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"A happy school with a 'can-do' attitude"

- ETI Inspection

Ahappys c hoolw ha c ando at t ude ETII ns pec t i on

Welcome from Our Principal

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I am delighted to welcome you and your child to our St Columbanus’ family.  Rest assured, we will support you both in the transition from primary school to ensure your child settles into their new ‘home from home’ with us.

We are dedicated to our students: to their education, their welfare and their happiness, as ETI have identified, twice, in our recent inspections by awarding our school ‘outstanding’ status.  

This status acknowledges our commitment to pastoral care and academic excellence, underpinned by our strong faith ethos.

Our results at GCSE continue to exceed the NI average.   We continue to adapt our A’level curriculum to enable the number of our students going on to university and further education to, again, exceed the NI average.

Most importantly, we are first and foremost, a happy school, a safe environment and a warm community.

As I say to our students and staff, “My door is always open!”  

I look forward to getting to know your child personally and I value the privilege of taking them through this next special part of their journey in education.

Warmest wishes

Mrs M Flynn

  

“Strategic leadership at a senior level is a significant strength.” 

- ETI Inspection

Page 8: Learning and Teaching

Page 10: The Teachers and Staff

Page 14: Pastoral Care

Page 16: SEN Provision

Pages 18-21: The Curriculum

Page 22: GCSE and A’Level Results

Page 23: Admissions and Entry Requirements

Page 24: Careers Provision

Pages 26-29: After School Clubs

Page 31: The Houses System

Page 32: Student Council

Page 33: PTA

Page 34: Welcome from Our Head Prefects

CONTENTS

“The highly effective lessons were well planned and learning was differentiated to meet the needs of pupils” 

- ETI Inspection

Student led investigation 8 Every Child Enga

Outsmart the teacher! Love for Life

ged in Learning

“All of the lessons observed during the inspection were effective and incorporated a broad range of strategies, which included well-targeted questioning to develop the pupils’ thinking and problem-solving skills, differentiated tasks with supportive feedback on progress and a good variety of practical and theory work to reinforce and secure the learning.”

- ETI, Sustaining Improvement Inspection

“The teachers use innovative approaches to engage and motivate the pupils.” 

- ETI Inspection

“The pupils spoke positively about their learning experiences and the pastoral and academic support they receive from their teachers and classroom assistants.”

- ETI, Sustaining Improvement Inspection

10

“Many pupils have developed interpersonal skills and are confident and articulate.” 

- ETI Inspection

Every Teacher a

“Since the last inspection the staff of the college have embarked on a programme of continuous professional development and sharing of best practice.”

- ETI, Sustaining Improvement Inspection

Dedicated Teacher

"...pupils enjoy learning, are courteous and take great pride in their school."- ETI Inspection

“The high level of consistency in learning and teaching is a strong indicator of the very effective pastoral care.”

- ETI Inspection

14

“The pupils report that they feel safe in the school and that they are aware of what to do if they have concerns about their safety or welfare."

- ETI Inspection

Every Child a

"There is a resolute and tenacious commitment to the pupils' pastoral needs and the outcomes they attain."

- ETI Inspection

Happy Child

Senior Leadership Team

Mrs Flynn - Principal

Mr Mitchell - Vice Principal

Dr Doherty - Assistant Principal Assessment & Reporting

Miss McMahon - Assistant Principal Pastoral Care

Senior Improvement Team

Mr Sweeney - Head of KS5

Mrs Van Houten - Head of KS4

Ms Canavan - Head of KS3

Mr Burrows - Examinations Officer

                                                

Heads of Year

Mr Majury

Mrs Sheridan

Mrs Keyes

Mr Anderson

Mrs McGuiggan

Miss McKinty

Mrs Fegan

Your child will have a designated form teacher as their 'go-to' adult for help.

"The school's approach to the care and welfare of the pupils impacts positively on learning and teaching outcomes."

- ETI Inspection

Key Staff

"The progress of each pupil is monitored carefully and tailored interventions are provided to support them."

- ETI Insepection

16 Every Child a Valued Child

Upon entry to St Columbanus’ College students’ skills are assessed using standardised testing. Where appropriate Individual Education Plans are developed to enable students to meet their full potential through individualised target setting and inclusive strategies.

Our Learning Support caters for students who need ongoing support, focusing on the core areas of Literacy and Numeracy.  We also provide shorter term intervention support to close the gap for pupils who are identified as not meeting their full potential.

Key Staff

Asst Principal for Pastoral Care/SEN Manager - Miss McMahon

SENCo/Learning Support Coordinator - Mrs Williamson

Asst SENCo/Learning Support Coordinator - Mr Burton

Asst SENCo/Learning Support Coordinator - Mrs Doyle

Mr Keag recording a demonstration

"The teachers regularly use ICT to enhance learning."

- ETI Inspection

“The school provides a broad and balanced curriculum [which] is responsive to the changing needs of the pupils.”

- ETI Inspection

“The outcomes achieved by the pupils in public examinations at key stage 4 (GCSE) continue to be a key strength of the work of the school.”

- ETI, Sustaining Improvement Inspection

18

English | Mathematics | Science | French | Art & Design | Drama | Employability | Spanish | Geography | History | Home Economics | ICT | Citizenship | Music | Personal & Social Development | Religious Education | Technology & Design | Physical Education 

Key Stage 3 Curriculum (Years 8-10) A Tailored

Curriculum

Core GCSEs

English Language | Mathematics | Religious Education (GCSE & vocational accreditation) | ICT (GCSE & vocational accreditation) |  Physical Education | Careers | Occupational Studies*

*for some students

 

GCSE Options

Art & Design | Business | Child Development | Construction

English Literature | French Food & Nutrition | Geography | History

Moving Image Arts | Music | OCN in Personal Success and Well-Being | Prince’s Trust | Public Services | OCN Science |  Single Award Science | Double Award Science | Spanish | Sport Science Statistics | Technology & Design | Travel and Tourism

GCSE Options

“The pupils engage positively with the teachers and work well collaboratively.” 

- ETI Inspection Key Stage 4 (GCSE)

20

St Columbanus’ College works closely and successfully with its partner schools to accommodate the A’Level choices of its students. Separate arrangements for A’Levels are always dependent upon timetabling compatibility and staffing in all schools. Choices may vary from year to year according to the needs of the pupils.

Business | Art & Design | Moving Image Arts | Religious Education | Environmental Technology | Geography | History | Mathematics | Science (Life and Health Sciences)

Health and Social Care | BTEC Public Services | BTEC Sport | Digital Technology | BTEC ICT | Travel and Tourism | OCN Employability and Professional Skills

Following successful completion of GCSEs students can make an application to enter the College Sixth Form to study A'Levels and other Level 3 qualifications. The A'Level curriculum is reviewed annually.

Key Stage 5 A' Level Options A'Level 

Curriculum

Additional A’Level provision is offered to our students through the Bangor Learning Partnership/North Down and Ards Learning Community and in partnership with SERC.

The Choice of A’Levels on offer to St Columbanus’ College students from the North Down and Ards Learning Community is wide-ranging. This selection of subjects varies annually and the list below illustrates some of those A’Levels which may be made available to our students.

An exemplar of NDALC choices: 

Applied Science | Chemistry | Childcare | Drama | Engineering | English 

French | Hospitality | Law | Music | Performance Arts | Physics | Psychology 

Spanish | Sport Science | BTEC Engineering  

“The senior pupils spoke with pride about their journey through school and the school’s community ethos.” 

- ETI, Sustaining Improvement Inspection

Our Results

22

Applications & Admissions Criteria

In the event of the College being oversubscribed at a particular criterion, preference will be given in the following order of priority:

1. Pupils who at the time of application are siblings of present pupils enrolled in the college

2. Pupils who are the only child in the family or who are the eldest eligible child to apply to Mainstream Post Primary School. (Eligible means that on commencement of Year 8 the pupil will be the eldest child in the family attending Post Primary School)

3. Final placement will be determined on distance by foot from home to College as measured using maps.google.co.uk

The Board of Governors reserves the right to require such supplementary evidence as it may determine to support or verify information on the Transfer Form. 

The provision of false or incorrect information or the failure to provide information within the deadlines set by the school can result in the withdrawal of a place and the inability to offer a place on the part of any school nominated on the applicant’s Transfer Form. 

The criteria relating to the initial admission of pupils into Year 8 before the commencement of the 2023 school year will also be used for entry into Year 8 should admission become possible after the commencement of the 2023 school year.

1. Pupils from any Catholic Maintained Primary School in Northern Ireland who nominate St Columbanus' College as their 1st or 2nd preference

2. Pupils from any other Primary School in Northern Ireland who nominate St Columbanus’ College as their 1st Preference

3. All other pupils transferring to Post-Primary Education

Waiting List Policy 

The College maintains a Waiting List for applicants in all year groups.

When a place becomes available in Year 8 this will immediately be filled by the pupil who is top of the waiting list for that year group as determined through applications of our normal admissions criteria for Year 8. 

In Years 9 to 12 available places will be filled according to the College’s published “Criteria for transfer between schools (Years 9 - 12) which can be accessed on our College website.

APPLICATIONS

2020 - 181

2021 - 153

2022 - 156

ADMISSIONS

2020 - 131

2021 - 135

2022 - 135

23

“The provision for careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) is afforded a high strategic priority. There is an effective taught programme of employability and careers education that develops extensively and progressively the pupils’ understanding of the world of work and employability skills. The pupils benefit from having access to a wide range of well-organised and relevant curriculum and careers resources and events, which enables them to make effective, informed and impartial careers-related decisions.” 

- ETI Inspection

24 A Path for 

Every Child 

“Senior pupils expressed appreciation for the guidance and support they receive to make informed choices about subjects and career options.”

- ETI, Sustaining Improvement Inspection

‘A high number of pupils benefit from participating in cultural, sporting and communuty-based activities, which develop their social skills further and provide meaningful leadership and teamwork experiences.” 

- ETI Inspection

26 A Team for  

Every Player  

After School Sports

 Athletics  

Basketball  

Badminton  

Boxing Club

Cross Country  

Gaelic Football*  

Netball  

Hockey  

Soccer* 

Rugby*  

Swimming   

Aerobics

*Boys and girls 

At St Columbanus’ College, the school day does not finish at the last bell!  We encourage our students to get involved in extracurricular activities. 

Throughout the year the PE department run various inter-house competitions and fundraising activities such as Fitness Freddy Health and Fitness day.

Year 8 choir

Tuition is available in a range of musical instruments: guitar, drums, piano,vocal, clarinet, saxophone and Traditional (tin whistle, bodhrán).

The College Choir, Traditional Group, String Ensemble are a popular choice for many of our pupils. The pupils perform at Prize Giving and Open Days and at various other College functions and services throughout the year and a significant number of external events in the community.

The Music department is a vibrant place to be at lunchtime and after school.

28

After School Music

Year 10 Vocal group

College traditional group

College choir

Award-winning Traditional Group Musical 

Maestros 

Or maybe you'd prefer...

Art club

Coding Games club

Cookery club

Drama club

Film club

Public Speaking

Tabletop Games Club

And we also run:

residential trips

educational visits

bi-annual Skiing Trip

Our Mission Statement

Achieving success in a happy and hardworking atmosphere where each individual matures in a supportive Christian environment.

Formed in Faith 

30

Our faith values form the basis of our strong ethos which welcomes all and protects the dignity of all.

A House and a Home 

31

Every Child has a Voice

32

Each class nominates a school councillor to speak for them and their interests on school matters

33 Our Parents 

Our Parent Teacher Association develops closer links with our parents and community, running successful fundraising events such as the Year 8 Disco, the Christmas Fair, PTA Quiz Night and Bag Packing.  Funds raised have contributed towards our school games club, the ICT department and the Eco group.

34

Hello!

My name is Olivia Rose McLaughlin and I am the Head girl of St Columbanus College. I joined St Columbanus College in 2016 from Ballyholme primary school with only a few fimilar faces. When I first joined I was extremely shy but didn't have a hard time finding friends and support from my teachers. The school offered me many clubs and afterschool activities that matched my interests such as the tradional music group and cross country which allowed me to go on many trips and compete in competitions representing the school.

At the end of lower 6th I made the decision to apply for headgirl because I felt confident that I was worthy of the position and had a lot to offer the school. Since becoming Headgirl I have worked with peers and teachers with setting up new projects, organising fundraising events and continuing to represent the school traditional group most recently winning the Hollywood Festival.

During my time at St Columbanus' College I have made many friends who have stuck by me throughout the years and who have helped make my time at school very enjoyable.

During your time at St Columbanus' College I hope you will find the same and enjoy every moment.

A few Words of Welcome 

from our Head Prefects

Hello!

My name is Zak, I am head boy at St Columbanus College.

From the moment I joined the school in Year 8, I felt a warm and kind welcome from teaching staff, classroom assistants and my principal. Coming from a primary school in Donaghadee I had to come out of my comfort zone by going to a bigger school away from my small town. But after a few weeks in the school, I began to forget all my fears and worries and started making friends. With the support of nurturing teaching staff, I began to become more comfortable at my school.

As a Deaf person in school, I used to wonder if I would be able to reach my full

 potential and had fears that I would be seen as unable to achieve as much as my hearing peers.  In no time at all I could see that people around me didn't let my disability affect how they viewed me or how they interacted with me, I felt nothing but support.  This was inspiring, I worked harder, I went to after school clubs and had a great friendship circle. Now I am head boy at St Columbanus college. Because my friends and teaching staff treated me graciously and pushed me to always strive for my best, I am now working towards gaining my A Levels which will hopefully lead me on the path of doing mathematics at university.

Thank you and I hope to see you soon at St Columbanus college.