The Association of Principal Teachers in Integrated Schools (APTIS) Spring Conference held their spring conference on 8th & 9th April 2014 in Ballycastle at Corrymeela and The Marine Hotel, Ballycastle.
The title of this year’s conference was ‘Connections.’ The setting, at Corrymeela Peace Centre on the north coast, afforded us the time and space to connect and share with one another on a personal and professional level.
We reflected on our beginnings, ethos and values and celebrated our unity and commitment to peace building, as daily we connect children and adults together in an integrated and inclusive setting, in order to learn and develop in their understanding of self and others.
The Chaplains of Lagan College and Sir Bob Salisbury launched the conference to demonstrate APTIS’s commitment to ethos and excellence in education.
On Tuesday 8th April the conference opened with the beautiful singing of the Ballycastle IPS choir, setting the tone and focusing delegates on the reason why they were there. The keynote address was given by Sir Bob Salisbury, on Ethos and Educational Excellence. Helen Killick and Gerard Sowney, who are both Chaplains at Lagan College, focused on ‘How far we have come.’
As well as speakers, there was a facilitated ‘Open Space’ session to allow delegates to discuss freely their thoughts and ideas in general and sparked by our guest speaker. This fruitful session was facilitated by Sean O’Baoill.
Carecall were also on hand to deliver some much needed relaxing therapies!
On Wednesday 9th April, the opening address was given by Dr Carmel Gallagher, CEO/Registrar of the General Teaching Council, Northern Ireland (GTCNI). Dr Gallagher spoke on the work of GTCNI and ongoing professional development aligned with school evaluation.
The Sharing Good Practice workshops focused on Staff online safety; Literacy and Numeracy good practice workshop, learning &self-evaluation and admissions at post primary. All workshops were well attended and proved to be particularly beneficial for all concerned. Noreen Campbell, CEO of NICIE gave an informative talk, updating delegates on the work going on at NICIE. Noreen focused on various issues, including an update on the Panel of Associates, Positive Pathways and Area Based Planning.
The APTIS Steering committee was very pleased with the attendance felt that the 2014 conference helped to underline and demonstrate APTIS’s commitment to excellence in education.
Many thanks to all concerned for making this year’s APTIS conference such a success.
If you would like further information about APTIS, please contact Cliodhna Scott-Wills, Senior Development Officer at NICIE cscott-wills@nicie.org.uk
