In September 1968 Dominican College became co-educational, an enormous change for a small day and boarding school for girls. It was a rocky start, as those who were here at the time and in the succeeding years could tell you. A favourite debating subject, “ This house is on the rocks” was all too symbolic. It was difficult for all concerned – a huge change for those already here, a challenge to attract boys to what had been a girls' school for 51 years, and of course a financial challenge to provide at least the basics of suitable extra accommodation in days when our finances were precarious, to say the least.

The transition took time and patience, as well as commitment and faith in what we were doing. Happily DCP, and its students, male and female, thrived, and became a very special part of Dominican educational provision.

To celebrate this Golden Jubilee is important, but after a year of celebrating the centenary of the school something different is demanded. One very appropriate idea emerged – could we form a link with a co-ed Dominican school in a very different part of the world, who could benefit from our annual fundraising, as we and our present pupils could mutually benefit from broadening our horizons through our contact with them and another country and culture?

Through the mother house of the Dominican Order in Rome, we are now in touch with a small school in Mandalay, Myanmar, which may be young in years, but has so much in common with DCP. It is small now , as we were back then and, like us, it is co-ed, welcoming pupils from different traditions, Catholic and Buddhist. It is struggling, as we did for so long.

The official name of the school is Dominican, St Martin de Porres’ Boarding School, founded in 2014. At present there are 103 students, in four levels, 44 boys and 59 girls, approximately half Buddhist and half Catholic. The pupils are 14+ years old. These pupils go to government schools during the day, and to Dominican at night, where 10 teachers help to prepare them for university and other higher education. The final grade, which is essential for university admission, is very difficult to attain. While we expected hard work from our students in DCP, we did not have to go to school in the evenings as well!

Pupils in this school in Myanmar pay what they can towards their education, but the needs are great, and more students could come if the accommodation expanded. Also, sponsorship of students would be a tremendous help, as there is real poverty within the whole community.

Dominican College were delighted to announce the Dominican school in Myanmar as one of this year’s school charities along with the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and the SVP. Acknowledging those in need and reaching out in support continues to be a vital part of our Dominican ethos.

As a Golden Jubilee suggestion: could we suggest that DCP past pupils make a one-off contribution, however small, towards our sister-school, and thus make our jubilee memorable for so many young people who also would benefit so much from Dominican education?

Please send what you can to Dominican College, Portstewart in support of Dominican Mandalay.

Every contribution will be acknowledged, and we will keep you up to date through the website and social media.

Watch this space for other Golden Jubilee information!!

Sincere thanks in advance.

Sr Lucina.

Our new Year 8 pupils encouraged to spread their wings as they begin their Dominican journey.

“Until you spread your wings you’ll never know how far you can fly”. This was the theme chosen for our Year 8 Mass this week to celebrate the beginning of their Dominican journey.

Our newest pupils gathered with their families on Tuesday September 25th for a special ceremony organised by Ms Rainey and the RE department and celebrated by our school chaplain, Fr Raymond McCullagh.

As they prepared for the service, each of the Year 8 pupils had designed a butterfly to represent their own unique personality and the theme of the mass was about overcoming challenges and achieving your potential.

FR Raymond, in a powerful homily, spoke of the importance of travelling together as a team. He drew parallels with wild geese flying in a V formation where all the individuals benefit from the uplift. He spoke about how, when the lead geese tire, they are replaced by new leaders who are replaced in their turn to maintain the group momentum.

He spoke of the pastoral care of the flock where two geese will protect an injured partner by escorting it to the ground safely. He assured the year 8 pupils that this school would protect, nurture and develop them as learners and urged them to enjoy the journey ahead in the company of friends.

The post – communion reflection drew on the story of a man who stunted the growth of a butterfly by forcing it from its cocoon prematurely thus preventing it from achieving its true potential.

Ms Ronan concluded Tuesday’s mass by thanking the staff and particularly the pupils who had made the evening so special. She thanked parents for the wonderful gift of entrusting us as a school with the precious gift of nurturing and developing their children and helping them discover their wings. She praised the pupils for the wonderful start they had made to their Dominican education and assured them that it would be “merely the blink of an eye” before we gathered again in May 2024 to watch these young people take their first flight away from DCP itself.

Well done to our Year 8 pupils and thank you to our Year 8 parents and families.

Dominican College are delighted to support a Dominican School in Myanmar as one of its designated charities this year.