Thursday 21st December 2023
Hello Everyone
We have reached the end of Term 1, a very busy and productive Term, so we are ready for our Christmas break!. There have been so many positives and whilst it is a good time to reflect on our achievements, we also look towards the future. Learning and teaching has been our priority and at this stage, pupils have received oral feedback on Assessments, and reports for Years 11 – 14 will be issued on 28 December 2023. There are A Level Exams in January and also Open Evening for Primary 6 & 7 pupils and parents/guardians – a busy month ahead. I am so proud however, of every pupil and every individual staff member for their commitment and work ethic this Term.
On Sunday we gathered as a community at the funeral of our past pupil, Matthew Mc Guigan, who died suddenly at the beginning of December. There are no words to describe the inconsolable grief etched on everyone’s faces, and especially his dear family and girlfriend Clodagh. All we can do, is ask God to watch over them and support them through these very dark days and months ahead. May Matty rest in peace.
There were the usual reward trips in the course of the week - to W5, cinema, Mc Donalds, but the work continued for Year 14 re Business Entrepreneurs and a visit to The Performance Lab. Mrs Claus was out and about yesterday, but for me, the highlight was the excitement with 8/9 PBU and the Wee Critters workshop. This was absolutely fabulous: the children learned so much about the animals, biodiversity and environmental issues.
Upon our return to school on 3 January 2024, Year 8 & Year 9 will have their online Parent Teacher Meeting. The booking system is currently open and will close on Friday 22nd @3.00pm. Don’t forget to book your slot regarding your child’s progress.
The draw took place this morning for the Jim Mc Kee ‘Cherry Blossom’ painting. Congratulations to our winner and also the winners in the Holy Trinity Foundation Christmas Alumni draw. We are delighted you have won such fabulous prizes and hugely appreciate the support from our sponsors, Jim Mc Kee, Glenavon Hotel and LCC.
And so, we have reached the end of a long, hard working and demanding term and I know pupils and staff will be delighted to receive their holidays. School re-opens for Staff on Wednesday 3rd January 2024, with pupils commencing on Thursday 4th January 2024.
I thank our parents/guardians for their continued support, kind words, patience and appreciation to all of us. Your support to your child goes without saying and you can be assured that we will do everything possible to support them along the way. Our thanks are also extended to our pupils who do their best every day, to our community and to the Board of Governors, whose support is invaluable.
On behalf of everyone in the College, I wish all our pupils, staff, parents/guardians, Board of Governors and readers, a Happy and Holy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. Keep safe and please God, 2024 will be a more prosperous year for everyone.
See you next year!
Isabel Russell
Principal