August 25 In the Press

New build school Markethill

Pupil numbers increase to 515 as community renews calls for new build and sixth form

Markethill High School remains on the Education Authority’s priority list for a new build school. Since August 2012 the school has been campaigning for a new build school and sixth form.

The Minister for Education, Mr Peter Weir, has written to Principal James Maxwell to say he commends the ongoing good work at the school and says he hopes to visit the school imminently. The school says campaigning for a new build school and sixth form provision remains top of the agenda at Markethill High.

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March 3 Brand Journalism In the Press

INTO to launch major lobbying campaign which will dominate 2016 election trail

Ireland’s largest teachers’ union is expected to confirm it will launch a major lobbying campaign on a scale which is unprecedented in Northern Ireland.

Tomorrow begins the annual Northern Congress at Hilton Templepatrick where INTO Northern Secretary, Gerry Murphy, will speak about the scale of the union’s efforts in its bid to place education at the top of politicians’ agendas during the forthcoming election campaign. Read full story here:

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February 29 Brand Journalism In the Press

£150,000 investment announced for Markethill High a ‘step in the right direction’

The Department of Education have announced a £150,000 investment for Markethill High School – a move which has been welcomed by the school.

Principal James Maxwell said the £146,300 investment for the provision of prefabricated accommodation shows the Education Minister is taking positive steps to provide better facilities for the school and its pupils. Mr Maxwell reiterated the school’s sights are firmly set on a new build and sixth form provision.

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February 23 Brand Journalism In the Press

Arlene Foster told new build and admissions increase is a ‘must’ for Markethill High

Markethill High School has been vigorously leading a community campaign to get a new build school and sixth form provision on the Mowhan Road site in Markethill.

First Minister Arlene Foster paid a visit to the school recently where principal James Maxwell told her the that the school’s current high standards in educational outcomes are being achieved in spite of the school’s infrastructure. Mr Maxwell said it is no longer acceptable for pupils to be taught in fabricated mobile huts.

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February 10 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Tyrone student says investment in teaching gives graduates confidence

There has been a lot of debate in Northern Ireland after the Education Minister John O’Dowd announced the Investing In Teaching Workforce scheme.

We interview a student teacher from Tyrone who says the scheme will give graduates like him some hope that there will be jobs available once they leave teacher training college. Jack Hughes from Killyman, agrees with the INTO that the scheme is a genuine attempt to help teachers who are not in full time employment.

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February 8 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

INTO says proposed £33m teaching scheme is a ‘genuine attempt’ to create full time jobs

Teachers across Northern Ireland have been reaction to the proposed ‘Investing in the Teaching Workforce’ scheme which would potentially see a £33million investment in teaching.

The scheme, announced by Education Minister John O’Dowd, has been described by INTO as ‘a genuine attempt to create full time jobs. INTO representatives are in talks with the Department encouraging them to place teachers who are not in full time roles at the heart of the scheme.

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December 18 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

INTO teachers will go on strike in the New Year as the results of the ballot have been announced this afternoon

INTO hails £33m investment ‘a step in the right direction’ for region’s economy

The Education Minister has given approval to a scheme initiated by the Ireland’s largest teachers’ union which will see a £33million investment which will be used to refresh the education system.

Gerry Murphy, Northern Secretary, says the ‘Investing in the Teaching Workforce’ scheme is a major investment in addressing underachievement, raising standards and delivering 500 professional jobs to the economy in Northern Ireland. Here’s the full story:

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December 8 In the Press PR Northern Ireland

New build school in sight as Markethill campaign continues for its pupils

The Education Authority has confirmed this week that Markethill High School remains on its priority list for a much needed new build school – a campaign which has been ongoing for over three years.

The school, headed by principal James Maxwell, has full community support for the campaign for a new build and a sixth form. Markethill High School is sustainable, viable, achieves academically and is in a strong financial position to grow. The school says a new build school must come soon.

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June 15 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Minister has ‘serious and urgent’ questions to answer says Markethill High School

Markethill High School is calling on the Education Minister to be transparent about his recent decisions in relation to requests for temporary variations in admissions.

The Minister refused Markethill High School and St Paul’s in Bessbrook but then did a U-turn on his St Paul’s decision which then saw St Paul’s being allocated an extra 24 places. The newly elected MP Mickey Brady described this as ‘Team Sinn Fein delivering for people on the ground’. Here’s the full story.

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June 2 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Anger among parents as Minister refuses extra places at Markethill High School

The Minister for Education, John O’Dowd, and MP Mickey Brady have caused outrage over decisions and comments about school admissions.

Parents, pupils and the Board of Governors are furious that the Minister refused Markethill High School an additional seven places but awarded another school an extra 24 places. Parents are reeling also over comments made by the area’s new MP. The school is encouraging parents to take action. Here’s the full story:

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March 13 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Teachers, parents and pupils stand in solidarity at picket lines over cuts

Thousands of people took to the streets today to protest over proposed cuts in the Stormont House Agreement.

Teachers, parents and children met on the picket lines right across Northern Ireland to protest over proposed cuts by Minister of Education, John O’Dowd. Speaking in Omagh Annmarie Conway, INTO chairperson, said INTO will continue to fight for jobs, for children and for teachers. Here’s the full story:

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March 12 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Executive must reinvest in teachers, smarter spending and long term strategy is key

Ahead of tomorrow’s strike, INTO says teachers have been forced to act. INTO balloted for strike action and tomorrow teachers will use their voice.

Northern Secretary, Gerry Murphy, says calling teachers out on strike was not an easy decision to make but reiterated that action will be escalated as INTO’s campaign to get a better education for children, a better workplace for teachers and securing wider economic benefits, continues.

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March 9 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Teachers strike to defend rights of children to get the education system they deserve

On Friday, teachers will be out on strike to defend the rights of children so they get the education system they deserve, says INTO.

Tonight, the Northern Executive of INTO held a special emergency session during which it declared INTO’s (Irish National Teachers’ Organisation) decision to urge all of its 6,647members to support an education system our children deserve and not one which the Executive determines it can afford.

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March 8 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Tyrone Author inspires Markethill High School pupils in World Book Day celebration

World Book Day is a celebration of authors, books, illustrators and perhaps most importantly, a celebration of reading.

So what better way for Markethill High School to celebrate than invite Tyrone author Emma Heatherington to the school to talk about storytelling, imagination and stimulation. Emma’s talk was inspiring and stimulating. Her passion for books is very powerful. Principal James Maxwell extends a huge thank you!

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March 4 In the Press

Teachers' union - INTO Northern Conference 2015

Teachers’ union prepares for industrial action as 79% vote in favour of strike

After weeks of balloting the results have been counted. Teachers across Northern Ireland have opted for strike action.

Today John O’Dowd told the education committee that schools will likely see 500 job losses for teachers and 1,000 for non-teaching staff due to £28m cuts to his budget. INTO members say ‘enough is enough’ with 79 per cent opting for strike action on Friday, March 13. Here’s the full story:

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