St. Peter's College, Dunboyne
| St. Peter's College | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
|
Dunboyne, County Meath Ireland | |
| Information | |
| School type | Secondary school |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Principal | Maureen Murray |
| Staff | 189 |
| Secondary years taught | First through Sixth |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Age range | 12-19 |
| Number of students | 1102 |
| Website | http://portal.meathvec.ie/schools/peters/Pages/Default.aspx |
St. Peter's College, Dunboyne is an Irish secondary school located in Dunboyne, County Meath. The current principal is Maureen Murray who was preceded by Eamonn Gaffney.
History
The process of providing a school for Dunboyne began in earnest in September 1992 when the Parent Teacher Association of Dunboyne National School called a public meeting to ascertain the need for post primary education in the area. The early months were not without controversy, particularly in relation to the proposed management structures and trustees of the school. However the subsequent agreement reached between Co. Meath Vocational Education Committee (VEC) and the Bishop of Meath resulted in the school being built. Since then, the VEC has been abolished and was replaced by Louth and Meath Education and Training Board. St. Peter’s College opened in September 1994 with an enrolment of 75 first-year students. Today, the student population stands at 1102.
In 2013, Eamonn Gaffney retired from role as principal and was replaced by Maureen Murray, one of the former Deputy Principals. Paul O'Leary filled the roll of Deputy Principal before retiring in 2016. The Deputy Principals are now Deirdre Maye and Liam Greene.
The school features up-to-date facilities, with a new extension completed in September 2009. Plans have been drawn up to add a further 15 rooms to the school.
The school crest replicates a simple Celtic design, representing the concepts of hope (Dóchas), heritage (Dúchas) and diligence (Díocas).
Extra-Curricular activities
St. Peter’s College provides a wide range of extra-curricular activities for the students of the college.
Music
- The school choir has performed at many venues across Leinster.
- The school orchestra has also performed in a variety of venues including The National Concert Hall in Dublin.
- A musical is performed every March. Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Into the Woods, All Shook Up, and Rent are examples of some of the musicals that have been performed.
Sport
- The school has competed in many sports, including athletics, hurling and equestrian events. Many athletes from the school have represented their country from running and soccer to Tae-Kwon-Do.
School Tours
- Currently, the school has three separate foreign tours for students. In First Year, students travel to Paris, France, Transition Year students travel to Italy, and in Fifth Year, students travel to Beijing, China.
School Life
Each day at 08:45, there is an assembly held in the local community centre where roll call is taken and announcements are made. It is usually made by Ms Murray. After, the students head to their first class at 8:55.
Subjects
Junior Certificate
The subjects taught in St. Peter's College at Junior Certificate level and the number of times a week they are taught.
- English (5)
- Maths (5)
- Irish (5)
- One Foreign language out of French, German or Spanish (4)
- Two optional subjects: Material Technology Wood, Metalwork, Technical Graphics, Art, Music, Home Economics and Business (4 each)
- Science (4)
- Geography (3)
- History (3)
- Religion (3)
- SPHE (1)
- CSPE (1)
- PE (1 double class)
Leaving Certificate
The subjects taught in St. Peter's College at Leaving Certificate Level and the number of times each week they are taught.
- English (6)
- Maths (6)
- Irish (6)
- Three non-examined subjects
- Religion (2)
- PE or Life Skills (1 double class)
- Career Guidance (1)
- Pastoral care (1)
- 4 optional subjects (5)
- Accounting
- Agricultural Science
- Art
- Biology
- Business
- Chemistry
- Construction Studies
- Digital Communication and Graphics
- Economics
- Engineering
- Geography
- History
- Home Economics
- Music
- Physics
- Religion (Not available in 2016 due to lack of choice)
- A language (Spanish, French, German) Students are often automatically sorted into a subject in an effort to encourage them to take up a language as it is necessary for most universities in Ireland. Students are able to change this within the first two weeks of the school year.
- Applied Maths (an extra subject taught from 16:00 to 17:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays)
Student Awards
At the end of each academic year, the school's Awards Ceremony takes place. At the ceremony, many awards are given to students in recognition of achievements, both academic and otherwise.
The following are the major awards:
- The Carl Crowe Cultural Award
- Awarded to a student in recognition for contribution to cultural, creative and performing arts in school and the wider community.
- The Chaplain's Award
- Awarded for displaying a true Christian ethos and a caring commitment to the school community
- Mr. Noel Dempsey TD Science & Maths Award
- This award is presented to a student who has shown outstanding achievement, effort and commitment to the study of Maths and Science
- The Gerry Donnelly Leaving Certificate Applied Award
- Awarded to a student who has developed and demonstrated learning skills and a commitment to the school community and to lifelong learning.
- The Eamonn Gaffney Caomhnoir Award
- Given to a student who has contributed to the whole school life of St.Peter's College through their leadership in Music and Culture, Environment, Games and Social Awareness.
- The Peter Mooney Trophy
- Awarded to a Junior Cert. student who shows outstanding achievement, effort and commitment both to their students and all other aspects of school life. This student would be viewed as a role model by students and an outstanding ambassador for the school.
- The Sean Boylan Trophy
- Awarded to the outstanding sports person of the year, reflecting not only talent and ability but also commitment and dedication to their team and school and exemplary behaviour on and off the field of play.
- The Dr. Michael Smith Academic Award
- Awarded for academic ability and excellence. The successful candidate would have demonstrated the ability to use initiative, set ambitious targets and in co-operation with their teachers achieve the highest possible standards in their studies.
- An Bradán Feasa - The John Bruton Award (Student of the Year)
- Awarded in recognition of overall contribution to class in areas of classwork, homework and study. For participation in all aspects of school life. For having a positive attitude and influence on fellow students and being an excellent ambassador for the school.
- The Principals Awards
- For final-year students, recognising exceptional individual talent and achievement.
Achievements
The students of St. Peter's College have achieved greatly over the years.
- YSI
- In May 2009, 13 students from St. Peter's College were the overall winners of the Young Social Innovators of the Year. In a collaborative project with Coláiste Bhride, Carnew, students from both school published a book entitled "Twenty Fifteen". This book was a collection of poems, stories and artwork relating to poverty and the Millennium Development Project. Students from both schools also took part in a poverty week for the project. For a week, they could only have 3 basic meals a day, they were not allowed any electronics and they had to have lights out at 9. They compiled a resource on poverty week which was distributed to schools around the country.
Notable Past Pupils
- Darren Sutherland - Former Middleweight Boxer, Olympic Bronze Medallist
- Niall Quinn - Racing Driver
- Sinéad Noonan - Miss Ireland 2008