Principal: Mrs Grainne T O’Hanlon B.Ed., M.Ed., P.Q.H.
October 2013
Special Items
of
Interest
Holidays
Halloween Holidays
Friday 25 October Friday 1 November
(inclusive)
The School Mass
to celebrate the
Feast of St Michael
the Archangel
Mass was held in the
Sacred Heart Church
on Thursday 3
October
Enclosed with this
Information Sheet
Information for
Parent Governor
Nominations
Have an enjoyable
Halloween Break
Mrs Gráinne T O’Hanlon
Principal
James Street, Omagh, BT78 1DL
T: 028 82243633 W:www.loretogs.com
Information Sheet
Congratulations to the following students who were
top achievers in N.I.CCEA Summer Examinations:
Oonagh Taggart - Joint 1st in Art and Design (A’L)
Ellen Ward – 1st in Health and Social Care (A’L)
Emma Clarke – 2nd in Health and Social Care (A’L)
Colleen Conway – 3rd in Health and Social Care (A’L)
Eimear McGrath – 4th in Health and Social Care (A’L)
Shauna McDonald – 7th in Health and Social Care (A’L)
Aoibhinn Roarty – 10th in Health and Social Care (A’L)
Catherine O’Kane – 7th in Geography (A’L)
Sarah Ann Campbell – 9th in Geography (A’L)
Louise Donaldson – 7th in English Language (GCSE)
Elena Byrne – 9th in English Language (GCSE)
ETI Inspection
Loreto had a most successful whole school
inspection from 30 September - 4 October. The
outcome will be notified to parents as soon as the report
has been finalised. The students were excellent,
confident and courteous in manner and true
ambassadors at every level.
Student Senior Leadership Team for the 2013/14
Head Girl - Niamh McGirr
Deputy Head Girls - Aideen Fox and Brighdin Colton
Senior Prefects - Catherine Cumiskey, Grace Ball,
Katrina McCrory, Bronagh Donaghy and Grace Quinn.
Literacy Senior Prefect - Maria Goretti Corry
Pastoral Monitors - Oonagh McArdle, Niamh Colgan,
Searlaith Duffy, Kerriann McLaughlin Roisin Kerlin, Orla
McGrath, Caroline Slevin, Orla Farley, Eilish Gallagher,
Niamh McGuone, Sinead Donnelly, Gemma Carlin,
Shannon Skeffington, Rachael Gribbin, Chloe Campbell,
Francesca Lynch, Niamh Brogan, Tara Gallagher,
Nadeen Doherty, Roisin McAleer, Grainne Moss,
Shauna Murphy, Aoife Slevin, Lauren McFarland,
Deirdre McElholm, Hannah Monaghan, Aoibhin Bradley,
Shannon Starrs, Leona Bradley, Shauna Mallon, Sarah
McGinley, Catherine Cullen, Shannon Nicholson,
Meabhe McMullan, Grainne Kelly, Maria McElroy, Chloe
Judge, Colleen Donaghy, Dearbhail Reid, Seanain
Kelly, Ellen Donaghy and Roisin McGread.
P.R. Senior Prefect - Colleen Duffy
P.R. Prefects - Lauren Teague, Rachel Harper, Rachel
McCullagh, Lucy Arnold, Katie McShane, Aoife Mangan,
Colleen Mullan, Demi Swift, Tiffany Lee, Annette McGirr,
Tamara McCann, Dervla Maguire and Maria Armstrong.
Sports Captain - Ellen McCullagh
Games Prefects - Zara Monaghan, Kate McAleer,
Siobhan Sheerin, Emma Smyth, Shannon McQuaid,
Emma McAleer, Maeve McElduff and Niamh O’Neill
The Board of Governors’ Annual Report to Parents
This Report provides a comprehensive overview of the
work covered in the school year 2012/13. The report is
available on the school’s website or on request from the
school office.
Student Council
This year, the Student Council will be led by our newly
appointed Head Girl, Niamh McGirr, along with her two
deputies Brighdin Colton and Aideen Fox. The girls are
joined on the Student Council by Aoife McGirr, Niamh
McCrory, Corinna Thompson, Elisha Duddy and Kerri-Ann
O’Hagan who are all serving members from last year. The
Student Council received a great number of applications
from all year groups in the school and after long
deliberation a selection of applicants have been invited to
run for election.
Voluntary Contributions
A sincere thank you to parents who have forwarded the
voluntary contributions. Voluntary contributions by
parents really do enable us to add to the educational
provision which can make a difference in school. The
fund is used for providing students with extra materials,
additional support and updating ICT equipment.
Contributions can be paid in instalments or Direct Debit,
please contact the school office for details. All parents
are urged to consider making a voluntary contribution as
a gesture of support for the work the school.
Traffic at School Gates
Parents - please drop your daughters off at a location
near to the school to avoid the dangerous congestion that
is presently occurring. Members of the public have been
asked NOT to drive through the school grounds. The
school grounds are Private and the health and safety of
the students is critical.
CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Tests)
All pupils in Years 8 and 10 completed Digital CAT4
during October. Each pupil sat three 45 minute papers
which will assess their verbal, non-verbal and quantitative
reasoning skills at this time. CATs are the UK’s most
widely used reasoning abilities tests for pupils in the 7-17
age group. CAT4 has been developed to support schools
in understanding pupils’ developed abilities and results
from CAT4 can help identify students who need extra
support, monitor progress and set targets for future
attainment.
The Art Department congratulate Oonagh Taggart who
achieved Joint 1st in Art and Design NICCEA A’Level
summer examination series. Oonagh achieved 100% at
GCSE, AS and A2 Art and Design. Oonagh’s stunning
A’level fine art installation, ‘Back in my Day’ will be
exhibited at the Void Gallery in Derry from 19 November
as part of the CCEA ‘Celebrating Young Artist’s exhibition
and the City of Culture events.
If parents wish to study ICT – South West College are
offering courses in Essential Skills. The classes will be
offered free, on a first come first served basis. For further
details contact Amanda Moss Amanda.moss@swc.ac.uk
or Tele: 08456031881 ext 5371.
Year Groups Activities
Year 8
Pupil of the Month is awarded for the pupil
who contributes to the community spirit of her
class - Congratulations to:
8a1 - Rosaleen McBrien
8a2 - Orla McAleer
8a3 - Chloe O’Neill
8a4 - Megan Blee
8a5 - Bronach Scallon.
Many thanks to the Year 12 pupils who took
part in the Friends Programme and Year 14
Pastoral Monitors for their invaluable help to
the Year 8 pupils during this induction period.
A special assembly was held to say thank you
and farewell.
Pupils and their parents came together to
celebrate Mass and a Pastoral Evening on
10 October. Parents had an opportunity to
meet their daughter’s Form teacher and
Pastoral Monitor. A special thank you to all
Year 8 parents for their continued support.
The Year 8 ‘Hands of Friendship’ art work
was used to decorate and add colour to the
Assembly hall for the Year 8 Mass.
All pupils will take part in the Annual
Halloween Pageant on Thursday 24 October
in St Joseph’s Hall.
Irish Department Student of the Month –
September:
8a1 - Erin McKenna, 8a2 - Chloe Gallagher,
8a3, 8a4 and 8a5 received Class Prizes.
European Day of Languages – Irish Poster
Competition winners:- 8a1 Rosaleen
McBrien, 8a2 Zara McGrath, 8a3 and 8a4
received class prizes, 8a5 Maria Fox, Roisin
McAnaw, Dearbhla Kerrigan.
Wednesday 16th October – PSNI Road Safety
officer Trevor Kirke delivered a talk to
students about Road Safety highlighting high
visibility when travelling to and from school in
winter. This is important for many students
who are travelling by bus for the first time and
will be travelling in the dark.
On 8 October pupils participated in the Young
Enterprise ‘Big School’ Programme. This
programme covers aspects of Learning for
Life and Work / Employability.
Mathematician of the Month - September
8a1 – Freya Morgan
8a2 – Katherine McCorkell
8a3 – Alina Duncan
8a4 – Amy Bunting
8a5 – Niamh McCaffrey
Year 9
The Y.9 Induction day promoted positive
relationships between pupils, teachers and
others within the school community. The
roles, responsibilities and expectations of
each pupil required were reinforced through
the Year 9 Mission Statement “Etiquette,
Netiquette and Flying Fit”. Pupils were
challenged to make their own personal goals
and targets in order to become their BPS Best Positive Selves throughout the year.
Thanks and congratulations to all pupils who
submitted exceptional artwork for the Mission
Statement Mascot Competition. The winners
were: 1st Caitlin Brophy 9a1, 2nd Emma
McGurran 9a2, 3rd Roisin Kerlin 9a3, 4th
Fanchia McGovern 9a5, and 5th Zara
McCrystal 9a3.
In celebration of European Language Day,
all Year 9 pupils enjoyed a French Breakfast
of Croissants, Pains au chocolat and hot
chocolate in the school canteen on Thursday
26 September.
Anti-Bullying Week 18th-22nd November, will
be an excellent opportunity for pupils to
participate in an Anti-Bullying Pastoral theme
Day. In November, NSPCC will provide a
series of workshops explaining their services.
The pupils will engage in activities, poster
competitions
and
drama
workshops
investigating the effects of bullying and cyberbullying.
Good luck to all pupils who entered artwork
and creative writing in the NI Anti-bullying
website. This year’s focus is on “I See, I
Hear, I Feel”.
European Day of Languages – Irish Poster
Competition winners:- 9a1 and 9a2 received
class prizes, 9a3 Alayna McCarney and
Sinead McPhillips, 9a4 Maria Haughey,
Rachel Grainger and Meabh McCrytall and
9a5 Clara Gormley.
Year 10
As 10 October was “World Mental Health Day”
10a2 Pastoral Monitors prepared a display to
raise awareness of Good Mental Health. The
year group were invited to feed into an online
chat room established to focus on issues for
students in Y.10 and to share practical
strategies to deal with difficulties. Follow-up
activities to promote Good Mental Health are
planned for November.
Awards – Congratulations to 10a3 and 10a5
who shared the award for the highest
attendance for September.
Year 10 were welcomed back with the
motivational theme: “There is only 1D –
onwards and upwards - This is us!”
The focus of the Induction was
“Teambuilding.” Pupils engaged in a number
of game and activities which encouraged
interaction within the year group and across
classes. The Pastoral Monitors played a key
role in facilitating this event and set a solid
foundation on which to build good
relationships and a strong rapport within the
Pastoral Team.
The focus ideas behind Habits of Mind are:
1. Thinking about thinking
2. Taking responsible risks
3. Listening with understanding and
empathy
Underpinning the Habits of Mind programme
is our Mission Statement - Think.again.org!
(O=option, R=risk, G=go)
The mission
statement was presented during Induction and
has been revisited frequently during
assemblies.
A large number of Y.10 pupils have submitted
entries to the “N.I. Anti-bullying Forum”
competition on the theme “I See, I Hear, I
Feel”; Well done to 10a1, 10a2 and 10a5 in
particular who have had full class
participation. There are 2 categories: Art and
Creative Writing.
Fundraising: On 26 September pupils
participated in a “Funny Hat and Sock” day to
raise money for the Good Life Orphanage in
Kenya. Fionnghuala O’Neill 10a1 will visit the
orphanage in November and present the
£168.95 raised.
Pupils are currently collecting loose change
for Cancer, as part of their annual “Change
for Cancer” campaign.
Gael Linn Inter Schools’ Irish Language
Quiz – 10a1, 10a3 and 10a4 attended in the
Dun Uladh Centre. Well done to Eimear
Curran, Donna Houston and Jade Baird 10a3,
and Angel Delos Santos and Bronagh Lynch
10a1 who won 2nd place.
Year 11
Congratulations to Anna Flanagan 11a6 who
won 2nd place in the Patrick Kavanagh
Poetry Competition. This is a tremendous
achievement. Anna’s beautiful poem can be
read on the back page.
Monday 2 September was a very positive
beginning for the newly formed Year 11 Form
Classes. Interactive activities on the day
included: A thumb-printing Zendoodle activity
a Quiz and ‘Just Dance’ routines.
Year 11 Pastoral Theme Day was held on 10
September based around our motto ‘Achieve
and Believe’. The event was facilitated by
Paddy McMahon and Francis White, who
between them have vast experience in
teaching, Youth Work and Social Work. The
workshops covered included Fears and
Targets, Human Bingo, Action Plan Bank
Accounts and Form Class Poster creations.
Pupils created beautiful Acrostic poems for
International Literacy Day, based on the
Year Group motto ‘Believe and Achieve’. The
entries were judged by Mrs Gavin. The
winners were: Shauna McCaul 11a1, Ellie
McDermott 11a2, Olivia McDermott 11a3,
Sthefany Cassidy 11a4, Elisha Duddy 11a5
and Louise Mossey 11a6.
Year 12
All Year 12 GCSE Mathematics students will
sit the first module of their GCSE Exam
(T3/T4) on Friday 10 January 2014. This
component contributes to 45% of their overall
grade.
Congratulations to Michalina Lasak 12a1 who
was selected as the Best Friend to a Year 8.
Sinead MacRory’s wonderful GCSE Art and
Design work was used to promote the Year
13 Transitional Event. Her drawings and
graphic design work featured on the invitations
and Powerpoint Presentation to parents and
students.
On 11 October students gathered in St
Joseph’s Hall for their Pastoral afternoon.
This consisted of a Djembe African Drum
workshop and a ‘Hands and Mask’
teambuilding exercise. Aidan Milligan joined
us to share his knowledge and skills of the
African Drum. He led the workshops teaching
three different rhythms. The afternoon
culminated with a performance to each other
of the new skills. It was an afternoon of fun
and learning.
Year 13 and 14
On 24 September the school introduced a new
event to support students in Post 16 in the
transition from GCSE to A’Level. Members
of staff and a former student gave colourful
and informative presentations on careers,
learning styles, expectations and student
responsibility.
Louise Donaldson and Niamh McNulty Year
13 represented Loreto in The Soroptimist
International Public Speaking Competition on
Wednesday 16 October, in Derry.
Congratulations to Louise, who achieved
second place with her speech, “To Tweet or
not to Tweet”. Well done also to Niamh,
whose speech, “Organ Donation – opt in or
opt out?” was highly commended.
23 October will be ‘Pink Dot Day’ for Year 14
students. Cancer Focus will be in school with
a film crew to make an educational film about
how issues surrounding Breast Cancer are
highlighted in Loreto. The year 14 students
have taken on the challenge to create 1000
pink paper cranes inspired by the story of
Sadako Sasaki and the Japanese myth that if
you can fold a 1000 paper cranes your wish
will be granted. The students are creating
1000 pink paper cranes each named and
sponsored to represent a story of hope for
women in our community whose lives
and families have been affected by Breast
Cancer.
A special thank you to the students who are
participating in the Saint Vincent de Paul
Bag Packing on Saturday 19 October in
Dunnes and Asda.
The Geography Department would like to
congratulate Catherine Cumiskey and Hannah
McGinn Year 14 who were selected to attend
the QUB Dawn ‘til Dusk Geography Study Day
in Belfast on 18 October. The students were
selected on their personal statements
submitted with regard to their interest in
Geography to the School of Planning,
Architecture and Civil Engineering at QUB.
Whole School Events
P.E. Department
Congratulations to:
 Ciara Mullan 9a3 on reaching the All
Ireland Handball Semi-Final.
 Chloe McGlade selected to represent NI
in the U.17 European Soccer Qualifiers.
Gaelic - U.20 team won Lurgan 7-a-side
Gaelic
Blitz
on
September
25th.
Congratulations to Niamh McGirr Year 14 who
was awarded Player of the Tournament.
Athletics - Well done to the girls who
participated in the Finn Valley competition.
Year 8/9 team 2nd
Year 11 Intermediate Team - 1st
Year 12/13 Senior Team - 2nd
Cross Country - A number of girls were
placed in the top twelve in each race receiving
individual medals as well as team medals.
Netball – Well done to all Y.9 pupils who
attended trials for the Minor team, during
September. Congratulations to the team
selected and good luck in the upcoming
matches
.
Extended Schools
All Year 8 pupils participated in a circus of fun
team games on 15 October in the Station
Centre. The aim was to help build the team
spirit and class cohesion amongst our newest
Loreto recruits. The girls had great fun on the
day and thoroughly enjoyed the event.
Forthcoming Events
The Culture Club and the Cookery Club will be
running during November and December.
Young Writers
Congratulations to all the pupils from Years 9,
10 and 11 who had Creative Writing articles
published in the Young Writers ‘Around the
World in 80 Words’ Competition.
Congratulations are also extended to the
pupils who had poems published in the Young
Writers ‘Poetry Games’ Competitions.
Irish Department Club Gaelach are currently
hosting two lunchtime clubs: Our Post Gaelscoil pupils have the
opportunity to develop their proficiency in
a “ciocal cohrá” (conversation circle)
each Monday.
 On Thursday, Year 8 pupils led by Post
16 and Post Gaelscoil pupils have the
change to practise their Irish in an
environment of “Ceol agus Craic”.
French Department
We are delighted to have created a French
Departmental partnership link with Lecée
Georges Brassens, through the British
Council. Our pupils will work together via
email, on topics related to the recent G8
Summit.
Dates for the Diary
Term 1
2 September - 31 December
Term 2
7 January - 15 April
Term 3
28 April - 30 June
Staff Training Day
(Pupils not in school)
27, 28 and 29 August
25 October
3 and 6 January
18 March
16 and 17 April
30 June
Halloween - Friday 25 October to Friday 1 November
Staff Day - Friday 25 October
Christmas Holidays - Monday 23 December - Tuesday 7 January
Mid Term Break - Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 February
Bank Holiday - Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 March
Easter Holidays - Wednesday 16 April - Friday 25 April
Bank Holiday - Monday 5 May
Staff Training Day - Monday 26 May
Parent / Teacher Meeting Schedule
Year 14
Wednesday 13 November
Year 12
Wednesday 27 November
Year 13
Wednesday 4 December
Year 8
Wednesday 5 February
Year 10
Wednesday 12 February
Year 9
Wednesday 5 March
Year 11
Wednesday 12 March
Parenting Northern Ireland
Make One Change with Parents’ Week 2013
The 14th Annual Parents’ Week will take place this year between
21st – 27th October 2013. Change for the better often happens by taking small steps, and
for that reason our theme for Parents’ Week is ‘Make One Change’. Whether it is about
parents pledging to spend more quality time with their children or employers actively
promoting parent-friendly working environments, Make One Change aims to build a picture
of the small changes that can make a big difference to parents and families.
One small change your family could make might include:
 Make a promise to leave work on time every day
 Designate a regular family time as part of your routine; organise a weekly movie night,
take the dog for a walk together at weekends, have a family check-in during dinner or
before bed. If you work nights, perhaps you can plan a lunch together. Figure out a
routine that works for you and your family.
 Stay connected even when you’re apart. With technology, it’s much easier to be in
contact with extended family members who live across or around the globe.
Also, by visiting http://parentsweek.org.uk/resources/forevents you will have access to
downloadable resources; posters, bunting, Make A Change cards and family event idea as
well as a press release template to help make your Parents’ Week the most successful yet.
Parenting Apart – Dads Only
(free programme) OMAGH
This 6 week, free programme is aimed
at dads who have separated, are
separating, divorced or thinking of
divorce. The programme will provide
practical advice and guidance about
what children need to know, and what
dads can do to meet their children’s
needs. Although dads are immersed
in their own difficulties, this
programme can help them focus on
the child’s needs with the aim of
minimising the impact of the
separation.
To register for the programme contact
Parents Helpline 08088010722
Hiking
By Anna Flanagan (11a6)
Metronomic pair of steps, along the miry path.
Daughter held her shoulders high, father joked and laughed
The wooden gate puled and cried, the hikers rambled on.
Mountain sheep dotted the land, chewing their heather lawn.
Gyratory swirls of water, Bubbled in the river bed.
Between folds of mismatched fields, a decrepit dwelling bung its head.
The steam gushed towards a precipice, and hurtled over the edge.
Its peaceful journey truncated, on that fateful, precarious ledge.
With arms outstretched the land bowed down, flat fields to a craggy slope.
They continued down towards the sea, an aqua kaleidoscope.
Faces wide, grinning like clowns, they stumbled over loose stone and rocks.
Mud and water seeped through their boots, damp invading two pairs of hiking socks.
A pothole covered road marked the end, as accomplishment painted their faces.
With red cheeks and swollen fingers, they knelt down to untangle their laces.