John Francis at the Match

On one of Kevin's regular jaunts to Man Utd, he ran into John Francis White, who is now in his third year at Leeds studying Marketing. Excellent news and very well done. Equally excellent is that his mother, and ex Shimna staff member, Joanne is teaching in Warrenpoint. On the same jaunt, Kevin ran into Jack McStay, and some of their habitual season ticket swapping went on as usual!

Engineering William

William Murphy may be currently earning his keep in Tesco, but he has graduated in engineering from Queen's University Belfast, and keeping his eyes open for the kind of engineering job that will inspire him. Great to see him so happy

Well Done Jamie and Aaron

The Hugh J O'Boyle newsletter this month had Jamie Doran and Aaron Doherty up there with the students achieving their qualifications. It's brilliant to see OldScholars doing so well. Congratulations

Fascinating Stuff from Wills

I'm literally just back last night from a study tour in Jerusalem, amazing place, archaeology is so important there as the two competing religions stake their claim on the place. We were also at the holocaust museum, the section on Nazism was just like flicking through our history notes. Coming out of the museum and walking around Jerusalem and seeing all the Jewish people (obvious because of their headdress etc.) really seemed uplifting, they have bounced backed despite such persecution. The trouble is the tension there is very strong and with all the Jewish buildings with little signs saying 'A gift from ...., your American Friends' it reminded me of the money the U.S. sent to Ireland in the troubles, perhaps unintentionally aggravating the situation by funding one side! I was in Perugia Italy doing survey work with a team of Archaeologists led by Simon Stoddart of Cambridge, in late September. Brilliant experience, I'll have to call into the school one day. I haven't forgot about that little write up I said I would do on history for the website, I'll get it sorted hopefully soon. Just having taken ten days out of term time for this Jerusalem trip I've got work to catch up on. My lecturers allowed me to go and I thought it was just too good an opportunity to miss. I hope all is well with you, I'll maybe see you on Remembrance Sunday

How's Chris Getting On

This is how...Hello from london! Thought i would let you know how i was gettin on. I came into school before i left and didnt get a chance to have a word wif you because you were teaching, although knowing your usual schedule i cant say i was suprised. Its hard to believe that ive nearly been here a month, times has just flown by but i am absolutely lovin it. I hav a crazy schedule at the minute because im going out on teaching placement for four weeks from the 1st November, so at the mintue im usually in lectures from 9- 6.00 or if im lucky 11-4.00 (who says university is all partyin and no work). Even freshers week wasnt easy, we had three days of outdoor persuits and at the end of each day we were given time to work on our first assingment. We wer given a piece of paper, put into groups and we had to come up wif an ice breaker events day for a girl school in south-west london and then we would actually hav to carry out and run the event ourselves for the 120 1st year girls. this happened about two weeks ago and it turned out to be a huge success and i really enjoyed. I'm lovin the lectures at the minute, one of the topics is History of Sport so getting the best f both worlds. Some of the old History skills are coming in handy too, tomoro i have to hand in a 500 word essay of my choice but the main theme of the task is to show your ability to reference. Hope everything in school is going well and im sure ill be in to visit sometime before the end of the year.

Refloating cruise Ships

Two Shimna OldScholars are off to the Netherlands to repair a cruise ship in port. Dominic Mitchell and Robert Imrie are the crew with this particular task in hand. Great to hear of two more with a firm career in hand, particularly in the times we live in.

Sorcha's Success

Sorcha Macken called in today. She graduated from Queens in drama in June and is working two days a week in the Crescent Arts Centre. She is also involved in trying to set up and inclusive drama project for actors of all abilities and disabilities. Great to see her looking wonderful.