Welcome P7s

we had a wonderful P7 day, with a a chance for P7 pupils from our feeder schools to experience a post-primary school day. Every primary visitor had an opportunity to try out seven subjects, with an emphasis on the subjects that aren't always part of the primary school day: media studies: ICT; new languages; workshop technology; basketball - as well as some of the more familiar subject, such as maths, RE; art, music It was great to see so many P7s whom we already know through our Sharing Education Programme teaching languages in our feeder primaries. a really happy day.

djmcmillan is at it too.

djmcmillan is piloting a languages slot on a local station. Details of our famous presenters as soon as i find out where to tune in to.

djfelan and Big Toe books

djfelan has been head hunted by Big Toe Books, a radio programme broadcast on BBC 7. Felan was a guest on the programme last year, and the producer was so impressed with Felan's radio presenting skills that he has been invited back to take part as presenter in new pilot programmes. Recording starts on Wednesday 28th.

Geography Winners

There was hot competition for top honours in the Year 8 geography competition. Competitors presented their designs for a tourist leaflet for Newcastle. Class winners were as follows: 8b Ian Nikolaus and Lucy Lakin; 8C Sian Ogle;8D Erin White; 8M ryan Cairns and the overall winners is Sian Ogle. Copies of the leaflets go off to our European Studies partner schools: St Angela's Ursuline Convent, Waterfors; Cheyne Middle School, Kent; St Cecilia's College, L'Derry; Ysgol Uwchradd Bodadern, Wales.

Sputnik Success

Conor Cuthbertson won himself a prize close to his heart in the recent science competition organised to celebrate the anniversary of Sputnik. The prize of a skateboard ramp was awarded in recognition of the design expertise and scientific understanding exhibited in Conor's winning design. Is somebody going to get me a picture?

Award Success

Our wonderful Students' Council was presented with the Dermot Curran Young Achiever Award. Our representatives, Chris, Marie and Matthew took part in the enterprize challenge and picked up a very useful £250.00 for the college, and a pile of prizes to share with the rest of the Council. Hosted by UTV's Business Correspondent, Jamie Delargy, the Awards event recognises outstanding individuals in Down District who have demonstrated the entrepreneurial spirit and determination needed to achieve success. The programme kicked off with an opportunity for all attending to express their creativity with Shell Livewire and the chance to win an iPod MP3 player. Jamie Delargy spoke on the value of enterprise, and was followed by an awards ceremony which incorporated Down district Schools Team Awards, South Eastern Regional College Award, Down Business Centre Graduate Award, Invest NI Award as well as the over all 2007 Dermot Curran Young Achiever award. The Students' Council has been working hard on their assembly for Anti-bullying Week, and it will give great publicity to their work when they also present their Award to the college on Monday 18th November. The Students' Council hopes that you have all had a look at the new noticeboard at the front hall, and will send your views to the Council via your form reps.

A Prestigious Nomination

Great news today, that our Students' Council has been nominated for a Dermot Curran Award, and have been invited to the awards ceremony in Downpatrick tomorrow. Our Students' Council will be represented by Chris Leneghan, Matthew McAvoy and Marie O'Halloran. We wish them the best of luck. the nomination is well deserved for the work they, and fellow Students' Council members have done to revitalise the student voice. Look out for the new Students' council notice board and get in touch through the message box. anti-bullying week is coming up and the Students' Council will be making a presentation in assemblies.

Salsa, food and all kinds of languages

A group of our students got the chance to return to their Salsa obsession when they headed up to St George's Market to the languages fair Opportunity Europe. Also on offer were workshops in languages we haven't tried yet, food from all sorts of places and meeting lots of other linguists.

Taking Over the Airwaves

The launch of Wills McNeilly's rescued yacht was featured on BBC Radio Ulster last week. He gave a great account of the rescue by the Mourne Underwater Rescue Team, raising the model yacht from the depths of Castlewellan Lake. Between Ian McMillan, djfelan (see comments) and Wills, we may be taking over the airwaves.

Facing Homelessness

The Simon Community came in to work with each of the classes in our year 9. The work was all the more powerful because of the input of people who have experienced homelessness. The was a really important visit, which gave everyone huge amounts to think about.

Famous, talented staff too

Anybody else hear Ian McMillan's terrific first broadcast? We really have a very talented staff.