Physics Staff
Mrs. W. Chambers, B. Sc., P.G.C.E., Dip. I.T. (Head of Physics)
Mrs. P.L.M. Johnston, B. Sc., P.G.C.E.
Miss D. McCombe, B. Sc., P.G.C.E
Facilities
Physics is taught in seven recently designed and purpose built
laboratories. Each Laboratory is equipped with a data projector
and PC. There are also 12 laptops that can be used in the
Physics laboratories, along with a range of sensors.
Studying Physics
Physics represents a
way of organising knowledge that contributes significantly to
the cultural and intellectual development of society.
Physics and the
related disciplines of engineering and technology, also
contribute powerfully to the generation of wealth in society.
It is therefore important that schools provide access to basic
scientific and technological ideas if young people are to
develop an awareness of the inter–relationships between society
and Physics.
In addition Physics
provides a means whereby an individual can:
- organise his or
her own concepts and attitudes
- communicate with
others
- develop a sense of
logic and a curious mind
- classify
experience
- develop
manipulative and practical skills
Physics is taught in
the following domains:
1 Physics as an intellectual discipline. The pursuit of
scientific knowledge as an end in itself which leads to an
understanding of the essential principles and processes of
Physics and allied disciplines.
2 Physics as a cultural activity. The more generalised
pursuit of scientific knowledge and culture takes account of the
history, philosophy and social implications of scientific
activities and therefore leads to an understanding of the
contribution Physics and Technology make to society and the
world of ideas.
3 Physics and its applications. The development of an
appreciation and understanding of the ways in which Physics and
Technology contribute to the world, citizenship, leisure and
survival. These would include an understanding of the way
scientific and technological ideas are used to create economic
surplus, facilitate participation in democratic decision making
and enrich and sustain a wide variety of leisure activities and
pursuits.
Physics at KS3
Science is taught
in an integrated fashion in Forms 1 and 2 when pupils have 5 *
35 minute periods of Science each week. At present resource
booklets created by the RSD Science Department are followed.
These fully support the revised Northern Ireland curriculum,
with units of work being taught in 2 - 3 week blocks.
In 3rd Form pupils
have 2 * 35 minute periods of Physics each week, 2 of Biology
and 2 Chemistry.
Physics at GCSE
In Form 4 and 5
pupils study Physics under the umbrella of Double Award Science
or as an independent GCSE. Pupils are given many opportunities
to reinforce practical skills through experimental activities
and improve communication skills through discussion and
presentations work.
Currently the CCEA
specification is followed covering the topics specified by this
examining board.
http://www.ccea.org.uk/
Physics at A-Level
In sixth year the students are able to develop their learning of
this subject with an in-depth study of body Forces, Electricity,
Waves, Photons and Medical Physics at AS level. A2 studies
continue with a study of Energy, Oscillations, Fields,
Electromagnetism, Nuclear Physics and Particle Physics. This is
all enhanced with the practical’s carried out during the year
which not only support the development of knowledge but prepare
pupils for a practical examination.
Currently the CCEA
specification is followed covering the topics specified by this
examining board.
http://www.ccea.org.uk/
What pupils do with A - Level Physics
| Physics |
Maths/Physics |
Mechanical Engineering |
Mark Chapman (1997)
Jill Murphy (2000)
Darryl Wright (2006)
Evanna Hunter (2007)
Paul Reaney (2007)
Colin Forbes (2008)
Alastair McFarland (2008) |
Pamela Hayes (1997)
Glenn Hawe (2000)
Claudia McClung (2008)
Andrea Devlin (2009) |
Malcolm Spence (1996)
Kris Meeke (1997)
Wayne Whiteside (1997)
Niall Jackson (1998)
Trevor Davidson (2000)
John Robinson (2003)
Ashley Donaldson (2003)
Jeffrey Wong (2003)
Mark Kelly (2003)
Lawrence Ko (2006)
Bennet Kwan (2006)
James Dilworth (2009)
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| Aeronautical Engineering |
Electrical Engineering |
Electrical &
Software Engineering |
Jonathon Eddie (1997)
Calvin Cheung (1997)
Patrick Harkness (1999)
James Craig (2005)
Mark Williamson (2007)
Peter Ng (2009) |
Barry Magee (1997)
Stuart Mullan (1997)
Ryan Graham (2006) |
David Bell (1996)
Glenn Davidson (1998)
Geoffrey Cummings (1998)
Timothy Farrell (2002)
Richard Fletcher (2006)
David Irwin (2006)
Graeme McLean (2006)
Connor Beckett (2008)
Joshua Cuddy (2009)
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| Optometry |
Radiography |
Dentistry |
Christine Hazleton (1998)
Elaine Davidson (1999)
Janet McCreedy (1999)
Kathryn Watson (1999)
DeniseMcAllister (2000)
Jennifer McQueen (2002)
Simon Hobson (2005)
Susanna Ross (2006)
John McQueen (2009) |
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Jamie Turkington (1997)
Julie Cranston (1999)
Diane Holland (2003)
Mark Gallagher (2004)
Emma Joy Watson (2005)
Laura Bingham (2005) |
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Tanya Gates (1998)
David Buchanan (1999)
Gemma Dalzell (1999)
Christopher Williamson (1999)
Victoria Weir (2002)
Elaine Harpur (2002)
Judith Willaimson (2003)
Lisa Patton (2005)
Sarah Henderson (2005)
Ruth Simpson (2005)
Helen Hamilton (2007)
Conor Willis (2007) |
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| Civil Engineering |
Chemical Engineering |
|
Nathan Gallagher (2008)
Ashley Moffett-Crooks (2008)
Daryll Marshall (2009)
Vicky Ferguson (2009) |
Stacey Irwin (2008)
Ivan Chan (2009) |
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Physics Achievements
A number of pupils from RSD have gained significant achievements in Physics.
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June 2009
2nd in Northern Ireland
A-level Physics
Matthew Irvine |
June 2007
Joint 2nd in Northern Ireland
GCSE Physics
Grace Stafford |
June 2007
Joint 2nd in Northern Ireland
GCSE Physics
James Dilworth |
June 2007
2nd in Northern Ireland
Double Award Science
John Dilworth |
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June 2006
1st in Northern Ireland
A-level Physics
Colin Maguire
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