Three Education Awards for St Colman's College

St Colman's College, Newry, is celebrating an award-winning year after receiving recognition via three education awards for its approach to teaching and learning. Over recent weeks, the college has been recognised through the Pearson National Teaching Awards, the Northern Ireland ICT Excellence Awards and the Edufuturists Uprising Awards, with judges highlighting a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement that places students at the heart of every decision.

The first success came through the Pearson National Teaching Awards, where St Colman's received a Bronze Award for Transformational Use of Digital Technology. The award recognised the college's long-term commitment to embedding digital learning across the curriculum, developing students' digital fluency and ensuring technology is used purposefully to improve teaching and learning. Students currently achieve around 500 Microsoft Office Specialist certifications each year, leaving school with internationally recognised, employer-valued qualifications alongside their academic studies.

Recognition continued at the Northern Ireland ICT Excellence Awards, where the college was named a finalist alongside partner primary schools St Clare's Abbey Primary School and St Ronan's Primary School. The joint submission celebrated a digital outreach programme that has enabled more than 400 primary pupils in Newry and Mourne to develop their digital creativity, while enabling St Colman's students to mentor younger learners, develop leadership skills and apply their creativity in classroom settings through the Adobe Express Student Ambassador programme.

Most recently, St Colman's was named Secondary School of the Year at the Edufuturists Uprising Awards 2026, a celebration of innovation and future-focused education in Ireland and the UK. Judges praised the college's willingness to listen, reflect and continually improve, highlighting its visible cycle of listening to students, acting on feedback and reviewing the impact of change. They also recognised the college's evidence-led approach to innovation, its Bett-inspired Student Council Table Talks and its sustained delivery of Microsoft Office Specialist certifications preparing young people for life beyond the classroom.

Principal Cormac McKinney welcomed the recognition, saying: "These awards reflect the collective commitment of our entire school community. Innovation has never been about technology for technology's sake. It has always been about improving learning, creating opportunities for our young people and ensuring they leave St Colman's equipped for the future.

"I would like to thank our outstanding staff, supportive parents, governors and, most importantly, our students. Their willingness to embrace new ideas and continually strive for improvement has made this recognition possible."

Michael Fegan, Associate Senior Teacher with responsibility for Digital Learning and Teaching, said the awards reflected years of sustained development rather than any single initiative. "While each award celebrates something slightly different, they all recognise the same underlying philosophy. We believe innovation should always begin with a clear educational purpose and be informed by evidence, research and the voices of our students.

"Recognition through the ICT Excellence Awards over four consecutive years, together with success at the Pearson National Teaching Awards and Edufuturists Uprising Awards, gives us confidence that our approach is making a meaningful difference for our students.

"We constantly challenge ourselves to ask what is working well, what could be improved and how we can provide even better opportunities for our young people. It is incredibly rewarding to see that approach recognised by three independent judging panels."

Vice Principal Helen Doherty, who leads on Curriculum, said: "At St Colman's College, innovation is never an end in itself. Every decision we make is guided by one simple question: will this improve learning and better prepare our young people for life beyond school?

"Whether through digital technologies, recognised industry qualifications, creative partnerships or student leadership opportunities, our aim is to provide an education that is relevant, engaging and equips every pupil with the knowledge, skills and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing world."

The college has also continued to share its expertise with the wider education community. Associate Senior Teacher Michael Fegan and Computer Science teacher Anna Carr recently featured on the Education Authority's EdIS eXchange podcast, discussing the college's digital curriculum and approach to teaching and learning. Anna was also invited to present at the Computing at School Northern Ireland Summer Mini-Conference, while Michael has been invited by Adobe to speak at the Adobe Summit in San Francisco later this month, following the success of the college's Adobe Express Student Ambassador programme and primary outreach work.

As St Colman's College looks ahead to the new academic year, the focus remains on building upon these successes through continued collaboration, innovation and a commitment to providing the best educational experience for every student.