Local Schools Enjoy Good Relations Programme

Local Schools Celebrate Success of Good Relations Shared Schools Programme

Local Schools Celebrate Success of Good Relations Shared Schools Programme

Students from Newry High School, St. Paul’s High School, Bessbrook, Newtownhamilton High School and St. Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen celebrated the success of their Together: Building a United Community programme (T:BUC).

The event too place in the newly built St. Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen on Wednesday 5 October.

The Chairman of Newry, Mourne and Down Council, Councillor Michael Savage, is pictured with the Shared Education Co-ordinators (l-r) Amanda Blakely, Newry High School; Ciara McCoy, St. Paul’s High School, Bessbrook; Rosie Burns, St. Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen; and Joanna Ferris Newtownhamilton High School.

Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Councillor Michael Savage congratulated the students on their programme of achievement.

He said: “Celebrating good relations and learning new skills to build relationships, while promoting diversity and inclusion within our community is important as we reflect upon the richness of our culture.”

“I am delighted to see first-hand the results of the T:BUC programme and would like to congratulate and encourage all the students and schools that have taken part in this programme to continue to work together to build a united community which is enriched by diversity and welcoming to all.”

Pictured at St Joseph’s High School Crossmaglen for the Shared Education Signature Project are (l-r) Principal Newry High School Lestyn Brown; Amanda Blakely, Shared Education Co-ordinator, Newry High School; Shared Education Co-ordinators, Joanne Ferris Newtownhamilton, High School and Rosie Burns St Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen; Jarlath Burns, Principal of St. Paul’s High School, Bessbrook; Neil Megaw Principal of Newtownhamilton High School; Ciara McCoy St Paul’s High School Bessbrook; Shared Education Co-ordinator, Stephen Murray, Vice Principal St. Joseph’s High School Crossmaglen; and DEA Co-ordinators Kerri Morrow and Taucher McDonald.

The T:BUC Programme is funded by the Executive Office and delivered locally by Newry and Slieve Gullion District Electoral Areas (DEAs) in partnership with the Education Authority.

It provides a range of opportunities for young people from different backgrounds, to come together to build positive relationships based on mutual understanding and respect through a variety of good relations, safety and health and wellbeing workshops and activities.

The aim of the programme is to improve community relations continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society.

As part of the social action aspect of the programme, the pupils from local schools identified mental health as their primary focus and recently arranged a colour run to raise a total of £1,500 which they donated to the charity P.I.P.S Hope and Support.

(l-r) Lestyn Brown, Principal of Newry High School; Jarlath Burns Principal St. Paul’s High School; Councillor Aoife Finnegan; Neil Megaw, Principal of Newtownhamilton High School; Stephen Murray, Vice Principal of St. Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen; and Councillor Roisin Mulgrew.
During the Shared Education Signature Project, a Colour Run was organised and the pupils decided their chosen charity was PIPS Hope and Support. Pictured are Padraig Harte Fundraising, Marketing and Communications Manager PIPS Hope and Support who was presented with a cheque for £1,500 but more money still to come in from pupils. (l-r) Dani Graham Newry High School, Lottie Jones Newtownhamilto High School, Jessica Murray St. Joseph’s High School Crossmaglen and Shea Loughran St. Paul’s High School Bessbrook.
The Chairman of Newry Mourne and Down Council, Councillor Michael Savage, pictured with pupils from the four participating schools in the Shared Education Signature Project ‘Changing for the Better Together’, (l-r) Alissa Rocha-Cromie Newry High School; Dáithí Murphy, St Paul’s High School Bessbrook; Jake McConville Newry High School; Conor Sands, St Paul’s High School Bessbrook; Natalie Mulkerns, St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook; Mark Murphy, Newtownhamilton High School; Eva Robinson Newtownhamilton High School; Cara Crummie and Mary Gallagher, St Joseph’s High School Crossmaglen.