Week 2

Friday 15th September 2023

Hi Everyone

Another week over and gosh it has been really busy. Positive energy is flowing everywhere. Year 8 have settled in brilliantly and are beginning to find their way around the different classrooms; Years 11 & 13 are coming to terms with the demands of GCSE and A Level subjects; Years 12 & 14 know they have a hard working year ahead of them; Year 10 are preparing to select their GCSE subjects next February; and Year 9 are maturing and becoming more independent. Classes are engaged in their learning, coursework dates are being scheduled and there is a collective effort to ensure that the basic procedures and routines are being followed. This reflects our Code of Conduct and High Expectations: Be Respectful; Be a Learner; Be Responsible; Be Safe.

There has been no time to waste for Year 14 students, who made their way to University of Ulster last week and to St Mary’s University College in Belfast on Wednesday to find out more about future pathways and in preparation for their forthcoming UCAS Applications. These decisions have to be made extremely early in the year so it is important to put a lot of thought, effort and research into future pathways.

Last night was fabulous – our School Formal of course! Well, talk about style….. the girls and boys were stunning - a very enjoyable evening was had by all. A pre-reception was held in the College followed by a lovely hot meal in the Greenvale Hotel, then Formal Awards, craic and off they went!. Well done to the Senior Prefect Team – you organised everything to perfection and did yourselves proud. A huge thanks to the Greenvale Hotel and their very efficient staff for a lovely meal; and also Mrs Maynes, Miss Quinn and Mrs Quinn who helped ensure all was in order.

On the same evening, some of our Year 14 leavers travelled to St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh to receive their Pope John Paul II Awards. Such a lovely occasion for everyone.

Extra-curricular activities are currently being advertised to occur either at lunchtime or after school, and indeed, Year 8 have their own list of activities to engage in every day, just to make sure they are settling in well, making friends and becoming familiar with a very large school. They are a great Year Group to date.

On that note, huge congratulations are extended to 4 x pupils, Thomas Kelly-Watt, Cormac Mallon, Fionn Daly and Michael Kirwan, who won the U-16 Hurling Championship with Naomh Colum Cille (NCC) in Garvaghey last night. Well done Boys!

Thank-you parents/guardians, for your support with uniform and ensuring standards are maintained. We want pupils to wear their uniform with pride, be proud of their personal appearance and be focused in their learning. We will support pupils should there be a concern. Let’s support our positive routines and receive those achievement points!!

And that’s it, folks – the hustle and bustle has started – simply great!

Have a lovely weekend

Isabel Russell