Good Luck Chico

Felan Davidson at age 14 is the UK's youngest radio dj and works at downfm 105.0fm. He is also the lead singer with Chicosingers who are competing in Citybeat Youngstar on Saturday 10th May in Wallace Park in Lisburn. Chicosingers are a tribute music band, singing tributes to Chico, Britney Spears and other comedy acts. The Chico dancers are Rachel, Orla, Ciara, Karla, Nichola and Coral. Chico website: www.chicosingers.co.nr Everyone at Shimna wishes Felan and the dancers all the very best of luck.

Beautiful Music

Niomi O'Rourke, Carol-Anne Magennis and the Band performed beautifully at the regional finals of 'Stars' and came within a whisker of winning. We are very proud of all our musicians.

Local History Success

LOCAL HISTORY COMPETITION WINNERS - we are delighted to announce the winners of this year's competition. The standard was very high, and we are very proud that our sponsors have again donated the prizes, but most of all, also been involved in judging our students entries. Congratulations to all.

2008
Name Local History Study
WINNERS
Overall winner H. F Law Plaque Rebekah Boardman 8B Italian Leather from Shrigley
Year 8 winner First Trust Cup Samantha Parke 8C Clough Primary School
Year 9 winner Northern Bank Cup Daniel Stanfield 8C My Great Uncle Henry – A World War 2 prisoner of war.
Year 10 winner Essence Cup Andrew Skillen 10D Swastika over Ulster!

RUNNERS UP
Year 8 Hollie Martin 8B Betsy Grey
Year 9 Karen Malone 9M Castlewellan Castle
Jana Rodgers 9M The history of the Glees
Year 10 Jane McEvoy 10C The Irish Famine

Highly Commended
Certificate and medal and money
Mark McClean 9B The history of my garden.
Conor McKay 9B Burke and Hare
Mitchell Britton 9M My family history
Carrie McAlinden 9B The history of John Rooney
Sian Ogle 8C Sir Hans Sloane
Sinead Murray 8M My Great Granny
Commended
Tamara O’Rourke 9M Percy French
Conor Cuthbertson 9D The life and story of South Africa’s first black President.
Tyne Rogan 9B Newcastle railway
Claire Smyth 9B The Silent Valley
Julia Martin 9B Salvaging the SS Great Britain
Conor Kenwell 9C Slieve Donard Hotel
Christopher Leneghan 9 Christ Church and Massforth

Creative Parents

Our current Parents' Council committee happens to have a high proportion of artists among them. Tonight's meeting hosted a visit from Martin McParland, Shimna's artist in residence. Martin talked through the ways in which he contributes to the work of the A level students, and about his own background and practice as an artist. Great ideas flowed, and the Parents' Council now plan a student art show for 25th June, as a showcase for A level and GCSE art students' work. The event will include wine and cheese and some student musicians. The other great idea was to use art as the focus for the barbecue for our incoming year 8s, which will be held on 21st June. Martin has been booked to lead a creative workshop with the students, and all the artistic parents will have an opportunity to help. Plans were also suggested for more extensive show casing of art work on a more regular basis.

and the Winners Were

Niomi O'Rourke as a fantastic first; Johnny, Tom, Barry and Danny as spectacular second; Carol-Anne Magennis as throughly great third.

Shimna Stars

Shimna Stars

Shimna students revealed a huge range of talent in bands and solo performers at the college heats “Stars in Yer Eyes”. Previous NI champion Lee McMahon took on a different role this year serving up the teas, while fellow students took their chance in the limelight. Performing this year were: Niomi O’Rourke as Feist; Anna Crawford as Maria Carey; Carol-Anne Magennis as Natasha BeddingfieldLaura Mae O’Neile as Dusty Springfield; Caroline McCann as Amy Winehouse; Felan Davidson as Chico; Cahal O’Hir as Counting Crows; Karen Malone and Jana Rodgers as Aly and Aj; Danny, Johnny, Barry and Tom as Tenacious D. A fabulous night was had by all.

Personal Writers

While Matthew Martin is with us to work on the year 9 Eco project, he got dragged in to help 12 Donard with the personal writing section of their coursework. Already he has been pushing the boundaries of the definition of personal writing, and will show the class how to take advantage the techniques used in the Writing Centre he runs in the university. It's a fantastic opportunity, and perfectly timed to fit in a great piece of coursework as we head for the deadline.