Principal's Welcome

Welcome to St Dominic's web-site.  Our school founded by the Dominican Sisters in 1870, has a long tradition of excellence in the academic field, in sport and in the Arts.  We attract pupils from over forty schools in a wide cathcment extending across both urban and rural areas. As one of a small number of all girls Grammar Schools in Northern Ireland, we are convinced of the benefits of single sex education for girls both in terms of academic achievement and personal development. Our Dominican ethos encompasses high expectations, personal discipline, the growth of self respect and a love of truth, reflecting the school motto Veritas.  Our pastoral approach ensures that individual pupils have a supportive caring environment in which to flourish as students and young adults.  We want our girls to be happy confident young people equipped fully for life in the modern world.  In all that we do we value the close partnership we have always enjoyed with our parents. This site gives a glimpse of life in St Dominic's.  I hope you will find it interesting and informative.  We are happy to provide any further information you may require.

The Curriculum Committee The Committee is made up of 8 teachers representing the various areas of study (English, Mathematics, Environment & Society, Modern Languages, Science, Creative & Expressive Studies and Careers Education).  It is chaired by a member of the Senior Management Team and meets fortnightly. Its role involves keeping staff up to date with curricular developments, reviewing articles/publications relating to the curriculum and addressing curricular issues.  Each year the Committee focuses on an important aspect of the curriculum and prepares a report for staff at the end of the year. 2006/7 - Continued preparation and staff training for the introduction of the Revised Curriculum and new Entitlement Framework at Key Stages 3 and 4. Additional AVCE qualification 'Travel & Leisure' introduced, pilot offering 'Learning for Life and Work' GCSE qualification (Year 11 pupils), new 'Faith in Action' programme launched for Years 13 and 14. English and History departments involved in the process Self Evaluation Towards Improvement. 2005/6 - Preparation for the introduction of curricular changes, Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 2004/5 - Tackling underachievement at Key Stage 4 2003/4 - Review of Assessment Policy with emphasis on Assessment for Learning 2002/3 - Multiple Intelligences / Accelerated Learning Numeracy Aim The Northen Ireland School Improvement Programme (DENI 1998) identified the need to raise standards in Numeracy. "Literacy and Numeracy are every school's core business" Every pupil will have a learning environment which identifes and provides opportunity across the curriculum which allows them to apply confidently and coherently their Mathematical skills in a variety of contexts be able to communicate mathematically through explaining, predicting and reasoning Learning and teaching takes into account the key role of Numeracy.  The school encourages pupils to take responsibility for their own learning and use their mathematical understanding in a number of contexts to become more numerate.  In Mathematics classes pupils aquire the foundations for Numeracy but it is the responsibility of every teacher that these skills are developed and applied in their own subject area. Mathematics teachers will identify pupils experiencing difficulties in Mathematics and the Numeracy Co-ordinator will infrom subject teachers of individual pupils with difficulties.   Pupils identified are encouraged to attend the Maths Club and/or the Homework Club where teachers are available for consultation. Pupils in Year 10 with special needs will attend after school Mathematics sessions where they are given extra tuition by a selected team of Lower Sixth students.

SUBJECTS

• to provide a religious framework in which it is possible to develop the relationship with Christ made possible by our baptism
• to provide a broad, balanced and coherent curriculum
• to engender a sense of self-worth, a sense of dignity & a tolerence of diversity
• to imbue each student with a sense of commitment to the community, both in school & in the wider world
• to assist students to make moral decisions in a morally complex world & to make informed decisions about the ethical use of modern technology
• to assist students to be happy in themselves