Kids’ Lit Quiz

Senior Prize Giving

2-3

World Challenge 3-4

Kids’ Lit Quiz 5

Eco Update 5

Business Studies 6

Science Update 7-8

Farewell 9

Brian Kennedy 10

Hockey Update 10

Sports Update 11-12

Calendar 12

Please note that our Newsletter can be viewed in colour on our College website: www.lagancollege.com

Business Studies Trip Science Update

Farewell Brian Kennedy

Senior Prize Giving

Inside this issue

Inside this issue:

P A G E 2 L A G A N C O L L E G E U P D A T E

Principal’s Foreword Welcome to our Autumn edition of the Newsletter. Our students continue to enjoy many varied and exciting learning opportunities beyond the classroom. In recent weeks Senior students headed off to the Allstate ICT Company, McDonald’s Business and our choir members spent the day at the BBC studio filming with Brian Kennedy for BBC Children in Need. We also welcomed Dr McClintock from QUB and Mrs Anna Lo to the College. Mrs Lo very kindly attended our Senior Prize Giving Ceremony as our special guest of honour. She praised the achievements and efforts of all our students, commending their work and commitment to respecting and reconciling difference through

peaceful means. Mrs Lo encouraged students to share their integrated experience and core values beyond their time at Lagan College. Finally, with regard to our ethos and spreading the integrated message, it was with great sadness that we said a fond farewell to Mrs Sharon Verwoerd, our much loved and respected Chaplain of four years. We wish Sharon and her husband, Wilhelm, all the very best as they begin a new life in South Africa. Mrs A McNamee Principal

Senior Prize Giving Lagan College celebrated student success at the annual afternoon of Senior Prize Giving, proudly watched by parents, staff, Governors and guests. Special Guest of Honour at this year’s event was Alliance Party member, Anna Lo MLA. An array of awards were presented including those for Excellence in Effort, Academic Achievement, Service and Sporting Achievement. Mrs McNamee spoke of achievements and successes throughout the year and the audience listened to Anna Lo’s comments and encouraging words. Head Boy, Luke Withers, and Head Girl, Eimear Lambe, addressed the audience and spoke about their experiences of attending an integrated school. The audience were entertained by the College Orchestra before enjoying refreshments at the reception afterwards.

P A G E 3 L A G A N C O L L E G E U P D A T E

Senior Prize Giving

World Challenge

On 1st July 2012, eleven Year 13 students, along with Mr Robert McKee, Miss Emma Morgan and Mr Dave Carlton, embarked on an adventure to Tanzania, just below the horn of Africa. The trip was the culmination of a year and a half of training and fundraising, during which we climbed several mountains in the Mournes and the hills surrounding Belfast. When we finally arrived in Kenya we were met by one of our guides, Peter Manse. We found ourselves in an entirely new world. In Africa, there are people everywhere: walking at the side of long roads; sitting by trees; selling potatoes and onions by the roadside. However, the first thing that hits you is the smell. It’s not a bad smell, in fact, it’s one of my fondest memories of Kenya and Tanzania. The air is thick with the aroma of food, fire, smoke, petrol, the smell of things happening all around you! The next day we left Kenya by bus, travelling along stretches of dusty road that severed the vast dry planes in two. The journey took around seven hours but we had our first glimpses of Kilimanjaro, its summit poking through the clouds, before arriving in Moshi town, Tanzania. Much of our first week was spent in Mondulli Juu with the Massai people. Whilst staying with the Massai people, we spent two days trekking in the rainforest and the grazing lands. Our evenings were spent around the campfire surrounded by complete darkness, with a Massai warrior keeping watch. We also had the opportunity to see a traditional Massai dance and to have a goat slaughtered; Conleth, Phil and I each drank the goat’s blood after being offered it by Simon, our Massai guide! The meat was cooked over the camp fire and was one of the best meals I have ever had. Each of us came away with a Massai souvenir such as a cloak, a water bottle, a Massai knife or a bracelet.

Lagan College Prize Giving, December 2012

World Challenge The second week of our trip was the most challenging when we climbed Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain at 5895m. The climb took us six days up and down and was the hardest thing any of us have ever done. We spent four days ascending before reaching Kibo hut (the same height as Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain). It took around seven hours of walking to reach Kibo from our previous hut. When we arrived, we had a cup of tea and some popcorn before sleeping for an hour. We then had dinner, slept for another three and a half hours and got up at 11.30pm in the freezing cold to begin our gruelling summit attempt at midnight. We reached Uhuruh Peak at 7am after hours of zig-zagging and scrambling up the scree in the darkness. We arrived at the top just in time to see the sun quite literally rise over Africa. We are the only World Challenge group in 2012 to have got 100% of the group to the very top! After arriving back down in Monduli town, which has an unbelievable view of the mountain, we couldn’t quite believe that just the previous day we had been at the very top! To relax after the climb, we spent a day on safari in the Ngorongoro Crater, where we were lucky enough to see hippos, lions, giraffes, buffalo, zebra, hyenas and many different types of birds! One lion caused a traffic jam by lying down in the middle of the track and refusing to move! The final stage of our trip was our project. We spent a few days staying at a school on the rural slopes of Kilimanjaro where we began the restoration of a Kilimanjaro national park building that had fallen into ruin. This involved searching for and buying the materials required, such as cement, aggregate, wood, sand, nails and irons rods. The next day we began carrying the materials to the project site and had the opportunity to meet the children whose school we had been staying at. We brought the children small gifts such as balloons, pencils and dominos. They were ecstatic to see us! The balloons caused a stampede as hundreds of children ran and grasped after one balloon until it finally popped! At the school, the pupils were the ones to cook the lunches, do all the cleaning and keep the place tidy! We returned to Moshi the next day. After almost a month away, we were spending our final evening in Tanzania at the Union Coffee Shop. We couldn’t quite believe that, after almost 2 years of planning our trip, our adventure was about to end. Whilst sitting in the coffee shop discussing all our favourite bits of the trip, Moshi seemed to wave us a final goodbye in the form of a trumpet band. The band, dressed in blue shiny shirts and mounted on the back of a pickup truck, filled the street with the most wonderfully happy tune. We all jumped to record the strange event! Two days of travelling took us from Moshi to Nairobi, Nairobi to Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi to London and London back to Belfast where we had begun. At Belfast City Airport, we greeted our parents in our ragged t-shirts and dusty boots. Luke Withers Year 14

P A G E 4 L A G A N C O L L E G E U P D A T E

P A G E 5 L A G A N C O L L E G E U P D A T E

Kids’ Lit Quiz

The Kids’ Literature Quiz Final took place in the school library on Friday 9th November, following a rigorous battle of the best. Pupils tested their knowledge of Literature, with questions asked about Harry Potter, Roald Dahl, The Famous Five and Alex Rider, to name but a few. Heats began on the 4th October and twice a week, Year 8 and 9 pupils fiercely competed for the coveted crown! Each team contained four pupils and for anyone who entered A11 at 12.50pm, there was blood, sweat and tears. The final four teams arrived to the library on Friday 9th November and a combination of nerves, excitement and hunger filled the air. The ‘All Round Readers’ from 8POL were the only Year 8 team to win a place in the Final. Well done! The other finalists were all from 9CRR, including ‘The Moustaches’, ‘Chippy Style’ and ‘Lord of the Books’. After a tense tie break with ‘Lord of the Books’, ‘Chippy Style’ won the ferocious battle. Consisting of Philip McDade, Michael Hare, Leon Richardson (who was a substitute for Robbie Taylor) and Daivi Scott, each boy won a £10 book voucher and the team were then presented with ‘The Killen Cup’. Mr Killen was an advocate of the Kids’ Literature Quiz and his passion, dedication and zest always shone through. Indeed, his enthusiasm was infectious and he moulded the Kids’ Literature Quiz into what it has become today. Without Mr Killen, there would be no Kids’ Literature Quiz in Lagan College. As a result, it was felt that Mr Killen’s legacy should be celebrated through ‘The Killen Cup’. This is one way of ensuring that Mr Killen will always be remembered and his memory will remain alive in Lagan College. Each year, the winning team’s name will be engraved onto the cup, which will be kept in the school trophy cabinet.

Six Environment Committee and Media pupils spent a brilliant day at Crawfordsburn Country Park where they attended an Eco-Schools Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) conference. Pupils got to attend workshops on film making, photography and article writing, hosted by professionals from the BBC and other Media institutions. Alex Attwood, Minister for the Environment, was also in attendance and spoke to the pupils. YRE is an international competition in which pupils can submit an article, a film or a photograph exploring an environmental issue. The quality of the workshops was outstanding and the pupils found the whole experience very enjoyable and educational.

Eco Update

P A G E 6 L A G A N C O L L E G E U P D A T E

Computing Students Visit Allstate On Friday 23rd November, Year 13 & 14 Computing students had the wonderful opportunity to visit Allstate, Northern Ireland’s largest IT company, where they were treated to a presentation in the boardroom and a tour of the premises. Students learned about the exponential growth of the software industry in Northern Ireland and the fantastic career opportunities available. In addition, students got a flavour of what working for Allstate would entail and were advised of the many benefits and opportunities for travel. Several members of staff spoke of their personal journeys that led them to a career in software and much appreciated advice was offered on how to get into the industry. Students were interested to learn of the emerging development languages and of the fantastic graduate opportunities available. Students left feeling inspired and confident that they are acquiring the skills that will give them the edge when competing in such a lucrative growth industry. Who knows, in a few years time some of them may find themselves back in Allstate, speaking to the next generation of Lagan College programmers. The ICT Department would like to express its gratitude to Hayley Ferguson, James Norris and all of the Allstate staff who made our visit so enjoyable. Mr Graham

Business Studies Visit McDonald’s Following the A Level Business Studies visit to Central Library in September, (as reported in a previous edition), it was then necessary to carry out some primary research. This meant paying a visit to McDonald’s where the Year 14s carried out some market research. The students were given a tour of the Dundonald restaurant and Sarah even got to make a few McFlurrys. This one, pictured below right, was for Miss Atkinson. The manager provided lots of information regarding McDonald’s marketing and all they needed for their assignment. What impressed the Year 14s most, however, was the free meal they were all given before having to go back to class. A definite must for next year’s marketing unit. Mrs Connor

P A G E 7 L A G A N C O L L E G E U P D A T E

Christmas Chemistry The Chemistry Department hosted their Christmas Chemistry event again this year for local Primary 5 pupils from four neighboring primary schools. They had the opportunity to take part in fun and exciting experiments whilst getting into the festive spirit with our Christmas theme. The Christmas Chemistry event ran from Monday 3rd to Thursday 6th December and almost 100 pupils attended from Drumlins IPS, Harding Memorial PS, Brooklands PS and Knocknagoney PS. Many thanks to everyone involved for all their hard work!

Understanding Animal Research On Thursday 13th December, Year 11 students attended a talk by Dr Taz McClintock about why animal research is important. In the talk, they discovered how research at Queen’s University is helping to develop drugs that can treat prostrate cancer. They were also told how animal research has aided the development of a defibrillator that is now the size of a laptop. This is now at the trial phase and being used in parts of Belfast. An important aspect of animal research is the love of animals that the researchers have. They make friends with the animals that they will be using in their research and if the welfare of the animals is seen as being under threat, the research is stopped immediately. This was an interesting talk that helped the students develop a better understanding of why animals are still used in research. D Fullerton

QUB - Spectroscopy in a Suitcase On Tuesday 12th December, the A Level Chemistry students were asked to help solve a suspicious death by the Chemistry department from QUB. They visited the College with all the details of the death and samples from the scene. They brought with them spectrometers that the students were able to use to determine the concentration of the drug in the body’s system and to identify the compound present. It was a very enjoyable morning and gave students the opportunity to use equipment that is not available in school and accompanied the work they had been learning in class.

P A G E 8 L A G A N C O L L E G E U P D A T E

On Wednesday 28th November, the Science Club took park in a scheme with Castlereagh Borough Council, to help increase the biodiversity within the school. They prepared bird food containers and have placed these on the trees near the bird boxes that the council have put up around the school. It is hoped that by 23rd January, when the RSPB Big School Bird Watch is being conducted, that there will be an in-creased number of different types of birds around the school – thanks to the Science Club’s contribution!

Science Club Feed the Birds

Farewell to Sharon Verwoerd Sharon Verwoerd arrived with us in the summer of 2008. She often spoke about the path that led her to Lagan College, first reading about the school when studying for her Masters degree in Brisbane, Australia, little knowing she would end up playing such an important part in our story herself! In 2007 some of us had met Sharon’s husband-to-be, Wilhelm, when we took students on a residential to Glencree Centre for Reconciliation. Wilhelm shared his own remarkable story of growing up in South Africa during apartheid, and I started to wonder if there was a way we could connect him with Lagan College. A few months later, Sharon became the Catholic Chaplain and I knew right away our partnership would work out well. Indeed, we have become great friends. Very quickly, she understood exactly what we’re about here, embracing the vision of a Christian integrated school that welcomes all and encourages everyone to share that vision. Sharon is a person of great insight, compassion and faith, with a heart for reconciliation. She helped us think about what reconciliation means here and how we work it out on all levels of life in school - developing a restorative approach to resolving conflict, the Mediation Teams, the Peacewaves course for Sixth Form, the Junior Justice Group and the Student Leadership Programme, as well as giving us all opportunities to meet people who are different, to stretch ourselves, to grow in our understanding of one another, of our world and of God. She approached the Chaplain’s role with great generosity of spirit and patience, keeping the Chaplaincy door open as much as possible, welcoming all into our tiny space. Many arrived at our door for different reasons and experienced the care and kindness Sharon shows to all who come her way. She and I share many funny and poignant memories of things that happened inside and beyond our hut – lunchtime banter, moments of shared sadness, quiet prayer, fun and games on residentials. We talk about Lagan Moments, when something happens, usually unplanned, that we believe would only happen here. Some Lagan Moments are quiet and poignant, others are hilarious and ridiculous, and we have had many of them. I believe Sharon was a gift from God to us for a little while. She always knew her next adventure would be in South Africa where she and Wilhelm would settle and where their gifts could be used to bring healing and peace in another divided society. She’s now enjoying the sunshine of the Cape and heading off on a journey with Wilhelm, which will take them around South Africa, meeting people with stories to tell about the transition from apartheid and conflict to peace. We wish both Sharon and Wilhelm all the very best in the next chapter of their lives and hope that one day they will return to visit their Lagan family. Mrs Killick Chaplain

A warm welcome to Mr Sowney who joined the College as Catholic Chaplain at the beginning of January. We hope that he is settling into life at Lagan College and look forward to working with him.

P A G E 9 L A G A N C O L L E G E U P D A T E

Brian Kennedy The Junior Choir spent a fantastic morning in the Music Department with Belfast born singer, Brian Kennedy, in December. They rehearsed singing ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, which they later sang along with Brian, and pupils from other schools, as part of the BBC Children in Need Appeal. Brian played the piano and chatted to the students and even took part in a spontaneous rendition of ‘Gangnam Style’ which was performed on the stairs of the music building! Many thanks to Brian and the film crew from the BBC for coming into the College to spend time with our students!

P A G E 1 0 L A G A N C O L L E G E U P D A T E

U15 Hockey 7 a-side Squad – North Down Runners Up 2012

U15 Most Valuable Player - Courtney Bell U15 Top Goal Scorer - Courtney Bell (4) On Tuesday 16th October 2012, our under 15’s hockey team headed to Bangor Academy for a hockey tournament with Mrs McKnight. We arrived to lots of schools warming up. It was quite intimidating as there were teams older than us who looked a lot more skilled. We played four group matches throughout the day, against Strangford, Nendrum, Movilla and then Bangor Academy. We won 1-0, were beaten 4-0, drew 0-0 and then in our final match we won 2-0 . We played exceptionally well! I was nominated MVP of the match and top goal scorer by my team mates. I was very privileged to have received those. We had a fantastic day and would love to do it all again. Courtney Bell, Year 11 DWD

Opposition Score Goals Nendrum College L 4-0 Movilla HS W 1-0 Courtney Strangford College D 0-0 Bangor Academy A D 0-0

Final Bangor Academy W2-0 Courtney Bell X2

U15 Hockey Update

Basketball Update The U-16 and U-19 Teams both won their Ulster Schools leagues beating the following teams in their campaign – St.Michael’s Lurgan, St. Patrick’s College, Dungannon and St. Patrick’s College, Belfast. Both teams are undefeated and now go through to the All Ireland Playoffs to represent the North Region. Great achievement by the boys!

P A G E 1 1 L A G A N C O L L E G E U P D A T E

On the 17th of October, Lagan College’s U 16 hockey squad drove to Bangor to take part in a 7-a-side hockey tournament involving many local schools such as Nendrum, Movilla and Strangford. Never having played this type of hockey before, which is played on half the size of a normal pitch, has different rules and lasts for only 7 minutes, we were unsure of what to expect and anxious to give it a go. After a quick warm up, we were immediately put into our first match against Bangor’s B team which we beat 6-0. We seemed to be on a winning streak after this as we won every game without even one goal being scored against us. But the big surprise was still in store! Having won in the semi-finals and gone through to the final, Bangor decided to bring in the big guns and we played their A team! We had already beaten their A team 3-0 in the groups, so were feeling confident. The first goal was scored by Bangor after a quick short corner, but in true Lagan style, we fought back with a goal scored by none other than Jacinta Hamley. Then, after some dramatic near misses (being saved by Bangor feet on the line), Bangor scored with 2 minutes to go! With hope in our hearts and fire in our bellies, Lagan was determined to fight back yet again, and then, unbelievably, with 2 minutes 45 seconds to go, the whistle was blown by Bangor’s teacher (the organiser) who decided it was time to call it a day on Lagan’s winning ways and declared Bangor the winners leaving time to spare. Confused and gutted, Lagan were gracious in defeat yet we could not help thinking that if given those precious two extra minutes, we may well have come home victorious. So watch out Bangor, we’ll see you next year! Louise Rattray Year 12 Under 16 7-a-side Hockey Captain

Daylight Robbery!

Opposition Score Goals Nendrum W 5-0 Jacinta X2, Lauren, Megan, Emma Bangor Academy B W 6-0 Megan X2, Sophie, Jacinta, Emma X2 Bangor Academy A W 3-0 Sophie X2, Megan Strangford College W 3-0 Jacinta, Lauren, Megan

Semi-final Nendrum College W 3-0 Sophie X2, Katie

Final Bangor Academy L2-1 Megan

U16 Hockey 7 a-side Squad – North Down Runners Up 2012 U16 Most Valuable Player - Megan Spence U16 Top Goal Scorer - Megan Spence (6)

U16 Hockey Update

P A G E 1 2 L A G A N C O L L E G E U P D A T E

Calendar January 2013

Monday 24th - Friday 4th January inclusive (Term begins 7th January)

Christmas Holidays

Saturday 19th Open Day 9am - 1pm

February 2013

Tuesday 12th Year 10 Parents’ Meeting

Monday 18th - Friday 22nd (inclusive)

Half Term Break

Friday 18th Staff Development Day (Only staff attend)

Thursday 24th Year 12 Parents’ Meeting

Girls Football The girls won the Down Heat of the Indoor Vauxhall Cup, run by the IFA . In this competition they came joint top of their group and went through on penalties. They drew 1-1 with Shimna in the final and so it again went to penalties. Emily Beckett scored the winning penalty in a sudden-death situation. Top goal scorer for us was Michaela Irwin, scoring 11 goals! MVP was also Michaela Irwin. They qualified for the Vauxhall National Finals on Wednesday 7th November. In their group, they had one win and two draws. This wasn’t enough to get them through to the final matches but all played excellently and had a great day. In the team picture, Back row, left to right are as follows: Emma Carville, Emily Becket and Lucy Sheridan; Front row, left to right, Rachel Lynn, Jodi Rankin, Michaela Irwin and Rebecca Lynn.

U14 Hockey The U14 team made it to the semi finals of the North Down District Hockey Competition on Thursday 15th of November. Well done to all the girls and the MVP for the tournament goes to both Keeva Herink and Corina McCoy. A great day and a great result. Miss Kennedy