St Patrick's College, Maghera

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Coordinates: 54°50′42″N 6°40′23″W / 54.845°N 6.673°W / 54.845; -6.673

St. Patrick's College, Maghera
Coláiste Naomh Pádraig, Machaire Rátha[2]
Address
25 Coleraine Road

Maghera
,
County Londonderry[1]
,
BT46 5BN

Northern Ireland
Information
MottoFons Sapientiae Verbum Dei (Fountain of wisdom, The word of God)
Established1963
Head teacherBrenda Mussen
GenderMixed
Number of students1355
Colour(s)Blue,   Black,   White,  
WebsiteSt. 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 secondary school in Northern Ireland. It teaches within the Roman Catholic ethos.

Status, catchment, buildings[]

St Patrick's is a comprehensive school, primarily serving those students who live within the Maghera parish, but also those in the wider catchment area from areas such as Randalstown and Dungiven. It consists of two sites, the main site for those in Years 9 to 14 and a separate site for the Year 8's, known as the "St Mary's Building".

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 school 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.

Results[]

According to the ETI assessment of the school in 2015, the academic performance 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]

Awards[]

- Eco Schools (2021)

Sports[]

The school 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, which are organised between other schools.

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. Prefects can also be elected to both leadership teams. Junior Leadership runs throughout Year 10, and Senior Leadership through year 14. Opportunities are presented for those in Years 8-14 to be elected to the School Council, with roles such as Chair and Vice-Chair. The Leadership Teams, Prefects and School Council all meet 3 times a year - once a term - to discuss issues they and their peers raise.

Other clubs, such as Eco Club, Chess Club or STEM Club, usually run over lunchtimes or occasionally after school at the discretion of the teachers in charge of the clubs.

Subject-specific class trips may occur, such as the Business Studies Department visiting the Tayto Factory or the Music and Performing Arts Department visiting London.

Year Group trips are usually planned to take place in June for Years 8-10. Years 11-14 do not receive Year Group trips.

Notable Alumni[]

  • Conor Glass - Former Australian Rules Footballer, Current Gaelic Footballer.
  • Anthony Tohill - Former Australian Rules Footballer and Gaelic Footballer. Anthony played at midfield when Derry won their only All-Ireland Senior Gaelic Football title in 1993.
  • Henry Downey - Former Derry Hurler and Gaelic Footballer. Henry played at centre half when Derry won their only All-Ireland Senior Gaelic Football title in 1993, Henry was the captain of this team.
  • - Quarter-Finalist on The Voice, Irish Singer-Songwriter

References[]

  1. ^ https://stpatricksmaghera.org[bare URL]
  2. ^ https://stpatricksmaghera.org[bare URL]
  3. ^ "ETI REPORT 2015". Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  4. ^ "Belfast Telegraph GCSE 2018". Belfasttelegraph. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
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