Extracurricular Provision
Participation in extracurricular activities is actively encouraged in Mount Lourdes. It helps develop positive relationships between students, staff and parents as well as forge links with the wider community and other schools. The varied, challenging range of activities helps students develop confidence and a positive self-image, increases their ability to manage stress and improves social skills. Availability of these clubs and activities may differ year on year, due to level of demand and curricular arrangements/priorities. Some of these activities are offered at lunch time while others are available after school.
Sports
A wide range of sports are accessible in or through Mount Lourdes. Our aim is to give students as much opportunity as possible to develop their talents. Examples are given below:
• Badminton
• Cross-Country
• Gaelic Football
• Netball
• Queens’s University Future Stars GAA
• Ulster School Swimming
• Rugby
• Sports Hall Athletics
• Track and Field
Clubs/Societies
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An Cumann Gaelach
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Biology Bake-off
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Catalyst – Generation Innovation KS5
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Craft
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Chemistry Olympiad UK
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Current Affairs (Junior and Senior)
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Dance
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Digital DNA Futures Competition
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Drama
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ECO Club
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Future Chef Competition
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Geography Environmental Photo Competition KS3
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History Club
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Homework Club
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Learn Spark – Study Skills Development KS4
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Mount Lourdes Fun Day KS3 and KS4
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PSNI Schools Liaison Events KS3-KS5
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Public Speaking and Debating
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Queen’s IT Subject Ambassadors Programme
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Rotary Club Leadership Development Competition
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Science/Gardening Clubs
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Senior Prefect Training – Share Discovery Village / Royal Navy
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SistersIN Leadership Programme
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Soroptimist Public Speaking
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St Patrick’s Day Parade
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Young Reporter Competition
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University Roadshow
Educational Visits
A wide range of educational visits take place from year to year in Mount Lourdes. Our school curriculum is directly supported by many of these trips while others have a more pastoral, social dimension. Some examples of very recent school visits are listed below. Many of these trips are annual while others, occasional.
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Ardhowen Theatre KS3
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Croke Park, Dublin
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Giant’s Causeway Trip KS3
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International Trip to Spain/Germany/Italy – Year 10
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Leinster House / The Oireachtas, Dublin – KS5 Politics
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Mullaghmore, Co Sligo
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Museum of Free Derry
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National Cemetery at Glasnevin, Dublin
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Opera House Belfast, Pantomime – Year 8
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River Sillees, Fermanagh
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Seamus Heaney HomePlace
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Strasbourg, France – KS5 French
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Titanic Quarter
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Various NI destinations for athletics, netball, rugby and Gaelic Football
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Washington DC – KS4/5 History
Faith
At the heart of school life in Mount Lourdes is our Catholic ethos and Mercy tradition which permeate all that we do. Some of the main events which support our Catholic ethos are listed below:
• Annual School Mass
• Annual Mass for the bereaved
• Ash Wednesday Ashes Service
• Christmas Carol Service
• Eucharistic Minister Training
• Leavers Mass Yr 14
• Weekly School Mass
• Weekly Year Group Assembly
Student Council
The Student Council in Mount Lourdes is an important aspect of student voice. A full Student Council Election occurs every two years with candidates from Year 8s through to Year 13 standing for election. The successful candidates are democratically elected by their peers, two from each year group. The Year 14 Head Girl and Deputy Head Girls automatically serve on the council. Approximately five official Student Council meetings occur annually, chaired by the Principal Mrs Cullen with many further action-based informal meetings. Students bring forward wide-ranging issues for consideration by the councillors and the school’s Senior Leadership Team. Not only is the Student Council used to aid school improvement. A key function is also the further development of leadership skills and personal qualities in our student councillors.
In recent years our Student Council has played a direct role in school improvement. Examples of progress made include the complete redesign of the school’s PE kit, updated software and menu choices in the canteen, school recycling improvements, school trip provision, provision of new school facilities eg, seating areas and mental health benches. The council also acts as a consultation body to inform learning and teaching as well as school spending of charitable funds.
Please see our most recent Student Council Bulletin below.
Enrichment and REAL Programme
The Key Stage 5 curriculum is supplemented by a range of enjoyable enrichment activities. These activities offer students the chance to take a break from the pressures of academic work and promote opportunities for students to build supportive relationships with peers and teachers.
• Design Technology Project
• Environment
• Fitness Suite
• REAL Programme
• Trampoline
• Vision Boards
• Wellbeing / Heartstart Fitness
• Zumba
