New-Bridge Integrated College

Year 13 pupils from New-Bridge Integrated College were awarded for their achievement during a recent assembly. Every pupil in the year group successfully completed a week in a workplace of their choice. Many of the employers remarked on how impressed they were with the pupils they hosted. The visiting teachers commented on the pupils’ enthusiasm and how they were a credit to the school. Mrs Bittle expressed her thanks on behalf of the students  to all of the employers who provided the opportunity for the students to gain valuable experience in the world of work. 

Mrs A Bittle Industry Links Co-ordinator, David McKay Tesco Community Champion and Pearce Nicholl – Work Experience Student of the Year

Each pupil in year 13 was presented with a certificate of achievement, however, one pupil, Pearce Nicholl was awarded special recognition for his time spent in three different placements he organised for himself.  Pearce spent his week in Iveagh House, Banbridge, Parkes Pharmacy, Banbridge and Scarva Street Surgery, Loughbrickland.  
This Work Experience Student of the Year prize was sponsored by Tesco, Banbridge. Thanks must go Mr David McKay, Tesco Community Champion for presenting this award.

New-Bridge Inspection Report now available  at

www.etini.gov.uk

The most outstanding examination results in New-Bridge

The past academic year was difficult and challenging for all schools.
The continuing uncertainty over the transfer arrangement and the pressure of economic recession on budgets and funding combined to have a considerable impact on the world of education. Despite these additional burdens New-Bridge continued to maintain an outstanding level of success.
The year began once again with a considerable oversubscription for pupil places in Year 8 and Sixth Form. Our ethos as an All Ability Integrated college is one which enables us to attract pupils from across our community and our reputation for academic excellence bears clear testament to fact that we are a good school which provides a quality educational experience for all our pupils.
Our results in public examinations were also outstanding and we were delighted.
Through collaboration within in the Banbridge Area Learning Community we increased the number of courses on offer at Key Stage 4 and also at Sixth Form.
We also welcomed increasing numbers of pupils from other schools who study a range of courses alongside our own pupils in New-Bridge.
This exciting development ensures that the needs of our pupils and the pupils of all schools in the Learning Community are being met and new Career pathways are opened up to meet local and national economic needs.
These significant achievements would not be possible without the professionalism and commitment of all our staff both teaching and non teaching. I would like to thank them for their tireless work and dedication to each individual pupil which makes our school a success.
During the year also our Board of Governors worked hard to maintain our school and support the staff team. As an Integrated College we reaffirmed our commitment by signing up to the Principles of Integration which were redrafted following in depth consultation with all the stakeholders in our sector.

Last year our Parents’Association continued the task of fund raising to support the maintenance and work of the college. I would like to say a special thank you to this dedicated group who organised a series of events throughout the year. The money raised allowed us to equip twenty two classrooms with interactive whiteboards
 I would also like to thank all of our parents for their support for the college in all it’s endeavours but most importantly for entrusting us with the education of their children and young people. We have a strong sense of family and community at the heart of our college life.
This enables us also to maintain close collaborative links with the wider community through the local churches – the college again hosted a very popular Scripture Union Summer Camp in August. A wide variety of community groups and local organisations continue to use our facilities.

As you read the results analysis and the reports from subject areas you will see a clear reflection that we are a school that embraces improvement, strives to engender high quality learning and teaching and welcomes the challenge of maintaining the highest standards in all that we seek to do.

Jenna McCourt feels like a ‘celebrity’ after winning the district final for the Lions Club International Young Ambassador for the 21st Century.

Jenna, who is studying A Levels, said her work in the youth sector in the community helped to secure the title.  Jenna has been volunteering for two years in the Greater Belfast Road Youth Club and enjoys every minute of it.  The Lions Award operates to encourage and support young people who are actively involved in the community.  Brian McShane, convenor of the award, said Jenna’s application completely ‘ blew the panel away’.

Jenna will now go to the Multiple District Final in Newry and if successful at each heat in the scheme could travel to as far away as Milan. 

Mr Jones, Principal, is delighted and proud of Jenna’s success and wishes Jenna the best of luck in the next round.