‘We’ve worked really hard to turn this school around’
‘We raised aspirations, focused on teaching and learning — and the improvement happened’
IT would be hard to find a school that has transformed as much as St Paul’s, Monasterevin, over the past 11 years. A gas explosion and falling pupil numbers meant the school was in a sorry state in 2009, but since then it has undergone huge change.
Last year, two thirds of St Paul’s students went on to third level after sitting their Leaving Certificate, up from 13pc in 2009. New school buildings are also on the way.
The deputy principal, Mary Mullally, said: “Our school was in a pretty dire situation 11 years ago. Brian Bergin and I took over as principal and deputy principal in 2010.
“We worked really hard to turn the school around as we had low numbers and public sentiment was very low.”
Principal Brian Bergin said that how the school is perceived locally has changed significantly since then.
“We were not the school of choice in the community,” he explained.
“There was a gas explosion in 2000. That took away a lot of classrooms and there was a [negative] public perception out there about the school.”
But the teaching staff did not allow the incident and falling numbers to stop them from rebuilding.
Remedial work took place and although this has not been a long-term fix, evident from the temporary classrooms dotted round the school, St Paul’s is a step closer to achieving its ultimate ambition — a new school building — with plans in place for construction to get underway next summer.
“There was a limit on prospects for the future of the school 11 years ago,” Mr Bergin said.
“It was just after the crash and Monasterevin traditionally didn’t have political representatives on the council until more recently.
“Some of the more affluent students were choosing elsewhere for education.”
One of the “seminal moments” came when the school was recognised for DEIS status; that led to “a real examination of literacy, numeracy, retention and attendance,” among other issues, Mr Bergin said.
“We started to focus in on getting the data together. We set targets and had to put measures in to address those targets. We got additional funding to provide more opportunities for our students.”
The principal and deputy principal started focusing on external issues, not just education, in a bid to improve the prospects of students.
The extra funding meant they were able to install a breakfast and homework club. A host of after-school activities was rolled out, including dance, self defence, summer camps, regular trips for pupils, and talent shows, as well as visitors from the world of business to help motivate the students.
This all has an academic impact, and it is measurable.
In 2009 no pupils studied higher level Leaving Certificate Irish, but last year 73pc took the higher level paper. In 2009 just 38pc took higher level English; this has steadily improved and last year 72pc studied higher level English.
No pupils took higher level maths in 2009 but 28pc opted for higher maths last year. No pupils studied higher level French in 2009 but last year 65pc did — statistics showing the turnaround of a school flying high despite the adversity it has witnessed.
A special relationship has developed between the school and Maynooth University, where some pupils have gone on to study teaching, with a number signing up to do their teacher training at their old school.
There are also parent classes, teaching positive parenting and up-skilling mothers and fathers, Mr Bergin said, “ensuring that parents are involved in the school”.
Spanish and Irish classes are available for parents and there are lessons to help parents assist their children with maths homework.
The school also tries to ensure the same form teacher stays with students the entire way through secondary school, something that St Paul’s feels is unique to the school.
The school offers pastoral care and counselling while staff constantly assess the pupils, rewarding good behaviour and academic achievements.
Mr Bergin said: “We’d be nothing without the staff. There was no master plan at the start. We raised aspirations, focused on teaching, learning and assessment — and the improvement happened.
“We’re probably going to be at around 570 students next year. That will be nearly triple the number of students in 2007. But our facilities are curtailing growth, so we really need the new school building. Tenders are coming in.
“We’re expecting building work to be completed within 18 months and for construction to be ready to go by the end of this summer — it’s so exciting.”
He cites one example of a pupil the school helped to send in the right direction — a boy who was refusing to attend school.
“We encouraged him to come in to the fun events, like the talent show, and to remain part of the school,” Mr Bergin said.
“He sticks in my head because he’s studying at university now.”