School Prospectus

Riverdale Primary School Inspiring, Developing, Educating

Contents Welcome to Riverdale Primary School Vision, Mission Statement and Aims The Wider School Community Parental Involvement At Riverdale The Curriculum Languages Extra Curricular Clubs Music

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Mission Statement

Educational Visits The DEN and Learning Support Pastoral Care and Child Protection General Information School Uniform Riverdale School Day School Meals Transport

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Inspiring, Developing, Educating

Riverdale Primary School

“I have loved my time at Riverdale and hope I am as happy at my next school”

Welcome to Riverdale Primary School Dear Parents/Guardians, I’m delighted that you are taking an interest in Riverdale Primary School and hope that this prospectus gives you a little bit of insight into what a special place Riverdale is.

At Riverdale Primary School we are committed to the holistic development of each child through the creation of a stimulating, challenging and caring environment where children are equipped to fulfil their maximum potential.

We are proud of our school and the way it has developed since opening in 2000. We continually strive to improve the quality of each child’s experience. We invite you to come along and experience the superb facilities on offer and the ethos of our school.

If you would like to find out more about what makes Riverdale so special and unique please don’t hesitate in contacting me for a personal tour. I will be glad to show you around.

No prospectus can fully share the atmosphere of a school but I hope you get a feel for the special approach to education that we provide here at Riverdale.

We trust this prospectus gives you a flavour of our school and the opportunities and experiences available to your child. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our school.

Mr T A Burns Principal

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“I have had the most amazing time at Riverdale and have made so many great friends and happy memories” Inspiring, Developing, Educating

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Vision, Mission Statement and Aims Inspiring Educating Developing The aim of Riverdale Primary School is to be committed to the holistic development of each child through the creation of a stimulating, challenging and caring environment where children are equipped to fulfil their maximum potential and prepared to make a positive contribution to society.

We are committed to: • An ethos where each member of the school community is sensitive to the personal and pastoral needs of others • The provision of a safe, secure, happy, challenging and stimulating environment • The development of tolerance, respect and acceptance amongst all in our community • Caring for the natural and material world • Equal opportunities for all.

We encourage our children to: • Aim high, work hard, play well and enjoy learning • Respect others, irrespective of race, colour,religion, class, gender or ability • Maximise their potential and achieve success

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• Grow in self-discipline, personal responsibility and independence • Develop a caring and charitable attitude • Live a healthy lifestyle • Prepare for life-long learning and their future roles in society • Build positive relationships • Develop self-confidence and self-esteem • Respect their environment • Develop as well rounded individuals, socially, culturally, emotionally, morally, physically and academically.

“My favourite time of the year was in the summer… down on the pitch surrounded by nature”

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The Wider School Community We recognise the role of the school in the community and beyond. Consequently, we will endeavour to: • Build effective relationships between the home and the school • Encourage parents as partners in the teaching and learning process • Develop our relationships with other schools and the local community • Maximise learning opportunities in school and beyond.

Parental Involvement At Riverdale We fully recognise the importance of involving parents in the learning process. Parents are welcome to arrange meetings with teachers or the Principal at any time should they wish to discuss any aspect of their child’s education.

There are also the following formal opportunities to meet: • Open Day • P1 Induction Days • Parent / Teacher Consultations (October and February) • P6 Transfer Meeting • Curriculum Nights.

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We would encourage parents to participate and become involved in the life of the school.

The school is committed to the view that an effective partnership with parents is an important educational principle.

Connecting with Parents • Parents are informed of developments in school through the weekly newsletter - The Riverdale Report • We have an amazing P.T.A. who run a variety of events throughout the year which are well supported by parents and the local community • Parent/teacher consultations are held twice a year. These meetings provide an opportunity for parents to discuss their child’s progress with the teacher • Special meetings are held for P6/P7 parents regarding the transfer procedure and for P1 parents as part of the induction programme for new children • Parents are provided with help and advice on curricular matters including spelling, handwriting, reading, assessment and homework • The school operates an ‘open door’ policy.

Parents are welcome to make arrangements to see the class teacher or Principal at any time

• A text/e-mail messaging service further informs parents about events, successes and achievements at school • Curriculum notes are sent home every half term informing parents what topics are being taught in class • The school Twitter account is updated with school events and pupil achievements • Seesaw is used regularly to aid communication between a child’s teacher and home.

“I enjoyed going on all of the trips but I really loved World Book Day and Victorian Day” Inspiring, Developing, Educating

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The Curriculum Riverdale Primary school is committed to providing pupils with access to a broad and balanced curriculum. This broad and balanced education is delivered in an atmosphere that encourages all children to reach their maximum potential.

The main areas of Learning are: 1 Language and Literacy 2 Mathematics and Numeracy 3 TheWorld Around Us (Geography, History, Science and Technology) 4 The Arts (Music, Drama,Art and Design) 5 Physical Education 6 PDMU (Personal Development and Mutual Understanding).

Through this curriculum, all children develop their Communication, Maths, ICT, Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities. The Governors, Principal and Staff of Riverdale Primary School are committed to providing a quality education for all pupils and ensuring that the requirements of the Northern Ireland curriculum are met.

In order to maintain the best possible learning environment, the school will: • Deliver a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum which matches the needs of our children • Encourage all staff to make full use of the opportunities for personal and professional development • Regularly set new targets for school development and improvement • Use innovative, enlightened and appropriate teaching styles compatible with different learning styles • Encourage teachers to become reflective, self-evaluating practitioners • Effectively monitor and evaluate information on pupil achievement to determine the extent to which the school is achieving its goals.

Riverdale Primary School has established a reputation for high academic standards. The high expectations and challenging goals set by the teaching staff and strong support from our parents are major factors in this high level of success. It is usual for a large percentage of our pupils to achieve a level in the P7 test which will guarantee them a grammar school place.

Languages Spanish at Riverdale: we believe that children should be given the opportunity to learn a second language at an early age.

Consequently all pupils from P1 - P7 have a weekly Spanish lesson in school.

Extra Curricular Clubs The following are on offer for boys and girls (some clubs are targeted at specific age

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groups) Football, Hockey, Netball (girls only), Tag Rugby, Cross-Country, Cricket, Tennis Choir, Dance, Art, Gardening/ECO Club, Lego Club and more. The school competes in local leagues, cup competitions, festivals and galas throughout the school year.

Educational Visits Each year classes will spend at least one day on an educational visit (often many more than this). Primary 7 pupils will also have the opportunity to enjoy a residential trip where they can conquer new challenges and have fun.

Music Riverdale has a strong musical tradition and music plays a vital role in the life of the school.

All children receive an all-round curriculum musical education. As pupils progress, there are opportunities to be part of the following: Choir - a competitive choir which competes at festivals and competitions Guitar - available to P5 - P7 pupils Drums - available to P5 - P7 pupils Brass - available to P4 - P7 pupils.

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The DEN and Learning Support At Riverdale we strive to ensure all children reach their potential in all aspects of their development. As such children are stretched and challenged to ensure they have the opportunity to aim high and reach new goals.

We have a policy of early intervention and through a range of measures try to identify as early as possible which children may need additional support to allow them to flourish.

Our learning support area is known as the DEN and is a very positive place to visit.

Targeted children will have access to smaller group work with our literacy support teacher to ensure they can reach their full potential.

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Pastoral Care and Child Protection The Governors, Principal and Staff of Riverdale Primary School are committed to providing a learning environment which is welcoming, safe and secure for all children. Pastoral care of children rests initially with the class teacher.

However, our Pastoral Care Co-ordinator, Vice-Principal and Principal are very much involved with the well-being of all our pupils.

Through learning activities in many aspects of the curriculum children are taught to respect themselves, others and the world around them.

General Information

“I really enjoyed being a Buddy and looking after the P1s”

Admissions criteria can be found along with Staff and Board of Governors information on the insert inside the back cover of this prospectus.

Girls’ summer wear: • School polo shirt (navy or white with embroidered school badge) • Red and white gingham dress

School Uniform

Boys • White shirt • School tie (navy with double red stripe) • School sweatshirt (red v-neck with embroidered school badge) • Navy trousers • Dark shoes

The school strongly encourages the wearing of uniform.

The uniform consists of: Girls • White shirt • School tie (navy with double red stripe) • School sweatshirt (red v-neck with embroidered school badge) • Navy skirt or pinafore • White or navy socks or navy tights • Dark shoes

Boys’ summer wear: • School polo shirt (navy or white with embroidered school badge) • Navy shorts.

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Riverdale School Day Classes begin at 9.00am.

Break: 10.45am - 11.00am Lunch: 12.15pm - 1.00pm Classes finish at: 2.00pm P1 - P3 / 3.00pm P4 - P7 On many days throughout the year children stay in school until 4.00pm to attend extra-curricular activities.

School Meals School meals are cooked on site in our superbly equipped kitchen. Our school meals team are second to none and always go the extra mile for the children.

Application forms for pupils entitled to free school meals are available from the school secretary. Those who bring a packed lunch will be supervised in their classroom.

“Riverdale is the best school!”

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Transport Transport to and from Riverdale is available by bus. One route brings children from the Cargycroy, Magheraknock, Cargycreevy area and the other brings children from the Waterloo Road, Ravarnet, Comber Road area.

Children are entitled to transport if they live over 2 miles from Riverdale Primary School and if Riverdale Primary School is their nearest school.

design / photography / print / williamstudio / 028 9756 1581

Riverdale Primary School Riverdale Primary School Principal: Mr T A Burns 288 Ballynahinch Road, Legacurry, Lisburn BT27 5LX Tel: 028 9263 4243 www.riverdaleprimary.co.uk email: gscott827@c2kni.net Riverdale is a controlled Primary School for boys and girls between the ages of four and eleven under the remit of the: Education Authority Northern Ireland Grahamsbridge Road, Dundonald Belfast BT16 2HS. Tel: 028 9056 6200