Knocknagoney Area Forum

Our school is very connected to the community and is a member of the Knocknagoney Area Forum, a charitable organisation which aims to provide support for the local community in the following areas:

• Education and Young People
• Health
• Environment and Community Cohesion

The Forum seeks to provide better facilities and opportunities for the area and its members include the local Churches, Knocknagoney Community Centre, Belfast City Council Parks Department, Community Garden, NI Housing Executive, the school and representatives from the community. Some of the achievements include:

• The Knocknagoney Community Garden and working with the Belfast City Council Parks Department to develop the Knocknagoney Linear Park including additional lighting , improved play facilities and increased support from the BCC Parks department.
• Community Health Fairs, Mental Health awareness sessions and fitness events.
• Community Cohesion events at Christmas , Easter and during the Summer.
• Educational enhancement through adult training programmes and sponsored events for the school children.

PEACE IV Shared Education Programme

We are committed to ensuring that our pupils develop respect for all citizens in our community and we endeavour to create an ethos of friendship and unity. We were involved in this cross community programme for five years and our bond with St Patricks Primary in Holywood continues to grow and thrive.  We are excited to continue our partnership as we begin the PeacePlus journey with the school.

Community Partners

We are fortunate to have had links with several East Belfast Community organisations who have over the years provided financial support, training and learning opportunities and are committed to help the children in our care. These include:

• Eastside Learning
• East Belfast Business in the Community
• Belfast City Airport
• Tesco Store
• Holywood Youth Centre

 

Parent Programmes

Several courses and activities are run throughout the year for parents and other members of the local community:

• Families Connect Parenting Programme , a 10 week course where parents and children learn together and parents are taught strategies that will help them develop and encourage their child's learning potential . This is run every two years.
• Phonics and early reading skills course to help parents as their child starts their reading journey in the Foundation years.
• Parent and Child Numeracy Support sessions targeting the early development of mathematical skills. Number sacks full of games and activities can be borrowed for home use on a weekly basis.
• Parent and Child Library. Parents from Nursery and Primary meet weekly to enjoy story reading and crafts. The families can borrow one of the many Story sacks on offer and select library books for home learning. 
• Hearsay Speech and Language Programme - this is a language and communication programme for Primary 2 pupils with parental involvement.