Annual Report

of the Board of Governors

2013-14

Board of Governors Designation

Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School

2013/2014

Name Category

Most Reverend Donal McKeown DDChairman Auxiliary Bishop of Down & Connor

(until April 2014)

Mrs Geraldine Goodall DE Representative

Mrs Joan Cronin DE Representative

Mr Peter Coll Trustee

Mr Terry McDaid Trustee Governor (Acting Chair from April 2014)

Mrs Paula Durkan Elected Parent Governor

Mr Eugene Leneghan Elected Teacher Governor

Mr Barry Kelly Secretary to BOG

The Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School Community is very proud of its catholic ethos. It is very difficult to do justice to our ethos by listing all the events that take place. It is best experienced by being here as a pupil or a teacher on a daily basis or as a parent or friend by attending the wide variety of celebrations that take place throughout the school year.

It is best reflected in the mutual respect that is evident between all members of our community. As a Catholic school we welcome students from a wide variety of backgrounds – accepting that there are different faith backgrounds and none. Nevertheless we are Catholic in our welcome and in the Gospel values we try and live up to in our daily relationships in school and with all our partners in the local community and beyond.

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CONTENTS

Page NumberAccounts/Finances 4Art & Design 5Biology 8Business Studies 10CEIAG 13Chemistry 19Community Link 21Drama 22English 25French 29Fundraising 33Geography 35History 39Home Economics 41ICT 42Irish 45Mathematics 48Moving Image Arts 51Music 54Physical Education 56Physics 59Politics 61Religious Studies 63Saphara 66Science 67Sociology 69Spanish 70Technology & Design 74Year 8 79Year 9 81Year 10 83Year 11 85Year 12 86Year 13 89Year 14 90

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ACCOUNTS/FINANCES AGM 2013-2014

Accounts

2014 2013

£ £

INCOME

Department of Education Grants 4,217,1624,218,33

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Other Income 70,936 84,574

4,288,0984,302,91

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EXPENDITURE

Teaching Staff Costs 2,588,3532,629,36

0

Non Teaching Staff Costs 1,143,5401,106,73

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Other Operating Costs 522,719 459,509

4,254,6124,195,60

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Operating surplus 33,486 107,310

Bank Interest Payable (2,277) (5,183)

SURPLUS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 31,209 102,127

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ART & DESIGN AGM 2013-2014

The number of students studying Art and Design in 2013/14 are as follows;

Key Stage Nos. of Students Studying Art and DesignKey Stage 3 349Key Stage 4 44Post-16 14

Staffing StructureThe department consisted of one full-time teacher and two part-time teachers in addition to an Art and Design technician who was employed for 10 hours per week. The department was joined by a temporary part time teacher in February 2013-June 2013 and a temporary relief technician from March 2014. A part time ancillary member of staff was employed throughout the year sharing housekeeping roles with general duties around the department.

ExaminationsWe continued to follow the CCEA specifications at GCSE, AS and A2 Levels and one of our GCSE Level students achieved full marks at this level.

Aquinas Art and Design Results 2014

Art and Design NI Grammar School Average/Aquinas Grammar AverageNI Grammar School Average(CCEA 2013 provisional)

Aquinas Grammar Average

GCSE (A-B Grades) 80.8% 96.3%AS Level (A-B Grades) 75.7% 100%A2 Level (A-C Grades) 95.9% 100%

Celebrating ExcellenceTwo of our students exhibited in the CCEA “true colours” exhibition in the Ulster Museum. This exhibition profiles the best and most interesting work from GCSE, AS and A2 levels in Art and Design across Northern Ireland and included two units of work; one from a GCSE student and one from an AS student. We were delighted to attend the opening of this exhibition in January 2014 with our Year 11, 12, 13 and 14 students to celebrate the display of work of the two Aquinas students.

Focus for Department 2013-2014The main focus for the department in 2013-2014 was in line with the school development plan. We integrated the use of I-Pad into our planning, administration and teaching and finalised departmental administration in preparation for uploading on to the VLE.

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Links with Community/Outside AgenciesWe fostered connections with the local community through our art workshops with primary school children in December 2013 and we promoted the department through the introduction of two junior lunchtime art clubs, which merged into one after school activity later in the year. Art and Design prefects directed the Year 8 art club for the first term and Year 12 students assisted with the art club in the second term as part of the volunteering section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. We are grateful to classroom assistant, Sophie Rousseau, who assisted with the art club most ably, creatively and enthusiastically.We also promoted the art and design department through the exhibition of student work representing year groups in the Mall area during special events relevant to their year, such as Mass and parent teacher evenings.Four of our A level students entered their work for the Saatchi Gallery School Art Prize, an online competition that provides students with the opportunity to exhibit their work on a public forum through the Saatchi website.One of our Year 8 students was awarded “Merit” in the Texaco Children’s Art Competition and will have her work exhibited in the Ulster Museum in Dec. 14 following its inclusion in the Texaco exhibition’s tour of Ireland.

CEIAGThe Art and Design contributed extensively to the Aquinas Careers’ Insight Evening. A host of visitors were welcomed to the department and included milliner, Grainne Maher; textile designer, Jude Cassidy; motion graphics/3D designer, Tom Hughes; visual artist, Susan Hughes; freelance illustrator and photographer, Paul Fox; QUB architecture student, Emma Dunn; curator at Satis House and assistant curator at the MAC, Eoin Dara; artist, Christine Gormon and fine art student, Caroline McElroy. Pol O Labhradha, UU Art Graduate also assisted at the careers’ evening.

Year 13 and 14 students gleaned insight into careers within art and design in their visits to the RUA Exhibition in October 2013 and in their participation in workshops in Seacourt Print Workshop in November and December. The students worked alongside professional printers in creating their own intaglio prints as part of their coursework units and portfolio addressing Objective 2 and Objective 3 in the CCEA assessment criteria. Aquinas A level students were also accompanied to UU’s Foundation Art Exhibition in addition to the Faculty of Art, Design and the Built Environment’s Information Evening.

The department welcomed, Pol O Labhradha, who successfully completed his BA Degree in UU, Belfast. Pol assisted and observed classes on a temporary basis in January 2014, giving advice to the examination level classes and relating his experiences of art at Third level. Pol later returned to the art and design department as a temporary relief technician from March 2014 until August 2014.Past pupil, Roisin Tinneny, visited our A-level classes in September 2013 to give a presentation of the she work completed during her Architecture Degree course in Glasgow University. Past pupils, Jenny Gallagher and Sarah Louise Deazley, visited Aquinas to up-date us on their progress in Textiles in Nottingham Trent University and Fashion Communication in Northumbria University respectively. Our students

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were delighted to welcome them all back and gleaned invaluable insight into careers within the field of Art and Design.

KS3 students researched Graphic Design in preparation for their Graphic Design Poster for the 2013 school production, “Les Miserables”, and Year 10 students researched the textile industry in Northern Ireland as part of the development of their Textile work in Year 10.

Professional developmentOne teacher attended the GCSE Agreement trial, the AS Agreement Trial and the A2 Agreement Trial. One teacher was employed by CCEA as an A2 Moderator and one teacher was employed by CCEA as an AS Moderator. All members of staff were encouraged to engage in professional development wherever relevant and possible.

Summary of main highlights:

“Les Miserables” SceneryMs N Gilmore, teacher of Art and Design, designed and created the scenery for “Les Miserables” assisted by the art and design technician, art teachers and Year 13 students.

KS3The Year 8 “Welcome to Aquinas” graphic design poster continued with the work of the winning entrants published on the covers of the introductory booklet for our in-coming Year 8 students.The “Les Miserables” graphic design competition was very successful and was entered by every student in KS3. The winning entrants were delighted to have their work published on the programme and on the poster advertising the production.

KS4Staff and all examination level students enjoyed an educational visit to the Ulster Museum in October 2013. We viewed the RUA Exhibition, which students found to be beneficial in addressing Objective 1 of the CCEA assessment criteria.

The department continues to offer after school tuition and support for exam students on a weekly basis and introduced a KS3 art and design club that proved very successful. We are delighted that art and design remains a successful choice in Aquinas and that many of our students pursue art and design related courses in further and higher education, leading to careers in this field.

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BIOLOGY AGM 2013-2014

There are three specialist teachers within the Biology department. The number of pupils taught in each year is given below.

Year No. of pupils

2013-14 2014-15

10 Bio 119 11811 DA 36 2811 Bio 61 7312 DA 32 6512 Bio 59 6213 Bio 43 3714 BioTotal

35 33385 386

Results overview for 2014 is as follows:

A2: A* 11.5%, A*-A 38.4 %, A-B 61.5 %, A-C 80.7%AS: A 29.3%, A-B 48.8%, A-C 73.2.1%GCSE: A* 20.3%, A*-A % 54.2, A*-B 86.4%, A*-C 91.5%

Departmental three year average results compare favourably with N. Ireland figures for the same time period.

At GCSE, the CCEA specification is used. The AQA specification is used for AS/A2 level.

The department continues in its efforts to raise achievement and this is reflected in the results above. Pupils who were underachieving particularly at AS/A2 and GCSE were identified and given additional help. Pupils taking re-sits at AS/A2 were given additional classes at mutually agreeable times and after school. Lunch time sessions were also given on EMPA skills and “How Science Works”. The AQA enhanced results analysis of exam papers again proved useful in identifying specific questions which challenged our pupils and informed support strategies. Core material in Double Award and Biology has been supplemented with extension materials for gifted and talented pupils and support resources were also extended for those with special educational needs. Continued extensive use has been made of the shared area and it has been completely reorganised in order to disseminate good practice. Selected items from the shared area will be posted on Fronter. The department has continued to focus on sharing good practice and improving the quality of feedback to our pupils. Standard cover sheets for tracking assessments and

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homeworks continue to be developed. Pupil self-evaluation and peer evaluation sheets are also in use.

Careers in biology are promoted during classroom teaching and through the prominent display of wall posters. Reference to careers is also made in the options booklets and has been integrated into schemes of work. Some topics in GCSE and AS/AS have obvious vocational implications and every opportunity was taken to raise pupil awareness of career issues. The department continues to invite speakers from a range of backgrounds to talk about the work they do. Careers materials from the Royal Society and the Society of Biology are being used with A’level students.

Within the department, staff development has focused on controlled assessment and the carrying out of EMPA’s. This has met with considerable success. All members of the department have participated in EMPA supervision which can be an all day event involving three laboratories, depending on the topic being investigated. Departmental members continue to be vigilant regarding staff development opportunities.

This year, the department again hosted three students from the “Science Ambassadors” scheme. They visited the department on four occasions. The fresh resources developed will benefit our pupils for some time to come.

Highlights of the year have been the visiting speakers, options activities and field work exercises conducted with Yr 12 and Yr 13. As far as “value added” is concerned, we engage in a wide range of activities, talks, competitions and educational visits. The school based electronic news sheet “BioBubble” was used with A’level pupils as a means of achieving stretch and challenge. “Kerboodle Biology”, a range of web based A’level resources including biological content, self-tests, feedback and past exam questions was used stimulating considerable interest among the pupils.

Members of the department look forward to the future with great enthusiasm and are eager to implement the 2014-15 school development plan. It is our aim to continue to be a vibrant, self-improving department through the sharing of good practice and focusing on the needs and aspirations of all our pupils. This will continue to be achieved through the provision of high quality learning and teaching, effective leadership and community involvement. It is our intention that every learner will fulfil his or her full potential at each stage of her or his development. The interests of the pupils will be at the centre of all efforts to improve educational achievement and address under-achievement. Consequently, a child-centred approach and provision for a diversity of need will continue to be evident in all our work. Quality indicators will be employed in the self-evaluation cycle with the aim of improving learning and teaching, the experiences of the pupils and the standards they achieve.

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BUSINESS STUDIES AGM 2013-2014

The Business Studies department has 2 members of staff. In 2013-14 we taught 115 Key Stage 3 pupils (Year 10 only), 78 at Key Stage 4 and 36 at Key Stage 5.

At Advanced Level the AQA Business Studies specification is followed. In 2014 there was an 88.2% pass rate at grades A*-C. This compares favourably with the NI Grammar School average of 86.9%. 79% achieved grades A-C in AS Business Studies. At GCSE level the pupils cover the CCEA specification. The results were again favourable with 79% of the pupils achieving grades A*-B in comparison to the NI Grammar School Average of 74%.

In line with the School Development Plan, ‘Together Towards Improvement’ and ‘Every School a Good School’ documents, one focus of the Business Studies department in 2013-14 was to upload resources onto the VLE using Fronter. A second focus was to embed the use of the Ipad. This was followed up with careful evaluation of the resources to ensure their relevance and effectiveness.

Within the Business Studies department we try our best to link the subject content to the development of career thinking. In conjunction with Young Enterprise NI the Business Studies department runs a variety of programmes through which the pupils have the opportunity to work and interact with people from a range of careers. The Company Workshop enables year 13 students to meet and network with Managing Directors, Marketing Managers, Accountants and Sales consultants as well as ICT specialists, giving them an insight into these occupations. AS Business Studies pupils set up and run their own company which involves applying for functional roles. Job Descriptions and Person Specifications are available for each functional position - those students wanting to hold the post of Managing Director give a presentation and are formally interviewed by two Business Advisers. All other posts are interviewed by the function directors from the previous year’s company who know exactly what the post entails. This helps the pupils to develop the skills and capabilities necessary for employability including communication, numeracy, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), working with others, problem solving, decision making, self-management and managing information.

Throughout KS4 and KS5 pupils investigate recruitment and retention procedures taking into account the rights and responsibilities of employees and employers. They consider how employers and employees might maintain an effective working environment as well as investigating the increasing social responsibility of business in the community.

In June the Head of Department hosted the South Belfast Area Learning Community meeting for Business Studies. The purpose of this meeting was to share good practice.

The highlights of our academic year included a variety of industrial visits and visiting speakers which added value to the department.

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In 2013-14 Aquinas continued to participate in competitions. The year 13 Young Enterprise Company held their meetings every Friday. A business advisor was also in attendance passing on the benefit of their vast experience and expertise. The students gained practical experience of business and enterprise through setting up and running their own real company. The students participated in the Ballymena Trade Fair in December. This proved to be a very successful day’s trading with the team selling many products and receiving excellent feedback from customers. They also participated in the Belfast and Castlereagh Area Board trade fair in the Kennedy Shopping Centre in January, interacting with the public and a panel of judges and winning the award for ‘Best Product’. In March the team submitted a ten page Annual General Report to Young Enterprise and completed their trading year by taking part in the regional presentations and interviews.

Year 12 GCSE Business Studies pupils enjoyed a field trip to Tayto Castle which provided much relevant information regarding production and marketing. They observed the production process and got great pleasure from tasting various types and flavours of crisps and corn snacks! Year 12 pupils carried out their Controlled Assessment and as part of their research they were fortunate to have a visiting speaker, James McAlister, a past pupil who now owns his own business, Jolly Pies. James provided them with a wealth of fascinating and inspirational information about his business. The pupils also carried out primary research on Survey Monkey to ascertain the relationship between price and demand for Jolly Pies.

Year 11 students completed their first GCSE unit which was worth 35% of the overall qualification. The results were very pleasing with 71.4% achieving A*-B grades. As part of GCSE Business Studies, year 11 students participated in the Young Enterprise ‘Enterprise in Action’ programme which was held in school in September. This included participating in many practical activities which were extremely good fun as students interacted and worked in teams. They also listened to inspirational talks from a successful entrepreneur and local business people. These experiences proved to be both enjoyable and educational.

As a department we always endeavour to make the best possible use of links and partnerships with employers and local businesses to enhance the pupils’ learning. With this in mind the Young Enterprise NI QuickStart programme was introduced in year 11 for the first time. This took place in term 1 and included support and insight from two business partners who attended weekly meetings. The programme culminated in a trade fair in Forestside Shopping Centre in December where two pupils won a week’s work experience in Marks & Spencer and Dunnes Stores during the mid-term break in February. This enjoyable opportunity provided these pupils with valuable insight into real-life business.

Year 10 pupils took part in a ‘Fantasy Share Portfolio’ competition in school, researching various public limited companies in which they could invest a specific sum of money. The pupils discovered for themselves how the Stock Market operates and they developed important skills, such as working as a team, planning, budgeting,

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accountability and decision-making. The pupils also completed a group project, planning a marketing strategy for the launch of a new packet of crisps. This involved designing a poster, radio jingle and television advertisement. They also participated in the Young Enterprise ‘Project Business’ programme. This ‘taster’ course enabled each pupil to make an informed decision for GCSE, with thirty pupils choosing to pursue their study of Business Studies to this level.

The Business Studies department also participated in the Careers Insight Evening in February with entrepreneurs and speakers from a wide variety of businesses and careers in attendance. This included many past pupils who came back to share their experiences with current pupils.

Overall in 2013-14 Business Studies students were encouraged to gain a holistic understanding of business behaviour from a variety of perspectives, generating creative and enterprising solutions to business problems and issues throughout key stages 3 – 5.

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CEIAG (Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance) AGM 2013-2014

The Careers department has excellent accommodation in the form of an office and spacious resource area for class work and research. This location off the central mall area raises the profile of the CEIAG department, making it visible and accessible to all year groups. The pupils from Year 10 -14 accessed careers staff to consult on a range of issues from subject choices, university and college applications to work related learning. The introduction of the TACT period this year worked very effectively as a method of tutors referring pupils for careers guidance. The department has access to the internet within two ICT suites, which is vital for relevant careers information and exploration, university applications and choice of courses.

At the start of the academic year, a CEIAG coordinator was appointed to work alongside the Head of CEIAG and in particular to take responsibility for the work related learning aspects of the curriculum.

The overall profile of CEIAG has been raised with all staff this year and the Head of Department delivered a whole staff talk on strategies for placing CEIAG at the heart of the school curriculum. The profile was also raised with parents through a series of careers talks which were delivered to Year 10, 12 and 14 parents. These year groups were targeted as pupils were at key transition points in their academic lives and as such, had important decisions to make.

In line with the school vision of placing CEIAG at the heart of the school curriculum and responding to staff and parental feedback from the previous academic year, the CEIAG department coordinated the delivery of a Careers Insight evening. This event brought in excess of one hundred and sixty employers into the school and in the region of four hundred parents who accompanied pupils from Year 10 -14. The evening took the form of interactive workshops and talks delivered by a range of local public and private sector employers and representatives from both Queen’s University and University of Ulster were in attendance. Organisations such as Bombardier Aerospace, Warner Chilcott and NI Screen gave their time generously to talk to pupils and parents about a wide variety of career paths and engaged them in activities to demonstrate the types of employability skills needed for these careers. This event was a great success and strengthened links between Aquinas and the local business community. Many of the Aquinas alumni returned to contribute to the event. All subject departments participated in the evening and were given the opportunity to show case the career paths that studying a specific subject could lead to. It has been agreed with the Principal that this will be a bi-annual event.

Key Stage 3

This academic year, all pupils at Key Stage 3 received one period of CEIAG each week. The CEIAG department has designed and regularly reviews progressive schemes of work for each year group in line the joint Department of Education and Department of Employment and Learning strategy for CEIAG “Preparing for Success”.

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Year 8 pupils participated in an educational visit to Titanic Belfast in June where they attended the newly refurbished interactive STEM CEIAG workshop ‘Exploring the Depths’. Pupils engaged in activities which included; a simulator which took them on an underwater tour of the North Coast, marine life microscope study, an analysis of contemporary marine exploration/archaeology, access to decommissioned marine equipment and learning about the job of a marine scientist.

Year 9 pupils participated in a CEIAG visit to Ikea Belfast in June. This involved careers talks from the human resources manager on recruitment and selection and health and safety in the store. The store manager spoke to the group about annual turnover, profit margins, customer care, buyer behaviour and sustainability in a commercial environment. Year 10 students participated in the Careers Insight evening in February leading up to their choices for GCSE. Following this event, Year 10 pupils also had a half day collapsed time table session with the CEIAG department. This session encouraged students to reflect on the subject choices they were making and the implications for their future progression. Year 10 also participated in a “Learn to Earn” programme which was delivered by industry ambassadors sourced through Young Enterprise.

Key Stage 4

Year 11 and 12 pupils all participated in an 8 week CEIAG module which was delivered by members of the careers team during the form period. The department have designed progressive schemes of work for these modules.

Year 11 and12 pupils attended the Careers Insight evening in the lead up to their A level option choices. In addition to this, they also had a half day training session delivered by the CEIAG teachers and DEL careers adviser. Pupils were introduced to the UCAS website, various careers software packages and learned how to market themselves to potential employers and universities in the future.

Ninety eight percent of Year 12 pupils received an individual careers guidance interview with the DEL careers adviser. The purpose of these interviews was to develop a careers plan for post 16 study. A number of Year 12 pupils who were considered to be at risk of not meeting the minimum entry requirements for A level study in Aquinas were interviewed by CEIAG staff and the DEL careers adviser and were helped in making applications to level 3 courses in Belfast Metropolitan College and South Eastern Regional College.

A number of Year 12 pupils participated in work experience over the summer holidays and the CEIAG department assisted in sourcing these placements and in supplying indemnity forms.

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Key Stage 5

Year 13 and 14 pupils all have 1 period of CEIAG each week. The department have designed progressive schemes of work for these lessons.

Year 13

Each Lower Sixth student participated in a one-week work experience placement in December. The rationale behind the programme is to help students see what a chosen career could offer, to gain self awareness, confidence and the sense of responsibility needed in work and to provide greater incentive and motivation to work in school. The experience was preceded by classes, which prepared students for the experience. The work experience programme was very successful and has helped students in developing their Personal Career Plans.

In addition to the set week of work experience, a number of pupils attended insight days throughout the academic year in areas such as Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Speech and Language Therapy and Midwifery and Law.

Twelve pupils attended the QUB Medical Symposium at Methodist College and two pupils attended the QUB Engineering Conference.

All Year 13 pupils attended the UCAS convention in the King’s Hall in March. This event incorporated exhibits from over three hundred third level institutions and proved to be an excellent start to the process of applying for third level study.

The CEIAG department further developed their employer networks this year forging sustainable links with local companies such as Kainos, Schrader Electronics, Price Waterhouse Coopers and Bombardier to name but a few. A number of past pupils returned to give talks on Social Work, Accountancy and Nursing and Midwifery. The department also enlisted the help of parents who assisted in offering talks and work experience.

Year 13 pupils participated in a training day on personal presentation which was delivered by Young Enterprise.

A number of Year 13 pupil attended additional work experience over the summer holidays and one completed a 3 day internship in the financial services sector in London.

Year 14

The bulk of work with Year 14 students comprised of arranging applications through UCAS (University and Colleges Admission Service), CAO, (Central Applications Office) and admissions to further education and higher education colleges. The enormous administrative task was accomplished successfully by a team effort from Careers

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staff and senior management. All 114 UCAS, 42 CAO and 5 St. Mary’s College applications were completed on-line and within the specified deadline. There were also a number of applications to Conservatoires and Schools for Performing Arts.

Individual advice and guidance was on offer from CEIAG teachers and the DEL careers adviser on a self, parent and Year Head referral basis.

Mock interviews were held, in association with the Knights of Columbanus, for all Year 14 students and this proved especially beneficial for those pupils who were applying to courses which had an interview element for admittance. This included Social Work, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Nursing and Midwifery. In addition to the interview evening, those students applying to Medicine were offered the opportunity to attend a medical interview training session which was delivered by a group of doctors in St Bride’s parish – three pupils attended.

We also had successful trips for all Year 14 students to the open days at Queen’s University, the University of Ulster and St Mary’s College.

Talks by a range of universities across Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales were hosted in the careers room. Information on open days throughout Ireland and the UK was disseminated through display boards in the CEIAG department and sixth form study.

A student finance talk was delivered which focussed on the student loan application process. In addition to this, pupils attended a session on personal economics for university students which was delivered by Credit Action.

Year 14 were supported in applying for scholarships and bursaries. One pupil successfully secured a full elite athlete scholarship.

Pupils were assisted in applying for and preparing for a range of entrance exams including UKCAT, BMAT, LNAT, ELAT, HAT, HPAT(Ulster), HPAT (Ireland) and STEP exams.

Pupils were assisted in Oxbridge applications through visiting speakers from both Oxford and Cambridge. The Head of CEAIG attended an information session in Cambridge University in July 2013 on supporting pupils in making Oxbridge applications. Six pupils applied for courses at Oxbridge universities and three were successful in their applications – one for Medicine, one for Law at Oxford and one for Pure Mathematics at Cambridge.

All Year 14 pupils on the Special Educational Needs register were interviewed with their parents by the SENCO, DEL careers adviser and the BELB Transition Officer to plan for their future progression. The DEL careers adviser was present at all annual reviews for pupils on the SEN register.

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GCSE and A Level Options

Heads of Department contributed to a GCSE Options Booklet for pupils and parents. This contained relevant information about all GCSE specifications and the format under which options would be organised. Coursework implications and requirements were outlined.

An Advanced Level booklet was produced with contributions from Heads of Department. This outlined comprehensively the nature and content of Advanced Level Specifications. All students made provisional choices in March.

An options morning was held for prospective GCSE pupils and an options afternoon for potential GCE pupils were held in March. The CEIAG department delivered a talk on LMI and then parents and pupils were able to seek clarification from Heads of Department and subject teachers on matters of concern.

Advice and Guidance

There was a new DEL careers adviser this year who worked with pupils and parents on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The adviser delivered talks in September to Year 10, 12, 13 and 14 pupils to outline her guidance role in school.

The Head of CEIAG was on hand to deal with individual GCSE and A level pupil and parent queries when results were published in August and important decisions had to be made.

Training

The Head of CEIAG was appointed as an Associate Assessor for CEIAG and English with ETI and has completed training in self evaluative processes.

The Head of CEIAG and CEIAG coordinator attended a UCAS training convention.

A member of the CEIAG department attended a training session on the CAO application process.

Two members of the department attended the autumn and the Head of CEIAG attended the spring conferences of the NI Schools Careers Association (NISCA).

Two members of staff completed industrial placements. The Head of CEIAG attends meetings of the South Belfast Area Learning

Community CEIAG sub-group and acts as Vice Chair of the group CEIAG teachers attended the annual QUB Careers Advisers Conference CEIAG teachers attended information evenings at QUB and UU on Arts and

Humanities, Engineering and Law and also an information evening on the Open University.

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PR and Marketing

The Careers Insight evening received some media interest and there were articles in both the Irish News and South Belfast News

All CEIAG activities, presentations and booklets were promoted on the Aquinas website.

The CEIAG department have a Twitter account which they use to communicate with pupils, parents and employers. This proved to be particularly useful in promoting the Careers Insight event.

Self Evaluation

The CEIAG department participated in a process of rigorous self evaluation throughout the year. The department met to evaluate the new schemes of work and associated resources. They engaged in book looks and classroom observation.

In addition, parent, pupil and teacher surveys of CEIAG activities were conducted. The feedback from these surveys was used to inform the CEIAG department action plan for the academic year 2014-2015.

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CHEMISTRY AGM 2012-2013

There are 3 full time members of staff teaching Chemistry from Years 10 -14. At KS3, there are 5 Chemistry classes in Year 10 with 119 pupils in total. At KS4, we teach both Double Award Science (1 classes in Year 11) and

Chemistry as an individual Science (3 classes Year 11). In Year 11, there are 14 students studying Double Award Science and 66

studying Chemistry individually. In Year 12, there are 35 students studying Double Award Science and 56

studying Chemistry individually. 33 students study AS Chemistry in 2 classes. 28 students study A2 Chemistry in 2 classes.

We follow the CCEA syllabus for Chemistry at both GCSE and AS/A2 levels.

Individual Chemistry results for the Year 2011:A* 5

A 19

B 14

C 11

D 2

Comparison with 3 year N.I. Averages for Grammar Schools:

Aquinas 80.5N.I. 78.3

AS Chemistry results for the Year 2011:

A 8

B 5

C 4

D 7

E 3

U 7

A2 Chemistry results for the Year 2011:

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A* 4

A 6

B 7

C 2

D 2

Comparison with 3 year N.I. Averages for Grammar SchoolAquinas 93.9

N.I. 86.5

The Chemistry Department has decided to focus its development in 3 areas:1. Develop and implement a uniform strategy for AFL across the Chemistry

Department to include Marking and Feedback.

2. Incorporate Baseline Year 11 & Year 13 data into target setting and review.

3. Develop the use of Data loggers and ICT into the Curriculum.

Chemistry has had another great year in Aquinas with 81% of our A2 students achieving A* -B grades. The department played a very active role in the promotion of CEIAG by bringing in numerous speakers to take part in the Careers Night.

2013-14 saw the first results from the new GCSE Chemistry. These results were very positive and with the implementation of new teaching and learning resources at KS4 and the whole departments focus, on AFL and feedback, I am confident that these results will only get even better in the future.

Members of the Chemistry Department are involved in a spectrum of roles within Aquinas. The Chemistry Department as a whole is committed to the dissemination and implementation of good practice. The Department plays a role in the SBALC and has links to HODs involved in the teaching of CCEA A level chemistry. This has lead to the development of a core think tank which provides feedback to the examination board and facilitates the transfer of new initiatives.

The Chemistry Department also further benefited from the patronage of Dr Claire Gilligan. This allowed the department to purchase much needed chemicals and glassware, which proved invaluable in the run up to our practical examinations, and also the substantial purchase of Data Logging equipment which will be very beneficial to the whole Science Department.

Lastly the Chemistry Department was proud to have a Dr Dowling promoted to the post of Vice Principal and we wish her the best of luck in her new appointment.

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COMMUNITY LINK AGM 2013-2014

Seventy- four Lower Sixth students participated in the Community Link Programme and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with primary school pupils, the elderly and the general public.

Students travelled to their respective placements on a weekly basis, committing an hour of their private study time to do so. Within the primary schools, they engaged in a wide range of activities such as paired reading, language classes, art, sports and music.

In Glenveagh Special School our young people had a wonderful experience with the students supporting music and art lessons. Our school Jazz band and other musicians performed at Glenveagh’s Christmas Fete. In Nazareth House Care Village, students with the support of the Music Department organised and performed at a Christmas Carol Service and a St. Patrick’s Day Ceili.

Ten lower sixth students spent a half day supporting St. Bernard’s Parish SVP group to organise Christmas hampers. Our sixth form students have continued to take responsibility for recycling within school, giving freely of their break-time to collect recyclable paper.

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DRAMA AGM 2013-2014

Staffing:

Key Stage Three: Lisa Begley, Joanne Curran, Clare Foster, Nuala Loughrey, Ryan McAuley, Pauline McCaul, Frances McHugh (HoD)

GCSE: Frances McHugh (Year 12) took over Mr Patrick Anderson’s Year 11 class AS: Frances McHugh

A2: No A2 class, 2013-2014

The number of students studying Drama and Theatre Studies in 2013 to 2014 was as follows:

Key Stage No. of Students

Key Stage 3 330

Key Stage 4 35

Post-16 4 ( no A2 class)

The specification followed at GCSE, AS and A2 is the AQA specification. The results are summarised below:

Level A* A*/A A*/B A*/C NI grammar average

GCSE 6% 31% 69% 88% A*-B: 88%

AS Level n/a 75% 100% A-C: 91%

A2 Level n/a

GCSE AS Level

2012 to 2013 A to C: 91% n/a

2013 to 2014 A to C: 87% A to C: 100%

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Thank you to the Key Stage Three Teachers who enthusiastically and vigorously delivered the Key Stage Three programme. The focus of the year was on up-dating the Schemes of Work and the Drama Handbook, with further focus on a more co-ordinated delivery to all students.

At Key Stage Three, Drama was taught to all classes (approximately 110 pupils in each year group). The subject was delivered during one double period per class, each week, by three teachers in Year 8 and by three teachers in Year 9. In Year 10, Drama was taught by two teachers for one period each week to each of the four classes; this was one period fewer than other Practical subjects but this has now been addressed.

At Key Stage Four, in Year 11, there were 19 pupils taught by one teacher and in the Year 12 GCSE class, Mr Patrick Anderson’s class of 16 pupils were taken over in Year 12 and were taught by one teacher for five periods per week. In the Year 13 AS class, four pupils were taught by one teacher for nine periods per week; there was no A2 class.

The AQA Drama Subject Specification is used at both GCSE and Advanced Level.

The focus for the Drama and Theatre Studies Department for 2012 to 2013 was to update the Schemes of Work. There was an additional focus on the teaching of Drama in Year 10 and a drive to achieve the same allocated time for Drama as other Practical subjects, in order to make the subject a more appealing option for study at GCSE level.

Professional development was enhanced during the year through attendance at three on-line Conference calls with AQA.

The highlights of the academic year included:

The Drama Department’s bi-annual Production; this year it was Les Miserables with a cast of 130 pupils from Years 9 to 14, plus 30 pupils who worked with lighting, costume and make-up and most Staff members; the Show was seen by over 1200 people and extracts and an interview were featured on U105’s Johnny Hero Show. Thank you very much to all the Production Staff.

Three new Drama Clubs were established with 90 members, led by the Senior Theatre Studies pupils: Ryan Foy, Domhnall Herdman, Lauren Mc Donnell and Sarah Mellotte who won First and Second Places in their category at the Belfast Festival and they were photographed with the famous Television, Film and Stage Actor, Adrian Dunbar (whether he wanted it or not!);

Theatre trips to see: Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Friel’s Philadelphia, Here I Come, Tom (starring Domhnall Herdman, U6) at the Crumlin Road Jail

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(Domhnall revived this play this summer as the play’s Protagonist and Director); and Bruiser Theatre Company’s Melmoth the Wanderer;

Casting Calls from and auditions with: Georgia Simpson Casting: The Sparticle Mystery (series 3, BBC); Cinemagic: The Christmas Star (film; Actors); Nerve Belfast: Original Short Film (Actors/Directors/Film-Editors); Rose Wicksteed Casting: The Survivalist (film; Actors) and The Raiders (film; Actors)

Careers Open Evening: The Drama Department organized the staging, lighting and sound for ‘Supremes’ Star, Marie Wilson and all of the Senior Theatre Studies pupils performed with her on-stage; our speakers included: lighting, costume, audio and Acting experts and the pupils spoke to West-End Actor, Patrick Smyth via Skype (Patrick is an Aquinas Drama alumnus);

All of our Year Eight pupils attended The Lyric Theatre’s Christmas Pantomime, Cinderella;

20 of our pupils had a Theatre Lighting Workshop with Production Services, Ireland;

The Shakespeare Festival with Year 9; Many of our pupils have performed in and worked backstage with Theatre

companies all over Belfast this year and over the summer; they are too numerous to mention but the latest include: Fusion Theatre’s Miss Saigon (with Lauren McDonnell U6 and Connor Taggart, L6) and Belvoir Player’s The Keening (starring Sarah Mellotte, U6)

Moderated Performances of Cagebirds and four Devised plays from Year 12 pupils and a Moderated Performance of All My Sons from Year 13 pupils.

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ENGLISH AGM 2013-2014

Staffing structure

The English department was comprised of five subject specialists who delivered the KS3 English and Media Strand of the curriculum to approximately 120 students in each year group in junior school.

Results

The English Department continues to follow CCEA specifications at GCSE, AS and A2. Overall, the results for 2012/2013 compare favourably with NI Grammar school results; at GCSE, 119 students successfully gained impressive results in both GCSE English Literature and English Language. The results illustrate a continuing trend in the department’s results of moving pupils effectively from the lower grades to the grade B and above. Next year we aim to increase the number of A* to be in line with the school’s overall percentage, and help all our GCSE students to pass the important subject of English Language. This year the department secured top candidate in NI in GCSE English Language.

2014 Aquinas GCSE English Language 116 students

Aquinas English Dept 2013 2014 school % NI Av

Grade A* 13 (12%) 16(14%) 23% -9

Grade A*-A 56(48%) 53(39%) 55 -2

Grade A*-B 101(86%)

109(94%) 83 +11

Grade A*-C 114(96%)

114(98%)

95.8 +2.5

2013 Aquinas GCSE English Literature 112 students

Aquinas Eng Dept 2013 2014 school % NI Av

Grade A* 23(19*%) 21(19%) 23 -2

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Grade A*-A 59 (50%) 29(47%) 55 -7

Grade A*-B 97(82%) 47(86%) 83 +3 77.7%

Grade A*-C 111(94%) 14(99%) 95.8 +3.5 95.1%

2014 Aquinas A2 English Literature 32 students

Aquinas Eng Dept 2013 2014 school % NI Av

Grade A* 4(16%) 6 (19%) 19*% equal

Grade A*-A 6(18%) 14(64% 50% +14 39%

Grade A*-B 14(66%) 6(70%) 82% +12 81%

Grade A*-C 22 (95%)

32(100)% 94% +6 96%

2014 Aquinas AS English Literature 31 students

Aquinas 2013 2014 school% % NI Av

Grade A 8 (39) 16(31%) 33.9% -2.9

Grade A-B 25(81% 23(74%) 57% +17

Grade A-C 35(96) 30(97) 76% +21

Departmental Action plan:

The focus for the English department within the School Development Plan was threefold: use the new i-pads to develop learning and teaching; to upload departmental resources on the VLE ;and to formalise lesson observation as part of

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sharing good practice and professional development within the department. We continue to develop links with our feeder primary schools by auditing the novels and the writing experiences of p5/6 pupils and using the same base lining methods as KS2.

Extra curricular/enrichment & CEAIG

The success of the department rests not only upon the specialist knowledge of the staff but the opportunities to enrich the learning experiences of the students and prepare them for further education and the workplace.

For the inaugural Careers Insight Evening the English department provided eleven experts from a wide variety of professions to share their career paths and provide workshops for our pupils and parents.

This year Aquinas won The prestigious Bar Mock Trial competition at regional level for the 3rd time in five years, and at national level for the 1 st time in Cardiff! The students work closely with barristers, including a past pupil, to enact and deliver 2 mock criminal cases at Belfast High court. This competition has become an annual event in the sixth year calendar. The English department also entered junior and senior teams to high profile debating competitions at QUB, winning best individual speaker at senior level.

A range of external writing competitions were entered by pupils with a large percentage of their work being published. Our Year eight pupils continue to write letters to their feeder primary schools sharing their experiences and progress in Aquinas.

The Shakespeare Festival continues to be the longest standing curricular and annual event in the school, rallying year 9 into ensemble performances of the bard’s work in a lively fashion. Junior & Senior pupils alike a performed their poems before audiences during National Poetry Day.

We continue to promote the subject through QUB Lectures, the annual Book Fair, visits from playwrights, children’s authors & illustrators, performance poets and theatre visits to live performances of ‘Othello,’‘Private Peaceful’, and ‘Warhorse.’

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Professional Development

Members of the department continue to develop their expertise in the following ways; marking, moderating and preparing units of work for CCEA; associate inspectorship; attending subject Agreement Trials; being on PGCE interview panels; PRSD; Participation in The SBALC Literacy & Numeracy Strategy has allowed for a joint approach with Wellington College; Teaching & Learning NI; and by becoming Heads of English!

The English Department continues to thrive and challenge it self and students to perform to the highest of standards while enjoying a central role in the school’s ethos.

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FRENCH AGM 2013-2014

STAFF 2013-2014

Mrs S Lambon (HOD) Mrs T Maguire, Miss E Smyth, Ms J Gould Mrs N Wilson (French Assistant)

PUPIL NUMBERS

No. of students KS3: 293, No. of students KS4: 83 No. of students KS5: 27

RESULTSCCEA SPECIFICATION.

A2 Results –14 studentsAquinas No. % NI Av

Grade A* 7 58 17.6%

Grade A*-A 8 67 41.2%

Grade A*-B 9 75 62.8%

Grade A*-C 11 92 81.1%

Grade A*-D 12 100

Aquinas 3 year Average A*-C 94.7% NI 3 year Average A*-C 85.6%

AS Results –12 studentsAquinas No. % NI Av

Grade A 6 50 34.3%

Grade A-B 11 92 63.7%

Grade A-C 12 100 82.1%

Grade A-D 94.8%

Grade A-E 99.3%

Aquinas AS Average A-B over 3 years 95.6%

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GCSE–50 StudentsAquinas No. % NI Av

Grade A* 15 30 14.0%

Grade A*-A 21 42 33.0%

Grade A*-B 32 64 57.1%

Grade A-C

Grade A*-D

37

49

74

98

83.6%

Grade A*-F 1 100

Aquinas Average A*-C over 3 years 78.7% NI Average A*-C over 3 years 67.3%

DEPARTMENTAL FOCUS 2013-2014

The main focus of the department in 2013 -14 was in line with the targets for High Quality Teaching and Learning as stated in the SDP.

1. Assessment and monitoring of pupil achievement.2. Self-evaluation through effective analysis of assessment and feedback

at A’level.3. Professional development of department through sharing of good

practice.4. Development and evaluation of Assessment tasks and methods.

CEAIG

The destinations and careers achievements of past students of languages are highlighted on a departmental notice board to promote careers awareness.

Information the importance of languages was sent to the Careers department by Queens University, this was presented to Year 10 pupils.

There was a focus in year 10 on the world of work and awareness of French speaking countries throughout the world to coincide with Options Day.

The French department invited Dr Nigel Harkness from Queens University to give a talk on careers in languages as part of the CEAIG evening in February. Past students Dermot Dignam, a post-graduate in Law and French and Orlaith Downey, an under-graduate in International Business and French, currently on a graduate trainee

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scheme in Brussels came to talk to pupils about their experiences in the world of work and the opportunities afforded by further study of a language.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Participation in SBALC

The HOD Mrs Lambon attended the SBALC meeting in Hunterhouse College in June, chaired by Mrs G. Mulvenna. The purpose of this meeting was to share good practice, ascertain common goals, audit practices in controlled assessment and structures for language provision, and investigate the sharing of expertise in order to promote language learning in the South Belfast area.

The HOD Mrs Lambon completed the Learning NI OLEEVI inset course in the autumn term. The latter took place in Aquinas, St. Louise’s and Ashfield Girl’s High School. The focus of this course was the development of outstanding classroom practice. Mrs Lambon was asked to present her experience of the programme at the graduation ceremony.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ACADEMIC YEAR 2013-2014

Collaborative Activities

European Day of LanguagesSixth Form Students visited local Primary Schools to teach French and promote language learning. Years 9 pupils watched ‘Les Choristes’ and all pupils were invited to attend a celebration of languages in Aquinas in the library.

French Exchange : Partner School :Lycée Marguerite de Flandres in Gondecourt, Lille in the region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais.

European Day of Languages

Sixth Form Students visited local Primary Schools to teach French and promote language learning. Years 9 pupils watched ‘Les Choristes’ and all pupils were invited to attend a celebration of languages in Aquinas in the library.

European Day of Languages

Sixth Form Students visited local Primary Schools to teach French and promote language learning. Years 9 pupils watched ‘Les Choristes’ and all pupils were invited to attend a celebration of languages in Aquinas in the library.

French Exchange : Lycée Marguerite de Flandres in Gondecourt, near Lille in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region.

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In September Aquinas hosted a group of 29 French exchange students from Gondecourt near Lille. In March 29 Aquinas students travelled to Lille accompanied by Mrs Lambon, Mr McAuley and Mrs Wilson .

In Belfast the students spent time in school and went on cultural visits around Northern Ireland, including the Titanic Centre and Stormont. In Lille Aquinas students spent time in lessons in the partner school and spent time on cultural visits of the city of Lille, a mining museum andnew museum Louvre-Lens. The highlight of the visit was a day trip to Paris. Pupils had a boat trip on the Seine , visited the Sacré-Coeur cathedral, the Place du Tertre, the Orangerie museum, where they saw Monet’s Waterlilies, the Tuileries gardens, Notre-Dame, the Sorbonne in the Latin quarter, and the Eiffel tower.

In March Aquinas also hosted another group of 53 French exchange students from our partner school in Gondecourt, Lille while they were on a visit to Dublin. The French students had a tour of the school and took part in some lessons. They saw a display of Irish dancing , tried some Irish dancing themselves in the mall along with Aquinas sixth year French students and had a bus tour of Belfast in the afternoon.

Curriculum Enrichment

AS Study Day in QUB

In January AS pupils attended a day of seminars and lectures with workshops on translation and oral skills at AS.

French Film

The French assistant takes a class on French film.

French Debate

The French debating society did not compete externally this year as the QUB competition did not take place.

French Exchange : The ongoing links and planning for the exchange with our partner school the Lycée Marguerite de Flandres Gondecourt, Lille, Nord-Pas-de-Calais continued in 2013-14, the next exchange is planned for 2015-16.

Cross-Curricular Activities ; ICT, Numeracy and Literacy Tasks are in place in schemes of work at KS3.

The French department continues to work hard to promote healthy numbers at all key stages and to promote a positive experience of language learning, and cultural awareness and a high level of competence and performance at all levels.

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FUNDRAISING AGM 2013-2014

The annual Macmillan Coffee Morning was held in September. This morning is designed for the senior pupils of the school, along with the staff, to raise funds for the Macmillan nurses looking after cancer patients. The fundraising committee organised tea and coffee for this event. The event ran for a break time and visiting sixth form pupils from Wellington College and St. Joseph's College participated. A total of £563.46 was raised

A food Collection was held to support a local food bank which is a cross community charity organised by Storehouse. Food bags are supplied to families and individuals in need. Non-perishable items such as pasta, cereal, long life milk and tinned foods were collected by prefects and donated in October. A number of Sixth form students also volunteered to help pack bags on the first Tuesday of every month. They also witnessed the work of storehouse and gained greater understanding into the emerging food poverty situation in the greater Belfast area.

Year 13 and 14 students helped as volunteer street collectors to assist with the NI hospice Flag Day collection in Belfast City Centre for the main hospice and the children’s hospice horizon.

In November, the annual 'Aquinas Christmas Appeal' was officially launched. This campaign is designed to aid people living closer to home. Pupils work together with SVP, Bryson House and the Salvation Army to bring Santa to those less fortunate than them. Hampers were prepared for families and gifts provided for 70 children. Food hampers and gifts were also given to Social Services and the Morning Star hostel. The appeal realised approx £4,000 of gifts and presents which were mainly provided by fund raising efforts of each tutor class. This year we also provided 11 boxes of food to Storehouse charity .

In early March, as Lent was fast approaching, the Trocaire campaign was launched. At the Ash Wednesday services, members of the fundraising committee presented a PowerPoint to the members of the school, making them aware of the impoverished conditions in which some children live. This year saw the first ever Aquinas Great Bake off which was very successful in many ways. Teams competed each week and the teams with the lowest profits were duly eliminated until the final four were left. The finale was a very successful and musical event. The overall total raised from the Bake Off alone was £7500.

A total of Eleven Sixth form pupils were supported in their trip with Habitat in Humanity to build houses.

A total of £17,466 was raised by students involved in Saphara. Nine Year 13 pupils travelled to India to experience life in Dehradun and to distribute new school uniforms and teaching resources. Most the money was raised outside school.

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Summary of funds raised in school throughout the year;

Macmillan £563.46

Danielle McGrisken Brain Tumour Charity £445.40

NI hospice Flag Day £812.90

SVP Christmas Appeal – extra cash £1800

Trocaire £11,340

Habitat for Humanity raffles £996

Valentine’s day sale for saphara £580

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GEOGRAPHY AGM 2013-2014

EVALUATION OF GEOGRAPHY DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2012-2013The academic year 2013-14 had a total of four different teachers teaching across the seven year groups. The Head of Department continued to take the A’ Level classes with a total of thirteen students at A2 Level and twenty seven students at AS level - which included, for the first time, a student from St Joseph's College. The two GCSE classes shared between two teachers, with a total number comprising thirty-four students. All KS3 students were taught by three members of staff.

GCSE AS A2

Grade 2014 Grade 2013 Grade 2013

A* 5 A* 1

A 9 A 8 A 3

B 9 B 4 B 5

C 9 C 7 C 3

D 2 D 3 D 1

E E 5 E

Total 34 Total 27 13

%A* 15 %A 30 % A* 8

%A*- A 41 %A - B 44 % A 23

%A* - B 68 %A - C 67 %A - B 69

%A - C 92

All public examinations in Geography are serviced through the CCEA. We were particularly pleased with the quality of grade in the GCSE group this year with higher percentages attaining the A*/A grade. Similarly, the quality of A2 grade increased as well with only one student falling below the C threshold. Extenuating circumstances can explain this.

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However, it was notable that the AS grades were down on previous years, which appears to be a trend throughout but the St Joseph's student gained a B which he, his mum and the teacher were delighted with!

In keeping with the Every School a Good School (ESaGS) document, where one of the foci is High Quality Teaching and Learning, the Geography Department made its main target for the year, “To maintain the 100% A* to C at both GCSE and A Level”. Every effort was taken to achieve high standards by using classroom visits and sharing good practice and resources between everyone. Although the department fell short of this target, it will remain in place for the following academic year.

The department embraced the whole school monitoring of pupil assessment, known as data tracking. This allowed colleagues to identify pupils at risk of falling below a grade C in either their GCSE or A Level exams.

Finally, the five Key Questions shown in the document Together Towards Improvement was the stimulus for evaluating units of work. The five points are:

1. How effective are leadership and management in raising achievement and supporting learners?

2. How effective are teaching, learning and assessment?

3. How well do the learning experiences, programmes, and activities meet the needs of the learners and the wider community?

4. How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

5. How well do learners develop and achieve?

The Department responded to these points by directly asking pupils for their opinion of lessons and units. Surveys were used, along with group discussions and evaluation sections in worksheets. The responses from this evaluation formed the basis of an over-haul of the KS3 schemes. The PRSD target for the year 2014-15 will be to monitor progress through the schemes and re-evaluate their effectiveness at the end of the academic year. A year group will be delegated to individual staff members tasked with this review.

The department also brought in external speakers to further engage with the Year 14s. Colleagues in the Department have been trained in using the school VLE and have successfully posted updates to the Geography section continually editing and changing information as necessary, as well as uploading student resources.

A LevelIn Year 13, we continued with the Belvoir Park Forest Woodland Study in preparation for the Fieldwork section of the AS1 paper; this continues to work well. The Year 14 students also enjoyed the experience of observing Belfast’s Peacelines, a free tour

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given by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. This gives the students an important insight to their own city as well as valuable background information for the Ethnic Diversity Module in the A21 paper. Year 14 students also prepare and execute a tourism questionnaire to visiting tourists at Belfast’s Christmas Market. This is a prerequisite, again for the A2 module sat in January. All these experiences add a lot to the course.

We continued to bring students to evening lectures at the Queen’s Geography Department in the first term. These are lectures especially organised for sixth formers by the local Geographical Association.

Dr S Royal from QUB addressed the A2 group before Christmas about studying Geography at Queens. He also gave advice to the studetns re exam technique, which was prudent given that he is the Chief Examiner for Geography at CCEA.

GCSEIn Year 12, the students completed another three day / two night residential fieldwork course in Fermanagh at the Gortatole Outdoor Education Centre. Students found this experience really enjoyable and their time was fully utilised both during and after the fieldwork on the River Cladagh. Pupils worked until around 8 o’clock each evening and then participated in orienteering or climbing wall activities. On the last day, pupils engaged in wet caving, which was certainly a character building experience; but very worthwhile. All activities are led by fully trained outdoor instructors with health and safety important throughout. We aimed to meet the end of January deadline as the submission date for the task.

Curriculum and Schemes of Work at KS 3The topics at Key Stage 3 are relevant and thought provoking and colleagues within the department continually reviewed the topics taught and assessed how they could be best taught to engage pupils. To that end, the Head of Department has stressed to colleagues that the department should consider pupil experiential learning in line with the Revised Curriculum. The rewritten schemes now have this at the heart of learning in KS3. Life-long values of mutual respect for all (for example, Ethnic Diversity and issues of migration) will also form the basis of "Developing pupils as Contributors to Society".

Fieldwork was a significant part of the learning within Geography at KS3 but because of time constraints, the only year group to experience fieldwork were the Year 9s who were brought on a tour of the River Dun, The waterfalls of Glenariff and coastal scenery around Cushendun. This activity was enjoyed by all and was clearly reiterated in the evaluation feedbacks from the pupils. The school timetable has been populated for 2014-15 with fieldwork dates for the KS3s with Y8 having a better and more involved investigation around the school, the Y9's continuing to The Glens and the Y10s doing the Peaceline Tour.

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In terms of Value Added, the Geography Department helped assess the pupils’ ICT skills in Year 10 which helped part assess their e-portfolio for the Key Stage 3 ICT Accreditation.

In conclusion, the Geography Department has contributed positively to the new SDP and has fully embraced aspects of DE documents such as ESaGS and TTI. The Department was successful in meeting its primary examination targets and takes pride in the students who achieve not just to the highest standards but who also enjoy the lifelong learning experience.

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HISTORY AGM 2013-2014

There are two full-time teachers of History and a teacher of History and Politics within the department. 360 pupils were taught at Key Stage 3. At Key Stage 4 84 pupils were taught and 55 pupils at Advanced Level.NICCEA GCE History is the specification followed for Advanced Level History. In 2014 there was a 96.9% pass rate at grades A*-C. This compares favourably with the NI Grammar School average of 87%. 82.6% achieved grades A-C in AS History. At GCSE level the pupils also cover the NICCEA specification. The results were again favourable with 89.8% of the pupils achieving grades A*-B in comparison with the NI Grammar School Average of 81.8%.

In line with the School Development Plan, Together Towards Improvement and Every School a Good School documents, one focus of the History department was on ensuring that the KS3 schemes were updated in line with advice given on some excellent courses attended by the Head of Department. We also worked hard to extend and improve our resources for our AS and A2 pupils.

As always, CEIAG was promoted by all staff within the department through discussions prompted by new topics, pupil questions and option decisions at GCSE and A level. Through our participation in the Options Days we have worked with the pupils and their parents to facilitate well-informed subject choices. We have continued to have a notice board displaying Careers Advice and information. The pupils who applied to courses requiring HLAT examinations and interviews in which their choice of Advanced Level History was in focus were well supported and given individual help. Our schemes of work highlight different topics and areas where careers and related issues can be discussed, such as employment trends and their impact on politics. One major highlight of the year was our participation in the Careers Insight Evening. Fourteen speakers attended and the evening was a huge success.

All teachers were encouraged to attend courses as appropriate to update their knowledge and skills. In November 2013 one teacher attended a GCSE History Support Event. One member of the department has continued to mark AS scripts for NICCEA, giving him excellent insight which he has disseminated to the rest of the department. He attended two AS Level Examiner standardisation meetings in January and June 2013 respectively. One member of staff attended the Facing Our History Shaping the Future event in January 2014. One member of the department continued to participate in the Assessment Working Group. Another member contributed significantly the Pastoral Working Group, focusing in particular on a new Positive Behaviour Policy. All members of the department participated in i-Pad training and in the use of i-Doceo.

During the year a variety of projects and trips were undertaken to enrich the learning experience of our pupils. At Key Stage 3 our Year 8 pupils Attended workshops provided by the Anglo-Norman Outreach Programme based in Armagh. Our Year 9 pupils were the first to study the First World War and in June they enjoyed a trip to

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the Somme Heritage Centre in Newtownards. Our Year 10 pupils continued to produce extremely high quality work on a range of topics. At Key Stage 4 our Year 11 pupils sat 50% of their GCSE course in the summer term and achieved superb results. The Year 12 pupils completed controlled assessment to a very high standard and also are to be commended for their excellent results. At A2 level the achievements of our students were tremendous. In Year 14, 5 pupils gained an A* grade and a further 16 out of a total of 32 pupils gained A grade.s Both year groups attended excellent AS/A2 lectures and workshops directly related to their advanced level courses at the Somme Heritage Centre in Newtownards, Co. Down. The History department continued to offer support and opportunities to all students, within a positive and active environment, liaising with the SEN team where necessary.

During the year daily, informal meetings continued to be a vital and practical aspect of ongoing evaluation and planning within the department. These discussions regularly led to examples of good practice and successful teaching techniques being shared. This undoubtedly contributed to the outstanding achievements and progress of our pupils.

In addition, outside of the classroom teachers from our department were involved in a range of extra-curricular activities, school trips and fundraising events. These activities brought an extra dimension to pupil-teacher interaction, contributing to the positive relationships which characterise our department, making the academic year 2014-15 so productive for our department.

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HOME ECONOMICS AGM 2013-2014

Staffing Two full time teachers and one technician who is a student on work placement from UUC.

The number of students studying Home Economics in 2013/14 are as follows:

Key Stage No. of StudentsKey Stage 3 350Key Stage 4 58Post-16 24

The specification followed at GCSE, AS and A2 is CCEA Home Economics for Food and Nutrition. The results are summarised below;

Level A* A*/A A*/B A*/C NI grammar average A*/B

GCSE 22% 53% 83% 100% 87%

AS Level NA 38% 69% 76% 63%

A2 Level 45% 78% 100% 62%

The focus of the year was to focus on improving feedback to students and to update resources for the teaching and learning to develop greater independent learning. Target setting and self improvement was addressed for all year groups. UCIT skills were also introduced into Year 10 as part of the ccea pilot.

Loughry College visited the department as part of STEM week. Links have been established with SBALC and this will continue. Visits were made by the Dairy Council to give cookery demonstrations to GCSE students. Past pupils visited A’ Level students to give their experience of studying food and nutrition at UUC. Nine different agencies visited the department at the career evening.

All pupils at Key Stage 3 completed practical exams and coursework. Ninety five Year 10 pupils passed the Royal Society of Health Food Hygiene exam. One student from year 12 won the overall competition in Northern Ireland after winning the Belfast and key stage 4 sections. History was made after a student from Aquinas grammar has won this competition two years in a row.

Ms Celine Watson who had on placement from UUC left in June and will be replaced by Ms Shannon Kerr.

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ICT AGM 2013-2014

Staff 2 full time

Pupils at KS3 118(Yr 8 pupils)

Pupils at KS4 96

(40 in Yr 11 and 55 in Yr 12)

Pupils at KS5 64

(35 in Yr 13; 32 Aquinas and 3 St Joseph’s pupils and

26 in Yr 14)

At GCSE, AS and A Level the department follows the CCEA ICT Specifications.

Results for Summer 2014 are as follows:

A* A B C D E <E

GCSE ICT 45.5% 31% 14.5% 7.3% 0% 0% 1.7% (F)

AS ICT N/A 28% 34.3% 21.9% 6.25% 0% 9.37% (U)

A Level ICT 11.5% 46.2% 27% 3.8% 7.7% 3.8% 0%

Year 11 pupils were entered for a Module, allowing pupils to complete a 30% unit of work. The results were encouraging with 50% gaining the A* grade, 32.5% a grade A, 10% a grade B and 7.5% a grade C.

Results Compared with NI Grammar School Average

Aquinas Grammar School

(Summer 2014)

NI Grammar School

(3 Year Average)

Differential

GCSE (A* - B) 90.9% 90% +0.9%

A Level (A* - C) 88.5% 83% +5.5%

The ICT department collaborated with St Joseph’s College, Belfast at AS Level. Three pupils attended ICT lessons in Aquinas Grammar School; one pupil gained a grade C and the other two pupils grade D.

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Departmental focus for 2013 / 2014

The ICT department contributed to the implementation of existing School Development Plan and the development of the new Plan. The main focus was to improve Teaching and Learning within the department. This was fulfilled by fully embracing the Data Tracking facility available on SIMs and by examining assessment across KS3, GCSE and A Level. This meant that the department was fully informed on academic achievement by every pupil and was able to monitor and put into place strategies for pupils that were not reaching their potential. A programming element was introduced at KS3 to reflect the job opportunities available in this sector. The Head of Department was an active member of Assessment Working Group attending meetings with regard to the robustness and consistency of assessments across departments. The department established links with past pupils, Queen’s University, Belfast and local ICT companies to disseminate appropriate careers advice. The department started to use iPads and investigated the use of Fronter as a VLE.

Careers Education, Information and Guidance (CEIAG)

The ICT department realises the importance of educating pupils with regard to Careers. Pupils received opportunities to investigate rewarding careers in ICT throughout the 2013 – 2014 academic year.

Advice on ICT as a GCSE or ‘A’ level and career paths was also disseminated to parents and pupils during the Options Days in March 2014.

The ICT Department made a significant contribution to the Careers’ Insight Evening in February, with nine local ICT companies being represented on the night. In October, A Level Pupils in Yrs 13 and 14 visited Allstate to hear about ICT careers in Northern Ireland. These A Level pupils also received a talk, in December, from Andrew Norton of Queen’s University, Belfast on available Computing / ICT courses. In January, Year 12 pupils were involved in an ICT Roadshow using ‘Makey Makey’ and Yr 9 pupils entered an App Development competition in June. Both these opportunities allowed pupils to experience programming.

Professional Development

The department attended a Smart Environments Workshop in October 2013. Smart environments harness mobile technology developments to produce intelligent systems that are able to sense human and environmental behaviour. This course offered insights into some research projects at the University of Ulster exploring the provision of ICT to support applications in health. This course included theory, practical insight and a tour of the SERG labs were prototype solutions, developed through UU research, were demonstrated. The course provided an overview of contemporary approaches to software design and development. In June 2014 Allstate delivered a follow-up programming course on C# allowing a member of the ICT department to complete some theory and practical projects relevant to the new Software Development ‘A’ Level.

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The year 2013 – 2014 again saw a high level of academic achievement at all levels; GCSE, AS and A2 level. ICT continued to be a very popular subject with three Yr 11 and two Yr 12 GCSE ICT classes and strong numbers at both AS and A2 level. The Junior ICT program continued to give pupils the skills required to make full use of the ICT provision within Aquinas and the new programming content allowed pupils to gain a taste for the ever expanding software development industry. Links with Allstate were established and investigation into the new ‘A’ Level in Software Development took place. The ICT department played a lead role in the successful collaboration with 3 AS pupils from St Joseph’s College joining the ICT classes and we look forward to further collaboration in the coming years. We welcomed Miss C McGowan as a permanent member of the ICT department.

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IRISH AGM 2013-2014

The academic year 2013-2014 was a busy and successful one. The teaching staff in the department consisted of two teachers and an assistant. 89 students were studying Irish in Key Stage 3, 38 were preparing GCSE Irish and 5 students were studying in sixth form. It was pleasing to note that the total number studying Irish in school remains consistent. We also have a cohort of students who come from Bunscoil and Irish speaking backgrounds and they contribute significantly to Irish in the school and participate in the activities run by the Irish Department. They also attend extra classes run by the Department and sit public exams.

The Irish department follows the exam specifications laid out by CCEA. The department was very pleased with the results attained by the Irish students in public examinations. 92% of our GCSE students gained A-C grades, 100% of our AS students gained a grade A and 100% of our A2 students gained an A grade in their examinations.

We continued to work collaboratively with our neighbouring primary schools. As part of the celebrations for European Day of Languages, students of Irish delivered lessons in local primary schools. Pupils from the Bunscoil ‘An Droichead’ took part in a quiz with our pupils and enjoyed taster sessions of Spanish and French which were delivered by our Modern Language Assistants and Form 6 students. We are delighted that our links with the Bunscoil continued throughout the year with some of our Year 13 pupils going to the Bunscoil every week to help out as part of the Community Link programme. A teacher in the department also delivered taster lessons in Irish to pupils from local primary schools when they visited Aquinas on familiarisation days.

The Irish department, in accordance with the spirit of the School Development Plan, rolled out data tracking across all year groups. Data tracking proved to be a worthwhile strategy to add to those already used by the department. The assessments and data collated were used to effectively inform teaching. All pupils are encouraged to participate fully in their learning and a variety of teaching strategies are used to encourage teachers and pupils to share their experience with their peers. The Irish department employed various strategies to ensure that effective feedback was given to our Form 6 pupils and the teachers participated in self-evaluation processes. The Irish department also further developed resources for controlled assessment for the revised GCSE specification.

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The teachers in the Irish department are very aware of preparing their students to take up the challenges of the world of work and efforts have been made to incorporate useful careers information at relevant stages of the pupils’ progress. Pupils are told about courses available to them and they are also made aware of the wide opportunities available to language graduates. Our form 6 pupils attended A-level Irish courses in St Mary’s College, Belfast and Queen’s University, Belfast. Emphasis is put on the value of the transferable skills acquired when learning a language. The topic of professions and work is also studied in Year 10 to coincide with the work of the Careers department.

The Department also fully participated in the Careers Evening in February. We were delighted to welcome The Lord Mayor, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir to the Department on the night where he gave talks to students and parents. Domhnall Mac Murchaidh, a training and production officer from Raidió Fáilte also gave a presentation. It was very pleasing to also welcome back two of our past pupils. Caoimhe Ní Chathail who is a graduate of Irish from UUC and has done broadcasting for BBC NI and Raidió Fáilte and who is now working as an Irish language development officer for Conradh na Gaeilge spoke about her experience studying Irish at third level and using Irish as an everyday language in the workplace. Áine Robinson is an Accounting graduate from QUB and she is a member of Chartered Accountants,Ireland. She is currently working as N.I.T.B. finance officer and she highlighted the transferable skills she gained from studying Irish at A level. We greatly appreciated the help and support of all the speakers.

The teachers in the department kept themselves appraised of any new materials provided by CCEA to provide guidance on carrying out the controlled assessment elements of the revised GCSE specification. Both members of the teaching staff are senior members of the senior examining teams with CCEA. Their experience of working for CCEA adds to the quality of the teaching and sharing of good practice within the department. This year the Department also facilitated a one day NICILT conference for teachers of Irish. The event was held in Aquinas and was very well attended. A number of guest speakers gave presentations on a range of interesting topics pertinent to the teaching of Irish.

Some students participated in Feis Bhéal Feirste and several gained medals recognising their levels of fluency. This year we continued to emphasise the importance of motivating our pupils to use their Irish. Special congratulations go to

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our Year 10 pupils who achieved the ‘Fáinne Airgid’ ( silver fáinne ) at the end of Key Stage 3 and all Year 9 students sat an oral exam for the ‘Cúpla Focal’ fáinne.

In February pupils took part in making St Brigid crosses. Seachtain na Gaeilge again proved to be one of the highlights of the academic year. Céilís were organised for our Keystage 3 students and there were traditional music and storytelling sessions. An event celebrating linguistic diversity was also held in the library. The Irish department also participated in Language Film Day and the Year 8 pupils enjoyed a special showing of ‘Yu Ming Is Ainm Dom’.

Apart from striving for academic excellence, all pupils are encouraged to use their Irish as much as possible and enjoy the wide range of cultural and linguistic experiences open to them. In June, we invited the organisers of courses in Rannafast to speak to parents of those interested in going to the Gaeltacht and we were delighted with the response. A number of our junior pupils attended the summer course for juniors in Coláiste Bhríde, Rann na Feirste in the Donegal Gaeltacht. A number of our older pupils attended Loch an Iúir courses and one of our pupils attended Coláiste na bhFiann in Connemara. We were delighted that two of our senior pupils also worked in the Gaeltacht during the summer as ‘ceannaire’. One of our form 6 pupils who attended a Gaeltacht course was awarded the coveted prize ‘Corn Mhig Eachaidh’ for notable levels of oral competency. In order to keep our pupils updated with useful information and any opportunities available to them the Irish department also has a Twitter account.

We are very pleased that so many of our students not only performed well academically, but also embraced the opportunities provided by the department to use and improve their Irish in cultural and social settings outside the classroom.

Rath Dé ar an obair.

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MATHEMATICS AGM 2013-2014

In 2013 – 2014, there were a total of 7 teachers contributing to the teaching of Mathematics. This included 4 full-time Mathematics, 1 teacher with a small amount of junior Mathematics and 2 Mathematics Specialist Learning Support teachers.

Pupil numbers were 350 at KS3, 235 at KS4, including 78 students who have chosen to study both Mathematics and GCSE Further Mathematics, (29 of whom have already completed GCSE Mathematics) and 78 at KS5 (including Mathematics and Further Mathematics students). GCSE Further Mathematics and KS5 Mathematics numbers both show a significant increase from last year.

Results in the Mathematics department were as follows:

GCSE AquinasA*-B 2014

Aquinas 3 yr Average A*-B

NI 3 yr Average A*-B

CCEA GCSE Mathematics

89.8 % 89.1% 79.60 %

CCEA Additional Mathematics

80.8 % 83.8% 78.60%

A level A*-C Aquinas 3 yr Average A*-C

NI 3 yr Average A*-C

Edexcel AS Mathematics

64.1 % 81.5 % -

Edexcel A2 Mathematics

93.1 % 91.0 % 87.80 %

Edexcel AS Further Maths

100 % 91.7 % -

Edexcel A2 Further Maths

100 % (1 pupil, self-taught, some support)

100 % 97.80 %

The Mathematics department was pleased with the continued high standard of achievement at GCSE and A2 level and of the outstanding standard achieved by students in AS and A2 Further Mathematics. AS Mathematics results were noticeably lower than in previous years. Although this was reflected to some extent across AS results in other subjects it was also a reflection of the greatly increased number of students without GCSE Further Mathematics who had selected to do this course. A small number of these students dropped out during the year. While some of the rest went on to achieve excellent results, many did not appreciate the effort required to achieve success.

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At KS3 the Mathematics Department delivered one of three end-of-key-stage Using Mathematics tasks. Engagement in this task enhanced pupil learning and students were provided with appropriate feedback. The remaining tasks, as well as the Years 8 and 9 tasks, were again cross-curricular.

While on-going changes in personnel impacted this year on links with Wellington College, communication has continued and it is hoped that these will be re-established over time.

In 2013-2014 students were selected for the up-coming STEM Florida exchange trip. The Head of Mathematics will be travelling with the group and the Mathematics Department is very excited that enthusiastic students of Mathematics are getting the opportunity to participate in this wonderful opportunity.

In line with the School Development Plan, ‘Together Towards Improvement’, ‘Every School a Good School’ and Count, Read, Succeed, the Mathematics Department set short, medium and long-term targets with main foci for 2013 – 2014 as follows:

To support Physics and Biology in the delivery of Year 10 Using Maths Tasks To work with the English Department to lead staff in addressing

underachievement in Literacy and Numeracy To use link with local primary school to inform Year 8 learning intentions, use

PIM/PIE as a diagnostic tool to support transition and progress, and use mentoring to build confidence and encourage / support learning

To maintain and develop further the established link with Wellington College and participate in the planning and development of an exchange link with a High School in Florida

To include whole-school specified reference materials for students and parents on Fronter and to use Ipads to enhance Teaching and Learning

To share good practice at Departmental Meetings To contribute to CEIAG within Aquinas To Provide an up-to-date Departmental Handbook which contains clear schemes,

guidance, targets and expectations for the Mathematics Department and reflects the ethos and ongoing development of Aquinas

All of these were reviewed, with progress reflecting the constant striving for improvement within the department.

The most exciting CEIAG event was the Careers Inset Evening and on the night the hard work and commitment of the Mathematics Department came together when it hosted representatives from nine different careers, including Aerospace, Software, Civil, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Statistician and Actuary as well as a past A level student in the Mathematics Department who is currently studying Mechanical Engineering. Students had the opportunity to attend talks by and to talk with these representatives and the atmosphere during the evening was a clear indicator of how much the event was appreciated by all students.

Additional to this, one teacher spent a week in industry in order to be able to enrich classroom teaching through personal experience and career opportunities and paths

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were highlighted by all staff within the department through discussions prompted by new topics, pupil questions and option decisions at GCSE and A level. The Head of Mathematics again spoke to Year 10 and Year 12 students about the career benefits of GCSE Further Mathematics and A level Further Mathematics.

Staff in the Mathematics Department embraced a range of opportunities for professional discussion and development. The Using Mathematics Coordinator participated in the Teaching and Learning NI programme and the Head of Mathematics attended the launch by the inspectorate of their latest report on Best Practice and was a member of the selection panel for the PGCE in Mathematics at Queen’s University. As always, there was participation in CCEA training, participation in and organisation of school trips and visits and marking of GCSE scripts by some staff. As best practise is shared from all of these, the department looks forward to on-going improvement of the pupil experience in the Mathematics department.

At Key Stage 3, Year 8 students were the first group to be bench-marked using PIMS and Year 8 and Year 10 pupils benefitted from a talk by the voluntary Financial Capability group, The Money Charity.

Some Key Stage 4 and 5 students were selected to participate in the school Florida exchange trip and all Key Stage 4 and 5 students participated in the Aquinas Careers Insight Evening. A number of KS5 students also provided support as Mathematics mentors for KS3 and KS4 students.

The Mathematics department continued to monitor student progress carefully, offering support and opportunity to all students. This was done through organisation and facilitation of enrichment opportunities such as the Careers Insight Evening, guest speakers and school trips, the provision of Further Mathematics at GCSE and A Level for very able students as well as a January module for Foundation students, the coordination of the student mentoring programme, liaison with the SEN team and liaison with anxious parents. All teachers offered an ‘open door policy’ which was used at the start of break or lunch or in free periods by interested or worried students of all years as well as by examination classes during study leave. Once again the annual Pi Day competition generated enthusiasm and provided the opportunity for students to shine outside the constraints of the curriculum. Students from across all key stages participated in Open Morning, engaging with P7 pupils and parents in a variety of activities in the Mathematics rooms, gaining confidence from the experience and ensuring by their enthusiasm that the experience of those visiting was extremely positive.

The introduction of a weekly departmental period proved very successful, providing opportunity for better planning, communication and coordination and the on-going professional development, commitment and enthusiasm of all staff and pupil awareness and appreciation of this continues to be clearly seen in the high number of enthusiastic students choosing to study GCSE Further Mathematics and A level Mathematics.

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MOVING IMAGE ARTS AGM 2013-2014

The numbers of students studying Moving Image Arts in 2013/14 are as follows:

Key Stage No. of Students Studying Moving Image Arts

Key Stage 3 N/AKey Stage 4 30Post-16 15

Staffing StructureOne teacher has been teaching this subject on a Full-time basis over 5 days per week

ExaminationsWe continued to follow the CCEA specifications at GCSE and AS Levels and we’re delighted with our results;

Aquinas Moving Image Arts Results 2014

Level Grade A-C Level Grade A-C Level Grade A-C

GCSE 100% AS 90% A2 100%

Celebrating Excellence

Two GCSE and two AS Level students’ films have been short listed and entered into the annual CCEA Moving Image Arts Awards Showcase. This unique event has is sponsored by City of Derry Crystal as part of the Foyle Film Festival. Additional awards screenings are now also hosted at the Queens Film Theatre as part of the annual Cinemagic film festival in Belfast.

Focus for Department 2013-2014The main focus for the department in 2013-2014 was to further embed Moving Image Arts as a new subject offered at GCSE and A-Level into the curriculum at Aquinas. The department developed links with Nerve Belfast where teaching staff took part in Mobile technology in the classroom and Ipad training. In line with the school development plan the department concentrated on developing the departmental VLE and the use of Ipad into everyday teaching and learning. We developed and integrated relevant teaching resources and assessment procedures in accordance with school guidance and the requirements of the GCSE, AS and A2 specifications.

We focused on child-centred provision in high quality teaching and learning, offering individual and group tuition for examination students in after-school sessions throughout the year. We developed links with other departments and the wider school community through the filming of ‘Workforce of the Future’ careers focused film that was showcased at the careers insight evening. This short film was shared on

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the departmental Twitter account as part of National Careers Week and the school website.

CEIAGYear 13 and 14 attended University of Ulster’s Faculty of Art, Design and the Built Environment’s Information Evening in October 2013 and later these year groups attended the end of year degree shows. Perspective year 14 students also attended Queens University, Belfast Open day for film and media based degree courses in March 2014.They gained an insight into careers within Moving Image Arts in their visits to the Coca Cola Cinemagic film festival and took part on National Film week events in November 2013. The festival later gave four A Level students an opportunity to take part in a week long film camp. The ‘Unite project’ was funded by the OFMDFM and seen a short film being produced which will later be showcased on the Cinemagic International festival.

Year 11 students took part in an Animation based workshop with Belfast City Council, the team from the council visited the department and short animations focusing on littering in the council area were produced and later showcased on their website to the wider public.

The department welcomed Bernard McCloskey, Director of Education at Northern Ireland Screen as part of the “Careers Insight Evening”. Students and Parents enjoyed Bernard’s seminar and workshop on the work of Northern Ireland Screen and film production here in Northern Ireland. The welcome was also extended to Mark Case, Director of Whitenoise Media, Belfast. Mr Case Showcased the work produced by his company and gave advice to those interested in a career in the creative industries.

KS3 students took part in “Creative South” this event took place in the Lyric Theatre, Belfast and showcased new and establish creative industries based in the South Belfast area. This event was organised be the South Belfast Partnership Board and the students enjoyed learning alongside other school and community groups from the South Belfast area. This year seen the development of Film Club, the after school club for all KS3 students. All members meet afterschool on a weekly basis to enjoy and discuss film and short animations. A number of

Links with Community/Outside AgenciesThe department continues to develop links with other post primary schools that offer Moving Image Arts at GCSE and A-Level. This link enables participating schools to share best practice and teaching resources. The department continues to be an active member in the MIA teacher Google group. This year saw exciting relationships being built with the South Belfast Partnership Board who organised careers based events for students focusing on the Creative Industries.

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Professional Development

Mr McClean successfully completed the Teaching and Learning NI – Outstanding Teacher Programme, working in collaboration with two other post-primary schools in Belfast. One teacher attended the GCSE, AS and A2 Level Moving Image Arts agreement trial at CCEA. One teacher attended a week long training programme at Nerve Belfast focusing on the practical elements of filming and editing skills. Further training was completed on the use of Adobe After effects in the Moving Image Classroom.

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MUSIC AGM 2013-2014

There are currently three full-time teaching staff and 12 part-time peripatetic tutors working in the music department. We offer peripatetic tuition to all students and currently have 230 students receiving this tuition, attending an individual half-hour weekly lesson on a rotational basis. The fee, which is 13 pounds 50 per half hour lesson, is paid directly to the relevant tutor. The entire KS3 student body at Aquinas, approximately 360 pupils, studies music in one hour long timetabled lesson per week. At GCSE this year there were 15 students in our year 12 music class and 15 in our year 11 class. We had 12 in our A2 class and 6 in our AS, showing a healthy interest in music in Aquinas.

We currently follow the CCEA specifications for music at both GCSE and A Level. Our results are excellent and are well above the Northern Ireland average for our subject. In the last 3 years: 84.4% of our GCSE students achieved grades A*-B (with 97.6% achieving A*-C) and 100% of our A Level students achieved grades A*-C. This year (summer 2014), at A2 level, 83.3% achieved an A/A*, a remarkable achievement. Whilst we are obviously delighted with these results we are continuously striving to both maintain and improve on these. We continue to enter students for external instrumental and vocal exams with both the ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall exam boards and the results are excellent. In April 2014 our ABRSM average result was 123/150 (equivalent to a Merit) well above the National ABRSM average of 117, with many Merits and Distinctions awarded at all levels. We make a large contribution to the extra curricular life of the school and, last October, we enjoyed huge success with our production of Les Miserables and will embark in the audition process for our next one in April 2015. We also held our annual Carol Service (in the Good Shepherd Church for the first time) and Spring Concert to capacity audiences, as well as providing music for the Macmillan Coffee Morning, Open Morning, two senior Celebrations of Achievement, Year 8 Ceilidh, Masses for years 8 and 14, Masses to mark the Ulster Project and one for Grandparents and a Whole School Mass, again at the Good Shepherd Church. Our senior students also take music outside the school and into the local community, including seasonal events in Nazareth Care Village and Willowfield Parish Centre.

The music department fully supports the School Development Plan. The three permanent members of department are members of the following working groups: Central Leadership Team, Assessment and Reporting, Lesson Monitor and Gifted and Talented, and we endeavour to help everyone as much as we can. We are constantly evaluating our teaching and the learning experiences of our students and we set annual Targets: we will continue to address cross-curricular themes at key stage three; consolidation of Music Technology into the Year 9 Scheme of Work through the use of Sibelius 6 to compose; we will also look at, and devise, a policy for Gifted and Talented and their provision in Music; we would like all tutors to think carefully about performance programmes for external exams and, in particular, this year we will focus on improving communication through the use of the pupil practice notebook which should be signed each and every week by a parent/guardian. We

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also encourage our students to be independent learners by reading and listening ‘around’ the subject.

We promote music at third level and careers in music through a designated notice board at the back of N02. Here students can find out about a range of future career paths and options regarding music, including the specialist area of CUKAS. We also have strong links with several external agencies, including CBSM, CBYO, UYO, UYJO, UYC, National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, MT4Uth, St Peter’s Schola Cantorum, St. Anne’s Cathedral Choir, Fortwilliam Musical Society and the Belvoir Players. We actively encourage our students in their music making both in outside school and Aquinas Students from all year groups were involved in these successes, meaning that we are a wholly-inclusive department.Notices and information are renewed on a regular basis and are available for perusal all around the Music Department. The Head of Department is an Examiner for Music at both GCSE and GCE levels and is also involved in the SBALC.

Our students are very successful both in and outside school. This September several students went on to study third level music at The Royal Northern College of Music, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester University and Queen’s University, Belfast. Many of our present Year 13 and 14 musicians are seriously considering a career in music, and are just beginning the application process to do so, including the Conservatoire route. Last year was another busy one. This year gets off on a high as all our extra curricular activities resume and we prepare for this year’s performances and achievements. We are very proud of all of our students and their musical abilities.

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PHYSICAL EDUCATION AGM 2013-2014

The Aquinas Physical Education Department has 4 full time members of staff. Physical Education is a compulsory subject in key stages 3 and 4.At sixth form level Physical Education is an optional recreational activity. Physical Education is offered at both GCSE and A Level.

At GCSE Level the specification followed is CCEA. 15 candidates sat the 2014 exam with 100% achieving A*-C compared to the NI Grammar School Average of 90.2% A*-C. At A Level Aquinas follows the OCR specification. At A2 Level 5 candidates sat the 2014 June exam with 100% achieving A*-C compared to the NI Grammar School Average of 66%

Physical Education in Aquinas Grammar makes a unique contribution to the overall education of every student by providing meaningful movement experiences which will challenge the physical and intellectual development of the students through relevant cultural activities.

Each student participates in a broad balanced Physical Education programme which, at key stage 3, includes Gymnastics, Games, Swimming and Athletics as the minimum entitlement. The skills, knowledge and understanding developed build on the learning already achieved in key stages 1 and 2. At Key Stage 4 and Sixth form, students will progress gradually towards more adult forms of activity and cope with increased physical demands. As they continue to experience success in the full range of movement contexts, they should begin to identify personal preferences and areas where higher levels of performance may be achieved.

Continued achievement and progress in physical performance should maintain a positive attitude towards participation. They should reach a clear understanding of the place of regular exercise in everyday life.

In line with the Northern Ireland Curriculum Aquinas Physical Education Department aims to empower pupils to achieve their potential and to make informed and responsible choices and decisions throughout their lives. It is aboutHelping all pupils prepare for life and work:

1. as individuals;2. as contributors to society;3. As contributors to the economy and the environment.

Physical Education has a significant role to play in this. Schools are now seen as the most important context for promoting healthy lifestyles in pupils. Health Related Physical Education (HRPE) in Northern Ireland has been shown to positively influence children’s knowledge of and attitudes towards physical activity. The Curriculum at Aquinas emphasises Physical Education’s role in:

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Providing pupils with regular, frequent and appropriate physical activity opportunities, information and guidance; encouraging and empowering pupils to make informed and responsible choices about the role of physical activity in their lives.In order to contribute to the curriculum objectives during Key Stages 3 and 4 in Aquinas we want our pupils in Physical Education to:

1. Know (knowledge and understand)2. Be able to do (skills)3. Be like (attitudes and dispositions)

At present the extra-curricular profile at Aquinas is vibrant. A wide range of activities is on offer. This is the result of the dedication and commitment of the PE department and other members of staff. Our main activities include Cross Country, Basketball, Gaelic Football and Netball, with teams entered annually at all age levels. Alongside this we field teams in a range of other activities. We continue to develop coaching standards with the use of external coaches and coach education with Senior and past pupils. Our aim is to bank a pool of dedicated coaches for extracurricular activities. In 2013-4 other extra-curricular activities included Tag Rugby (Ladies), Rugby, a senior, Ladies Basketball and Special Olympics Basketball was supported by Queen’s Basketball Club, Camogie and Hurling.

The vision is cyclical, from the school curriculum to extra –curricular to club coaches to the extended use of facilities providing a framework whereby the physical activity has a place in school and extends in partnership with the local community. Hence, community links are vital and can be realized. Aquinas has a prime site within the South Belfast area, providing high quality education to local children. The vision is to develop our site facilities and to offer access to them out of school hours. But this is not in isolation. It is a partnership which will bring forth seen and unseen opportunities for all.

Highlights of the school year include the annual events of ‘Fitness Freddie’, Sports Day for years 8-10 at Pirrie Park and the accreditation of all Year 12 students in the’ British Heart Foundation’ CPR course

Netball

Seven Aquinas teams were entered for the Belfast League with two teams reaching the finals. Year 8 was marginally defeated at the semi-final stage. Four teams were entered for NI Cup and Plate. All teams had an excellent season reaching the semi-final stage and with marginal one goal defeats for the senior and intermediate squads. At regional U13 and U15 levels, Aquinas had four representatives in both squads. Both Belfast squads won the regional NI titles. Congratulations to Olivia Boyle in her continued success at NI U19 Netball as she played in ENA championships 2014 gaining another international cap. The season ended with the Rockport invitational tournament with the year 9 team collecting runners up title.

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Basketball

Aquinas entered five teams this year in the Ulster League and various competitions. All teams had an excellent season. The Year 8 team were runners-up in the Vince Halloran tournament. A special mention to Eoin Nagle who was captain of the Basketball NI U15 team.

Athletics20 competitors represented Aquinas at the Co Down Athletics Championship held on 8th May at the Mary Peters Track.

Cross CountryA number of races were entered this season. The St Genevieves Years 8-10 race helps to prepare competitors for the Co Down Championship. Well done to all runners who competed in the Districts on Thursday 30th January at Delamont Park. M.O’Hare, A. Hackett, P. Gracey and K. O’ Hare all qualified for the Ulster Cross Country Championship at Mallusk Playing Fields on Tuesday 11th February. At the Ulsters, P. Gracey finished 10th. This is the highest placing in the history of Aquinas. He qualified for the Irish Cross Country Championship which was held in Cork.The season was completed at the Ormeau Park Race organised by Belfast City Council. The Year 8 boys team finished well. Year 10 individual runners A. Hackett and P. Gracey finished in the top 3.

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PHYSICS AGM 2013-2014

Pupils study KS3 physics in Year 10, CCEA GCSE and Double Award Physics in year 11 and 12. In years 13 and 14, pupils study CCEA A level physics.

There are 3 subject specialist staff in the Physics department

A2 Level Physics

No. A* A B C D A*& A A*-C % A*-E%

NI Gr av

A*-C

%17 2

11.84

23.58

47.13

17.60

35.3 100 100 81.83RESULTS FOR 2014

AS levelPhysics

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

A-E%

NI Gr avA-C

%23 6

2614

417

417

522

313 47 76.6

GCSE Physics

No. A* A B C D A*&A%

A*-B%

A*-C%

NI Gr AvA* – C

% 46 817.4

2145.7

919.6

715.2

12.2 63.1 82.7 97.8 92.71

In keeping with the School Development Plan, “Together Towards Improvement” and “Every School a Good School”, the department focussed on improving written feedback on pupils’ work for all year groups.

A number of visits helped give students a wider appreciation of physics in the real world. The Year 8 students all visited the Planetarium.

Year group Number studying10 11511 Double Award 3511 GCSE Physics 4812 Double Award 3512 GCSE Physics 5113 AS Physics 2314 A2 Physics 17

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Three year 13 pupils participated in the Sentinus Team R&D scheme. Starting in September, the team worked with Phoenix Natural Gas to develop a smart phone app which can be used to record and verify the test data taken by installation teams. The team presented their work at the presentation day at the Braid centre in Ballymena on 10th April. The pupils were awarded the Crest Gold Award for their work. In addition, the team presented their project at the Young Innovators competition at The Odyssey on 25th June

In June 2014 we said goodbye to Mrs Teresa Quinn. Since joining the department in January 2010, Mrs Quinn had shown herself to be an inspirational and dedicated teacher who made a huge difference to the pupils she taught. We wish her well in her retirement in the coming years.

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POLITICS AGM 2013-2014

The Politics department consists of one teacher and is taught at AS & A2. There are thirty students studying politics at post-16 in this new academic year.

We have continued to out-perform the NI Grammar averages significantly. At A2 we achieved:

100% A*-C versus the NI Grammar Ave of 94%.

92.3% A*-B versus NI Grammar Average of 72%.

At AS-level thirteen students out of fourteen achieved A*-C. This is 92.8% versus the Grammar school average (for Politics) of 83%.

The department continues to embrace documents such as Together Towards Improvement and provide support for our learners through mentoring, discussion and extending the high academic achievers, we set high expectations and standards for our students.

As well as the high academic performance of our students, two of the highlights of the academic year were:

1. Our annual trip to Parliament Buildings at Stormont.

We organised a question and answer session, for all politics students, with MLAs from Alliance, Sinn Fein, DUP, UUP, SDLP and the Green Party. The students posed an array of questions to the political representatives and gained a lot from the experience. The students were also given a tour of Stormont and an educational talk on the mechanics and politics of the Northern Ireland Executive & Assembly.

2. Taking the students to Wellington College for an audience with the inspirational Aung San Suu Kyi.

In the classroom and in line with the policy document Every School a Good School (April 2009) a variety of teaching strategies and methodologies continue to be deployed to ensure that political information is accessible and enjoyable for a broad range of academic abilities. Group work, peer assessment, individual learning, one to one feedback from the classroom teacher are all strategies deployed to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the Politics classroom.

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The use of multimedia is a continuing example of an approach to bringing US, UK & local politics to the classroom. I have set up a website for the politics students to access resources and comment or ask questions – jmgpolitics.wordpress.com. Students can now follow A-level politics via a custom made twitter feed for them.

I set a target of increasing A* and A grades in Politics last year and this remains a target, along with 100% A*-C.

JMcGrath

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RELIGIOUS STUDIES AGM 2013-2014

Staffing HOD - Mrs Naoishe Hampsey, Mrs Emma Niblock,(Mrs Kathleen Doherty) Ms

Pauline Mc Anulty, Fr Colin Grant Non specialist teaching staff – Mrs Marie Mc Cool, Mrs Cathy Mc Crossan, Mr

Kieran Murphy. No. of students KS3: 360, No. of students KS4: 234 No. of students KS5: 34

At Key Stage 3, the Fully Alive programme was followed.

Our GCSE students followed the AQA programme of study:–

Unit 5: A study of Mark’s Gospel – Year 11

Unit 4: Roman Catholicism: Ethics – Year 12

GCSE Grade 2014 Grade % AQUINAS 3 Year Average

N.I. 3 Year Average

A* 51 A* 44% 91.4% 78.6%

A 38 A*-A 76.7%

B 13 A*-B 87.9%

C 12 A*-C

D 1 A* - D

E 1 A* -E

F A* -F

Total 118 94.8% 78.8%

Our A Level students followed the CCEA programme of study:-

Unit 2 – Acts of the Apostles

Unit 3 – Old Testament Prophecy

The department enjoyed excellent results as outlined below:

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A2 Grade 2014 Grade % AQUINAS 3 Year Average

N.I. 3 Year Average

A* 2 % A* 0.15% 98.7% 89.6%

A 5 % A*- A 53.8%

B 4 %A*- B 84.6%

C 2 % A* - C 100%

Total 13

Sixth Form Religious Programme

As in previous years, the programme was delivered on a modular, rotational basis. In the delivery of this programme, we have chosen topics which will hopefully enable us to prepare our students morally and spiritually for an increasingly secular world. This programme has been enhanced with the use of guest speakers.

Departmental Focus

Our focus for 2013 -2014 was to improve feedback given to GCSE students. This was done successfully with detailed feedback given to all students, individually and as a group. Teachers adopted a strategy of PEE (a strategy students have been familiar with from literacy studies) to assist with extended evaluation questions and answers.

At KS3 and 4, and to comply with ‘Together Toward Improvement’ the department also used a wide range of assessment for learning strategies, including self and peer assessment, and formative use of summative assessment outcomes. Pupils work was marked frequently and consistently in ways which highlighted the strengths of the work and gave feedback on what the pupil needed to do in order to improve. The Department again employed a new strategy to formalise this (WWW/EBI). Pupils themselves identified personal learning targets which were monitored by pupils, parents and staff. The department made efforts to ensure that learning experiences were of a high quality and were matched to the individual needs, inspirations and interests of the pupils.

Careers advice and guidance was given to our KS4 and 5 students throughout the year. The Department enjoyed huge success on The Careers Insight Evening. We hosted representatives from a number of professions: St Mary’s Teacher Training College, Social Work, Law, Mediation and Nursing are just a few. As always, prior to the options afternoon, our GCSE students were advised on how A Level RE can be useful for particular professions, with emphasis on how the skills required in the subject make it attractive for certain career prospects.

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The department continued to support the spiritual life of our students with daily Mass, Advent services, Christmas celebrations, Penitential services and other liturgies. The Year 8 Welcome Mass was held in September and in April, the department again facilitated a Grandparents Mass. Years 10, 12 and 14 tutor groups went on retreat and all our students found the experience very positive and worthwhile. The department hosted one student teacher from St. Mary’s University College during the year. Individual Class Masses were also celebrated by all Year 8 classes, with huge pupil involvement in preparation. This was an enormous success.

The RE Department also celebrated the Eucharistic Congress by bringing all Year 8 students to the GIFT seminar in the Waterfront in September.

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SAPHARA AGM 2013-14

Nine Year 13 pupils were selected to represent Aquinas on the Saphara North and East team, which went to India in July 2014 accompanied by Mrs McCrossan. Saphara is a charity which is directed by Dr. Christine Burnett which gives young people the opportunity to engage in issues of justice and global citizenship through working with educationally disadvantaged children in India. It is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organisation which welcomes young people from all backgrounds, races and religions. The North and East team consisted of nine pupils from Aquinas Grammar School, three pupils from Antrim Grammar and six pupils form Coleraine Inst. The flights and accommodation was funded by parent and the Aquinas pupils' raised an amazing £17, 464 that was used to help the Indian children. It was very moving day when each child was presented with a new uniform and shoes, particularly when it was the first pair of shoes that some of children had ever owned. Fundraising money was used to provide hot school meals for all of children for the next academic year. Scholarships were also awarded to girls who would have not been able to go to school otherwise.

The pupils travelled to India via Dubai and spent the first weekend in Delhi sightseeing and visited the Taj Mahal. The first week of teaching was in a High School in Kaplani, Mussoorie; 7000 feet up in the foothills of the Himalayas. During this week the student also trekked to a village primary school in Donk. This was followed by, a Global Awareness Weekend with trekking in Himalayas and a week in Dehradun teaching in SNEHA, a school located in a marginalised urban community(slum) serving one thousand children who would have no other access to education. The pupils also visited the area where some of the children lived and witnessed the effects of poverty first hand.

This has opened our pupils’ eyes to issues such as poverty, caste system, gender bias and social justice which will undoubtedly have an long term impact on them. It was a most rewarding opportunity, which has enriched not only the lives of the Indian pupils, but also the Aquinas pupils who have gained so much from this life-changing experience. The Aquinas were truly amazing and made very positive contributions to the North East group. Their efforts and behaviour were exemplary in every way and it was very interesting working with pupils from Coleraine and getting used to dialects from within Northern Ireland before coping with pupils who spoke English as a second or third language.

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SCIENCE AGM 2013-2014

Key stage 3 Science is taught by the nine subject specialists. In years 8 and 9, pupils are taught an integrated curriculum and in year 10 they study the separate sciences of biology, chemistry and physics.

At GCSE level the students follow the CCEA GCSE Double Award specifications, being taught by subject specialists during ten periods each week.

Double award science results 2014

2014 No ** A*A AA AB BB BC CC CD DD A*& A %

A*-C%

NI Gr 3yr av

2010-12A*– B

NI Gr 3yr av 2010-

12A* – C

%35 1

2.95

14.35

14.39

25.77

20.04

11.43

8.61

2.90

44.3 98.6 68.6 94.1

In keeping with the School Development Plan, “Together Towards Improvement” and “Every School a Good School”, the department focused on ensuring effective feedback to pupils in all year groups and sharing good practice. During the academic year, when the occasion arose after assessments had been set and marked, feedback was given to students on an individual basis. In addition, this provided the opportunity for pupils to evaluate their performance in each assessment and set targets.

The Science department have continued to be very active in the promotion of CEIAG.

On Thursday 28th February, pupils in years 10 to 14 year 10 had the opportunity to meet scientists and engineers from organisations such as NIBEC (The

Year group No of pupils

Year 8 science 116

Year 9 science 120

Year 10 sciences 120

Year 11 Double award science 36

Year 12 Double award science 35

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Nanotechnology and Integrated BioEngineering Centre at UUJ), Warner Chilcott, The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at QUB and CAFRE Food Technology as part of the Aquinas Careers Insight day. Pupils attended presentations by the organisations which helped them to make informed choices about GCSE and A level subjects and future careers.

During Science week in March, the year 8 pupils enjoyed a visit to the Armagh Planetarium. They experienced star shows, interactive exhibitions and rocket building and testing which consolidated the theory they had learnt in the Earth and Space topic of the year 8 curriculum.

The Science department has continued to work to improve our delivery of the Revised Curriculum and to educate and enthuse our pupils in the subjects they study with a view to making informed subject and career choices.

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SOCIOLOGY AGM 2013-2014

Academic year 2013-2014 was another highly successful year for the Sociology department.

The subject continues as one of the most popular A Level subjects and all returning students chose to continue their studies through to A2 Level.

Once again the examination results were pleasing at both AS and A2 Level.

The A2 students were particularly successful with 100% achieving Grade A-C and within that group 95% achieved A*- B grades.

As expected, this year also saw many students decide to study the subject in more depth at degree level highlighting the enjoyment and value they found in their A-Level studies.

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SPANISH AGM 2013-2014

The Spanish Department is made up of two full-time and two part-time Spanish specialists. The language assistant plays a key role in the preparation of A level pupils for the Speaking element of the exam. We also work with our Teaching and Learning assistant from Mexico. Mr Dobbin, former Head of Spanish took up his position as Principal of Assumption Grammar School Ballynahinch and the department wishes him well in his new venture.

Key Stage 3: 315

Key Stage 4: 132

Key Stage 5: 32

September 2013 commenced with 14 Year 14 students entering A2 level Spanish and 18 beginning AS level. It was decided to continue with the CCEA syllabus at A Level.

Results

GCSE ( 51 Pupils)

Aquinas

Cumulative % NI Cumulative Average

A* 27.4 21.2

A*-A 41.1 45.7

A*-B 62.7 73.1

A*-C 84.3 93.6

A*-D 98 99

A*-E 100 99.8

AS Level (18 Pupils)

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Aquinas % NI Cumulative Average

A 9 50 33.7

A-B 13 72.2 70.6

A-C 18 100 93.5

A2 Level (15 Pupils)

Aquinas % NI Cumulative Average

A* 5 41 9.5

A*-A 10 70.4 41.4

A*-B 12 82.1 72.7

A*-C 13 88 93.4

A*-D 15 100 97.4

The focus of the department was to review self-evaluation procedures and feedback in line with whole school policies as well as a focus on lesson starters.

Ms P Rivas provides the Department’s ongoing link with QUB Spanish and Portuguese Dept as lectora de conversación there also. Her role with Final Year students provides great insight for a level pupils.

CEIAG is promoted throughout the Schemes of Work in each Key Stage as well as through a variety of activities which include visiting guests to the Department to raise pupil awareness of the many opportunities open to them through the study of languages. For the Careers Insight evening, the Spanish department hosted Laura Connolly, Axiom Law, Anne-Marie Fleming, Education Service Northern Ireland Assembly, Jeremy Shaw, Iberian Wines and our colleague Emma Smyth who brings with her a background in J.P Morgan and McAfee.

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The department has linked up with a journalist and editor in Spain to pilot a learning resource in Spain from The Spain Report. Initial Skype conversations with junior pupils took place with the aim to linking up for discussion of A level and current affairs issues.

Staff attended a variety of Professional Development courses throughout the year. These included:

CCEA Speaking Agreement trials for GCSE controlled assessment;

CCEA Examiners for AS Speaking Module 1.

CCEA Examiners for AS Speaking Module 2.

ML training day in Grosvenor Grammar June 2014.

Staff are using Twitter as a source of online CPD for Spanish.

Colleagues disseminated the information to the department on the various courses.

KS3

As part of the European Day of Languages the Spanish Film ‘Pan’s Labyrinth” was shown to the Year 10 students. The Aquinas Spanish Society continued as an opportunity for pupils to practise their Spanish outside of the classroom through films, games, quizzes and competitions.

KS4

The fourth cohort of pupils successfully completed the new GCSE with controlled assessment.

AS/A2 level

The Spanish class of 2014 included 3 pupils who were fast-tracked through the A2 course in 1 academic year (2013) and all 3 obtained an A* at A2.

Amaia Moore came 1st in A2 Spanish CCEA NI and received her prize at an award ceremony in Stormont Hotel, December 2013.

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Year 13 pupils taught Spanish lessons in our feeder Primary Schools as part of European Day of Languages. A level pupils had the opportunity to attend the AS Study Day at QUB

The Spanish Department wiki http://aquinasgrammarspanish.wikispaces.com/ was continued to allow pupils to access learning resources outside school. This was complimented by the AS/A2 level online textbook and VLE material from Kerboodle. This continues to be a worthwhile initiative which leaves the Spanish Department ready to build its presence on Fronter.

The Spanish Department is a vibrant, dynamic one which aims to offer our pupils a variety of interesting and challenging learning opportunities. Through the study of language and Hispanic culture, the department strives to equip Aquinas pupils with a learning experience which allows them to develop as effective, responsible and ethical contributors to their local and global community.

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TECHNOLOGY & DESIGN AGM 2013-2014

Staffing: 3 staff members No. of students KS3: 360 No. of students KS4: 46 No. of students KS5: 4

Results Analysis 2013/14

CCEA board is studied from GCSE to GCE AS/A2

A2 Results –4 studentsAquinas No. % R NI A-C NI Gr school average

Grade A* - - -5.1 5.1%

Grade A 1 25 -2.2 27.2%

Grade A-B 2(1B) 50 -10.1 60.1%

Grade A-C 2(2C) 100 +14 86.5% 85.9%

Grade A-D 4 100 98.6%

Grade A-E 4 100

GCSE–17 studentsAquinas No. % R NI A-C NI Gr school average

Grade A* 4 23.5 +16.4 7.1%

Grade A*-A 8 (4A) 47 +8.2 38.8%

Grade A-B 15 (7B) 88.2 +9.6 78.1% 78.6%

Grade A-C 17 (2C) 100 +5.4 94.6%

Grade A-D 100 98.9%

Grade A-E 100 - 99.8

Grade A-G 100 - 100

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Focus of T&D department in 2012 -13The focus of T&D department in 2013 -14 was in line with these targets:-

1. “ensures that self-evaluation is rigorous, effective and leads to improvement and is underpinned by effective analysis and interpretation of relevant qualitative and quantitative data;”

This year the Department continued to focus was on all pupils achieving 100% A* - C with emphasis effective feedback. This involved interpreting analysis of UMS for all students and setting realistic targets to achieve those scores. There was a focus on better use of verbal and written feedback on past paper practice and coursework completion. Data tracking was used to identify students who were falling behind targets and good communication between pupil, parents, form teacher and mentor was paramount to ensure all were aware of procedures in place to aid students to achieve their target grade. All parents were very receptive of this communication largely by email.

We also reflected on the results obtained through the written & oral evaluations conducted in KS3 to reflect how we could improve the T&D experience of our KS3 students as well as their CEAIG advice and amended our schemes accordingly.

2. “sets, shares and reviews realistic objectives and targets through an effective school development planning process which is underpinned by rigorous self-evaluation; developing and evaluating tasks.”

There was continued Focus on development and evaluation of tasks for data tracking in years 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 & 14. This evaluation ensured tasks were pitched at the right level to reflect accurately the progression of students especially at GCSE and therefore make data tracking results meaningful. In particular the data tracking marks in yr12 aimed to reflect a balance of exam modules and coursework completed. We also tried to communicate to the pupils the exact breakdown of their data tracking mark. The aim this year at KS3 was to ensure that that data tracking marks as a whole over the year reflected the 50% coursework; 50% theory in T&D. AFL was improved by introducing a clear written feedback sheet reflecting clear communication of the breakdown of marks and written feedback on how to improve

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We also developed more ICT resources at KS3 using CAD package Solidworks (i.e. yr8 – 10) to focus on the SDP for developing tasks for KS3 ICT, Using Maths & Communication. T&D reported on Using ICT for yr10 in 2013.

3. “provide all staff with appropriate opportunities to undertake continuing professional development, evaluate its influence on learning and teaching and share best practice;”

We continually strive to ensure that all staff have up to date Health & Safety training and participate in work related courses according to their interests. Mrs O’Brien, Dr, McHugh & Mr. Moyna attended a circular saw H&S course.

4. “ the accommodation and facilities provide a safe and stimulating environment well-suited to supporting the curricular activities of pupils, the work of staff and social and leisure activities where applicable;”

We were successful in our objective to purchase a laser cutter. This will be installed in the summer of 2014. and further promotion of the STEM Club. The introduction of the ipads has allowed development of interesting resources using Explain Everything amongst other apps.

5. “the school makes best use of links and partnerships with employers and external bodies to inform, plan and meet economic awareness, sustainability, development and employability needs at both local and regional levels.”

We developed stimulating and meaningful CEAIG resources and tasks to improve Learning for Life and work within the department. This was in line with an analysis of GCSE numbers and strategy to increase uptake of T&D to address gender and local business/community.

Promotion of CEIAG within the department

CEIAG remains an important focus within the Technology & Design department; there was a particular focus on developing stimulating resources for use in the classroom during term 2 in 2013. in line with the targeted CEAIG tasks Work related learning vocabulary is used daily in the delivery of lessons as each task is related to the role of a product designer, manufacturer, and

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engineer in the work place. There is provision through the STEM club (yr8-14) for the students to meet with engineers from NIE, Thales & Bombardier and participate in the STEM Bus on a regular basis at various times throughout the year in their pursuit of STEM related activities. The Technology & Design department also works closely with the Careers department to attend STEM related careers talks when available. We had a very busy night at our Careers Insight Evening with the T&D department presenting many STEM employers from Bombardier, Thales; QUB EEE; IKEA; amongst many others. All of our A’level graduates have gone on to pursue careers in STEM areas ranging from Engineering, Product Design & teaching.

Professional Development within department

Staff are encouraged to attend courses as and when the need arises to obtain knowledge of new equipment/computer programmes and to update skills in accordance with Health & Safety requirements. The HOD continues to be an A2/AS Assistant Principal Examiner with CCEA and prepares and presents material for agreement trials.

Summary of the main highlights of the academic year

In the school year 2013/14 Aquinas Technology & Design Department continued to be successful in their participation in regional competitions. The STEM club met every Monday from 3.30 – 4.30pm and Friday (early lunch) for the purposes of promoting STEM and encouraging participation in STEM related competitions.

Stem Bus

Once again we had the STEM Bus visit Aquinas this year in February when the STEM bus was equipped with up to date CNC manufacturing machines and all GCSE & GCE students had the opportunity to convert their Computer Aided Drawings (CAD) to real life models on the various Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. This completed a major part of their coursework.

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KS3 & 4Lego League competition – December 2013

This regional competition was part of a worldwide organisation the 1st Lego league firsthandtechnology.org.uk. As part of the challenge the team had to: · Program a robot to complete tasks relating to the Challenge using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® technology.·Research and prepare a presentation on the theme of ‘Senior Solutions’.

The team worked very hard with our engineer from NIE and a great day was had by all.

The overall vision of the Technology & Design department is to actively promote a

positive perception of Technology & Design within its role as a STEM subject. To

promote its relevance in many career choices by providing inspirational teaching &

learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom that will engage and

enthuse the students to further develop their studies in this area.

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Year 8 AGM 2013-2014

Staffing for the year included Year Head, four Tutors and four Teaching and Learning Assistants. There were 114 pupils in year 8 allocated into four class groups (8E, 8R, 8S and 8T).

As in previous years the early focus for Year Head and Staff was the induction of the Year 8s into Aquinas school life. This was helped by the first day, when the students met their tutors, senior members of staff and prefects from the senior school. The students were given a tour of the school, essential stationary and advice on the early days at the school. During the first months of Form Period the tutors covered topics to aid the successful introduction into secondary school, such as organisation, acceptable behaviour and expectations. The Year 8 Welcome Mass and Induction for parents took place on Thursday 3rd October, as usual this was very well attended and gave parents and tutors an early chance to meet.

During Form Period throughout the year the Tutors covered a number of topics such as Bullying, Healthy Lifestyle and Exam preparation (this included a revision booklet pre November and June exams which offered advice and hints to students on preparing and coping with exams and the facility to record their own revision lists for each subject). The Year group was heavily involved in Fundraising throughout the year for causes both within and outside the school. They must be commended for their enthusiasm for charity events, support they gave to participants and the large total of money they raised.

Data Tracking was actively used during the year to record academic achievement and behavioural issues. This was very useful for tutors, enabling them to easily oversee the progress of each student and highlight any concerns early. It should be noted that the Homework Diary is still vitally important at this stage as an essential form of communication with parents. Identification of Needs took place at the end of term one and again proved a very useful tool in assessing the new intake of students and identifying any early issues. Any students highlighted with concerns were recorded and action was taken in the following term depending on the needs of the student.

On Friday 13th September the Year8 group took part in the Young Enterprise Programme “Your School Your Business”, which was an excellent introduction to school life and a great way for them to mix friendship groups. The year 8 students later in November had the opportunity to avail of the “Safety Bus” which was a very informative and enjoyable session provided by Translink. We also had our annual

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visit from the Gideons who presented each student with their copy of the bible during a special assembly.

The year group were set the task at the start of their year to join at least one of the many extra curricular clubs within the school. The uptake was very pleasing across the year group and activities. We had many successes including excellent progress in, girls and boys basketball and cross country and gaelic football. Musical activities were also widely attended and the students displayed excellent talent which bodes well for the future. The internal exams during December and June demonstrated the excellent academic ability of the students across the curriculum and there was much improvement throughout the year.

The vast majority of the year group settled quickly and gave time and effort throughout the year to school activities and their subjects. They began to develop a culture of achievement, improvement and ambition to succeed as the year progresses, which was excellent in comparison to the 114 individuals that stared on Tuesday 3rd September 2012. Year 8 was completed with a celebration assembly and fun afternoon. The year 8 group went bowling to the Odyssey Complex which was a great success.

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Year 9 AGM 2013-2014

Staffing for the year included the Year Head, four Tutors and seven Teaching and Learning Assistants. There were 116 students in Year 9 allocated into four class groups (9J, 9L, 9M and 9P). The students’ academic progress and their general welfare are monitored by the Tutor. Students attend weekly tutorial periods to discuss their progress and a Year assembly took place every Friday with the Senior Teacher and Year Head.

The focus for Year 9 in accordance with the Aquinas School Development Plan ensured that the students in the Year Group where central to the delivering of the pastoral programme.

Each student started the year with a reflection on his/her performance in Year 8. Targets were set to enable progress. Targets were reviewed when each student individually met with his/her Tutor. This may have meant looking at organisation, attendance, acceptable behaviour and expectations.

Throughout the year in Tutor period and/or during assembly a range of topics were discussed – study skills, exam preparation, managing influences and making decisions, bullying, health and personal development related to feelings. CEAIG became an integral part of Year 9 with one timetabled class per week.

Student progress was mapped using the SIMS tracking system and an Identification of Need staff day at the end of the first term. The analysis of these results enabled the Pastoral Team to ascertain which students would benefit from an individualised study plan. Communication with parents is regular and supportive. The analysis of Data Tracking and SIMS Lesson Monitor continued each term to record academic achievement and behavioural issues. This was very useful for Tutors and Year Head, enabling them to easily oversee the progress of each student and allow for early intervention to address any concerns. It should be noted that the Homework Diary is still vitally important at this stage as an essential form of communication with parents. Parents attended the annual parent – teacher meeting and received reports on their child’s progress.

Alongside academic achievement Year 9 embraced all aspects of Aquinas life. The Year group was heavily involved in Fundraising throughout the year for causes both within and outside the school. They must be commended for their enthusiasm for charity events and the large amount of money they raised.

The year group was set the task at the start of their year to join at least one of the many extra-curricular clubs within the school. The uptake was very pleasing across the year group ranging from music, sports, book club, IT and science clubs to name but a few.

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To conclude the year all students celebrated the year with an end of term assembly and social trip to the Odyssey for either bowling or the cinema. This was an enjoyable day to celebrate the end of a great year.

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Year 10 AGM 2013-2014

Staffing for the year included Year Head, four Tutors and two Teaching and Learning Assistants. There were 120 pupils in year 10 allocated into four class groups (10F, 10J, 10N &10T).

The early focus for Year Head and Staff was the pastoral care programme with a focus on the evaluation of year 9 and how students could adopt practical solutions to improve. These included looking at their organisation, acceptable behaviour and expectations. During Form Period the Tutors covered a number of topics such as Study Skills, Drugs, Bullying, Healthy lifestyles, Love for Life and Exam preparation. Additional assistance was given by the school librarian who offered advice and hints to students on preparing and coping with exams, and the facility to record their own revision lists for each subject. They were also shown how to produce study notes in various forms and asked to complete a study folder containing notes summarising the topics for all their subjects. All Year 10 students completed a personal record of achievement and this has been stored electronically to be updated as the student moves through senior school The Year Head was involved with senior staff and other Year Heads in the evaluation of the current provision of pastoral resources and the inclusion of outside agencies to deliver parts of the pastoral programme in the academic year 2014-5. Ceaig continues to be a strong feature this year with one timetabled class

The Year group was heavily involved in Fundraising throughout the year for causes both within and outside the school. They must be commended for their enthusiasm for charity events and the large amount of money they raised.

Data Tracking and the SIMS Lesson Monitor were actively used during the year to record academic achievement and behavioural issues. This was very useful for tutors, enabling them to easily oversee the progress of each student and allow for early intervention to address any concerns. It should be noted that the Homework Diary is still vitally important at this stage as an essential form of communication with parents. Identification of Needs took place at the end of term one and again proved a very useful tool in assessing the students and identifying any early issues. Any students highlighted with concerns were recorded and action was taken in the following term depending on the needs of the student.

The Year Head met with all the students after the January and June exams to discuss their academic progress and to give the students a voice to express any issues that they felt needed to be addressed. Many important points were raised and the Year Team did their best to address these throughout the year.

The year group was set the task at the start of their year to join at least one of the many extracurricular clubs within the school. The uptake was very pleasing across the year group we had many successes including excellent progress athletics in boys’ basketball, Gaelic football girl’ netball. Musical activities were also widely attended and the students displayed excellent talent which bodes well for the future. There

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was an excellent representation of the year 10 students in the school production Les Miseables. Full attendance at the year 10 Sports day was an excellent end to the school term. The internal exams during January and June demonstrated the excellent academic ability of the students across the curriculum and there was much improvement throughout the year. The vast majority of the year group settled quickly and gave time and effort throughout the year to school activities and their subjects. They began to develop a culture of achievement, improvement and ambition to succeed as the year progressed.

At the end of the year all pupils celebrated the year with an end of term celebration in the school chaplaincy with a thank you to Fr Grant who has been a great inspiration to the yr. 10 students throughout their Junior school and social trip to the Odyssey where they participated in bowling. This was a lovely event to celebrate the end of a great year.

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Year 11 AGM 2013-1014

Year 11 consisted of one hundred and fifteen students divided into five form classes:

11E – Miss Smyth

11C – Mrs McCrossan

11J – Mr Duffy

11M – Miss McGowan

11S – Mr Sames

Our students participated fully in the GCSE curriculum and continued to engage in numerous extra-curricular activities. Student achievements ranged from music to academic to sporting activities. Among the list of achievements are the successes of the school netball, basketball and Gaelic footballers as well as excellent fundraising totals for Trocaire and other charities. This is by no means an exhaustive list and individual subject related activities are listed in the departmental AGM reports for this academic year. However, it is worth mentioning the strength of our girls in sport with netballers reaching a semi-final and the girls Gaelic footballers winning an Ulster Final.

Some notable highlights for our students were – participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, attending the school trip to Rome and participating in the Ulster Project in the summer. The students who successfully got on to the Ulster Project were Eoin Nagle, Tom McVeigh, Hannah Healey, Luke Devlin, Ruairi Cormican, Andy Harney, Lucia McLaughlin, Anna Foster, Lucy Nixon, Aoife Murnaghan and Aoife Bannon.

The main focus for this academic year was successfully steering the students through their external GCSE examinations. The examination results have proven to be very good for many students and others now realise what they have to do in 2014-15 in order to achieve their GCSE goals.

The end of the school year was marked with a fun day of games and activities in the school Sports Hall and back outside pitch.

J McGrath

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Year 12 AGM 2013-2014

Staffing:

Key Stage Three: Lisa Begley, Joanne Curran, Clare Foster, Nuala Loughrey, Ryan McAuley, Pauline McCaul, Frances McHugh (HoD)

GCSE: Frances McHugh (Year 12) took over Mr Patrick Anderson’s Year 11 class AS: Frances McHugh

A2: No A2 class, 2013-2014

The number of students studying Drama and Theatre Studies in 2013 to 2014 was as follows:

Key Stage No. of Students

Key Stage 3 330

Key Stage 4 35

Post-16 4 ( no A2 class)

The specification followed at GCSE, AS and A2 is the AQA specification. The results are summarised below:

Level A* A*/A A*/B A*/C NI grammar average

GCSE 6% 31% 69% 88% A*-B: 88%

AS Level n/a 75% 100% A-C: 91%

A2 Level n/a

GCSE AS Level

2012 to 2013 A to C: 91% n/a

2013 to 2014 A to C: 87% A to C: 100%

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Thank you to the Key Stage Three Teachers who enthusiastically and vigorously delivered the Key Stage Three programme. The focus of the year was on up-dating the Schemes of Work and the Drama Handbook, with further focus on a more co-ordinated delivery to all students.

At Key Stage Three, Drama was taught to all classes (approximately 110 pupils in each year group). The subject was delivered during one double period per class, each week, by three teachers in Year 8 and by three teachers in Year 9. In Year 10, Drama was taught by two teachers for one period each week to each of the four classes; this was one period fewer than other Practical subjects but this has now been addressed.

At Key Stage Four, in Year 11, there were 19 pupils taught by one teacher and in the Year 12 GCSE class, Mr Patrick Anderson’s class of 16 pupils were taken over in Year 12 and were taught by one teacher for five periods per week. In the Year 13 AS class, four pupils were taught by one teacher for nine periods per week; there was no A2 class.

The AQA Drama Subject Specification is used at both GCSE and Advanced Level.

The focus for the Drama and Theatre Studies Department for 2012 to 2013 was to update the Schemes of Work. There was an additional focus on the teaching of Drama in Year 10 and a drive to achieve the same allocated time for Drama as other Practical subjects, in order to make the subject a more appealing option for study at GCSE level.

Professional development was enhanced during the year through attendance at three on-line Conference calls with AQA.

The highlights of the academic year included:

The Drama Department’s bi-annual Production; this year it was Les Miserables with a cast of 130 pupils from Years 9 to 14, plus 30 pupils who worked with lighting, costume and make-up and most Staff members; the Show was seen by over 1200 people and extracts and an interview were featured on U105’s Johnny Hero Show. Thank you very much to all the Production Staff.

Three new Drama Clubs were established with 90 members, led by the Senior Theatre Studies pupils: Ryan Foy, Domhnall Herdman, Lauren Mc Donnell and Sarah Mellotte who won First and Second Places in their category at the Belfast Festival and they were photographed with the famous Television, Film and Stage Actor, Adrian Dunbar (whether he wanted it or not!);

Theatre trips to see: Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Friel’s Philadelphia, Here I Come, Tom (starring Domhnall Herdman, U6) at the Crumlin Road Jail

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(Domhnall revived this play this summer as the play’s Protagonist and Director); and Bruiser Theatre Company’s Melmoth the Wanderer;

Casting Calls from and auditions with: Georgia Simpson Casting: The Sparticle Mystery (series 3, BBC); Cinemagic: The Christmas Star (film; Actors); Nerve Belfast: Original Short Film (Actors/Directors/Film-Editors); Rose Wicksteed Casting: The Survivalist (film; Actors) and The Raiders (film; Actors)

Careers Open Evening: The Drama Department organized the staging, lighting and sound for ‘Supremes’ Star, Marie Wilson and all of the Senior Theatre Studies pupils performed with her on-stage; our speakers included: lighting, costume, audio and Acting experts and the pupils spoke to West-End Actor, Patrick Smyth via Skype (Patrick is an Aquinas Drama alumnus);

All of our Year Eight pupils attended The Lyric Theatre’s Christmas Pantomime, Cinderella;

20 of our pupils had a Theatre Lighting Workshop with Production Services, Ireland;

The Shakespeare Festival with Year 9; Many of our pupils have performed in and worked backstage with Theatre

companies all over Belfast this year and over the summer; they are too numerous to mention but the latest include: Fusion Theatre’s Miss Saigon (with Lauren McDonnell U6 and Connor Taggart, L6) and Belvoir Player’s The Keening (starring Sarah Mellotte, U6)

Moderated Performances of Cagebirds and four Devised plays from Year 12 pupils and a Moderated Performance of All My Sons from Year 13 pupils.

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Year 13 AGM 2013-2014

Year 13 consisted of a year head, four tutors and a student body of 117. Six new students entered the Aquinas VI form in September 2013 and four repeated the Year. The four Tutor groups were 13J, 13M, 13L and 13S. Each tutor monitored the academic progress and the general welfare of his or her tutees. Students attend weekly tutorial periods to discuss their progress and take part in group discussions on a range of pastoral and social issues.

The tutors worked closely with the students and subject teachers to track and review academic progress. Continuous evaluation was carried out by the Pastoral Team from the analysis of the data tracking, winter and module examination results, they were able to provide support for students for whom it was deemed necessary. Communication with parents was regular and supportive and positive achievements were congratulated.

The Pastoral Team, recognised the increasing maturity and independence of our students. With his in mind during form period a number of areas of personal development were covered including; Relationships and friendships, cyber bullying, target setting and study skills. Year 14 students provided a Pupil Voice, informing the Year 13 students of what was required at AS both socially and academically. We invited guest speakers, to address the students on specific topics, including Mental Health, Study Skills and Road Safety. All students also attended an excellent Road Safety Exhibition held In Wellington College in April. The students were also very proactive in all the fundraising campaigns including the shoebox appeal, StoreHouse and the Trocaire campaign.

Many exciting opportunities were available to the Yr13 students this year. We advertise these opportunities widely and encourage students to participate. A few examples are: the Young Enterprise Scheme, Bar Mock Trials, Pope John Paul II, Ski Trip and Aquinas Community links. Also, 12 students were successful in their selection for the Belfast Saphara team. The students and Ms McCrossan went to India during July and taught English in three schools. Alongside this, extra-curricular activities in sport, drama and music were well attended by Year 13 students.

An Induction evening for parents and students was held in September 2013. The talk addressed the requirements for A level courses, career development and the role of the sixth former. In December the parents and students celebrated the Year 13 students’ GCSE achievements. In December 2013 all Year 13 students successfully completed one week in the work place.

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Year 14 AGM 2013-2014

Year 14 consisted of, the Year Head, four tutors and four Teaching and Learning Assistants. There were of 108 students in Yr14 allocated into four Tutor groups 14C, 14J, 14F and 14P. Each tutor monitored the academic progress and the general welfare of his or her tutees. Students attended weekly tutorial periods to discuss their progress and take part in group discussions on a range of pastoral and social issues. Students were also allocated two lessons per week in Modular RE and one lesson per week for career guidance and support with regard to UCAS choices.

For most students their priority was the consolidating of their, AS examination performance and gaining entry to university in particularly challenging times. To this end, students participated in university visits in September and were well supported by, the Careers department through the application process. Parents and students were invited to attend an information evening in September, where the Careers Department highlighted the key issues involved in the UCAS and CAO processes.

The Year Head and tutors worked closely with the students and subject teachers to track and review, academic progress. Continuous evaluation was carried out by the Pastoral Team, from the analysis of the data tracking, winter and module examination results, they were able to provide support for students for whom it was deemed necessary. Communication with parents was regular and supportive and positive achievements were congratulated. In April, all the students, along with their parents were interviewed, to ensure that all students were in a position to maximize their achievements in A2 examinations.

The Pastoral Team recognised the increasing maturity and independence of our students. With this in mind during form period a number of areas of personal development were covered including; Relationships and friendships, cyber bullying, target setting and study skills. We invited guest speakers to address the students on specific topics, these included The Amazing Brains and Love For Life. The students were also very proactive in all the fundraising campaigns including the shoebox appeal, the Catholics Caring Christmas appeal and the Trocaire campaign. The students were encouraged to develop good leadership qualities through active involvement in the daily life of Aquinas, through their role of Prefect. The Senior Prefect team demonstrated this through their role in leading the Student Council.

The Leavers’ Dinner was held on April 10th and a poignant night was held for the Year 14 students at their Thanksgiving Mass on May 9th. Many fond memories were exchanged, by students, parents and teachers.

Students were offered and studied a wide range of subjects and 87% of our students achieved A*-C at A Level. Over 53% of all grades awarded were at A*/A standard. These results are just reward for a group of students who have worked hard. The students have been supported by their families and benefited from the excellent teaching and pastoral support offered by their teachers.

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Alongside academic achievement Year 14 embraced all aspects of Aquinas life. They have left many footprints. As seniors, they were great ambassadors for the school. They were perfect role models to the junior school, inspirational to many. We wish all our students success and happiness in the next stage of their educational journey at university or in their chosen career path.

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