Dear Parents and Prospective Students
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Welcome Dear Parents and Prospective Students, I hope you will enjoy reading our prospectus and that it will give you some insight into the exciting and challenging work that takes place in our school. Our current pupils are our best advocates and they will tell you that our school is a happy, secure and safe place, where everyone is valued and where expectations are high. Our Mission Statement and mantra of Excellence, Endeavour and Empowerment in a school context helps ensure that we all work together to achieve highly in all areas of school life. We are committed to building on the talents, skills and self confidence of every pupil as he/she travels with us through their educational career, in preparation for the work place or University. We are fortunate to have many talented students and teachers already present in our school. Our reputation is a proud one, wherein our academic, sporting and extra curricular achievements have been well above the NI average in recent times and are the envy of School Mission Statement many other post-primary schools across the province. St Louis Grammar School is a Catholic, Our curriculum provision has grown rapidly and we Voluntary Grammar School committed are in a strong position to meet the demands of the to providing excellent educational new curriculum. As a school, we have invested heavily opportunities for each pupil to develop in Information Technology Systems and are awaiting his/her unique talents to the full in a the outworkings of approved building provision in the school where again we are confident of new upgraded secure, caring environment. resources to enable us to more fully meet the Our motto “Ut Sint Unum” That all may demands of next generation learning. be one, reinforces our St Louis family The future for this school is great... the future for the value system and family centred approach Ballymena area is great... the potential for all those to education. students transferring to us is unlimited, as they join this successful and ever-developing school. At present we have 1036 pupils and this Our academic success rate is high, but of equal year we accepted 142 new students into importance are relationships and sense of family values. Our Catholic ethos and sense of community our year 8 cohort. We are delighted to serve spirit have never been higher. We can guarantee a students and families from the communities superb educational experience in the school which of Antrim, Ballymena, Cargin, Corkey, best reflects all that is excellent in educational terms Creggan, Cloughmills, Cushendall, in this community. Cushendun, Dunloy, Glenarm, Glenravel, Sean Rafferty Larne, Loughgiel, Moneyglass, Portglenone, Principal Randalstown and Rasharkin and to develop our natural community links in this manner. St Louis Grammar School St Louis Grammar School Aims of St Louis Grammar School To be a community inspired by the Catholic faith, living out Gospel Values and reflecting all traditions of our Irish Cultural Heritage. To enable pupils to acquire a sense of purpose and have a good opinion of themselves by giving all access to a religious, academic, moral, social and physical education with appropriate provision for pupils with special needs, in an attractive school environment. To provide teachers with the necessary accommodation, equipment and training to achieve the above aims. To involve Parents, Educational Bodies and Industry in the work of the school and benefit the greater Ballymena Community. To foster a spirit of cheerful co-operation and provide a caring environment which promotes high achievement and self-esteem among staff and pupils. Visiting the School Parental support is one of the greatest assets that children Information evenings for Years 11 and 12 and Parent/Teacher can have during their school career. Parents considering meetings for Years 12, 13 and 14 are held early in the first sending their child to St Louis Grammar School may visit term and for remaining pupils during the second term. the school with their child on Open Night when they will Parents are welcome to visit the school at any time by be given more information about the school and have an appointment. All appointments with teachers must be opportunity to view the school facilities. (Visits outside made through the General Office. this time are welcomed and can be arranged via the An Educational Welfare and a Pastoral Support Officer are Principal’s secretary) available to offer support to all pupils. A Grammar School... Excellence, Endeavour, Empowerment School Uniform Girls Navy blazer with crest Pale blue open-neck blouse Navy V-neck jumper with pale blue stripes Junior school – knee length navy skirt Senior school – below the knee length navy skirt Navy tights/pale blue socks Black shoes School scarf Outdoor school waterproof coat/navy fleece Boys Black blazer with crest Pale blue shirt School tie Plain grey V-neck jumper Black trousers Dark coloured socks Black shoes Outdoor school waterproof coat Stockists: Couples, Ballymoney Street, Ballymena Tel. 028 2563 1361 P.E. Uniform Girls: School pink and navy shorts/top/socks, White training shoes, Navy windcheater (optional), Athletic vest with St Louis crest (optional), Navy tracksuit bottoms (optional), Half zip tops (opional), St Louis/O’Neills kitbag (optional) Boys: School navy shorts/jersey/socks, Training shoes/football boots, Navy windcheater (optional), Athletic vest with St Louis crest (optional), Handball top (optional), Navy tracksuit bottoms (optional), Half zip tops (opional), St Louis/O’Neills kitbag (optional) P.E. Uniform is available from Couples, Ballymena. proud of its ethos and traditions St Louis Grammar School The School Curriculum – During Years 8, 9 and 10 pupils will have the Key Stage 3 opportunity to study the following subjects: The curriculum for Years 8, 9 and 10 reflects the Revised Curriculum. Students will learn about a Art & Design broad range of subjects to prepare them as well as possible for future choices in life. An extensive Biology Careers Programme compliments the Key Stage 3 Chemistry curriculum in Year 10. Design & Technology Drama English French Geography History Home Economics Information and Communication Technology Irish Learning for Life and Work (incorporating Careers) Mathematics Music Physical Education Physics Religious Education Spanish A Grammar School... Excellence, Endeavour, Empowerment The School Curriculum – Key Stage 4 The GCSE core subjects are compulsory in Years 11 and 12: English English Literature Mathematics Religious Education Science (Single/Double Award) The following optional GCSE subjects are offered to pupils in Key Stage 4: Art & Design Business Studies/Applied Business Studies Construction Design & Technology Drama French Further Mathematics Geography History Home Economics I.C.T. Irish Music Performing Arts Physical Education Polish Sports Studies The majority of our GCSE students study 9 GCSE subjects. (Curriculum provision under review each year) offering a broad curriculum St Louis Grammar School The School Curriculum – SUBJECT A.S. A2 Years 13 & 14 Art & Design • • All Year 13 pupils are offered a choice of three Biology • • or four A Level subjects or Applied GCE courses Business Studies (Advanced) • • from the table opposite. Business Studies (Applied) • • Curriculum provision at post 16 is under review Chemistry at present and will be expanded to meet the • • demands of Entitlement Framework requirements Construction • • in association with partner post primary schools Design & Technology • • in the Ballymena Learning Together partnership. Drama and Theatre Studies • • In Year 14 students are expected to study at Economics • • least three of their A.S. subjects to A2 level. English Literature • • Pupils in Year 13 also sample Extra Curricular French • • opportunities, including GAA and Coaching Geography • • Awards, Personal and Social Development Courses, Peer Mentoring, Paired Reading Government & Politics • • and many Career orientated activities. Health & Social Care (Applied) • • History • • Home Economics • • I.C.T. (Advanced) • • I.C.T. (Applied) • • Irish • • Land Use, Sustainability & Environment • • Mathematics • • Moving Image Arts • • Further Mathematics • Music • • Physical Education • • Physics • • Religious Education • • Sociology • • Sports Studies BTEC • • Criteria for entry to Post 16 a) Pupils studying at A Level must have a minimum of five GCSE passes at Grade B to include English and Mathematics (criteria may be enhanced) b) Pupils must also have a good record of attendance, good conduct and application to study c) St Louis Grammar School welcomes students from other schools for post-16 study, provided they meet the minimum criteria and the school can meet their subject requirements Further information on the criteria for entry to Post 16 is available from the General Office during summer term (see Post 16 Prospectus). A Grammar School... Excellence, Endeavour, Empowerment Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance The school CEIAG programme is a key element in the curriculum provision across all Key Stages and is designed to equip students with the skills and experience to make sound career choices and to progress to third level education or the world of work. To this end, the school provides a high quality Careers Education programme which delivers relevant, up-to-date and impartial careers information to all students. Students are also given guidance at key transition points, including Year 10 subject choice, Year 12 education,