Everything else we got up too…
‘Learning from Each Other’ – since 1994
Divisions in our society affected every aspect of life and putting together an extra-curricular programme in an integrated school is a very special opportunity and challenge. Sport presented particular challenges; the GAA still had a ban on members of the security forces, and one of our staff player’s Dad was a police officer. We shared our voice for a repeal of the ban. Music, like sport, has the capacity to be a wonderful unifier, and we had plenty of music in common, but also
traditions less familiar to each other, or even frightening! The driving force was being student-led and being open and responsive to all our students’ interests and enthusiasms.
Our founding head of Integrated and Religious Studies, Chris Skillen, created our Xtra! catalogue each year so that everyone would know about everything that was going on, and would feel welcome to join in. As well as our Prince’s Trust Study Support Centre Award, FIVE YEARS IN A ROW, we won Education Extra awards for our extra-curricular programme! The people who contributed are too numerous to mention. First came parent Audrey Briggs, then staff members
Rosemarie Cunningham and Ellen McVea, and of course the team of cleaners and locker uppers over the years!
