Friday 22nd March 2024
Hi Everyone!
That was a short but busy week! I hope you all enjoyed the St Patrick’s weekend celebrations.
Today, I had the privilege of visiting a recent newly built school. It was absolutely lovely and it enabled me to visualise our own new school and envisage how the different areas will look. Both pupils and staff were so happy with their classroom layouts, corridors, external space and a few added extras. Regarding our build, progress is good – 3 x floors are up, room demarcations built and whilst we leave the builders to get on with the job in hand, we are turning our attention to the procurement process and the resources required for each department. This will be a lengthy process but a very worthwhile one.
There were a number of GCSE Practical Exams this week – Art & Design and PE. Coursework is almost completed in many other subjects. The message in Senior Assemblies this week was the countdown to Exams, so on today’s date, it is 22 school days until the 1st GCSE/A Level Exam occurs. There is no time to waste! Revision and independent study is a must.
Many GCSE and A Level students had much to celebrate yesterday when they received BTEC results from the January Exam series. More success which will augur well for final results in August! Whilst congratulating our students, I also thank all staff for their dedicated teaching, support and guidance to ensure pupils achieve well.
Junior Football matches were impressive this week with Year 8 Boys in a Blitz and Year 9 in the Quarter Final, but there was also time to bring Year 12 students to Coalisland Training Services to explore future pathways, and a very good presentation on Nursing & Midwifery to Years 13 & 14.
It was an early rise yesterday for our Year 14 students and 3 x staff who travelled to Dublin airport to board their flight to Dubai and onward to Lusaka in Zambia. This is a fantastic opportunity in conjunction with the Spirit of Paul Mc Girr Group to work with children less well-off and help build some school facilities and teach our Irish culture eg handball, gaelic, hurling, dancing and so on. We pray everyone had a safe journey and same on return. This is a trip of a lifetime, which students will remember for years to come.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Isabel Russell