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Dominican College, Portstewart raised £375 from 12 supporters
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Closed 08/03/2019
Weʼve raised £375 to help a Dominican school in Mandalay, Myanmar, which is similar to DCP. It is co-ed and welcomes pupils from many different traditions.
- Funded on Friday, 8th March 2019
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Story
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.
Sincere thanks in advance.
Sr Lucina.
Updates
6
- 6 years ago
Dominican College, Portstewart
6 years agoThank you again for all of your kind donations. Below are some photographs of the pupils you have helped by donating. The pupils are preparing for examinations and have sent back a heartfelt message of gratitude for your kindness. Please continue to donate whatever little you can, it is making a big difference to their lives. DCP is the place to be!
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- 6 years ago
Dominican College, Portstewart
6 years agoShare this update to help us raise more
- 6 years ago
Dominican College, Portstewart
6 years agoShare this update to help us raise more
Dominican College, Portstewart started crowdfunding
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Supporters
12
Chris McCusker
Feb 6, 2019
Really good initiative to support this landmark in our own history.
£100.00
Dr Bob Cummings
Dec 21, 2018
£50.00
Jon T
Nov 29, 2018
Best of luck in this fundraising effort
£15.00
Anonymous
Nov 27, 2018
A great school in Portstewart - lovely to support another great Dominican school in Myanmar
£20.00
Gerardette Mullan
Nov 27, 2018
Congratulations on the Golden Jubilee of co-education at DCP, and a fantastic way to celebrate it by helping other pupils benefit from Dominican education
£50.00
Niall McGahon
Nov 26, 2018
£20.00
Richard Carey
Nov 26, 2018
Great way to mark the 50th anniversary of boys joining Dominican College, Portstewart.
£10.00
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