The Ballynahinch, Saintfield, Crossgar Learning Community is a partnership of five schools –
and SERC working together in the local area to provide an extended curriculum and increased learning opportunities for students.
The principal aims are to provide young people with the opportunities to enrich and extend their experiences appropriate to their background and aspirations.
The schools aim to build on the work already in place to extend the curriculum and provide cross community activities. By providing students with opportunities to work together it is hoped to encourage a more cohesive local community.
Millinery Workshop - December 2011
The Art Department was delighted to invite local designer and past pupil, Brigin Fegan, to hold a workshop for, not only their pupils, but three other schools from the Ballynahinch Learning Community. Pupils from St. Colman’s, St. Colmcille’s, and Ballynahinch High School took up the invitation to the workshop which aims to enrich their AS and GCSE portfolios. A full day was spent on this project and it was very enjoyable and successful. Pupils were guided through the design-process of constructing a fascinator. Various techniques were employed and the outcomes were impressive.
3 Day Print Workshop at Assumption Grammar - October 2011
The Art Department of Assumption Grammar School hosted a three-day print workshop for students from four local Secondary Schools; St. Colmcille’s High School, St. Colman’s High School, Ballynahinch High School and Saintfield High School.
We were delighted to have the opportunity to welcome Deborah Boden, a well-known Kilkenny-based printmaker who introduced the students to the art of Japanese woodblock printing.
After a very interesting demonstration, each student was given the opportunity to create a print based on their own design. Forty pupils participated in the workshop and everyone was very pleased with the impressive results.
The workshop was funded through the Ballynahinch Area Learning Community and we appreciate their support. The Ballynahinch A.L.C. encourages links with schools in the local community and fosters collaboration.
This was a great opportunity for students to learn new techniques but also to work together. Teachers also benefited from this experience as we were able to meet one another and forge closer links.
Ms. Cecilia Halloran, an ex-student of Assumption, who is now Head of Art in St. Colman’s High School, organised the event and we hope that this will be the first of many shared artistic activities.
B.E.L.B. Curriculum Support Officer, Ms. Marie O’Donaghue, was very pleased to note the success of the event and congratulated everyone concerned in this venture.
The timetable of events was as follows:
Tuesday St. Colman’s High School and Ballynahinch High School;
Wednesday Assumption Grammar School and St. Colmcille’s High School, Crossgar;
Thursday Assumption Grammar School and Saintfield High School.