Sperrin College Annual Prize Giving 2015 Au revoir

CHRISTMAS 2015 ISSUE 18
Sperrin College Annual Prize Giving 2015
Guest Speaker Dr Lennon from Regulation Quality Improvement Authority
(RQIA) was extremely impressed by the outstanding achievements of our
students. Speaking at the event, Dr Lennon outlined the demands our young
people will face as they go forward to third level education and the world of
work. Skills and qualifications gained at Sperrin College will provide the platform for our young people as they progress through to the next stage of their
careers. Sperrin College continues to achieve both excellent GCSE and A
Level results, well above the Northern Ireland average. 76% of our Year 12
students achieved 5 or more A* - C grades or equivalent. Our pass rate at A
Level was 98% with Alannah Scott achieving 3 A grades and David Keenan
achieving 2 A’s and a Distinction, with both students entering the course of
their choice at their chosen university. This impressive set of results has ensured the continued growth of our Sixth Form and the College is oversubscribed for it’s ninth consecutive year. We welcomed 87 new First Year pupils
in September and we wish them every success for the next seven years.
Au revoir
We said a heartfelt good-bye to Mrs Hunter, Vice Principal at the end of August. Mrs Hunter was a
founder member of our teaching staff and she worked tirelessly over the last thirteen years. Her
dedication to our school is much appreciated. Mrs Hunter is a ’problem solver’ and she had the answer to many difficulties we encountered as a ’new school.’ She was one of the last staff to leave
the car park practically every evening, so much so that one of the caretakers locked her in one
night—she did manage to contact him and returned home safely! We wish her good luck and all
the best for her retirement. She will be missed here in Sperrin.
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BT Young Scientist
A great day was had by Year 13 Product Design students at the Minister of Educations BT
Young Scientist Welcome Event in its 52nd year, this was the first time Sperrin College have
participated, hoping it is the first of many!
Christmas Hamper Appeal
This Christmas we enjoyed an excellent response to the annual Hamper
Appeal. The effort of all those involved was tremendous. The hampers
will be distributed throughout the local community in conjunction with St
Vincent de Paul and The Salvation Army. Thank You to everyone who
contributed to this worthwhile cause.
Prince's Trust Celebrate Success Awards
It was with great excitement that Mrs Hunter & I headed off to the fabulous
Titanic Building in Belfast for the "Prince's Trust Celebrate Success
Awards!.” It was very fitting that Mrs Hunter attended this event as she has
been the driving force behind the introduction of the Prince's Trust Awards
Programme into Sperrin College. We were delighted to meet our advisor
Marilyn Ward who has always been an enthusiastic source of support &
encouragement to our staff since the programme commenced. The event
was truly star studded with Keith Duffy from Boyzone and Seainin Brennan
from The Fall hosting the awards. Many other celebs attended such as
Jesse Jane McParland from Britain's Got Talent, Gerard McCarthy from
Hollyoaks, Ian Beattie from Game of Thrones and Ireland International rugby player, Jared Payne. Pete Snodden
from Cool FM also made an appearance and hit the decks to ensure the atmosphere was buzzing!
Industry sponsors were also out in force with representatives from HSBC, Ulster Bank and Devenish Nutrition and
Samsung who sponsored the event. I'd nominated Mark Peden for the 'Educational Achiever of the Year" and was
delighted when he was short listed as one of the finalists. (Unfortunately, Mark was unable to attend the event due
to family illness). I'm sure if Mark had been able to attend he'd have been thrilled to see his name "in stars" along
with all the other finalists.
It was a double success for Sperrin College as one of our founder pupils Paul Allen was also a finalist for the Ulster
Bank Enterprise Award. Paul always had an interest in being outdoors and extreme sports. He developed a particular passion for Parkour and has very successfully turned this into a career, teaching and running the largest
Parkour club in Northern Ireland. The event was truly memorable and it fabulous to hear all the incredible journeys
and inspirational achievements of the young people of Northern Ireland.
Mrs Rooney
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Habitat for Humanity
Many thanks to Mid Ulster Letting &
Sales who have been very generous with a donation of £600 for
Habitat for Humanity.
Budding TV Presenter—Lee Costello
Whilst studying History at Queens University I heard about an application for a non-graduate job at the BBC. I decided to apply, never
thinking I would get it seeing as there were 2,000 applicants for only
one job. I love the travelling and the spontaneity of the job, no two
days are the same. I love sports and have a particular interest in
GAA, so I jumped at the chance to attend the Ulster Final and make
a radio package for Radio Ulster. I head away to London soon for
TV training so you could be seeing my mug on TV soon!
More success for Sperrin in Moving Image Arts with Oscar’s Oscar!
For the fourth year in a row we have a major prize winner at the Foyle Film Festival, Moving Image Arts
awards – the subject’s equivalent of the Oscars. The
work of over 300 students from across the UK has been
submitted for the various categories, with Oscar Pescott
(from Rainey Endowed School) managing to make it to
1st place in the AS Animation section. Fantastic work
Oscar! This is a huge inspiration (and challenge) to all
the students studying the collaboration course in Sperrin…
Can we win AGAIN next year? No pressure!
PAGE 4
Promoting STEM for Female Pupils
Year 10 girls enjoyed the Sentinus Big Bang Stem Day on Wednesday 9 December.
Year 13 Business Studies students visit our Business Educational
Partner Specialist Joinery
Year 13 Applied Business students attended Specialist Joinery to take part in a
question and answer session and tour, gaining a great insight into the company.
Thank you to Specialist Joinery for their hospitality.
PAGE 5
Grease is the word
Expecting the school’s production of Grease to be faithful to the rather cheesy but very enjoyable film, I wasn’t left disappointed! The music, the acting, the choreography and the amazing stagecraft all combined to create a wonderful performance that was hugely entertaining.
Sperrin was on ‘Grease Alert’ from September. Students from Year 8 to 14 seemed to have an unfailing energy, despite the pressure they must have felt balancing their studies and heavy rehearsal schedules. Their dedication to the play was obvious from the moment the cast was announced, and you could see a special camaraderie develop as they lived and breathed the musical.
Speaking to members of the cast and choir, I am left with a feeling of regret that I wasn’t part of such a memorable project that gave such joy to those who came to watch it, as well as those who took part. All the students involved commented on Mrs Mackle and Miss Kelly’s devotion to the show, not to mention the Learning Support Assistants and other members of staff, who gave their time and talents so enthusiastically. The
final curtain fell to a much deserved standing ovation and the songs are still heard echoing around the school.
It is clear that ‘Grease’ will be remembered for a long time to come!
Danny Quinn 14KF
A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who sponsored our production
of Grease.
Thank you also to EVERYONE who helped us in any way.
PAGE 6
Upcoming School Events
Back-to-Back Wins!
Our U16 Gaelic squad accompanied by Mr Lynn,
Manager and Mrs Martin, their coach set off for
Meadowbank on a dark dreary morning with our
supporters having being bussed there by DC
Coaches.
We were going for a back-to-back win in the Vocational Schools Under 16 B League. The quintet of
Conor McCoy, Christopher Bateson, Shay Bovill
and PJ McAleese played starring roles in our win
against St Pat’s Ballymena with the final score of 57 to 1-3.
January
4th: School reopens—Week B
18th—21st: Year 12, 13 and 14 Exams
21st: Open Event
22nd: Holiday—No pupils in school
25th—27th: Year 12 Work Experience
February
8th—12th: Literacy Week
10th: Ash Wednesday
11th: Year 12 Parent Teacher Meeting
12th: Habitat for Humanity Sponsored Walk
15th—16th Staff Development Days—No pupils in
school
25th: Year 8 Parent Teacher Meeting
29th—4 March: Integrated Education Week
March
3rd: Year 11 Parent Teacher Meeting
3rd: Year 10 Options Talk and Parent Teacher Meeting
9th: Year 11 & 12 Vaccinations
15th: Year 9 Parent Teacher Meeting
16th: Non Uniform Day in aid of Habitat for Humanity
17th: Holiday—No pupils in school
Save the Date —Thursday 7 April
The college will be hosting a Fashion Show and a Vintage Tea in aid of Habitat for Humanity.
More details will follow.
NEBSSA Finals
In the spirit of celebrating
success... a belated congratulations to our (then)
Year 11 boys who made it
through to the NEEBSA
finals in May at Dalriada.
Well done guys!
Sperrin Integrated College
39 Pound Road
Magherafelt BT45 6NR
Tel No. 028 79634177
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