Annual Report to Parents Sept 2014

The Governors of the College would like to congratulate the Principal, Staff and Pupils for the work and numerous successes that have been achieved in Academic year 2013 – 2014 THE SCHOOL IN CONTEXT St Patrick’s College is a Catholic school which creates an environment to foster rich religious training and solid academic education in a catholic value-orientated manner. We aim to: •

create an atmosphere in which the pupils’ experience of school is happy and enjoyable and through which they learn to appreciate their cultural heritage,

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create a learning environment where each pupil will value the Christian way of life,

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help pupils reach their full potential by nurturing their individual talents and abilities,

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ensure that pupils experience a curriculum suited to their intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual needs preparing them for adult and working life,

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develop a working partnership with parents and carers enabling everyone concerned with the welfare of pupils to work in a mutually supportive way,

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develop skills that allow our pupils to become good citizens enabling them to make a positive contribution to the environment and society.

ORGANISATION The Board of Governors, Principal and Staff work closely to promote our distinctive Catholic ethos.

A collective responsibility is assumed by each member of staff for the academic and personal development of each pupil attending the school. The College is led by a Principal, 2 Vice Principals and 5 senior staff. The leadership team is supported by a pastoral team, a curriculum team and teaching staff who together provide a positive educational experience for all pupils in a supportive environment. A Bursar and a team of ancillary and auxiliary staff support the leadership team and teaching staff. The work and support of the Governors, Parents and Parish Communities is acknowledged in this report.

LIVES REMEMBERED Reverend Kevin McKenna – Born in Moneyneaney in 1934 and educated in St Columb’s College, Derry before his ordination in 1959. Fr McKenna taught in Carndonagh Community School for a number of years. He was appointed as the first Vice Principal of St Patrick’s College, Maghera in 1963 where he remained until 1971. He was a strong advocate of the Irish language, and was a valued member of the Irish Department in the College. Fr McKenna passed away on 25th April 2014.

May He Rest in Peace.

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STAFFING During school year 2013 / 2014 the following staff left the College: • •

Ms Louise Peden Ms Gemma MacOscar

Economics and Business Studies Department College Nurse

New staff member welcomed to the College: •

Mrs Mairead Kealey

Economics and Business Studies Department

STAFF DEVELOPMENT •

Literacy

Having developed a common approach to marking for improvement, as part of the School Development Plan, the English Department and Literacy Team shared their expectations for KS3 with all departments. This work aimed to help pupils to develop their written and spoken English in all their subjects from Year 8 – Year 10 and to apply this good practice in their subsequent GCSE and Advanced level work. Teachers used this training to assist them to assess pupil literacy across the College and to help pupils to be accurate in spelling, punctuation and grammar.

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Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities

Staff continued to plan for and implement the teaching and assessment of transferable skills across the whole school in order to help pupils to become competent and independent learners.

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Pastoral issues/ child protection

As always, pastoral support is central to the work of the College. All adults in the school are concerned with the well-being and happiness of the pupils. Staff training was provided to update all staff in child protection and safeguarding management. Teachers were also supported in the implementation of the pastoral policy in the fullest sense when working with pupils.

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Newcomers/ differentiation

Staff received training in how to support all pupils in a classroom situation. This began with a focus on Newcomer pupils training staff on how to adopt and use the most appropriate strategies that would make their teaching as accessible as possible to all pupils. This initial session was followed up with an opportunity for staff to share ‘best’ practice from across the school on how to engage all pupils of all abilities and needs. This ranged from how to create appropriate resources to the modelling of a range of engaging active teaching strategies and interactive methodology.

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• Pupil interviews The annual Mock Interviews for Upper Sixth pupils were carried out by Staff for a second year.

The exercise was designed to give pupils interview experience and to provide staff with the opportunity to observe pupils, so that they could advise and support pupils to be better prepared for an interview situation.

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Leadership

One major element of the School Development Plan was Leadership development for staff. This applied to members of Senior and Middle Management Teams. The purpose of this ‘Distributive Leadership’ development work was to help staff to become more effective in their roles so that standards across the school would continue to improve.

CELEBRATING OUR FIFTIETH YEAR •

Fiftieth Anniversary Mass

On Friday the 27th of September 2013 Mass was celebrated in St Mary’s Church to mark fifty years since the founding of the College. The Mass was concelebrated by the Diocesan Administrator Fr. Francis Bradley, retired Bishop Daly and twelve priests from surrounding parishes. Special guests included former Principals, Rev Robert Devine and Mr Sean McElwee, former Vice Principals, Madge Dempsey, Charlie Murphy, Paddy Collins and Anne Kelly. Members of the present and past Boards of Governors, Primary School Principals and members of the local community also attended. Members of current staff and the pupil body were also in attendance. After the service a celebratory meal was served in the College Sports Hall.

• Gala Dinner A Gala Dinner was held on the 1 st November in the Tullyglass Hotel, Ballymena.

It was attended by over 500 quests including present and past pupils and staff.

A night of entertainment and nostalgia ensued with guests sharing stories of extremely funny incidents that occurred over the years. The event was compered by well-known local wit Gerry Donnelly. The evening concluded with dancing to the Boogie Men. It was a very memorable occasion.

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Green Flag Renewal

In February the College was visited by Tidy Northern Ireland Green Flag Assessors. For the third time the College was commended for its good work regarding energy conservation and recycling, with particular praise for the Senior School Council for their Swap Shop event held in November. Pupils swapped and sold DVDs, CDs, videos, books and games, raising £500 for Trócaire and the Philippines.

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• European Week for Waste Reduction Well known chef Danny Millar visited the College in November to carry out a ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ cookery demonstration.

Accompanying Danny was Danielle McCormick from WRAP N.I. an organisation dedicated to reducing waste. This event was one of a series of events organised by the Senior School Council to support European Week for Waste Reduction.

• Chemistry at Work A group of Year 12 pupils travelled to the Coleraine Campus of the University of Ulster, to take part in the Chemistry at Work Exhibition hosted by the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Pupils were introduced to university teaching methods and aspects of local industry with regard to chemistry. Three pupils from St Patrick’s won awards in the Chemistry quiz, with Grace Paul winning the top prize.

CHARITY WORK •

School Aid Romania

In January, twenty students from the College, accompanied by Mr A Clifford and Ms M O’Kane, travelled to Romania with a similar number of students and teachers from Methodist College, Belfast as part of the School Aid Romania programme. The College raised £18,500 which was used to buy equipment and to improve facilities for schools, orphanages, care homes and a TB hospital.

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Tanzania Trip

During the summer holidays a group of twelve pupils accompanied by teachers Mr C Lavery, Mrs E Lavery, Mrs M Quinn and Mrs A Scott travelled to Tanzania to assist in building projects and to take charitable donations such as clothes and money to families and schools. Pupils and staff raised £30,394 to provide aid for children and schools in Tanzania. The group painted classrooms, spent time with pupils and children from schools and orphanages and experienced great warmth and welcome from the people they met in Tanzania.

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Swap Shop in Aid of the Philippines

In November the Senior School Council organised a Swap Shop to encourage the recycling of household goods and to raise funds. Pupils in Years 9 to 11 brought in DVDs, CDs, computer games and books that they no longer used at home. Pupils were then given the opportunity to purchase items from the collection. The £500 that was raised was donated to the Trócaire fund for the Philippines.

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Trócaire

The College raised funds for the Trócaire campaign via the annual 24hour Sponsored Fast which was supported by a large number of the student body. Pupils were also encouraged to get involved with the ‘Buy a Gift’ campaign organised by Year 13. Items such as chicks, birth certificates, school kits and even goats were purchased. The total amount of money donated to Trócaire this year was £7,200.

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St Vincent de Paul Hampers

Pope John Paul II students and teachers collected foodstuffs to make up fifty Christmas Hampers for the local St Vincent de Paul groups in Swatragh and Maghera.

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Santa Run

Sixth Form students participated in the annual Santa Run to raise £5,000 for a number of charities, including St. Vincent de Paul. This fundraiser was organised with the support of the management and staff of Walsh’s hotel, who were involved in the planning of the event and who also provided refreshments for the pupils at the end of the run.

COMPETITIONS •

Irish

This year the College won the Scíath Mhic Ghíolla Bhríde which is the top prize in Ulster for the greatest proficiency in Spoken Irish.

Eimear de Brún came first in Northern Ireland in GCSE Irish. In the Junior Gael Linn Quiz three pupils- Conor McAteer, Ruairi Rafferty and Oran McGill came second in the regional section.

Many pupils attended Gaeltacht courses in Machaire Rabhartaigh, Bun an Inbhir, Loch an Iuir and Rann na Féirste with Aimee McGoldrick winning a ‘Pupil of the Course’ award. In July several pupils attended Campa Chormaic with Tiarnan Walsh being awarded ‘Pupil of the Course’.

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Religious Studies Award As a result of achieving the top marks in CCEA A level Religious Studies, past pupil Paddy McAlary was recognised by the Institute of Theology at Queen’s University, Belfast. Paddy received his award from Professor David Hayton, Director of the Institute who complimented the College on the quality of teaching and learning in Religious Studies in the College.

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Hogan Captain named Queen’s Scholar

Victorious Hogan Cup and MacRory Captain, Conor Carville being selected as a Queen’s Scholar, was presented with a bursary. This accolade is awarded to only ten students who excel in academic performance and in other aspects of their school and personal life. The award is worth £14,000 per year for the duration of the Master’s Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering which Conor is undertaking.

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United Kingdom Intermediate Mathematics Challenge 2013

This UK Mathematics Trust competition is aimed at the top one third of pupils in Year 12 in the United Kingdom. The Trust is based at the School of Mathematics in Leeds University. The competition involves completing 25 multiple choice questions in one hour, taken under examination conditions. Gold, silver or bronze certificates are awarded to the highest achieving students nationally. Sixteen pupils from St Patrick’s achieved awards this year.

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Stock Market Challenge

The Young Enterprise Stock Market challenge was hosted this year by St Mary’s College, Derry. Thirty teams from fifteen schools in the North West participated. The competition is based on a simulation of a trading floor on the London Stock Exchange with each team starting with a fund of £20,000 to invest in company shares. Throughout the competition unfolding economic and other events were detailed on large screens. Competitors were required to analyse these events and predict how they would affect share prices. The winning team from St Patrick’s - Dylan McAleer, Mary O’Kane, Ciaran Conway, Shea Mulligan and Aoife Doherty managed to trade up their initial investment to £120,000 which was £40,000 more than any other group. They received gift vouchers for the Foyleside Shopping Centre courtesy of Young Enterprise.

• Learner of the Year Year 12 pupils Oisin Cassidy and Lauren Nugent won ‘Learner of the Year’ awards from CCEA in recognition of their achievements in the Occupational Studies course at the NRC in Magherafelt. Oisin 6

received his award for Technology and Innovation and Lauren for Design and Creativity. Over 8,000 students throughout N. Ireland, were eligible for these awards.

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The Poetry Games

Pupils in Years 9 and 10 took part in ‘The Poetry Games’- a competition for budding poets. Many poems were deemed to be of such good quality that they were published in a Regional Anthology.

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Texaco Art Award

Anton Tohill received a merit award in the Texaco Children’s Art competition. Anton accepted his award at a special ceremony in Dublin.

POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD This award is dedicated to the memory of the much loved late Pope. Pupils took part in Parish activities and in Social Awareness work. Forty eight Sixth Form pupils received forty five Gold, two Silver and one Bronze awards from guest of honour His Excellency the Papal Nuncio Arch Bishop Charles Brown and Diocesan Administrator, Rev Francis Bradley, in a ceremony in the Millennium Forum Derry.

COMENIUS The Comenius Group, consisting of eight pupils, accompanied by Mr M Toner, Mr H McGuigan and Mrs A Scott, travelled to Viborg, Denmark in March. This was part of a project named SOS Share Online Safely and involved pupils from the College working with pupils from Denmark, France, Germany and Poland. The objective this year was focussed on coping with cyber-bullying, addictions and other health issues related to digital communication

SKI TRIP In February fifty one pupils and five teachers set off for Pamporova, Bulgaria. After landing at Plovdiv and travelling by coach through the Rhodope Mountains they eventually arrived at their base the Snezhanka hotel. Skiers of varying abilities developed their skills on the most appropriate slopes for them. The evenings were spent bowling, karaoke singing and participating in table quizzes. The frequently heard question on the route home was ‘can we go again next year?’

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ART TRIPS A/S Art students visited the Ulster Museum to investigate the annual Royal Ulster Academy Exhibition where they had the opportunity to look closely at the work of some of the major artists in Northern Ireland. The GCSE and A/S Art students also attended the True Colours Exhibition at the Ulster Museum to observe the work of fellow students.

WORKSKILLS SHOWCASE Pupils from the Learning Support Centre in Years 10, 11 and 12, accompanied by Mrs A Quinn and Mrs McKenna attended the Workskills Showcase organised by the NEELB Transition Service.

This event, in the Antrim Forum, illustrated the work of top apprentices.

CYCLE AGAINST SUICIDE St Patrick’s promotes a climate that supports a healthy lifestyle which in turn promotes positive mental health. To raise awareness of mental health issues we were delighted to welcome ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ to the College in May. With around five hundred cyclists, the event made its inaugural appearance in Northern Ireland.

RETREAT A retreat was held for Year 14 students. During the retreat, students were involved in events such as introductory games and songs, activities which aided personal development. Pupils had the opportunity to reflect on their spiritual life and lifestyle choices. Activities also provided time to share and challenge one another on their beliefs. Pupils benefit greatly from the retreat experience.

CAREER GUIDANCE / COUNSELLING Pupils in Years 8 to 12 follow an Employability course. Sixth Form pupils are timetabled for one period per 2-week cycle allocated to career guidance. Time is also provided in Years 10, 12 and Sixth Form for individual interview/consultation with the Careers Service Staff, N.I. Parents may discuss the subject and career choices of Year 10 and Year 12 pupils at the annual parent teacher meeting, before subject decisions are made. In Years 11, 12 and 13, pupils get the opportunity to take part in work experience. A major Careers Conference is organised annually to cater for those seeking to leave school and for those continuing to Further and Higher Education. This convention provides opportunities for pupils to learn more about possible careers and courses open to them, including necessary qualifications and aptitudes required to access the chosen course and/or career.

Representatives of the Careers Service, Universities and Colleges of Further and Higher Education are in attendance to give information and advice to pupils. Sixth Form pupils visit third level institutions during Open Days in September. An annual series of talks from Higher and Further Education Institutions is organised. A trained Guidance Counsellor is also available for pupils to meet in the College. In addition, pupils may get guidance and advice on personal problems from the College Counsellor, the College Chaplain, their Class Tutor, Head of Year, Vice-Principal or Principal, as required.

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SPORTING SUCCESS • Gaelic Football The College footballers had a very successful year. The Senior team retained The MacRory Cup by defeating Omagh CBS. Unfortunately the team lost against Kerry school Corca Dhuibhne who won their first Hogan cup.

Both the Corn na n-Og and The Ranafast cups were won

by Years 10 and 12 respectively. Danny Tallon and Cathal Mulholland were awarded Ulster Colleges All Stars Awards for football.

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Hurling The Hurlers had a very successful year winning five Ulster Championships. The Thompson Cup was won by the Year 8 team, The MacNamee Cup by the Year 9s, the Year 10 team won The Gallagher Cup, The Leonard Cup was won by the Year 11 team and the Year 12 team were successful in The Forresters’ Cup. The Senior trophy, The Mageean Cup, eluded the College losing to Cross and Passion, Ballycastle. Captain of the Senior team Cormac O’Doherty’s efforts were acknowledged when he received an All Star hurling award from Ulster Colleges.

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Camogie

It was a year of final day heartache for the Camogie teams. The Senior team failed in their aim to win the championship for the fifth consecutive year, losing to St Mary’s, Magherafelt. The same fate befell the Junior team. Four girls, Orlaith Ni Mhaolain, Brona Ni Chaiside, Clare Burns and Mairead McNicholl were awarded Camogie All Star Awards with Mairead receiving her second award.

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Individual Success

Lower Sixth student Declan McCusker demonstrated his versatility winning Ulster U18 titles in gaelic football with Watty Graham’s, Glen and in rugby with Rainey Old Boys, Magherafelt.

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Equestrian

Year 8 pupil, Ellen Donnelly was placed third in the MEC Inter Schools Equestrian League in Lurgan. Ellen demonstrated her consistency by being placed in the top ten in all five competitions.

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Athletics

Bernard Mellon and Aodhan Warnock successfully at the UK Sports Hall won the Ulster Championship.

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qualified and competed Athletics, having previously

Elite Athlete Awards

The Elite Athlete Award from the University of Ulster, recognises pupils for their outstanding sporting achievements. This year several students from the College achieved recognition. ????

DRAMA / MUSIC / DANCE •

Fame – Musical

As part of the Fiftieth celebrations the pupils of the College under the leadership of Mrs A O’Kane, Ms M Higgins, Mr A Terrington, Mrs P Mallon, Mr C Lavery, Ms M O’Kane and Ms J Conway staged the musical Fame. A cast of sixty played to capacity audiences through eight energetic performances. The production was greeted with great enthusiasm by all.

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Senior Choir

The Senior Choir had a very successful year under the leadership of Ms J Conway. At the Portadown Fesival they achieved first place in their age group and were then successful winning the Education Committee Cup ????

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College Student hits Broadway

Lower Sixth student Ruairi McFalone was selected by performing arts group Studio2stage to perform on Broadway, New York. This organisation brings together the very best non-professional musicians, singers and dancers and turns their dreams into reality and their talents into a profession. Working with ‘World Class’ choreographers, Ruairi was immersed in nine days of intense rehearsals and then took part in a full scale Broadway production.

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All-Ireland Scór Winner

Upper Sixth student Hannah Ferguson took the honours in the singing category of the All-Ireland Senior Scór finals in Castlebar in April. Hannah won the Ulster Scór na nOg .

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