St Colman's College, Newry
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St Colman's College is an English-medium college for boys in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. Now named in honour of St. Colman, it was founded in 1823 as the Dromore Diocesan Seminary by a Father J.S. Keenan. The College stands on Violet Hill, the same 60 acre (243,000 m²) it has occupied since 1829, adjacent to the Bishop of Dromore's residence. It is a grammar school and includes facilities that accept about a dozen boarders each year, though enrollment is almost 900. The boarding department is due to close in 2007. The current principal is Fr. Francis Brown. The school is currently undergoing refurbishment and a new wing is being built which will be dedicated entirely to the music, art and drama departments.
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[edit] Aims of the college
Every boy carries the Aims of the College, "Bonitas, Disciplina, Scientia", on his blazer pocket badge:
- Bonitas : to encourage moral uprightness and good citizenship; to develop a rounded personality.
- Scientia : to encourage the highest academic achievement of which the individual is capable; to equip each student with a set of attitudes and ideals for the shaping of his life.
- Disciplina : to instill through the operation of the school's discipline, that self-discipline necessary for success both in school and in the world of work.
[edit] Activities & Clubs
[edit] Extra Curricular Activities
Including, but not limited to:
- Gaelic football
- Gaelic Handball
- Basketball
- Golf
- Hurling
- Rugby (currently being introduced to the school)
There also is a modern, hi-tech fitness suite available to the students.
[edit] Clubs
Including, but not limited to: A Board games club, a Design and technology club and a Debating club
[edit] Orchestra
The school has a 50 strong orchestra, run by the music teachers and with the help of additional instrumental tutelage from local musicians. The school also has two string quartets, a flute quintet, a brass quintet and a band. St Colmans also won the 2005 Newry Feis Orchestra group Cup.
[edit] Trips
The school also regularly engages on trips & excursions. Language students regularly go to the country of which language they are learning, both as part of an educational trip with the school, and as part of student exchange programs - such as the recent exchanges to Spain.
In addition to educationally-orientated trips, there some other general excursions. A prime example of this would be the 2 ski trips that occur every other year for any student interested in going.
There also are, of course, numerous field trips connecting with the educational course, like the Geography field trips to local areas as part of A-Level courses.
[edit] Development
Since being awarded funding in April 2004 the College has been planning new expansions and refurbishment to the existing school & grounds. January 2006 seen a contract for the building work being awarded to local construction company Felix O'Hare & Co who moved onto the site on March 29, 2006. Building work finally commenced on May 10, 2006.
There is a lot of work being planned around the college with the aid of the funding. By October 2007 there is expected to be 15 additional classrooms, a new multi-purpose hall, and a new bus-turning area in front of the College. Once this work is completed the existing College building & classrooms will all be refurbished, with the provision for 21st Century teaching aids (providing additional funding can be secured) such as interactive whiteboards. in addition to this, the grounds are expected to be developed with 2 tennis courts, 60 additional car parking spaces for students and teachers, a hard play area, and existing temporary classrooms to be removed from the grounds.
[edit] Previous developments
- Late 1950s/Early 1960s: Major extension added to the existing school
- June 7, 1972: A further extension added to the College opened on this day
- June 10, 1994: 2 new sciences rooms and a Design & Technology block opened
- 1999: 8 existing science rooms refurbished
- August 2005: Design & Technology suite refurbished
- October 12, 2005: New sports hall officially opened
[edit] External links
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Departments - Department of Education • Department for Employment and Learning Boards - Belfast • North Eastern • South Eastern • Southern • Western Universities - Queen's University Belfast • University of Ulster • Open University Schools - Primary • Secondary • Grammar • Integrated schools |
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