en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/976013 Comments by TJMcClean http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/dup-new-body-needed-for-protestant-school-failures-30250242.html#IDComment827483108 Successful headteacher Andy McMorran commenting on UTV Live recently on this topic of 'Protestant or State' Secondary underachievement, said that there was a dearth of good leadership that was very apparent in the State school sector. Catholic schools are often marked by their passionate, visionary, focused, vocational headteachers who are looked upon as heroes in their communities. A good vocationally minded passionate caring headteacher as described can turn a failing school around. Mr McMorran did it at Ashfield Boys over a number of years. State headteachers put in place by the various Boards have very much 'come up short', and the Boards are not admiiting it. In my experience State headteachers are focused largely on self advancement prestige and money. they often hold misguided views on how to manage staff issues. Without a good headteacher any school is usually on a predictable downward slope. Thu, 8 May 2014 07:49:32 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/dup-new-body-needed-for-protestant-school-failures-30250242.html#IDComment827483108 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/dup-new-body-needed-for-protestant-school-failures-30250242.html#IDComment827483034 Successful headteacher Andy McMorran commenting on UTV Live recently on this topic of 'Protestant or State' Secondary underachievement, said that there was a dearth of good leadership that was very apparent in the State school sector. Catholic schools are often marked by their passionate, visionary, focused, vocational headteachers who are looked upon as heroes in their communities. A good vocationally minded passionate caring headteacher as described can turn a failing school around. Mr McMorran did it at Ashfield Boys over a number of years. State headteachers put in place by the various Boards have very much 'come up short', and the Boards are not admiiting it. In my experience State headteachers are focused largely on self advancement prestige and money. they often hold misguided views on how to manage staff issues. Without a good headteacher any school is usually on a predictable downward slope. Thu, 8 May 2014 07:49:13 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/dup-new-body-needed-for-protestant-school-failures-30250242.html#IDComment827483034 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/dup-new-body-needed-for-protestant-school-failures-30250242.html#IDComment827289965 Keep 'er lit Bill. Wed, 7 May 2014 20:40:00 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/dup-new-body-needed-for-protestant-school-failures-30250242.html#IDComment827289965 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/dup-new-body-needed-for-protestant-school-failures-30250242.html#IDComment827223262 Good common sense post as usual Bill. Wed, 7 May 2014 16:54:20 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/dup-new-body-needed-for-protestant-school-failures-30250242.html#IDComment827223262 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/ralph-mctell-back-walking-the-streets-of-belfast-30250743.html#IDComment827222047 'I weep like a child for the past'. D H Lawrence. Wed, 7 May 2014 16:50:24 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/ralph-mctell-back-walking-the-streets-of-belfast-30250743.html#IDComment827222047 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/dup-new-body-needed-for-protestant-school-failures-30250242.html#IDComment827165377 Hi Bill, You are quite right in your post Bill. The first half of your post is particularly spot on.The people supposedly in charge of education have little or no idea and that includes the incompetent know-alls occupying cushy roles in our Education Boards. They have their own agenda. Andy McMorran turned Ashfield Boys HS over next Sydenham around during his time there. It is very simple you get him and other successful head teachers (ladies included ) to head up a flying squad that goes into troubled schools and offer expert advice on how it is done. To be fair I received one rather silly email from Mr Storey (which basically made excuses for Mr Dowd's plans and encouraged me to support him! ) After that when Mr Storey found I wasn't sold by his 'argument' he ignored all contact . Wed, 7 May 2014 13:34:38 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/dup-new-body-needed-for-protestant-school-failures-30250242.html#IDComment827165377 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/peter-hain-i-was-sent-a-letter-bomb-by-the-security-forces-30242836.html#IDComment827137619 Very sad all round, not a lot of hope. Wed, 7 May 2014 12:00:09 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/peter-hain-i-was-sent-a-letter-bomb-by-the-security-forces-30242836.html#IDComment827137619 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/axe-threat-catholic-primary-votes-to-go-integrated-30249734.html#IDComment827128570 I hear what you say UlaidhGoBragh -small steps and I agree with you in the rest of your post. The Executive does not appear to be strong about most things though. Wed, 7 May 2014 11:30:33 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/axe-threat-catholic-primary-votes-to-go-integrated-30249734.html#IDComment827128570 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/axe-threat-catholic-primary-votes-to-go-integrated-30249734.html#IDComment827099057 Clear as crystal NILayman but misguided Godly and intelligent men and women don't want to see it or address it. It will not change any time soon. I still expect the separate school issue to be here 30+years from now. Wed, 7 May 2014 09:46:54 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/axe-threat-catholic-primary-votes-to-go-integrated-30249734.html#IDComment827099057 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/ralph-mctell-back-walking-the-streets-of-belfast-30250743.html#IDComment827081383 Legend! Down at the Mac this Thursday night for £20 a ticket. Wed, 7 May 2014 08:43:07 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/ralph-mctell-back-walking-the-streets-of-belfast-30250743.html#IDComment827081383 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/dup-new-body-needed-for-protestant-school-failures-30250242.html#IDComment827080215 I find this 'crocodile tears concern', for 'Protestant' underachievement really rich, coming from DUP Education Committee chairman Mervyn Storey. (Hey Mr Storey you don't even bother to respond to my e mails! ) Here is a man who is happy to take unionist votes, but who has chosen to sit back, apparently totally unconcerned and give his nod of agreement, to Sinn Fein Education Minister John O'Dowd's far advanced plan, to amalgamate successful East Belfast Secondary Newtownbreda High School, with failing Knockbreda High School along the Knock dual carriageway. This doomed split site amalgamation, (school amalgamations of this nature rarely work ), and the unnecessary damage and long term disruption it will clearly cause, will effectively increase 'Protestant' school failure in this large geographical area. Can Mr Storey not work this out? Or does he simply not care, or is there some bigger trade-off agenda between the DUP and Sinn Fein at work behind the scenes? No one from any of the leading political parties with any educational interest, has ever answered my question as to why Knockbreda HS would not simply close over a 2-3 year period and their pupils not filter into the successful, stable, no debt, long established, good discipline, good Senior Management, good results, excellent staff, pleasant school environmnent, that is Newtownbreda HS. Newtownbreda HS is working and delivering NOW! (This is exacttly what happened when Dunmurry HS closed 2 years ago. No forced amalgamation mentioned then! Why this time against the will of NHS staff and parents.? ) Why dismantle and effectively wreck Newtownbreda HS to build something new that has little chance of improving standards? Why destroy Newtownbreda HS and wipe it out in an illogical amalgamation that promises nothing as regards better results? 'If it ain't broke Mr Storey don't fix it.' ''With teeth to make sure that it has the confidence of its community to provide for working-class Protestant boys." PS Mr Storey Newtownbreda High School had the overwhelming confidence of the community for over 50 years but you and your DUP chums are prepared to ignore the pleas of your own electorate in the Belvoir/Newtownbreda community area, to allow this unique successful school to remain as it is. Why? Wed, 7 May 2014 08:39:12 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/dup-new-body-needed-for-protestant-school-failures-30250242.html#IDComment827080215 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/environment/publics-swift-help-needed-to-record-nest-sites-30249863.html#IDComment827070761 Haven't seen any swifts about so far and last year they were scarce too. My father in laws house martins haven't showed up either. Swallows are about in smallish numbers though. Haven't seen sand martins for years. Although you need to know exactly where to look for their nests, which are often off the beaten track. Wed, 7 May 2014 08:04:57 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/environment/publics-swift-help-needed-to-record-nest-sites-30249863.html#IDComment827070761 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/peter-hain-i-was-sent-a-letter-bomb-by-the-security-forces-30242836.html#IDComment827069125 As I said Cogobo, and I'm not trying to give you a 'big head', you have a real insight here, coupled with the necessary concise language to put it across. A pleasure to read. 'They then had modern technology introduced, which they were eager to accept. The infrastructure to use this technology properly and the concept of maintenance were ideas that were harder to grasp for people whose lives had previously been based on easily renewable resources, such as mud, sticks,...' As you say, I remember in the 1960s +, well meaning US/UK Aid agencies/charities, initially sending out tractors/machinery etc to help the farmers. This expensive equipment would soon break down and there was no one to fix it so it rotted in the fields. Good posts. Wed, 7 May 2014 07:59:14 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/peter-hain-i-was-sent-a-letter-bomb-by-the-security-forces-30242836.html#IDComment827069125 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/environment/experts-in-a-flap-as-rare-holly-blue-butterfly-is-spotted-in-a-co-down-wood-thanks-to-our-mild-weather-30249713.html#IDComment827064472 Good news about the return of the Holly blue. Saw a Pea**** butterfly in the garden 2 weeks ago! I could hardly believe it. Very early and you usually don't get them at all in suburban Belfast. Hope the cold and rain doesn't decimate them. Wed, 7 May 2014 07:43:32 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/environment/experts-in-a-flap-as-rare-holly-blue-butterfly-is-spotted-in-a-co-down-wood-thanks-to-our-mild-weather-30249713.html#IDComment827064472 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/axe-threat-catholic-primary-votes-to-go-integrated-30249734.html#IDComment827062255 'A Catholic primary school has voted to become integrated in what is thought to be the first case of its kind.' Amazing, after all this time. However a very small sensible step in the right direction. Wed, 7 May 2014 07:35:51 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/axe-threat-catholic-primary-votes-to-go-integrated-30249734.html#IDComment827062255 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/peter-hain-i-was-sent-a-letter-bomb-by-the-security-forces-30242836.html#IDComment826874742 I'd just like to say Cogobo, that I find what you have said throughout very interesting. You have been/worked in Africa for so long. I find it fascinating getting an understanding from someone like you, who has such a life experience of what they are talking about. -I know very little about anything African, apart from what I read in the news. I have often thought that it's such a pity that I can only meet up with guys like you, who have something worth listening to, on line, like this. You are now added to a select list of such. ps I might not agree with your Republican beliefs but hey who agrees about everything. Thanks for your input here. Tue, 6 May 2014 20:26:45 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/peter-hain-i-was-sent-a-letter-bomb-by-the-security-forces-30242836.html#IDComment826874742 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/top-garda-derek-byrne-in-running-to-head-the-psni-30246010.html#IDComment826763103 Promoted for incompetence jackierubberleg. I remember this happening and that I couldn't believe it. Doesn't give me a lot of faith in this particular lady. Tue, 6 May 2014 14:00:04 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/top-garda-derek-byrne-in-running-to-head-the-psni-30246010.html#IDComment826763103 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/top-garda-derek-byrne-in-running-to-head-the-psni-30246010.html#IDComment826752610 'could give her a course or two in the art. ' Ah yes Miceal1 I am well versed in drawing a good cuppa. Tue, 6 May 2014 13:22:56 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/top-garda-derek-byrne-in-running-to-head-the-psni-30246010.html#IDComment826752610 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/top-garda-derek-byrne-in-running-to-head-the-psni-30246010.html#IDComment826751862 Thanks sassidge I think the Met. may well be trying to off load her on us lot? Tue, 6 May 2014 13:20:38 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/top-garda-derek-byrne-in-running-to-head-the-psni-30246010.html#IDComment826751862 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/top-garda-derek-byrne-in-running-to-head-the-psni-30246010.html#IDComment826680107 If the Garda man is up for the job, experienced, good enough and has a proven track record then why not? (Bit of a poisoned chalice though for anyone? ) Not at all sure about Ms Dick. Isn't she the lady who was 'in charge' in 2005, when Brazilian innocent Jean Charles de Menezes was tailed from home, then followed on to the tube and then held down by police and shot six times in the head for being suspected of being a terrorist bomber. Talk about overkill and shoot to kill. Tue, 6 May 2014 09:06:00 +0000 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/top-garda-derek-byrne-in-running-to-head-the-psni-30246010.html#IDComment826680107