Germans in the Forest

Our students of German have been up in the forest for the last three days, taking part in this year's German immersion outdoor activities residential. They all had a great time, and had a great time, even if the canoeing had to be replaced by a bit of hotrock given the terrible weather on the last day.

Pink Gentlemen

Today's fundraising event was an invitation to wear pink in support of Action Cancer. Louis and Johnny didn't think they would look good in pink, so they made a fantastic gesture of dressing up in tuxedo - they've never looked better. Thanks to everyone who contributed so generously.

Guilty as Charged

9 Commendagh and 9 Meelbeg took off to Downpatrick courthouse on Friday to take part in all sorts of legalities. They were finger printed, had their DNA sampled (all finger prints and DNA samples were returned to the owners). Robbie Cars, alias Callum Shields was tried and convicted for his crimes, despite able defence by paul McGuigan. His raucous family, alias Karen Malone and Sambie Lee, among noisy others, had to be removed by the Magistrate, who was real! Lots of other people played lots of other parts. Everyone concerned came home with terrific goodie bags!

Feedback and Plan Forward from Utrecht

It was great to have a visit from our contacts in Utrecht, with messages from the students who visited us in the Autumn. The students were hugely pleased at our interested in their Muslim heritage, and their lives, often divided between Holland and Turkey. They really enjoyed their visit to our school, and their strongest impression was of very good discipline and relationships. I send back the message that our students had particularly enjoyed the fantastic food from the Muslim meal, and the chance to talk about their islamic studies to Muslim students of their own age.

Political News from Westminster

Our politics students also had a great time in London, and staff had nothing but praise for the enthusiasm and interest in everything there was to experience.

Poetic News from Spain

Our contingent in Soria are having a great time. Today is the anniversary of the death of Antonio Machado the poet after whom the school is named which our students are visiting. Staff member Clare Murphy and student Sait Can Ozdemir took part in the commemorations, reading poems at the graveside. This evening Grace Sargent and David Cox will be taking part in a commemorative concert, playing music and reading further poetry. Clare and Sait Can featured on Spanish television.

Everyone's run off

The International Dimension end of our Specialism has taken off with a whoosh. Students are: just back from work experience in France; heading off to Austria to ski; heading to Soria in Spain on an exchange visit; heading to London to visit Westminster and tackle MPs; filling in their paperwork to head to Poland. That's not including the immersion German group heading to Greenhill, followed by the integration group heading in the same direction. Then there are the twelve students heading to join their partner schools on the Key Programme, based at Kilbroney and Greenhill.

Work Experience in France and Spain

Just back from a great week in France are Tanya and Rachel. Just setting off to Soria in Spain are David Cox, Grace Sargent, Niamh Lindsay and Sait Can Ozdemir, along with Clare Murphy as support. Helen Crane and Ashlene Fearnon set off on another Spanish opportunity, organised through our Spanish assistant this year. The work experience trips offer a really useful way for our A level students of languages to make real links in their target language and to polish their speaking and listening skills. We wish all our students a safe and happy trip.

St Valentine's Disco

Our sixth form council along with the Parents' Council jointly organised a St Valentine's Day disco. The organisation was impeccable, and everybody pulled together to give the disco-goers a great night out.