Oppenheimer Back in Town

Lots of Shimnites met up at the two Oppenheimer gigs in Belfast on Saturday. Great to hear them on such good form after the American tour. Shaun will be with us at Presentation Eveining, doing the door as usual, we hope.

NaNoWriMo

Tomorrow marks the end of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).

A group of young writers from Shimna have been meeting together regularly for the last month to discuss ideas and support each other through the weighty task of writing a novel in just one month!

Passersby might have been interested to overhear conversations about telepathy, zombies, Japan, World War I (and II, and III), romance, aliens and emo....

Read more about NaNoWriMo here and join us next year for more frantic scribbling and chat!

Operation Soapbox!

For the past four weeks various Key Stage Three classes have been expressing their views about things that matter to them. Operation Soapbox is a fun and interesting way to get our views heard and be able to speak our minds to others.

It all started with a mysterious wooden crate appearing in our classroom one day! Inside there was a golden envelope with a question inside to get us thinking and an instruction leaflet.

The instruction leaflet contained four steps to help us as we create our soapbox. The tips were:

*by making an argument that captures other people's imaginations we could get our ideas across easily

*by asking a challenging question we could help people get more involved in our project

*by setting an inspiring example we could get people to follow us

*by communicating something in an unusual and creative way we could get people interested.

We got examples of what other schools had done and what they sent back. One school grew tomatoes in their soapbox and they sent back a jar of homemade tomato sauce. Another school put photos, wishes and stories in their box. Another used their box as a stage and filmed a movie which they sent back. We could also send presentations, play scripts, letters, opinions and poems.

Operation Soapbox was named after an area in London called Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park.

We have really enjoyed doing Operation Soapbox and if anyone wants to find out more click here.

On this site you can

*download podcasts and films

*see what others are doing with their soapboxes

*upload your ideas and discoveries.

Thank you very much for reading this and enjoy Operation Soapbox, on display in the Royal Festival Hall at the Southbank Centre in London during June 2008!

By Danielle Trainor and Jana Rodgers (9M)

An Afternoon of Stars

A judging panel which included former Northern Ireland Champion, Shimna student Lee Mc Mahon, today undertook the monstrous task of shortlisting for this years "Stars in Yer Eyes". A long, long list of acts assembled, indicating the depth of talent among Shimna's musicians. It's great to see such a wide spread of year groups, ages and musical styles on display. Book yourself in for the College final in the Spring term.

Soon to be Famous Scriptwriter Too

Cathy Falk, our Fulbright exchange teacher from Oregon, called in during one of her frequent visits back to Newcastle. The film script she was working on at the time is heading towards production. Exciting times.

Famous Playwright

Our head of drama, Dr Catherine Kelly, is in Dublin, working with RTE on the broadcasting of her play. Exciting times, and we wish her well.

Exhibition of New works

This very weekend sees the opening of "Island", and exhibition of new works by our artist-in-residence Martin McParland. The exhibition takes place in Newcastle Library from the opening on 3rd November, 2.00pm-5.00pm, until Saturday 1st December. The exhibition also features the work of Newcastle artist Elaine Callen.

Muddy

It covers our trousers,
and sticks to your shoes.
Clothes in the wash,
trainers thrown in the corner.
Mud caked on in the morning,
impossible to remove.
Dirt sodden from the boggy ground,
rain and soil.
What an awful mess.
You walk through the house
leaving a train of grubby tracks.

by Stephanie

The Weather

Here in Northern Ireland,
the wind blows cold,
the rain falls heavy,
every day the temperature falls a degree.

In your country
you have scorching sun
and the wind blows hot,
but you also have massive droughts.

Whilst we pray for heat
you beg for rain.
We want the sun
but you want the clouds

We want your weather.
You need ours.

by Ben

My Secret Garden

It's my place to escape -
escape from my thundering troubles.
The breeze calms my nreves,
is pleasing to my eyes.

The grass has never been cut.
butterflies fly high over my face.
The bird's next has never been invaded.
Baby buttercups sway with grace

Ladybirds creep over my skin,
while I lie there dreaming.
I don't want to go now.
My dream hasn't ended.

I'll stay for another few hours
letting my hair wisp in the air,
skimming stones through the pond,
watching the ripples in the water.

by Suzannah

Typical and Unpredictable

Stratus clouds overcast the sky,
above the mountains and sea,
building up quite a storm.
Sun trying to break through,
billowing waves crash against rocks,
lightening collecting in the sky,
followed by subdued thunder,
drizzle pattering down like water
from a loose tap.
Obscure cloud taking over.
Drizzle altering to dense rain.

by Natalie

Acting the Other Sort in a Divided Ireland

When going into the "wrong area"
you keep your head down,
and don't say a word.

If someone stops to ask questions
you mask your identity
to stay out of harm's way.

If eyebrows are raised and eyes glare,
and if the mystery unfolds,
you lie through your teeth
and act like "the other sort"
for the day.

by Alexandra

A Divided Ireland

Broken from our mainland.
cut in two,
north and south
under different rule.
I feel so confused.
Who am I?
where am I from?
Ireland? Britain?
How's this country run?

by Fionnuala

Unpredictable Irish Weather

On the way to school it drizzles.
Everything's so damp.
Walking home it's sunlit,
dispersing all the rain.
In the evening
dark clouds roll in,
followed by lightning
illuminating the sky.
Wake up in the morning
to sunbeams shining in the window
glowing up the room.
what will this new day convey?

by Fionnuala

The Cow

The cow's as big as a dinosaur.
It's just grass and hay.
Black and white spots like a chessboard,
head the weight of a hippo's.

by Sean.

Rain in the Mourne Mountains

Black clouds shadowing the tall mountains
hiding the cairn
to which many climbers have added stones.
Mist slowing creeping in
to block out any hope of sunshine.
Cold winds whistling
through the empty playground.

Watching from the window
as our field drowns
in an everlasting shower of tears.
Bashing the puddles in the air
the downpour hits it, full speed.

Running outside as the rain
bounces off the ground beneath us,
dashing through the puddles,
rain pouring down our faces.
Black sky above
and below -
sticky clothes glued to our moist skin.

At home, a bubbly bath just waiting.

by Emily and Joanne

Sectarianism

People fighting,
people killed -
no-one is safe.
Hatred over religion...
are these people even religious?
What can be done
when the people with power
are too overwhelmed?
Money can only do so much.
The don't know what's happening
until it's written on paper.
But I know,
I've seen it,
it's all around.
No-one understands anyone else
because they don't even try.
What is unknown doesn't have to be wrong...
but they don't have time to find out.
Belief is just another reason to hate.
Children raised as bigots
grow up to murder those who aren't like them.

by Aisling

Amaryllis: Freaky Moment

Elegant ballet dancer
floating on air,
long thin stems,
legs dancing,
head-petals
moving gently
with the soft sound of flutes.

by Perrine

Learning to Fly

Stand
and reach your arms out wide.
Just close your eyes
and let go.

by Alexandra

Rugby

Don't run backwards,
don't pass forwards,
do the donkey work,
score a try,
pass the ball,
kick the ball for posts,
forwards ruck.
Backs run,
run to the corner flag,
win the league,
win the cup.
Another in the bag.

by John

Happiness

I'm like a gleeful elephant
flopping along in a lake.

I'm like a cup of hot chocolate
spilling over the brim.

I'm like a newborn baby
ready to explore life.

I'm like a million years
of a lifetime.

by Nina

Grainne Tobin has poem "Highly Commended"

Callan

Where did the river go?
No thought of maps.
I saw myself astray,
following the banks and eddies
beyond the weir and into depths
among cow-parsley and couch grass,
meadowsweet and marsh marigold,
puddling on past hoof-printed cattle paths
round every corner out of sight,
winding to the horizon,
the water moving beside me,
muscular and opaque,
shouldering its mirror of sky-shadows,
and alders dipping tenderly
like long hair washed
in the big sink
on Saturday nights.

The Poet-Tree

Grainne Tobin has won a Highly Commended Award in the BBC/WELB Poet-Tree competition. Millions of congratulations.

Our Fiona being Famous

The work of Shimna Old Scholar Fiona Elshotz has been commissioned as the sleeve illustration on a new collection of poems, launched recently in Strangford. This commission represents a fabulous opportunity for a young artist to build up her portfolio and to bring her work to a wider audience. Fiona is currently studying at art college in Glasgow.

Alex and Becki

Imagine America

Imagine America like
a summer carnival
a cool smooth cocktail
like blosson scent
like a voice that sounds like the storm
to dance like it's night time
like taking this black heart
like words could be every wet puddle
to live life immensely

Alexandra McCauley



Invalid Message

A black day
a red rose
I love you.
Care?
Rip
it,
kid.

Becki Wilson

Artist in Residence Exhibits

Our wonderful Artist in Residence, Martin McParland is currently showing his work in The Higher Bridges Gallery, The Clinton Centre, Enniskillen. Marty works with our A level students, extending the scope of their work and challenging the range of their techniques. Lets hope his work is shown more locally soon. His exhibition is entitled:

ANALOGUE

WAKE WALK MEET GREET LEAVE
ARRIVE AVOID DISRUPT DISAGREE
FREQUENT LEAVE FIRST-TIME NEVER AGAIN
CLIMB SIT GUEST VISDTA PANORAMIC
MAJESTIC MANIA QUELL
TOUCH BEGIN BEATH RESPECT HATE
RESOLVE AVAIL WHY ASPIRE IN
GO LATE BLUE GREEN END LOVE
FEAR
SLEEP

More Poems

These poems come from a collection of poems written by our student to send to students at our new partner school in Kenya.


Happiness

I'm like a gleeful elephant
flopping along in a lake.

I'm like a cup of hot chocolate
spilling over the brim.

I'm like a newborn baby
ready to explore life.

I'm like a million years
of a lifetime.

by Nina


Rugby

Don't run backwards,
don't pass forwards,
do the donkey work,
score a try,
pass the ball,
kick the ball for posts,
forwards ruck.
Backs run,
run to the corner flag,
win the league,
win the cup.
Another in the bag.

by John


Learning to Fly

Stand
and reach your arms out wide.
Just close your eyes
and let go.

by Alexandra


Amaryllis: Freaky Moment

Elegant ballet dancer
floating on air,
long thin stems,
legs dancing,
head-petals
moving gently
with the soft sound of flutes.

by Perrine


Sectarianism

People fighting,
people killed -
no-one is safe.
Hatred over religion...
are these people even religious?
What can be done
when the people with power
are too overwhelmed?
Money can only do so much.
The don't know what's happening
until it's written on paper.
But I know,
I've seen it,
it's all around.
No-one understands anyone else
because they don't even try.
What is unknown doesn't have to be wrong...
but they don't have time to find out.
Belief is just another reason to hate.
Children raised as bigots
grow up to murder those who aren't like them.

by Aisling


Rain in the Mourne Mountains

Black clouds shadowing the tall mountains
hiding the cairn
to which many climbers have added stones.
Mist slowing creeping in
to block out any hope of sunshine.
Cold winds whistling
through the empty playground.

Watching from the window
as our field drowns
in an everlasting shower of tears.
Bashing the puddles in the air
the downpour hits it, full speed.

Running outside as the rain
bounces off the ground beneath us,
dashing through the puddles,
rain pouring down our faces.
Black sky above
and below -
sticky clothes glued to our moist skin.

At home, a bubbly bath just waiting.

by Emily and Joanne.


The Cow

The cow's as big as a dinosaur.
It's just grass and hay.
Black and white spots like a chessboard,
head the weight of a hippo's.

by Sean.


Unpredictable Irish Weather

On the way to school it drizzles.
Everything's so damp.
Walking home it's sunlit,
dispersing all the rain.
In the evening
dark clouds roll in,
followed by lightning
illuminating the sky.
Wake up in the morning
to sunbeams shining in the window
glowing up the room.
what will this new day convey?

by Fionnuala


A Divided Ireland

Broken from our mainland.
cut in two,
north and south
under different rule.
I feel so confused.
Who am I?
where am I from?
Ireland? Britain?
How's this country run?

by Fionnuala


Acting the Other Sort in a Divided Ireland

When going into the "wrong area"
you keep your head down,
and don't say a word.

If someone stops to ask questions
you mask your identity
to stay out of harm's way.

If eyebrows are raised and eyes glare,
and if the mystery unfolds,
you lie through your teeth
and act like "the other sort"
for the day.

by Alexandra


Typical and Unpredictable

Stratus clouds overcast the sky,
above the mountains and sea,
building up quite a storm.
Sun trying to break through,
billowing waves crash against rocks,
lightening collecting in the sky,
followed by subdued thunder,
drizzle pattering down like water
from a loose tap.
Obscure cloud taking over.
Drizzle altering to dense rain.

by Natalie


My Secret Garden

It's my place to escape -
escape from my thundering troubles.
The breeze calms my nreves,
is pleasing to my eyes.

The grass has never been cut.
butterflies fly high over my face.
The bird's next has never been invaded.
Baby buttercups sway with grace

Ladybirds creep over my skin,
while I lie there dreaming.
I don't want to go now.
My dream hasn't ended.

I'll stay for another few hours
letting my hair wisp in the air,
skimming stones through the pond,
watching the ripples in the water.

by Suzannah


The Weather

Here in Northern Ireland,
the wind blows cold,
the rain falls heavy,
every day the temperature falls a degree.

In your country
you have scorching sun
and the wind blows hot,
but you also have massive droughts.

Whilst we pray for heat
you beg for rain.
We want the sun
but you want the cloud.

We want your weather.
You need ours.

by Ben


Muddy

It covers our trousers,
and sticks to your shoes.
Clothes in the wash,
trainers thrown in the corner.
Mud caked on in the morning,
impossible to remove.
Dirt sodden from the boggy ground,
rain and soil.
What an awful mess.
You walk through the house
leaving a train of grubby tracks.

by Stephanie

Prize-winning Poem

For our opening post, we have chosen the poem by our Head of English, Grainne Tobin. We were delighted when Grainne won the Mourne Observer Poetry Prize in January 2007.


Migrant

Tell me a really story. Tell me what it was like
when you were small, which way you walked to school,
the garden where you tried to dig to the other side of the world,
your uncle's rows of leafy plants to eat,
the orchard tree you climbed to hide,
the old lady waving from the window, the bags of coloured sweets
and the house you were told you'd inherit.

Apricots and lemons.
If you go there, pick some for me.

Tirhogar, spelga, Qatamon.
The names are spells.

Whe you shovelled soil aside with your scaled-down spade,
did you know you'd come out where you are now?
That your children would save cereal boxes
to reconstruct your home in sticky-tape and cardboard?

Tell me what happened. Exactly.

Create

This new blog will provide a showcase for creativity: poems; songs; stories; dances; drawings; lists, which are the only things I'm likely to create.