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Lecturer and researcher at the Queen’s University Belfast School of Pharmacy, Dr Ryan Donnelly retuned to his Alma Mater this week to work with a group of Year 8 science students at St Colman’s College, delivering the ‘Pharmacists in Schools’ workshop.
During the visit the pupils got to be a ‘pharmacist for a day’ and enjoyed making up a mouth wash, a suspension and a cream. The pupils were assisted by staff from the School of Pharmacy, undergraduates from the School of Pharmacy and teacher, Mrs Geraldine Doherty.
This is the fourth year that St Colman’s has hosted this event as part of the Science Specialist Schools initiative and it has been a great opportunity to promote STEM subjects and careers within the school.
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The annual Spring Concert was held in St Colman's College on Thursday evening, March 31 in the school assembly hall.
The concert opened with Superman Returns performed by the school orchestra. The orchestra, led by Conor Masterson, also played the very famous waltz from Sleeping Beauty by Tchaikovsky.
A primary aim of the evening always is to promote the younger instrumentalists in the school. In the concert band, novice saxophonists, flautists, trumpeters and percussionists joined forces with seasoned players in Challenge the Future.
The very large, supportive audience was treated to The Sanctuary, West Kerry Polka and Jimmy Seery’s Reel from the traditional group. They offered a warm reception to the junior string ensembles, brass ensembles, jazz and big band music as well as hearing music from the flute duo and saxophone ensemble.
Participating students and audience alike were inspired by performances from a number of very talented soloists. Chengrun Shi (guitar), a past-pupil of St Joseph’s High School and now a final year music student at St Colman’s College performed The Entertainer by Scott Joplin. Matthew Dodds (piano) performed Dr Gradus ad Parnassum by Debussy and in contrast James Murphy (piano) played Liszt’s Nocturne No 3 in A flat. It was however Conor Masterson (violin), leader of SELB South Ulster Youth Orchestra and now a final year student at St Colman's College who provided the highlight of the evening with his performance of Nigun from Baal Sheem by Ernest Bloch.
In keeping with tradition, the final performances of the evening were a celebration of choral work in the school. The boys’ choir once again drew great audience applause for their vibrant rendition of Five Eyes by Armstrong-Gibbs. The full choir of St Colman’s College, drew the evening to a close by racing through The Beatles in Revue, a fine medley of fifteen Lennon & McCartney classics arranged by Ed Lojeski.
As well as the very popular Concert the College were very successful in the Newry Musical Feis with their Saxophone Ensemble winning The Geordie Berry Cup and Class 64: Woodwind Ensemble (Junior) 18 years and under.
In the photograph are James Sands (soprano sax), Conor McNamee, Timothy Conway (alto sax), Tiernan McGowan, Kieran O’Donnell (tenor sax) and Connor Campbell (baritone sax). Joint runners up were flute duo, James Murphy and Ciarán Martin (flute)
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Newry High School is celebrating the success of four of its young violinists at Portadown Festival.
Leah-Jade Edgar (Year 8), Hannah Kennedy (Year 9), Rebecca Khan (Year 9) and Suzanne Khan (Year 10) beat off competition in the String Ensemble class for Under 14’s to bring home the ‘St. Mary’s High School, Lurgan. Millenium Cup’.
This is a newly formed string ensemble having only been in existence from September 2010 and the girls’ enthusiasm for playing together is to be highly congratulated.
In addition to the ensemble silverware, Suzanne Khan was also awarded third place in her solo class.
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It was eight months ago when Gavin Fleming, a fourth year student at St Colman's College was asked to form a team to participate in the Red Cross: Justice and Fairness competition. Gavin recruited three gentlemen to the team who he knew he could trust in being contributive and productive members to the project; they were: Raymond Matthews, Conor Fegan, and Mateusz Jadczak. Together, they came up for the topic of this project, Civilians in Conflict.
Since October, the group have worked tirelessly on the project in order to maximise their chances of winning a trip to London for the finals, and to Geneva for the overall winner.
With the aid of their Public Relations officer, Raymond Matthews, Gavin and Conor organised a debate with senior politicians at the NI Assembly (Jim Wells, Micky Brady, Dominic Bradley and Danny Kennedy), a debate concerning the topic of Civilians in Conflict, two large school assemblies, a local radio station interview on Five F.M. and the production of leaflets and posters which were distributed the public.
Of course, during this entire exercise, Mateusz was behind the scenes filming and editing. The project members remarked that this project would not be near the level of standard it is at now if not for him.
When asked for his thoughts on the topic, Project Manager Conor Fegan replied, “It really was a wonderful experience for us to take part in.”
Head Rhetorician and Copywriter Gavin Fleming added to this by telling us, “Not only did the nature of the project demand us to inform the public about the topic of Civilians in Conflict, but it was also informative and enjoyable to us. We wish the Red Cross continued success on its missions across the globe.”
The closing date for entry is 20th May, and results will be released in the Mid-Summer. Good luck boys!
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Newry High performed well at both the Co. Down and Ulster Schools Athletics Championships competing in some dreadful weather conditions at the Antrim Forum this month.
The top performances included Kevin Murray who went on to win gold in the senior boy’s javelin in both meetings with a wind hindered throw of 47m83cm to become Ulster Champion.
Elsewhere in the field events, Mark Graham jumped a new PB of 5m84cm in the intermediate boy’s long jump which earned him gold in the Co. Downs’ and a bronze at the Ulster’s. Other notable performances came from Jake Wilson with 1m60cm in the inter high jump and Christine Cartmill making her fifth appearance at the Ulster’s finishing 6th in the senior girls high jump. Oliver Willetts continues to show his promise in the long jump breaking the 5 metre barrier in Antrim with still next season to come at the Junior age group.
On the track Newry High continued to make strides in the sprinting events with intermediates Ciaran Magill and Deane Williamson making the finals of the 200m and 400m hurdles respectively .Boys’ Relay teams at junior, intermediate and senior all medalled at the Co. Down Champs and made it into their finals just finishing outside the medals.
Kevin and Mark now go on to represent the school at the Irish Schools Championships in Tullamore.
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The victorious St Colman’s MacRory and Hogan Cup teams of 2011 were in attendance at an ‘Evening of Celebration’ in Violet Hill on Friday 27th May. Catering was provided by the outstanding Diamonds Restaurant Warrenpoint.
Rain threatened throughout the day but thankfully never arrived and the drinks reception and photographs in the quadrangle before the evening’s excellent meal, was enjoyed by all.
The evening was added to by the presence of past Hogan Cup winning Captains, including Wolfe Tones man Noel Moore who captained the first Hogan winning team in 1967 and Ballymartin man Declan Rodgers who captained the second successful team in 1975. Also present was 2010’s captain Niall Mc Parland from Glenn and Newry Shamrocks player and captain of the 2011 winning panel, Connor Gough.
Guests of honour at the banquet were Ard Stiúrthóir CLG Páraic Ó Dufaigh and chairman of the All Ireland Colleges’ Albert Fallon. In Mr Duffy’s address, himself a former coach with St MacCartan’s Monaghan and indeed Principal of the same school reflected on the many battles he had faced as a player and Manager against St Colman’s. Mr Duffy also took time to praise the contribution of St Colman’s to the Association through the years and thanked all involved with teams in Violet Hill for their hard work.
St Colman’s Principal Mr Cormac Mc Kinney, in his first year as St Colman’s Principal thanked all those who made the trip to Violet Hill for the celebratory evening. He paid homage to the 4 coaches who mentored the team, namely Mr Cathal Murray, Mr Declan Mussen, Mr Eamonn Mc Evoy, and Mr Barry Kelly, the last of whom will take up a new position as Principal Of Aquinas Grammar Belfast in September.
Mr Ray Morgan, who coached 5 Hogan Cup winning teams was also in attendance and the GAA’s Director General alluded to the many years of crossing swords with Morgan in Ulster College’s Football.
St Colman’s now can boast of having two full size pitches, with another in the making and a state of the art 140 x 90 m 3G pitch which going forward, will allow teams to train outdoors in all types of weather.
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SRC are delighted to congratulate two of their students on winning the EDI award for Most Prestigious Exemplar Teaching Material sponsored by Newry Credit Union.
Colette Patton from Newry, and Jacqueline McKeown from Lurgan, both undertook the EDI Certificate in Education Principles and Practice over one year within the College. They studied seven units towards their qualifications. Jacqueline also successfully completed the ICT Skills programme at the same time and this has qualified her to gain the full Diploma in ICT Skills.
Both students commented “The course was hard work, but when you see as a tutor the light of understanding suddenly appear in the face of your first student, it makes everything worthwhile”. “Not only did we discover a flair for teaching but it also increased our self confidence”.
Tutor and Course Co-ordinator, Ciara Graham, commented: “The students received high praise from EDI on the standard of their work. All the students were highly committed and dedicated to their course and put a lot of hard work and time into it. I congratulate both Colette and Jacqueline for winning these awards and also to all students who have undertaken the EDI programmes within the College both past and present”. I would also like to thank Newry Credit Union for sponsorship of the awards”
Elizabeth Greer, Deputy Head of Computing and Business added that opportunities exist for students who successfully complete EDI programmes for part time teaching posts and other forms of training and described the courses as an excellent opportunity for adults who thought of coming back to education as the first step in developing their career.
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St. Colman’s College recent A-Level Art & Design Exhibition certainly excelled with the variety of Art pieces on display.
The exhibition showcases the many and varied talents of the St. Colman’s Art & Design students. It has given the students an opportunity to display their creativity and hard work. Students selected a range of themes, including: Portraiture, Graffiti, Cultural Identity, Landscapes, Architecture, Water & Sport and have created work in a variety of disciplines, including: drawing, mixed media, graphics, 3D design, textiles, painting and sculpture.
PERSONAL INVESTIGATIONS
Mark Travers:
PORTRAITURE: Printmaking/ICT/Textiles Outcome Candidate has produced a series of emotive fabric screen prints with creative embroidery. Imagery taken from first hand photographs, observational drawings and digital manipulation.
Kealan McEleavy:
WATER:Textile/ fashion design Outcome Candidate has produced a felt scarf using wools, felting and creative embroidery with both hand and machine work. Imagery taken from first hand photographs, observational drawings and digital manipulation.
Michael Wolinski:
GRAFFITI: ICT/Mixed Media used computer software, stencilling and collage techniques to create a 2D piece of work highlighting social issue of peer pressure.
Paul Mc Veigh:
LANDSCAPES: Textile Outcome: Candidate has used wools, thread, fabric, both hand and machine work to produce 2D work depicting Landscapes. The imagery used to create the piece included first hand photographs with digital manipulation.
Ryan Downey:
ARCHITECTURE: Outcome Ceramics: Pot inspired by architectural detail of Newry Cathedral. Use of digital manipulation to create a symmetrical shape from 1st hand photograph. This shape has then been represented in 3D form using clay.
Keith Moan:
SPORT: 2D Piece: ‘ Stephen Moan and the Bosco Blues’ Painting and digital manipulation of 1st hand source to create a painting depicting sporting identity.
Matthew Arlow:
CULTURAL IDENTITY: Outcome: ‘Cultural Hybrid Portrait’ Drawing and Graphic Media. Candidate has produced a painting with mixed media. Imagery taken from collected images.
EXTERNALLY SET ASSIGNMENT:
SOLIDITY & FRAGILITY
Paul Mc Veigh: ESA Installation: ‘Broken bottles’ 2D Piece using solid and broken glass with a Video of a narrative nature depicting the solid and fragile nature of glass and highlighting the two sides of alcohol.
Michael Wolinski: ESA Installation: ‘Beauty from Pain’ Series of drawings with digitally manipulated photographs and video of a narrative nature illustrating the solidity and fragility of the body and mind with reference to anorexia.
Mark Travers ESA 3D Pieces ‘ Fragile mind’ Hard and soft sculpture formed, moulded, cast and assembled using fine plaster and cello tape. Outcome series of heads depicting the fragility of the mind.
Matthew Arlow ESA 4 Batik Panels ‘Broken Bones’ Fabric panels. Imagery based on 1st hand photographs of a skeleton. Folds of the screen representing broken bones.
Kealan McEleavy:ESA 2D ‘Urbanism’ Acrylic painting with palette knife techniques depicting the solidity and fragility found in cities. Imagery based on photographs and 2nd hand sources.
Ryan Downey: ESA 2D Textiles ‘lest we forget how fragile we are’ gutta, wool and embroidery depicting the solid bones and fragile blood vessels of the human body.
Keith Moan: ESA Sculpture Outcome: ‘Giant Apple Core’ Sculpture made with steel rods, bamboo canes, chicken wire and newspaper. Painted finish. The materials, scale and object chosen express both fragile and solid qualities.
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The first ever St Colman's College Hurling team to reach and Ulster Final went one better and won their first ever BT Ulster Colleges’ competition in the Mc Farland Cup.
The Newry school defeated St Patrick’s Academy Downpatrick on a scoreline of 3-6 to 2-10.
This team, therefore, will go up on the famous College wall as the first Hurling team to do so. The team in blue were up against it from the off as Red High had quality throughout their team, littered with players from hurling strongholds such as Ballygalget, Portaferry and Kilclief.
The magnificent Captain, Pearse Óg Mc Crickard a son of former Down hurler Pearse Mc Crickard lifted the trophy on behalf of the College, this victory adding to the lad’s Corn na nÓg medal he won with the footballers last year.
It is a poignant victory for a College, which is steeped in Gaelic Football tradition and in many ways is defined by their successes on the Gaelic Football playing field. This win caps off a great sporting year for the College and comes hot on the heels of MacRory and Hogan Cup victories.
Downpatrick got a good start with a quick goal and a point from their target man Sean Hardy. However St Colman’s captain Pearse óg McCrickard’s influence grew as the half progressed and he pointed on five occasions with Kyle Kane adding a sixth for the Newry side.
Daithi Sands however fired in a Downpatrick goal and they held a 2-2 to 0-6 advantage at the break.
1-1 from impressive midfielder Robert Ellis on the restart put St Colman’s ahead and they maintained their lead throughout the second half with Michael Jordan firing home a second goal from ten yards.
After McCrickard had added 2 frees, St Colman’s led 2-10 to 2-4, but Downpatrick hit back with a beautiful strike to the top-corner from Oisín McManus 5 minutes from time.
Sean Hardy added a point and the crossbar came to St Colman’s rescue in the dying seconds as Downpatrick pushed for a winner.
That winner didn’t come however and St Colman’s, who created football history earlier this year by retaining the Hogan Cup, now have broken new ground with a first ever Ulster Colleges’ hurling crown.
Many players on both sides impressed - Michael Lennon, Declan Rooney, Michael Doran, Tony Dinsmore, Robert Ellis, Kyle Kane, and Pearse Óg McCrickard for St Colman’s and Conan Hynds, Conail Fay, Jake Carville, Cormac Coulter, Daithi Sands, Oisin McManus, Sean Hardy for the Red High – indicating that both schools will make a big contribution to the game in years to come.
St Colman’s : Michael Lennon, Declan Rooney, Michael Doran, Joseph Cunningham, Niall Daly, Conall McNally, Tony Dinsmore, Robert Ellis 1-1, Kyle Kane 0-2, Niall McGreevey, Stephen McKey, Patrick Scullion, Tiarnán McCavanagh, Michael Jordan 1-0, Pearse Óg McCrickard capt 0-7.
Sub : Callum Campbell for N McGreevey.
St Patrick’s : Conan Hynds, Louis McMullan, Conail Fay, Jamie Doran, Niall Smyth, Jake Carville, Pearse Laverty, Cormac Coulter, PJ Davidson, Daithi Sands 1-0, Oisin McManus capt. 1-2, Danny Murray, Declan Merron, Sean Hardy 1-3, Marc Fisher.
Subs : Sean Og O’Rourke for D Merron.
Ref : Frank McDonald (Crossmaglen)
Submitted by: Seamus McAleenan
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