A sample of the Trips, Visits and Events on offer in St. Paul’s January 2011-January 2012
During the Spring and Summer terms last year a number of new clubs were made available to pupils in the college. Pupils had the opportunity to attend Science Club, Ceili Club, Glee Club, Fair Trade, Games and Chat and Chew Club.
On 3rd February 2011 Year 9 and 10 pupils visited St. Colm’s High School, Draperstown for a Careers Convention.
On 7th February Year 12 attended a Careers workshop hosted by the Causeway Enterprise Agency.
Throughout the months of February and March a group of Year 9 students from St. Paul’s participated in a Cross Community Peace Project. They worked with pupils from Ballymoney High School to address the theme of peace and reconciliation. On 29th March they travelled to the Braid Centre in Ballymena to showcase a DVD they had produced to highlight their participation in the project.
On the 3rd March Year 12 attended a Careers convention in the Magherabuoy House Hotel.
On 16th March Years 8-10 pupils celebrated our culture by participating in the annual ceili in the assembly hall. At the same time Year 11 and 12 pupils participated in a 5km charity fun run.
On 12th April, a French theatre company visited school to perform a play in French entitled “Le Paquet Mysterieux.” St. Paul’s and St.Mary’s College, Clady students were treated to an hour of fun, laughter and language learning.
In April Year 12 Performing Arts students presented their GCSE showcase “The Snow Queen” to local primary school students.
On 18th April a group of 47 students and 7 staff left St. Paul’s bound for Italy. The group enjoyed two days at Lake Garda, exploring Milan and then took in the sights of Venice and Verona. The trip was an eclectic mix of sight-seeing,culture, food appreciation and good fun!
In May the GCSE Art students exhibited their examination work for family and friends. It was a highly successful evening.
On 25th and 26th May groups of Year 9 pupils from St. Paul’s and St. Mary’s, Clady spent a day on White Park Bay beach in Portrush. The trip, hosted by the National Trust, treated pupils to an informative tour of the strand, the caves and the Holy mound. Pupils learnt about the plants, wildlife and birds that inhabit the area.
In May Year 11 students were involved in a spiritual retreat organised by the Derry Dioceasean Youth Service.
From 6th to 10th June Year 11 pupilswere involved in work experience. They were employed in a wide range of local businesses and industries and found the week placement very beneficial.
On 9th June Year 10 pupils visited the Gruig Wind Farm in Antrim to study wind velocity.
On Friday 17th June Bishop Hegarty visited the school to celebrate a mass of thanksgiving in recognition of the school being named the top achieving non-selective secondary school in Northern Ireland.
On 16th September Year 8 students participated in a Young Enterprise day entitled “Your School, Your Business.”
On 23rd September European Languages day was celebrated in the College. Five Year 12 students visited St. Columba’s Primary School to carry out fun, interactive French activities with the P5,6 and 7 classes.
On 27th September Year 10 pupils attended the Causeway Enterprise Roadshow. Pupils participated in a variety of workshops and listened to inspirational speakers address the idea of entrepreneurial spirit.
On 30th September pupils from St. Paul’s travelled toSt. Mary’s College, Clady to take part in a Salsa dancing morning. Pupils enjoyed the opportunity to learn a new skill and hear the history and cultural significance of Salsa dancing.
On 5th October Year 11 pupils participated ina History trip to Derry. The pupils explored the city walls and learnt about the history of the city and the troubles.
On 6th October all pupils attended a talk about the danger of fireworks.
On 7th October Year 12 pupils attended the LIFE Conference in Portstewart’s Baptist Centre. The conference aims to help students make informed decisions about the moral and spiritual choices they make.
On 10th October the school library was officially opened by Belfast novelist Colin Bateman. The author read extracts from his latest novel and spoke to Year 8 students about his motivation for writing literature.
On 13th October Year 11 participated in the“Learn to Earn” business seminar organised by Young Enterprise.
On 18th October Year 10 pupils travelled to St. George’s Market in Belfast to increase their awareness of modern languages and meet people from across Europe.
On 26th October Year 11 and 12 Performing Arts Students performed original Halloween themed dramas for the school community.
In November Year 12 students were involved in an“Interview Skills Day”. Volunteers from outside agencies, businesses and industries conducted the training sessions and interviews and provided feedback for students on their performance.
On 17th November GCSE Irish students visited the Gaelteacht quarter of West Belfast. Pupils also visited Gael Scoil an Lonnain and enjoyed an informative and interesting afternoon speaking to primary school children in Irish about their experiences of school life.
On 18th November the Big Telly Theatre company performed invisible theatre in school. The purpose of “Operation Blitzed” was to help young people consider the dangers of alcohol abuse.
On 18th November professional actors staged a performance of “Of Mice and Men” in the college for pupils in Years 8-12.
On 23rd November Year 11 and 12 Performing Arts students attended St. Colm’s High School Draperstown’s performance of Grease.
On 1st December all Year 9 pupils attended a“Warriors of the Plains” exhibition in the Ulster American Folk Park to deepen their understanding of native American history.
On 2nd December all Year 12 students took partin the “Action and Aspire Enterprise” programme. The seminar is designed to help develop and extend pupils’ motivation and self-confidence.
On 13th December Year 12 students were involved in a “Study Skills Day” which helped them to determine the most effective ways to study and revise.
On 19th December Year 11 and 12 French and Leisure and Tourism students travelled with pupils from St. Mary’s, Clady to the continental markets in Belfast to sample the international food and culture.
On 21st December a diverse group of acts from across the school community participated in St. Paul’s Got Talent. The event was an ideal opportunity for pupils to showcase their very diverse abilities and acts ranged from singers to dancers, musicians to magicians.