Kirsten in the Wings

First Day Out

The heat of the sun
flushes my skin
until a night breeze blows in.

The sea rolls in and out,
a dog sent away in disgrace
that keeps on returning.

Over the barbecue,
the fish scorch
with all-seeing eyes.



by Kirsten

Tom Nolan Award

We are delighted to receive a Certificate of Commendation in the Tom Nolan poetry award section of the SEELB Outstanding Achievement Awards. Nathan Mullan is the star of our entry, and many congratulations go to him and to our other poets. Well done.

Great Music

We had lots of compliments about the music played at Presentation Evening. The audience appreciated a bit of virtuosity and also real singer songwriting. One suggestion is that we use our minstrels' gallery potential next time. What do you think?

Callum Reaches the Heights

Callum Henderson has really reached the heights, winning the Foyle Film Festival Alternative Short Film Prize. This is a fantastic achievement - though his actors are claiming all the credit! My best friend was meant to come and see me this weekend but couldn't tear herself away from the aforementioned Foyle Film Festival. Her excuse was that the films were such a high standard and she could't tear herself away. Now I find she was right! We hear that Matt McComish also carried off a Highly Commended at the Festival. Noreen Doran Lahey certainly inspires people up in 207.

The Cabaret

On the evening of Friday 21st November, the Music Collective of Shimna Integrated College presented a Cabaret of Love. The evening showcased the musical talents of our students, and also raised funds in support of the Musical currently in rehearsal and scheduled for the Easter term.

The evening launched with massed voices and "You're the One that I Want" from "Grease". Jeannine Bradley then raised the tone with a beautiful rendition on piano of Einaudi's "L'Onde". Up went the tempo again when Jana Rodgers, Julia Martin, Roma Cunningham, Clare Smyth and Karen Malone launched into "Matchmaker". All change for a hilarious dramatic interlude, "Awkward Silence" as Stephen McVeigh and Caroline McCann sought to further their relationship! Grace Sergeant and Perrine Bonnargent gave us a well chosen "Flower Duet" from the opera "Lakme", Clare Smyth and Katriona Kirwan sang out "My Heart Will Go On" from "Titanic" before Jeannine Bradley and Niomi O'Rourke scandalised the audience with their hilarious "Chop Sticks" The two of them, in full evening dress and regalia, showed perfect comic timing along with perfect keyboard skills. More from "Grease'", "Summer Nights", brought us up to the interval.

Pure singing led off the second half with Cormac Nellis and "Bring Him Home" from "Les Miserables" followed by CarolAnne Magennis with "Memory" from "Cats" and Niomi O'Rourke accompanying herself on piano, with "Samson" by Regina Spektor. Danny White on guitar quietened us down with a beautiful, gentle "Angeli de Pietra Mistica" by Luc Turilli. Caroline McCann and Michael O'Brien gave a bravura performance of "Hero" by Enrique Iglesias. Back to drama with a sparkling "Last Man on the Moon" performed by Chris Wells and Kirsty McComish. The evening came to a classic close with the full choir and "Thank you for the Music", with soloists Cliona Rice, Anna Crawford and Fionnuala Nellis.

It was a fantastic night, and a real wholeschool performance, with Gerard McConkey and Felan Davidson on lights, Lee McMahon on sound and ultra-professional stage management. The Parents' Council ran the ticket office and the tuck shop and a well supported raffle. Stephen McVeigh was a blissfully calm, confident and humorous host.

All of the cast united to thank Orla McConville and Jo Rodgers for their inspiration, organisation and stamina. After the flowers, one more performance remained to be heard, and Kevin Lambe rounded off the evening with "Love the One You're With", the whole choir jigging along behind him.

It was great to see parents, friends and students across the year groups all out supporting the event. The whole evening was a pleasure, and tickets for "Joseph" are going to be worth getting.

Cabaret of Love

The best of our music goes on display on the evening of 21st, when our Cararet of Love takes to the stage as a fundraiser for our musical later in the year.

Nobody Lives Forever

We hosted a play about the ethics of stem cell research, called Nobody
Lives Forever, performed by the YTouring theatre Company who are
a small but perfectly formed professional drama group under the
auspices of the YMCA. The production is touring the UK and was in
Glasgow, Belfast, Newtownhamilton and Crossmaglen just before us.
Every performance is followed by a debate, using voting handsets
as a starting point, about the issues raised. The play was introduced
by the University of Ulster's Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Valerie
McKelvey-Martin, who heads their Science in Society section. She
explained that the tour is in partnership with NUU and sponsored
by the Bank of Ireland and The Honourable The Irish Society as a
contribution to the public understanding of the stem cell debate.

The audience of students was really enthusiastic about the play.
Some reported unexpected tears at the characters' dilemma.