On Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 March, St Paul’s hosted a cultural awareness event which was funded through the CRED enhancement scheme.

The CRED enhancement scheme is funding from the Education and Library Board which has been designed to support school and youth settings in the implementation of the CRED policy. The criterion for funding is taken directly from the CRED indicators which accompany the Department of Education CRED policy.

The event was held in the St Paul’s assembly hall during which non-national students set up stalls with information about their culture, artefacts, traditional clothing, sample dishes and traditional customs. Year 8 students from St Paul’s, St Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen and Newtownhamilton High School, then had the opportunity to go around in small groups to take part in the activities and listen to interesting facts about each culture.

It is hoped that the event will promote an awareness and appreciation of the different cultures within the local community and help our students develop a mindset that embraces diversity.

Pictured above are students from St Paul’s Bessbrook and Newtownhamilton High School showing off their patches that they did as part of the Shared Education Programme (SEP). 

Year 8 pupils from both St Paul’s and Newtownhamilton High School met recently to discuss the work they have done to date on their joint patchwork quilt project.

The children spoke freely about their patches and everyone gained a real insight into the similarities of each others cultures.

Both schools shared in swapping patches of each others work, and both sets of pupils realised that it can be difficult to give up things that are precious to us, but in order to get two quilts, students from both schools needed to sacrifice their patch so they could be combined together to become a quilt.

The students from both schools will meet up again during the first week in December to see the final quilt that has been produced from their patches.

See below for photos from this SEP event. 

Over the past two years students from 10/82 have participated in a joint programme of study for ‘Learning for Life’ and work with students from Newtownhamilton High School. As a continuation of this SEP initiative, a joint workshop based around the theme of “Democracy in Northern Ireland” will take place throughout this academic year.

Newtownhamilton High School hosted the first session which took place on Friday 12^th October. During the first session the students explored the themes of democracy; they looked at how democratic and non-democratic societies operate.

See below for pictures of the first session.

The special video below has been produced by all the schools in the Newry & Mourne Area Learning Community to celebrate the success of collaboration in our community.

Senior students from St Paul’s High School had the opportunity to ask questions to the Minister of Education, Mr John O’Dowd MLA, at a recent breakfast meeting organised by Newry Chamber of Commerce.

Students from other schools in the South Armagh and Newry & Mourne area were able to collaborate on their questions which were presented to the Minister.

(Photo courtesy of Newry Chamber of Commerce)

Students from St Paul’s enjoying all the fun of the Balmoral show

St Paul’s students have a long history of visiting the Royal Ulster Agricultural Show at Balmoral in south Belfast.

For the twenty-seventh year, students and staff travelled to the show and had a great time.   This year the students of Years 8, 9 and 10 were joined by their friends at Rathore School for Special Educational Needs.

The show offered something for everyone from large farm machines to wild and wonderful animal species including many rare breeds. Everyone enjoyed seeing around the show from getting to see the variety  of displays from fashion, footwear, food, gadgets, house and garden furnishings, jewellery, handbags, toys and so much more.

There were many tempting foods to sample and buy and no one had an excuse to go hungry. The crowds were all in good humour and the atmosphere was very exciting.

Below are few photos from the day: 

Below is a video from The Balmoral Show:

Pictured above are pupils from St Joseph’s Primary School, Meigh and Bessbrook Primary School with Sue McGrath the Science Magician

Recently at St Paul’s students from the Learning Support Centre, Rathore School, Bessbrook Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary School, Meigh, experienced a Science Magic show.

Sue Mc Grath, from the Institute of Physics and “Science2 Life”, gave the pupils a very enlightening and enjoyable experience. She made science relevant and attainable for all pupils, using materials that are easily found in our own kitchens. She captivated the children’s attention and involved them as volunteers every step of the way. All had a very enjoyable experience.

This activity was part of the PEACE (Partnership, Education and Community Enrichment) initiative set up by the Shared Education Programme. This programme aims to encourage schools to make cross-sectoral collaborations an integral part of school life, creating enhanced educational and personal development opportunities for everyone involved.

Highlights from the Science Magic Show:

Selection of Photos below:

Pupils from Rathore School, striking a pose in their recent Drama class in preparation for their upcoming play at St Paul’s High School. 

Rathore School pupils had great fun in St Paul’s recently when they popped in for a costume fitting for their upcoming play.

We’re looking forward to their production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’.  You may be able to spot the characters present in the picture above which include: Belle, the Beast, Gaston, Gaston’s Accomplice, the ugly sisters, The woodcutter and Lumiere.

The play will begin with rehearsals within the next few weeks as part of the ongoing collaboration between St Paul’s High School and Rathore School.

 Pupils from St Paul’s and Newtownhamilton High School along with Newtownhamilton High School teacher, Mr David Sloan and Gerry Hughes from Sentinus.

On Friday 7^th of October, Year 10 pupils from St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook and Newtownhamilton High School, participated in an Engineering Day with Science and Technology company, Sentinus. The theme of the day was flight.

The pupils worked in mixed groups, designing and building various types of flying machines.

This activity was part of the PEACE (Partnership, Education and community Enrichment) Initiative set up by the Shared Education Programme.

This programme aims to encourage school to make cross-sectoral collaborations an integral part of school life, creating enhanced educational and personal development opportunities for everyone involved.

Mr Martin Canavan and students from St Paul’s High School, along with Mrs Caroline Alexander and students from Newtownhamilton High School, who are working together as part of the Shared Education Programme.

St Paul’s High School Bessbrook and Newtownhamilton High School are continuing their partnership links through the Sharing Education Partnership.   Students and staff from both schools are working closely cross community projects to promote mutual understanding.

This is the second year of the programme and involves Year 9 pupils from both schools. The work they will carry out will hopefully be of benefit to themselves and also to the wider community in South Armagh.