Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School

Coordinates: 54°10′19″N 6°19′55″W / 54.172°N 6.332°W / 54.172; -6.332

The Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School
Native name Scoil na Mainstreach
Motto Congregatio - Fractrum - Christianorum
Closed July-August
Location Newry
County Down
BT34 1QN
Northern Ireland
Students 875125
Gender Male
Ages 11–18
Houses Breffni, Donard, Iveagh, Oriel, Slemish

The Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School is a voluntary day school for boys aged 11 – 18 years in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. A new £18 million site opened on the outskirts of Newry in 2010, moving the school from Courtenay Hill where it had been based since 1966. The school gives its name to many streets surrounding the former site such as Abbey Yard and Abbey Heights. During its history, the school had been located at several sites around Newry, including Chapel Street, Kilmorey Street, the Carstands at Margaret Street and the Mall, then on to Abbey Yard and Courtenay Hill.[1]

School Year

The school year commences with individual year admissions and registrations during the last week in August. Details of first term, second term, mid-term, Christmas and Easter holidays are forwarded to all parents in an Annual Parents' Booklet.

School Uniform

The school uniform consists of a black blazer, black trousers and school tie. White shirts are worn by all students, a grey v-necked jumper is optional. Students above Year 12 wear a black sweatshirt in place of the blazer and jumper.

Curriculum

The curriculum in the Abbey is based on the UK National Curriculum. The school academia is divided into three sections: Key Stage 3 is followed in junior school where pupils are unstreamed and follow a curriculum which includes Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, French, Spanish, Irish, Art, Music, Information Technology, Technology & Design, Physical Education, Drama, Learning for Life and Work (LLW) and Banter. Pupils are expected to take a variety of these subjects.

During Key Stage 3, pupils follow the prescribed Northern Ireland Common Curriculum. All Year 12 pupils sit GCSE examinations while some Year 11 pupils complete GCSE courses in a single year. The range of subjects on offer at this level enables all students to keep their career options open until they embark upon advanced level courses. Choices include all subjects at Key Stage 3 with the attraction of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physical Education, English Literature, Construction, Financial Services, Business Studies, Information Systems and Additional Mathematics. At A-Level all the boys who have performed well in the GCSE examination, or those who have received a minimum of 7 passes with at least 3 at grade B level, are invited to do GCE (previously known as A-Level) in the three or four subjects of their choice. As at GCSE, there is an extensive range of subjects offered, including all those at Key Stages 3 and 4 with the addition of Politics, Further Mathematics, Theatre Studies, Construction, Applied ICT, Psychology and Sociology.

Students sit Oxford and Cambridge (Oxbridge) entrance examinations annually. The examination boards used by the school at the moment include A.Q.A., C.C.E.A., Edexcel and O.C.R. All senior students take part in an extensive personal development programme called Social Spirituality. This programme includes modules in Human Rights, Interview Skills, Information Technology Application, Health and Fitness, Cookery, Financial Management, and Spiritual Reflection.

Students also participate in lower 6th in a programme of extension courses (VEP) with Newry Institute.

Sports

Gaelic Football

The school's team has produced many outstanding Gaelic footballers over the years. Many players on the Down and Armagh panels that won All-Ireland Senior Football Championships in 1960, 1961, 1968, 1991 and 1994 and 2002 respectively came from the school. The School has won Ulster Schools' premier competition, the MacRory Cup, on five occasions; 1954, 1959, 1964, 1987 and in 2006 when they also won the All-Ireland series and brought the Hogan Cup to Courtenay Hill for the first time.

Notable former pupils

References

  1. ↑ Boyle, Fabian. "Three Cheers For "The Good Old Abbey Boys"". Newry Memories. Retrieved 7 May 2014.

External links

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