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.

St Paul’s Science students demonstrating an experiment to a P7 pupil and a parent at Open Day. 

St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook held its annual Open Day on Saturday 25 January.  Prospective pupils from Primary 7 classes in our feeder primary schools and their parents visited the school in large numbers.  They were guided around the school by our current Year 8 and Year 9 students and shown the different departments, getting a flavour for what the school is about.

Principal Mr Oliver Mooney addressed parents and pupils on the day.  A video of Mr Mooney’s address is available below.

Prospective parents and pupils of St. Paul’s can watch the video to experience a virtual tour of the school.

A selection of photographs from Open Day 2012 are visible below.

As part of our fundraising efforts for St Paul’s International Projects, we hosted two Grand Variety Concerts in October, featuring staff, students and friends of St Paul’s.   They were both fantastic nights and our cameras were there to capture the highlights from the night. Scroll down to see some photos and videos from the night.

Act 1: The Murphy Family Traditional Group

Act 2: Year 12 Student Daryl Gallogly Performs a Queen’s  ”Radio GaGa”

Act 3: Year 10 Student Karyn Feehan sings “Your Song” by Ellie Goulding

Act 4: St Brigid’s Accordian Band, Jonesboro perform one of their routines

Act 5: Past pupil Megan Burns Sings Slán le Máigh (A Traditional Irish Air)

Act 6: Tara O’Hanlon Recites a poem, called “The Inch War” by Alesha McSwiggan

Act 7: Mother & Daughter Act (Jamie & Sharon Larkin)

Act 8: St Paul’s very own African Drum Ensemble

Act 9: Our very own Kevin Kearney

Act 10: The Rooney O’Malley School of Irish Dancing

Act 11: Crossmaglen Student Sionan Murphy takes to the stage and performs “Jar of Hearts” by Christina Perri

Act 12: Year 10 student Moya Strain took to the stage and performed “No One” by Alicia Keys

Act 13: Rock Band, The Attic perform “Animal” by Neon Trees

Act 14: St Paul’s Girl’s Choir sing “I Say a Little Prayer” by Aretha Franklin

Act 15: Year 11 student Emily Shields sings ‘Pie Jesu’, accompanied by her mum

Act 16: Past pupil and All-Ireland Scór Champion, Niamh Devine, recites an extract from ‘Moll’ by John B Keane

Act 17: St Paul’s Senior Dance Team

Act 18: Staff Novelty Act

The students of Irish Drama Group at St Paul’s High School were celebrating this weekend with the news that they had reached the All-Ireland finals of An Féile Scoildrámaíochta, the Irish Schools Drama Festival.

Their play, Áras an Rún, adapted from an original script by Ré Ó Laighléis, was highly praised by the adjudicator, Helen, Bean Mhic Ruairí, at the Ulster finals of the competition held in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh.

Bean Mhic Ruairí complimented the students on the effectiveness of their characterisations, the clarity of their delivery and the slickness of the production.  She wished the Drama group well as they progress to the All-Ireland finals which take place in Mullingar, County Westmeath after Easter.

The Irish Drama group from St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook have been celebrating the news that their production of ‘Áras na Rún’ which was performed as part of Newry Irish Drama Festival, has been nominated for performance at the Ulster Festival in Armagh on 26 March.

Year 10 actor Shane McGirr was also named Best Actor at the festival, with his co-star Year 12 student, Neil Byrne, receiving a Highly Commended Award.

Adjudicator, Lynette Fay from BBC, praised the high production standards for the St Paul’s play, and remarked on the flawless acting abilities of the young cast.  She was very impressed by how well the group interacted on stage and used their natural comedic abilities for humorous effect.

‘Áras na Rún’ is an adaptation of Ré Ó Láighléis’ play, as is the story of a class visit to a local museum.  Shane McGirr plays the role of Pádraig Ó Dúgáin, a sleepy student who is surprised when the statues in the museum suddenly come to life.  Neil Byrne plays local boxing hero Barra Mag Uiginn, with Anita Dennison impressing as the stern school teacher.

The Irish Drama group which is mentored by Mr S Quinn, Miss C McCoy of the Irish Department, and Head of Drama Ms P Lynch, have been rehearsing and working hard for months.  They look forward to the Ulster Drama Festival in Armagh at the end of March.

Pictured are Vice Principal of St Paul’s Mr Jarlath Burns presents awards for Best Actor at Newry Irish Drama Festival to Shane McGirr, and Highly Commended Award to Neil Byrne.  Also are Irish teachers, Mr Stephen Quinn and Miss Ciara McCoy and Head of Drama at St Paul’s, Ms Pauline Lynch.

The Irish Drama group from St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook were celebrating this weekend with news that their production of ‘Áras na Rún’ which was performed as part of Newry Irish Drama Festival, has been nominated for performance at the Ulster Festival in Armagh on 26 March.

Year 10 actor Shane McGirr was also named Best Actor at the festival, with his co-star Year 12 student, Neil Byrne, receiving a Highly Commended Award.

Adjudicator, Lynette Fay from BBC, praised the high production standards for the St Paul’s play, and remarked on the flawless acting abilities of the young cast.  She was very impressed by how well the group interacted on stage and used their natural comedic abilities for humorous effect.

‘Áras na Rún’ is an adaptation of Ré Ó Láighléis’ play, as is the story of a class visit to a local museum.  Shane McGirr plays the role of Pádraig Ó Dúgáin, a sleepy student who is surprised when the statues in the museum suddenly come to life.  Neil Byrne plays local boxing hero Barra Mag Uiginn, with Anita Dennison impressing as the stern school teacher.

A gallery of photos from the performance in Newry Town Hall (and some behind the scenes images) are below.  Best wishes to the drama group as they prepare for the Ulster Finals in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh at the end of the month.