Dear Parents & Carers,
Welcome to the final edition of Shimna News for 2024. It has been a tremendously productive and positive year, and I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to our students and staff for their collective efforts, as well as to you for your ongoing support of the College. Next year promises to be even more exciting - but more on that to follow on the next page.
This week has been truly memorable, with our Presentation event on Tuesday afternoon and the Candlelight Christmas Concerts on Wednesday and Thursday.
A huge thank you to the 45 students who sang or played at these events, and to Orla Fitzpatrick, Sarah Quigley, Ria Maguire and Daniel Quinn for helping to make it all possible.
Click on the link to hear Robert’s rendition of Walking in the Air, one of the many, many highlights from the Concert.
Robert was one of a number of acts to reprise his performance as part of a special Christmas breakfast yesterday. We were delighted to host the workmen from the new build site as a thank you for their efforts on our behalf. Later on, we welcomed children from our local primary schools and our friends from Mourne Stimulus for a matinee concert.
This morning’s Carol Service was the perfect ending to the school year. We thank Canon Myrtle Morrison of St John’s Church of Ireland, Rev. Andrew Boreland of the Presbyterian Church in Newcastle, Canon Robert Fleck of Dundrum RC Church and Rev. Richard Wright of Donard Methodist Church, along with Ashleigh McCartan, Children & Outreach worker at St. John’s, for joining us for this festive occasion.
Moving in the New Year
Phase One of the new build project is nearing completion, with the move-in provisionally scheduled to commence in early February. The task of furnishing and setting up the new school is not an overnight job; it is likely to take two or three weeks. As a result, there will be a period of time when the College will be closed, with online learning provided until we are ready to re-open.
Naturally, we will continue to keep you posted on developments in the New Year.
With the first phase complete, the Glasgiven encampment will relocate to the other side of the College site. Work will then commence on the demolition of the existing building and the construction of our new Sports Hall complex, with the existing Hall remaining in place until this is ready in the autumn.
Shimna in the community
Thank you to our Parents & Carers Council
A massive thank you to committee members Anne, Caroline, Hannah, Joan and Marie for organising the Christmas Raffle.
Click on the link to find out how much was raised!
The uncanny final total is surely a positive sign for the coming year! This will help to fund free breakfasts and our reserve uniform stock for the coming year. Thank you if you contributed.
We are extremely grateful to the following local businesses for supporting the College through their generous donations of prizes:
Slieve Donard Hotel; Briar’s B&B; The Brambles B&B; Blackbox Donuts; Irelands Appliance Centre; Hair Apartment; Mourne Meadow Cabins; Mourne Cycles; Mountain Goat; First 4 Floors; Lidl; Seaforde Interiors; Golf Links House; Bingham’s Menswear Newcastle; Nugelato; McKeevers Chemist; Essence Health Store; Barbican SuperValu and Eurospar Newcastle.
Key dates in the first half of next term
Monday 6 January: Staff Development Day - preparing for the move
Tuesday 7 January: Start of term
Thursday 16 January: Open Evening, 5.00-7.00 pm - College will close at 12.30 pm to allow for setting up
Friday 17 January: College closed
Monday 20 - Friday 31 January: Year 12 Mock Examinations
Friday 7 February: Year 12 Parent & Carer Online Consultations ( afternoon ) - College closes at 12.30 pm
Friday 7 February - Monday 17 February: Half-term break- return date subject to new build move
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Best wishes to you and your family for a happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas.
Steve Pagan
Principal
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