery

The self contained Nursery builkding includes a large indoor classroom, asethetically shaped reading room and separate parenting room.  The nursery has been fully equipped with new furniture and resources which provide a range of new play and learning experiences for the children.  Unusually for a Nursery, it also includes and Interactive Whiteboard allowing the children to use modern technology from a young age.

Externally the Nursery has a covered play area, providing an extension of the indoor classroom.  If necessary, this area can be closed against the elemnets.  A striking feature of the Nursery is the polymeric playground.  Its soft, colourful texture, with a variety of interesting designs, allows for another spacious and interactive play area.  The outdoor space is further complimented by a barked area, garden and bike tract.  Many additional features are soon to be added.

PHASE 2 OF OUR NEW SCHOOL BUILDING : COMPLETION DATE MAY 2010