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St Catherine s College Armagh Col iste Chaitr ona Ard Mhacha School Prospectus

Our History Sacred Heart Goals A Living Faith Personal Growth Intellectual Values Building Community Active Social Aware I have been speaking about getting over some ladies of the Sacred Heart to Armagh and I am told that it would be an excellent place for them There is no school for young ladies in the entire province of Ulster There is no Convent at all in Armagh and the town is large and respectable In 1851 Mother Croft and five nuns arrived in Armagh and Sacred Heart Education came to the city Their arrival was in response to Archbishop Cullen s vision expressed to Dr Kirby President of the Irish College in Rome and passed to Mother Scully in the Villa Lorte These Goals represent values which Sacred Heart Schools wish to promote and live by They guide our behaviour and identify us as belonging to a common family They are the public expression of what we are and what we stand for In effect they express our corporate identity The active pursuit of these Goals will bring us safely into the future because the values they represent transcend time Our pupils may experience times of economic and social turmoil It is our hope that Sacred Heart Education will equip them with the faith and the fortitude to cope with the challenges they will face

Personal Growth Our school recognises the uniqueness inherent worth and dignity of each pupil Saint Catherine s prides itself on the strength of its Sacred Heart ethos but we never take it for granted We allow individuals to be who they really are and do our best to ensure that everyone is treated equally All of what we do inside and outside the classroom aims to ensure our pupils gain self knowledge energy purpose and conviction The school proceeds therefore in a spirit of giving all our pupils real confidence and a sense of their inherent dignity as children of God The whole curriculum aims to prepare our pupils to embrace the opportunities and undertake the responsibilities of adult and working life Saint Catherine s is a school where We place an emphasis on the development of the whole pupil The spiritual physical emotional and educational welfare of our pupils is the basis of all we do We know that education happens outside the classroom as well as inside We offer an exciting extensive range of extra curricular activities to provide something for everyone We encourage pupils to know themselves to acknowledge and use their gifts accept their limitations and share their talents with others We work tirelessly to ensure that each pupil is valued cared for and respected in a welcoming and secure community We provide opportunities for our pupils to contribute to the development of our school and to exercise leadership in the spiritof service We prepare our pupils to embrace opportunities

Intellectual Values Saint Catherine s College provides a curriculum which realises the aims of the school reflects the ethos of the Society of the Sacred Heart and is enjoyed by all of our pupils Our pupils experience a balanced academic curriculum and a rich extra curricular programme which together promote a Respect for Intellectual Values Our staff believes that Learning is best served when teaching is of the highest quality It has at its heart the forming of the minds and hearts of our pupils through the provision and pursuit of educational excellence It highlights the need for a pupil centred approach and for the recognition that there are many different types of intellect and ways of learning Our curriculum engages pupils equips them for life takes account of what they already know supports learning assesses for learning promotes pupil independence respects the pupil voice values out of school learning is delivered in effective learning environments and is taught by teachers who continuously develop their own knowledge and skills We create a stimulating learning environment where academic study and intellectual pursuits are cherished and valued We recognise and develop the potential of each individual pupil enabling them to become questioning reflective young people who can appropriately use their knowledge to understand interpret and interact with today s world The modern buildings and the new decor all show how our school reshapes and repurposes itself to empower each generation of learners We create an atmosphere of respect for learning in the school environment through our use of the following facilities Pupil Support Room Pupil Hubs Comfort Corner a safe and comfortable space for our students who need an environment to relax and unwind Sixth Form Snug Coffee Dock Breakfast Club Areas The Hannan Suite our Gym and Dance Studio The SEWing Suite our Spiritual Emotional Well being suite including our Croft Chaplaincy named after Mother Croft Our School Chapel We provide opportunities for Teacher Professional Learning Metacognition Thinking skills Personal Capabilities Training linked to the school s Strategic Development Plan Google Educator Training Innovative Technologies Training Middle Senior Management Training TPL provided by the Education Authority Education and Training Inspectorate We ensure through a culture of caring and well structured pastoral system that Individual needs are catered for across the school Policies and Practices are constantly reviewed and updated Achievements are recognised and rewarded Outside Agencies are utilised effectively and efficiently The Sacred Heart Educator aims to walk with children helping them to begin to acquire not only the knowledge and skills but also the staying power and unselfishness that over a lifetime turns dreams into reality however great however modest Sister Aideen Kinlen Provincial of the Irish Scottish Province

Key Stage 3 Key Stage 4 Our academic excellence opens so many doors for women to transform their own lives the lives of their families and more importantly to transform the society and world in which we live We recognise the importance and centrality of our Key Stage Three curriculum We pride ourselves on its breadth variety and innovation which satisfies the statutory curriculum requirements At the end of Year 10 pupils make their subject choices for Key Stage 4 and GCSEs Here are the subjects on offer at Key Stage Three English Mathematics Science RE Digi Skills Technology Design Home Economics Drama Music Art Irish Spanish French Gaeilge Geography History Physical Education The Key Stage 4 curriculum is intended to be a balanced and broadly based curriculum which promotes the spiritual emotional moral cultural intellectual and physical development of pupils at the school and thereby of society Which prepares pupils for the opportunities responsibilities and experiences of life by equipping them with appropriate knowledge understanding and skills Subjects on offer at Key Stage 4 Art and Design Business Studies Physical Health Wellbeing Drama English Language English Literature Media Studies French Irish Gaeilge Spanish Geography Health Social Care History Home Economics IT Careers Learning for Life and Work Ag Foghlaim don Saol agus don Obair Mathematics Statistics Further Maths Music Occupational Studies P E R E Science Double Award Single Award Technology Design

Sixth Form The growth of the Sixth Form in Saint Catherine s College has been significant Year 12 pupils are given a great deal of information regarding the programmes of study available in Sixth Form A Pathways to Success conference is held for Year 12 pupils and their parents during which addresses are given by past pupils Head of Sixth Form and the School Principal The pupils are also given the opportunity to discuss Sixth Form subject specifications with Subject Leaders A Level teaching specialists Sixth Form pupil representatives and past pupils Subjects on offer in Sixth Form are Art Design Biology Business Chemistry English Literature Geography Food Nutrition French Health Social Care Single Award Double Award Irish Mathematics History Moving Image Arts Music Physics Politics Religious Studies Sociology Spanish Technology Design Theatre Studies Construction Travel Tourism Hospitality Careers UPS Uniform Protective Services

Community We build community appreciate difference Our school is a supportive and loving environment Essentially the Goal of Community is about the fostering of relationships in an atmosphere of mutual interaction where those involved both give and receive Another way of putting it would be that the Goal of Community is attempting to live the motto Cor Unum One Heart Therefore our challenge is to aim that no student should finish the school year with a sense of marginalisation or of feeling undervalued As a school community we Nurture good relationships Promote inclusiveness Celebrate difference Strive for equality and justice Embrace all cultures Foster close links with our community Our work on the Goal of Community has helped prepare our pupils to become in the future agents of change and responsible citizens who can contribute meaningfully to society A school will stand or fall by its relationships Mary Cavanagh RSCJ January 2000

A Living Faith Our school is rooted in the conviction that a Living Faith permeates the life of our school As a Sacred Heart school We are continuing the vision of St Madeleine Sophie Barat as she wanted every pupil s faith to deepen through the curriculum through formation of character and through the ethos of the school Students find great support in their faith journey from our Chaplain Our school Chaplain is also the Director of Chaplaincy Services this is a unique role and Saint Catherine s is the only school in Armagh with a full time lay Chaplain The religious dimension in the tradition of the Society of the Sacred Heart is central to the life of our school and a Living Faith permeates school life The perspectives of faith imbued St Madeleine Sophie Barat s educational philosophy She believed that the formation of the whole person reaches its full potential only when faith informs the entire process The Goal of a Living Faith in God has been fine tuned by the pupil experience in our school Our school provides opportunities for the celebration of the Eucharist such as the opening Mass for the new school year We mark the Feast Days of the Society of the Sacred Heart and utilise religious icons effectively in our school Our prayer room is being used regularly by a broad cross section of our pupils as their sacred space for personal and communal prayer and reflection Faith is engraved in the life of our school in our hearts We continue and support the work of parents and guardians by helping our students acquire particular values which emphasise love kindness respect hope optimism compassion forgiveness tolerance and service Our school actively fosters linkes with the wider community in Armagh warmly opening our doors for community groups and events s s e n d n i K s s e n r i a F Respect

Social Awareness Our school enables all pupils to become agents of transformation Awareness of social injustice and desire to respond actively is part of the heritage of Madeleine Sophie Today our Sacred Heart educators continue to encourage this response The Goal of Social Awareness can be said to be the practical outworking of the work on the other four goals The Goal of Social Awareness gives our pupils the opportunity to translate the knowledge skills and values acquired through our work on the Goals of Faith Intellect Character and Community into effective action for social change As a Bronze Awarded Rights Respecting School we recognise our commitment to placing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child UNCRC at the heart of our school s practice Through developed programmes we develop our pupils knowledge and information about responsible citizenship and problems of injustice through outreach work assemblies and living faith Our school enables all pupils to become agents of transformation by highlighting their active role as engaged active citizens committed to advocacy effective action for social change conflict resolution and leadership Pupils in our school have the opportunity to become involved in some of the following activities throughout their seven year journey Form class and whole school fund raising activities and initiatives Anti bullying workshops being Anti bullying Ambassador Christmas Shoe Box appeal St Vincent de Paul Christmas hampers Visits to local care homes Trip to Lourdes Being on the Ethos Team Being a Peer Mentor Befriender Reading Buddy Library Assistant Being an Environmental Prefect Being a Kindness Literacy or Sports Ambassador Being on our School Council Being part of the Rights Respecting Steering Group Various roles of leadership and responsibility including Head Girl Deputy Head Girl Senior Prefect Be humble be simple and bring joy to others

Thug an scoil seo an seans dom teacht chuig An Sruth Gaeilge T mo chuid Gaeilge ag feabhs i rith an ama T gach duine iontach deas cine lta agus t m br d il as mo scoil agus as mo chuid Gaeilge Ruair Mac Conbhu Bliain a 13 An Sruth Gaeilge Col iste Chaitr ona established in 2002 provides pupils in our local Bunscoileanna with the opportunity to continue their education through the medium of Irish at post primary level between the ages of 11 16 Our pupils are an integral part of the school community pobal na scoile They enjoy the full experience on offer to all pupils in St Catherine s College We are providing our pupils with a platform on which to build their bilingual future Several of our pupils have been placed first and second in the North of Ireland in a number of subjects We promote participation in a wide variety of Irish language events such as Rith Quizzes Feiseanna Easter courses and Gaeltacht summer courses We have strong links with our local Irish language community and keep our pupils posted on Irish language events happening locally and nationally An Sruth Gaeilge Col iste Chaitr ona providing quality bilingual education since 2002 Mol an ige agus Tiocfaidh s A pupil entering An Sruth Gaeilge in Year 8 will study 50 of the N I curriculum through Irish Our pupils complete G C S E Irish at the end of Year 9 In Key Stage 4 all pupils study Gaeilge and Ag Foghlaim don Saol agus don Obair as core subjects through Irish

School Prayer On this new day we ask you God To help us to be there for each other That where there is worry We will bring support That where there is friendship We will deepen it That where there is anyone left out We will help them to join in That where there is a need We will bring generosity of heart Always remembering our school motto Cor Unum One Heart School Hymn Children Of The Sacred Heart We are people of the future linked to kin of yesterday We are kindred strong and worthy who are bound to have their say In the Ireland we inherit we will surely have our place With the Sacred Heart to guide us and the Holy Spirit s grace Chorus All for one and one for all shoulder to shoulder walking tall We are Children of the Sacred Heart We are caring for each other we are conscious of the poor We are working for the Third World who are striving to endure We were learning how to cipher how to read and how to write We were taught to be courageous not to fear the darkest night Chorus All for one and one for all shoulder to shoulder walking tall We are Children of the Sacred Heart

What makes our school unique The importance of living out the Sacred Heart Ethos permeates every aspect of the school s work The result is an environment which promotes love of God and understanding of neighbour in a balanced and inter connected learning experience In Saint Catherine s there is an awareness that our high levels of academic artistic sporting and musical success and our Sacred Heart Ethos are inextricably linked Ours is a school which embraces inclusion social justice high expectations and high standards Saint Catherine s College Convent Rd Armagh BT60 4BJ N Ireland t 02837522023 e info stcatherines armagh ni sch uk www stcatherinesarmagh com