Click on the image below to view pictures from the Junior Celebration.

The STEM bus visited Aquinas on Friday 18th June and showed us how to challenge our minds. Students from year 9 had the chance to experiment with data logging techniques where they measured the effectiveness of deodourants, laser cutting, micro-writing and investigations using a range of microscopes including an electron microscope. This mobile laboratory facility gives young learners a unique insight into the scientific world and the opportunity to develop their talents in an unusual environment.

This was an exciting day for the students as they spent the afternoon with Fellows from the Royal Society who were visiting. Nick von Behr, Education Policy Manager for the Royal Society and Rosalind Mist (SCORE), Science Community Representing Education) Manager. Click on the image below to view photographs from the event.

We are hosting a fundraising activity to help our students involved in the Saphara experience. Click on the image below to find out more about this great event.

Click on the image below to view photographs from Sports Day.

Click to view the Sports Day Records

Dear Parent/Guardian

Our Year 11 students are now approaching the first of their public examination modules in a variety of different subjects.  I want, therefore, to let you know about the practical arrangements for this exam session.

Year 11 pupils are expected to be in class up until the end of June.  This is because in some subjects there will be ongoing controlled assessments and attendance is essential for such assessments.  In addition, teachers will continue to teach the GCSE courses to their Year 11 classes and so pupils need to be present.

During the week 7th June – 11th June, internal tests will be conducted for Years 8 – 10 pupils and as buses will be arriving at 1pm, all Year 11 students will be going home at that time.  The exception to this will be days, during that week, when they are taking GCSE modules e.g. in afternoon sessions when they will make their own way home.

Please note that 31st May is a Staff Day and pupils do not attend.

While Year 11 students will not be taking internal tests in June, you will receive a written report on your son/daughter’s progress at the end of the month.  The term then finishes for all students, Years 9 – 11 on Wednesday 30th June at 12.30pm.

I trust you find this information helpful to you as you support your son/daughter at this time.

Yours sincerely
Mrs G. Gibson
Vice Principal

It is designed to give junior pupils in Northern  Ireland the chance to participate in a high profile event by choosing books which they think deserve recognition as great reads. Following strict criteria, Aquinas, and 21 other  post primary schools set about making nominations. Click on the image below to find out more about our involvement in this and other library based events.

“Three Aquinas students are awarded Special Merit Prizes in the 2010 Texaco Children’s Art Competition”
Congratulation to Claire Brown (Queens University) Claire Le Velly (Ladybirds) and Bryony Watters (Galloping Horse) all three students from year 11 GCSE Art & Design will go to Dublin Castle on Wednesday 26th May to take part in the awards ceremony. Congratulations to all the winners, this work will then go on tour around Ireland and will arrive in Belfast later in the year. click on the images below to view larger.

Aquinas students raised £10,717.75 for Trocaire. The money was presented to Mr David O’Hare. The cheque was presented by two main fundraising prefects Una Lavery and Christina McCloskey.  The best individual class effort came from 8P who raised the impressive amount of £940. Christopher Kelly and Rosi Florence presented Mr O’Hare with a cash donation. Click on the images below to view larger.

Rowing Ireland are coming to Aquinas Grammar School on the 4th May 2010, from 10:30 until 15:30.

HEIGHT REQUIREMENT – 5FT 7 INCHES

We have targeted your school to search for Irelands first Olympic Champion in rowing.

The aim of our Talent Identification program is to find athletes who have the physical potential to succeed at the Olympic Games. Then once selected those individuals selected will be put on an accelerated development path.
Click on the logo below to find out more:

The Aquinas team completed their final group game in the Darren Clarke School Golf League on Monday. Despite losing to the group winners St. Malachy’s, the Aquinas boys put on their best show to date. Jordan Fegan Kennedy managed a half match, while Matthew McCrudden was beaten on the last hole after an extremely close game. Ryan McKee was also involved in a titanic struggle before going down 2 & 1. Mr. Quinn and Mr. McErlean would like to thank all the boys who participated over the four group games. Their behaviour and attitude on the course was first class throughout. Many of our players are eligible next year and we would hope to build on what has been a very promising debut season.

The mathematical magic of Pi Day descended on Aquinas this year on 12th March (two days before International Pi Day and Einstein’s birthday, due to the inconvenience of schools being closed on Sundays).  Without doubt the school’s celebration of our favourite irrational number was enhanced for 2010 by the unveiling of Ms J Connolly’s brand new Pi Day songs and the beautiful singing of The Pi Barber Singers from Year 11, namely Jimmy Donaghy, Tomás Flanigan and Peter Brennan.  Bravo, boys!

Click on the image below to find out more.

Recently, the 12 AS and A2 French students took part in an exchange trip to Lille, with our link school there called Lycée Margerite de Flandres, Gondecourt. This was in association with a project, funded by the Lefèvre Trust, in which the pupils carried out research on the Old Industries of both Belfast and Lille. Click on the image below to find out more.

Click on the link below to view our school’s contribution to the BBC School Report

Last month was a hugely successful one for the school’s basketball teams. 18 pupils travelled to New York and Orlando for ten days where they played 5 games and caught two NBA games. Click on the image below to find out more and view photographs from the trip.

Aquinas students will soon be going on a USA Basketball tour to NYC & Orlando. The team will be leaving on Friday 5 February, returning on Monday 15 February and playing 5 games and going to two NBA games.

On Friday 4th December four students currently studying A2 Level Art and Design at Aquinas were providing the Interval entertainment at the Waterfront Hall on the night which saw the union of the five Education and Library Boards across Northern Ireland through Culture and Creativity. Click on the image below to see photographs and find out more.

Aquinas Senior Gaelic Football team meet fierce rival St Patrick’s Knock in the quarter-final of the O’Doherty cup on the week beginning the 8th February.

Aquinas completed a very competitive McLarnon campaign in which they lost narrowly to La Salle, Belfast, St Louis, Ballymena and St Louis, Kilkeel in the group stages.  Aquinas were well beaten by St Peter’s Lurgan, one of the favourites to win the McLarnon this year, in their last group game.  Aquinas achieved a walk over against Ballyshannon.

Aquinas had played four warm up matches before the campaign drawing with St Patrick’s Knock and St Malachys Belfast and losing to St Patrick’s Downpatrick and Rathmore.

Aquinas have stepped up a level after last year’s senior Brother Nolan success and  the all-Ireland C final against Strokestown, Roscommon.  This has been a tough but rewarding year.  The players have proved they can compete at this level but the results unfortunately did not come.  However, this team has set the bench mark for future years. 

The quarter-final in the O’Doherty cup is intriguing as Knock and Aquinas seem to be at a similar level this year which will add to the excitement of this game.

Aquinas players need to get back to training on Monday 24th January if they are going to be able to compete with Knock.  Training begins at 1.00pm, all players to be in the sportshall changing rooms for 12.30pm.  This has been a difficult time to get to training due to examinations but Mr Evans hopes that there will be a good turn out on Monday.

Aquinas student beats 250 entries to win Belfast City Centre Management “Stealing is Wrong” Poster Competition

Click on the image to find out more.

Seven of our Year 14 students have gained entrance to Oxford and Cambridge colleges for September 2010

3 students will study Medicine.
1 student will study History.
1 student will study English Literature.
1 student will study Mathematics.
1 student will study German and Arabic.

School will reopen tomorrow for all pupils. In the unlikely event that there should be changes to this arragement details will be given on our Website, Radio Ulster, U105, City Beat and Cool Fm on Tuesday 12 January 2010.,

N.B. All external Examinations i.e. AS and A2 Modules will proceed as normal