His close association with the IEF began almost 10 years ago when his son Tony, a major donor of the Fund, invited Frank to meet another friend of the IEF, Terry Cross, at a special event at his Chateau De La Ligne in Bordeaux.  Frank’s involvement in the work of the Fund was at every level.  He not only came to meet the pupils and teachers at integrated schools, and performed at almost every fundraising event organised but he also was a very generous donor.   On numerous occasions Frank would pick up the phone to his ‘celebrity buddies’ and simply insist they too do something to support the cause.  Therefore it was no surprise to see famous personalities like Sir Norman Wisdom, Chris Tarrant and Jimmy Ellis lend their time and support to the Fund.

Frank’s support was only a phone call away – a phone call which always began with a gag or two before getting down the serious business. He never let you down. At any event he attended there was usually a surprise envelope containing a major donation just waiting to be presented to Fund. His 80th Birthday Party and Golf Classic probably stand out for a number of reasons, not least because so many people wanted to come and be part of such a great night.  In the middle of the event Frank and Sir Norman Wisdom slipped out to make a quiet visit to a friend in the Hospice.  That was the side I am not sure everyone knew about. Sure he was a funny man but also a very compassionate and caring man. He loved his ‘north of Ireland’ and he wanted it to be a peaceful place.  It was a joy and a privilege to work with Frank.

Frank’s memory and his support for integrated education will live on through the Carson Awards Programme which supports the creative talent of students. The Awards, which offer bursaries and prizes to celebrate creativity and artistic talent in integrated schools, have been funded by Frank and Tony.  At the awards ceremony for the latest round of prize-winners last autumn, Frank sent a video message to the students, saying, “I’m thrilled to bits to work with the young people of Northern Ireland through these awards.  It’s always a pleasure to see the creativity of students, to see integrated schools going from strength to strength and I hope they keep up the good work.”

We will always be grateful for Frank’s support for and interest in our work – he has left an important legacy in the growth of integration here.  We in the IEF – Trustees, Volunteers, donors and staff alike – have always held Frank in the highest esteem and affection and our thoughts are with his family at this time.

The highlight of a year of commemorations, the Gala at the Europa Hotel in Belfast marks 30 years of integrated schools in Northern Ireland.  The party will bring celebrity guests, music, food and entertainment together with the Fund’s friends and supporters in a dazzling evening of celebration.   We’re hoping as many of our friends and supporters can join us as we mark an important birthday and look forward to a shared future for our young people.

Integrated education began thanks to the efforts of a small group of parents whose dedicated campaigning led to the opening of Lagan College.  Parental demand has brought us to a total of 62 integrated schools in Northern Ireland, with many first-choice applicants turned away each year.

The Fund’s Increasing Places in Integrated Schools (IPIS) grant scheme seeks to meet this demand by supporting the growth of  integrated schools and colleges – we have already pledged £500,000 to projects designed to offer more children integrated education, but we need much more to meet the overwhelming demand.

The Integrated Education Fund was founded 20 years ago to offer financial support for new and transforming integrated schools – so it’s also time to celebrate our anniversary! The event on 16 March will include live music from the marvellous soul and jazz singer Merinda Rosenberg, and we have been offered some fabulous prizes to auction on the night, including a private lunch with internationally acclaimed author Maeve Binchy, a week in a magnificent villa in Mallorca, courtesy of anchor and host of Bloomberg Television Andrea Catherwood and the chance to join one of Northern Ireland’s best loved actors, Jimmy Ellis at a restaurant in London. 

It’s thanks to the generosity of donors like these that the Fund can continue its work in offering young people the opportunity to engage in meaningful sharing across the divisions which still exist.  Some students will be joining us at the Gala Ball and we really do appreciate the help and support we have from so many schools and individual volunteers.

Tickets for the 30th Anniversary Gala Ball on the 16th March can be obtained from Brian or Gemma at the IEF: 028 9033 0031 or gemma@ief.org.uk / brian@ief.org.uk

The Millbrook Lodge Hotel in Ballynahinch provided the venue for the second in our series of community engagement events. The Integrated Education Fund and Rural Community Network partnered locally with the East Down Rural Community Network to host a discussion on education for the Down District Council area.

After a short video presentation from the IEF, Tom Walsh from the SEELB took the stage, to put the current challenges faced by the education system in context (See above for some of the emerging themes from the evening).

A passionate panel debate was the centre of the evening, with Paul Logan (Principal Down HS), Terry Murphy (CCMS), Tony McCusker (Rural Development Council), and Tracey Quail (Downpatrick Chamber of Commerce), taking a variety of questions from the floor. While everyone on the panel accepted that our education system is not perfect and that the political and economic context is challenging, the conversation was a positive one, with people engaging around the crucial questions on how we provide quality education to all.

After getting to know each other at their tables, guests discussed visions for shared education, the need to research ways to increase the number of shared campuses, and the question of how we generate trust and build relationships between the education sectors. Access to education was raised, as was the curriculum and academic selection. A wide range of schools, community groups, educationalists and parents were involved in these conversations, and there was plenty of political representation from guests such as Jim Shannon MP (DUP), Caitriona Ruane MLA (SF) and David McNarry MLA (UUP) as well as several members of Down District Council.

The chair of the evening, BBC’s William Crawley, issued a call to action: “If you really believe what you just said – that this system is broken – then do something about it”. It is hoped that practical local discussions will emerge from this event in the next few months.

The next event of the Community Engagement in Education Series is being held in Castlederg on 23rd February. Please see click here for further details on how to register.

Mr Coaker – a former teacher and vice-principal himself – toured the classrooms and got in a quick game of table-tennis before being shown the computer suite.  Principal Gerry Price described the history of the school which was founded in 1997 by a group of parents and initially supported by the European Peace Fund and the IEF.  After seeing lessons in action, Mr Coaker faced a group of A-level pupils for a question and answer session. Topics ranged from traditional divisions in Northern Ireland, through the lack of sports facilities,   to career opportunities for young people and university fees.

Mr Coaker said:“Since I became Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland I have been keen to forge links with different aspects of the community here. The work done in Malone Integrated College seems to give young people a fantastic grounding for future life in Northern Ireland and the wider world, and I wish them continued success. I would also like to congratulate the Integrated Education Fund on the work they have been doing for the past twenty years.”

Principal of Malone IC, Gerry Price said the school was honoured to be selected for Mr Coaker’s visit: “We were delighted to show Mr Coaker the work we do in Malone College in giving pupils of all backgrounds and cultures a sound academic and social education.  We have been very proud of exam results recently, and today we could be proud of the level of engagement and interest in the wider world shown by our pupils when they met our visitors.”

The visitors were joined for lunch by local MP and SDLP MLA, Alasdair McDonnell, as well as Chair of the Governors  Giselle  McKeown and Christine Harpur who’s also an IEF Trustee.

The programme is open to all schools in Northern Ireland. Grants are awarded to projects uniting schools of different management types for activities which involve pupils, staff, parents and the wider community in bridging divides and promoting a shared future. The closing date for this year’s applications is Thursday 23 February.

Dorothee Wagner, Chair of the Integrated Education Fund’s Grants Committee, said: “The aim of the programme is to enable schools – pupils, staff, governors – and the wider community to increase their understanding, acceptance and respect for political, cultural and religious differences. The projects currently underway are exploring our differences & similarities through drama, sport, cookery, environmental activities, music or art – to name but a few. It’s the vision and enthusiasm of principals, teachers and pupils which bring the projects to life.”

This year’s round of grants was officially launched at the Long Gallery at Stormont, where children from HolywoodPrimary Schooland St Patrick’s Primary School, Holywood, joined us in clothes from the Second World War era to represent their PACT project exploring history.  

Debbie Crookshanks, Principal of Holywood Primary School told guests: “More than 200 pupils from the two schools are enjoying building on local relationships and the teachers really appreciate the chance to collaborate and share experiences and discuss best practice. The IEF PACT scheme has been the springboard for our vision for the school communities of Holywood. Both schools are committed to maintaining these links in the future.” 

The PACT scheme has been generously supported by BT Ireland, Ulster Carpets and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs. 

All schools inNorthern Irelandshould have received a leaflet explaining the scheme and how to apply. Click here for more information.

For additional information or to discuss your project or application in more detail please do not hesitate to contact:

Sara Shields
Grants Officer
Integrated Education Fund
41 – 43 University Street
Belfast
BT7 1FY

Telephone: (028) 9033 0031
Fax: (028) 9033 0061
Email: sara@ief.org.uk

Join the discussion online using hashtag #pact13

Integrated education began thanks to the efforts of a small group of parents whose dedicated campaigning led to the opening of Lagan College in September 1981 – the same year that the first DeLorean cars rolled off the production line in Belfast.

The highlight of a year of commemorations, a 30th anniversary Gala on 16th March will bring celebrity guests, music, food and entertainment together with the Fund’s friends and supporters in a dazzling evening of celebration, including music from the fantastic soul singer, Mirenda Rosenberg. We’re hoping as many of our friends and supporters can join us as we mark an important birthday and look forward to a shared future for our young people.

David says “The achievement of those parents more than thirty years ago shows what you can do if you put your mind to it….the movement has snowballed, with 61 integrated schools around Northern Ireland training young hearts and minds and bringing children of all denominations together. The movement towards greater sharing can only mean a brighter future for Northern Ireland.”

Courtenay, who is this year’s Clubworld Travel Miss Ulster, says “I have personal experience of the value of integrated education, having first been to Bridge Integrated Primary school, and having left New Bridge IC with good qualifications and friends from all kinds of cultural and religious backgrounds. I’m really looking forward to what promises to be a great party, celebrating the success of the integrated movement over the past thirty years.”

The pair borrowed the iconic DeLorean car from Robert Lamrock, chair of the NI DeLorean Owners’ Association, who generously lent his support.

Lagan College, the first planned integrated school in Northern Ireland, opened with just 28 students; now there are more than twenty thousand pupils in integrated schools.

Tickets for the 30th Anniversary Gala Ball on the 16th March can be obtained from Brian or Gemma at the IEF: 028 9033 0031 or gemma@ief.org.uk / brian@ief.org.uk

The One School of Thought education campaign has started the year with a boost from yet  another celebrity supporter:  Kevin Baird, bass player with North Down band, Two Door Cinema Club,  added his name to the list of backers from the arts, business and sport.    One School of Thought calls on MLAs to make education reform a key priority over the next four years, building on the widespread public support for greater sharing and integration within and between schools. 

Kevin, who has been touring the USA with the award-winning band, made time during a visit home to meet IEF staff and guest interviewer, Christopher Maher of Malone Integrated College. 

Kevin said,  “I feel like Northern Ireland has come such a long way in many areas but education is lagging behind.  Once children live and learn with people outside of their normal stomping grounds we can finally root out the misconceptions which run often unnoticed through each strand of our society.”

Christopher, a straight-A student in his final year at Malone IC, answered a call from the Integrated Education Fund for music fans and aspiring broadcasters to join them and help with the filming. Christopher recorded  a conversation  with Kevin  on his music, his life with the band  and his support for the One School of Thought campaign. 

Chris said “I feel really lucky to be involved in this project; it’s been a privilege to meet Kevin. I agree with him that it’s crucial to break down cultural barriers, reduce conflict and improve communication. It can only enhance our country’s image and attract investment – building a better future for Northern Ireland socially and economically.”

Kevin visited the studios of Cool FM in Newtownards, where Pete Snodden, who has also signed up to the campaign, chatted with him live on his breakfast show. After a brief photoshoot it was on to the Waterfront Hall where One School of Thought had been kindly given permission to record the video interview.  The finished film with be available soon – watch this space!

www.oneschoolofthought.org.uk

Joanne Stuart, Director of Attrus Ltd, is a former chair of the Institute of Directors in Northern Ireland and has been awarded an OBE for services to business in the community. She has advocated the cause of integrated education for many years and has worked tirelessly to promote the importance of business to the wider community.

The annual competition, which is co-ordinated by the IEF, is open to all integrated primary schools and is generously sponsored by Allianz.  The Fund is delighted that Claire Faulkner of Garden Show Ireland  took the opportunity during the event to announce that Allianz  would be supporting the contest again next year.  We are grateful to CAFRE for donating the prizes.

After taking charge of their saplings and learning a bit about them, the children with their teachers and parent helpers got to explore a bit of the Greenmount nature trail for a quick lesson (courtesy of the RSPB) in how to estimate the age of a tree – without chopping it down first!

Everyone seemed to enjoy their visit to a beautiful location, and we hear that many of the guests used the journey back to school to start planning their entries for next year’s competition!

“Our Children – Their Education” brought local parents, community workers and educationalists together with politicians to explore the changes and challenges facing education.

The event was jointly hosted by the Rural Community Network, STEP (South Tyrone Empowerment Programme) and the Integrated Education Fund and chaired by BBC presenter William Crawley. The chairman pointed out that in Northern Ireland “we’ve got very good at managing segregation, but not at integrating.”

Bernadette McAliskey, Director of STEP, said “These are challenging times which create spaces for creative thinking. People need to meet and exchange views and ideas out of which I can foresee sharing education will take root and grow.”

Kieran Shields from the Southern Education and Library Board gave an overview of some of the challenges facing the wider Dungannon area. This was followed by a Question & Answer session with an experienced panel that included Jim Clarke from the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools, John Burrell, former principal of Fivemiletown College, Renata Bytautiene, a local parent and Eamon McClean from the Speedwell Trust.

There were lively discussions on such issues as what a good school should feel and look like; valuing and exploring ways in which collaboration and sharing between schools can lead to better education opportunities, and discussions on how parents can have a say in the future of schools in their area.

Michael Hughes, Chief Executive of Rural Community Network, said “Schools are crucial to rural communities and this event was a great chance for local people to engage in conversation about how schools can co-operate to deliver the best service for local children. Who better to come up with creative and practical ways of meeting the needs of rural areas than the experts – rural people.”

This is the first of a series of community discussions planned by the Rural Community Network and the Integrated Education Fund over the next few months. It’s hoped that, like the evening in Clogher, these events will help to involve communities in drawing up new models of education and will empower parents to hold politicians to account over planning and budgets.

Tina Merron, Chief Executive of the Integrated Education Fund said “There are many decisions to be made over how the schools system is run and how budgets are shared; parents should realise they have a say in this. We’d like to see an overall examination of the education system with area-based planning and voters’ voices heard – and the response to this event gives an indication that people in South Tyrone are certainly ready to take on the challenge and get involved in these decisions.”

The next event takes place in Ballynahinch in January.