St Patrick's College, Maghera
54°50′42″N 6°40′23″W / 54.845°N 6.673°W
| St. Patrick's College, Maghera Coláiste Naomh Pádraig, Machaire Rátha[2] | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
25 Coleraine Road , , BT46 5BN | |
| Information | |
| Motto | Fons Sapientiae Verbum Dei (Fountain of wisdom, The word of God) [found on school logo] OR "Achieving Excellence Together" [found on school documents] |
| Established | 1963 |
| Head teacher | Mrs Brenda Mussen |
| Number of students | 1355 |
| Colour(s) | Blue, Black, White |
| Website | St. Patrick's College, Maghera |
St. Patrick's College, Maghera, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, also known as St. Patrick's Co-Ed Comprehensive College, is a co-educational 11-18 college that teaches under a Catholic Ethos. It serves as a comprehensive school for those students who live within the Maghera parish, and has a grammar intake of students for those outside the parish. It consists of two buildings, the main building for those in years 9 to 14 and a separate building for the year 8's.
Subjects
Pupils enrolled in years 8 - 10 will take 15 mandatory subjects: English, Maths, Junior Science (a compound subject including Biology, Chemistry and Physics), Religious Studies, Art, Home Economics, Information Technology, Technology (and Design), History, Geography, Irish, and a choice between French or Spanish. Pupils also attend non-exam classes such as Physical Education, Citizenship, and Employability.
In Years 11 and 12, Pupils will sit their GCSE examinations, with compulsory classes of: English Language, Maths, a choice between Single, Double or Triple Award science, and Religious Studies. Dependant on what level of science is studied, pupils may select an additional 4, 3 or 2 GCSEs, respectively. These choices are made from the CCEA specification, although a few subjects - such as German - are not offered. These choices are made in Mid-to-Late Year 10. Most pupils in the college will sit English Literature examinations alongside English Language, but only two classes per year (approx 60 pupils) will sit Further Mathematics examinations in their Year 12 alongside standard Mathematics in their Year 11. These Year Groups also sit non-exam classes such as Physical Education, Citizenship and Employability. Some pupils may not be offered English Language, Maths or Double/Triple science, and will opt for Essential Skills English, Essential Skills Maths and Single Award Science, or a mixture of the three.
At A Level, students select 3 A Levels (although some are offered 4, with one taken to only AS level), again from CCEA specifications. Some of these classes require travel to other schools, such as French. Students in Year 13 will sit their AS level examinations, and students in Year 14 will sit their A Level examinations. A Level choices are made in Mid-to-Late Year 12.
All GCSE and A Level classes are subject to enrolment numbers.
Inspections
According to the ETI assessment of the college in 2015, the academic performance at the college was rated as either very good or outstanding. It noted that 'the percentage of pupils progressing to higher education courses is well above the NI average for non-selective schools'.[3]
In the academic year 2016/2017, 85.9% of its entrants received five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C, including the core subjects English and Maths.[4]
Sports
The college has a large tradition in sports - particularly gaelic sports - and is one of the most successful schools in Northern Ireland in this field. The College currently holds 16 MacRory Cup titles as well as 17 Mageean Cups. They are also very successful in junior sports, such as Rannafast titles. Notably, the Senior Camogie team also reached the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Semi-Finals in 2020.
Extracurriculars
St. Patrick's College has two choirs, a Junior Choir for those in those years 8-10, and a Senior Choir for those years 11-14. The choirs tend to perform at school events such as Christmas Masses, but in recent years have participated in competitions such as BBC School Choir of the Year (2020).
St Patrick’s also has a debate team, which participates yearly in Concern Debates. Years 11-14 can participate in the debates.
St Patrick’s provides opportunities for pupils to use their voice through the roles of Junior and Senior Head Boy and Head Girl, as well as their deputies. There are opportunities in years 10 and 14 to become a prefect, and opportunities through the year to be elected to the School Council, with roles such as Chair and Vice-Chair.
Various other clubs in the school exist, such as Eco Club or Chess Club.
Notable Alumni
Conor Glass - Former Australian Rules Footballer, Current Gaelic Footballer.
Brooke Scullion - Quarter-Finalist on The Voice, Irish Singer-Songwriter
References
- ^ https://stpatricksmaghera.org
- ^ https://stpatricksmaghera.org
- ^ "ETI REPORT 2015". Retrieved 5 September 2019.
- ^ "Belfast Telegraph GCSE 2018". Retrieved 5 September 2019.
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