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CONTENTS Principal Chairperson Board of Governors Page 2 PROSPECTUS 2025 2026 Head Girl Head Boy Page 3 Mission Statement Excellence in Education Page 4 Mission Statement Formation in the Catholic Faith Page 5 Mission Statement Care for All Page 6 Admissions Criteria Page 7 Year 8 Pupil Comments Educational Visits Page 8 The College in Pictures Page 9 Curriculum Pages 10 11 Policy Documents Page 11 Results Summer 2023 Page 12 Pastoral Care Child Protection Page 13 Positive Behaviour Outstanding Achievement Page 14 College Uniform Page 15 Who Will I Meet Pages 16 17 Past Pupil Supplement Pages 18 24 Behaviour for Learning Page 25 Website and Social Media If you would like more information about our school including staffing school policies and curriculum as well as events that are happening in the school you can find them On the school website www holycrosscollege co uk Parent app is an effective way for Holy Cross College to engage with parents on all aspects of school life from access to your child s timetable monitoring of attendance and the sending of school reports Parents with more than one child attending the same school can easily access grouped information on each child via the app It s easy to use and accessible from a smart phone tablet or PC It uses SIMS ID a secure single sign on function so schools don t need to manage logins We are also on Facebook and Instagram Parent App Holy Cross College Strabane Tel 028 7188 0315 Email info holycrosscollege strabane ni sch uk Web www holycrosscollege co uk Page 1

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PRINCIPAL CHAIR BOARD OF GOVERNORS PROSPECTUS 2025 2026 I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to prospective students and their parents to Holy Cross College s Open Day 2025 Open Day provides staff with the opportunity to showcase what is on offer in Holy Cross College We have an experienced and highly motivated staff who ensure that the aims of the College Faith Care Excellence in Education are promoted and worked towards with all children We are fortunate that we have state of the art facilities that assist staff in delivering educational provision of the highest quality Holy Cross College offers a wide range of subjects for students to study aligned to the Entitlement Framework Up to eighteen subjects are studied at Key Stage 3 over twenty at Key Stage 4 and almost thirty subjects are offered to Post 16 students The College also promotes a wide range of extra curricular activities and clubs for students to enjoy develop their skills and form new friendships We enjoy a strong history of success in music drama and sports and celebrate the achievements of the students regularly in school and through our social media platforms Central to everything we strive for in Holy Cross College is our Care for All ethos and this has our robust pastoral care system at its core We aim to provide a safe environment built on trust and respect for all students to enable them to reach their academic potential whilst also developing their emotional spiritual and physical strengths and qualities I hope you enjoy your visit to Holy Cross College today and thank you for considering the College for the next step in your child s educational journey Mr Ciar n Johnston Principal My name is John Dudgeon and I am Chairperson of the Board of Governors of Holy Cross College I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Open Day 2025 and I hope you find your visit to the College informative and useful in helping you choose a post primary school for your child The governors and I oversee and support the work of Mr Johnston and his staff in delivering quality education to the young people of Strabane and the surrounding areas The staff of the College work hard to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed and reach their potential As a Board of Governors it brings us great satisfaction to see the achievements of the students and to watch the College go from strength to strength Enjoy your visit to Holy Cross Mr John Dudgeon Chairperson Board of Governors Page 2 Holy Cross College Strabane Tel 028 7188 0315 Email info holycrosscollege strabane ni sch uk Web www holycrosscollege co uk

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Holy Cross College becomes your home from the first moment you walk through the doors From the generosity of the staff to the atmosphere created by the students every single student is made to feel welcome The measures put in place to welcome the new Year 8 students into our school are second to none The staff go out of their way to ensure that every child s transition to post primary education is seamless and exciting Our Peer Mentoring Team goes above and beyond to lend a helping hand and pass on their advice to each and every Year 8 I can say firsthand that the impact made by these students is never forgotten as I although six years older am still grateful for the support I received when I first came to the school Holy Cross College has incredible facilities that help aid the learning of every student Every room in the building is equipped with exemplary materials required to further each child s education The dedication displayed by the teaching staff to pushing each student to their academic ability is unmatched along with the aid of the support staff chaplains and the many others who contribute to school life Students are provided with the opportunity to experience many different subjects allowing them to expand their knowledge even further whilst simultaneously allowing them to discover their strengths within each given subject This year I have the absolute privilege of being Head Girl of the College It is incredibly special to be able to give something back to the school that has given me so much I wear my badge with pride as I am a representative of such an amazing school Our school ethos Care for All is a key focus of everyone within the school building I personally believe that it is imperative that every child transitioning to secondary education knows that they will be looked after and cared for The great thing about our school is that there will always be someone in your corner There is something for everyone at Holy Cross Whether you have a passion for sports a flair for the arts skill in a science lab or an eye for technology you will have the opportunity to pursue these passions further We have extremely successful sports teams have put on exceptionally popular school productions award winning junior and senior choirs and exciting school trips School life will always have something interesting for each and every student Most importantly Holy Cross College creates lasting friendships It s a place that encourages inclusivity and brings people together We laugh together we cry together we are a community that looks out for one another Holy Cross will always be there for you no matter what Cora Johnston Head Girl PROSPECTUS 2025 2026 When I entered Holy Cross College in 2018 it was the greatest change I had ever experienced up until that point in my life however the incredible framework this school has in place to support its Year 8 students making the jump from primary to secondary school education always made me feel comfortable as I adjusted to my new surroundings This is in great part because of the fantastic peer mentoring programme where senior students guide the Year 8 pupils around the school for the first months of the school year and this allows for the new students to have a team who can pass on their experience to help aid the new students adjust to secondary school life The College has an unshakeable dedication to its core aims Excellence in Education Formation in the Catholic Faith and Care for All these core principles are upheld to the highest standard by the phenomenal team of teachers classroom assistants and all members of staff within the College We are extremely lucky to have such a dedicated network of staff who work tirelessly to make sure every student achieves their full potential during their time here The College has a plethora of subjects which allow students to discover what they are enthusiastic about and supply them with the opportunities and tools to accel throughout their seven years in Holy Cross College There is also a wide array of extracurricular activities on offer such as the school choir football team and the drama productions just to name a few these activities are supremely beneficial for students who want to discover their passion and develop it throughout their time at this College The building itself is a modern facility featuring all the facilities and equipment to provide each student with the high quality of education which this College prides itself on as evidenced in one of its aforementioned three core aims These state of the art facilities in combination with the incredible staff means that every student has the tools to achieve academic excellence over their seven years From personal experience Holy Cross College has played a vital role in preparing me for the next stage of my academic journey and I have had many positive experiences during my time here which I will cherish for the rest of my life I would wholeheartedly endorse this college for anyone who is thinking of attending in the coming year Conor Boyce Head Boy Holy Cross College Strabane Tel 028 7188 0315 Email info holycrosscollege strabane ni sch uk Web www holycrosscollege co uk Page 3

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EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION PROSPECTUS 2025 2026 EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION Our mission is to provide every student with the opportunities and environment to work achieve and believe in themselves whilst striving for excellence in a caring environment underpinned by Catholic values Staff provide high quality learning provision to students and encourage students to develop an enjoyment and interest in the subjects studied through a range of learning teaching strategies Key Stage Three Awards Day Moving Image Arts NI winner GCSE and A Level Prize Giving The following pupils received Exceptional Achievement awards at GCSE in 2024 Grace Boyle Majella Boyle Amelia Connolly Ellie Gallagher Jenna Gillen Cara Grimley Cade Harpur Ava Heffernan Josh Hegarty Thomas Hegarty Saoirse Kelly Eve McGonigle Caoimhe McHugh Aleisha McMonagle Laura Minczuk The following pupils received Exceptional Awards at A Level in 2024 Connor Devine Chloe Doherty Laura Doherty Millie Knobbs Treasa McCrossan Ava McDermott Cliodhna McNulty Noah Mullen Aoibhin Stewart Ronan Ward Darci West Preston Whisker Page 4 Holy Cross College Strabane Tel 028 7188 0315 Email info holycrosscollege strabane ni sch uk Web www holycrosscollege co uk

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Open Day Saturday 11th January 2025 10 00 am 12 noon and 1 00 pm 3 00 pm Principal s Address 10 00 am and 1 00 pm RESPECTIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND PRINCIPAL IN RELATION TO ADMISSIONS The Board of Governors draws up the admissions criteria and delegates to an Admissions Sub Committee which includes the Principal the responsibility for applying these criteria Any reference herein to the term the Board of Governors includes any Committee or SubCommittee appointed by the Board of Governors for the purposes of applying the Admissions Criteria set out herein ADMISSIONS CRITERIA 2025 During the admissions procedure when applying the criteria punctual applications will be considered before late applications are considered The application procedure opens on Tuesday 28th January 2025 at 12 noon GMT and an application submitted by the closing date of Thursday 20th February 2025 at 12 noon GMT will be treated as a punctual application An application received after 12 noon GMT on Thursday 20th February 2025 and up to 4pm on Tuesday 25th February 2025 will be treated as a late application The process for applying for a Post Primary place in Year 8 for September 2025 has moved online and the online portal will be open for parents to submit their application from 12 noon on Tuesday 28th January 2025 to 12 noon on Thursday 20th February 2025 The Board of Governors has determined that in the event of the number of applicants being greater than the admissions number for the school the following method will be used to select pupils for admission Applicants domiciled in Northern Ireland at the time of their proposed admission will be considered before all other applicants 1 Applicants who are entitled to Free School Meals FSME Priority to be given so that the proportion of such children admitted is not less than the proportion of first preference FSME applications received within the total number of first preference applications received Entitled to Free School Meals will mean applicants who are listed on the Education Authority register as entitled to Free School Meals at the date on which their parent or guardian has submitted their post primary Transfer Application or at any date up to and including Tuesday 25th February 2025 no later than 4 pm The calculation of this proportion will be on the basis of first preference applications received by the post primary school on or before Tuesday 25th February 2025 2 Applicants who normally reside in the following Parishes Camus Mourne Leckpatrick Sion Mills Urney Donemana Newtownstewart Castlederg 3 Applicants who have a sibling or legally adopted sibling presently enrolled in Holy Cross College or who will be enrolled in the coming year 4 Applicants from other Parishes who are presently resident in Northern Ireland 5 Applicants from other Parishes In the event that the school would exceed its permitted admission number by accepting all applicants qualifying for selection using the final criterion so required then selection for all places remaining in this category will be on the basis of initial letter of the surname as appears on the birth certificate in the order set out below B F Mc A O E C P O I H L R K W G Z N D Mac Y M J V T Q U S X Surnames beginning with the same initial letter the subsequent letters of the surnames will be used in alphabetical order In the event of 2 identical surnames the alphabetical order of the initials of the forename will be used In the event of over subscription in the last criterion that can be applied selection for available places will be on the basis of proximity of home to school as the crow flies with priority for those closest to the school If a place s becomes available after Monday 1st September 2025 and there are more applicants than places then decisions will be made on the application of the Year 8 Admissions Criteria to those pupils seeking admission at the time the place s becomes available NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS AND ADMISSIONS Year Admissions No Total Applications All Total Admissions Preferences 2022 2023 300 255 255 2023 2024 300 261 261 2024 2025 300 213 213 ADMISSIONS CRITERIA FOR ENTRY TO YEARS 9 12 Details of criteria available by contacting school office Page 7

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CARE FOR ALL POLICIES PROSPECTUS 2025 2026 CARE FOR ALL The Pastoral Care Policy of Holy Cross College is intended to help pupils develop into caring independent and responsible young people Holy Cross College is committed to providing a safe and happy environment based on the College s ethos of Faith Care Excellence Through our Student Charity Committee the College has a close association with many local and national charities including Saint Vincent De Paul Foyle Hospice Children in Crossfire Cancer Research Trocaire Concern Kicking for Autism Above Members of the Charity Committee presenting a cheque to Mr Devlin from St Vincent De Paul Left We are very proud of our Year 9 pupils Megan Skeffington and Tori Crawford who raised over 15 000 in a Kicking for Autism challenge Below right members of the Charity Committee presenting a cheque to the Conway Family in aid of Kidney Research The College raises funds for multiple local and regional charities each year Fundraising activity is coordinated by the Charity Committee with the support of staff Page 6 Holy Cross College Strabane Tel 028 7188 0315 Email info holycrosscollege strabane ni sch uk Web www holycrosscollege co uk

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YEAR 8 PUPIL COMMENTS COLLEGE TRIPS PROSPECTUS 2025 2026 I came to Holy Cross College with the intention to make new friends and grow my ability in many different ways Quickly I realized that it would be easier to achieve these goals than I thought I started in Holy Cross College earlier this year and for the first couple of weeks I had the amazing help of my peer mentors to help guide me safely to my classes I came from a small school in Sion Mills I worried and worried about how I would cope with the change to a much bigger school Thankfully my teachers and peer mentors acted fast to solve that problem No longer am I getting lost and losing valuable class time I was blessed to get Mr McHugh as a form teacher I didn t really know anyone in my form but with his encouragement to speak to others and come out of my comfort zone it saved me With a wide variety of sports to choose from they make sure to include all preferences in the curriculum I admire the teachers as they are considerate and helpful towards every pupil and will most definitely push you to be the very best version of yourself Cara Brown 8DL Holy Cross College is a brilliant school My time here has been amazing since the day I started I remember the first day entering as gingerly as a cat fretting I was going to get lost in this vast maze I shouldn t have been at all My peer mentors helped and guided me around the school and my form teacher Mr McHugh was kind caring and gave me all the information I needed to make that first day a success Soon it didn t feel so big anymore I have made so many new friends Once you get into a routine your confidence will soar like an eagle The canteen food is delicious You have to try the chips I am so glad that I chose Holy Cross to come to I don t regret it one little bit There is a wide range of after school clubs so you can express yourself in your own way choir football Gaelic art chess the list goes on and on The days at Holy Cross fly in I understand that is a daunting step moving to a big school but trust me Holy Cross will open an endless pathway of possibilities to you Eoin Strawbridge 8DL EDUCATIONAL VISITS To enhance our students educational experience beyond the classroom we offer a selection of school trips annually Each of these trips provides a marvellous opportunity for travel and a chance to sample different cultures activities and languages Page 8 Visits planned January 2025 Ski Trip June 2025 Holy Cross College Strabane Languages Trip to Paris Tel 028 7188 0315 October 2025 Email info holycrosscollege strabane ni sch uk Music Drama trip to London s West End Web www holycrosscollege co uk May 2026 Science Trip to London

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CURRICULUM PROSPECTUS 2025 2026 The Aims of the Curriculum The curriculum on offer at Holy Cross College provides students with the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects in line with the Northern Ireland Curriculum Key Stage 3 Years 8 9 10 Subjects The curriculum is arranged in Learning Areas 1 Religious Education 2 Learning for Life and Work Citizenship PSHE Home Economics Employability 3 English 4 Mathematics 5 Science and Technology Science Technology and Design 6 ICT 7 Environment and Society History Geography 8 The Arts Art Music Drama 9 Modern Languages French Irish Spanish 10 Physical Education Assessment The assessment process in Key Stage 3 is both formative and summative As well as ongoing assessment for learning there are two periods of formal assessments one in December and one in May The results of December exams are reported to parents on Reporting Day in February and a written report is sent to parents in June Transition from Primary School Holy Cross College offers an effective Induction Programme for year 8 students The programme takes place throughout the academic year with a range of interactive workshops opportunities to visit the College for events such as our Carol Service and Talent Show our Open Day in January and other transition events during term 3 In term 3 our Induction Team visits the local primary schools to meet our new students An information session for parents and guardians will take place in June to provide additional information about the transition process and provides an ideal opportunity for parents to engage with key members of staff who will work closely with their children in their first year at Holy Cross College Our new Year 8 students will attend Induction Day in June when they will sit standardised tests in Numeracy and Literacy The results of these along with information provided by the primary school will be used to place the student into the most appropriate class for his her ability We are very proud of our year 14 Peer Mentors who work with staff to provide invaluable support to our new year 8 students They work closely with the students throughout the transition process We operate a streamed system in which there are three pathways in a year group Movement between these Pathways is possible throughout Key Stage Three Years 08 10 and at the beginning of Key Stage Four Years 11 12 Students in receipt of a Statement of Special Educational Needs will be provided for in the most suitable class Pathway suited to their individual needs In September the focus is on settling in and we have an excellent Induction Programme that promotes team building and making friends Shared Education At Holy Cross College students are given the opportunity to be involved in Shared Education Projects Students work closely with students from other schools taking part in a variety of activities and adventures Page 10 Holy Cross College Strabane Tel 028 7188 0315 Email info holycrosscollege strabane ni sch uk Web www holycrosscollege co uk

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CURRICULUM POLICIES POLICIES Learning Support The Learning Support Department in Holy Cross is committed to supporting all students to reach their full potential Learning Support contributes to the development of a can do attitude by motivating and supporting students individual needs There is a comprehensive programme of identification and support for students with additional needs Current provision includes afterschool homework club peer mentoring in school Literacy and Numeracy support small group withdrawal support from specialist staff in the Learning Support Team and external agencies PROSPECTUS 2025 2026 Guidance and Careers At Holy Cross College the Guidance Team provides support for students across a range of areas We provide Careers Education and advice throughout the school most particularly at times of transition We support students in their choice of subjects and as they move on to other institutions and into employment In addition we provide support for students who may be experiencing personal difficulties of a social and or emotional nature This support is provided by qualified teachers within the school and by working closely with outside agencies and professionals Religious Education All students study Religious Education to enhance their spiritual journey as well as contributing to their educational experience Promoting Catholic Faith is a feature of the College in partnership with the parishes priests and families of all our students Subjects on offer at Key Stage 4 and Post 16 At Key Stage 4 students follow one of three pathways combining a mixture of academic and vocational courses Key Stage 4 subjects Art and Design Business and Communication Studies Drama English English Literature French Further Maths Geography Health and Social Care History Home Economics ICT Irish Journalism Learning for Life and Work Mathematics Media Studies Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies Moving Image Arts Music Religious Studies Science Double Award Single Award Spanish Sports Studies Technology and Design A range of BTEC courses in house and a range of vocational occupational studies courses linked with North West Regional College Strabane Campus are available At Post 16 students have a choice of academic and vocational courses Post 16 subjects Applied Science Art Biology Business Studies Business Studies Applied Chemistry Child Care National Award Children s Play Learning and Development Construction National Award Drama and Theatre Studies Engineering National Award English Language English Literature French Geography Government and Politics Health Social Care History ICT ICT Applied Irish Journalism Leisure Studies Mathematics Media Studies Moving Image Arts Music Physical Education Physics Religious Education Spanish Design and Technology We work in collaboration with South West College in Omagh Extra Curricular Activities Holy Cross College offers a wide range of after school activities catering for the diverse interests and talents of students These include soccer and Gaelic girls and boys hurling cross country netball athletics cricket golf basketball Drama Music choir strings drums brass piano homework club Science club film club chess club eco club etc POLICIES Policy documents are available on the College s web site and on request from the College reception Holy Cross College Strabane Tel 028 7188 0315 Email info holycrosscollege strabane ni sch uk Web www holycrosscollege co uk Page 11

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PASTORAL CARE CHILD PROTECTION PROTECTION Pastoral Care Holy Cross College is committed to providing a secure stable and supportive environment based on values which reflect the College ethos of Faith Care and Excellence in Education PROSPECTUS 2025 2026 Although Holy Cross may seem a large school to many parents it is organised in such a way that every child is known individually We work hard to make sure that the individual needs of each child are identified and met both academically and pastorally Staff support students to feel happy and safe and robust policies and procedures are in place to facilitate this aim When a student joins Year 8 the first person they will work closely with is the Form Teacher The Form Teacher is the first point of contact for parents if worries arise or when information on your child s progress or welfare is required The Form Teachers are supported by Year Heads Heads of School and Vice Principals From Year 8 to 14 Holy Cross will provide the support which will help all students to fulfil their potential Within this whole school vision we have internal structures that promote academic achievement individual growth and healthy competition as well as ensuring that all students feel safe within the school environment Child Protection Procedures Core College aim Care Every child has the fundamental right to be safe from harm and to have proper care given to their physical emotional and spiritual well being It is the duty of all members of staff to protect children from physical emotional or sexual abuse and from neglect Any concerns a parent may have will be taken seriously and dealt with in a professional manner How a Parent Can Report a Safeguarding Concern I have a concern about my child s safety I can talk to the class form teacher or Head of Year If I am still concerned I can talk to the Principal Mr Johnston If I am still concerned I can talk to the appropriate designated teacher for Child Protection Mrs Gallagher KS3 Mrs Devine KS4 Post 16 If I am still concerned I can talk write to the Chairperson of Board of Governors Mr John Dudgeon At any time I can talk to a social worker at the Gateway Team Western Trust Tel 028 71314090 or the PSNI at the Child Protection Unit Tel 08456008000 Holy Cross College Safeguarding Team Principal Mr Ciar n Johnston Designated Teachers for Child Protection Mrs N Gallagher VP KS3 Mrs P Devine VP KS4 Post 16 Chairperson the Board of Governors Mr John Dudgeon Designated Governor for Child Protection Mrs M Cunningham Holy Cross College Strabane Email info holycrosscollege strabane ni sch uk Web www holycrosscollege co uk Page 13

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POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR LETTERS OF COMMENDATION PROSPECTUS 2025 2026 Promoting Positive Behaviour Holy Cross College aims to promote and reward positive behaviour for all our students A reward system is in place for Years 8 10 Rewards include items with the College logo e g pen the monthly NICE Nice Individual Caring for Everyone Award from each Form Class cinema vouchers and End of Year reward Below NICE certificate recipients November 2024 We celebrate student success in Assembly on social media and through the Outstanding Achievement Awards These awards are distributed throughout the year We also celebrate success at Junior and Senior Prize Giving ceremonies which are held annually Letters of Commendation Letters of Commendation are sent out at the end of Term One to those students in Years 8 11 who have shown commitment to the academic challenges adhered to the rules and embodied the ethos of Holy Cross College Page 14 Holy Cross College Strabane Tel 028 7188 0315 Email info holycrosscollege strabane ni sch uk Web www holycrosscollege co uk

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Holy Cross College Past Pupil Supplement As one of the first ever pupils at Holy Cross College I can wholeheartedly say they were some of the best days of my life I look back on my time at secondary school as a period during which I met my lifelong best friends and received the grounding which helped me achieve my career goal English Literature and Geography were my two favourite subjects my love of Seamus Heaney ultimately influencing my decision to study English as an undergraduate at Queen s University Belfast As for Geography it didn t quite feel like studying I learned about the world around us volcanoes meanders and the Gulf Stream From those early teenage years I knew I wanted to be a journalist Each summer I undertook work experience in local media outlets and with that desire of following my dream still very much alive and following my graduation with a BA in English I entered into a Masters degree course in Journalism at Ulster University Coleraine Right from that first day in Coleraine I knew I was on the right path I loved every single element of Journalism and the art of turning anything into a story I graduated with a Masters degree with the view to remaining in print journalism having previously worked therein That was until three years ago when I stepped inside Highland Radio and never looked back Now working as a broadcast journalist on Ireland s number 1 local radio station every day feels like a school day always something new to experience new skills to master and proudly following my teenage dream Michaela Clarke Broadcast Journalist Looking back at my school days ten years on I have very fond memories I will treasure forever I appreciate these memories more as I get older and as I reflect back I can relate to the well known clich school days are the best days of your life Secondary school is where you discover who you are becoming you get to choose what subjects interest you and focus on studying them further you build lifelong relationships with teachers and mentors who help shape the person you will become after school you meet friends that become your family it s a time for discovering who you want to be in this world My favourite subjects in school were Drama Art Music English History I moved on from Holy Cross College to study a degree in Theatre English at Queens University Belfast with the intent of becoming a teacher I always loved the creative side of theatre It felt great to be part of a group bringing an artistic vision to life on stage I can relate my degree to what I do now I m an owner of Enchanted Hair Beauty Salon I mainly do wedding parties I m part of someone s creative vision and I help bring their special day to life I ve always liked making people feel good about themselves and my job gives me that opportunity every day Although the teaching career didn t go to plan I feel like I fit perfectly into my role in society and my educational journey helped develop the skills I need to run a successful business I ve always been a believer in what s meant for you won t pass you If I was to give my younger self a bit of advice starting school take full advantage of all the opportunities school offers try not to get too stressed with exams and assignments trust the process trust in yourself and you only get back what you put in Toni Kelly Business Owner I have very fond memories of my time at Holy Cross College and can hardly believe that it s eight years since I ve been at school I ve been so fortunate to remain close to friends that I met as far back as first year We have such happy memories of our time at school

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Holy Cross College Past Pupil Supplement My year group was the first Year 8 group of Holy Cross College and so we were initially based in the old Convent site I was Year 12 when we moved into the school as it is now Teachers played such an important part in shaping my future they were always encouraging and pushing me on I remember a strong desire to learn Irish but this never came natural to me So aside from being a bit chatty and testing Mrs Kyle s patience I don t think I gave my teachers much bother I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in the caring profession and so Health and Social Care was an easy choice when it came to subject choices for my A Levels Geography was one of my favourite subjects in school I remember being so disappointed the morning of my results in not having secured my predicted grade But they say everything happens for a reason I went on to complete an undergraduate degree in Sociology at Ulster University and then Social Work at Queen s University and I am now a Social Worker with the Western Trust Danica Conway Social Worker I thoroughly enjoyed my years at Holy Cross College and I gained a lot of admirable qualities from my peers and teachers They inspired me to reach for my goals and supported me through my education Now having graduated in ICT from Ulster University and a PGCE in Liverpool I am a Business and ICT teacher in Doha Qatar I have my school and teachers to thank for all my achievements Holy Cross College encourages students to be their best work to their potential and enjoy their time at school Nadine O Kane Teacher My career path has taken some unexpected turns in recent years with the acquisition of my Master s degree in Business I was employed as a Wealth Advisor at a bank here in North Dakota until I was head hunted into the Digital Marketing world to Townsquare which is the second largest media company in the U S The digital world is fast paced and ever changing which makes it interesting and keeps me on my toes In addition I coach the Century High School Varsity Boys and Girls football team here in our state My time at Holy Cross was great and I look back on it with fond memories Academically Holy Cross showed me that I can always do better and do more I wasn t your typical A student However my teachers pushed me to do more and be the best possible version of myself That persistence has enabled me to get to where I am at today I don t know where I would be without it From a sporting standpoint there is no better place to play sports in N Ireland The coaching and advice of Mr Boyle and Mr Donaghey helped me to refine my skills and adjust my attitude I didn t always have the best attitude Their coaching and advice put me in a position to take advantage of the football scholarship opportunity that was presented to me Eight years removed and I owe a tremendous amount to Holy Cross and its staff Take advantage of the school its teachers and listen to their advice it will be the best decision you make Aaron Brennan Business As a pupil of Holy Cross College from 2009 2016 I will be eternally grateful for their massive support in not only my education but also in my determined pursuit to one day fulfil my dreams of joining the world renowned Riverdance I love reflecting back on my time at the school as I have an abundance of fond memories with not only my friends but also the teachers and staff of the school Two of my favourite departments in Holy cross are the state of the art Sports and Drama departments I remember training in cross country for PE I always loved the challenge and how our PE teachers helped us find motivation to get fitter and stronger I then competed for Holy Cross at a county Championships and very much enjoyed running alongside other pupils Perhaps my favourite GCSE subject was Drama my passionate teacher Mrs McCay helped me fall in love with the very enjoyable subject her work with the class and myself has helped me on stage in my role in Riverdance today I had so many days of excitement and laughter with my form class trips that included paint balling and kayaking bringing us all very close as friends As a senior pupil in the school I enjoyed being a Peer Mentor as it gave me a chance to be a leader and to help the younger pupils settle into their new school I also

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Holy Cross College Past Pupil Supplement felt very honoured to be Deputy Head girl working alongside other pupils to help organise school events With the support of my teachers I was able to continue to dance throughout my GCSE s and A Levels I finished my time at Holy Cross college with three A s in Biology Maths and Chemistry and got offered my dream job of joining Riverdance None of this would have been possible without my always positive supporting encouraging teachers who went out of their way to make sure I had enough time for both my school work and dancing I now travel the world dancing almost every night for audiences as big as 7 000 people I perform my dream role of lead dancer in the show the biggest goal I ever set for myself and feel like the luckiest girl the world getting to do what I love as a job One of my biggest achievements has been performing in Croke Park for the Papal visit to a live TV audience and a stadium audience of 90 000 people I want to thank Holy Cross for everything they have done for me throughout my time in school and their continuous support I still receive today I will always remember my time at the school as happy positively challenging and a great time of growth Thank you for helping shape the person I am today and for helping make my dream come true Amy Mae Dolan Lead role in Riverdance I am a past pupil of Holy Cross College and I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the school During my studies there I found that all teachers were very enthusiastic and very willing to help students strive for excellence I have great memories of my schooldays at Holy Cross College and met many friends there all of whom I am still friendly with I studied History Religion and Spanish at A Level and qualified as a Solicitor in 2016 My experience at Holy Cross College and the opportunities provided there paved the way for my future and my career Andrea McGill Solicitor Hi my name is Thomas Mullen and I was a pupil at the Holy Cross College I enjoyed my time at Holy Cross College and achieved well Holy Cross had a wide range of subjects that I could choose from and I was particularly interested in Sport Studies The College helped me to achieve at the highest level in sports because of the facilities and the excellent P E staff I enjoyed success with the football squad and Gaelic football team I also represented the golf team and competed in all school athletics competitions I believe that all the hard work I put in at the Holy Cross helped me to gain a scholarship for university in the USA I am now finished my first semester at the University of Arkansas as a student Athlete I played soccer for the University and we became Regional Champions and I was awarded striker of the region Thomas Mullen Soccer Player International Student During my time at HCC I had so many positive experiences I ve met many life long friends enjoyed numerous trips to different countries as well as the day to day hustle and bustle of college life all whilst studying a variety of subjects in a bid to further my education Holy Cross is very much a close knit school community where everyone is made to feel welcome and valued I enjoyed all of the subjects on offer but I had a particular love for PE With a keen interest in sport I was excited to experience the contemporary facilities at the College Another passionate subject of mine was Biology which involved the Study of the Human Body this ignited an interest which is still evident in my vocation today From Year 8 I joined both the Soccer and Gaelic teams which involved training after school as well as playing matches against other schools from across the province The college is very lucky to have the sporting facilities it has and it would be a shame not to make the most of them I enjoyed many days away representing the college in a sports team the highlight of which would be winning the Northern Ireland Schools Cup for the first time in HCC history in 2012 In Year 10 I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to travel to Barcelona on a football trip This was a week long trip which involved training and playing matches against Spanish ppposition and sampling the local Catalan culture with a visit to the world famous Camp Nou home of FC Barcelona an experience never to be forgotten

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Holy Cross College Past Pupil Supplement After completing my GCSE s and A Levels at Holy Cross I was in a position to apply for University Applying to Universities can be a daunting task but the careers team at the college are extremely helpful with this aspect I studied Dentistry at the University of Dundee Scotland for 5 years I have since returned home and I m currently working as a Dentist in Castlederg and have recently started a Facial Aesthetics business I can t thank the staff at HCC enough for all their help and guidance throughout my seven years with them Luke McGeehan Dentist On leaving Holy Cross College I continued my education in North West Regional College gaining a Diploma in Engineering This enabled me to apply to universities I chose a mechanical engineer course in Ulster University Near the end of completing the course I was selected to continue with my studies in Augsberg University Germany for 6 months This experience was a life time opportunity From this I gained a Masters Degree in both Mechanical Engineering Ulster University and Masters Degree in Mechatronics Augsberg University Germany I am presently employed as an assistant consultant with this company in RPS since July 2019 I am involved in planning exciting new developments in the water division of the company So I live in Belfast during the week and come back home at the weekends as I play Gaelic football and to spend time with my family My tips for Holy Cross College pupils today All experience is relevant Ask for help when you need it Get involved in sport or some recreation to promote a healthy lifestyle Lorcan Glackin Engineer During my education in Holy Cross NWRC and University I received support with literacy as I have dyslexia This enabled me to progress and reach my potential Since leaving HCC in 2009 I completed a National Diploma in Health Social Care at North West Regional College and a degree in Adult Nursing from Oxford Brookes University Through my nursing training I have gained a wealth of experience working in the different areas of nursing My first post was in a Cardiology ward which I loved but this was very demanding Also I trained as an endocrine specialist nurse and I split my work hours between the two posts working part time in both Cardiology ward and Endocrine clinics Since then I have recently gained promotion to a Band 6 position as an Endocrine Specialist Nurse in The John Radcliff Hospital Oxford I have made Oxford my home doing my dream job I manage to have a good work life balance by ensuring I have a holiday or event to look forward to My tips for HCC pupils I have learned to be confident and ask for help and accept help when needed I am here today through hard work determination lots of support and encouragement from teachers lecturers an d my family I always take setbacks as a learning experiences and I ask for feedback to progress Fionnuala Glackin Nurse I attended Holy Cross College until 2006 Before attending I knew I wanted to be an actor but I hadn t any idea how I would go about achieving that or what it took to be one Mrs McCay and Mr McBride guided me through the foundations of acting as a craft and introduced me to legendary practitioners like Stanislavski and Brecht After Holy Cross I went to Queen s University to study acting and then to The Gaiety School of Acting The National Theatre School of Ireland in Dublin Once graduated I started acting in Dublin became a producer and director and worked with companies like Jameson Whiskey to bring events to life I played a role in RTE s Fair City and I got one of my first big jobs on HBO s Game of Thrones acting alongside the wonderful Peter Dinklage and amazing Charles Dance Before leaving Dublin I played one of the most amazing characters Lucky from Sam Beckett s Waiting for Godot in a production that ran for 4 weeks and then went on tour in Brazil in Rio De Janeiro and Brasilia When I moved to London I set up my own theatre company a company not just for new actors but for older returning actors as well All or Nothing Repertory Theatre Company was born in 2018 and we began an ambitious first season The Remember the Clause season was a huge success during the Pride festival for us

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Holy Cross College Past Pupil Supplement Our next step was to enter into the Camden Fringe Festival with an adaptation of three of Shakespeare s history plays My Other Self was brought together to explore the mental health and psychology of Richard III one of Shakespeare s most infamous villains We were nominated for a Fringe Festival award for Best Production We were incredibly proud as this was our first festival and I personally felt wonderful as I had adapted the play All throughout this journey I have never lost the sense of wonder at the exploration of emotions I learnt from my Drama teachers in school I have a lot to be thankful for in my life and an immense sense of that gratitude goes to the Drama Department I had during my years at school Thank you and see you soon Simon Stewart Actor Director Producer After successfully completing A Level Art Design at Holy Cross College in 2011 I was inspired to study a Foundation Diploma in Art Design at North West Regional College where I developed a fascination for textiles and was first introduced to weaving This led to completing a HND in Fashion Textiles at North West Regional College in 2014 specializing in Woven Textiles and gaining a 2nd year place on the Textile Art Design Fashion Degree Course at Ulster University Belfast In 2016 I won a Future Makers Ireland Award for one of my graduate collections Windows into The Past from my brand To Be Frank a range of luxurious woven fabrics My work also featured in a week long solo exhibition and was on Tyrone County Matters shown on Sky TV and I was interviewed for BBC Radio Ulster s The Arts Show by Michael Bradley from The Undertones where I show cased my two graduate collections Windows From The Past and The Mill Collection After graduating in 2016 I was awarded the position as a Weave Designer in Residence for Ulster University which allowed me to create and exhibit work and also ignited my passion for education I progressed onto studying for a fellowship and was awarded Associate Fellow status of the Higher Education Academy in 2017 After this I went on to launch a range of statement hand woven cushions and wall hangings with my To Be Frank brand Since 2017 I have been working in Special Education facilitating art classes and workshops to children from 7 19 years of age and am currently working in an EOTAS setting whilst also creating work in my weaving studio I hope to launch a new interiors collection in 2020 for To Be Frank Rachel Finlay Textile Designer When I was a pupil at Holy Cross College I enjoyed participating in team sports at a high level I was involved in both the Gaelic and soccer teams which were both hugely successful There was always a great sense of camaraderie amongst the players and it was a privilege to represent the school at various tournaments and blitzes against other schools over the years I spent most of my spare time outside of school playing football at a high level for Dunganon Swifts which was an amazing experience one I have never forgot I still play Gaelic for Strabane Sigersons and also play soccer with Strabane Athletic F C I enjoyed all the social aspects of school making friends learning new skills and carving a future for myself My favourite subjects at school were PE and History I left Holy Cross College in 2009 and went to NWRC where I continued to study Sports Science and I worked in gyms and leisure centres throughout my studies as a fitness instructor developing my knowledge and getting a lot of hands on practical experience I then returned to NWRC to achieve a formal qualification a HND in sports science In 2016 I secured a job in STS as a fitness instructor tutor and assessor and I continued working in the leisure centre too At the age of 25 I decided to do something that I had wanted to do from a very young age I joined the Irish Defence Forces and I haven t looked back It is an amazing job with fantastic opportunities and prospects I am based in Finner Co Donegal which is great because I am so close to home Holy Cross College was a great foundation for me to build my future on and I have memories from my time there that I will never forget Dylan Arnold Irish Army I was a pupil at Holy Cross College from 2003 to 2009 and I have great memories of my time spent there and the friendships I formed At school I really enjoyed studying English Art and PE I was part of the Holy Cross College cross country team and I

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Holy Cross College Past Pupil Supplement really enjoyed the team spirit competing and of course the achievements Being able to represent the school was an honour I left school after completing my GCSE s in 2009 and went to NWRC to study an NVQ in Children s Care Learning and Development with a focus on special needs provision in education I worked full time for a year in primary schools as a special needs classroom assistant before returning to Further Education to complete a HND in Child Development I knew this was the career path I wanted to choose and it was important for me to gain the qualifications I needed to do the job to the best of my ability After completing this course I began working in Holy Cross College as a Special Needs classroom assistant and I have been here for the past 5 years I really enjoy working in the school getting to know the pupils and helping them to realise and achieve their full potential Shaunagh McMenamin Classroom Assistant Strabane born and raised I had a passion and love for all things fashion and art orientated from a very young age During my time at HCC I studied Art Design for A level which was the first step in pursuing my career path Under the guidance of the HCC art department I was encouraged to attend an interview with North West Regional College Derry I had three incredible years at NWRC and studied under the most incredible lecturers who were not only able to deliver a first class course but they were able to offer practical advice and support as they had experience within specific sectors of the fashion and textile design industry and could relate to the journey that we were all undertaking On graduating I was awarded the Adria Award for Best Fashion Design Moving forward I decided to advance to a Higher National Diploma in Fashion and Textile Design 2 years Graduating from my HND I was awarded The Desmond and Sons Award Cup for Best Fashion Collection I felt then that I could now begin to carve out a career for myself within the fashion and design industry I established the Haus Of MoHawk brand in 2016 We are a family run business who work closely with industry professionals to help create and finish our products We have show cased twice at London Fashion Week we were resident in the Four Seasons Hotel in Beijing during China Fashion Week and we have a growing customer base across Europe America and Australia We currently have two subcollections within the brand MoHawk Unorthodox MoHawk Exclusive We specialise in lifestyle fashion suitable for women men and kids We also offer a custom design service for special occasions creating unique one of a kind pieces completely tailored to our client s needs I have been self employed for almost four years but our Haus Of MoHawk team includes a range of industry professionals who come together to create and finish our products with numerous years of specialised skills and experience Currently our MoHawk Unorthodox range is available to purchase online at www hausofmohawk com It has been a crazy couple of years with amazing highs and lots of steep learning curves but by overcoming each obstacle makes the direction for Haus Of MoHawk that much clearer Let me leave you with this thought if journeys were meant to be direct and convenient we would all travel on straight roads from A to B but similar to life s journey the journey to success is filled with crossroads roundabouts and no right turns Sometimes you have to take the scenic route to get to where you want to be but just because the direction has changed doesn t me your final destination will Work hard be kind to yourself don t take your setbacks too much to heart and remember you only fail if you stop trying so fail a million times you are just ruling out the options that don t work but please don t quit before the miracle happens Lynsey McGarrigle Fashion Designer I owe a lot to Holy Cross College and the subject of Moving Image Arts Not only did it fuel my passion for film and animation it created some of the best memories I have experienced so far in life Filming animating and being creative with friends was such a rewarding experience After studying for a BA Hons in animation at Northumbria University I m now currently working as a Props Designer for an American cartoon called Pinkalicious an American Irish educational animated children s television series made by Belfast company Sixteen South I love my job I doubt I d be here if it wasn t for Moving Image Arts and Mr Meyler s inspirational teaching Rian McDaid Animator

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Holy Cross College Past Pupil Supplement I left the Holy Cross College in 2006 and studied medicine in Liverpool During my student years I formed and was chairperson of a GAA club called Liverpool Wolfe Tones I graduated from medicine in 2011 and I have worked mainly in Liverpool moving recently to Belfast In 2015 I formed and volunteered for a charity helping raise over 16 000 to medically assist 5 000 refugees within Uganda In 2017 I completed my masters with distinction in Sports medicine at UCLAN Since then I ve been working between geriatrics and in elite sport internationally with Fleetwood Town FC Northern Ireland and Wales international teams British Gymnastics and London broncos Chris Elliott Doctor Hi I m Moya a proud past pupil of Holy Cross College I started during the time of the amalgamation of the three schools and the first three years were a bit hectic as the teachers were travelling between three sites However that all changed in 2010 when we moved into the spanking new building which is the wonderful Holy Cross College After A levels I left the College in 2012 and attended St Mary s University College Belfast to complete a BA Liberal Arts with Geography By that stage I had decided I wanted to become a Geography teacher following in my mother s footsteps although to be honest I wasn t her greatest ever A Level Geography student Let s say it took me a while to realise my passion for the subject and I may have rebelled a bit at having mum as a teacher I always had an innate desire to travel and spent summer holidays backpacking on trains around Europe and travelling the east coast of USA where I undertook Camp America one year aa great experience After three great years in Belfast I undertook a PGCE in St Mary s Twickenham London where I had to become really independent Following my tertiary education I took immediate employment in an all girls secondary school in Brentwood inner London where I spent two cherished years Teaching in London was challenging and I had to grow up quickly learn to be resilient and tolerant of cultural differences In 2018 I made the decision to move to Sydney Australia with some university friends Since then I have spent three of the best years of my life living and teaching here in Oz where the work life balance is desirable and the weather is great Currently I m teaching in a private Catholic school which has provided me with a whole variety of new experiences and has expanded my CV However I still long for the green hills of Ireland so I plan to return in 2021 I am currently studying an MSc in Environmental Science with the University of Dublin online and hope to one day move into the ever changing field of environmental policymaking and resource management During my seven years at HCC I made life long friends got to know some great teachers went on school trips to Spain and France took part in three musicals was a member of the junior and senior choirs and learned important values that I still carry with me every day I will be forever thankful for my time at HCC and my number one tip for Year 8 students would be to join the school musicals productions they will provide you with the best laughs you ll ever have Moya Bradley Teacher

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