Loreto College, Coleraine
For other schools of the same name, see Loreto College (disambiguation).
| Loreto College Coleraine Coláiste Loreto, Cúil Rathain | |
|---|---|
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| Address | |
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Castlerock Road , County Londonderry , BT51 3JZ Northern Ireland | |
| Information | |
| Type | Grammar School |
| Motto | "Cruci Dum Spiro Fido" "While I breathe I trust in the cross". |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1930 |
| Specialist | Science |
| Head teacher | Mr M James |
| Staff | 53 |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrollment | 840 |
| Colour(s) | |
| Publication | Loreto Lore |
| Website | http://www.loretocollege.org.uk/ |
Loreto College (Irish: Coláiste Loreto) is a Roman Catholic grammar school situated in the Castlerock Road area of Coleraine, County Londonderry, on the north coast of Northern Ireland. Loreto College educates both girls and boys between the age of 11 and 18.
History
In 1906, the Ursuline Order took control of an all-girls school, setting up a smaller boys' primary school nearby.
In 1922, when the new Northern Ireland Educational Authority was set up, certain qualifications were needed to teach in secondary schools. The nuns, being French, did not have these qualifications so they decided to withdraw from Northern Ireland. The Loreto nuns in Omagh were asked to take over the schools, both primary and secondary. On August 13, 1930, four sisters of Loreto, an order founded by Mary Ward, arrived. The Ursulines stayed with them for two weeks to help them settle into their new home. The original four sisters - M. Rose, M. Colmcille, M. Aidan and M. Kevin - were joined by M. Peter, M. Benedict and M. Gertrude as first members of the new community.
The school was later extended, and has adapted to changes in the educational system . The school became co-educational in 1977. It is owned and maintained by the Loreto trustees.
The following sports are played in the school: gaelic football, soccer, hurling, camogie, netball, basketball, hockey, volleyball, handball and rounders. Loreto College, Coleraine has for many years achieved consistently outstanding public examination results, with pupils often attaining recognition for top scores across Northern Ireland.
In 2005, the school celebrated its 75th anniversary, culminating in an open day including a museum, and finally Mass in St. John's Church nearby.
In 2007, the school was awarded specialist school status for science and this has been celebrated in a variety of ways.
In April 2014, after 83 years of living in the convent house attached to the school, the Loreto Sisters left as the home did not meet fire regulations.
Departments
Art and Design, Careers, Computing, Drama, Economics, English, English Literature, Geography, History, Home Economics, Government and Politics, I.C.T, Library, Mathematics, Modern Languages (French,Irish and Spanish), Music, P.E, Religious Education, Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), Technology and Theatre Studies.
Extra-curricular - Sport
Sporting activities include: trampolining, football, gaelic football, Ladies' Gaelic football, hockey, hurling/camogie, tennis, basketball, cheerleading, netball, rounders, volleyball, and badminton.
Extra-curricular - other
Activities include: The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, St Vincent de Paul Group, Christian Life Community (CLC), Debating, Choir, Orchestra and Quizzing. Loreto have reached several national quiz finals in recent years (UK: 2007, 2009; Ireland, 2006, 2008-9, 2011).
Notable former pupils
- Caoimhe Archibald, MLA for East Derry
- Michael Bell - Successful YouTuber, specialising in World of Warcraft coverage. His YouTube channel has amassed over 100,000 subscribers and 20 million views.[1]
- Barry McGoldrick and Sean Leo McGoldrick (brothers) - Current Derry Gaelic footballers
- Monica McWilliams - Politician Women's Coalition
- James McCullagh - Young Apprentice Finalist 2011