Shimna News - Summer 2026

As we reach the end of the school year, it is heartening to reflect on the many highlights of 2025-26. In every aspect, inside and outside the classroom, students and staff have put our motto into practice by learning from each other.

The wide range of events and opportunities over the past few weeks alone have ensured the school year has ended on a high, including: the three-day Looking Ahead careers programme; almost a hundred students taking part in Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh / President’s Award expeditions; a timely week of activities around the theme of empathy; an unforgettable school trip to Italy; end-of-year achievement assemblies; an epic final which secured another Ulster title for the U15 Boys; a variety of open competitions, in chess, golf, tennis and table tennis, plus our first ever Spelling Bee; a Garden Party for our outgoing Year 14 students and their families; and another fantastic  Activities Week for Years 8-11.

We also invited our incoming Year 8 for a welcome event and the chance to meet their Form Teacher and get together with their new classmates. As always, the next generation brings hope, excitement and the forging of new friendships.

If you’d like to look back on the school year, click on the link to read our student magazine Shimna Scoop or to view a highlights reel. 

As I write this end-of-year newsletter, the workmen are busy in front of the school, finishing off the last phase. After over three years, the new build project will be complete by 1 September, with the official opening taking place in October.

Student Leadership

Thank you to our Year 14 Leadership Team. They have made a tremendous contribution across the year, including representing the College at public events, chairing meetings of the Student Council, organising the annual Talent Show, advancing a range of environmental projects, promoting College sport and raising funds for a host of local charities. On that note, students and staff have raised an incredible total of £15,548.18 across the year. Thank you to everyone who supported these good causes.

Thank you to our outgoing team, led by Head Boy Jude Brannigan and Head Girl Rachel Hodge.

I am delighted to announce next year’s Head Girl will be Alice Fitzpatrick and Head Boy James Cunningham. Full details of the new Student Leadership Team will be published at the start of the new school year.

Survey feedback: Learning from each other

Over the course of the Summer Term, we surveyed the views of students, parents, carers and staff to take stock of the first year in our new school.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate and offer feedback. A total of 161 responses were received, spanning all year groups.

As well as being delighted to receive such overwhelmingly positive feedback, we were pleased to hear specific suggestions on how to continue to improve our provision.

What Parents/Carers told us we do well

· Outstanding pastoral care

· Strong, positive relationships

· A genuinely inclusive ethos

· Excellent academic support for all learners

· Differentiated curriculum pathways

· Extra-curricular opportunities

Parent/Carer comments included

“Shimna has an incredible sense of community… a feeling of nurture and belonging.”

“A very warm and welcoming school with the children’s best interests at heart.”

“Pastoral care is outstanding and staff build strong relationships with students.”

My child feels happy, supported and proud to attend Shimna.”

“Staff go above and beyond to support

     both students and families.”

We will continue to improve

· Communication, including arrangements for extra-curricular programme

· More  opportunities for parent / carer engagement

· Opportunities for stretch and challenge across all subjects

· Consistently high standard of uniform

Our Commitment

We are proud of our inclusive and supportive school community and remain fully committed to listening, learning, and continuous improvement.

Thank you for your continued support.

Uniform: getting ready for September

As we come to the end of the school year, thank you for your continued support and cooperation. We are very proud of our Shimna school uniform, which reflects the values, identity, commitment to equality and high standards of our school community.

There are no changes to our uniform policy for September. Our uniform continues to offer students a degree of choice.

We are pleased to work with a number of local suppliers who provide key branded uniform items:

· Bingham’s, Newcastle

· Rhoda Stewart, Ballynahinch

· Holmes, Kilkeel

· McKenny’s, Castlewellan

· Pricewise, Downpatrick

Unbranded items such as white shirts, school grey trousers, and school grey skirts may also be purchased from other retailers.

Important reminders

a) PE bottoms, including shorts and leggings, must be navy blue. Black PE bottoms are not permitted.

b) Footwear must be plain black, with no white or coloured markings on uppers or heels. Converse-style footwear is not permitted.

c) Skirts: phased change

As a result of the feedback from the review, we will be phasing out pencil skirts over the next academic year. From September 2027, the approved skirt will be a two-kick pleat style.

Pencil skirts may still be worn in the interim; however, families may wish to begin purchasing the new style in preparation.

Please also note that all skirts should be worn at, or just above knee length to ensure a smart and appropriate appearance.

d) Jewellery

Students may wear flat, studded earrings and a nose stud, which must be removable. No other facial jewellery is permitted. For safety reasons, rings must be removeable, particularly during practical subjects.

We appreciate your support in ensuring that all students present themselves smartly, safely, and consistently.

We welcome donations of pre-loved uniform and sports kit.

e) Other Essentials

· School bag	· Highlighters
· Pencil case	· Ruler (30 cm)
· Pens (blue/black), pencils	· Scientific calculator (for maths/science)
· Eraser, sharpener	· Protractor

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For information on free school meals and home-to-school transport assistance, please visit the Education Authority website:  https://www.eani.org.uk/parents

Music lessons

The College arranges lessons with peripatetic Music teachers and we have some availability for September. Please contact Mrs Fitzpatrick, Head of Music & Performing Arts, if you wish to apply. 

Summer reading

We strongly encourage our students to spend time reading over the summer. The educational and wellbeing benefits are powerful - https://literacytrust.org.uk/reading-for-pleasure/families/ 

Here are some ideas for reading material 100 fiction books all children should read before leaving secondary school.

The https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/ is another good source.

Staff news

On Friday, we said goodbye to the following members of staff: Melissa McKee, Teacher of Art & Technology, is relocating and taking up a new post at Ballyclare High; LSA Chloe Vaughan is moving on to work as a sound technician for Newry, Mourne & Down Council; and LSAs Rose-Marie Cunningham and Fiona Forsythe are retiring, after 27 and 11 years respectively.

We thank them for their sterling service and wish them health and happiness in the future.  Our new staff will be introduced in the September newsletter.

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This term’s examination season ran smoothly. Thank you to Mrs Samuel and Mrs Leavy, as well as our invigilators, for their superb planning and administration. Our students conducted themselves in an exemplary manner. We wish all of them well for results day in August.

Key dates next term

27 July - 10 August College closed ( inclusive )

Thursday 13 August Sixth Form Results Day

Thursday 20 August GCSE Results Day

Thursday 27 August Year 14 Leadership Team training

Friday 28 August Year 8 and Sixth Form Induction

Tuesday 1 September First day of College year for all students

Friday 9 October P7 Day ( College closed to students )

Wednesday 14 October Celebration of 2025-26 - Key Stage 3

Thursday 15 October Celebration of 2025-26 - Key Stage 4 & Sixth Form 

Friday 23 October Half-term break starts ( 3.30 pm ) - Monday 26 to Friday 30 October inclusive

Monday 2 November College reopens for second half of term

Thursday 17 December Presentation Evening ( Public Examination awards - August 2026 )

Friday 18 December End of term

The full calendar for 2026-27 can be found on our website. The programme of Parent & Carer Consultations will be published at the start of September.

Finally, please notify us of any changes to contact details or medical Information relating to your children.

Best wishes to you and your family for a restful and happy summer.

Steve Pagan