Pupils from Ebrington Primary School and Holy Child Primary School came together at Ulster University in Derry~Londonderry this week to take part in a day of interactive maths activities to mark Good Relations Week 2024.
At the Indoor Sports Hall on Ulster University’s Derry~Londonderry campus, the P5 pupils were supported by 32 Primary PGCE students to complete a range of mathematics activities covering topics including measuring, estimating and other interactive number games.
The schools, which have a longstanding shared education partnership, brought the pupils together in the setting of Ulster University Derry~Londonderry for an afternoon of non-conventional learning and teambuilding with their peers in shared education.
Katrina Bradley, Lecturer in Primary Mathematics in the Ulster University School of Education, commented:
“As a teacher myself and former shared education coordinator, I have seen the value of interactive, non-conventional learning practices that take the pupils out of their normal environment to learn alongside their peers at neighbouring schools. It was so refreshing, therefore, to welcome 100 pupils down to Ulster University in Derry~Londonderry for something different. The day was all about fun, through a variety of engaging maths activities, learning from others, and team building in an inclusive and supportive environment. We were more than happy to facilitate this session with the help of our Primary PGCE students, who delivered the activities before heading off on their PGCE placements next week.”
Deborah Armstrong, Shared Education Coordinator at Ebrington Primary School added:
“We had a fantastic day at Ulster University getting to know our friends at Holy Child Primary School and completing maths games and challenges. Though we have had a long-standing shared education partnership, this was the first time the two P5 classes have met so there was a great atmosphere as the pupils got to know each other while solving problems and working together as teams. A big thank you to Ulster University students and their lecturer, Mrs Katrina Bradley for making this a day the children will remember in their shared education memories!!"