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:

St Paul’s High school was delighted to welcome Newtownhamilton High school for a continuation of their joint Learning for Life and Work project. This project involves the pupils working together on various art and sporting activities.

This 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- community collaborations an integral part of school life, creating enhanced educational and personal development opportunities for everyone involved.

The pupils had a brilliant time creating there festive decorations as well as having a sporting challenge, and they are really looking forward to their next encounter._

 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.

As part of the Sharing Education Programme (SEP), St Paul’s High School and Newtownhamilton High School have begun a collaborative programme to create a joint rugby team.  This is a first for the South Armagh area and involves students in Key Stage Three from both partner schools working together to develop their interpersonal and team building skills.

Over the course of the academic year, thirty students have been participating in a training programme facilitated by Mr Jonathan Black, Newtownhamilton High School, and Mr Martin Rafferty, St Paul’s High School.

On Wednesday 6th April the team enjoyed an intensive training session hosted by the Acton Adventure Centre at Poyntzpass, before returning to St Paul’s to compete in a mini-tournament.

The tournament allowed the two schools an opportunity to launch their new strip, which was designed by students from both schools, and bearing the logo of their proud sponsors CR Sports, Newry Physio & Sports Injuries Clinic and Mc Cartan, Mc Lornan and Associates Dental Surgery Bessbrook.

The new team are looking forward to competing against other local rubgy teams in the near future.

Principal of St Paul’s High School, Mr Oliver Mooney, said that he was “delighted to see the new joint rugby team compete in their first tournament.”  Mr Mooney added, “This initiative is an integral element of our PEACE project, and advances the aims and objectives of our programme.  We now can see the project coming alive as our students continue to make real and lasting friendships.”

Mr Garnet Mullan, Principal of Newtownhamilton High School, paid tribute to the contribution of the students who have given up their time to become involved in the rugby team and to the staff of Newtownhamilton High School, and St Paul’s High School, who have shown dedication and commitment to the spirit of the SEP programme.

The recent launch of an innovative cross-community inter-school initiative was celebrated in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.

Partnership for Educational and Community Enrichment (PEACE) in South Armagh is a collaborative programme which is funded by the Shared Education Programme (SEP).

SEP  is a three year programme which promotes reconciliation by facilitating collaboration and sharing between schools across Northern Ireland. The programme is funded by the International Fund for Ireland and Atlantic Philanthropies and is being managed by Queen’s University Belfast.

The partners involved in the PEACE Initiative include St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook  who will lead and manage the programme as host school, Newtownhamilton High School, Rathore School for Children with Special Educational Needs, Bessbrook Primary School, St Joseph’s Primary School, Meigh and St Joseph’s Primary School, Bessbrook.

The core aim of PEACE is to promote a learning environment to ensure that all students irrespective of academic or physical ability are respected and valued within a framework designed to promote the ethos of collaboration across all communities within South Armagh. It is our intention to create a culture of inclusivity whereby students and teachers from a range of religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds come together to enhance their educational experiences and develop a new mindset that embraces diversity.

Watch our specially commissioned PEACE Launch Video.

Students from all of the partner schools will be involved in a range of weekly activities across all areas of learning including, Performing Arts, Sport, Learning for Life and Work, Science and Modern Languages.

Mr Oliver Mooney, Principal of St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook conveyed his appreciation for the support of each of the partner principals and their respective Board of Governors. He commended their commitment to our targets of inclusion for all and ensuring that all pupils learn to respect and value each other’s traditions.

Pictured above is Mr Oliver Mooney (Principal of St Paul’s High School), Mr Garnet Mullan (Principal of Newtownhamilton High School), Mr Raymond Cassidy, (Principal of Rathore School for Children with Special Educational Needs), Mr Albert Maguire (Principal of Bessbrook Primary School), Mrs Sheila McArdle (Principal of St Joseph’s P.S, Bessbrook),  Mr Brian McKinley (Principal of St Josephs P.S, Meigh),  Mrs Una McNulty (Vice Principal of St Paul’s High School) and Mrs Noella Murray (SEP Co-ordinator)