It is with deep sadness that we, the Staff, Pupils and Board of Governors, confirm the sudden passing of Master Barry Conroy, Principal of St Oliver Plunkett Primary School and Nursery Unit, Beragh.
Barry was a highly respected and dedicated leader who served our school for 27 years as teacher then principal. Throughout that time, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to pupils, staff and the wider community.
His leadership was characterised by his living out of the School Ethos - Caring, Sharing and Learning every day of his career. Barry’s commitment made a lasting impact on the lives of pupils, past and present.
It is fitting that last Friday’s note ended with this quote “We continue to carry our loved ones with us in our hearts and their memory remains always alive within us – Pope Leo”
We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.
The Education Authority’s Critical Incident Response Team and CCMS are in attendance at school to provide support to pupils and staff.
Arrangements regarding Barry’s funeral will be communicated when appropriate.
O. Donnelly
Chair of Board of Governors
The school's most recent inspection was a Safeguarding inspection which was held in October 2017. Three members of the Education Training Inspectorate (ETI) visited the school and looked at all the policies and procedures relating to Safeguarding and Child Protection. They spoke with the Principal and Designated Child Protection Teacher and to the Year 6 pupils, as well as with members of our Board of Governors.
Whilst they were unable to see the outworking of these policies within the school (due to industrial action short of strike action), they were able to comment on what they had looked at.
In summary, they found that the school’s paperwork presented was meticulous, and that all relevant policies were up to date. They noted that the school had appropriately identified areas in which it wished to develop further.
ETI felt the pupils were respectful and very happy at school, noting that the pupils spoke very highly of the school and its teachers, and that they knew who to go to if they had a problem.
They felt the representatives of the school’s Board of Governors were highly skilled in their role and in their knowledge of school improvement.
In conclusion, ETI felt our school was a very warm and welcoming place.
You are invited to read this paper (link below) which articulates the future vision of Catholic Education, its ethos, and values.
The Catholic school sector is an exemplar of service delivery which continues to address the key educational challenges of our time and improve outcomes for children and young people. As a Catholic School, we believe that we have much to contribute to the creation of a high-achieving, inclusive education system in Northern Ireland that cherishes diversity.