Return to flip book view

Prospectus r u o Y ild r h i c he ss t ce c r u s ou ion s s a p

Welcome Dear Parent Guardian The choice of secondary school is one of the most difficult and significant decisions that you and your daughter will make I am delighted that you are considering making St Cecilia s College your daughter s home for learning at post primary level St Cecilia s is a Catholic maintained all girls school in the heart of the city We offer to all our girls an environment where the academic vocational personal and faith development of every girl is paramount The fundamental ethos of the school is to develop within each of our pupils self belief resilience and a desire to succeed Our recent ETI Inspection report highlighted the strong academic achievement of our pupils The pupils attain very highly at GCSE or equivalent at grades A C including English and Mathematics We are proud to report that we continue to achieve well above the Northern Ireland average for similar schools At St Cecilia s College we have high expectations of all of our pupils Our teachers are highly qualified enthusiastic and dedicated with a love of their subject that inspires the pupils in their care We were delighted when this was highlighted in our recent ETI inspection teachers and pupils share high expectations and enjoy excellent working relationships ETI Our staff are committed to ensuring pupils are happy and safe as they learn As a school we are proud not only of our excellence in academic achievement but also in the high standard of discipline and pastoral care which ensures that our pupils can focus on achieving their best Again this was recognised in our recent Inspection The pupils are articulate loyal to their school and motivated to learn They show respect for and sensitivity towards the needs of others Their behaviour both in and out of the classroom is exemplary ETI I would be delighted to welcome you and your daughter to St Cecilia s College on our Open Day Come visit us meet our girls and leave relaxed and confident that St Cecilia s College is the right choice for your daughter Mrs Martine Mulhern Principal

The teachers and pupils share high expectations and enjoy excellent working relationships ETI

A Successful School St Cecilia s College in its 50th year produced the best GCSE results including English and Maths ever achieved by an all ability school in this city at that time Exam success We are am delighted to report another exceptionally successful examination season in St Cecilia s 90 of our year 12 students achieved 5 or more A C grades in their GCSEs with a record breaking 50 of all grades at grade B or higher But what is even more pleasing is our girls continued excellent achievement in GCSEs English and Maths 66 of our year 12 students achieved A to C grades in GCSE mathematics whilst an outstanding 81 of students achieved A C grades in GCSE English We are delighted to report that we continue to enter ALL our students for GCSE maths and English so our statistics are always based on the full year group We would like to particularly highlight the success of 2 of our newly introduced GCSE subjects GCSE computing that had a 100 pass rate 60 of all grades at A level Also our Further Maths GCSE that had a superb 86 pass rate at A C And our success didn t stop there At A Level we had record breaking results at the school with 33 of all grades at A A grades level and an amazing 3 students achieving 3A grades each We are particularly pleased to report that the girls have enjoyed outstanding success in STEM subjects AND also in the Arts Double Award Life sciences Mathematics and Software systems development A Levels enjoyed a 100 pass rate at A C as did our A Levels in Art Moving Images Dance and Sports Science Again that is unprecedented success for our 6th years However what is most pleasing is the very high percentage of students across the board who surpassed their personal target grades The success of our school is recognised at a local national and international level Some of our recent successes include Investors in Pupils Award Investors in People Gold Award Capita ICT Excellence Award Northern Ireland Digital Schools Award Irish News Career Inspiration Award IIP Leadership and Management Award IIP Leader of the Year Award

A Happy School I am happy here because everyone is so friendly and I feel like I belong Grace McCaughey At the core of our happy school lies the strength of relationships between the pupils and the staff Positive behaviour is at the heart of our school This comes about through mutual respect between pupils and staff We foster a working atmosphere which allows pupils to enjoy their learning These relationships are developed further through a wide range of extracurricular activities St Cecilia s College is an outstanding and vibrant learning community Our Catholic ethos pervades all aspects of school life making St Cecilia s a focused caring and happy community in which all of our girls can flourish We value each member of our community recognising the dignity and unique nature of each individual In this way the presence of Christ is celebrated The introduction of our House System has provided further opportunities to foster relationships throughout the school celebrate pupil achievement and to have fun

My favourite things are the happy positive people Momh irne Griffin

I am happy here because everyone helps everyone Rhianna O Neill

A Caring School The quality of provision for care and support is highly effective The pupils are supported well by their teachers and classroom assistants ETI We pride ourselves on being a caring school St Cecilia s is a happy place where respect for others underpins all of our dealings with one another Our aim is to create an environment where every child feels safe and where everyone can succeed The welfare of our students is our highest priority and if there are any concerns you may have we are committed to dealing with them effectively Form Teacher You and your daughter will develop close links with her Form Teacher You can rely on the dedicated and caring support of your daughter s Form Teacher to comfort challenge and motivate her through her life at St Cecilia s Head of Year The Head of Year s principal role is to ensure the welfare of the children within their year group They will guide the academic social and emotional progress of all the students in their care Designated Teacher Every pupil s safety is paramount at St Cecilia s You and your daughter will be made aware of the role of the Child Protection Officer and how she can be contacted for support Counsellor We have a professional counselling service available one day a week for pupils in need of extra support Pupils can refer themselves or be referred by a parent or member of staff Guardian Angel Our Guardian Angel team also play their part in ensuring a smooth transition from primary to secondary school for our Year 8 pupils Each Year 8 pupil has her own Guardian Angel This is a Sixth Year pupil committed to helping her little St Cecilia s sister settle in and find her feet in her new school Anti Bullying Policy At St Cecilia s we have a comprehensive anti bullying policy which was written in consultation with pupils parents the Education Authority and the Northern Ireland Anti Bullying Forum Bullying reports are dealt with quickly and sensitively in a professional and caring way

A Digital School Education should prepare young people for jobs that do not yet exist using technologies that have not yet been invented to solve problems of which we are not yet aware Richard Riley Here at St Cecilia s College we are committed to using innovative and creative ways of delivering our curriculum through the use of ICT We have invested in a beautiful suite of Apple Mac computers and class sets of iPads All of our teachers have had training in and now integrate the use of iPads and Apple TV into their lessons The iPad is a very engaging tool for learning in the classroom Under the guidance of staff students enjoy opportunities to collaborate and share to be truly creative and have fun Many of our teaching staff are now qualified Google Educators allowing them to create virtual learning environments so that we can teach the way the digital generation want to learn We have an innovative Create Code and Communicate ICT curriculum at KS3 and offer coding and software development courses at both GCSE and A Level Junior pupils are introduced to programming and can attend our Coding Club at lunch times Our pupils are encouraged to engage in coding from Year 8 as we recognise the importance of developing these particular skills to enhance their employability prospects for future careers We must not forget the moral and ethical challenges posed by the Internet Learning to use digital devices responsibly is an essential part of the education of all our students and we have a comprehensive eLearning Policy To keep up with the pace of change we engage local expertise to support the teaching of online safety Here at St Cecilia s we are proud of how we use technology across the school to enhance student learning experiences and we are recognised as leading the way in the post primary sector across Northern Ireland St Cecilia s College is the 2017 winner of the post primary classification in the Capita C2k annual NI Schools ICT Excellence Awards and the 2018 NI Digital Schools Award

I would say my favourite things are my friends and how we have the House System Eimear Johnston

A Home Within a School You did not pick the names of local town lands or of colours Instead you picked Faith Courage Peace Grace and Hope That speaks of the values and ideals that the school wants to hand on to its young people In a world of very fragile heroes you invite them to dream of doing beautiful things with their lives and you offer them the vocabulary which will support them in that Bishop Donal McKeown November 22nd 2016 saw the launch of our school House System The aim of the House System is to further build on the effective relationships across the school and to have each pupil be part of a House Family Every pupil is placed with their Form Teacher in one of five Houses Courage Faith Grace Hope and Peace Houses are identifiable by their ties and each house competes each term to collect the most house points to win a treat for the entire house Treats could include a house breakfast or a movie afternoon Points are awarded for kindness good deeds manners participation in after school activities and for representing the school

An Inclusive School Every child is unique and so is the way we work At St Cecilia s we believe that every pupil should have the best possible learning opportunities and we therefore promote inclusive practice We recognise that all of our pupils are different and have individual needs We take strategic action to support and encourage our pupils within a nurturing environment Our SENCO and our Special Needs team work closely with staff pupils and parents to provide extra support where it is needed We enable all pupils to participate fully in a varied curriculum which responds to a wide range of individual talents We work closely with parents and other agencies to monitor pupil progress carefully We provide effective additional support to meet our pupils needs One such strategy is the Lexia Reading Programme Pupils in Year 8 9 and 10 are registered online for the Lexia programme allowing pupils access in school where pupils are supported by school staff and at home where parents can offer additional support All of our pupils are screened for dyslexia in Year 8 Pupils with an identified learning need are provided with small group support before school over lunch time or after school Our homework club operates four afternoons per week with free afterschool transport provided It is held in our school library the heart of our school where students receive support from school staff The homework club affords pupils the opportunity to complete homework access school resources attempt assignments and revise for exams

I feel happy here because if you don t know how to do things you can get help from teachers or students Erin McGinley

A School for the Future How do we prepare our young people for a future that few of us can define It might seem strange to be thinking about what your daughter will do when she leaves school but rest assured that at St Cecilia s College we are constantly preparing all of our students for whatever they choose to do next We aim to build your daughter s confidence skills and abilities through a balanced and flexible curriculum as well as through a vast array of enriching opportunities Curriculum planning is well led evaluated and reviewed to very good effect It is pupil centred and takes account of the pupils interests abilities and career aspirations providing them with the core skills and capabilities to meet the demands of the next phase of their education or the world of work ETI Through conversations with employers and our partners in further and higher education we have developed a multi award winning careers programme that enhances the pupils understanding of the world of work and of the education training and employment opportunities available to them locally and regionally ETI At St Cecilia s we are aware that our young people will be entering a world of work that is very different to what we currently know We recognise that the pace of change in technology means that the ability to cope with change will be a key skill for all our students The school has promoted the sharing of good practice and the effective use of ICT to support learning and improve the quality of learning and teaching This has been further enhanced by the school s innovative approaches to developing a key stage 3 skills based curriculum in conjunction with the local business community and through the shared education programme ETI 2018

A School without Walls You teach much more than subjects You have taught thousands of young people from all sorts of backgrounds and have been committed to giving them qualities and not just qualifications Bishop Donal McKeown 50th Anniversary Mass St Cecilia s pupils enjoy a wealth of experiences outside the classroom As well as Extended Schools activities and clubs there are a number of extra curricular activities organised throughout our school year the first being our Summer School every August for new Year 8 pupils Our commitment to Shared Education provides opportunities for students across KS3 to participate in learning experiences with their peers in Lisneal College and St Mary s College The Modern Languages department have organised trips to Disneyland Paris Gardaland in Italy and Rhineland in Germany Our pupils have had the opportunity to go skiing in Italy and to participate in outdoor pursuit residentials Many St Cecilia s pupils are Millennium Volunteers John Paul II Award volunteers and have active roles in the community Our pupils volunteer as Maths mentors sports leaders librarians anti bullying ambassadors student council representatives House Captains and Guardian Angels for Year 8 pupils This commitment to service to others is the very essence of a St Cecilia s pupil We continually encourage our students to broaden their learning experiences We aim to establish and maintain a sense of responsibility co operation fairness and discipline within our young women which will serve them into adulthood

My favourite thing about St Cecilia s is that clubs are on at lunchtime and after schools clubs last even longer Kimberley McColgan

An Active School At St Cecilia s College we provide a wide range of activities and services during and beyond the school day to help meet the needs of our pupils their families and the wider community Free transport home is provided for pupils who attend after school programmes St Cecilia s pupils learn and achieve so much outside the classroom They learn to compete win well accept defeat follow rules treat others fairly and respect decisions made by officials All pupils in St Cecilia s have the opportunity to improve their level of fitness and skill in a range of activities including Netball Cross Country Athletics Swimming Aquathon Soccer and Cheerleading Pupils develop resilience through sport Here are some of the opportunities available at St Cecilia s College Art Drumming Reading Club Brass and Woodwind Football Science Choir Gaelic Football STEM Club Coding Club Geography Club Student Council Cycling Club Guitar Study Centre Cooking History Club Swimming Club Cross Country Lego Club Technology Club Dance Club Lunch Bunch Club Traditional Irish Music Debating Maths Traithlon Duathlon Netball Young Enterprise Drama

A School with a Voice I am confident that the Student Council has a positive influence on school life Assessor for Investors in Pupils Hi girls so many there will be the Cecilia s College St to experience at e m ur co Yo to of the school e If you choose lif e it th ke in d ma you wish to to get involve as exciting as opportunities as varie d an d sy bu as be school can than a great so much more d ve been given ha I s pil that I woul ia pu cil 8 Ce ar St lked in as a Ye In my time at wa I en wh ou d ver imagined dn t be more pr education I ne Girl an d I coul ad He as ar ye spen d my last to help others s opportunities ke ta o ing wh be ne st meo ity or by ju cilia s girl is so raiser for char nd fu ing a For me a St Ce lly l bu ge An ng n d in identifyi efect a Guardia ve been traine ha e either as a pr I tim or ult ad ss fic ba having a dif ti bullying am support anyone kind As an an e confidence to th n ve gi en we an d have be at St Cecilia s r grante d but fo ke ta om es fr im somet so involve d something we n be We are al t Confidence is the best we ca be ol Our Studen to ho ed sc ag e cour n making in th io are always en t cis en de e pm lo th ve in School De to Year 14 policies to the Year 8 right up should erything from ev on at the school ed th ult ed ns os Council is co s ago we prop rs ar M ye g o lin Tw gg to tene d ts were stru Plan We are lis an d because studen ea g id in r rn ou mo to e d th k in e school listene th of be given a brea t er en m mb ge rm the nu e senior mana e the PE unifo Mulhern an d th helped influenc ve ha the lunchtime we ith w en lp th agreed Since ir system to he fa a en ev d we have an of assemblies rush pils In listens to its pu that genuinely ol ho r a full sc te a af to d go pils status an Pu It s amazing to in s or st city to ve school in the applie d for In June 2017 we to be the first d ou pr the so in e re ws we we students ar day of inter vie w involve d the ho of e us ca be is All be awarde d th school r ou of g runnin ne d el valued liste rl you will fe gi s ia cil Ce St ation too cide to be a incre dible educ I hope you de d you ll get an an Oh r fo d to an d care Betty Healy 19 Head Girl 2018

The whole school is just amazing Meisha Quigley

A School with a Difference The teachers make you feel so welcome and when I stepped into this school I felt like I belonged Darragh McCleary We don t think you will find another school like St Cecilia s College and here is why Results Our pupils achieve great results Every Single Year In fact the GCSE results our pupils achieve are consistantly above the NI average with pupils attaining very highly at GCSE or equivalent at grades A C including English and Mathematics ETI Pastoral Care You don t have to take our word for it that your daughter will be well looked after in St Cecilia s The quality of provision for care and support in our school has been rated highly effective by the Education Training Inspectorate who commented that there is evidence of a genuine rapport between the pupils teachers and peers which fosters a positive climate for learning Experiences Every opportunity we give our pupils is designed at developing them either socially intellectually emotionally or spiritually This holistic approach to education means that St Cecilia s girls are known to be kind community minded and highly employable young women House System Our House System provides our pupils with a home within school Their House family includes pupils from Year 8 to 14 as well as both teaching and non teaching staff This means that our pupils build strong relationships and have an all important sense of belonging from their very first day A School For You

An Award Winning School

02871267509 02871279439 I REALLY LIKED HOW THE SCHOOL LOOKED AND I LIKED HOW I like the assemblies ORGANISED IT WAS and moving around I like the restaurant and the outside area where we go at lunch time I LOVE HOW MUCH EFFORT THE TEACHERS PUT IN TO WHAT WE DO IN CLASS different subjects ALL OF MY FAMILY CAME HERE You make lots of friends so fast I met so many I didn t know that I would s fun on the summer It make so many friends at learning the new school scheme languages My sister was going to the school so I went too I love it YOU DON T NEED TO GO TO A SCHOOL THAT ALL YOUR FRIENDS ARE GOING TO BECAUSE YOU MAKE NEW FRIENDS It s a big school with so many I like the merit system activities I get my own locker I LOVE THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT CHEERLEADING AND GYMNASTICS I like PE ICT and Technology

St Cecilia s College Bligh s Lane Derry Northern Ireland BT48 9PJ T 028 7128 1800 F 028 7128 1802 E office stceciliascollege com W www stceciliascollege com stceciliascollegederry StCeciliasDerry