St Marys College Prospectus 2022

St. Mary’s College
Community - Faith - Excellence
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
1

Our Principal, Mr Brendan McGinn
Dear Parent/Guardian
Welcome to our school prospectus! Unfortunately, this year again, Open Days are
not viable options for our Primary 7 pupils and parents / guardians so we, like many
schools, have adapted how we communicate the essence of our school including a
virtual Open Day which takes place on Saturday 15th January.
So, what is this school truly about?
St Mary’s College is a genuinely progressive, forward thinking school, one
celebrated for its outstanding academic success, its focus on developing and
meeting the needs of every pupil, its drive to support pupil wellbeing and mental
health and its on-going celebration of the St Mary’s family and the Gospel values.
We are a school steeped in and formed by its proud history and it is these Sister of
Mercy values that continue to shape us to this very day.
St Mary’s College is a hugely popular choice for our primary seven pupils and we
are fortunate to have such excellent primary schools in this city and beyond. This
school is an all-ability school, one extremely well placed to meet the needs of every
pupil. From pupils undertaking four A levels and Triple Award Science at GCSE to
ones undertaking purely vocational courses, St Mary’s College is very well equipped
and skilled to place your child at the centre of its excellent provisions.
Every day will be an enriching, supportive and busy one for your child. Our morning
Breakfast Club, open from 8.15am daily, is very popular with our pupils, as is our
Saturday Wellbeing Club (10am- 1pm) at the school which runs in conjunction
with Lisneal College and includes horseriding, arts & craft, cooking and bowling,
all of which are free of charge and designed to support positive mental health. We
have a Homework club, Monday to Thursday (3.15 – 4.45pm), which caters for
all pupils and your child can also avail of our daily and extensive extra-curricular
provision which runs at lunchtime and after school. All after school activities
include transport home where necessary.
At St Mary’s College, our staff is award winning and widely celebrated; our pupils
achieve success locally, nationally and internationally; our curriculum is unique,
flexible and engaging; our examinations results at GCSE and A’ Level (and
equivalent) are outstanding year-on-year; our past pupils play a significant role
in our curriculum and our school facilities are simply second to none. We are a
Microsoft Showcase School of Excellence, ideally placed to support outstanding
digital and remote learning.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to read through our prospectus. It is
only a snapshot of our wonderful school and should you wish to speak with us
about any aspect of school life at St Mary’s College, I would really encourage you
to ring us on 028 7136 2154 or email us at office@stmarysderry.com. Finally, I
wish you well in your choice of school this year and do hope you enjoy our school
prospectus.
Brendan McGinn (Principal)
2
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

Introducing our Head Girl, Ava Canney
Ava Canney Miss Yvonne Connolly, Senior Teacher, with the Student Council for 2021/2022
My name is Ava Canney, Head Girl in my final year at St Mary’s College. Choosing
a post-primary school can be challenging and it is important to consider what the
different schools can offer you personally. I chose St Mary’s College as it was a
school leading the way in many areas including science and music. I was an eager
11-year-old inspired by the illustrious past pupils and their many achievements.
St Mary’s College encourages pupils to go beyond the classroom especially with
its extra-curricular programme at lunchtime, after school and at the weekend. When
I started in Year 8, I immersed myself in everything: from choir to triathlon, public
speaking to chemistry club, Saturday school to camogie, and so much more. As I
moved through the school I focused more on my biggest interests, committing myself
to science and music. Getting involved within the life of St Mary’s allows you to feel
part of a family; after only a few weeks I knew this was where I belonged.
The education you will receive at the school will be exemplary. During my time at
the school, I have received prestigious global accolades. At A-Level I am studying
Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and History. It is important to push boundaries,
which is exactly what St Mary’s College has allowed me to do. In my final year, I
am applying to many of the top universities in the UK and the US to study chemical
engineering.
Looking back now at little 11-year-old me, I never could have dreamed I would
achieve what I have and be where I am today. However, one thing I can say with
complete certainty is that I am proud to be a St Mary’s College girl.
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
3

Where girls feel safe and are cared for
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.
Mrs Roisin Rice – Vice Principal/
Junior School
Mrs Katrina Kealey – Senior teacher
for Junior School
Roxanne Nixon, Neighbourhood
Regeneration Officer and Conor Lynch
School Co-ordinator of S.M.I.L.E
S.M.I.L.E (St Mary’s Individual Learning Experience). This programme provides
support to our pupils in the following areas: anxiety, mental health, social isolation,
family and home life, bereavement and sexual identity. Roxanne works closely with
our pastoral care team and the co-ordinator of S.M.I.L.E. Mr Conor Lynch. Working
in collaboration with our Community Partners, St Mary’s offers additional support to
pupils and their families where they can access specialist programmes to address
their needs and help them engage in school experiences and the wider community.
Mrs Karen Holt – Designated Teacher
for Safeguarding
Roxanne Nixon, Neighbourhood
Regeneration Officer
Mr Eugene Moore – Education
Co-ordinator
Orla Mulhern - Head of Year 8
Conor Lynch, S.M.I.L.E. Co-ordinator
4
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

Moving to St Mary’s College: The Big Sister Programme
Transitioning from Primary School to Post-Primary School can be an understandable
challenge for pupils. At St Mary’s College, we have an engaging and effective
transition programme that begins in year 7. We have strong links with our local
primary schools and value their outstanding work and guidance.
We invite all our Year 8 pupils and their families to a Welcome Ceremony to celebrate
the beginning of a new chapter with us. Year 8 form classes have 2 ‘Big Sisters’
who shadow the classes, keeping a close eye on pupils, ensuring they settle into
new friendship groups. These “Big Sisters” are our most senior pupils who are well
versed in supporting the newest members to our school community. “Big Sisters”
communicate regularly with our pastoral team, including your child’s form tutor and
Head of Year, and it is a very effective way of monitoring every pupil, as they become
accustomed to their new school.
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
5

Our faith in action
At St. Mary’s College, we are strongly committed to building and strengthening the
Catholic ethos of the school. Underlying our teaching and our relationships are the
Gospel Values of Trust, Respect, Understanding, Truth and Hope. This is embodied
in our Truth badge which every pupil receives in Year 8 and wears throughout their
time with us
Our aim is that pupils show respect and care for one another and for all who work
in this place of learning. As a mercy school, led by the legacy of Catherine McAuley
and the Sisters of Mercy, pupils extend their concern to those less fortunate
through prayer and charitable service. We have a continued focus on home, school
and parish links.
The Catholic ethos permeates every aspect of our school life. This begins every
morning with our morning prayer where we gather as a community of faith in
action. We celebrate the various liturgical events which punctuate the school
calendar supported by our School Chaplain, Fr. Paul Farren. Throughout the year
there are an array of opportunities of faith formation through Charitable work,
Masses of Celebration, Pope John Paul II Award, Pupil Enrichment Programme,
Assemblies and Retreats. Our school is committed to developing confident women
with a strong sense of justice who demonstrate social responsibility, care for those
in our communities and foster a spirit of inclusion.
6
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
7

Where girls are welcomed
Year 8 Induction/Welcome
ceremony
Year 8 invite to Saturday
School
Miss Emma-Jayne Kelly - Primary
Secondary Links Co-ordinator
> Ceremony of Light
> Year 8 Mass
> Presentation of Truth Badge and School
Prayer
> Welcome Pack
> Introduction to The Pastoral Team
> Safeguarding Guidelines
> Technology
> Art
> Horse Riding
> Dance
> Minecraft
> Bowling
> Boxing
> Cooking
8
8
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

Year 8 Summer School
Year 8 Extra-curricular
programme
> Street Dance
> Cheerleading
> Drama
> Singing
> Circus Acts
> Puppet Theatre
> Outdoor/Indoor pursuits
> Choir and Orchestra
> Board and Social Games
> Netball
> Gaelic & Soccer
> Cross Country
> Environment Club
> Fun Fitness
> Gymnastics / Trampolining
> Gaming
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
9

Investors in People Health and Wellbeing Award 2021
Message from Leader of Wellbeing – Mrs Molloy
I feel very privileged to have the very important role of Leader of Wellbeing in St. Mary’s College. I coordinate
and plan opportunities for every pupil and staff member to partake in the 5 ways to wellbeing. With
half of our staff trained in Mental Health First Aid, this school is taking seriously the area of wellbeing.
Positive, confident, resilient, kind, happy individuals successfully manage and overcome difficulties and live a
balanced and fulfilling life. Your Health, Wellbeing and Happiness will remain key priorities for us.
Message from Ambassador
- Erin Donald
Wellbeing matters because you matter. Having a positive mind-set,
being self-aware of your physical and mental wellbeing and looking out
for each other give us the power to achieve all of our dreams. At St
Mary’s College the students and staff work hard daily to address this
area and I am proud to be the school’s ambassador for 2021/22.
10
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

Pupil physical, mental & emotional health is our priority
5 ways to wellbeing
Keep
active
Give
Take
notice
Connect
Keep
learning
Swim & Triathlon
Academy
Saturday School
Couch to 5K
Cross Country
Gymnastics
Trampolining
Dance
Gaelic
Soccer
Netball
Fundraising activities
e.g. St Vincent de Paul
with food hampers, and
The Pink Ladies with
money donations
Gratitude days e.g.
kindness days
Big Sister Programme
(Year 8 & 14 pupils)
Paired reading e.g. Year
10 pupils assisting year
8 pupils at lunchtime
Visits to day care
centres & hospices
(where permissible)
Mental health
Awareness workshops
Eco-club
Healthy break promotion
AWARE: Mood Matters
workshops
Counsellors available in
school
SMILE programme
Innovation Recovery
Education
Meditation
Health Promotion Week
Dedicated Wellbeing
½ day once a term for
pupils
Enrichment Programme
Shared Education
Initiative
RCPCH – pupils took
part in the “State of
child health report”
survey
NICCY – involved in
creating Mental Health
Charter for Children &
Young people
School Council
Extended Schools:
Virtual after school clubs
All KS3 pupils follow the
“Wired for Wellbeing”
programme
Homework Club
Saturday School
Choir
Debating Club
Crochet Club
Games Club
Chat & Chew Club
Orchestra/Irish
Traditional Group
Chemistry Club
Motivational wellbeing
speakers
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
11

A school day in the life of Brooke Bradley
My Diary
Brooke Bradley - Year 8
Hi there! My name is Brooke Bradley. 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 usually begins in the
assembly hall but at the moment this is
not possible w ith Covid. Instead, I meet
my friends in my form class.
8.50am: My form teacher greets me and my
class and checks our attendance and
punctuality.
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
11.40: It’s lunchtime
What can I do at lunchtime? W ell, let’s
have a look:
- Orchestra
- Board & Social Games
- Cross Country
- Quiz Club
- Stem Club
12
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

12.25pm:
12.40pm:
1.20pm:
1.55pm:
2.30pm:
- Environment Club
- History Club
- Traditional Group
- Fun Fitness
- Comic & Gaming Club
15 mins w ith my form tutor who checks
in to see how we are doing and of
course our attendance and punctuality
Now I have an English lesson
Next I have a lesson in Learning for
Life & W ork (LLW)
Lesson 7 is History
And my final lesson, lesson 8, is
Mathematics. This lesson ends at 3.10pm.
After school activities - well, let’s have a look!!
- Gymnastics &
Trampolining Tumbling
Club
- Gaelic Football
- Soccer
- Esports Club (gaming)
- Netball
- Choir
Home time is 3.10pm but if you stay after
school and attend a club, transport is
organised.
I also study:
- Science
- Religious Education (RE)
- Music
- Geography
- Physical Education (PE)
- Art & Design
- Technology & Design
- Enrichment
- Drama
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
13

Where pupils learn best
St Mary’s College is an innovative, forward thinking school, embracing new and emerging technologies. Our teaching staff engage in Continuous Professional
Development to ensure we are up to date with research on the effectiveness of different teaching methodologies. Providing an outstanding learning experience for each
and every pupil, we are immensely proud of the achievements of all our pupils.
Religious Studies
Science
Home Economics & Child Development
PE
14
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

In the classroom
Maths Geography ICT
English
Drama
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
15

Where pupils achieve the outstanding
History
Art
Technology & Design
16
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

English
Learning for Life & Work
Languages
Physical Education
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
17

Unlocking the potential
18
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

Girls with dreams become young women with vision
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
19

Inspiring
20
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

Engaging
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
21

Guiding
22
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

Motivating
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
23

Achieving
24
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

Preparing
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
25

Extra-curricular clubs
Music club
ESPORTS club
DIY blue tooth speakers
Year 10 students building their own blue tooth
speakers to provide the music whilst working on
an Arduino electronic kit. The girls are working on
a project which shows how to convert a Binary
number into a Decimal number, using circuits and
programming code.
Irish club
Eco club
26
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

St. Mary’s quiz club
Art workshop
Here are some of the newest members of the St. Mary’s Quiz club. All KS3 pupils
can attend weekly to test their general knowledge, memory, speed and have a
chance to make new friends.
Netball
A40: Amelia Coul Kelly, Casey Hegarty
A16: Ava-Rose McBride, Rhyleigh J Harris, Keeley Reed McFeely, Eimear Barr
A21: Bella Doherty, Abbie Rose McGeady
A04: Anna Nelis
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
27

Where STEM girls learn best
BT Young Scientist 2021 St Mary’s
College ‘Best School in Northern Ireland
Award 2021’
Maeve Stillman who recently scooped 2 awards at the recent National STEM (Ireland)
Competition – the THEA Award & the ASM Materials Education Foundation Award.
H Canny (E&I) L Parkhouse, O Doherty, C Devine, K Burns & C L Gorman, national
winners of “If I were an Engineer” competition with the Principal, Mr B McGinn.
28
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

Preparing our pupils for a ‘digitised future’
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
29

Empowering digital leaders
Our students are equipped to collaborate, communicate and create using the latest digital technology. We recognise that
each learner is growing up in an ever more connected world. They have a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips and learning
what to do with it is a vital skill. Throughout the curriculum at St Mary’s College we help young people navigate the connected
world we live in and use it to their advantage.
Future proof learning & teaching
We are embracing the challenge of preparing St Mary’s pupils for futures in the
digital world. Our innovative skills based curriculum develops the pupils creative
problem solving, agility, communication, collaborating and information analysis
skills. We are at the forefront of educational development and we continue to add
to our innovative curriculum that will support and inspire all of our pupils to learn
and achieve. In Year 8 pupils will be introduced to coding, games development
and have the opportunity to design and develop their very own Apps.
The IT department offer a range of clubs and invite pupils to take part in numerous
competitions.
These include:
• Code Club
• Games Development Club
• Sentinus App Development Competition
• UCode
Chelsea Brady practising her digital photography skills.
St Mary’s College is a Digital Schoolhouse
• Saint Mary’s College has been selected to take part in an award-winning
national programme, Digital School House, powered by PlayStation®. This
exciting programme offers support to teachers in delivering the computing
curriculum. St. Mary’s College is the Digital Schoolhouse hub for the
Northwest.
Ms Deirdre McElholm, Acting Head of RE, Ms Roisin Rice, Vice Principal and Mrs Paula Quinn, teacher
of Art and MIA (Three of our Microsoft Innovative Expert Educators).
30
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

We are a Microsoft Showcase School
As a Showcase school we have been recognised for our commitment to transforming education through digital learning. St Mary’s has been a Microsoft Showcase
school since 2014 and is one of only three Showcase Schools in the North of Ireland.
We really value our Microsoft Showcase School status. It is a privilege to be a part of this exclusive, global community. An integral part of our vision is to empower learners
and teachers to use digital technology seamlessly, supporting learning and teaching so that it improves achievement, engagement and experience.
We have 4 Microsoft Innovative Expert Educators on staff.
• Mrs Clare Doherty, Head of Technology and Design
• Miss Deirdre McElholm, Acting Head of Religious Studies
• Mrs Roisin Rice, Vice Principal
• Mrs Paula Quinn, Teacher of Art and Moving Image Art
Freya Cummings using her coding skills to instruct a Drone during an ICT lesson.
Mrs Clare Melaugh, Head of ICT pictured with Alex Herron.
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
31

Where girls prepare for their future career
“The top skills which employers see as rising
in prominence include critical thinking and
analysis as well as problem-solving, and
skills in self-management such as active
learning, resilience, stress tolerance and
flexibility.” World Economic Forum - The Future
of Jobs Report
Innovative careers
education
When our young people enter the workplace, it will
most likely be in a career that does not yet exist. At St
Mary’s we ensure that every pupil learns and develops
vital employability skills throughout their school
journey. Year 8 pupils explore futures in the local
and global economy; personal career planning; and
entrepreneurship. All pupils are equipped to identify
their individual interests and aspirations helping them
make better informed choices and ultimately have
fulfilling careers in the future. In recent years St Mary’s
College have won the Irish News ‘Careers Inspiration
Award’ which acknowledges the strong links we have
developed with local employers and business leaders.
This achievement is shared by all staff of the school
who promote work skills and encourage careers
exploration in their subject areas.
Learning to be leaders
Pupils at St Mary’s College continue to blaze a trail in
pursuing courses and careers in all industries. A crucial
step to enabling our young people to fulfil their potential
and reach their ambitions is working in partnership with
our local Colleges and Universities. In the past year,
pupils have progressed onto courses such as Artificial
Intelligence, Astrophysics, Forensic Science, Fashion,
Law, Finance, International Relations, Teaching, and
Biotechnology to name a few.
We offer an extensive programme of work experience in
partnership with our local businesses and virtually. This
gives young people an insight into the world of work
and allows them to build their employability skills.
Opportunities for all
In St Mary’s College we encourage all pupils to study
at University and stay local. We are proud supporters
of our local colleges: Ulster University, North West
Regional College, Letterkenny Institute of Technology
and Queen’s University.
Each year we take part in the ‘Queen’s University
Pathway Opportunity Programme’ providing support
to the talented young people of St Mary’s College.
Pupils spend one week on campus having fun,
partaking in lectures and doing assignments. The 5
pupils who took part this year received a reduced
grade offer for courses in Business, Architecture and
Engineering. They will also receive a £1000 bursary in
their first year.
To promote careers in the Financial Technologies
sector 6 pupils are currently undertaking a Level 2
certificate in Financial Services qualification. This
certificate will provide them with the skills and
knowledge to pursue a career in this growth sector in
Northern Ireland.
We welcome a host of inspirational speakers and
successful work-related events for pupils to learn from.
This included Role Model Day, Entrepreneur talks,
Career insight visits, STEM Ambassador training and
the Females in IT partnership.
32
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

Queen’s University Belfast - pathway opportunity
Each year our pupils take part in the highly successful Queen’s Pathway
Opportunity Programme in Year 13 & 14. The talented young women
attend the University campus, meet new friends, take part in lectures and
experience life as a student during a summer residential.
In 2021 4 pupils graduated and received a reduced offer for a Queen’s
University course at the end of Year 14. Cara McGlinchey & Taylor Hale
completed the Business Pathway. Ava Canney took part in the Engineering
Pathway and Cara McGuinness completed the Natural and Built
Environment Pathway.
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
33

Making a difference to our pupils
Miss Carol Concannon -
Learning Assistant
Mrs Karen Holt - Designated
Teacher for Safeguarding
Mrs Mairead Flanagan -
Head of Year 8
Mrs Clare Melaugh - Head of ICT
Miss Mura McKinney -
Executive Officer
Miss Michelle Griffin -
School Manager
Mrs Colleen Canning -
Finance Officer
Mrs Fiona Kearns - SEND
Administrator
34
Mrs Marion Dunne -
Head of Maths
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE
Ms Laura Dunlop -
Learning Assistant
Martrice Hasson -
Learning Assistant
Miss Ciara Haran - English Teacher

Presenting 23 past pupils - teaching & support staff
Mrs Valerie Kivelehan - Learning
Assistant
Ms Kerry McWilliams -
Teacher of Art
Mrs Katrina Kealey - Acting Vice Principal
and Ms Yvonne Connolly - Senior Teacher
Ms Claire Gallagher – Lunchtime
Supervisor & Cleaner
Mrs Leona Duffy -
Learning Assistant
Mrs Christine Glenn -
Learning Assistant
Mrs Helena McLaughlin -
Sixth Form Supervisor
Miss Navanna Doherty -
Head of History
Mrs Heather McGee-Brettell -
Teacher of Health & Social Care
Mrs Jenny Martin -
Head of P.E.
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
35

Examination Success
Admissions Criteria
36
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

Examination Success
St Mary’s College is renowned for its outstanding academic success both at GCSE and A Level (and equivalents). Our curriculum is extensive and versatile, and we are
unafraid of adapting our examination offer to meet the needs of all of our pupils.
Each pupil pathway is specifically tailored to meet every learning need and, as a result, currently we have students undertaking 4 A Levels, 3 A Levels, a mixture of A
Levels and BTECs and a purely vocational pathway. This also applies at GCSE level. Here are our examination results from 2017 - 2021:
*Please note that the last public examinations took place in 2019, and in the subsequent years (2020 and 2021), all post primary schools engaged in internal Centre
Assessment / Determined Grade processes.
GCSE / Year 12 (including equivalents)
Achieving five or more subjects A* - C
Year
% of Pupils achieving
2017 95.2%
2018 99.2%
*2019 97.5%
2020 100%
2021 97.5%
*2019 comparative data
Non-grammar schools 79.7%
Grammar schools 96.1%
GCE / Year 14 (including equivalents)
Achieving three or more subjects A* - C
Year
% of Pupils achieving
2017 71.8%
2018 84%
*2019 81.4%
2020 84%
2021 81.7%
*2019 comparative data
Non-grammar schools 58.8%
Grammar schools 79.7%
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
37

Admissions criteria for entry September 2022 to 2023
St Mary’s College
Open day (virtual)
35 Northland Road
Derry
BT48 0AN
Telephone: 028 7136 2154
Email: office@stmarysderry.com
Web: www.stmarysderry.com
Twitter: @SaintMarysDerry
Facebook: facebook.com/
stmarysderry
Principal: Mr Brendan McGinn
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: 870
Saturday 15th January
2022 (10am)
(More details to follow
on our Social Media &
Website)
38
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

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 2022-2023
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 2022/23.
1. Pupils whose sister(s), half-sister(s), step sister(s) or foster sister(s) are presently
or were formerly enrolled at the school.
2. Pupils who presently reside in the following parishes (in no particular order) and
who have chosen St Mary’s College as their first preference school.
Ardmore
Claudy (Cumber Upper & Learmount)
Culmore
Faughanvale
Glendermott/Waterside (St Columb’s, Chapel Road, Immaculate Conception,
Trench Road, St Mary’s, Newbuildings)
Our Lady of Lourdes (Steelstown)
St Mary’s (Creggan)
Strathfoyle, Strathfoyle/Enagh Lough
Templemore (St Eugene’s, St Columba’s Long Tower)
Three Patrons (St Patrick’s Pennyburn, St Brigid’s Carnhill, St Joseph’s
Galliagh)
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 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’.
The permitted admission number for Year 8 as determined by the Department of
Education for the academic year 2022/2023 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 (or on-line equivalent as directed by the Education Authority / Department of
Education). 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
(or online equivalent). Examples of such information include the child’s name as
it appears on the birth certificate and whether the child has sisters attending the
school.
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.
Holy Family, Ballymagroarty
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
39

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.
MC D V MAC M Y Q U Z E L F S A X O’ K T O H B I N G P J W R C
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 forename will be used. In the
event of forenames beginning with the same initial letter, the subsequent letters of
the forename will be used in alphabetical order. In the event of identical surnames
and forename, the initial of the second forename will be used. If any of these
applicants do not have a second forename, they will be placed ahead of those
with a second forename. If applicants have identical surnames and forenames they
will be placed in rank order of eldest child by date of birth as stated on their birth
certificate and admitted in this order.
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. In on-line applications please
follow the requirements as set out in the online guidance provided; electronic
copies of the required documentation will suffice.
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.
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, 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
40
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

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.
The published criteria (1-6) will be applied to late applications to Year 8 or where
new information has been provided (after 18th May 2022) in order to place these
applicants in the correct position on the waiting list after those already on the
waiting list but ahead of those resident outside Northern Ireland. This waiting list will
be in place until 30th June 2022. Should a vacancy arise, the published criteria will
be applied to select the pupil at the top of our waiting list.
Procedures for operating a waiting list for
admission to year 8 in 2022/23
The Transfer Process will conclude on 18th May 2022. St Mary’s College retains
a waiting list for admissions where a place becomes available outside the normal
admissions process.
Numbers of applications and admissions
Year
Admissions No.
Total
Applications
All Preferences
Total
Admissions
2019/2020 130 180 155*
2020/2021 130 145 133*
2021/2022 130 127 127*
*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.
The waiting list will be drawn up in accordance with St Mary’s College Admissions
Criteria 2022-23 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 1st September 2022, a new waiting list will be drawn up, replacing the previous
one, consisting only of those who have
• appealed for admission to Year 8 in St Mary’s College in 2022-23 or
• have applied to the Exceptional Circumstances Body for admission in 2022-23
or
• have made known that they wish to remain on the waiting list after 1st
September 2022.
The rank order of the new waiting list will follow that laid out in our Admissions
Criteria 2022-23. The waiting list will cease to operate after 30 June 2023.
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
41

42
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2022
43

Opening school Mass at St Eugene’s Cathedral
Principal: Mr Brendan McGinn
35 Northland Road, Derry, Northern Ireland, BT48 0AN.
e: office@stmarysderry.com
t: (028) 7136 2154
www.stmarysderry.com
www.bigfishdesign-ad.com
44
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE