Additional Information
Sport
Holy Trinity Primary School has a fine tradition of sporting success. Our pupils train extremely hard throughout the year to finely hone their sporting skills and they compete in a wide variety of competitions and leagues. These occasions provide valuable experience in the development of our pupils. When they participate in Sport, pupils learn skills and important qualities such as team spirit and self-discipline. At present, our school is represented by a Hurling team, Camogie team, Gaelic Football team, Girls’ Gaelic Football team and a Basketball team. The wealth of silverware that these teams have accrued is testament to the high level of coaching that they receive. Within school, Mr McCrory, Mr White, Mr Armstrong andMiss Murphy train the pupils in after-school clubs. Gort na Mona, who have strong links with our school, also provide experienced coaches in Gaelic Football, Hurling and Camogie. This partnership has proved to be extremely successful and has provided our pupils with a solid foundation on which to build their future sporting skills.
Music
Music plays a huge part in the life of Holy Trinity Primary School. Every pupil receives a weekly Music lesson from Miss Donnelly, our specialised Music teacher. In addition, each year, selected classes from KS1 and KS2 participate in a Music Morning that is hosted by the City of Belfast School of Music. These mornings are a highlight in the school’s calendar and the pupils thoroughly enjoy preparing for them and performing on the day for other primary pupils. Within school, there is a choir, Recorder Group and a Brass Ensemble, who provide beautiful musical recitals at many of our school events. Pupils with a musical interest are catered for extremely well in our school. They receive Brass tuition from Miss Donnelly, Miss O’Loughlin and a Brass specialist from the City of Belfast School of Music. Miss Donnelly and Mrs McKinney also lead the choir and their performances have greatly impressed all audiences that have heard them.
ICT (Information and Communications Technology.)
Holy Trinity has always achieved great success in ICT and this was seen as a major strength in our recent Inspection Report. We have interactive whiteboards in every class and the children benefit from the wealth of ICT Resources we have in school. This year Mrs Rooney, our ICT specialist, is based in the Computer Suite where pupils receive a weekly ICT lesson to develop their skills. The children always do extremely well in the ICT Accreditation at the end of Primary 7. This year both Primary 4 and Primary 7 will take part in the new CCEA ICT Accreditation Scheme and we look forward to seeing the children achieving success and being rewarded with the CCEA Certificate of Competence in UICT.
Charity Fundraising
The generosity of our pupils, parents and members of the Holy Trinity community is made evident every year through the charity fundraising that is carried out within school. Our principal campaign is for Trocaire and through their dedicated and concerted efforts the pupils mange to raise in excess of £6,000 every year. During our Holy Week celebrations we invite a representative from Trocaire to receive the donation and give the pupils a short presentation on how their money will be spent. Another worthwhile charity that is supported by our school is the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children. Every year our pupils from P5 work tirelessly to raise funds for this important cause and they also participate in the sponsored walk through Ormeau Park.
Celebrating Success
In Holy Trinity Primary School we are keen to celebrate all of the achievements of our pupils. Every month we have an assembly for Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. During these assemblies Mrs Armstrong presents prizes and certificates to our Stars of the Month. These Stars are pupils who have made a special effort during the past month and this is celebrated in the presence of their peers, parents and teachers. In December, we also hold a Prize-giving Ceremony in which we reward the recipients with a certificate, trophy and a book token. This event is organised to showcase the fantastic achievements of a huge number of our pupils during the past year. Prize-winners are selected for academic, musical, ICT and sporting success. It is a fantastic occasion that is shared by the school community and visiting dignitaries and provides many of our pupils with special memories.
Sensory Garden
We have a beautiful Sensory garden here at Holy Trinity. It was opened in March 2008 and Mr Deornellas led the initiative. We now have a sensory garden with ten areas: A touch garden, A sight garden, A smell garden, A taste garden, A sound garden, A minibeast area, A pond, Raised growing beds, A pond, Raised growing beds, A compost area (wormery) A butterfly garden, A weather station.
The children planted a wide range of herbs, vegetables, bedding plants, fruit trees, shrubs etc. Paths were laid to enable children to walk around the area and benches were situated within the site. KS2 pupils decided on plants etc for their smell, colour texture etc.
Each year group from P3-P7 has been assigned an area to care for. They will be responsible for picking up litter, removing weeds, pruning, replacing bird food, emptying recycling bins etc.
Classes will visit the area and study growth throughout the different seasons. They will explore the different textures, smells, sounds, colours etc through project work. They will taste the different fruit and vegetables grown- related to Being Healthy project.