Loreto College, Coleraine

For other schools of the same name, see Loreto College.

Loreto College Coleraine
Motto "Cruci Dum Spiro Fido" "While I breathe I trust in the cross".
Established 1930
Type Grammar School
Religion Roman Catholic
Headteacher Mr M James
Specialism Science
Location Castlerock Road
Coleraine
County Londonderry
BT51 3JZ
Northern Ireland
Staff 53
Students 820
Gender Co-educational
Ages 11–18
Colours Royal Blue, Yellow
Publication Loreto Lore
Website Loreto College Coleraine

Loreto College 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.

Contents

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 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, association football, hurling, camogie and hockey. 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.

Departments

Art and Design, Careers, Drama, Economics, English and English Literature, Geography, History, Home Economics, Government and Politics, I.C.T., Library, Mathematics, Modern Languages (French, German, Irish and Spanish), Music, P.E., Religious Education, Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and Technology.

Extra-curricular - Sport

Sporting activities include: trampolining club, football, gaelic football, hockey, hurling/camogie, tennis, basketball, Cheerleading 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 and Quizzing. Loreto have reached several national quiz finals in recent years (UK: 2007, 2009; Ireland, 2007-9).

Notable former pupils

External links