Naomh Pol News Issue 6

Contents Naomh Pól News 

P. 1 Contents 

P. 2-3 Mr Murray and Mrs Hughes say hello! 

P. 4-8 Meet our Head Girls, Head Boy and Student Council of 2023-24. 

P. 9-11 Our new Principal, Mr Murray, answers some tough questions. 

P.12 Hannah Boyle and Tiarna Kelly tell us all about their trip to Lourdes. 

P. 13 Our wonderful Librarian and Northern Ireland Judge for the prestigious 

Carnegie Medals for Writing and Illustration talks to us about her love of 

books. 

P. 14-15 Some wonderful work from our very talented GCSE students. 

P. 16-17 Mr Burns talks to us about St. Paul‛s and his new role as the 41 st President 

of the GAA. 

P. 18 Want to make new friends? We have some advice. 

P. 19-20 Our Den students have had a busy year! 

P. 21 Fancy some pizza? We have just the recipe for you. 

P. 22 Holiday book recommendation. John Green. The Fault in our Stars. 

P. 23-27 Mr and Mrs. Mr and Mrs Murphy tell us a little about themselves and 

what it‛s like to work together. 

P. 28 Technology Trip to Paris 

P. 29-31 Some wonderful A-Level Art 

P. 32 Traditional Music in South Armagh. 

P. 33-36 The Great Debate: Should mobile phones be banned in school? 

P. 37 And now for something sweet! Sprinkle Sponge Recipe. 

P. 38-40 Interview with our Spanish Assistant, Noelia. 

P. 41-42 French Department Trip to Paris. 

P. 43-44 An interview with our counsellor, Mrs Bridie Wroe. 

P. 45-46 Erin McCullough tells us all about her adventures in Strasbourg. 

P. 47-48 Seachtain na Gaeilge. Celebrating all things Irish. 

P. 49-50 Blas na Gaeltachta 

P. 51-52 A great night! Year 14 Formal 

P. 53-54 Choir News 

P. 55 Up the Women!!! International Women‛s Day in the Study Hall. 

P. 56-57 They‛re busy bees in English Department. Literacy News. 

P. 58-59 A sad but inspirational farewell. The Leaver‛s Mass. 

P. 60 We have a chat with Niall Keenan from 8/95. 

P. 61 BREAKING NEWS!! Our two Literacy Assistants attacked by GIANT 

P. 62 Art Work by Reece 

P. 63-69 A round up of all our Sports News 

P. 70 A Fond Farewell to Retiring Staff 

All bad Dad jokes supplied by Eoin O‛Hagan 

Cover by Gavin Kelly 

1

Naomh Pól News 

Dear pupils, parents, staff and the wider St Paul’s community, 

I am delighted, as the new Principal of St Paul’s, to welcome you to the latest 

edition of our school magazine, Nuacht Naomh Pól. 

The magazine does an 

incredible job in encapsulating the amazing story of a busy year in St Paul’s and I 

am so proud of the very many achievements and successes our pupils have attained 

over the last twelve months. 

I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to our editorial team of talented 

student volunteers, expertly led by Dr Georgina Larkin. Your dedication and hard 

work in producing this high-quality publication do not go unnoticed. 

Guided by the teachings of St Paul, our patron, we continually strive to live out 

our core values of truth, compassion, integrity and kindness. These principles are 

vividly reflected in the efforts of our students and the pages of this magazine. 

I am especially proud of our soon-to-be graduates, the leaving class of 2024. Your 

significant contributions have left a lasting mark on St Paul’s and you should be 

incredibly proud of your legacy as esteemed pupils of the school. 

As I settle into my new role, the kindness and support extended to me by all of 

you have been incredibly reassuring. I wish you all every blessing and success in 

the future. 

Dáithí Murray 

Principal 

2


Welcome to the 6th edition of St Paul’s High School Emagazine - Naomh Pól News. 

As Head of Year 14, I am thrilled to present this edition which showcases the 

incredible talents and achievements of our students. This edition has been 

crafted with dedication and passion by the Year 14 student leadership team, 

under the guidance of Dr Larkin. From insightful articles to captivating artwork, 

we invite you to immerse yourself in the creativity and excellence that permeates 

every page. Enjoy the read and join us in celebrating the vibrant spirit of our 

school community. 

Mrs C. Hughes, Head of Year 14. 

3


Meet our Head Girls and Head Boy 

Grace McCann 

Hi everyone! I am Grace McCann, and I was honoured to be given the position of Head 

Girl in my final year. I took it as a gift for the constant work and effort I put into my 

studies and into school since 2017. Being Head Girl is one of my proudest achievements 

to date. I am currently studying Maths, History and Digital Technology for A Level and 

I hope to go to Queen‛s University Belfast in September 2024 to study Financial Risk 

Management. In school I was involved in many clubs such as the Girls‛ Choir, Mixed 

Choir and the Orchestra. This provided me with a sense of belonging and community. 

Through the choirs, I have been fortunate to travel to Rome twice with the school, 

singing in various Basilicas and the Vatican. I will cherish the memories of these trips 

forever. A message to my younger self would be not to be so afraid, whether it be in 

school or outside. Don‛t be afraid to live a little and try to be a little less hard on 

yourself. Remember that here in St Paul‛s we are fortunate to have teachers that care 

about our future and want us to do well. 

Natasha Campbell 

I have loved studying History, English Literature and Politics, which is why I want to 

become a History and English teacher. I have so many memories of St Paul‛s including 

dress- up days, form class parties, school trips and viral TikToks. However, my favourite 

memory isn‛t one singular day or event, it‛s the funny, random, and unforgettable history 

classes I‛ve had over the years which first made me realise I want to be a teacher. One 

piece of advice I would give is if things don‛t work out how you want them to, don‛t stress. 

Everything happens for a reason. 

4


Meabh Greene 

Hi! I‛m Meabh and I studied A-Level Maths, Geography and Digital Technology and 

studied Music up to AS. I hope to attend Queen‛s University Belfast in September 2024 

to study either Finical Risk Management or Geography. 

I was first inspired to start netball in first year as my mother and sister both played 

and since I started, I never stopped! I have gone from never playing before to making 

the NI U17 National Squad in 2022 and I am so grateful to Mrs O‛Hare Armstrong for 

coaching and supporting me. 

I have so many amazing memories from my time at St Paul‛s. However, my favourite 

memory is having the opportunity and privilege to help with the DEN Nurture Choir. I 

have learned so much from these inspiring pupils and will cherish every memory and every 

smile forever. 

Advice to my younger self would be to accept that it‛s okay to fail. In St Paul‛s I have 

learned that failure is a steppingstone to growth and without it, there‛s no real learning. 

I would tell my younger self to embrace it, learn from it, and keep moving forward. 

J.P. McArdle 

Hi everyone. I study English Literature, Geography, History and Religion and I hope to 

become a counsellor. I have many memories from my seven years at St Paul’s; my trip to 

Iceland in seventh year, making some of the closest friends I’ve ever had and that time 

I accidentally blew up a thermometer in Science back in 1st year! I’ve also had numerous 

unforgettable experiences and conversations in my classes, particularly in History and 

Geography. I even laugh reminiscing about all those comical days. 

If I had to give advice to my younger self, it would be to not care about what anybody 

else thought of you, and that no matter what, as long as you’re happy with who you are 

and what you do, you’ll enjoy your time at St Paul’s. 

5


Meet our Student Leadership Team 

Well-Being Team 

Back Row: Left to Right 

Meabh Greene, J.P. Mc Ardle, 

Caoimhe Treanor 

Front Row. Left to Right 

Cara Whelan, Éadaoin Trainor, 

Leah Rogers 

Inclusion Team 

Back Row. Left to Right 

Grace Meagher, Aaron Roker, 

Aoibhe O‛Connor 


Aisling Carr, Serena Gribben 

6


Events Team 


Sean Breen, Caoimhe Davidson, 

Keelan Varley 


Ella-Grace Heaney, Cliona Quinn, 

Grace McCann 

Liturgy Team 


Caitlin Byrne, Aoibh Murray 


Roisín MacPhillips, Eoin 

O‛Hagan, Ellen McGuigan 

7


Social Media Team 


Ellie Boyle, Gavin Kelly, Bridín 

Murphy 


Emma Jennings, Sarah Rickard, 

Amy Daly 

Pupil Voice 

Back Row: Left to Right 

Katie McAllister, Lucy Jo 

Clarke, Grace Kelly, Ellie Boyle 

Front Row: Left to Right 

Natasha Campbell, Roisín 

Vowles, Caitlin Cromie 

8

Nuacht Naomh Pól 

Get to know our new Principal, Mr Dáithí Murray 

How have you found your 

role in the school change 

since you have become 

acting principal of St 

Paul‛s? 

It has been the privilege of 

my life to have been 

appointed acting Principal of 

St Paul‛s. I have worked 

here for nearly 23 years, 

and alongside Mr Burns, as 

Vice-Principal since 2015, so 

I was aware of many of the 

duties and responsibilities of the Principal from observing and helping with a very busy 

schedule. Everyone has been so kind and supportive to me since January, and I have 

really enjoyed experiencing the variety of role of Principal. Many of the day-to-day 

aspects of the job were new to me, such as speaking at year group assemblies, dealing 

with care, welfare and pastoral issues, and attending sporting fixtures, but I am 

thoroughly enjoying the new role. 

What is your opinion on the number of students in years 13 and 14 who now drive 

to school and is this a sustainable model for parents? 

Everyone is very aware of the incredibly space-limited campus that St Paul‛s operates 

on, and we are building additional teaching and learning spaces on much of our existing 

car parking spaces, so this is causing an immediate pressure. I recognise and fully 

appreciate that learning to drive and getting your first car is a very important milestone 

in a young person‛s life and is very much a rite of passage. The governors and trustees 

of the school are working very hard to acquire land to allow for additional parking and a 

better recreation space for pupils to be developed and we are hopeful that this is 

something that might be realised soon. I think this would alleviate a lot of the pressures 

that currently exist on the school site. I also recognise that the cost of running a car is 

not insignificant and I do worry that young people are paying exorbitant fees for 

insurance and for fuel. These fears are compounded when I hear how many hours per 

week young people, who wish to maintain and run a car, are required to work as this can 

be distracting from their studies and can interfere with academic progress. But I also 

recognise the independence a car can bring to a young person, so it is a fine tightrope 

that parents, pupils and teachers all walk. 

9


If Mr Burns does not return from his GAA presidency, is this a role you'd like to 

take on full time? 

My appointment as acting Principal is for three years, for the duration of Mr Burns‛ 

secondment to Croke Park as Uachtarán CLG. Three years is a lovely period to allow me 

to work through a school development cycle and that is my only focus at the moment. Mr 

Burns is really looking forward to returning to St Paul‛s in 2027. 

As a year 14 student, about to head off to university, what is your opinion on the 

debate between Apprenticeships and University, bearing in mind the cost implications 

put on students and their families? 

I think that we are very lucky that we live in a society which offers such a variety of 

choice to young people at this stage in their lives. I recognise that there is not, and nor 

should there be a ‘one-size-fits-all‛ model and I acknowledge the significant financial 

investment required to sustain a three or four-year degree pathway, particularly when 

you factor in the costs of living away from home. I don‛t see it as a ‘debate‛, as if one 

route is better or more appropriate than another, but rather a choice which is available 

to young people at aged 18 or thereabouts. I really value the tailored careers guidance 

provision St Paul‛s makes available to all our young people and the support which stretches 

beyond the end of your formal education as a pupil in St Paul‛s. In many, many cases, this 

tailored and individualised Careers support has been life changing. 

What is your opinion on students with “less conventional” piercings, such as lip 

piercings or eyebrow piercings? 

In St Paul‛s, we understand and respect our pupils‛ desire to express their individuality, 

including through personal adornments such as piercings. Our current dress code, which 

permits only small stud earrings for girls, reflects a longstanding tradition aimed at 

maintaining a focused and uniform learning environment. However, we are also committed 

to equality and are aware of the evolving perspectives on gender and expression. 

We recognise that rules regarding dress and appearance must evolve in a way that 

respects both the individual rights of our students and the values of our school 

community. To this end, we regularly review our policies through consultation with pupils, 

parents, and staff to ensure they remain relevant and inclusive. 

Such reviews are crucial in balancing individual expression with our school‛s needs, 

ensuring that our policies do not inadvertently discriminate or suppress self-expression. 

In moving forward, we aim to develop a dialogue that respects diverse viewpoints and 

reflects our school‛s collective ethos. By involving the entire school community in these 

discussions, we ensure that any policy adjustments are thoughtfully considered and 

equitably implemented. 

10


Do you think GDEs are necessary when a lot of students I know have said that they 

feel all it adds is unnecessary stress and has a negative impact on their mental 

health, especially this close to exam season. 

In our experience, while we understand that GDEs can be perceived as stressful, we have 

found that the process allows us to intervene and support at a much more focused level, 

rather than allowing pupils to go through their important exam years without our being 

aware that they may be struggling and require help until it is too late. GDEs and the 

processes that follow from each round of assessments allow for early intervention and 

support to be targeted at the right time and to the right pupils. This avoids a crisis each 

August and ultimately improves the outcomes and life chances for our pupils. However, 

we try and manage the processes sensitively and we appreciate being made aware of any 

individual pupils who are experiencing stress. We are very used to managing these issues. 

Many Years 13 and 14 students are requesting we get sofas in the Student Foyer 

for lunch and turn it into a real sixth form area. What do you think of that 

suggestion? 

Unfortunately, that is not something that I can do in the short-term. The Student Foyer 

is a busy thoroughfare and our only designated space at lunchtime for pupils is the 

purpose-built Cafeteria facility at the back of the school. I acknowledge that the 

population of the school is getting larger and we are rapidly outgrowing our facilities and 

I recognise that there is not an appropriately designed provision for Sixth Form. We 

are working with the Department of Education to build a bigger, better school for the 

young people of South Armagh, and I am delighted that the Minister of Education has 

placed St Paul‛s on the ‘Major Capital Works‛ list for a new school, or at the very least, a 

renovation, refurbishment and extension, within the next eight to ten years, but I fully 

recognise that this doesn‛t solve the immediate issue. I must make sure everyone can 

work and study in a clean and tidy environment, and I am afraid that allowing pupils to 

congregate in hallways, under stairs and in other locations in the school, creates too much 

rubbish and distracting noise. So, for now the Cafeteria is our lunchtime space for all 

pupils. 

J.P. McArdle 

Good luck with your new role, Mr Murray! 

11


Lourdes 2024- By Hannah Boyle and 

Tiarna Kelly 

On Easter Sunday we went to Belfast International Airport and hopped on a plane to 

Lourdes. It was Tiarna’s first time on a plane, and she really enjoyed the journey, even if it 

was a little rocky. We went with Group 93 which is part of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust. When 

we landed, it was a long wait as it was an airport strike day in France, so it took AGES to get 

out of the airport. Finally, we got on a bus to go to the Hotel Roissy where we stayed for the 

entire week. On Monday we chilled and had a little tour around Lourdes to become familiar 

with the different areas. On Tuesday, we went to the Irish Mass where over 800 people 

where there. There were a lot of colours and we had so much fun 

playing with balloons, singing, and dancing, it was amazing. 

Tuesday night we went down to the grotto to take part in the 

candlelight procession. On Wednesday, we left Lourdes and went 

on a trip to the zoo. We had so much fun and saw a lot of different 

animals like flamingos and monkeys. We had a picnic and had a 

little sing song with group 67 who Miss Watters was with. On 

Wednesday night we went to a restaurant to have pizza and chips 

with our group. Thursday was 

incredible, we went to the underground 

Basilica to celebrate the international 

mass. This year, it was Scotland’s turn 

to entertain the crowd with their theme 

‘Let our light shine’. It was amazing to 

see all the groups singing and dancing 

and we were able to exchange pegs 

with the different groups. On Thursday 

night we were invited to Group 67’s 

fancy dress party. Hannah dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood 

and Tiarna dressed up as a nun. Miss Watters was the DJ that 

night and she played great music. Friday was a little bit sad as it 

was our last full day with the group. We started the day with a 

little bit of arts and crafts to decorate our group’s candle that we 

lit that night down at the grotto. In the 

afternoon we went shopping and we were 

able to get gifts for our family and 

friends. On Friday night we took one last 

visit down to the grotto and we were able 

to get blessed with the holy water there. 

On Saturday we travelled home to 

Ireland to be reunited with our family 

which was so fantastic. 

Overall, we really enjoyed our trip. We 

made a lot of new friends, and it was a 

huge step to go on a trip away from our 

family for an entire week. 

12

Mrs Morgan’s Medal 

Mrs Morgan has been one of our top supporters 

throughout our school career. Her positive influence has 

guided us through world book days, library classes and poetry 

competitions. She has recently been appointed as the 

Northern Ireland Judge for the prestigious Carnegie Medals 

for both Writing and Illustration. These national awards will 

help to showcase future classic books that will thrill and 

entertain children for years to come. Mrs Morgan “felt now 

would be the best time to give back to the reading 

community”, once again displaying her undoubted devotion 

to the art of literature and to the children who walk through 

the library doors every day. She said it is “a huge 

responsibility but such a worthwhile experience”. 

Favourite book: 

“Books should resonate with your 

feelings” 

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott 

A coming-of-age story about 

The 

the 

“Rebel 

four 

Readers” 

March 

sisters who battle the everyday, unexpected 

challenges of life while trying to achieve their 

dreams within a patriarchal 1860s society. 

It was given to Mrs Morgan by a teacher and, 

during a time of grief, provided a sense of 

comfort. It “became a book that I will always 

feel connected to in some way”. 

“The best moments in reading are when you 

come across something, a thought, a feeling, a 

way of looking at things, which you had thought 

special and only particular to you. Now here it 

is, set down by someone else, a person you have 

never met, someone even who is long dead. It is 

as if a hand has come out and taken yours”. 

The History Boys by Alan Bennett 

Ella-Grace Heaney 

Carnegie Shadowers 2024 

-Mrs. Morgan’s Advice- 

“Everyone should find and maintain a passion for 

reading that will inspire you to pass that passion on 

through hard work and dedication. 

Every child that passes through St. Paul’s is given 

the opportunity to be around perfectly selected 

books, to instil in them, the numerous possibilities 

to grow. 

Reading takes you out of this world and the reality 

you are living, into worlds of imagination, fantasy, 

and hope. If by reading a book you can walk a mile 

in someone else’s shoes, you will have empathy 

with that person and through reading, you will 

always be informed and educated.” 

13


GCSE ART 

Clara Locke 

Eva Heatley Jennings 

Caitlin Rice 

Leila McParland 

14


Kacie O’Donaghue 

Cara McCamley 

Marcella Campbell 

Clodagh Reel 

Collated by Róisín MacPhillips 

Did you hear about the 

kidnapping at school? 

It’s fine. He woke up. 

15


An Interview with Mr Burns 

Q: What‛s your favourite memory about St Paul‛s? 

A: I wouldn‛t have one specific memory that I can look back 

on and say that was my high point, but all my favourite 

memories are from the classroom and my time teaching Irish 

in the school. Getting students who would have struggled in 

Irish, seeing students who would come into me not being able 

to speak Irish and leaving being able to speak fluently, that is 

something that is a favourite memory. As principal, there are 

big events and things that are very happy. I remember when 

we won the All-Ireland and winning the Rannafast Cup last year; all of these things are 

wonderful memories, but there are too many memories to pick out something as an 

absolute favourite. 

Q: What will you miss most about St Paul‛s? 

A: Well, I will obviously miss my colleagues and my friends, the routine of coming here, 

as I have for 34 years. It has been my life; it has been all I‛ve known in my working adult 

life, but I‛ll miss the students most of all. The pupils from St Paul‛s are a particular 

breed, they are very friendly, full of craic. Even sometimes the ones who can get into 

trouble can brighten your day with something they say or something they do and it‛s that 

buzz that exists in St Paul‛s that I will miss most. 

Q: What‛s your top 5 traits that you think make a great student? 

A: From talking to students and as you know every year I meet all of the 5 th , 6 th and 7 th 

year‛s twice, the first thing I would say that makes a great student and the thing I think 

is the most important is having good social skills, being able to have a good conversation 

and look somebody in the eye and tell a joke and make people laugh. The second thing, 

obviously, is being organised and I always advise students to use their student planner, 

be very strategic and get their homework done the day they are given it. The third thing 

I would say is to be on time for all your classes and be in school. The fourth thing I would 

say is wearing your uniform correctly. The fifth thing is listening, answering and being 

involved in your classes. 

Q: Are there any things are similar to being a successful GAA player? 

A: The traits that it takes to be good at Gaelic or any sport are the very same because 

it‛s being prepared to make sacrifices, being prepared to do the hard thing, being 

prepared to but in the extra yards to get to where you want to be. Understanding that 

to be the best it requires discipline and it requires you to get yourself into dark places 

and to ask questions of yourself, to build your character and your temperament and again 

it comes down to being well organised and understanding that nothing in life comes easy 

16

Nuacht Pól News 

and if you want to be the best you must be prepared to put yourself out there and work 

really hard. 

Q: What do you aim to achieve in your term as GAA president? 

A: I would like my term as GAA president to be a time in which we will achieve full 

integration of all games and being involved in a mixed gender school and a club that is run 

by all women I understand the ways the GAA has profoundly changed since the one club 

model came in and since we embraced women‛s role fully. I think this is something that is 

very exciting and something that girls in particular want to see. The other thing I really 

want to see is a proper development strategy for hurling, the development of new clubs. 

Q: Any thoughts on the gap between men and women‛s football, with the women 

wearing “equality for all” shirts at the quarterfinals during the warm-up? 

A: That‛s going into a specific event that happened. I think that was unfair on the GAA 

to get the blame for. As it currently stands, the GAA is in charge of the male games, 

not female. The female game is run by two other organisations. That was like being hit 

across the head for something you had done nothing to deserve because it doesn‛t fall 

under our jurisdiction. 

Q: Any opinions on the introduction of penalties and ‘calling the mark‛? 

A: I was responsible for the mid-field mark. I was chairman of the committee that 

introduced that. I think that‛s been a good rule and it has promoted high catching from 

a kick out and the forward mark I know has been controversial, it was brought in to try 

promote the idea of kicking a longball into a full-forward and seeing if the full-forward 

can catch above the fullback and it hasn‛t really become that because of the way in which 

it was brought in. As a result, you see players taking a ball in their chest and that‛s not 

really what the rule was supposed to be for and maybe a tweak of that would be ok. The 

penalty shoot outs were brought in to try and get the county season over in 6 months to 

allow the club season to take place in the other 6 months. The GAA coffers would be the 

big beneficiary if you did away with penalty shoot outs. If you look at Armagh and all 

that Armagh is as one of the best supported teams in Ireland and if you look at whenever 

Armagh was beaten in the Ulster final and the quarter-final, the GAA could have earned 

a big pay day if those games were replayed but the GAA congress has made it very clear 

we don‛t want replays because if we do it pushes their dates back and condenses the 

season even further. So, I honestly can‛t see away around having penalty shoot outs, if 

we want to ensure that the GAA split season works. 

Good luck in your new role, Mr Burns! 

Natasha Campbell 

17


Do you want to make new friends in school? 

Emma, Ellie and Gavin give you some advice. 

If you want to make friends in school, you first need to put yourself out there. If you just 

sit alone, friends might come to you, but that's not likely because they might think you 

want to be alone. For example, if you're still in school, sit somewhere with other people. 

It doesn't have to be a crowded table but try to choose one with at least 2 other people. 

Join an organisation or club to meet new people. This is a great way to find other people 

who have common interests. You don't necessarily need to have a lot of common 

interests with people in order to make friends with them. Some of the most rewarding 

friendships are between two people who don't have much in common at all. However, if 

you like a specific topic, try searching for a location where you can meet people who 

share that interest. If you play instruments or sing, try joining a band or choir. Joining a 

sports team is a good option if you’re the athletic type or just want to try something new. 

We have lots of groups on offer in St Paul’s High School that are a good way of making 

friends such as the Choir, African Drumming, Netball, Soccer and Gaelic. There is always 

a club you can join so you can meet people with similar interests. 

Try to connect with people you already know. Chances are you already know a few people 

who could potentially become good friends such as old primary school friends and 

people from clubs that you engage in outside of school. Consider trying to get to know 

your classmates as they may be in the same situation and need someone in their class 

to be friends with. Many people engage in friendships with their coworkers through their 

part time jobs which is great for making friendships in and out of school. 

Your friends will not always stay consistent in your time in St Paul’s as you may fall out or 

have different interests but don’t worry if this does happen because there are lots of 

people in this school that would love to add another person to their friend group. Our time 

in St Paul’s has been a perfect example 

of this as our friends have changed as 

our time has gone on and will continue to 

do so for many years to come. 

Emma Jennings, Ellie Boyle and 

Gavin Kelly 

18


DEN NEWS 

Antibullying Alliance – Jamie Harte 

The Den 

I got the train to Belfast with my mum and got a taxi to Girdwood Community Hub. Mrs 

McMahon met us outside the Hub. We went in and were taken up to a room and I was the 

first person to arrive. 

There were about 17 people there and I felt very shy to talk when everyone was there. We all 

introduced ourselves. I did come out of my shell a wee while later. 

They had questions and ice breakers for me and the other pupils from the other schools. 

We discussed different strategies and what to do if someone is bullying you. We talked about 

coping strategies if someone is getting bullied or you yourself are being bullied. 

At break time, I went downstairs and bought myself a slushie, but then they gave it to me for 

free, which was really kind of them to do that. They had food ready for us at break and lunch 

time too. 

We sat in groups at tables with other pupils from other 

schools and talked about bullying scenarios. 

Overall, I really enjoyed myself. 

I would recommend that every pupil attends an antibullying 

conference to see what strategies they can use if someone is 

getting bullied. 

19


Our London experience in 08/09-65 

We went to London with the Inclusion Choir to sing in 

Westminster. We flew out of Dublin airport and landed 

and spent two days exploring London, shopping and 

sightseeing. We had to use the underground trains to get 

around which was very fun. 

My favourite part of the whole trip was singing. 

Eimear Cunningham 

We got an Aer Lingus airplane which took about 45 minutes to take us to London. When we arrived, 

it was very cloudy and we got the bus and it took us to our hotel. We then went to Sky Garden. We 

went in the lift and got to see all around London from up high. 

We walked to Buckingham Palace and saw the King’s horses. My 

best part of the trip was going to the theatre to see the Lion King 

Musical. I liked it because I saw all the animals and I love the Lion 

King movie. 

Erin Hughes 

I loved being away on holidays with my friends 

in London. I really liked seeing around London 

and exploring the city. I spent time with my 

mentors and we went to see the Lion King, which was amazing. We sang in 

Westminster and I got to see Big Ben which was cool. I can’t wait for our next 

choir trip! 

Tianna McCann 

20


Pizza with 

Homemade Sauce 

Make pizza for the whole family with a 

homemade pizza dough and homemade 

tomato sauce. The Veggie recipe is a 

great way to introduce everyone to 

cooking. 

Prep: 30 mins 

Ingredients 

• 300g strong white 

bread flour, plus extra 

for dusting 

• 1 tsp instant yeast 

• 1 tbsp olive oil 

For the tomato sauce 

• 1 tbsp olive oil, plus a 

drizzle 

• 2 garlic cloves, 

crushed. 

• 200ml passata 

For the topping 

• 8 mozzarella pearls, 

halved. 

• small bunch of fresh 

basil 

Gavin Kelly 

Ellie Boyle 

Emma Jennings 

Why are spiders so 

smart? 

They can find 

everything on the web. 

Cook: 20 mins 

Serves 2-4 

STEP 1 

Tip the flour into a bowl, then stir in the yeast and 1 tsp salt. Make a 

well in the centre and pour in 200ml warm water (make sure it’s not too 

hot) along with the oil. Stir together with a wooden spoon until you have 

a soft, fairly wet dough. 

STEP 2 

Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 mins 

until smooth. Cover with a tea towel and set aside for an hour or so or 

until the dough has puffed up and doubled in size. You can also leave 

the rough, unkneaded dough in the bowl, cover with a tea towel and 

leave in the fridge overnight and the dough will continue to prove on its 

own. 

STEP 3 

Meanwhile, make the tomato sauce. Put the oil in a small pan and fry 

the garlic briefly (don’t let it brown), then add the passata and simmer 

everything until the sauce thickens a little. Leave to cool. 

STEP 4 

Once the dough has risen, knead it quickly in the bowl to knock it back, 

then tip out onto a lightly floured surface and cut into two balls. Roll 

out each ball into a large teardrop that is very thin and about 25cm 

across 

STEP 5 

Heat oven to 240C/220C fan/ gas 9 with a large baking sheet inside. Lift 

one of the bases onto another floured baking sheet. Smooth the sauce 

over the base with the back of a spoon, scatter over half the 

mozzarella, drizzle with olive oil and season. Put the pizza, still on its 

baking sheet, on top of the hot sheet in the oven and bake for 8-10 mins 

until crisp. Allow to cool and enjoy! 

21


Book Review 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 

This book follows the story of Hazel and Gus, two teenagers who meet at a cancer support 

group. Despite their health challenges, they embark on a journey of love, friendship, and 

self-discovery. The way John Green portrays their characters is so raw and authentic, you 

can’t help but feel deeply connected to them. 

One of the things that really stood out to me about this book is the way it tackles heavy 

themes like life, death, and the meaning of existence. John Green’s writing is so profound 

and thought-provoking. It really makes you reflect on the beauty and fragility of life. 

Another aspect I loved about “The Fault in Our Stars” is the humour. Even in the midst of 

their struggles, Hazel and Gus find moments of joy and laughter. It’s a testament to the 

resilience of the human spirit and the power of finding happiness in the smallest things. 

However, this book is a sad story that will make you laugh, cry and question everything. But 

that’s what makes it so powerful. It’s a story that stays with you long after you have turned 

the last page. 

Overall, I highly recommend “The Fault in Our Stars” to anyone who enjoys heartfelt and 

thought-provoking stories. It’s a beautifully written book that will touch your heart and 

remind you of the preciousness of life. Just make sure you have some tissues nearby! 

Caitlin Cromie 

222


MR and MRS 

We caught up with Vice Principal, Mr Colm Murphy, and our Bursar, Mrs Michelle 

Murphy, to find out a bit more about them, their work and what it‛s like to work 

together. 

Mr Murphy 

How long have you worked in St Paul's? 

I have been working in St Paul's since September 2003, so 21 years. 

What does your job involve? 

My job is multi-faceted but as curricular vice-principal, I am responsible for the 

management of the curriculum provision across the three key-stages. This includes 

subject choice for KS4 and Post-16, making sure we have enough teachers to cover the 

entire curriculum offer and that every class has a teacher and room. As one of three 

vice-principals, we assist Mr Murray in managing the school. 

Is this the job you always wanted to do? 

From an early age, I knew I wanted to be a music teacher. My involvement in various 

musical activities, both in and out of school, allowed me to foresee the final performance 

when starting to learn new pieces, whether they were solo, choral, or orchestral. The 

satisfaction I gained from contributing to the transformation of notes on a page into a 

real musical performance was immense. Although I couldn't have predicted the 

23


challenges that I would face along the way, I now understand that they were all part of 

a valuable learning process. 

What is your favourite memory of working in St Paul's? 

I have so many positive memories of working in St Paul‛s but the choir trips to Rome, the 

biannual musicals, and our participation at the Dublin Feis Ceoil are some of the most 

memorable. 

What is it like working with your Wife? 

Working in the same place as my wife, Michelle, is a uniquely rewarding experience. I 

must admit that there are many days when we don‛t see each other in school as St Paul‛s 

is an extremely busy place for both of us but most especially for Michelle, when the 

vending machines break down! Sharing the same professional environment allows us 

to understand each other‛s work-related challenges and achievements. It fosters a 

strong sense of teamwork and collaboration, as we can easily support and motivate each 

other. Getting our home-life balance can be challenging at times, but over time, we try 

our best not to speak about work when we are away from it. 

What do you like most about working in St Paul's? 

No two days in St. Paul‛s are ever the same. I get great satisfaction seeing our students 

grow and develop from when they arrive in Year 8 until they leave in either Year 12 or 

Year 14. One of the most rewarding aspects of working in St Paul‛s for me is when I see 

past pupils succeed in life and that I might have played some part in helping them to do 

so. 

24


Mrs Murphy 

What does your job involve in St Paul‛s? 

My role of School Bursar involves managing the financial affairs of St Paul‛s, including 

budgeting, accounting and procurement. I provide financial advice to school management, 

including our Board of Governors, and I am responsible for ensuring compliance with 

regulations and policies relating to finances. I am also Human Resources Manager which 

involves overseeing all aspects of the human resources function such as recruitment, 

payroll, employee relations etc. for our 114 members of Non-Teaching staff and some HR 

aspects of Teaching Staff. I also oversee facilities & estate management. 

How long have you been working in St Paul‛s? 

I started working in St Paul‛s on the 6th June 2005 so I will be working here 19 years 

this year. 

25


Is this the job that you have always wanted to do from a young age? 

Definitely not! I actually wanted 

to work for NASA! I studied 

Electrical & Electronic 

Engineering for 4 years whilst 

working part time as a Care 

Assistant in a Nursing Home. I 

got the taste of earning money, 

so I left education and went into 

full time employment within the 

care sector. I applied for the 

Reprographics Technician post in 2005 and wasn‛t successful but a post became available 

within the Office. In 2010, I decided it was time to go back and finish my education, 

however, as too much time had passed since studying Engineering. I decided I would study 

Business and Finance through the Open University. This allowed me to study at a time 

that suited me as I had 2 children under the age of 3 and was working full time in St 

Paul‛s. I was also able to get credit towards my degree from my previous study, so I didn‛t 

exactly waste the 4 years studying engineering! I never expected to be doing the job I 

am doing now, but I finished my degree and within a few months a vacancy came up, so it 

was all perfect timing. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of school? 

To be honest, I enjoy doing nothing!! Life is busy with work and being a taxi service to 

my 2 children so when I do have free time I enjoy sitting down and watching a good film 

or series on Netflix! 

26


What is your favourite memory of working in St Paul‛s? 

That would have to be travelling to Rome in 2017 and 2019 with the Choir. 

What is it like working in the same school with your husband? 

This can have both advantages and disadvantages! On the positive side, we both 

understand each other's work lives and can support each other professionally and share 

common experiences. 

On the downside, working together can sometimes blur the boundaries between personal 

and professional lives but we do our best not to make work our topic of conversation at 

home, but this isn‛t always possible, especially if one of us has had a bad day! Working in 

the same place, probably should save us money on diesel but with 2 different sets of 

work commitments this is not the case. 

What is your favourite thing about St Paul‛s? 

The people! We may all be different but when you are a part of St Paul‛s we are all the 

same. There is a real family feeling within the school. 

Many thanks to you both for taking the time to talk to us! 

Interview by Leah Rogers 

27


28

Molly McKevitt 14/93 

Ella Quinn 14/32 

Jean Clarke 14/82 

Niamh McNamee 14/82 

29

Aoibheann McCann 13/39 

Katie Gallogly 14/32 

Eoghan Moley 13/39 

Oonagh Crossan 13/39 

30

A Level & 

GCSE Artwork 

Oonagh Crossin 13/3 

Leah Kelly 14/110 

Ines Martins 14/82 

Anna Keenan 13/39 

Katie Gallogly 14/32 

Anna Keenan 13/39 

31

TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC IN SOUTH ARMAGH 

The Trad music scene in South Armagh has had a longstanding 

recognition for its musicians, teachers, composers, groups (both inside and outside of 

school), but more importantly for its sense of community. 

One of these groups is Traditional Arts Partnership (TAP). Across 

TAP, musicians are or have been students at St Paul’s and the current 

St Paul’s Trad group is made up of musicians from TAP alongside other 

music groups and branches of CCE across South Armagh. One message 

of TAP is “music for all” and as such its age range spans from 5 to 

members in their 70s. Students from St Paul’s attend classes, play at 

sessions, travel with, and teach at TAP and it creates a buzzing 

community of music both inside and outside of school. TAP travels 

across Ireland, with its most recent trip being to Kinsale Cork, as well 

as internationally. The 15-18 Group’s trip to Sitges in Catalonia last 

year had 6 St Paul’s students attend and we played music at parades, 

workshops, sessions and at the Institute of Arts Barcelona (IAB) 

TAP has always had a wide array of instruments but the lockdown during Covid 19 saw 

the introduction of the Harp and Uilleann pipes and I received one of these harps. Before 

Covid TAP had 3 harps across the entirety of group and now, 3 years later, there are 14. 

St Paul's current TAP players are Erin Loughran, Niamh McVerry, Niamh Noade and me. 

The vast amount of Harp players is a testament to the Traditional Arts Partnership’s 

committee and tutors. 

Historically, the parallel decline of Gaelic civilisation and increasing colonization of Irish 

society meant the role of the Irish harp was gradually redefined. Although there has 

been a revival of interest in the performance of the wire string Irish harp in recent 

decades, the modern Irish or folk harp is now the most widely practised type of harp in 

Ireland and is played by all of us. 

The St Paul’s Trad Group played at Newry 

Feis Ceoil and have also recently played for 

the arrival of the visiting French 

international students. As well as this, the 

TAP Grupa Ceoils were Armagh champions 

across all ages last year and are now 

preparing to compete again. 

Caoimhe Treanor 

32


The GREAT DEBATE 

Should Mobile Phones be Banned in School? 

Keelan Varley argues for a complete ban. 

Research has shown that student performance on final exams was worse when electronic 

devices were permitted during classes that covered exam material versus when the 

devices were not. Many students won‛t think their divided attention is affecting their 

retention of new information. There are many concerning figures which are constantly 

emerging about the usage of mobile phones within the education system. For example, 

one study found that 97% of 11–17-year-old students use their phones during the school 

day. Furthermore, schools that have enforced a ban on mobile phones have seen a 6.41% 

increase in student test scores. 

According to a study conducted by the University of California, Irvine, “It takes an 

average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to return to the state of being fully focused on a 

task after using your mobile phone.” This is an incredible amount of time to waste, 

especially considering most students check their phone every 10-20 minutes. It is hard 

to tell if we are ever completely focused during any point throughout the day. A major 

concern is also the fact that mobile phones have not existed for very long, meaning, not 

only are we as humans learning to adapt to them, but we are also unfamiliar with the 

effects it may have on cognitive capacity/ability, particularly in teenagers. Many of the 

effects of mobile phones are still unknown because they have not existed long enough. 

Excessive use of mobile phones and social media leads to screen addiction. Screen 

addiction has many negative side effects. These include negatively impacting mental 

health, increased anxiety, increased depression, increased sleep deprivation, increased 

chances of experiencing insomnia, eye strain, muscle strain, retinal damage and social 

33


isolation. By banning phones in school, students will become less likely to experience 

screen addiction. This could pose as a major academic advantage, especially when it comes 

to exams. 

In terms of social utility, phones also take away from relationship/friendships as 

students spend more time on the screen than speaking to each other. This is constantly 

taking away from the experience of school not only on an academic level, but school is 

intrinsic to a functional society. The more we see young people using phones in school, 

the less we see them socialising. We are actively promoting anti-social behaviour by 

continuing to allow phones to be used. 

Even when phones are just used to listen to music, this can impair cognitive abilities, 

negatively impact working memory and decrease overall productivity. In countries such 

as France, Finland and China, phones are banned in many places. These countries have 

some of the highest literacy rates in the world. 

Keelan Varley 

Cara Whelan says that phones should be allowed in school! 

Why I believe students should be allowed mobile phones! 

In recent years, the debate over allowing students to use their phones at school has 

gained considerable attention. While many schools enforce strict policies against mobile 

phones, the argument for permitting their use is also compelling. In a world where 

technology is present in almost every aspect of our lives, it‛s worth examining why cell 

phones should be allowed in schools. 

Let‛s take a step back and reconsider why students should be able to use mobile phones 

in school. 

34


1) Within St Paul‛s we are lucky enough that our school offers us after school study 

running Monday to Fridays from 3.30-5.30pm every week in the lead up to our exams. 

This runs for students in Year 11 to 14. Similarly, I‛m sure you‛re all aware of our school‛s 

interest and involvement in sports as well as extra-curricular activities and various clubs 

our students of all ages are a part of! Whilst this is amazing for our students to enable 

them a quiet place to study and an extensive range of activities to be a part of, staff 

should be aware that mobile phones are necessary for our students who need to contact 

parents for lifts to and from school at these times. We can‛t be encouraging involvement 

for all these additional things and not expect them to keep their parents up to date 

regarding a time change or a cancellation of the activity etc. I am aware the school 

publicises any changes regarding these, and they‛re very active on their social media 

platforms like Facebook and parents can receive messages on the school app. However, 

many parents of children in St Pauls may not have access to social media and there‛s been 

countless times the school app hasn‛t refreshed for parents. Thus, parents aren‛t 

receiving these important notices and if a child didn‛t have a mobile phone to text them, 

they would be left stuck for a way home. 

2) Similarly, many children in St Pauls walk home from school and mobile phones 

should be allowed in school for safety reasons. If something were to happen to any child 

on their walk home from school having their mobile phone on them ensures all students 

are safe. With students having connection to their parents at any time they are almost 

constantly under the watch of their trusted individuals. 

3) Many students in St. Pauls may need their phone for a personal reason. I know 

someone in Year 10 who has Type 1 Diabetes and needs his phone to constantly monitor 

his bloods. Without this he would have no other option but to inject and when you‛re 

surrounded, with no privacy, this is not practical. His Libra connects from his arm to his 

phone by just hovering the phone over it and it can tell him his glucose levels. Many 

children in St Paul‛s have conditions like this where adverse needs must be met by having 

their phones. I am aware that St Paul‛s do allow children with these conditions their 

phones due to special terms and conditions but there have been many times where this 

person has been told off or had his phone taken off him as possibly not all teachers like 

student teachers etc are going to know his situation. Hence, if phones were allowed, I 

believe it would be less of an issue. 

4) Activities- Letting students use their phones for interactive classwork and 

activities is an amazing way to keep them present and raise participation and engagement 

in class. I know for instance games of Kahoot in language classes were some of my 

favourite ways of learning back in Key stage 3. 

35


5) Memories and fun- Lastly, I agree with the set up partially of no phones for Year 

8, 9 and 10s despite the reasons above. I do think the rule is good in preventing things 

like online bullying. However, when I was in Year 8 the rule of no mobile phones was not 

implemented and personally while I know sometimes it can get out of hand, some of my 

funniest, best and most definitely the cringiest memories are from my earliest years in 

St Paul‛s. I find it hilarious looking back at old photos of me and my friends who I‛m still 

friends with now in Year 14! These memories are amazing to look back on and have a laugh 

and I believe everyone in St Paul‛s should be able to experience this feeling as trust me, 

the 7 years fly!! 

-Cara Whelan 

So………what do you think? 

Why did the Echo get 

detention on the last day 

of school? 

It kept answering back! 

36

School-days sprinkle 

sponge 

Fancy a trip down memory lane? 

This classic school cake with rainbow sprinkles will 

do the trick. Serve as an afternoon treat or for 

dessert with custard. 

Ingredients 

• 200g butter, softened, 

plus extra for the tin 

• 200g caster sugar 

• 4 large eggs 

• 200g self-raising flour 

• 50ml milk 

• 2 tsp vanilla extract 

• 200g icing sugar 

• coloured sprinkles 

• hot custard, to serve 

(optional) 

Ellie Boyle 

Emma Jennings 

Gavin Kelly 

o Prep: 15 Mins 

o Cook: 45 mins (Plus 

Cooling And 1 Hour 

Setting) 

o Serves: 12-15 

• STEP 1 

Method 

Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter a 20 x 

30cm cake tin and line with baking parchment. Put 

the butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat with an 

electric whisk for a few minutes until pale and fluffy. 

Add the eggs, flour, milk and vanilla and beat again 

until you have a smooth batter. 

• STEP 2 

Scrape the batter into the prepared tin, spread right to 

the corners and smooth the surface. Bake for 40-45 

mins or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes 

out clean, checking at 5 min intervals if it isn't ready 

after 45 mins. Leave the sponge to cool on a wire 

rack. 

• STEP 3 

Mix the icing sugar with enough water to make a thick 

icing. Spread the icing over the cooled cake, then top 

with lots of sprinkles – the surface should be almost 

completely covered. Leave for at least 1 hr to set. Cut 

into squares and serve with custard if you like. 

37


An Interview with our 

Spanish Language 

Assistant, Noelia 

Noelia Gallego Garrido is our Spanish Language 

Assistant here in St Paul's this year. She works 

closely with A-level students to improve their 

speaking and communication skills and to prepare 

their A-level presentations. She also works with 

some of our Year 8, 9 and 10 classes to improve 

their cultural understanding of the Spanish 

language and culture! 

Let’s learn about Noelia!... 

¿Cómo te llamas? What is your name? 

“Hola me llamo Noelia Gallego Garrido.” 

-Hello, my name is Noelia Gallego Garrido. 

¿De dónde eres? Where are you from? 

“Soy de un pueblo español que está en la región de “Castilla La Mancha”. Es una comunidad 

que está cerca de Madrid. Mi pueblo se llama “Tomelloso.” 

-I am from a Spanish village that is in the Region of ‘Castilla La Mancha’. It is a community 

that is close to Madrid. My village is called ‘Tomelloso’. 

¿Cuántos años tienes? How old are you? 

“Tengo veintiséis años.” 

-I am twenty-six years old. 

38

¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños? When is 

your birthday? 

“Mi cumpleaños es el diecinueve de agosto.” 

-My birthday is the 19 th of August. 

¿Tienes hermanos? Do you have any 

siblings? 

“Tengo dos hermanos, soy la menor de mi 

familia. Mis hermanos se llaman Antonio 

David y Leticia. Tienen treinta y seis y treinta 

y un años.” 

- I have two siblings; I am the youngest in 

my family. My siblings are called Antonio 

David and Letica. They are thirty-six and 

thirty-one years old. 

¿Tienes mascota? Do you have a pet? 

“Me encantan los animales. En España tengo una finca con cuatro caballos, dos gatos y un 

perrito. En mi casa tengo un gato que se llama Coco.” 

-I love animals! In Spain I have a farm with 4 horses, 2 cats and a small dog. In my house I 

have a cat called Coco. 

¿Te gusta Irlanda? Do you like Ireland? 

“Me encanta Irlanda. Creo que es un país con unas vistas espectaculares. Lo que 

más me gusta es que la gente es muy amable y educada. Lo que menos me gusta 

es el clima. ¡Hace frío!” 

-I love Ireland. I think that it is a country with spectacular views. What I like most are the very 

friendly and polite people. What I like least is the weather. It’s cold! 

¿Cuál es tu programa o película favorito? What is your favourite programme or 

movie? 

“No suelo ver la televisión, pero me encantan las series y las películas. Mi película 

favorita es “La Vida es Bella”. Es una película italiana sobre la Segunda Guerra 

Mundial.” 

- I don’t usually watch television, but I love series and movies. My favourite movie is ‘The 

Beautiful Life’. It is an Italian movie about the Second World War. 

39


¿Quién es tu cantante favorito? Who is your favourite singer? 

“Me gusta mucho escuchar música y es difícil elegir solo un cantante, pero diría que 

Ed Sheeran y Dani Martín. Me encanta ir a conciertos y escuchar música en directo.” 

-I really like listening to music and it is difficult to choose one singer, but I would say Ed 

Sheeran and Dani Martin. I love going to concerts and listening to live music. 

¿Qué te gusta hacer en tu tiempo libre? 

What do you like to do in your free 

time? 

“En mi tiempo libre me gusta pasar tiempo con 

mi familia y amigos. Adoro montar a caballo y 

pasear por el campo mientras escucho la 

música. También voy al gimnasio ya que me 

ayuda a despejarme.” 

- In my free time I like to spend time with 

my family and friends. I adore horse 

riding and walks in the countryside 

whilst listening to music. Also, I go to 

the gym as it helps me clear my head. 

¿Qué es tu parte favorito de San Pablo? 

What is your favourite part of St Pauls? 

“Lo que más me gusta de está escuela es la 

educación y disciplina de los alumnos. En 

comparación con otras escuelas en las que he 

trabajado, creo que es la más disciplinada y correcta.” 

- What I like the most about this school is the education and the discipline of the students. 

Compared to other school that I have worked in, I think that it is the most disciplined 

and proper. 

Lucy Kelly 

Spanish Subject Ambassador 

40


Year 9-12 students from St. Paul‛s embarked on 

an unforgettable school trip to Paris!! 

I woke up feeling like a fizzy cola can about to burst with excitement. FINALLY, the day 

had arrived… about time!! We set off on a plane from Dublin on the 18th of February 

with our wonderful staff Mrs Bernard, Mrs Pellisou and Mr Murphy. I mean, it‛s not every 

day you have the opportunity to be able to go on a school trip with a LOAD of your 

friends!! In fact, these amazing moments are the special ones that will stay with us 

forever! 

We explored the Magnificent Montparnasse Tower, Stadium de France, 

Montmartre-sacré coeur and went to Bateau Moche-River Seine where we waved at 

cheerful people as we sailed across the waters. 

What was really intriguing was trying new foods, exploring and appreciating new 

meals. I especially enjoyed talking to the waiters because they helped me expand my 

knowledge about the way they cook their foods. 

Now of course we CAN‛T forget the most unforgettable part! The land of all lands! 

Disney!! Not only were the rides awesome but the Disney characters were fantastic too. 

These cherished memories, moments of laughter and running around freely 

through glowing Disney really did feel magical!! 

The opportunity to travel with friends and teachers, as well as the opportunity to 

speak French, was such a positive and joyful experience that I will always cherish. 

Natalia Mulkerns (Year 12) 

41


Why is Peter Pan always flying? 

Because he Neverlands. 

42


An Interview with our School Counsellor, Mrs Wroe 

1. Tell me a bit about your role here at St Paul’s. 

My role here at St Paul’s varies from day to day, no two days are the same and I 

never know what my day will entail as I am dealing with several different issues 

every day. The main issues I face daily are family breakdowns, bereavements 

and fall out of friendships. These variations of issues all require diverse skills. 

However, the most important traits I have are empathy, compassion, and active 

listening skills. The most important thing I do here at St Paul’s is to make sure 

the students are safe as safeguarding is my main concern. Mrs McMahon and 

Mrs Fearon are the safeguarding officers and I liaise with them to ensure all 

pupils are kept safe in the school environment. 

2. What led you to the career path of counselling? 

I have been a counsellor for 17 years now. Before I became a counsellor, I 

worked in the civil service in an organisation called Youth Justice Agency for 11 

years. I found my interest in counselling through this. I was always interested in 

people's mental health, especially young people. One day I was reading the 

newspaper and Cruse Bereavement care was searching for volunteers to become 

a bereavement counsellor. That was the moment I realised counselling was for 

me. I worked for Cruse Bereavement for 4 years and I then went on to study 

counselling at Queens. 

3. Now that exam season is approaching, can you give us some tips on 

taking time away from our books, unwinding and de-stressing? 

One tip that I would share is the importance of self-care. I would encourage 

young students to divide their time wisely between spending time with family, 

43


your time at school, spending time with friends, taking time for your hobbies 

and interests, self-care, and part time jobs. Exams are extremely important, so 

it is crucial to put adequate time and effort into your schoolwork and studying 

for your exams, while also taking time to exercise such as going for a short walk 

or listening to music. It is important to remember that you can only do your best 

and your best is good enough! 

4. What advice would you give to the younger students in the school? 

One piece of advice I would give to students in the school would be to build your 

self-confidence to help tackle whatever life throws at you, for example, bullying 

and falling out with friends. I would also encourage students to accept who they 

are and not compare yourself to others, allowing it to lower your self-esteem 

and self-worth. I also encourage and prioritise self-care in students. I am a 

great believer in self-care and finding things they love, creating their own 

toolbox of skills and qualities. I would encourage students to take time away 

from their phones as they are closely linked to low self-esteem in young people 

today. 

Cliona Quinn 

44


Congratulations Erin! 

Erin McCullough with Tánaiste Micheál Martin 

All Ireland Rotary Club winner and Year 13 student, Erin McCullough, spoke 

about climate change in the European Parliament in February. She told Aaron 

Roker about her time in Strasbourg. 

What group did you go with to Strasbourg? 

I went with the Rotary Club who do a lot of humanitarian work with projects 

such as their Global Polio Eradication Initiative which aims to eradicate the 

disease. 

What were your initial thoughts when you first heard you were going to 

Strasbourg? 

Well, I knew that I was going for interviews for the Rotary Youth Leadership 

Development Competition. I didn’t know that it was for Strasburg. There were 

three rounds of interviews. The first interview was in the school against other 

girls in my year and then I was in competition with Grammar Schools like Our 

Lady’s, The Abbey and Sacred Heart. We were asked questions about politics, 

climate change and immigration. I got through to the final interview and there 

were only two of us chosen. The same day as the interview I was told that I'd be 

going to Strasburg. I was shocked and then really happy when I found out it was 

all inclusive on top of just going on the trip. Everything was funded. 

45


What was the European parliament building like? 

It was nuts. It was just a massive building. All of the people who went on the trip 

had breakfast together. There were people from Hungary, France, Cyprus, 

Sweden and then us. We went between everyone’s tables, and they all spoke 

English. We then went into the Hemicycle to debate the argument that we each 

were given, and they were all arguing in perfect English! The building itself was 

mostly made out of glass and was really modern with construction still going on 

outside. 

What did you debate in the parliament building? 

I ended up speaking about the EU zero pollution deal which is what we debated in 

the evening. Both parts of the debate were about the EU green deal. For the 

second part we had to get up and spend a minute talking about our opinions on the 

deal. It made me nervous since there were about 500 people in the Hemicycle. I 

could hear my heart beating in my ears. I stuttered a bit at the start but then I 

ended up getting a bit of confidence. 

What was your experience within the city? 

Well, on the last day we had a couple of hours to just go into the city where 

there’s a massive cathedral. People were very welcoming, and kind given they were 

strangers to us. We weren’t in Strasbourg that much, we spent all day on the 

Thursday in the European Parliament, where there were people from all over the 

world. 

What was Strasbourg like in comparison to Northern Ireland? 

It was very culturally diverse. There were people from everywhere there. I was 

surprised by the amount of people that spoke English. For instance, you went into 

shops and the people working there were able to speak in perfect English. 

Well done, Erin. A wonderful achievement. 

Aaron Roker 

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Seachtain na Gaeilge 2024 

Dia Duit! 

An gaeilgeoir thú? Is cuma linn an tseachtain seo mar baineann Seachtain na Gaeilge le 

gach duine 

I rith na seachtaine seo, is feidir linn ár gcultúr a cheiliúradh, ár ngrá don teanga a 

leiriú agus is féidir linn spraoi a bheith againn ar fad trí mheán na Gaeilge! 

What is Seachtain na Gaeilge? 

It is an annual international festival which promotes the Irish language and culture, 

both in Ireland and all over the world. It is one of the most popular language festivals 

in the world with over one million people celebrating it each year. 

It was first established in 1902 and it lasts 17 days. From the first of March until the 

17th and by lasting over 122 years it only means the festival is expanding each year. 

Here in St Paul's the Irish language is very important and we want to celebrate it with 

each student by holding events to ensure everyone can take part in the celebration. 

This year a number of events have been run to express our love and appreciation of our 

native language including a tráth na gceist (quiz) agus Podchraoladh leis na daltaí 

sinsearacha (a podcast with the senior students). 

Seachtain na Gaeilge was first established to promote the use of the Irish language in 

everyday life, originally it was an extension to Lá Mór na Gaeilge, which was centred 

around Saint Patrick‛s Day and primarily directed to younger school children to 

encourage them to speak the language. 

For centuries the Irish language has been seen as a dead language and the number of 

native speakers has decreased over the years. By promoting Irish during Seachtain na 

Gaeilge, children get a chance to learn Irish outside of the classroom. I feel it is highly 

important in today's world as it's a chance to express our own language and identity. 

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The Irish language allows us to express our individuality and show others that we are 

proud of who we are and our country, so this celebration means a lot to us here in St 

Paul‛s. 

This March we held the annual Céilí for our Year 8, 9 and 10 students. 

The pupils learned traditional dances, such as Ballaí Luimní and Tonnai Thoraí (two of 

my personal favourites, courtesy of the Gaeltacht). Members of the A Level Irish class 

also taught the younger years 'An Dreoilín‛ which is one of the best parts of Irish 

culture which I believe should be celebrated and danced to its fullest. 

Several pupils from the A2 class have also received their Fáinne Óir, which represents 

their fluency in the language. From my own experience partaking in the exam 2 years 

ago, I can only say holding the Fáinne brings the highest honour one can have, and the 

school and I can say we are “lán le bród” for the cailíní. 

From the beginning of the 2 weeks Irish has been spoken positively throughout the 

school and we can only wish the same positive attitude is reciprocated throughout the 

school year. 

Slán go fóill! 

Scríofa ag: Lucy Jo Ní Chléirigh 

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Is cúrsa 4 lá é Blas na Gaeltachta do scoláirí GCSE agus Ard-Léibhéal. 

Ar an fhichidiú lá Márta, chuaigh daltaí ó ranganna GSCE agus Ard léibheal go dtí an 

Ghaeltacht i Rann na Feirste i dTir Chonaill! B’am spreagúil é do Roinn na Gaeilge gan 

dabht! 

Chomh maith leis sin, chuaigh muid le daltaí ó scoileanna eile mar shampla, Coláiste 

Cholmáin, Scoil na Mainistreach , Scoil an Chroí Ró-Naofa agus Coláiste Phádraig, 

Droichead na Banna. 

D’fhág muid ar an Chéadoin agus tháinig muid ar ais tráthnóna Dé Sathairn. Bhí muid ag 

stopadh i dtithe éagsúla lenár gcairde agus bhí muid inár gcónaí le chéile le linn an 

chúrsa. 

Bhí ranganna ar siúl againn ar maidin, cosúil le ghnáth-choláiste samraidh! I ndiaidh sin, 

bhí gníomhaíochtaí mar tonnmharcaíocht, sport, cluichí, ceol againn agus go leor eile. 

Bhí bhrón ar na daltaí A2 ag imeacht mar ní bheidh muid ábalta teacht ar ais mar dhaltaí 

ach thaitin Blas na Gaeltachta go mór linn. 

Blas na Gaeltachta is a 4 day course for GCSE and A-Level students. 

This March, the AS and A2 students went to Rannafast Gaeltacht in Donegal! It was an 

exciting time for the Irish department without a doubt! 

We went with students from other schools: St Colman’s College, The Abbey Grammar, 

Sacred Heart and St Patrick’s Banbridge. 

We left on Wednesday and came back on Saturday afternoon. We were put into different 

houses with our friends and lived together for the next few days. 

We had classes in the morning, like the Summer College! After that we had activities like 

surfing, sport, games, music and much more. 

The A2 students were sad to leave as they are not able to return as students, but we all 

enjoyed it a lot. 

49

Griangraf ó Bhlas

Formal! 

Good or bad, the formal is always a night to remember. The 

place to doll up like royalty in dapper suits and gorgeous 

dresses, with paparazzi to follow you around the venue. 

Nothing is better than letting loose with your favourite 

teachers! From a delicious meal to cheeky awards, what’s not 

to love? Time flies and now us 7 th years reminisce about our 

formal, a key memory we will never forget when looking back 

on our time at St. Pauls… 

King and Queen 

of SPHS formal 

2024: 

Gavin Kelly and 

Shannon 

Kennan 

51

52


Music at St. Paul’s 

At St. Paul’s, our music department is truly remarkable. We have our award-winning Senior 

Choirs, Senior Girls, and Senior Mixed choir. Each year we put in a tremendous amount of 

effort for our three competitions: Warrenpoint Feis, Newry Feis, and the prestigious 

Feis Ceoil. Warrenpoint Feis is the first competition on our schedule and while it is usually 

more laid-back, we always give our best performance on that stage. This year the Senior 

Girls Choir were thrilled to come 1 st . However, we knew there was still work to be done 

with Feis Ceoil just around the corner. In the lead-up to Feis Ceoil, we dedicated ourselves 

to practice during breaktimes, lunchtimes, after school and even on the Sunday before 

the competition. The competition itself is incredibly fierce, with the standard getting 

higher every year. Personally, I have competed in Feis Ceoil four times, and in those four 

years, we have won the Alice Yoakley Cup three times. In 2022, we were overjoyed to win 

the overall competition and be awarded School Choir of the Year. This year, the Senior 

Girls' competition came first. We performed the set piece 'This Little Babe' by 

Benjamin Britten and 'I Lift My Eyes' by Bob Chilcott. Although we made a few mistakes 

in the set piece, our second piece carried us to a close 2nd place. We received 89 marks 

out of 100, with the winners being awarded 90 marks. It was a nail-bitingly close call! 

Later in the day, it was the Mixed Choir's turn. We sang 'Northern Lights' by Ola Gjeilo 

and 'Every Time I Feel the Spirit' by Bob Chilcott. We gave our absolute best 

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performance but, unfortunately, it was not enough to secure the top spot. We were 

awarded 3rd place. Finally, both choirs competed these same pieces in Newry Feis. Senior 

Girls competed against themselves, and we performed very well, and this performance 

gained us the joint highest scoring choir award with St Colman’s College. The Senior 

Mixed choir also performed very well and achieved 2 nd place. We worked so hard this year 

on these incredibly difficult pieces, and we are so proud of what we achieved! 

Katie McAllister 

Did you hear about the guy 

who drank invisible ink? 

He’s in hospital waiting to be 

seen! 

54

International Women’s Day 

at St Paul’s High School 

International Women’s Day is the day which is celebrated worldwide to 

highlight womens achievments- from the political to the social- while rising up 

the voices for gender equality. 

Pictured above are just some of the wonderful 

females who embraced the spirit of International 

Women’s Day at St Paul’s High School. This 

includes members of our student leadership 

team, our spectacular year head, Mrs Hughes, 

our two inspirational speakers, Mrs Fearon and 

Mrs McCoy, Head of Year 13, Miss Magennis, 

and finally our admirable study co-ordinator, Dr 

Larkin. 

Ask Mrs Fearon>>> 

Q: 

A: 

How can young girls persue 

their passions without 

limitations? 

At St Paul’s High School we pride 

ourselves in our ability to achieve equality 

and diversity within our school 

environment. We are able to achieve this 

through the help of all the inspirational 

women within the school, staff who go 

above and beyond to support and encourage 

the student leadership team with our ideas 

and events. This year, the 116 th year of 

International Women’s Day, we organized 

a ‘Brewing Empowerment’ coffee morning 

for all year 13 and 14 girls. Our Headgirl, 

Meabh Greene, organized an interview with 

our amazing Vice Principal Mrs Fearon and 

the head of our Irish department, Mrs 

McCoy. While the year 13/14 girls 

indulged in their hot drinks and sweet 

treats, the guest speakers spoke about their 

feelings and experiences as successful 

women. All the students where encouraged 

to wear a purple accessory to show their 

support for the Student Leadership Team 

and women all over the world. The turn out 

was fabulous with a huge array of purple 

accessories from hair bows and socks to 

tutus and sunglasses! 

“Don’t be a bystander in society, don’t opt out; search for something that gets 

you out of bed in the morning and makes you passionate, then believe in yourself 

even if others don’t. Build a triangle around you, who support you, rather than 

knock you. Be a risktaker and don’t quit at the first hurdle. Be proud of all 

achievements, great and small.” 

A Brief History>>> 

The first ever Women’s Day was 

celebrated in late 1908, where almost 

15k women marched for their rights 

and demanded for shorter working 

hours, better pay and voting rights 

throughout New York City. In 1910, 

a women named Clara Zetkin- leader 

of the ‘womens office’ for the Social 

Democratic Party in Germany- tabled 

the idea of an International Women’s 

Day. A conference of over 100 

women from 17 countries agreed to 

her suggestion and International 

Women’s Day was formed. Since 

then, March 8 th has became annually 

observed as International Women’s 

Day. 

Inspirational quote of 

the year>>> 

“There is no limit to what we, 

as women, can accomplish.” 

- Michelle Obama 

Roisin Vowles 

55


Literacy News 

Spelling Bee 

Not every school can boast that the President of the GAA was the compere at 

the annual Year 8 Spelling Bee. We were delighted to welcome Mr Burns back and 

watch him put the pupils through their spelling paces. He’s getting very soft in 

Croke Park and wanted to give points away for nothing! GAA Croke Park 

More importantly, well done to all our spelling bees and to the eventual winners. 

It was a tightly fought contest and tension was high in the final moments of each 

final round. Keep reading and the spelling will come naturally! 

Group 1: 

1st Reese Lawson 0865 

2nd Lea Shortt 0805 

3rd C.J. Shields 0865 

Group 2: 

1st Logan Conlon 0860 

2nd Rachel Fitzsimons 0810 

3rd Lily Heaney 0860 

Group 3: 

1st Miceál O‛Hanlon 0818 

2nd Ruby Lee 0818 

3rd Caden Murtagh 0815 

56


57


Year 14 Leavers‛ Mass 

It was that time of the year again when we had to say goodbye to our Year 

14 students. It was a beautiful mass organised by our Student Leadership 

Team and Mrs Hughes. Many thanks to Father Seamus, Mr Murray, Mrs 

McCrink and Mrs Hughes for their words of wisdom. 

58


59

We Interviewed First Year Student, Niall Keenan 


1. What is your name? 

Niall Keenan 

2. Where are you from? 

County Armagh 

3. What primary school did you go to? 

St Michael's P.S. Killean 

4. Were you nervous to start St Paul‛s? 

No 

5. What is your favourite subject? 

Physical education 

6. What would you like to be when you are older? 

Footballer 

7. What is your favourite sport? 

Soccer 

8. Do you play any instruments? 

No, but I previously played the trumpet. 

9. Who is your favourite music artist? 

Ed Sheeran 

10. What is your favourite song? 

Oi (bate that koi) 

11. Can you sing? 

No 

12. What is your favourite season? 

Summer 

13. What is your favourite country to visit? 

Dubai 

14. What is one thing you are looking forward to this year? 

I am going on two holidays. 

15. What is your favourite food? 

Pizza 

16. What is your favourite sweet? 

Starburst 

17. What is your favourite movie? 

Hangover 

18. What is your favourite hair style? 

Fluffy hair 

19. What is your favourite colour? 

Red 

20. What is your favourite quote? 

“Take the minis before the big pot or you can‛t use the minis” - Fortnite Quote 

Éadaoin Trainor 

61


BREAKING NEWS!! 

Much loved Literacy Assistants attacked by Giant Seagull 

on School Premises. 

We were shocked to hear the news that our much-loved literacy 

assistants, Mrs Mary McKenna and Mrs Edel Hughes, were attacked 

by a giant seagull in the back car park on Monday, 3 rd June. Both 

women were especially annoyed because they had just got their hair 

done the day before and Susan the Seagull ruined their new dos by 

swooping slowly across said scissor sisters (see what we did there? A 

little bit of alliteration for you). 

A furious Mr Murray gave Susan Friday detention for the foreseeable 

future. In the meantime, both ladies are taking no chances. See below! 

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Champion Swimmer 

Sean Carragher 

On the 17th April, Sean Carragher (Year 13) along with his Mother and siblings 

(who also swim at Banbridge) attended a Reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of 

Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council to celebrate Sean‛s achievement in 

being selected as only 1 of 2 boys to represent Northern Ireland at the Youth 

and Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago last August, as a Triathlete. 

Banbridge ASC also had a female swimmer on the Northern Ireland Swim Squad, 

Alana Burns-Atkin. 

The reception was held to recognise Sean and Alana‛s achievements and also 

other achievements of the rest of the Club. 

Well done, Sean. A huge Achievement! 

63


Netball News 

St. Paul‛s High School Netball 2017-2024 

Left to Right. 

Natasha Campbell, Eadaoin Trainor, Caitlin Byrne, Meabh 

Greene, Rebecca Cunningham 

As Mrs O‛Hare-Armstrong says goodbye to her Year 14 Netball 

players, her students talk about what the sport and their 

teacher means to them. 

What life skills have you developed as a result of playing Netball in St. Paul's 

High School? 

During my time in St Paul‛s High School, I have played Netball for 7 years and I 

think that I have developed many life skills throughout these years. I have 

developed valuable teamwork, communication and commitment skills as Netball is 

a team sport and each player on the court must communicate with one another 

and work together to defend, attack and score goals. I have also developed many 

friendships playing netball at St Paul‛s. I think that netball has helped me to 

develop great discipline as I have learnt that it is a sport that needs patience and 

determination. 

Caitlin Byrne 

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What position do you play and why do you think you were selected for this 

position? 

In the junior school I played GA but very quickly realised that this position is 

dependent on height. For the last 4 seasons I have played in the WA (Wing 

Attack) position. I think I was selected for this position because I‛m good at 

carrying the ball up to the shooters with speed and accuracy and can intercept 

balls coming out of defence. I am always a good option for the Centre pass. I 

have an attacking mindset, good footwork and a strong core which helps me to 

keep possession and move the ball quickly with precision to my teammates. I can 

make decisions quickly and like being involved in match play. I have really enjoyed 

the last 7 years with my teammates- altogether a great sport! 

Meabh Greene 

What was the highlight of your Netball journey in St Paul's Netball? 

The highlight of my Netball journey has to be becoming the captain of the senior 

team for the 2023-2024 season. I was so proud to be given this role for our last 

league and cup campaign. We have had some titanic battles on the court over the 

last 7 years, all made possible by a core of girls who have stuck together since 

Year 8, including Caitlin Byrne, Meabh Greene, Rebecca Cunningham, Natasha 

Campbell, and myself. 

I would like to say a massive thank you to our coach, Mrs. Paula O'Hare Armstrong 

and our assistant coach, Mrs Geraldine McNally, for introducing us to this 

amazing, fast-paced game, providing top-class training and encouragement from 

the side line at both training and on match days. We have memories on and off 

the court to cherish forever! 

Eadaoin Trainor 

How will you continue to develop your Netball in the future? 

I hope to continue to develop my netball in the future by dedicating regular time 

to practising the key skills. I plan to join my local netball team, Newry Ladies 

where I can play competitively in the Netball NI league. When I go onto 

university, I also hope to play for the university's Netball team to further develop 

65


my netball skills. I am also interested in trialling for Northern Ireland again, at, 

u21 or at Senior level. This will allow me to play at a higher level of competition 

and learn from the best players. In the future I would also like to coach young 

netballers and help them learn the skills they need to play Netball. 

Rebecca Cunningham 

66


PE News 

Sports Day 2024 

Congratulations to our Victors Ludorum in our annual Sports Day- a much sought 

after award. 

Year 8 

Charlie Jennings and Jack Morgan 

Paige Kelly 

Year 9 

Daithí Hoey 

Eabha Loughran 

Year 10 

Aodhan O‛Neill 

Faith Kelly 

Year 11 

Jarlath O‛Neill 

Lily Rafferty/ Erin Davidson/ Jessica Murphy 

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Sports Day 2024 

A few moments from our Sports Day that took place on Friday, 

31st May. 

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69


Slán agus Beannacht 

As we prepare to say goodbye to our colleagues Margaret Murtagh, Bernadette 

Cunningham, Edel Hughes, and Joanne King, I can‛t help but feel a bittersweet mix of 

emotions. Their retirements mark the end of an era for our school, and their absence 

will be deeply felt by us all. 

These four outstanding colleagues have each brought unique strengths and boundless 

dedication, leaving a lasting legacy that will not be forgotten. Their contributions have 

shaped our school community in countless positive ways, and we are profoundly grateful 

for their hard work and commitment. 

We wish them all the very best in their retirement, filled with good health, joy, and 

exciting new adventures. May their days be as rewarding and fulfilling as the years they 

have given to us. They will be missed, but their impact will endure. 

Here‛s to their next chapter! 

Dáithí Murray 

Mrs Margaret Murtagh 

Mrs Bernadette Cunningham 

Mrs Edel Hughes 

Mrs Joanne King 

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PRAYER TO ST PAUL 

Oh glorious St Paul, by your prayers and example, enable me to 

become a better person. More considerate towards others, more 

honest with myself, more faithful to God. 

Give me the courage to accept the pains and problems of this day, 

always rejoicing in the Lord. 

Through my prayers may I be ‘rooted in love’, always loving God in 

fidelity to Sunday mass and daily prayer; always loving my neighbour, 

especially my family and friends. 

Make me patient and kind, never jealous or rude. Give me the 

strength to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes. 

May I always know in my heart what you taught so well; that there 

are only three things that last – faith, hope and love and the 

greatest of these is love. 

Amen

Naomh Pol News Issue 6

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