Beyond the Classroom

Beyond classroom basketball Boys playing chess Beyond classroom spin class Subjects astronomy

Sports

St Patrick’s Academy offers a wide variety of extra-curricular sporting activities, which pupils may avail of for competitive or health/ recreational reasons.

Activities are fully-supervised and coached by members of the teaching staff, and operate from 3.30pm – 5.00pm on designated weekdays.

Local and national competitions are entered in all sporting activities, which are open to both male and female pupils within any year in the school. Age categories in competitions tend to allow for a separate Year 8 team in most activities.

Gaelic Sports
The Academy prides itself on a well-earned reputation in sport. Our sporting pedigree is something we value and celebrate as a school community, and we have a number of experienced and dedicated teachers within our staff that coach and manage teams in a wide variety of sports. In addition, we have a full-time Gaelic coach who will assist and challenge players to achieve their full potential across all our traditional games. We are committed to providing the best sporting opportunities for all our pupils.

Ladies Gaelic Football
Training commences in early September until Halloween mid-term and resumes in the summer term

Camogie
Our Camogie teams have a proud record in Ulster competitions at all age groups.

Boys Gaelic Football
As the boys move through each year, they are entered into a variety of competitions, including:

Year 8: The Martin O’Farrell Blitz,
Year 9: D’alton Cup & Brother Ennis Cup
Year 10: Corn na nÓg & Gerry Brown Cup
Year 11: Oisin McGrath Cup
Year 12: Rannafast Cup
Year 13 & 14: MacRory Cup

Hurling
Hurling is also a prominent sport in our school life. Teams play at Ulster Colleges level.

Basketball & Netball
One of the most popular sports in the Academy, basketball, is offered to boys and girls in all

year groups. We have had notable success at provincial and All Ireland level over recent years, 

Athletics
If you are interested in athletics, our recently formed club has gone from strength to strength with increasing numbers of participants and growing success. The club consists of students from Year 8 to Year 12, with boys and girls competing at Local, District and Ulster level. 

Soccer
Our Year 8, 9 and 10 pupils compete in a number of soccer competitions including the Mid-Ulster Leagues for schools, the Mid-Ulster Cup and the Northern Ireland Cup. Once our students reach Year 13 and 14, they also have the opportunity to play in the highly prestigious senior Northern Ireland Cup.

Golf
Our senior and junior golf teams take part in Ulster Golf competitions, testing themselves against the best local golfers in the Irish Schools’ Matchplay championship, Ulster Junior Championship and Ulster Scratch Championship.


Sports Facilities

The sports facilities within the school include:

  • Two fully-equipped gymnasiums
  • One dance studio
  • One fitness suite
  • One astro-turf pitch
  • One all-weather pitch
  • Three grass pitches
  • Four Tennis Courts


Clubs & Societies

Our extracurricular programme is designed to prepare our pupils for employment, active citizenship and leadership:

Astronomy Club
Chess/ Games Club
Choir
Coding Club
Creative Writing Club
Debating/Public Speaking/ Mock Trial
Lego Robotics Group (Mega)
Liturgy Group
Mandarin
Orchestra
Pioneer Club
Quiz Teams
Sentinus R & D Engineering
Sports Clubs (See Previous Section)
St Vincent De Paul Society
Traditional Group
Uk Maths Challenge
Young Enterprise


Student Council

The Student Council acts as a channel of communication between the students of the school and SMT. The Council is made up of elected representatives from Years 8-14, who meet on a monthly basis. The Student Council aims:

  • To give student representatives the opportunity to discuss issues which concern them;
  • To make a valuable and meaningful contribution to decision-making;
  • To act as a channel of communication between SMT and the student body;
  • To develop ideas and suggestions designed to enhance the quality of life for everyone in the school.

The council represents the student voice and is instrumental in bringing the views of the whole student body to the forefront of school life.


Music

The value of music in the Academy lies in its contribution to the enjoyment and enrichment of our pupils’ lives. The high-quality music education we offer enables lifelong participation and enjoyment of music, as well as providing the foundations for those who choose to pursue a career in music. With a choice of instrumental and vocal ensembles, St Patrick’s Academy offers students a range of opportunities to develop their talents.

The school orchestra, string ensemble, Irish traditional groups and senior and junior choirs foster the musical talents of our pupils and provide entertainment at various school functions. Their talents are also appreciated by the wider community, as we participate in Carol Services, Spring Concerts, and many other events and competitions.

The Music Computer Suite provides students with opportunities to be creative and expressive and experience the professional world of music technology with access to iMacs. In preparation for their exam performances, our music students take part in evening recitals and are encouraged to take every opportunity to develop their talents to the full.


Drama

All Year 8 pupils take a drama module. The focus of lessons is on developing physical and vocal skills, working in pairs and groups. Techniques such as improvisation, mime, role-play, hot-seating and freeze-frames are practised; participation and enjoyment of drama is very much the aim in Year 8. Classes take place in the Drama Suite which is fully equipped with blackout curtains, tiered seating, Green Room, lighting and sound.