St. Mungo's High School
Encyclopedia
St Mungo's High School is the only Catholic High School in the area of falkirk and is situated in Merchiston Avenue in the town.
The school is split into 6 houses; Andrew (Blue stripes on tie), Columba (Red stripes on tie), Kentigern (Yellow stripes on tie), Margaret (Maroon stripes on tie), Ninian (Light Green stripes on tie) and Ogilvie (Silver stripes on tie). Each of the houses are named after a Scottish saint. Each house has a captain elected from 6th year as well as a vice captain from 6th year and three 6th year prefects (previously there were only 2 sixth year prefects) as well as a 5th year depute captain and a 5th year prefect who represent the views of pupils in each of the six houses.
subjects are studies during 3rd and 4th year with examinations taking place in the May of a pupil's 4th year. Pupils may also study subjects at Intermediate 1 or Intermediate 2 level during this time. Higher
subjects are normally studied during 5th and 6th year with examinations taking place in May of either year. Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 courses are also offered at this stage. In 2007, the first group of pupils from the school (who were in their 3rd year at the time) sat their Mathematics and English examinations a year earlier than had previously been done to allow them to concentrate more on other exams in 4th year and give them an extra year of Higher Study in these two vital subjects. Some 6th year pupils (who have achieved at least an A or B in their Higher examinations) may wish to continue studying a subject at Advanced Higher level where work is set at a similar difficulty level as 1st year university students experience. Teachers take a lesser role in the tuition of these classes and work is the responsibility of the pupil who must research heavily to pass the course.
At St Mungo's pupils can study subjects from a variety of departments:
Physical Education, Art & Design, Music, Media Studies, Sports Leadership
English, French and Spanish
Graphic Communication, Home Economics, Hospitality, Product Design, Practical Craft Skills, Technical Studies, Craft & Design
Mathematics, Business Management, Accounting & Finance, Administration, Computing
Modern Studies, Geography & History
Physics, Chemistry & Biology
The school also has a Learning Support wing where pupils who are struggling with work or are from a foreign country can get support in the classroom or with school work.
There is also a library which pupils can use to aid their studies. Mrs Fiona Devoy is the librarian.
One of the most striking main features of the new School Building is the Oratory, situated at the mathematical centre-point of the school, as to symbolize Catholicism at the School's Heart. It has a large Crucifix-Shaped window with various School/Catholic-related engravings.
The new school features new facilities such as a pool and a much large assembly hall. The new school also has a dance studio which also incorporates a gym. At the rear of the school there is a large Astroturf area which also doubles up as the schools fire evacuation area.
The school was fully completed in June 2010.
School with many Catholic
traits.
Each classroom
contains one simple wooden Cross
.
The school chaplain
is called Father Simon Hughes, who works mainly within St. Francis Xavier's Church, Hope Street, Falkirk
.
The school is split into 6 houses; Andrew (Blue stripes on tie), Columba (Red stripes on tie), Kentigern (Yellow stripes on tie), Margaret (Maroon stripes on tie), Ninian (Light Green stripes on tie) and Ogilvie (Silver stripes on tie). Each of the houses are named after a Scottish saint. Each house has a captain elected from 6th year as well as a vice captain from 6th year and three 6th year prefects (previously there were only 2 sixth year prefects) as well as a 5th year depute captain and a 5th year prefect who represent the views of pupils in each of the six houses.
Uniform
The School has a strict uniform policy which calls for pupils to wear a green blazer with white shirt, black trousers or skirt, house tie and black shoes (no trainers or white shoes are acceptable). This is a widely endorsed and criticized policy.Academic Subjects
St Mungo's offers various subjects and pupils make choices in the latter stages of their second year as to what subjects they will study at a certificate level. Standard GradeStandard Grade
Standard Grades are Scotland's educational qualifications for students aged around 14 to 16 years, which are due to be fully replaced in 2014 when Scottish Qualifications Authority's Higher Still system becomes the main qualifications as part of the major shake up of Scotland's education system as...
subjects are studies during 3rd and 4th year with examinations taking place in the May of a pupil's 4th year. Pupils may also study subjects at Intermediate 1 or Intermediate 2 level during this time. Higher
Higher (Scottish)
In Scotland the Higher is one of the national school-leaving certificate exams and university entrance qualifications of the Scottish Qualifications Certificate offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. It superseded the old Higher Grade on the Scottish Certificate of Education...
subjects are normally studied during 5th and 6th year with examinations taking place in May of either year. Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 courses are also offered at this stage. In 2007, the first group of pupils from the school (who were in their 3rd year at the time) sat their Mathematics and English examinations a year earlier than had previously been done to allow them to concentrate more on other exams in 4th year and give them an extra year of Higher Study in these two vital subjects. Some 6th year pupils (who have achieved at least an A or B in their Higher examinations) may wish to continue studying a subject at Advanced Higher level where work is set at a similar difficulty level as 1st year university students experience. Teachers take a lesser role in the tuition of these classes and work is the responsibility of the pupil who must research heavily to pass the course.
At St Mungo's pupils can study subjects from a variety of departments:
- Aesthetic Studies:
Physical Education, Art & Design, Music, Media Studies, Sports Leadership
- English & Modern Languages:
English, French and Spanish
- Design & Technology:
Graphic Communication, Home Economics, Hospitality, Product Design, Practical Craft Skills, Technical Studies, Craft & Design
- Mathematics & Business Education:
Mathematics, Business Management, Accounting & Finance, Administration, Computing
- Social Subjects:
Modern Studies, Geography & History
- Science:
Physics, Chemistry & Biology
The school also has a Learning Support wing where pupils who are struggling with work or are from a foreign country can get support in the classroom or with school work.
There is also a library which pupils can use to aid their studies. Mrs Fiona Devoy is the librarian.
New School
In June 2009, the new school building was unveiled upon the same site as the previous building's sports fields. The project cost around £30,000,000.One of the most striking main features of the new School Building is the Oratory, situated at the mathematical centre-point of the school, as to symbolize Catholicism at the School's Heart. It has a large Crucifix-Shaped window with various School/Catholic-related engravings.
New School Completion
The new school, pupils began using before the school summer holidays of 2009. The old school, as of February 2010 has been completely demolished and in its place new bus bays and a staff car park have been constructed. These have been fully completed.The new school features new facilities such as a pool and a much large assembly hall. The new school also has a dance studio which also incorporates a gym. At the rear of the school there is a large Astroturf area which also doubles up as the schools fire evacuation area.
The school was fully completed in June 2010.
School Management
- Mr Stephen Phee - Head Teacher
- Miss Patricia Kane - Aesthetic Subjects
- Mr Graeme Miller - Design & Technology
- Mr McWilliams - Languages
- Mr Allan - Business & Mathematics
- Mr J Murphy - Science
- Miss Jan Brophy - Social Subject.
Religion
St. Mungo's is an openly CatholicCatholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
School with many Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
traits.
Each classroom
Classroom
A classroom is a room in which teaching or learning activities can take place. Classrooms are found in educational institutions of all kinds, including public and private schools, corporations, and religious and humanitarian organizations...
contains one simple wooden Cross
Christian cross
The Christian cross, seen as a representation of the instrument of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is the best-known religious symbol of Christianity...
.
The school chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
is called Father Simon Hughes, who works mainly within St. Francis Xavier's Church, Hope Street, Falkirk
Falkirk
Falkirk is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies in the Forth Valley, almost midway between the two most populous cities of Scotland; north-west of Edinburgh and north-east of Glasgow....
.
Criticisms
St Mungo's is a popular school in the Falkirk area although there are a number of criticisms about its modes of operation, religious and uniform "extremism" and its decision-making processes.- A number of pupils and parents do comment on the "uniform extremism" of the school and how strict the uniform policy is and how expensive the uniform is.
- It was stated in the school's latest HMIe report that there is a lack of staff consultation in school decisions.
- It was also stated that Self Evaluation was "fair".
- Many have said that the school has extremely conservative methods and closed ideas.
- In the new school, the school is extremely reluctant to carry out repairs in classes and often stall the process.
- There is an increasing concern about the amount of litter within the school, and in its grounds.