Our Lady & St Patrick's High School
Encyclopedia
Our Lady & St Patrick's High School (often abbreviated to OLSP) is a six-year co-educational comprehensive Roman Catholic faith school, situated in the Castlehill
area of Dumbarton, Scotland
. It is the only Catholic school
in the region.
Previously, a local convent
had a large influence in the school as they previously managed the all-girls school Notre Dame, which was incorporated into it. The school colours, green and blue were chosen as they are the colours most commonly associated with the school's namesake religious figures; blue for the Virgin Mary and green for St. Patrick.
, Helensburgh
and beyond.
The school is currently providing educational services for around 1100 pupils and the current Headmaster is Charles Rooney.
The schools mission statement reflects this. "At our school, everyone should be helped towards their fullest spiritual, educational, social, vocational and physical development"
Our Lady and St Patrick's is a major part of the Catholic community for its relatively large catchment area and regularly performs a celebration of mass for events such as local Primary 7 graduation into the school and for Remembrance Day
commemorations.
Castlehill, Dumbarton
Castlehill is an area of the town of Dumbarton in the West Dunbartonshire area of Scotland. Located in the Western part of the town next to the Brucehill area, Castlehill was built as a council run housing scheme...
area of Dumbarton, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is the only Catholic school
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
in the region.
History
The school's origins can be traced back to the closure of two previous Roman Catholic single-sex schools in the area; St. Patrick's (an all-boys school) and Notre Dame (an all-girls school). When the schools closed; the two were merged into a new school building under one name. In order to represent both of the previous schools, the name "Our Lady and St. Patrick's" was chosen.Previously, a local convent
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
had a large influence in the school as they previously managed the all-girls school Notre Dame, which was incorporated into it. The school colours, green and blue were chosen as they are the colours most commonly associated with the school's namesake religious figures; blue for the Virgin Mary and green for St. Patrick.
21st century
Nowadays, the school enjoys a healthy reputation amongst the community as a school of high achievement with some year groups experiencing a regular pass rate of 95% in exams. The school serves the catchment of Dumbarton, Alexandria, BallochBalloch, West Dunbartonshire
Balloch is a small town in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, at the foot of Loch Lomond. The name comes from the Gaelic for "the pass".Balloch is at the north end of the Vale of Leven, straddling the River Leven itself. It connects to the larger town of Alexandria and to the smaller village of...
, Helensburgh
Helensburgh
Helensburgh is a town in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies on the north shore of the Firth of Clyde and the eastern shore of the entrance to the Gareloch....
and beyond.
The school is currently providing educational services for around 1100 pupils and the current Headmaster is Charles Rooney.
Facilities
The school provides a variety of facilities which have a relevance to the curriculum taught within the subjects offered; such as a library, separate dining and assembly halls, a swimming pool and a fitness suite.Philosophy
Like all Catholic schools in Scotland, Our Lady and St. Patrick's conforms with the "Charter for Catholic Schools in Scotland", a set of guidelines set down by the Scottish Government and the Catholic Church in Scotland.The schools mission statement reflects this. "At our school, everyone should be helped towards their fullest spiritual, educational, social, vocational and physical development"
Our Lady and St Patrick's is a major part of the Catholic community for its relatively large catchment area and regularly performs a celebration of mass for events such as local Primary 7 graduation into the school and for Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
commemorations.
Notable former pupils
- Morgan McMichaelsMorgan McMichaelsMorgan McMichaels is the female persona of drag performer Thomas White. A local fixture in Southern California's drag circuit, White became a reality television personality, when he joined the cast of the second season of the popular cable television reality competition, RuPaul's Drag Race.-Early...
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, season two. - Ryan ConroyRyan ConroyRyan Conroy is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a left winger for Dundee. He can also play as a left back.-Celtic:Conroy consistently impressed throughout his time with the Celtic youth system...
, professional footballerFootball (soccer)Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
currently playing for CelticCeltic F.C.Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
in the Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
. - Zander Diamond, professional footballerFootball (soccer)Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
currently playing for Oldham AthleticOldham Athletic A.F.C.Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
in the English Football League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
. - Jim O'Brien, professional footballer currently contracted to MotherwellMotherwell F.C.Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
in the Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
. - Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh (attended St. Patrick's High School prior to merging)