Our Christian Union took 70 pupils away on their annual weekend to the Kilbroney Centre. We had Bible teaching, team challenges, a camp fire with marshmallows and many more memorable activities. We would like to thank Andrew McLeod from Carrick Elim who came to speak to us on the subject of ‘giving your all for Christ’. We would also like to thank Caleb H and Emma D for giving their testimonies on the Sunday morning. Thank you to our CU Committee who organised a great weekend

Congratulations to our Year 12 pupils Hubert Jaszczak, Evan Prior and Ewan Morrison who represented the School at the Queen’s University Future Stars rugby trials at The Dub on 11 March. Future Stars is a programme which identifies top Year 12 athletes in Ulster across a number of sports.

Congratulations to Year 12 pupil Chloe Beckinsale on her selection as captain for the Northern Ireland WU17 squad for the UEFA Women’s U17 Euro Round 2 qualifiers, currently taking place in North Macedonia. The team defeated Luxembourg 4-1 on 28 February and Georgia 3-1 on Tuesday 2 March with the final fixture against North Macedonia taking place on Friday. The Irish Football Association will host the UEFA Women’s U17 European Championships from 3-16 May.

Our Year 13 English Literature pupils enjoyed an informative day at the Seamus Heaney HomePlace and Museum in Bellaghy on Thursday 5 March to support their AS level studies. The pupils had the opportunity to view the exhibition of Heaney’s work, listen to an engaging lecture delivered by Dr Frank Ferguson, Ulster University, and participate in a workshop analysing poems from the AS level anthology.

In February our Year 13 Geography pupils completed their field study of ecological succession at Umbra Nature Reserve. With the support of Magilligan Field Centre staff, pupils collected soil, vegetation and microclimate data that will be used in their Unit 3 examination in June.

Congratulations to our minor girls who defeated teams from Antrim GS, BRA and Ballymena Academy to win the Netball NI North East Division 1 Schools' League. The girls have progressed to the semi-finals of the competition: Aurora Corcos, Sophia Della Croce, Grace Gilliland, Beth Hanlon, Sienna Harris, Lucy Hewitt, Megan McCain, Annie McGlynn, Lydia McKay and Jessica Skillen.

Members of our 1st XI and 2nd XI hockey teams travelled to Glasgow on Sunday 1 March. After an early start on Sunday morning the girls played against Giffnock Hockey Club, winning a very competitive match 1-0. Thank you to Giffnock for organising the fixture and for the post-match refreshments and activities in their clubhouse. The competitive streak ran on into Sunday evening and Monday morning as the girls participated in a bowling competition and go-karting, followed by so

Members of our A-level Physics classes took their learning outdoors at the end of February, bringing their classroom studies to life! They applied their understanding of mechanics and energy while climbing and zip-lining, practised equilibrium and centre of mass on the high ropes and explored projectile motion and elastic potential energy during archery. Their practical problem-solving skills were also put to the test through indoor team challenges. The instructors added thei

At the end of February Tom Kirkpatrick (clarinet), Emma Turkington (flute), Lucy McCain (clarinet) and Emily McCain (flute) participated in a residential weekend at Ganaway with the New Irish Youth Orchestra including a wonderful concert on Sunday evening at Glenmachan Church, showcasing their hard work over the weekend.

Congratulations to our pupils who have qualified to compete in the Dance World Cup taking place in Dublin from 8-18 July – Emma Scott, Eva McCarthy and Emily Kane. Emma and Emily train at the Jennifer Milligan Dance Academy and Eva at Doogan Dance Academy. The girls compete competitively individually and in group dances in a range of genres including jazz, hip hop, ballet, tap and lyrical.

A super 5-1 win for our U18 boys on 25 February against Down HS to reach the Semi Final of the Northern Ireland Plate. Goal scorers: Ethan McCalmont, Luka Steele, Matthew McMullan, Daniel Grills and Jake Pattison. POTM: Caleb Hawthorne Well done boys!

On Tuesday 25 February, our Sixth Form historians embarked on a trip to Dublin to bring their Irish history syllabus to life. The morning began at Kilmainham Gaol, walking the chilling corridors, viewing the very cells that held the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising and concluding in the stark Stonebreakers' Yard, the execution site of Kilmainham Gaol. Next, the group visited Glasnevin Cemetery to see the resting places of Michael Collins, Éamon de Valera and Constance Markie

Congratulations to Year 10 pupil Oliver Prince who competed in the Ulster & NI Indoor Championships at the National Indoor Arena in Dublin in February, winning Gold in the U16 Triple Jump (11.06m), Silver in the U16 Long Jump (5.12m) and 5th in the U16 60m Sprint (7.85s). Oliver has qualified for the Irish Indoor Championships taking place at the end of March in both Long Jump and Triple Jump.

Another super team performance by our U18 boys on Wednesday 4 March, defeating St Malachy’s 4-1 to reach the semi-final of the U18 Belfast Cup. Goal scorers: Jack Donley (2), Daniel Grills and Ethan Wray. POTM: Josh Craig.

Congratulations to Year 12 pupil Emma Papaconstantinou who travelled to the European Parliament in Strasbourg as part of the Rotary Youth Development Leadership Competition. Emma was one of 20 young people out of 1,500 applicants from across Ireland who won the Rotary Youth Leadership Development Competition. The competition involved 2 rounds of interviews based on Rotary, current affairs, the European Union and community involvement and was conducted by both Rotarians and lo

Congratulations to Jessica McMaster (pictured centre) and the Hockey Ireland women’s team on their 4-1 FIH Pro League victory over Australia in Hobart.

Congratulations to Year 12 pupil Ethan Kells on passing his RSL Rock School Grade 8 Electric Guitar with Merit. Ethan has already achieved Grade 8 in Acoustic Guitar with Distinction and is currently working towards his Grade 8 in Music Theatre.

Congratulations to our U18 boys who defeated St Kevin’s College 3-0 on 18 February to reach the quarter-final of the Northern Ireland Plate. Goal scorers Matthew McMullan, Josh Craig and Luka Steele. Player of the Match Jake Pattison.

Congratulations to Year 11 pupil Teddy who was invited to compete in the ISU World Inclusive Skating Championships in Lee Valley, London. She skated for Team GB in Compulsory Elements, Free Skate, Free Dance and Synchro Duet, winning 3 gold medals, one silver medal and 2 World Championship Titles. Well done Teddy!

Congratulations to our Year 10 team who defeated Aquinas 17-3 on Wednesday to reach the semi-final of the Northern Ireland Plate.

Congratulations to our 1st XV who defeated Bangor Academy 22-7 to reach the semi-final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy. Tries Ben Gardner, Captain (2) and Evan Prior. Conversions (2) and penalty Ben Gardner. Well done boys! The semi-final will be against Foyle.

On Friday 6 February Outright committee members Sophia Graham, Ruben McClure and Jackson Harris delivered presentations to Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils in Whiteabbey Primary School as part of our collaborative work on raising awareness of UNCRC Rights and Article 28 in particular, which focuses on the right to education and on highlighting the importance of advocating for the rights of all children, both here in Northern Ireland and globally.

On 3 February we were delighted to welcome Mr Richard Archibald, Sport NI interim CEO, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Education Minister Paul Givan to announce the funding of £240k towards the new carpet for our 2G full size synthetic pitch. Mrs Weir said “We are delighted that our funding application for the replacement carpet for our astroturf pitch has been successful and we are looking forward to the extensive use that it will have, both by our own pupils and from

Well done to our junior and senior teams who participated at Ulster Rugby's Girls’ Tag Blitz on 5 February at Rainey RFC. It was fantastic to have so many new players involved and our junior team secured a win against Loreto, despite some having only played for the first time this week! Well done to our players of the day for each team - Lucy Branagh (juniors) and Katy Smith (seniors), and our most impressive debut, Lili Biro.