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please remember to stay connected through oursocial media and sims app www.malonecollege.org.uk MALONEMONTHLYDATES FOR YOUR DIARYWelcome to our latest newsletter. Once again, things have been busy in Malone, asyou will see when you read on. We hope everyone has a wonderful Easter break andis ready for another exciting and busy term when they return on Monday, 28thApril. Please keep a note of the important dates below. You may also want to ensureyou follow us on all our social media platforms, as they are always updated withimportant dates and current events.We are now heading towards exam season, and we would encourage all students tostudy hard and prepare well for these, so that they can be rewarded with theattainment they deserve. Lastly we would like to thank all our staff and pupils for their hard work this term,and our parents/guardians for their continued support. We wish you all a happy andpeaceful break. Friday 11th April - Years 8-11 finish for EasterMonday 7 - Friday 11 April - Mock exams th thMonday 14 April - Year 8 parent teacher meeting ONLINEthMonday 14 &Tuesday 15 April - Alternative timetable for Year 12 and Post 16th thWednesday 16 April - Staff Development Day - NO PUPILS IN ATTENDANCEthTuesday 1 April - Friday 16 May - Speaking modules st thMonday 5 May - May day bank holiday (SCHOOL CLOSED)thFriday 2 May - External exams beginndThursday 19 June - External exams finishthFebruary/March2025 Message

YEAR 12 OPTIONS EVENT VALENTINES CELEBRATIONSGAA CUCHULAINN INITIATIVEYEAR 12 OPTIONS EVENT After half-term we held a Year 12 options eventto allow students the opportunity to see whatchoices they have to study at Post 16. Teachersfrom each department were available todiscuss course content, assessment methods,and future opportunities linked to theirsubjects. Before half term, our canteen held a specialValentine’s treat with hot chocolate andheart-shaped cookies during break time. Inour Bilingual Centre, Miss Kellie held aspecial Valentines party for some of herstudents. The message was clear: love,laughter and learning together! We are delighted to have been one of the chosen schools to take part in this initiative. We have beenselected to represent girls from the Belfast area. This initiative aims to promote Gaelic games to thosewho may be unfamiliar with them while also encouraging schools to come together to learn, play andcompete. The Cúchulainn Initiative takes place in spring each year, involving invited schools fromacross Ulster in a day of games in Gaelic football and camogie. Our pupils have been enjoying trainingwith the Ulster GAA and are looking forward to the Cúchulainn Cup Blitz on Wednesday, 2nd Aprilwhere they will amalgamate with St Colm’s. Our Year 12 Options event was agreat success, with students andparents attending in large numbersto explore the opportunitiesavailable after their GCSE course.GANSON UK VISITGanson UK visited the school to discuss the exciting projectstheir team is working on, including the construction of aMarriott hotel outside the Titanic Museum in Belfast, which isset to be completed by March 2026. They provided valuableinsight into various roles within the construction industry andthe different career paths available to students. A huge thankyou to Antionette, Niall, and Andrew for taking the time to sharetheir expertise with us!

GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIPSAFER INTERNET POSTER COMPETITIONWINNERSOur school had the privilege of welcomingofficers from the PSNI for an importantdiscussion on cybersecurity and onlinesafety.Students learned valuable tips on stayingsafe online, protecting their personalinformation, and recognising potentialcyber threats. The officers also highlightedthe importance of responsible social mediause and the dangers of cyberbullying.It was an informative and engaging session,equipping our students with the knowledgethey need to navigate the digital worldsafely. A big thank you to the PSNI fortheir time and expertise!PSNI VISITWell done to Maria who won first place in our saferinternet day poster design competition and to Maxand Joseph who were runners up! Our AS students had a great timeconducting fieldwork at the Curly BurnRiver! They explored the river'scharacteristics, gathered data, andapplied their classroom knowledge in areal-world setting with support from theMagilligan Field Centre.SHARED EDUCATION Class prefects have been participating in sharededucation workshops with Methodist College,Coláiste Feirste, and St. Mary's. This is a fantasticexperience for our students, as they practiceteamwork, engage in thought-provokingdiscussions, and make new friends.BRING YOUR GROWN UP MATHS SESSIONS This term, we invited parents and guardiansto attend 4 maths sessions, this initiativeaimed to foster a love for maths, strengthenhome-school connections and show howlearning maths has evolved over the years. Ahuge thank you to Ulster University, Izak9,and the Department for the Economy NI formaking these events possible. Thank you toeveryone who attended, and well done!

Throughout the month, staff and students have been engagingin a variety of lessons and activities designed to fosterunderstanding, respect, and appreciation for different cultures.Math and Art have been working on a cross-curricular projectfocusing on tessellations, with Math concentrating on symmetryand the link to Islamic patterns. In Art, junior pupils designedcultural patterns inside a dove, a symbol of peace, which willcreate a large tessellation to be displayed during Culture Week.In Geography, they have been exploring Hans Rosling’s"Factfulness" quiz; its aim is to challenge bias and stereotypeswhile learning about the developing economic world. In ICT, ourstudents designed their own passports, which will be displayedduring Culture Week.RE designed posters focusing on Lent and Ramadan, which iscelebrated in March. Technology created a large display made upof handprints and quotes about integration, focusing on our newschool initiative, RAISE: Respectful, Ambitious, Inclusive,Supportive, Excellent.INTEGRATION MONTH & CULTURE WEEK PREPARATIONSUBJECTS EMBRACE INTEGRATION MONTH In anticipation of Integration Month, our pupils took the initiative to lead a special assemblydedicated to introducing Integration Month and the forthcoming Culture Week. This assembly wasentirely student-led, reflecting the enthusiasm and commitment of our young leaders.During the assembly, senior students provided an engaging preview of the exciting events to come,including cultural performances, themed activities, and food-tasting opportunities. With over 40languages spoken in Malone, this initiative serves as a wonderful opportunity to honour andcelebrate our diverse school community. The response from pupils has been overwhelminglypositive, with more than 100 students volunteering to participate in this special event. It promisesto be a spectacular showcase of our rich cultural heritage! At the end of February, our Muslim students organised a wonderful Ramadandrop-in event. This occasion provided an opportunity for both students and staff togain insight into the significance of Ramadan and understand why this month holdssuch importance.In alignment with the spirit of Ramadan, which emphasises kindness, generosity,and caring for others, care packages were distributed to attendees.Additionally, the school presented new prayer mats to our Bilingual Centre, madepossible by funding from the Integrated Education Fund, for which we express oursincere gratitude. CELEBRATING RAMADAN

WORLD BOOK DAY EVENTS ‘DO UP YOUR DOORS’ COMPETITIONWORLD BOOK DAY ASSEMBLYTo start our World Book Day celebrations, Ms. Mullanheld a fascinating assembly explaining the benefits ofreading and the importance it has in broadeningvocabulary, critical thinking skills, and improvingwritten and communication skills. The assembly wasbrought to a close by rewarding our top readers withtheir certificates and chocolate.BOOK RAFFLE WINNERSTo raise vital fundsfor our library, weheld a book rafflehamper. Well doneto Mrs. Conroy,Qanit, and Lola,who were ourlucky winners!BUN SALE SUCCESSWe raised afantastic £223from our bun sale.Thank you toeveryone whoprovided bakedgoods, purchasedthem, andsupported ourworthwhile causeto raise vital fundsfor our library.We held our annual "Do Up Your Doors" competition as part of ourWorld Book Day celebrations. In 1st place was 8L with "Boy," whowere rewarded with a pizza party thanks to Pizza Co. Joint 2ndwere 8A and 8N with "BFG" and "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive theBus," who received doughnuts. Well done to all our Year 8s fortaking part! The effort and talent this year were outstanding, andthe judging was extremely difficult!WHERE’S WALLY?20 ‘Wallys’ were hidden around thecanteen during break time, pupilssearched frantically to find them inexchange for a Freddo. Well done toour winners! On Friday, 21st March, Mr. Fulton accepted an award on behalf of thestudents involved in the "Listen Up" collaboration project betweenschools in the Lisburn Area Learning Community. The projecthighlighted the importance of mental health among young people andspecifically helped draw attention to the signs and symptoms thatparents and carers should be aware of. The video was extremely moving,and following the recent Netflix series "Adolescence," it is just asimportant today to hold conversations with our young people andencourage them to talk to a trusted adult about any anxieties or worriesthey may have.UK HOUSING AWARD

TAMHI AMBASSADORSLEGO COMPETITIONBOLTON WANDERERS VISITCASTLE BUILDING IN HISTORYOur Post 16 TAMHI Ambassadors delivered the Mental Wealth Games to our Year 8 students. Theyparticipated in games that focused on their mental health, such as "Use Your Head," whichhighlights the importance of stability, communication, and having someone to help.Thank you to Joe from TAMHI, who delivered the training in October and returned to assess them.We are delighted to say that all Post 16 students in the programme have obtained their certificates.Well done to our amazing team of seven whorepresented us at the FIRST LEGO Leaguecompetition at Ulster University! They did anincredible job, showcasing not only their skillsbut also a fantastic team spirit. Their hard worktruly paid off, and they received commendationsfor their outstanding efforts.As part of the history curriculum, Year 8students have been learning aboutcastles. They were assigned a project tobuild their own castles. This engagingproject has allowed students to explorethe architectural and defensive featureswhile developing their creativity! Welldone, everyone; they are fantastic!This term, our Year 8 and 9 students had anunforgettable experience as they trainedwith Bolton Wanderers Football Club! Thesession was packed with skill drills, tacticalinsights, and inspiring words fromprofessionals who know what it takes tosucceed in the game. A huge thank you toBolton Wanderers and Lisburn CastlereaghJunior League for giving our students thisincredible opportunity—it’s safe to say wehave some future stars in the making!

SKI TRIP FUSION + SOCIAL ACTION SMASHED PROJECT VISITThis term, our school’s annual ski trip proved to be an incredible success, bringing teachers andpupils together for an unforgettable adventure on the slopes. Beginners eagerly joined in lessons,and everyone managed to make it to the top of the mountain. Beyond skiing, students enjoyedRingo’s, bowling, bingo, and a fancy dress night! On the last night, certificates were given out in goodspirit, from Best Dressed Skier to Human Snowball. Everyone celebrated success and laughed overtumbles in the snow. We can’t wait for the next trip and the new memories it will bring!Some of our students took part in the Fusion +programme. During this time, they created WellnessHampers for our school's wellbeing rooms. Ourstudents said that this space helps them immenselywhen they are stressed or overwhelmed. They puttogether these packs to support fellow students. The hampers included period packs, sensory/fidgettoys, stationery, journals, notebooks, essential oils, adiffuser, and hand sanitiser. Well done, everyone, andthank you for providing this for our wellbeing room!The Smashed project visited our schoolto demonstrate the dangers andconsequences of underage drinkingand to highlight peer pressure. This wasdelivered through a live theatreperformance that captured ourstudents' attention and educatedthem, enabling them to make informeddecisions for the future.RAISE INITIATIVE LAUNCHED Mrs. Moore held a special assembly to introduce our newschool initiative: RAISE. This initiative is designed to promotethe values of Respectful, Ambitious, Inclusive, Supportive, andExcellent among students and staff. The assembly began withan empowering speech about our school vision and values. Shehighlighted how the RAISE initiative will help shape our school,encouraging everyone to uphold these core values in their dailyinteractions. Staff have further discussed these values duringform time, with Miss McConville’s class creating a fabulousboard.

We love hearing all about our pupils’ achievements outside of school.Please keep us updated by messaging the FB page, Instagram, ringing theschool at 02890381988 or emailing info@malonecollege.org.uk for theattention of the PR teamWell done to Kaysan, 10E,who was successful inmaking the NI select squad.He participated in atournament in Liverpoolagainst Everton,Peterborough, andStevenage. What a fantasticexperience! Well done,Kaysan! Well done to Year 8 studentJolene, who competed in thegolf winter season and wasawarded the most competitionswon at Knock Golf Club.Pictured is Jolene beingawarded a medal by GolfIreland. Fantastic job, Jolene!MRS HAMILTON RECEIVES BLACKBORD AWARDYear 12 student Rachelalso competed in theGolf Winter seasonand was the winner ofthe winter ringer,finishing in 1st place!Well done, Rachel!We are delighted to announce that Mrs. Hamiltonhas been awarded the Excellence in SustainabilityTeaching Award. Mrs. Hamilton has been working inMalone since 1999; she is the head of Geography, incharge of the student leadership team, a counsellor,and the deputy designated teacher. After COVID, sheset up the Eco-committee, which has been a greatsuccess, and we were awarded the Green Flag Award.Mrs. Hamilton is a great asset to Malone, and we areso proud of such a worthy winner!

LANGUAGE OF THE MONTH Language: Chinese Mandarin Number of Native Speakers: 1.39 Billion Countries spoken: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan Type of Language: Pictographic- Uses over 50,000 characters World Ranking: 1st placeEnglish words derived from Arabic: Kafei/coffee, Shafa/sofa, Bashi/bus,Saibaiwei/subway, Youmo/humour, Balei/ballet, heike/hacker, fensi/fansMeet Matthew & Jack our Chineseambassadors who made a great videoclip with different Chinese words andfacts which was shared to pupils andstaff . Well done!