Staff

Dr M Gormley (Head of Key Stage 3)

Head of Year 8 - Mrs E Mc Caffrey

Form Tutor 8A - Ms J O'Kane
Form Tutor 8B - Mr A Quinn
Form Tutor 8C - Ms B Gallagher
Form Tutor 8D - Mrs D Carlisle
Form Tutor 8E - Ms L Diffley

Year 8

The well-being and personal development of each individual is at the core of the Pastoral Programme. In Year 8, the aims of the Pastoral Programme are:

• To support the school in its creation of a caring and disciplined environment providing pastoral care for all students in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
• To foster self-esteem by instilling in students a sense of achievement for non-academic and academic accomplishments both within and outside school.
• To help students develop initiative, independence and critical thinking in matters of faith and morals and so live out their faith through participation in their school, parish and home communities.
• To develop links with parents.
• To provide students with the tools to become responsible members of society.
• To provide an environment in which students may experience and develop the Catholic faith.
• To encourage understanding of and respect for faiths, traditions and cultures 

Pastoral Programme

The Pastoral Programme at Key Stage 3 aims to develop the whole student academically, personally and spiritually. It seeks to build relationships between home, school and parishes and permeates every aspect of school life. The well-being and personal development of each individual is at the core of the Year 8 Pastoral Programme. Form tutors deliver the Programme during one allocated Pastoral lesson each week during which students complete their individual Pastoral Booklets. Students also have the opportunity to lead Assembly throughout the year and participate in many charity events. External agencies such as Divert and PSNI also facilitate workshops throughout the year on themes such as Internet Safety, Alcohol/Drugs Awareness and students also receive information about Safety and Managing Risk when walking home by DOE. Some of the themes studied in the Year 8 Pastoral Programme include Managing Change - the transition from Primary School to Lumen Christi College, Feelings & Emotions: Friendship & Bullying, Healthy Eating - Smoothie Making with Yr 13 Class Counsellors, Relationship and Sex Education, as well as Learning to Learn presentation on Study Skills by Class Counsellors. 
The Merit System begins in year 8 and runs throughout Key Stage 3. The purpose of the Merit System is to recognise the good work of our Key Stage 3 pupils and reward them for their efforts. The Merit System awards both individual and whole class achievement. A pupil can achieve up to 5 merits per week (one per day). Students will be awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificates when they achieve specific targets. Bronze Merit Certificates are presented by Form Tutors, Silver Merit Certificates are presented at Assembly while Gold Merit Certificates are awarded at Junior Prize-giving. A number of pupils with the highest number of merits will be awarded a prize at the end of the college year. The Merit System recognizes and fosters group achievement by awarding prizes annually to the class group with the highest cumulative total of merits in each year group.

Curricular Provision/Subjects Available

The Key Stage 3 Curriculum has been organised to provide a balanced and broad experience for each pupil. All students in Yr 8 study the following subjects: Art & Design, Citizenship / Employability, English, French / Spanish / Irish* (*students study two Modern Languages), Geography, History, Information Communications Technology, Mathematics, Music, Pastoral Education, Physical Education, Religious Education, Science and Technology. Yr 8 Pupils are also provided with one library period per week, to foster a love of reading in our pupils.

Extra Curricular

Within the Extra Curricular programme there multiple activities which cater specifically for Yr 8 pupils so they have a chance to fully participate in sports such as Yr 8 Football, Yr 8 Netball as well as many other clubs which are provided, encouraging Yr 8 pupils to integrate and get to know pupils throughout all years of the college such as the Folk Group. Fun activities for Yr 8 pupils are organised by Class Counsellors throughout the year consisting of Fancy Dress at Halloween and a Yr 8 Quiz. Yr 8 pupils are particularly gifted at competing in the Credit Union Quiz which we do every year often successfully. A healthy level of competition is encouraged during the Year 8 Class Leagues in Netball and Soccer and the Cross Country competition for all Yr 8 pupils also. Outside the confines of the timetable, Yr 8 are particularly well provided for, in order to foster a sense of both team and school spirit.