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MERCY COLLEGE PROSPECTUSMOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVING
MOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVINGPAGE 1Dear Parents/GuardiansINTRODUCTIONMESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPALI am very honoured to have been the Principal of Mercy College for over 10 years, a school with a long and proud history of more than one hundred and fifty years of Mercy education founded by the Mercy Sisters.We pride ourselves on providing a school that is child centred, in which children can feel safe, happy, and enjoy the learning process and that their memories of their school years are recalled with pleasure. Each individual child brings value to our school and our aim is to give them every advantage in their education and to provide a range of learning experiences so that they realise their full learning potential.Mercy College continues to go from strength to strength. Confidence in the community is clear as our admissions continue to rise, with parental surveys citing our renowned pastoral care as one of the main reasons for Mercy College being their post primary preference.We have continued to respond and develop our pastoral provision by providing wraparound care including breakfast club before school, homework support after school, counselling and support services available daily as well as a fully trained full-time nurse.We feel privileged to serve our local community and we are fully committed to Catholic education, which is all embracing of those of all faiths and none.We work closely with all schools in North Belfast to ensure all students in the area can avail of a full, broad and balanced curriculum oer. We are fully committed to shared education and believe it is when we work together, we can truly make a real change.Teachers, parents and students work in partnership to ensure that the educational experience of every student at Mercy College is one of exceptional quality and a holistic approach, enabling them to face the challenges and changes in tomorrow’s world, and to lead a fulfilled life. We do this through oering a knowledge-rich curriculum and a caring, supportive learning environment that provides a pathway for each of the students in our care. We have high expectations of all our students and challenge them to exceed their potential academically, socially, both inside and outside of the classroom. Our continued outstanding academic performance, improving year on year is testament to this.One of our 3 core values is ‘caring’; we are extremely proud of the eorts of our students and parents to provide for those who are in need. In action, we live out our belief that Mercy should be at the centre of the community and the community should be at the heart of the school.M . Moreland | PrincipalM Moreland
MOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVINGPAGE 2On the first day of school, Year 8 pupils will meet their Year Leader and Form Teacher. They will be shown around the school and meet some of their new teachers. There will also be a teambuilding trip which is a fun way to get to know each other. OUR DAILY ROUTINEIN MERCY COLLEGERegistrationPeriod123Break45Lunch678De-RegAfter School Clubs run for 1 hour*De-Reg Monday and Wednesday at 3.10pmDe-Reg Tuesday at 1.50pmDe-Reg Thursday and Friday at 2.30pm8.50am9.05am 9.45am 10.25am 11.05am 11.20am 12.00pm12.40pm 1.15pm 1.55pm 2.35pm3.10pm– 9.05am– 9.45am– 10.25am– 11.05am– 11.20am– 12.00pm– 12.40pm– 1.15pm – 1.55pm– 2.35pm– 3.10pm– 3.20pm*Grouping Pupils in First Year (Year 8)Form ClassesIt is very important in a large school that the pupils should feel they are a part of a smaller grouping unit. For this reason we divide the school into year groups and each group into form classes. Your child will have the same Year Leader and Form Teacher for the next five years. To give them an increased sense of security they will have daily contact with their Form Teacher both in the morning and afternoon. We introduced afternoon registration for the last 10 minutes of each day, to provide a further opportunity for pupils to have dedicated pastoral time at the end of the day. Each Year 8 class is assigned two Form 6 pupils to act as class mentors. They advise them on daily life in Mercy College and build a network for peer support during transition.The school oce is open from 8.45am until 4.15pm. Parents who wish to contact the school may do so by telephoning (028) 90391769 during opening hours.
MOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVINGPAGE 3Key Stage 3The school oers a broad and balanced curriculum at Key Stage 3All Students in Year 8 - 10 study the following subjects:Key Stage 4 All pupils must study the following Core Subjects or the relevant level 2 equivalent:Students then choose from the following courses or the relevant level 2 equivalent:Religious EducationEnglish LanguageMathematicsScience Physical EducationCareers EducationLearning for Life and WorkTechnology and DesignDramaGCSE Religious EducationGCSE English LanguageGCSE MathematicsGCSE Learning for Life and WorkPhysical Education (leisure)Careers Education (non exam)GCSE Applied ICTBTEC Travel & TourismBTEC Applied ScienceGCSE HistoryGCSE Art and DesignGCSE Sports StudiesGCSE Double Award ScienceGCSE Technology and DesignGCSE EngineeringGCSE GeographyGCSE Moving Image ArtGCSE Single Award ScienceGCSE Digital TechnologyGCSE English LiteratureGCSE SpanishGCSE IrishGCSE ScienceGCSE HairdressingGCSE Health and Social CareGCSE Child DevelopmentGCSE HospitalityGCSE MusicGCSE DramaPrince’s Trust Certificate/DiplomaGCSE Business StudiesOccupational StudiesGeographySpanishArt and DesignICTMusicIrishHome EconomicsHistoryOUR SCHOOLCURRICULUM
WWMOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVINGPAGE 4MOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVINGOur school continues to enhance the Post-16 curriculum provision by working collaboratively and harmoniously with schools in the North Belfast Area Learning Community. The school has excellent links with other schools in North Belfast through our Shared Education Programme.We are also proud to be the only school in Belfast oering the Extended Diploma in Sport with our partner organisation LLS.All courses are subject to viable pupil numbersCOURSES CURRENTLY ON OFFER IN FORM 6Health and Social CareBusinessHealth and Life ScienceConstructionDramaPerforming ArtsMedia StudiesApplied Travel and TourismExtended Diploma in Child CareExtended Diploma in SportReligious EducationEnglish LiteratureSports StudiesApplied ICTA Level and Level 3 Applied CoursesGovernment and PoliticsMathsHistoryHospitalityArtSociologyIrish
PAGE 5MOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVINGWe are proud of our extensive Form 6 enrichment programme and the transferable skills our pupils develop outside the curriculum to help support their future pathways. Our enriched curriculum builds on their talents and helps our students become confident young leaders of the future.The enrichment programme changes each year depending on the pupils’ interests and they play an important role in selecting what activities are oered. Enrichment activities include:Cookery for Independent LivingMental Health Ambassadors Anti Bullying AmbassadorsTransition SupportCare in the CommunityJohn Paul II AwardPhotographyReading BuddyPeer MentoringSign LanguageVolunteeringLeadershipMentoringCodingBoxing First Aid SportChoirFORM 6 ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME
PAGE 6MOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVINGDuring the Autumn term pupils have the opportunity to apply to become part of our Student Council. Two students from each year group are chosen to represent their year group and be part of an active forum that represents the views of all students. They meet monthly and report to the Senior Leadership Team to discuss the ideas and suggestions they have received from their peers. This is a very important part of Mercy College and ensures students have a voice on school life and policies which aect them and may impact on the school environment. We believe working in partnership with students is crucial to ensure the success of Mercy College. The aim of Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) in the college is to help pupils develop their knowledge, understanding, skills and experience of opportunities to manage their career development. We assist students to make relevant informed choices, ensuring successful transition into education, training or employment and to become lifelong learners. The overall objective of eective CEIAG provision within our college is to enable pupils to become eective career decision makers, empowered to manage their own career development successfully and with due respect and care for their own needs, those of others and of their wider communities. We provide every student with individualised career advice and have a network of industry links that inspire pupils to pursue their pathway and provide opportunities for work experience and skill development. Formal careers guidance begins in Year 10 when pupils select their subjects for GCSE. The career’s teacher, parents, subject and form teachers are all involved in assisting the pupils to assess their ability in particular subjects and to see the implications of subject choices for subsequent career opportunities.STUDENT VOICECAREERSSTUDENT COUNCILEDUCATION
MOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVINGPAGE 7We have been working in partnership with LLS to deliver an exemplary sports studies programme at Mercy College. Our Form 6 pupils have an opportunity to pursue a pathway in a specialist subject alongside a partner agency with industry links to the best sports academies in the world. Many of our graduates have followed successful career pathways and gone on to work in the sports industry in Europe, Asia and the USA. Every pupil from Year 8 to Year 12 attends PE classes once a week. We believe that physical health and fitness is as important to our pupils’ future academic study, as PE encourages team work and develops positive mental health. We also run several after school clubs which encourage pupils to stay active. Our clubs are also a great way for pupils to make new friends.Sport is a big part of life in Mercy College. We have a history of success and have been awarded the IFA Gold Quality Mark for excellence in football provision. The college won the IFA National Senior Girl’s Schools Cup 3 times and also holds trophies for both boys and girls Futsall. We also have very successful boys and girls Gaelic teams, as well as developing Basketball and Netball squads. OUR SPORTSPHYSICALTEAMSEDUCATIONSPORTS AT MERCYLLS
PAGE 8MOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVINGGuitar ClubFiddle ClubIT and GamesCodingCookery ClubEco ClubChoirGaelic FootballFitness TrainingSoccerNetballBasketballDanceCheerleadingChoir Drama Games Football HomeworkThe pupils also take part in out of school workshops, trips and tournaments.Every attempt is made to encourage pupils to take part in a variety of extra curricular activities which we believe are an important part of a pupil’s education.Music tuition is available from The School of Music tutors. There is a school choir which meets at lunchtime and participates in a wide range of events throughout the local community.Art ClubDrama ClubDJ ClubYoung EngineersGCSE English BoosterGCSE Maths BoosterHomework ClubScience ClubWe are proud of our links within the community, and we work with a growing range of charities to support the changing needs within our local area. This includes pupils and sta volunteering with local organisations.We have lots of dierent clubs on after school. Each year the activities change as we listen to our student voice to decide what clubs they want to attend. Some clubs/classes currently running are:After school sports clubs include a range of the following:Lunch Clubs:EXTRA CURRICULARACTIVITIES
MOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVINGPAGE 9We pride ourselves on making the transition from primary school to secondary as smooth as possible for our new Year 8 students. This is why we run a transition programme with our partners in Eye4Education to introduce potential Year 8 students to our school environment during their last years at Primary School. This programme has proved to be very successful over the past number of years. We have in place initiatives which provide students with an environment conducive to building lasting relationships with other students in both their class and year group and indeed with teachers as well.We have earned our reputation as a caring school. We aim to provide guidance and support to each of our pupils so that they achieve success and develop a sense of personal worth alongside their academic achievements. • Our pastoral care programme ensures all students needs are catered for. • Our pastoral care programme develops the ‘3 Cs’ Culture - Currency - Character. • We have a comprehensive range of agencies that support our curriculum.A counselling service is also provided in the school for children who require additional support. We are very pleased to have increased this provision to ensure we have school counsellors and mentors available daily. We have developed a ‘Care Zone’ within the school in conjunction with our youth service YEHA. This is supported by our 6th form peer mentors.We also have a full time School Nurse and a Home School Liaison Ocer enabling us to deliver a wraparound service to support our pupils and their families.Each child is awarded points throughout the month for their behaviour, progress and achievements. Pupils are awarded with Paper, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum awards depending on how many points they achieve. Pupils can turn their points into currency which enables them to cash in their points and choose prizes. There are also monthly subject awards whereby pupils gain a ‘pupil of the month’ certificate to recognise their eort and attitude to learning. We also encourage full attendance by holding a draw each month where our students with full attendance can win a prize.AWARDS AND REWARDSTRANSITION AND PASTORALPROVISION
MOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVINGPAGE 10Faith Development is the way in which we at Mercy College develop our pupils’ understanding of the teachings of the Church and the Gospel. Our aim is to develop a strong faith community in our school where our students can strengthen their Christian values with our motto – Truth, Love and Justice. We look to our parents and guardians to help support us in growing the faith by encour-aging our children to show true Christian values in their daily lives. As a Catholic school, we welcome and celebrate pupils of other faith traditions, in line with our Mercy ethos. Pupils of other faith traditions are made to feel at home in Mercy.All pupils in Years 8-12 participate in Religious Education classes several times a week. Religious Studies is also oered in Years 13 and 14 at AS and A Level.Participation in Prayer, Sacraments and Mass are important aspects of life in Mercy College. We have a Morning Prayer which is said in Form Class each morning. Our students take part in Faith retreats throughout the year where they can reflect upon their faith. We have a weekly Mass which is held every Wednesday in our Oratory as well as School Masses to celebrate occasions throughout the year. Our sta are also invited to a weekly reflection service. We hold a beautiful Christmas Carol Service every year before the end of Christmas Term. We have wonderful support in our Christian journey from The Mercy Sisters in North Belfast and we are always delighted to see them involved in our school activities. Our pupils are encouraged to participate in charitable and voluntary work in the school, their homes, their community and the wider world. As a school we organise several charitable events throughout the year. We begin in September with our Mercy Day Mass which we celebrate with the Mercy community around the world. At this time our Sixth Form also organise a MacMillan Coee Morning which is a great success each year. During Advent we collect hampers for the local community and also donate to the Shoe Box Appeal which sends parcels around the world to communities in need. In February we make St Brigid’s Crosses with our Year 8 classes. During Lent each class and year group organise events to raise funds for various charities with a focus on Trócraire. Our Sixth Form also take part in the Habitat for Humanity Restore scheme which builds homes and provides furniture to the less fortunate. As well as this we have many pupils who take part in charity and volunteering in their personal time. We are very proud of our sta and pupils and all they do as a Christian family. We truly believe by working together as a community we can achieve more.Faith EducationCelebrations of Faith Faith in ActionFAITH INACTION
MOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVINGPAGE 11RationaleA uniform dress code fosters pride in appearance and instils recognition of the pupils as an integral part of our school community. It assists in developing pride in representing Mercy College. Issues of equality, health and safety, are also factors that contribute to the establishment of our dress code.Blazer with School CrestV NeckJumperBlack Trousersor Navy SkirtNavy Bottomswith School CrestNavy PE Half Zip Jumperwith School CrestNavy T-Shirtwith School CrestSport TrainersBlack ShoesAims• To promote equality amongst all students.• To further develop a sense of pride in, and identification with our school.• To provide durable clothing that is cost eective and practical for our school environment.• To maintain and enhance the positive image of the school in the community.OUR SCHOOL UNIFORMBased on pupil feedback through the Student Council,the school sponsored an outdoor coat for all pupils. This sponsorship will continue for new Year 8 pupils in 2024/25.
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MOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVINGPAGE 13ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING Assessment and reporting are key elements used to measure pupil progress and planning for improvement. We have 4 assessment windows per year. This information is then reported on and shared with pupils and parents. Students use these results to set meaningful targets for improvement. These assessments also allow teachers to have a better understanding of the progress your son or daughter is making and to decide on strategies and interventions which may be needed.When starting Mercy College, pupils complete a series of baseline testing. This is then repeated annually to track progress. This data is used to help decide what support, if any is needed for your son or daughter. Support may include additional literacy or numeracy support. The SENCO works closely with our Year Leaders and Subject Teachers to ensure IEP’s are devised for students needing additional support
PAGE 14MOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVINGSTRATEGIES TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL• Wraparound Pastoral Support including School Nurse onsite and School Counsellors • Quality feedback to pupils following assessments • Rewards and Awards Student - Class of the Month• Easter Revision Classes for GCSE Students• Strong Focus on Numeracy and Literacy• Excellent Communication with Parents• Attendance of the Month and Star Cards• Personalised Target Setting• Parental and Student Voice• Form 6 Peer Mentors• Formal Homeworks• Homework Club• Booster Classes• Individualised Careers AdviceWe use a range of strategies in supporting all pupils to progress and achieve their best. Key to this success is the partnership we have with parents.
Address : Mercy College, Bilston Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT14 7QR Phone : 028 90 391 769Email : info@mercycollege.belfast.ni.sch.uk Web : www.mercycollegebelfast.comtwitter.com/mercycollegeni facebook.com/mercycollegebelfastMOTIVATING • CARING • BELIEVING