Whether you say hola, bonjour or guten tag – On Thursday 26th September Holy Cross Primary school children celebrated European Languages Day by looking at different cultures and languages as they embrace foreign languages in their classes. The children made a wonderful effort in their costumes.

A new meaning has been given to this phrase in Holy Cross Primary School. As an award for exceptional work and contributions to the life of the school, most importantly for showing kindness, pupils will be chosen to receive an invitation to the Principal's office for tea.  Each week one pupil from Key stage 1 and one from Key stage 2 will receive an invite. On the first Monday of the month, all the recipients of invitations will be taken to the office for tea and treats!  What a way to reward our hard working, enthusiastic boys and girls.

Pictured with Principal Mrs Charlene Sloan are Aodhan Cunningham, Conor Cunningham, Sophia Steenson, Annie McCartan, Darragh Fitzpatrick, Ollie Sloan, Finn Cunningham and Cassie Bartley.

The bi-lingual sacrament, The Rite of Penance, that took place in April at St.MacNissius’ Church, Tannaghmore, was a great success! Tannaghmore school acknowledge the enthusiasm, kindness and co-operation of the Parish Priest, Fr Seán Emerson, whose arrangements for the sacrament enabled the bi –lingual sacrament to run so smoothly. An tAthair Mac Giolla Cathain officiated with Fr Emerson. Dedicated staff helped with the liturgy of the music and the word. The sacrament touched all those present – parents and teachers alike. 

St Francis' Primary School, Lurgan, have become the first school in NI to host red squirrels as part of Belfast Zoo’s red squirrel conservation work. The three new residents to the school are safely housed in a large bespoke enclosure funded by the Alpha Programme. Pupils have been delighted to get to know their new furry school mates which they can view from the safely of a hide in their wild woodland area. This project has been a labour of love for Dwyer Coleman the Eco-Coordinator at the school; we wish him, the pupils and the new residents lots of success in the project. Have a look at them on St Francis’ Facebook page.

Capita IT Networks and C2k have announced that St. Peter’s & St. Paul’s Primary School Foreglen has been awarded the Highly Commended Award at the ICT Excellence Awards at The Merchant Hotel Belfast on Monday 24th June.

After speaking to the children, the judges commented on how confident the children could talk about their learning experiences and how they have helped pupils and teachers from schools across the country use technology effectively in their classrooms. In January 2019, 150 children from 23 schools across the country visited Foreglen for a Digital Leader Day, led and facilitated by the children of Foreglen. The children also won the GAA Innovation Award at The Irish News School of the Year Awards in June 2018 for making a free digital book for coaches and children who want to develop the basic skills of Gaelic Football. This book is available to download on the Apple Book Store all across the world.