I have to get the bus home from school.  Do you know where I can get it and how I get there?

Some special school buses come into the school grounds for Poleglass, Twinbrook and the Shaw’s Road.  If you have to get one of these buses your counsellor will give you a pass to allow you out of class 3 minutes early to get to the hockey pitch,where they are parked, on time.  There are bus stops at the top of the driveway and at the top of  St James.  If you are having any problems about buses just ask your Form Teacher.  They will find someone else who has to get the same bus as you so you don’t have to find your way to the bus alone.

If you get sick in school and have to be sent home, a member of staff will contact your home or a member of your family.  If you are injured and require hospital treatment you will be taken to hospital and your parents informed.  A pupil is never allowed home without permission from a member of the family and she must be collected from school by a parent/guardian if she needs to go home because of illness.

Emma Rose Duffy

Will I change classrooms from time to time or just stay in one room during the day?

Yes, you will change rooms.   We change rooms for each subject here, unlike my old school in the Philippines where we stayed in one classroom and the teacher would come to us in that room.

Denilee Vianzon

What will my uniform look like?

It looks beautiful.  It is brown – blazer, skirt, shoes and pullover with yellow contrasting trim.

Denilee Vianzon

Who will responsible for me?

In charge of the Year Group there will be a Head of Year and a Counsellor.  The Head of Year will watch your progress closely ensuring that you are developing your full potential.  The counsellor is available to listen to and advise you.  The counsellor is concerned about the welfare of each pupil in her care and will maintain this concern throughout your life in St Louise’s.

Emma Rose Duffy

Is there anything I can do to help myself at school?

Yes, a great deal.  Try to approach post primary school life with the right attitudes.  The teachers are most anxious that every child is given the best possible means to achieve success and have a happy life.  Therefore, it is important that you take advantage of all the opportunities which will be given to you.

The school is very big, will I not get lost, what do I do if I do get lost and my teachers get very cross?

Your Form Teachers will give you a map and a tour of the school, also your class will get two Sixth Formers to guide you around for the first couple of weeks.  Your Subject Teachers will understand and not get very cross if you get lost in the first week as you don’t know your way about the school.

Marianne Cairns

Will moving be scary?

Moving schools will not be scary but exciting.  Just remember you are not alone.  There are loads of other people your age, thinking all the same things.  Remember to enjoy yourself.  You are not alone and everyone is here for you.

Anne Bowman

Will I remember all my teachers’ names?

Yes I remember all my teachers’ names because after a while the names stay in your head.

Is learning fun?

St Louise’s tries its best to teach all its subjects in a fun and exciting way.  They do this by creating activities for everyone to be involved. The teachers are also there to encourage you and support you.  The school also offers brain friendly learning activities to help improve your learning skills.

Anne Bowman

Is the work harder?

The work is harder but nothing you can’t handle.  For every new piece of work you start the teacher will explain what you have to do.

Mairead Keatings

What will I do if I don’t understand my work?

If you don’t understand your work just raise your hand and ask the teacher.  Don’t be too shy to ask.  The teachers are there to help you and s/he will explain it again or show you what to do.

Donna McCausland

Will the work be challenging?

It was a little hard at first and this is because I’m older and a higher and harder standard is to be expected.

Amy Gregory

Is learning a new language hard?

No it is not hard.  If you are stuck the teacher will help you. You will get a small book where the new words and their meanings are inside.  You can also learn from the key words on the classroom walls or practice with a friend.

Charlene McDonald

In Science do we do any practicals?

Yes you do a lot of practicals.  If you enjoy doing practicals you will enjoy Science.

How often will I get homework?

Homework is set every school night and one night at weekends.  You will be given a homework timetable which details the subjects for homework each day.  At least 11 hours should be spent on homework in your first year.

Will I be able to cope with the homeworks?

I have coped with the homeworks brilliantly.  Even when I finish my homeworks sometimes I have plenty of time to study.  The homework timetable is easy really to manage.

Hannah Currie

Do you know if the homeworks are hard and what days do you get them?

The homeworks are hard depending on the subject, but there is a homework club and there is a teacher to look after you.  There are computers you can use to type up work, and there are also computers for research.  There is a homework diary for you to write down your homeworks in so you don’t forget what they are and the day they are due.  There is also a homework timetable to tell you what days the homeworks are due.

I am good at sport.  What ways in St Louise’s can I improve my talent?

You can improve your sport talent by going to lots of different kinds of sport at lunch time and after school.  For example netball, trampolining and lots, lots more.

Aisling Kearney

I am good at basketball.  Will there be any clubs in St Louise’s which can allow me to reach for my dreams?

Of course, there is an after school club for basketball and it’s brilliant.  Ifyou join you will have the chance to participate in basketball matchesagainst other schools and tournaments which is fun, exciting andinteresting.

Joanne Donnelly

I play the violin; can I carry on playing this instrument in St Louise’s?

Yes.St Louise’s likes to help people improve upon their talents and offers many opportunities for you to play an instrument, for example at special assemblies and masses, and to represent the school at special functions.  You can just talk to your music teacher and (s)he will tell you what you need to do.

Are the teachers going to be strict and insisting on a really high standard?

I think all the teachers have high standards which is good.  They are strict but kind and fair and I think they all do like me.

Can we wear jewellery?

Yes you can but only one single pair of studs and one small ring.