RSD in the Community

RSD is a school with a lot of heart and soul and many of our activities focus upon giving something back to the community. In some cases the focus is upon the RSD community of pupils, parents and former pupils but in others it is about service in the wider Dungannon community and beyond.

The RSD Parents, Friends and Teachers’ Association (PFTA) organise events throughout the year which bring the RSD community together, promote the School and raise funds for pupil activities. They are complemented by the work of the Former Pupils’ Association (FPA) which helps former pupils stay in touch with school life and sustain old friendships. The annual FPA dinner at the end of the spring term is a calendar highlight.

The Charities Committee nominates a number of local and national charities each year and School events such as the Sponsored Walk are used to raise funds to help these worthy causes. Working with the Fields of Life charity, RSD has been supporting the building of a new Royal School in Uganda, Bethel Royal High School, for children who would otherwise have no opportunity for education. In summer 2015 our ‘Uganda Team’ of teachers and pupils spent two weeks at Bethel supporting the new school with their brains, brawn and amazing fund-raising.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is run in conjunction with St Patrick’s Academy under the auspices of the Shared Education programme. Pupils from the two schools meet weekly and go on expeditions together for the silver and gold awards. They also perform a public service as part of the award.

This is just one example of a range of activities organised jointly for RSD and St Patrick’s Academy pupils. Others include art exhibitions of pupils’ work, joint history trips and conferences and a collaborative literacy programme for younger pupils (led of course by senior pupils!). The two schools share a common vision of building a shared future in Dungannon for all its inhabitants.

RSD Sixth Form pupils work in Sperrinview Special School for a number of weeks each year and there is a broader emphasis on community volunteering with large numbers of RSD pupils in Years 11-14 earning the ‘Volunteer Now’ certificate for community contributions ranging from 30-200 hours per year.

The School has strong links with local sporting clubs, churches and business organisations and as part of the Dungannon and Cookstown Area Learning Community collaborates with other schools and colleges to ensure the best provision for all pupils in the area.