St. Mary's Prospectus 2019

Inspiring the Talented - Nurturing the Gifted 

Achieving the Outstanding 

SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2018 

1

Together as a 

family we lead, 

we support, we 

care. 

Dear Parent/Guardian 

I am delighted to welcome you to our Open day on 

Saturday 12th January 2019. Choosing the correct 

school for your daughter is an important decision 

for you both and I hope your visit to St Mary’s 

College will help inform your choice. 

At St Mary’s College we think of ourselves as a big 

family where we try to live out and promote the 

Gospel values every day. In doing so, we welcome 

pupils of all faiths and none, keeping our focus 

firmly on developing each pupil’s individual gifts and 

talents throughout their time with us. 

As a parent / guardian you will want reassurance 

that this school is well placed to cater for all 

abilities, from Year 8 to 14. I will let the statistics 

speak for themselves. This year over 99% of 

pupils at GCSE achieved 5+ A*-C with 74.6% 

achieving at least a C grade in Mathematics and 

86.5% achieving a grade C or higher in English; 

84% of the pupils achieved at least 3 A*-C at 

GCE and 8 departments at both GCSE and GCE 

either matched or outperformed grammar school 

equivalents. Every statistic is a best ever for the 

school. ETI made the following observation: 

‘Overall, the pupils attain very highly at GCSE or 

equivalent at grades A* to C, including English and 

mathematics; this is a significant strength.’ 

Our Year 14 leavers are now on courses in 

Manchester, Liverpool, Coventry, Cardiff, 

Northumbria, Belfast (Queen’s, Jordanstown & 

Stranmillis) amongst others, having left St Mary’s 

College with a great sense of achievement and 

ready now to take their place in the world with 

enthusiasm and confidence. 

A visit to our Open Day will allow you to see our 

talented pupils and superb staff. You will also see 

how our parents and partners work together to 

ensure we deliver the best possible educational 

experience, creating a vibrant learning community 

for each and every pupil. 

If you require any further information, please visit 

our website or contact the school directly; I would 

be delighted to hear from you. I look forward to 

meeting you and your daughter on Open Day. 

Marie Lindsay 

Principal 

2 

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

Head Girl: Erin Quigley 

My name is Erin Quigley and I am a year 14 A-level 

student. I am passionate about pursuing a career in 

the legal sector as a solicitor. This has included my 

work experience with a local solicitor’s office and 

my participation in the Queens University Pathway 

Programme for law, all of which have given me a 

true insight into the legal system. 

I am extremely determined about making our 

school as inclusive and friendly to all students with 

the help of our present and excellent Junior Head 

Girl, Shannon Peake. Moving from primary to 

secondary school is a challenge for every pupil and 

the Year 14 students play a big role in helping our 

new girls to settle. Being appointed Head Girl has 

been the best moment and opportunity for me, as 

it has given me a voice to represent both the pupils 

and our school. I wish each and every one of you 

in Primary Seven the very best of luck as you make 

you choices. St Mary’s College was certainly the 

right choice for me. 

Junior Head Girl: Shannon Peake 

My name is Shannon Peake and I am a year 10 

student at St Mary’s College. In June past, I was 

chosen to be the Junior Head Girl and it has been 

one of my greatest achievements. When I moved 

to St Mary’s College, I was really nervous because 

I was the only pupil from my primary school going 

to this school. By the end of my first day, I was no 

longer nervous because I had already made so 

many friends and I had received lots of help from 

the staff. I know how hard it is to be the new girl but 

here at St Mary’s, there is help everywhere. Enjoy 

looking through our prospectus and I look forward 

to seeing you at our Open Day. This is a fantastic 

school, as you will find out when you visit us. 


3

Welcome to St Mary’s College 

Our mission statement “A Community of Learners growing in Faith Learning for Life and aiming for 

excellence” captures the essence of St Mary’s College. Our fundamental aim is the education of the 

whole person, blending learning with faith, and faith with daily life. We aspire to create an open, happy, 

stimulating and mutually respectful community environment in which young people are able to develop 

to the full range of their abilities and talents in a balanced, integrated and generous way. 

We have in place a pastoral system designed to support your daughter and indeed yourself through 

all of the challenges a school and indeed life presents. Let us introduce to you key members of the 

pastoral team for Year 8 next year. 

Head of Year 8 for 2019/20, Mr David Goddard; Senior Teacher for Key Stage 3, Mrs Katrina Kealey; Vice Principal, Mr 

Brendan McGinn; Head of Health & Social Care & tutor, Mrs Jackie Chapman and Head of Science and tutor, Mr Mark Logue. 

The pastoral team who will look after your daughter is comprised of: 

• A Form Tutor who meets your daughter twice daily 

• A Head of Year who works closely with your daughter’s form tutor 

• A Senior Teacher responsible for pastoral in Key Stage 3 

• A Head of Standards for Key Stage 3 

• A Vice Principal responsible for Key Stage 3 

• SENCO 

• The Child Protection Team including counselling expertise 

• HYPE Co-ordinator 

4 


Moving to St Mary’s College: 

The Big Sister Programme 

Transition from Primary School to Post-Primary 

School can be challenging for some pupils. We 

have an engaging transition programme that 

begins in year 7. We have strong links with primary 

schools and we engage in a range of transition 

programmes. We invite all our Year 8 pupils and 

their families to a Welcome Ceremony on their 

first day at school. Year 8 pupils also have a ‘Big 

Sister’ who shadows the class, keeping a close 

eye on your daughter and ensuring she settles into 

new friendship groups. Big Sisters communicate 

regularly with our pastoral team and it is a very 

effective way of monitoring every pupil, as they 

become accustomed to their new school. 

Roxanne Nixon, a Youth & 

Community Worker and past pupil 

Roxanne, as part of the HYPE Programme (Helping 

Young People Excel), provides support to our pupils 

in the following areas: anxiety, mental health, social 

isolation, family – home life, bereavement & sexual 

identity. Roxanne works closely with our pastoral 

team, co-ordinated by Mr Conor Lynch. 

Enrichment: Health & Wellbeing 

Your daughter will also have 70 minutes out of 

timetable per week where the focus is firmly 

on health & wellbeing. At this time, pupils will 

experience meditation, dance, health & well-being 

workshops, all designed to reduce anxiety and 

improve resilience. It allows the school to put 

together a bespoke programme that addresses 

the needs of our pupils. The pupils take a break 

from the demands of the timetable with smiles and 

laughter the name of the game. 


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A Day in the Life of Lola O’Neill 

A Year 8 pupil 

My Diary 

Hi there! My name is Lola O’Neill. I am a Year 8 pupil 

and I am here to tell you about a day in St Mary’s 

College. This is my Monday timetable. Don’t tell 

anyone but this school is absolutely brilliant and I love 

being a St Mary’s girl! 

8.10 - 8.40am: You can go to Breakfast club or Computer Club 

8.45am: Our school day begins in the assembly hall w ith 

announcements and prayer. I get to meet my friends 

from my form class. 

8.50am: It’s off to my form class to get marked present by my 

form teacher. 

9.00 - 10.20am: I have a double lesson in Home Economics 

10.10 - 10.20: Break time 

10.20 - 11.40am: Next I have a double Information Technology (IT) lesson 

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11.40: It’s lunchtime 

What can I do at lunchtime? W ell, let’s have a look: 

- Chat n’ Chew Club 

- Choir 

- Cross Country activities 

- Games Club 

- Irish L anguage Club 

- Irish Traditional music group 

- IT Coding Club 

- Orchestra 

- PE Funky Fitness Club 

- Relaxation / Meditation Club 

12.25pm: 15 mins w ith my form tutor for afternoon registration 

12.40pm: Now I have an English lesson 

1.20pm: Next I have a lesson in Learning for Life & W ork (LLW) 

1.55pm: Lesson 7 is History 

2.30pm: And my final lesson, lesson 8, is Mathematics. This lesson 

ends at 3.10pm. 

After school activities - well, let’s have a look!! 

- Camogie 

- Choir 

- Cycling 

- Chemistry Club 

- Gaelic football 

- Homew ork Club 

- Netball 

- Robotics Club & Lego League 

- Soccer 

- Swim & Triathlon Academy 

Home time is 3.10pm but if stay after school and 

attend a club, transport is organised for you. 

I also study: 

- Science 

- Religious Education (RE) 

- Music 

- Geography 

- Physical Education (PE) 

- Art & Design 

- Technology & Design 

- Enrichment 


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Unlocking the Potential 

The St Mary’s Learning Pathway 

Our learning pathways are specifically designed to help all students to develop the 

knowledge, understanding and skills needed to maximise success at school, university or 

employment. Your daughter will undertake a pathway best suited to her gifts and talents, 

as she moves from one key stage to another. These pathways will include a complete 

GCSE or A Level route, a mixture of BTEC and GCSE / A Level qualifications or Level 2 / 

Level 3 equivalent pathways. 

Links with 

Primary schools 

Key Stage 3 

• Curricular Links in English, 

Maths, Music, Technology 

and PE 

• ICT Coding Skills KS2 

• Saturday School 

• Workshops KS2 

• Art Competition KS2 

• D’Just Du It’ Duathlon KS2 

• Ireland’s Engineering 

Superheroes 

• Transition Summer School 

• Digital School House 

• A broad and balanced 

curriculum 

• Developing Numeracy 

and Literacy 

• Innovative Digi-Tech 

Curriculum 

• An exciting extracurricular 

Programme 

• Recognising Gifted and 

Talented 

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From our recent ETI report: 

“At Key Stage 4 and Post-16, the curriculum is underpinned by flexibility and is designed 

to engage, inspire, challenge and stretch all of the pupils. There is a consistently strong 

uptake of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics related subjects at both Key 

Stage 4 and Post-16. Enrichment opportunities across the key stages are a key strength 

of the curricular and extra-curricular provision.” 



• Clearly Defined 

Learning Pathways for 

GCSE 

• Links with Industry 

• An exciting extracurricular 

Programme 

• Structured Careers 

Programme 


Talented 

• Clearly Defined Learning 

Pathways for AS and 

A-Level 

• Links with Industry 

• Enrichment Programme 

• Structured Careers 

Programme 


Talented 

• Links with Higher and 

Third Level educational 

establishments 


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Exploring the Whole Curriculum 

History students carrying out the work of the 

historian at a visit to the Tower Museum. 

A school where the desire to learn is infectious and 

students of all abilities flourish; everyone works 

hard to create a learning environment where all are 

welcome and diversity is celebrated. 

Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial 

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Living out Urban Myths. 

Programming a 

Robotic Head 


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Exploring the Whole Curriculum 

We believe that extra-curricular activities are good for developing the whole person. Our pupils have the 

most exciting extra-curricular programme that runs from Monday to Saturday. Your daughter will have 

many wide and varied experiences not only during her school week but at Saturday school where she 

will have the opportunity to develop her interests. 

Being creative in the Home Economics Department. 

Pupils visiting Krakow 2018. 

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Handling Sea Life at the Loughs Agency. 

Every pupil will have an opportunity to bake a cake, be a hero in a school drama, learn how to think like an 

engineer or a mathematician, learn how to run her own company, read a book or develop the skills to write 

a book. It’s the school where she might debate, read a map, take a trip to Europe and practice her language 

skills or play a musical instrument. She may even sing out loud in the city of song, or develop the skill as an 

independent learner using her personal digital device. The possibilities for your daughter are endless. 

Little Green Fingers. 


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Learning without Limits 

All talents and gifts are developed within St Mary’s College. As part of our extensive curricular, extracurricular 

and social life of the school, your daughter will be given every opportunity to develop these 

gifts and talents and to celebrate this success with the school community. There is an extensive 

sporting extra-curricular timetable where a wide range of disciplines are on offer at lunchtime and after 

school. 

Elle Harrison, Ballet 

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Kate Gallagher, 

Gaelic Football 

Eva Gallagher, 

Karate 

Surfing 


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Tara Mullan, Netball 

Ella McFadden and Aobhe McLaughlin, Judo 

Abbie McCartney, 

Irish Dancing 

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Caitlin with Mrs. Jennifer 

Martin, Head of P.E. 

Caitlin Toland, Kickboxing with Mr. 

Stephen Keown, Vice Principal 

Anna McLaughlin, 

Camogie 

Orla McConnell, 

Cheerleading 


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Swim & Triathalon Academy 

First school in Ireland with an 

established Swim and Triathlon 

Academy and the first school in 

Ireland to participate in Triathlon 

Ireland, TriHeroes Programme’. 

Aobhe McLaughlin, Swimming 

Abbie Lee Millar, 

Soccer 

Lilly Tourish, 

Athletics 

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Winners of the City of Derry International Choir 

Festival 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 & 2018 

Bringing festive cheer to the City of Song. 


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Nurturing the Gifted 

Ava Canney was selected to attend the prestigious Broadcom MASTERS, a global event that rewards and 

celebrates mastery of 21st century skills. She was one of only 25 awardees globally to have been selected 

to receive an award for excellence in Science which took place over a week in Pittsburgh, USA. 

20 


Mia 

McClafferty 

Top GCSE Pupil 

2018 

Achieved the third 

highest mark in 

GCSE Applied ICT 

from CCEA 


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Brianna Mc Devitt achieved full marks in 

GCSE & AS Art 

22 


Transforming Lives 

Michelle Sheerin 

As I enjoyed my sporting 

life so much at St. Mary’s 

this inspired me to follow 

a career path in sport. I 

completed a HND in Sports 

and Leisure Management, 

then went on to university 

and completed a Master’s 

degree in Management at 

University of Ulster, Magee. I 

am now the Service Manager 

in Templemore Sports 

Complex where I programme 

and manage all wet side 

activities within the centre. I 

am a swimming teacher and 

a trainer assessor for NPLQ 

qualifications. 

Manager of Templemore 

Sports Complex 

Teacher 

Greenhaw 

Primary 

school 

Deirdre Molloy 

I have very fond memories of 

my time in St Mary’s; I made 

friendships which are still dear 

to me today. The teachers who 

inspired me to choose a career 

in teaching were Mrs Clare 

Mulligan and Mr Gavin Molloy. 

I am co-ordinator of Early 

Years and Nursery in Greenhaw 

Primary School and I sit on 

the Senior Management Team 

with responsibility for Child 

Protection. St Mary’s allowed 

me to follow my dreams. 


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Past Pupils 

Solicitor with Caldwell 

& Robinson 

Ciara O’Connell 

Baxendale 

I graduated in Law and Politics (LLB 

Hons) at Ulster University. I then 

studied a Legal Practice Course 

at the College of Law in Chester. I 

completed my legal training with top 

regional UK law firm, Pannone LLP 

and joined national and international 

law firm, Hill Dickinson LLP. In 2014 

I became a senior solicitor and 

Head of Civil Litigation at the Derry 

based firm of Caldwell & Robinson. 

I am Vice-Chairperson and a 

Non-Executive Director of local 

professional theatre company, Sole 

Purpose Productions. 

Head of PE 

St. Mary’s 

College 

Jennifer Martin 

I graduated from St Mary’s 

University in 2006 with a B.Ed 

in Physical Education. It was 

my teachers in school that 

encouraged and supported me 

always in sport and my studies 

and inspired me to aim high. 

Teaching here is allowing me to 

give back, support and encourage 

our girls to take every opportunity 

afforded to them. I am honoured 

to be Head of PE in my old school, 

St Mary’s College. 

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Michelle, Deirdre, Ciara, Jenny & Jacqueline are 

all sisters and proud past pupils of St Mary’s 

Social Worker 

Jacqueline O’Connell 

I graduated from Queens University with 

a Law and Politics Degree. I have also 

completed my legal practice course at 

the College of Law and have obtained a 

Masters in Social Work. I have had a wide, 

varied and interesting career in both legal 

and social work sectors. St Mary’s instilled 

in me the benefit of working hard, to aim 

high and always do my best. 

Head of ICT 

St. Mary’s 

College 

Clare Melaugh 

I graduated from Ulster University in 

History and English. I studied a MSC in 

Computing Information Systems. I was 

employed as a maths and ICT teacher at 

St Mary’s College, I was then promoted to 

Head of ICT. I also teach Software Systems 

Development. In 2016 I received the 

Blackboard Teacher Award in recognition 

of my efforts to develop computing in 

the classroom. In September 2018 I was 

awarded Inspirational Educator of the year 

at the Derry Journal People’s Award. 

Chemist 

Rachael McBay 

I had a very rewarding educational 

experience at St Mary’s when I left in 

2014 I had achieved three A-levels in 

Biology, Chemistry and ICT. This set me 

on a career path in Pharmacy. In 2018 I 

graduated from Queens University with a 

2.1 in Master of Pharmacy. I am currently 

working on my Pre-registration in a 

community Pharmacy in Belfast. I am 

grateful to St Mary’s for providing me with 

amazing opportunities that have shaped 

my future. 


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Past Pupils 

Hairdresser 

Hayley Brenda McCready Dalzell 

Past I trained Pupil as a hairdresser at the NWRC. 

Class After of my 2012 work experience in year 12 I 

knew I wanted to study hairdressing. 

“In My July careers 2017, teacher I achieved at school a 1st helped Class 

Honours me to access in Renewable the right course. Energy I love 

Engineering my job and I at am University now a self-employed 

of Ulster, 

Magee. hairdresser I was at fortunate Hair Express. enough to 

receive a Graduate Sales Engineer 

position in Terex Finlay, Omagh! I have 

many opportunities to travel with work, 

it’s great!” 

Christina O’Doherty 

I developed my passion for 

cooking and baking from my 

father. In St Mary’s Home 

Economics classes, Mrs Anne 

Kelly allowed me to explore my 

talent and provided me with 

opportunities to pursue my love 

of cooking. I took a Sugar Craft 

Course at the NWRC. I am a 

cake designer and my business 

is growing. My signature dish is 

the ‘cupcake’. I am involved in a 

community project passing on 

cooking skills to groups in my local 

area. 

Cake Designer 

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Celebrating St Mary’s Family 

Our Catholic Ethos challenges us to provide equal opportunities for all pupils regardless of ability, religion, 

race or culture. We are committed to ensuring that all pupils feel valued in our school community. As a 

school community we encourage all to follow our school motto ‘Truth’ and respect all those who work and 

learn in the school community. ‘Respect for each other is the light the guides us’ (School Prayer). We guide 

our pupils to develop a sense of community and social awareness, and to be charitable. We support a 

number of local, international and national charities. The school recognises and celebrates the importance 

of the family as exemplified below. 

Hannah Feeney, Hannah McCloskey, Hollie Harkin and Caitlin McEleney, pictured with their great grandmother, 

Peggy Feeney, and aunts, all past pupils. 

Dara, Carla, Abbie and Enya McDermott, all sisters at 

St Mary’s College. 

Janda Hason who was asked to represent the Global Family 

at the Festival of Families in Croke Park on Saturday 25th of 

August seen here presenting to His Holiness Pope Francis 

and a live global audience. 


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Celebrating our Success 

• Mia McClafferty: achieved the third highest mark in GCSE Applied ICT from CCEA. 

• Ellie Sheering and Anna Finnis: top Northern Ireland GCSE Art & Design students, achieving full 

marks in their examination. 

• English: Year 8 - 14 students were selected to have their poetry published in the Young Writers’ 

Poetry Anthology. 

• Eva Gallagher: Kumite International Karate Champion at the IKF Open International Championships in 

Waterford. 

• St Mary’s Under 16 Gaelic Team: Reached the Ulster Final as part of the Ulster Foyle Shield. 

• The Irish Department: winners of the Post-Primary Irish Choral Verse Trophy at the Derry Feis. 

• Orlaith Fleming: gained a place in the EA Senior orchestra. 

• Science Department: scoped 4 major awards at the Northern Ireland Young Innovators in Belfast. 

Projects will be showcased in biggest celebration of STEM for young people in the NEC, Birmingham 

in March 2019. 

• History and Geography: trip to Kravow and included visits to the Divine Mercy Sanctuary, Wadowice 

(birthplace of Pope John Paull II) and Auschwitz. 

• Megan Anderson, Shania Lavery, Niamh McKinney, Aoife O’Reilly and Erin Quigley: gained 

places on the Queen’s University Belfast’s Pathways Programme. 

• School Choir: winners of the Unison / 2-part competition at the City of Derry Choir International 

Choral Competition. At the Derry Feis, the school was also winners of the Unison, 2-part and Irish 

Post-Primary choir competitions. 

• Mary Kate Graham, Kori-Leigh Long, Nicole Morrison, Tara Mullan & Mia McKinney: qualified 

for The All-Ireland Triathlon at Naas, Co. Kildare and also qualified for the All- Ireland Championships. 

• St Mary’s College: scoped an outstanding seven awards at the Sentinus Young Innovators 

competition. 

• PE department: nominated and shortlisted for the Group Active Travel Award and for School Team of 

the Year (Swim & Triathlon Academy) award at the Derry Journal Awards. 

• Catriona Walsh: won the St Mary’s School’s Heat of Rotary Youth Leadership Competition and 

represented St Mary’s in the Derry Schools’ Heat where she achieved third prize. 

• Caitlin Toland: achieved 7th in light contact and 4th in full contact competitions in the WKU Martial 

Arts World Championships in Athens in October. 

• Brianna McDevitt: obtained full marks at AS Art & Design. 

• Ava Canney: winner of the Derry Journal’s Inspirational Young Talent Award. She also won third place 

in her category at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in Dublin. 

• Mia McKinney: achieved third place in Duathlon, second place in backstroke and second place in 

freestyle at the Under 14 Co Derry Games. Eabha McCallion also qualified from the Co Derry games in 

swimming by gaining second place in both the freestyle and butterfly. 

28 


• Home Economics / Taylor Hale and Cara McGlinchey: winners of the County Heat Regional and 

finalists of the Mount Charles / Irish News Big Cook Off Competition. 

• School Orchestra: participated in the ‘Come and Play’ workshop with the Ulster Orchestra. 

• Kayleigh Doherty: won the overall prizes at the North-West Scifest and the Boston Scientific Award. 

• Janda Hason and Maeve Stillman: winners at the Michaela Foundation Wings Awards. 

• Mary McKenna (Our Entrepreneur in Residence): received the Business Hero Award at the NW 

Business Awards. The programme is currently in its second year at the school. 

• Science Department: Year 8 pupils won this year’s Inter-school Salter’s Chemistry Challenge at the 

North West Regional College. 

• Mrs Clare Melaugh (Head of IT): winner of Derry Journal’s Inspiration Educator of the year. 

• Claire Devlin: Under 14 County Derry Duathlon Champion. 

• Kaley Sheerin, Sarah McCallion, Louise Williams and Amy Divin: awarded first place in the 

Smart Wheelies idea at the Slice of Pi STEM aware competition. 

• Janda Hason: overall winner of the Volunteering Category at the Derry Credit Union Awards. Amy 

Jones was runner up in the Volunteering Category and Emer Rabbet and Kayleigh Doherty were also 

runners up in Leadership Category. 

• Lauren McCallion Shannon Knox and Mollie Egan Crossan: Ulster Finalists in the Knights of St 

Columbanus Public Speaking Competition. 

• Modern Languages Department / Year 10 Gaelbhratach committee: awarded the Gaelbhratach 

flag for the promotion of Irish language at St Mary’s. 

• Holly Ella McLaughlin, Eve Keogh Emma Jones and Mr C Lynch: travelled to London as part of 

the Lord Mayor of the City of London’s Business of Trust Programme. 

• English Department: Year 10 team “Legal Eagles” participated in the Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial 

Competition in March. 

• Mr Paul Wade (IT Manager): appointed Chair of the C2K Technical User Forum for Northern Ireland. 

• St Mary’s College: nominated for the Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards 2018 for two 

categories, “Career Inspiration” & “Managing Talent”. 

• St Mary’s College: selected to take part in an award-winning national programme, Digital School 

House, powered by PlayStation®. The school is the only Digital Schoolhouse hub in the Northwest 

and one of only five schools in Northern Ireland to offer this programme. 

• St Mary’s College: finalists in the UK Community Education Awards for STEM Inspiration Award. 

• St Mary’s College: winners of the Best use of Social Media at the NW Business Awards. 

• Our Principal, Marie Lindsay: inducted into the BEX Institute Hall of Fame in recognition of her 

dedication to education; her pursuit of excellence and her sustained, outstanding contribution to her 

community. 


29

Public Examinations 2017/2018 

Admissions Criteria 

Anti-Bullying Statement 

Students on a visit to Ulster 

University, Magee Campus. 

30 


Public Examinations 2017/2018 

GCSE Results 

% Entered for 

5+ subjects or 

equiv. 

5+ A* - C incl. 

equivalences 

5+ A* - C incl. Eng 

& Math & equiv. 

7 or more A* - C 

incl. equivalences 

7+ including Eng & 

Math & equiv 

100% 99% 73% 91.3% 71% 

GCSE Results 

Subject No. Percentage Achieving Grades 

Total 

Number 

No. Ent A* A B C D E F G U % A* - C %A* - G 

Art 34 5.9% 26.5% 47.1% 20.6% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 100% 100% 

Business Studies 38 7.9% 21.1% 34.2% 36.8% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 100% 100% 

Drama 11 0.0% 27.3% 45.5% 18.2% 9.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 90.9% 100% 

English 126 0.7% 5.6% 25.4% 54.8% 11.1% 1.6% 0.7% 0.0% 0.0% 86.5 % 100% 

English Literature 42 7.1% 7.1% 47.6% 28.6% 9.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 90.5% 100% 

French 20 0.0% 5.0% 35.0% 30.0% 30.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 70% 100% 

Geography 18 5.6% 33.3% 50.0% 5.6% 5.6% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 94.4% 100% 

Health & Social Care 24 0.0% 8.3% 33.3% 50.0% 8.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 91.7% 100% 

History 26 3.8% 26.9% 30.8% 23.1% 15.4% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.00% 84.6% 100% 

Home Ec. 

Child Development 

35 0.0% 5.7% 40.0% 42.9% 14.2% 0.0% 2.9% 0.0% 0.0% 82.9% 100% 

Irish 4 25% 25% 25.0% 25.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 100% 100% 

LLW 45 0.0% 0.0% 37.8% 60.0% 2.2% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 97.8% 100% 

Mathematics 126 0.0% 4.0% 25.4% 45.2% 11.1% 7.93% 0.0% 6.34% 0.0% 74.6% 100% 

Music 15 0.0% 26.7% 33.3% 26.7% 13.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 86.7% 100% 

Physical Education 13 0.0% 7.7% 61.5% 30.8% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 100% 100% 

Religion 44 2.3% 18.2% 25% 40.9% 9.1% 2.3% 2.3% 0.0% 0.0% 86.4% 100% 

Spanish 18 0.0% 11.1% 55.6% 27.8% 5.6% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 94.4% 100% 

Technology & Design 34 0.0% 5.9% 55.9% 26.5% 11.8% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 88.2% 100% 

Double Award Subjects % 

Subj No. ** *A AA AB BB BC CC DD-GG 

% 

A*- C 

Sci 51 0 0 2 5.9 17.6 37.3 19.6 0 90.2 100 

IT 25 0 8 20 24 16 28 4 0 100 100 

% 

A*- G 


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Other Level 2 Qualifications 

Name of Awarding Body Qualifications No Entered % Pass or Higher 

Pearson Edexel Double Award Science BTEC 64 98.4% 

Pearson Edexel Single Award Science BTEC 21 90.5% 

Pearson Edexel BTEC Extended Cert in IT 15 100% 

Pearson Edexel BTEC Extended Cert in Health & Social Care 15 100% 

CEA Occupational Studies 14 100% 

ASDAN Wider Key Skills 45 100% 

ASDAN CoPE 45 100% 

Princes Trust 

Award in Personal Development & 

Employability 

44 100% 

A-Level Results Overall 

A Level 

3 or more passes at A* - C 

(or equivalent) 

2 or more passes at Grades 

A* - C (or equivalent) 

Percentage of these pupils achieving 


A* - E (or equivalent) 


A* - E (or equivalent) 

84% 94.2% 95.7% 100% 

A-Level Results 

Subject No. % Grades Total Number 

No. Ent A* A*- A A* - B A* - C A* - D A* - E A* - U % A* - C %A* - E 

Art & Design 6 0.0% 16.7% 50% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 

Applied Bus. Studies 19 0.0% 47.4% 63.2% 94.7% 100% 100% 100% 94.7% 100% 

Technology & Design 18 0.0% 0.0% 44.4% 83.3% 100% 100% 100% 83.3% 100% 

Applied Science DA 10 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% 60.0% 100% 100% 100% 60.0% 100% 

English Literature 7 0.0% 14.3% 28.6% 85.7% 100% 100% 100% 85.7% 100% 

Geography 7 0.0% 14.3% 42.9% 85.7% 100% 100% 100% 85.7% 100% 

Health & Social Care 32 0.0% 6.3% 53.2% 96.9% 100% 100% 100% 96.9% 100% 

Religious Studies 5 0.0% 20.0% 80.0% 100.0% 100% 100% 100% 100.0% 100% 

Journalism 2 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 50.0% 50.0% 50.0% 100% 50.0% 100% 

Maths 1 0.0% 0.0% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 

History 5 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 80.0% 80.0% 100% 100% 80.0% 100% 

Moving Image Art 4 0.0% 0.0% 50.0% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 

Applied IT 11 0.0% 18.2% 63.7% 90.9% 100% 100% 100% 90.9% 100% 

Spanish 1 0.0% 0.0% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 

Music 1 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 100.0% 100% 100% 100% 100.0% 100% 

Politics 2 0.0% 0.0% 50.0% 50.0% 100% 100% 100% 50.0% 100% 

Sports Science 1 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 100.0% 100% 100% 100% 100.0% 100% 

32 


Other Level 3 Qualifications 

Name of Awarding Body Qualifications No Entered % Pass or Higher 

Edexel BTEC Health & Social Care (Double Award) 17 100% 

Edexel BTEC Business & Finance 11 91.0% 

Edexel BTEC Applied Science (Single Award) 11 100% 

Edexel BTEC Performing Sports 1 100% 

Edexel 

BTEC Children’s Learning & Development 

(Double Award) 

3 100% 

Edexel BTEC Hospitality 3 100% 

Edexel Self Development Level 3 (CoPE) 6 83.4% 

Edexel Enterprise & Entrepreneurship 8 100% 

Destination of Leavers 2016 – 2017 

Year 12 Year 13 Year 14 

Entered Higher Education 0 0 57 

Entered Further Education 8 18 7 

Gap Year 0 0 0 

Entered Jobskills 3 3 2 

Entered Employment 0 2 12 

Seeking Employment 1 0 0 

Transferred to Another School 6 0 0 

None of the Above 0 0 1 

Total 18 23 79 


33

Admissions Criteria 

St Mary’s College 

35 Northland Road 

Londonderry BT48 0AN 

Telephone: 028 7136 2154 

Fax: 028 7137 6719 

Email: office@stmarysderry.com 

Web: www.stmarysderry.com 

Principal: Mrs Marie Lindsay 

Chairperson of the Board of Governors: Mrs Gay Durkan 

Voluntary Maintained 

Secondary School 

Girls 

Age Range: 11 – 18 

Admissions No: 130 

Enrolment No: 825 

Roll: 877 

Open Day 

Saturday 12 January 2019 

10.00 am – 1.00 pm 

Principal’s Address 10.00 and 11.00 am 

Respective Functions of the Board Of Governors and Principal 

in Relation to Admissions 

The Board of Governors draws up the admissions criteria and delegates to an Admissions Sub- 

Committee, which includes the Principal, the responsibility for applying these criteria. Any 

reference herein to the term the Board of Governors includes any Committee or Sub-Committee 

appointed by the Board of Governors for the purposes of applying the Admissions Criteria set out 

herein. 

Admissions Criteria 2019-2020 

As currently required by the law, priority will be 

given to pupils normally resident in Northern Ireland, 

before children who normally reside elsewhere. In 

the event of over-subscription, the following criteria, 

which was drawn up by the Board of Governors of 

St Mary’s College, will be applied in the order set 

down, to select pupils for Year 8 entry in 2019/20. 

1. Pupils whose sister(s), half-sister(s), step 

sister(s) or foster sister(s) are presently or 

were formerly enrolled at the school or will be 

enrolled in 2019. 

2. Pupils who are the only girl or who are the 

eldest eligible girl in the family, who presently 

reside in the following parishes (in no particular 

order) who have chosen St Mary’s College as 

their first preference all ability school. 

34 


Templemore (St Eugene’s, St Columba’s, 

Long Tower) 

Three Patrons (St Patrick’s Pennyburn, St 

Brigid’s Carnhill, St Joseph’s Galliagh) 

Holy Family, (Ballymagroarty) 

St Mary’s (Creggan) 

Culmore 

Our Lady of Lourdes (Steelstown) 

Ardmore 

Faughanvale 

Strathfoyle, Strathfoyle/Enagh Lough 

Glendermott/Waterside (St Columb’s, 

Chapel Road, Immaculate Conception, 

Trench Road, St Mary’s, Newbuildings) 

Claudy (Cumber Upper & Learmount) 

3. Pupils presently resident in the above 

named parishes (in no particular order) who 

have chosen St Mary’s College as their first 

preference all ability school. 

4. Pupils presently resident in the above named 

parishes (in no particular order). 

5. Pupils whose mother was a past pupil of the 

school. 

6. Pupils who are presently resident in other 

parishes in Northern Ireland. 

Sister to be defined as ‘girls who at the date of their 

application, have a sister of the family currently or 

previously enrolled at the school’. 

Eldest Child to be defined as “children who, at the 

date of their application, are the eldest child of the 

family to be eligible to apply for admission to the 

school.” 

The permitted admission number for Year 8 as 

determined by the Department of Education for the 

academic year 2019/2020 is 130. 

When considering which children should be 

selected for admission, the Board of Governors will 

only take into account information which is detailed 

on the Transfer Form. Parents should therefore 

ensure that all information pertaining to their child 

and relevant to the school’s admissions criteria is 

stated on the Transfer Form. Examples of such 

information include the child’s name as it appears 

on the birth certificate, whether the child is the 

eldest child, has sisters attending the school etc. 

In the event of over-subscription in any one criterion 

when applied in the order set, the selection of 

available places will be carried out using a method 

of random selection. 

The following random selection process will be 

applied in the event of over subscription in any 

of the criteria listed based on the initial letter of 

the pupil’s surname as stated on her long birth 

certificate in the order set out below. 

O F D Mc U H M P K E Y J C Mac B Z O’ I W L V S G T Q R N X A 

The order was determined by a random selection of the 

letters of the alphabet witnessed by Board of Governors. 

In the event of surnames beginning with the same 

initial letter, the subsequent letters of the surnames 

will be used in alphabetical order. In the event of 

2 identical surnames, the alphabetical order of the 

initials of the forenames will be used. 

Should two or more applicants have the same 

surname and forename and thereby qualify for 

the last available place(s) those applicants will be 

placed in rank order of eldest child by date of birth 

as stated on their birth certificate and admitted in 

this order. 


35

If, after this process, any applicants still tie for a 

final place, the place(s) will be allocated by random 

computerised selection. 

The Board of Governors reserves the right to 

require such supplementary evidence as it may 

determine to support or verify information on any 

application/transfer form. All applicants should 

note that all information within an application that 

qualifies a child for admission will be verified before 

the child is admitted to the College. The provision 

of false or incorrect information or the failure to 

provide verifying documents within the deadlines 

set, may result in the withdrawal of a place or the 

inability of the College to offer a place. Original 

verification documents are required. 

To enable the Board of Governors to verify the 

applicant’s address the following documents, in 

their original form, must be supplied within the 

timeframe set by St Mary’s College following a 

provisional offer of a place. 

1. To verify the applicants name and date of birth: 

• the long version of the applicant’s birth 

certificate. 

2. To verify the applicant’s address any two of the 

following: 

• A current letter awarding Child Benefit, Tax 

credit or Universal credits in respect of the 

applicant or another letter relating to this 

benefit. 

• The applicant’s Medical Card showing the 

applicant’s current normal place of residence. 

• A current bank, post office, Credit Union or 

Building Society statement which shows the 

address at which the applicant is resident. 

• A current utility bill (e.g. electricity, gas, 

television licence, telephone) which shows the 

address at which the applicant is resident. 

3. To verify (where applicable) that the applicant is 

the eldest girl: 

• A letter awarding Child Benefit to the 

applicant or another letter relating to this 

benefit or a letter from a member of the 

Clergy, a Solicitor or the child’s GP. 

Please note that other documents equally capable 

of verifying your information, or other equally 

capable means of verification, will be considered 

at the discretion of the Board of Governors. If, 

therefore, you are unable to provide the specific 

documents listed above then please contact St 

Mary’s College to establish how you can verify your 

application. 

Your provision of these documents is essential if we 

are to offer your child a place at St Mary’s College. 

By law, St Mary’s College’s Board of Governors 

has a duty to verify the important information within 

your child’s application in order to ensure that it has 

applied its admissions criteria correctly and that 

the admissions process is accurate and fair. The 

provision of false or incorrect information or the 

failure to provide information within the deadlines 

set by post-primary schools can result in the 

withdrawal of a place and the inability to offer a 

place on the part of any school nominated on the 

applicants transfer form. 

The school’s policy on the consideration of 

applications after the Transfer Procedure concludes 

on 31 May 2019 is available directly from the school 

or can be accessed on our school website. Should 

a vacancy arise, the published criteria will be 

applied to select pupils from our waiting list. 

36 


Procedures for Operating a Waiting List for Admission to Year 8 

in 2019/20 

The Transfer Process will conclude on 31 May 

2019. St Mary’s College retains a waiting list for 

admissions where a place becomes available 

outside the normal admissions process. 

The waiting list will be drawn up in accordance with 

St Mary’s College Admissions Criteria 2019-20 as 

outlined above. In the event of a place becoming 

available the pupil at the top of the list will be 

offered a place. 

On 1 September 2019 the waiting list becomes 

extant and a new waiting list will be drawn up 

consisting only of those who have 

• appealed for admission to Year 8 in St Mary’s 

College in 2019-20 or 

• have applied to the Exceptional Circumstances 

Body for admission in 2019-20 or 

• have made known that they wish to remain on 

the waiting list after 1 September 2019. 

The rank order of the new waiting list will follow that 

laid out in our Admissions Criteria 2019-20. The 

waiting list will cease to operate after 30 June 2020. 

Year 

Admissions No. 

Total Applications 

All Preferences 

Total Admissions 

2016/2017 130 142 135* 

2017/2018 130 154 132* 

2018/2019 130 172 132* 

*includes statemented pupils 

Admission criteria for entry to years 9 – 12 

For admission to years 9-12 please complete an AP1 form and contact the school directly. 


37

Anti-Bullying Statement 

The staff of St Mary’s College recognises and accept that any form of bullying is an unacceptable form 

of behaviour. It can have a serious impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of those involved. It 

is destructive in that it interferes with the education of pupils and also affects parents and staff. As a 

school community we must ensure that our school is a safe and secure learning environment for every 

individual pupil, that every pupil feels safe and secure. 

(1) Purpose 

The purpose of this policy is to raise awareness of the issue and strategies used to combat bullying within 

the school community and with parents. 

Definition 

Northern Ireland Anti Bullying Forum (NIABF) defines bullying as the repeated use of power by one or more 

persons intentionally to hurt, harm or adversely affect the rights and needs of another or others. 

Working in Partnership with Parents 

We respect the right of parents/carers to speak with school staff if they believe their child is being bullied. 

(2) Processes 

Responding to a Bullying Concern 

Staff should adopt a positive mind set when responding to bullying concerns. 

All staff are prepared with options on how to respond to incidents of bullying in a planned, deliberate 

and positive way. Confronting pupils who have bullied requires a high amount of self-control as well as 

preparation to know what to say and do. 

(3) Appropriate Interventions 

When children and young people are involved in incidents of bullying, adults are required to intervene. In 

practice there is a wide range of possible interventions available and there are significant differences in 

these in terms of the purpose of the intervention and the needs being address. 

(A copy of the full policy is available from school office). 

38 



39

Opening school Mass at St Eugene’s Cathedral 

Principal: Mrs Marie Lindsay 

35 Northland Road, Derry, Northern Ireland, BT48 0AN. 

e: office@stmarysderry.com 

t: (028) 7136 2154 

f: (028) 7137 6719 

www.stmarysderry.com 

facebook.com/stmarysderry 

@stmarysderry 

Front cover image: Mia McClafferty, 

top GCSE student 2018. 

www.bigfishdesign-ad.com

St. Mary's Prospectus 2019

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