A Message From s1

Omagh High School 14 Crevenagh Road Omagh, Co Tyrone NEWSLETTER BT79 0EQ Tel: 028 82242656 Fax: 028 82251568 Email: [email protected] Website:www.omaghhighschool.org.uk S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 5

that all will soon settle into school lunch for both staff and pupils in life here and feel a part of the the school canteen. A MESSAGE FROM school family very quickly. MRS R ELKIN Many thanks to the canteen staff At the start of this new academic who excelled themselves in ACTING PRINCIPAL year it is vital that we all approach providing a delicious meal. the hard work which lies ahead At the end of August we bade with determination and HOUSE TRIP farewell to three members of staff enthusiasm. If we do so, then who made a tremendous success lies ahead and if not, we contribution to life in Omagh cannot expect success to arrive by High School during their time chance. here. The ingredients for success are Mrs H Armstrong, Head of already in place in Omagh High French, took a transferred School such as expert teaching redundancy while and extra after-school tuition. We Miss C Beacom and Mrs G will be encouraging all our pupils Cameron completed their time at and parents, throughout this year Omagh High School as Signature to believe that, if they are teachers (which was a very prepared to put in the effort and Crevenagh were the winners of successful and worthwhile project dedication required, then the house competition and, as a to support students in Maths and tremendous success is not just reward, had an amazing day out at English). possible but likely. Todds Leap at the end of June. Pupils and teachers took part in a Mrs Armstrong had taught I would remind pupils of our range of activities such as archery, English and French from 1989 House competition which starts body zorbing, giant swing, off and was a well respected member on the first day of term. road driving, rodeo bull, climbing of staff and passionate about her Crevenagh House was the wall and bouncy castles. They subjects. Mrs Armstrong’s deserving winner of the House even tried the zip line that pupils commitment was greatly Cup and enjoyed a trip to Todds thoroughly enjoyed taking part in. appreciated and we wish her well Leap in June as their reward. The day ended with a lovely lunch for the future. Remember that your on the premises. Everyone had a achievements are both individual brilliant time and Crevenagh are We welcome Mrs C McLoughlin and corporate since the points determined to win again next year and wish her every success as she count towards your personal total to earn another great day out. takes on the task of heading the and the House total. Take pride French department. We also in your House association and do welcome Mrs C Johnston who is all you can to win points in the teaching Drama and English and differing activities. is presently auditioning along with I wish every success to all our Mr Linton, for the cast of ‘Bugsy pupils and staff in the year ahead. Malone’.

I extend a warm welcome back to LEAVERS’ ASSEMBLY all our pupils and staff at the start of this new year and a very A special leavers’ assembly was special welcome to all new pupils held on Monday 28 June when all both in Year 8 and the significant Year 14 pupils were invited back number of others who have joined for one last goodbye. The event us in other year groups. I trust was followed by a celebration Mrs Elkin congratulated all the pupils on their results noting that ‘A’ levels are a passport which can open many doors. “The interests and career aspirations of all students vary with some intending to study at university, some continuing their studies locally at South West College and some moving straight into employment. In the changing employment scene all these options are valid and important WHAT’S ON … for our economy and I am confident that our pupils have - Wednesday 16 September - been well prepared for the future Year 12 Geography field trip - a paths they choose. river study along the River Sillees in Derrygonnelly, Co Fermanagh.

- Thursday 24 September – Friends of Omagh High School (PTA) AGM at Photographs courtesy of 8 pm in the School Assembly Isobel O’Brien Photography Hall. Home: 028 82251286 Mobile: 07709740704 New members always welcome. [email protected] - Friday 25 September – In congratulating all pupils Mrs European Day of Languages – a EXAM RESULTS Elkin made a special mention of celebration of our cultural some outstanding individual AS/A2 EXAMINATIONS diversity and of languages spoken successes including:- and learnt in school. 2015 David Boyd 3As* - Monday 28 September – Staff Rebecca Beattie 1A, 2Bs Training Day. Pupils do not Timothy Deazley 1A*, 2Bs attend school. Tamara Doherty 1A*, 1A, 1 C Rebecca Donaldson 1A* 2Bs - Thursday 8 October – Friends Sarah Louise Donaldson 1A, 1B, of Omagh High School (PTA) 1C Table Quiz and Calendar Launch Lisa Fleming 2As, 1B 8 pm in the School Assembly Julie Graham 1A*, 2 Bs Hall. Macaulay Killen 1A* 2Bs Zoe Marshall 2As* 1C Rebecca McFarland 2As, 1B WELCOME TO Omagh High School pupils have Cara Patterson 1A, 2 Bs OUR NEW YEAR 8 once again excelled in their AS Marian Recana 2As, 1B and ‘A’ level examinations and Lee Smyth 1A* 2Bs surpassed previous years’ Jasmin Steenson 1A, 1B, 1C On 28 August our new Year 8 performances. pupils embarked upon the next At AS level stage of their school career at Their results are testament to the Omagh High School. The day was hard work and commitment of the Naomi McFarland 3As, 1B filled with opportunities to meet students, the dedication and Samuel McGonigle 2As, 1B house teachers and familiarise expertise of the staff, and the Jacob McIlwaine 2As, 1B themselves with the school, support of families throughout the topped off with a delicious students’ sixth form studies and in barbeque. We would all like to particular through the stressful extend a warm welcome to them exam season. The pupils have and hope their post primary every right to be proud of their school career gets off to a great results. start. The percentage of pupils achieving 3 or more A*-C grades has increased yet again this year Inherent in our ethos is the reflecting the high quality of sixth importance of all pupils and their form provision at our school. individual talents and abilities thus we celebrate the successes of all our pupils. We trust that these results and the care and teaching Danielle Hetherington 1A*, 4As, the students have received 4Bs throughout their time in Omagh Denise Rainey 5As, 4Bs, 1C High School will stand them in Courtney Ross 4As, 3Bs, 2Cs good stead in the future. Leah Roxborough 2A*s, 1A, 5Bs, 1C These results mean many of our Laura-Ann Stewart 4As, 5Bs pupils will be joining us in our Jack Wilson 4As, 5Bs successful sixth form to continue Jonnie Woods 1A, 8Bs, 1C their studies at A level. Others will elect to continue their studies at South West College and some will move into employment. We congratulate all of them on their success and wish them further success in the future.

In addition to their examination GCSE EXAMINATIONS success it is also important to 2015 state here how proud we are of the pupils’ overall development in terms of their attitude, their respect for all members of society and their valuable contribution to the local community. Omagh High School prides itself in providing quality education thus enabling its young people to successfully meet the challenges of future career pathways whether locally or further afield. Developing and enhancing the pupils’ skills have been a real team effort by everyone involved with our school. (Photographs courtesy of Tyrone Constitution)

Omagh High School’s pupils and staff are once again delighted with the outstanding results which are OHS SUCCESS AT on a par with previous years, maintaining Omagh High SOUTH WEST School’s position as one of the COLLEGE top non-selective schools in Northern Ireland. These are Congratulations to Lee Smyth, exceptional results and I, Rebecca McFarland and Andrew Mrs R Elkin (Acting Principal), Hall who achieved first place in wish to congratulate all our pupils their Entitlement Framework on their success and pay tribute to courses at South West College. all staff who supported them in their studies and their parents who Out of a tremendous year group encouraged them. It is extremely the achievements of some rewarding to see the progress individual students merit a made by all our pupils in fulfilling mention including their true potential. Our staff have nurtured, encouraged, Jeanna Colhoun 4A*s, 6As guided and supported the pupils Tristan Harpur 7As, 3Bs all through their education here Jason Adams 1A, 9Bs and this outstanding set of results Natasha Anthony 1A*, 3As, 4Bs, bears the hallmark of staff and 1C pupils who have worked hard and Nicole Breen 5As, 5Bs a staff who care for their pupils. Bonita Clarke 3As, 6Bs, 1C Laura Donaldson 2As, 7Bs, 1C Rhoda Fleming 4As, 4Bs, 2Cs Jack Hall 3As, 4Bs, 3Cs Fiona Hamilton 1A*, 3As, 5Bs, 1C Our annual Sports Day was held in the 50kg weight category at the on Thursday 18th June. The University of Wolverhampton weather played its part with ideal competition in Birmingham. Jake conditions for the athletes narrowly missed out on a medal competing in both track and field and was placed fourth out of events. The events took place up twenty-five competitors. Well until lunchtime and the medals done Jake! BRITISH COUNCIL ART and trophy presentations were COMPETITION held after lunch. Spectators along with the competitors were also COUNTY SPORTS kept amused during the day with a In June 2015 Kira Schneider, variety of inflatables which added Year 10, entered the British more enjoyment to the day. The Tyrone Secondary Schools’ Council’s Art Competition for County Sports took place on pupils across the UK whose first Tuesday 9th June at Campsie language is not English. The task Playing Fields. A large turnout of was to design an identity flag. athletes from schools throughout The entry submitted by Kira County Tyrone competed in a reflected her life in Hungary and wide range of track and field her new life in Northern Ireland. events. Omagh High School had Such was the depth and many athletes achieving success symbolism of her work that Kira in both Gold, Silver and Bronze was awarded 7th place out of the positions in both track and field whole of the UK. She was events. delighted to receive a £50 voucher for use on Amazon as her prize from the British Council.

The PE department would like to thank all competitors for Kira moved to Northern Ireland in participating, spectators for 2011 and since joining us in attending and all the staff who Omagh High School has worked helped officiate during the events. exceptionally hard and has contributed much to the school community. This is an exceptional achievement. Really well done Kira!

GOLF EVENT

On Thursday 25 June 2015 a SPORTS DAY group of students from Omagh JUDO COMPETITION High School enjoyed a round of golf at Omagh Golf Club. The end of term Golf Trip has been an annual event since 2013 and continues to attract interest from students from all years within the school.

The school would like to sincerely thank Omagh Golf Club for its hospitality and we hope to continue organising further golf Congratulations to Jake Hannigan events at Omagh in the near who represented Northern Ireland future. OMAGH HIGH SCHOOL CHARITY HORSE SHOW

The annual Omagh High School Horse Show will take place on Saturday 24 October 2015 commencing at 9.15 am in Ecclesville Equestrian Centre. The show is open to all competitors, nursery, primary and secondary, with all the usual BUGSY MALONE classes from cross poles to metre. The highlight of the show is the inter-schools team classes which are always fiercely contested.

The Equestrian Team is indebted to all the local businesses that support this venture. Their generosity guarantees very generous prizes in all classes.

Team entries close on Friday 16 October however individual entries for all classes will be taken on the day. For further details please contact Mrs Quigley.

Our school show for 2015-2016 is Bugsy Malone, which promises to HOUGHT FOR THE be a fun-packed, energetic T performance involving dancers, MONTH singers and gangsters. The show will be performed in the Strule Arts Centre on 2 and 3 February 2016.

The talent displayed during auditions was exceptional and we look forward to our weekly rehearsals from now until the show on Wednesdays from 3.30 pm – 5.00 pm in the Assembly Hall.