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Draft:St. Malachy's High School, Castlewellan

Coordinates: 54°15′28″N 5°56′56″W / 54.257908°N 5.94888°W / 54.257908; -5.94888
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St. Malachy's High School, Castlewellan/ Ardscoil Naomh Maolmhaodhóg, Caisleán Uidhilín
Location
Map
St Malachy's High School, 3 Dublin Road, Castlewellan, Co. Down, BT31 9AG

Coordinates54°15′28″N 5°56′56″W / 54.257908°N 5.94888°W / 54.257908; -5.94888
Information
TypeComprehensive
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Established1959
Local authorityEducation Authority
PrincipalMrs Eileen O'Hara[1]
GenderCo-educational
Age11 to 19
Enrolment960
Websitehttps://stmalachys.org/

St. Malachy's High School/ Ardscoil Naomh Maolmhaodhog is a non-selective, Catholic maintained, all ability, school for girls and boys aged 11–19 years located in Castlewellan, County Down, Northern Ireland.[2][3]

History

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It was founded in 1959 as Castlewellan Intermediate School as one of the first of the new post primaries. It continued to operate in the original building until 2000 when it was replaced with a new building.[4] The new school has a wide range of facilities including an oratory, ICT suites, drama theatre, library, gymnasium, sports-hall, specialist classrooms, laboratories, art and photography studios, design and technology workshops and music tutorial rooms.[5]

It recruits students from primary schools within the surrounding parishes: Castlewellan (Kilmegan); Clonduff (the Cabra area only); Drumaroad and Clanvaraghan; Dromara and Drumgooland; Dundrum and Tyrella; Kilcoo; Newcastle (Maghera).[6]

Curriculum

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For Key Stage 3 (Levels 8, 9 and 10) the pupils select courses from a range of subjects, including An Ghaeilge, Art & Design, Business, Citizenship, Drama, Employability, English, Geography, Home Economics, History, ICT, Irish, Mathematics, Music, Personal & Social Development, Physical Education, Science, Spanish, Religious Education and Technology & Design.[7]

For Key Stage 4 (Levels 11 and 12) students study the following core subjects at GCSE level: English Language, Mathematics, Learning for Life & Work, Religious Education, Science (Single award). In addition, all students follow a non-exam course in Physical Education and can choose from the following additional subjects: An Ghaeilge, Art & Design, Agriculture & Land Use, Biology, BTEC Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Studies, Construction, CoPE (Certificate of Personal Effectiveness), Child Care, Design & Technology, Drama, Double Award Science, English Literature, Geography, History, Hospitality, ICT, Irish, Motor Vehicle & Road User Studies, Music, Occupational studies, Performance Skills, Physical education, Physics, Prince's Trust: Personal Development & Employability, Spanish and Health & Social Care.[7]

It also has an Irish Medium Unit for instruction in the Irish language. Within the stream, students take up to 50% of their curriculum through the medium of Irish whilst integrating with other students for practical subjects.[8] There is an annual intake of 25 students into the unit.[6]

The exam performance for the school places it high in its performance among non-grammar schools in Northern Ireland with over 50% gaining at least five GCSEs and over half of those taking A-Levels obtaining three or more grades A*-C.[9][10]

Sport

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Students have the opportunity of participating in a range of sports and have a very successful record in Gaelic games. The school's camogie team won the Sr. Máiréad Shield in 2023 and 2024.[11] Likewise, in hurling the boys won the Reihill Cup in 2024.[12] In Gaelic football, the school has won the Markey Cup on seven occasions.[13]

Alumni

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References

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  1. ^ "Principal's welcome". St. Malachy's High School. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  2. ^ "St. Malachy's High School, Castlewellan". eani.org.uk. EANI. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  3. ^ "St. Malachy's High School, Castlewellan". Catholic Schools Trustee Service. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  4. ^ "St Malachy's High School celebrates 60th anniversary". Down Recorder. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  5. ^ ""Choosing the right school for your son or daughter is a very important decision"". St. Malachy's High School. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  6. ^ a b "St. Malachy's High School, Castlewellan" (PDF). EANI. Retrieved 3 July 2024 – via stcolmansandallsaints.co.uk.
  7. ^ a b "Curriculum". St. Malachy's High School. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  8. ^ "St Malachy's High School". Down News. 10 September 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  9. ^ "GCSE: Northern Ireland School League Table 2019". Belfast Telegraph. 22 March 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  10. ^ "A-Level: Northern Ireland School League Table 2019". Belfast Telegraph. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  11. ^ McAleenan, Séamas (28 June 2024). "St Malachy's camogs win local derby". Mourne Observer. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  12. ^ "St Malachy's hurlers win Reihill Cup". Down Recorder. No. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  13. ^ "St Malachy's win Markey Cup cracker". Down Recorder. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Your councillors". Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Roisin Howell Steps In For Stephen Burns". Down News. 14 February 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Castlewellan ready for Fleadh". Down Recorder. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Schoolboy was young victim of old hatreds". Irish Times. 29 July 1997. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Sectarian killer gets life". An Phoblacht. 14 January 1999. Retrieved 6 July 2024.