St. Louis Grammar School Cullybackey Road Ballymena Co. Antrim BT43 5DW Telephone: (028) 2564 9534 Fax: (028) 2563 0287 E-mail: [email protected] www.stlouisgrammar.com Welcome Principal’s Address We encourage you to take a close look at what we in St Louis Grammar School have to offer at Post 16 level – over 30 courses at A Level. We offer a broad range of subjects which will enable any student to develop their talents and abilities to the full in any number of areas; and achieve. At St Louis Grammar, we care, our staff are most professional and we guarantee every effort will be made to ensure if you apply yourself you can, and will achieve. Our A Level results and Career Guidance have meant that the vast majority of our students can access University or Higher National Apprenticeships in numbers well above NI averages for similar schools. Our Sixth Form record is second to none. Pupil satisfaction rates are an endorsement of this. With higher qualifications required for employment and University increasing each year, it is crucial for all our young people to have opportunities to succeed. At St Louis Grammar School we have an excellent track record of academic success. You too can be part of this success. Make your mark in society, by School Mission Statement choosing subjects that will give you a fantastic career start, whether this be at university level or St Louis Grammar School is a Catholic, Voluntary employment level in two years time. Grammar School committed to providing excellent educational opportunities for each pupil to develop Although Covid-19 has impacted this year, our his/her unique talents to the full in a secure, enrichment opportunities have continued to be caring environment. an important aspect of Sixth Form and participation in many of these bespoke events enhances CV Our motto “Ut Sint Unum” That all may be one, and student profiles when applying for third level reinforces our St Louis family value system and or employment. family centred approach to education. As you read our Prospectus you will identify with many At present we have 1085 pupils and this year we of these enrichment/extra curricular opportunities accepted 149 new students into our year 8 cohort. which are evolving year on year. We are delighted to serve students and families If considering A Level study we would invite you to from the communities of Ahoghill, Aldergrove, reflect upon our Sixth Form as a package for the next Antrim, Armoy, Aughafatten, Ballyclare, Ballygally, two years where you will have exceptional learning Ballygarvey, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Bellaghy, and teaching experiences, but also the very best Broughshane, Cargan, Carnlough, Corkey, opportunities to achieve your potential presented Crumlin, Cullybackey, Cushendall, Cushendun, to you in a structured, organised and professional Dunloy, Dunnyvadden, Garvagh, Glarryford, learning environment even with the Covid-19 Glenariffe, Glenarm, Glenwherry, Kells, Kilrea, restrictions as they stand. Kilwaughter, Knockloughrim, Larne, Loughgiel, Martinstown, Moorfields, Newtown Crommelin, Can you afford to miss out? Join our Sixth Form from Nutts Corner, Portglenone, Portstewart, September and be part of a very successful team. Randalstown, Rasharkin, Rathkenny and to develop our natural community links in this manner. Mr Sean Rafferty Principal St Louis Grammar School St Louis Grammar School Sixth Form at St Louis Grammar School St Louis Grammar Sixth Form Centre is very well established and provides approximately 332 students with the opportunity to choose from a range of 30 subjects. Students are taught by highly skilled, experienced and dedicated teachers and the expertise in the provision of Sixth Form is reflected in the consistently high results achieved. The Sixth Form experience at St Louis allows pupils to attain academic excellence and much more. Students are provided with the opportunity to work in a friendly, comfortable environment where they will form lasting friendships, contribute to the wider community and take part in a wide range of extracurricular activities. Students can choose from an array of extracurricular activities including; Gaelic Football, Soccer, Golf, Camogie, Ladies Gaelic, Hurling, Choir, Orchestra, Traditional Music and Debate Society. All of these activities allow students to work as a team and integrate with other members of the year group. Pupils can also add to their academic portfolio by gaining Mrs B McGreevy additional qualifications and awards such as First Aid, iDea Digital Leader Head of Sixth Form Award and the President’s Award. There are also opportunities to travel, with a cross-curricular trip for the Drama, Music, Government and Politics, Geography and Economics departments running annually to London. There is also the opportunity in Sixth Form to actively contribute to the wider community. Every year a significant number of Year 13 pupils become a member of Friends for Romania, fundraising and travelling to the country in February and July to volunteer and provide aid to centres, home and schools. Last year, pupils and staff travelled to Ghana for a two week trip, meeting with our partner school and, again, providing aid and financial assistance. There is also an annual pilgrimage to Lough Derg in the summer term. And, closer to home, ‘Action for the Homeless’ offers Year 13 students the opportunity to engage in a variety of social outreach opportunities to provide financial and practical help to aid the homeless in Northern Ireland. Students within the Sixth Form can also develop leadership and organisational skills. The Sixth Form is led by our Head Boy, Declan McMahon, Head Girl, Maeve Henry and deputies. Under their direction all Upper Sixth students are senior prefects who are highly involved in the day to day running of Sixth Form. These students are empowered to make decisions regarding Sixth Form life. Our Formal Committee is responsible for the organisation of the social event of the year – the school formal. To mark the end of an era a committee of students is also responsible for the administration of the Sixth Form Yearbook. The life of a Sixth Form student in St Louis is rich, busy and fulfilling. The Sixth Form students are given the best possible opportunity to succeed in their chosen career or profession and this is due to excellent Careers provision within the school. Students within the Sixth Form take part in mock interviews, enjoy university visits, engage in work experience and are given continual careers guidance and advice. The Sixth Form experience at St Louis Grammar is one which is treasured by those who experience it. The confident and articulate Sixth Formers who bid a fond farewell to St Louis are testament to the dedication of the staff and the strong tradition of excellence within the school. Post 16 Prospectus Excellence, Endeavour, Empowerment Facilities for Sixth Form Students at St Louis Grammar School In addition to the dedicated teaching staff, Sixth Form The introduction of the new Centre of Excellence and students at St Louis have access to a wealth of Expressive Arts building is an exciting addition. resources. All students have access to C2K computer technology in their study room and in the Sixth Form ICT suite. Students also have access to laptops and wifi printers. St Louis is in the fortunate position of having a fully stocked library with computer facilities for independent research. The library is organised and monitored by a qualified librarian who is always ready to aid Sixth Form students. Three full-time study supervisors are employed to supervise the Sixth Form study room to ensure an environment conducive to study is established, and the school nurse is always available in the event of illness. The Sixth Form students also have their own reading room in which they can take study breaks and avail of the facilities for making tea and coffee and take time out to relax. Students also have the use of their very own kitchen, complete with microwave, fridge, toaster and vending machines. www.stlouisgrammar.com St Louis Grammar School Careers Education in Sixth Form Virtual Events In light of the pandemic the department adapted to virtual The Careers Department is responsible platforms for many of the frequent extracurricular events. Whilst for all aspects of careers education, this was a very different experience, all events proved to be information, advice and guidance extremely valuable. For example, when our potential medics within the school. Our Careers usually walk the wards of the various hospitals across Northern programme is delivered to ensure Ireland, this year the wards and consultants were brought to us that pupils are sufficiently informed in the virtual hospital work placement programme with the to make confident decisions about Belfast Trust. We had 16 virtually engaged students with Dr their education and career. Martin Duffy taking the lead. Our potential physiotherapist Mrs McAllister Head of Careers applicants were able to complete their insight day from the Careers room with a host of professionals from the Northern Trust and we were able to set up our virtual peer mentoring Sixth Form scheme where past pupils advised and guided current Pupils in Sixth Form undertake a programme which consists students-to name but a few. The careers department always of careers classes, guidance interviews, work placement, have a busy calendar of events and this year is no different. mock interviews, work related learning activities and university open day visits. Regular lunch time seminars are held for guest Investors in Careers speakers from university and from industry. Extracurricular sessions are held to prepare pupils for the H-PAT, UKCAT, We as a school are fully committed to gaining "The Quality in St. Mary’s interviews, Stranmillis interviews and teaching Careers Standard” by December 2021. We have incorporated interviews across the water.