Mrs Skelcher, Head of Art, writes: “January may have been very grey month but a visit from artist Robert Peters added a welcome splash of colour! A Level Art students enjoyed a printmaking workshop which developed their skills in Drypoint etching and Monoprint. Sadly, we are not permitted to share current coursework outcomes but the work the students produced on the day was truly outstanding! Thanks to Robert for delivering such a valuable learning experience.”

A massive thank you to Master Gerald McAlister 7th degree Black Belt and his incredible team comprising Master Karl Dougherty 5th degree Black Belt, Sensei Reza Shahmohammadi 2nd degree Black Belt, Sensei Alex McCartan 1st degree Black Belt, & Sensei Anthony Dean 1st degree Black Belt from Down Community Jujitsu Club for delivering introductory self-defence lessons to our Year 9. Students were taught self-defence techniques using a ‘hands-on approach’, gaining valuable skills

A party of 24 A Level Politics have been in London this week, finding out about the ways of Westminster and Whitehall. Highlight of the programme was attendance at Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions. Interesting times to be observing the adversarial system in practice! The students have also taken part in a walking tour of Whitechapel, notorious for the Jack the Ripper murders, enjoying some down time at the theatre watching ‘Hamilton’ and lunching in China Town.

Congratulations to Year 14 student Ailbhe Lemoine, who has won a place to read History at Cambridge University. Ailbhe’s outstanding achievement is very well deserved. Ailbhe follows in the footsteps of Shimna students, most recently Gabriel Corrigan ( Mathematics ) and Dara McAnulty ( Natural Sciences ).   Mr Smyth, who teaches Ailbhe, speaks for everyone at Shimna: “We are delighted for Ailbhe. She’s a tremendous student, with a natural flair for studying the past. Her read

Last week, Ciaran Milligan, our Resilience Lead, took part in a workshop focused on supporting bereaved children and young people in NI schools, hosted by Stranmilis University College. Ciaran joined professionals and students from across the sector to explore how schools can support young people navigate grief. The programme looked at: How children and teenagers understand and experience grief at different ages The emotional and educational impact bereavement can have Practi