Shimna News - October 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we reach the half-term break, it is remarkable to consider how much good work has been completed. Then again, perhaps it's not that remarkable after all, given that this has been a typical few months at Shimna, with the extraordinary commitment of students and staff both inside and outside the classroom on display, week in, week out. Sporting seasons are now underway, the Duke of Edinburgh / President’s Award Scheme is well advanced and the Geography Trip to Iceland departs next week.
This week alone, we have seen our King’s Trust groups and our Year 14 Charity & Sports Leaders, organising and running a host of fundraising activities in aid of MyMy and Mourne Mountain Rescue, and a variety of events to promote Reading Week.
Meanwhile, the week concluded with our Head Boy, Head Girl and their Deputies chairing Key Stage meetings of the Student Council.
Last week’s Celebration Evenings were heartwarming events. As usual, they were compered by our Student Leaders, with special features including the work undertaken to achieve the CyberFirst Gold Award, last summer’s Sounds & Tastes trip to Rome and the Peer Mentors scheme.
The programme also showcased the wonderful musical and creative talent across the year groups.
Thank you to John and Seamus Brannigan for sponsoring the Award for Industry. This is given to students with the highest number of Achievement Points in their year group last year.
The Resilience Award is named after founding teacher and former Head of Science, Derek Bailey.
The Baroness Blood Award is given in honour of May Blood (1938-2022), the first peeress from Northern Ireland and renowned advocate of Integrated Education.
One of this year’s recipients, Emily, also received a certificate from the Royal Life Saving Society. Read more about the reasons for this deserving award here.
The Sports Awards are in honour of the late Rory Friel, former Head of Boys PE.
Second half of term
The second half of term promises to be no less busy, especially with public and mock examinations giving students in all year groups the opportunity to consolidate their learning.
The return of industrial action presents some challenges. We hope the issue of teacher workload can soon be resolved. In the meantime, the previously published Assessment and Reporting schedule has been revised, with new dates highlighted in red.
We also look forward to reviewing and ratifying the College's updated Articles of Association. The Extraordinary General Meeting takes place on the evening of Thursday 26 November. Full Members and Associate Members will be contacted directly about arrangements.
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Dates coming up
Monday 2 November: College re-opens for second half of term
9 - 19 November: Public Examinations - GCSE Maths, English Language & Dual Science
25 November: College closed - Year 8 and Year 11 Parent & Carer Consultations
26 November - 3 December: Year 8-11 - Winter Examinations
9 - 14 December: Sixth Form Mock Examinations
Friday 18 December: Last day of term - half day, with a Carol Service in the morning
Further information about the examinations and consultations on 25 November will follow in due course. Consultations for Years 9, 10, 12 and Sixth Form will take place in the New Year.
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Reminders
In the event of any changes to contact details, medical Information or allergies relating to your children, please contact the College.
Likewise, please do not hesitate to contact us if there is any important pastoral information about your child that we should be aware of.
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Best wishes to all Shimna families for a restful mid-term break. Happy Halloween!
Kind regards,
Steve Pagan
Principal
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