Omagh High School
14 Crevenagh Road
NEWSLETTER
Omagh, Co Tyrone
BT79 0EQ
Tel: 028 82242656
September 2015
Fax: 028 82251568
Email: info@omaghhigh.omagh.ni.sch.uk
Website:www.omaghhighschool.org.uk
A MESSAGE FROM
MRS R ELKIN
ACTING PRINCIPAL
At the end of August we bade farewell to
three members of staff who made a
tremendous contribution to life in Omagh
High School during their time here.
Mrs H Armstrong, Head of French, took a
transferred redundancy while
Miss C Beacom and Mrs G Cameron
completed their time at Omagh High
School as Signature teachers (which was a
very successful and worthwhile project to
support students in Maths and English).
Mrs Armstrong had taught English and
French from 1989 and was a well
respected member of staff and passionate
about her subjects. Mrs Armstrong’s
commitment was greatly appreciated and
we wish her well for the future.
We welcome Mrs C McLoughlin and
wish her every success as she takes on the
task of heading the French department.
We also welcome Mrs C Johnston who is
teaching Drama and English and is
presently auditioning along with
Mr Linton, for the cast of ‘Bugsy
Malone’.
I extend a warm welcome back to all our
pupils and staff at the start of this new
year and a very special welcome to all
new pupils both in Year 8 and the
significant number of others who have
joined us in other year groups. I trust that
all will soon settle into school life here
and feel a part of the school family very
quickly.
At the start of this new academic year it is
vital that we all approach the hard work
which lies ahead with determination and
enthusiasm. If we do so, then success lies
ahead and if not, we cannot expect
success to arrive by chance.
The ingredients for success are already in
place in Omagh High School such as
expert teaching and extra after-school
tuition. We will be encouraging all our
pupils and parents, throughout this year to
believe that, if they are prepared to put in
the effort and dedication required, then
tremendous success is not just possible
but likely.
The day ended with a lovely lunch on the
premises. Everyone had a brilliant time
and Crevenagh are determined to win
again next year to earn another great day
out.
I would remind pupils of our House
competition which starts on the first day
of term. Crevenagh House was the
deserving winner of the House Cup and
enjoyed a trip to Todds Leap in June as
their reward.
Remember that your
achievements are both individual and
corporate since the points count towards
your personal total and the House total.
Take pride in your House association and
do all you can to win points in the
differing activities.
I wish every success to all our pupils and
staff in the year ahead.
LEAVERS’ ASSEMBLY
A special leavers’ assembly was held on
Monday 28 June when all Year 14 pupils
were invited back for one last goodbye.
The event was followed by a celebration
lunch for both staff and pupils in the
school canteen.
Many thanks to the canteen staff who
excelled themselves in providing a
delicious meal.
HOUSE TRIP
WHAT’S ON …
- Wednesday 16 September - Year 12
Geography field trip - a river study along
the River Sillees in Derrygonnelly,
Co Fermanagh.
- Thursday 24 September – Friends of
Omagh High School (PTA) AGM at
8 pm in the School Assembly Hall.
New members always welcome.
Crevenagh were the winners of the house
competition and, as a reward, had an
amazing day out at Todds Leap at the end
of June. Pupils and teachers took part in a
range of activities such as archery, body
zorbing, giant swing, off road driving,
rodeo bull, climbing wall and bouncy
castles. They even tried the zip line that
pupils thoroughly enjoyed taking part in.
- Friday 25 September – European Day
of Languages – a celebration of our
cultural diversity and of languages spoken
and learnt in school.
- Monday 28 September – Staff Training
Day. Pupils do not attend school.
- Thursday 8 October – Friends of
Omagh High School (PTA) Table Quiz
and Calendar Launch 8 pm in the
School Assembly Hall.
WELCOME TO
OUR NEW YEAR 8
On 28 August our new Year 8 pupils
embarked upon the next stage of their
school career at Omagh High School. The
day was filled with opportunities to meet
house teachers and familiarise themselves
with the school, topped off with a
delicious barbeque. We would all like to
extend a warm welcome to them and hope
their post primary school career gets off to
a great start.
Their results are testament to the hard
work and commitment of the students, the
dedication and expertise of the staff, and
the support of families throughout the
students’ sixth form studies and in
particular through the stressful exam
season. The pupils have every right to be
proud of their results.
The percentage of pupils achieving 3 or
more A*-C grades has increased yet again
this year reflecting the high quality of
sixth form provision at our school.
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 for
our economy and I am confident that our
pupils have been well prepared for the
future paths they choose.
In congratulating all pupils Mrs Elkin
made a special mention of some
outstanding
individual
successes
including:-
Photographs courtesy of
Isobel O’Brien Photography
Home: 028 82251286
Mobile: 07709740704
noel.obrien2@btinternet.com
EXAM RESULTS
AS/A2 EXAMINATIONS 2015
David Boyd 3As*
Rebecca Beattie 1A, 2Bs
Timothy Deazley 1A*, 2Bs
Tamara Doherty 1A*, 1A, 1 C
Rebecca Donaldson 1A* 2Bs
Sarah Louise Donaldson 1A, 1B, 1C
Lisa Fleming 2As, 1B
Julie Graham 1A*, 2 Bs
Macaulay Killen 1A* 2Bs
Zoe Marshall 2As* 1C
Rebecca McFarland 2As, 1B
Cara Patterson 1A, 2 Bs
Marian Recana 2As, 1B
Lee Smyth 1A* 2Bs
Jasmin Steenson 1A, 1B, 1C
At AS level
Naomi McFarland 3As, 1B
Samuel McGonigle 2As, 1B
Jacob McIlwaine 2As, 1B
Omagh High School pupils have once
again excelled in their AS and ‘A’ level
examinations and surpassed previous
years’ performances.
Inherent in our ethos is the importance of
all pupils and their individual talents and
abilities thus we celebrate the successes of
all our pupils. We trust that these results
and the care and teaching the students
have received throughout their time in
Omagh High School will stand them in
good stead in the future.
GCSE EXAMINATIONS 2015
Omagh High School’s pupils and staff are
once again delighted with the outstanding
results which are on a par with previous
years, maintaining Omagh High School’s
position as one of the top non-selective
schools in Northern Ireland. These are
exceptional results and I, Mrs R Elkin
(Acting Principal), wish to congratulate
all our pupils on their success and pay
tribute to all staff who supported them in
their studies and their parents who
encouraged them.
It is extremely
rewarding to see the progress made by all
our pupils in fulfilling their true potential.
Our staff have nurtured, encouraged,
guided and supported the pupils all
through their education here and this
outstanding set of results bears the
hallmark of staff and pupils who have
worked hard and a staff who care for their
pupils.
These results mean many of our pupils
will be joining us in our successful sixth
form to continue 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 success it
is also important to 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.
Kira moved to Northern Ireland in 2011
and since joining us in Omagh High
School has worked exceptionally hard and
has contributed much to the school
community.
This is an exceptional
achievement. Really well done Kira!
(Photographs courtesy of Tyrone Constitution)
OHS SUCCESS AT SOUTH
WEST COLLEGE
Congratulations to Lee Smyth, Rebecca
McFarland and Andrew Hall who
achieved first place in their Entitlement
Framework courses at South West
College.
Our annual Sports Day was held on
Thursday 18th June. The weather played
its part with ideal conditions for the
athletes competing in both track and field
events. The events took place up until
lunchtime and the medals and trophy
presentations were held after lunch.
Spectators along with the competitors
were also kept amused during the day
with a variety of inflatables which added
more enjoyment to the day.
Out of a tremendous year group the
achievements of some individual students
merit a mention including
Jeanna Colhoun 4A*s, 6As
Tristan Harpur 7As, 3Bs
Jason Adams 1A, 9Bs
Natasha Anthony 1A*, 3As, 4Bs, 1C
Nicole Breen 5As, 5Bs
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
Danielle Hetherington 1A*, 4As, 4Bs
Denise Rainey 5As, 4Bs, 1C
Courtney Ross 4As, 3Bs, 2Cs
Leah Roxborough 2A*s, 1A, 5Bs, 1C
Laura-Ann Stewart 4As, 5Bs
Jack Wilson 4As, 5Bs
Jonnie Woods 1A, 8Bs, 1C
SPORTS DAY
BRITISH COUNCIL ART
COMPETITION
In June 2015 Kira Schneider, Year 10,
entered the British Council’s Art
Competition for pupils across the UK
whose first language is not English. The
task was to design an identity flag.
The entry submitted by Kira reflected her
life in Hungary and her new life in
Northern Ireland. Such was the depth and
symbolism of her work that Kira was
awarded 7th place out of the whole of the
UK. She was 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 participating, spectators
for attending and all the staff who helped
officiate during the events.
GOLF EVENT
On Thursday 25 June 2015 a group of
students from Omagh 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.
JUDO COMPETITION
The school would like to sincerely thank
Omagh Golf Club for its hospitality and
we hope to continue organising further
golf events at Omagh in the near 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
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.
Congratulations to Jake Hannigan who
represented Northern Ireland in the 50kg
weight category at the University of
Wolverhampton
competition
in
Birmingham. Jake narrowly missed out
on a medal and was placed fourth out of
twenty-five competitors. Well done Jake!
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.
BUGSY MALONE
COUNTY SPORTS
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
The Tyrone Secondary Schools’ County
Sports took place on Tuesday 9th June at
Campsie Playing Fields. A large turnout
of athletes from schools throughout
County Tyrone competed in a wide range
of track and field events. Omagh High
School had many athletes achieving
success in both Gold, Silver and Bronze
positions in both track and field events.
Our school show for 2015-2016 is Bugsy
Malone, which promises to be a funpacked, energetic performance involving
dancers, 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.