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FOCUS ON: KILKEEL
Visit our showroom 14–16 Newry Street, Kilkeel, Co. Down BT34 4DN T: 028 4176 2315 www.johnashannon.co.uk
Camphill Community Mourne Grange was established in 1971 and provides sector leading supported living and day opportunity services for people with learning disabilities, autism and other support needs. We are situated near to Kilkeel and are based on a 100-acre estate.
Camphill’s founders, led by Dr Karl König in 1940, and inspired by the Austrian thinker Rudolf Steiner wanted to make a real difference to the lives of people who were marginalised and excluded from society.
At Mourne Grange our aim is to provide a mutually supportive and purposeful community life for the people we support. Our values are based on enabling each individual to realise their full potential through creativity, engagement and involvement.
These values and our approach are reflected in all aspects of our varied and vibrant
community life, both in the life of one of our 11 homes and within our wide range of day opportunities. We support people to express themselves creatively through crafts, music and drama. These activities are fun, but also help people to develop new skills and confidence. We also have our own health centre to provide a range of therapeutic activities. Mourne Grange also offers a number of meaningful day opportunities for people who live in Mourne Grange and who also live out in the wider community. These include the following; The bakery which provides the opportunity to learn about making bread, biscuits and cakes and also supplies our coffee shop. The Community Produce team uses the fruit, berries and vegetables from our orchards and gardens to produce delicious organic jams and bottled juice.
The farm is registered to Demeter standards and the farm team have the opportunity to learn about looking after the land and animals. The garden team grow biodynamic vegetables and fruit for our community.
In the weavery there is the opportunity to learn about weaving and felting and produce many beautiful woven items. The well-equipped wood workshop provides an opportunity to learn a range of skills, for example carving, sanding and wood turning.
Home is where the heart is and in Mourne Grange we know about the sense of security and belonging that is generated through a nurturing family life. Our Community is composed of households that offer people a set of close, dependable relationships.
If you are interested in more information about Mourne Grange or would like to come visit us our contact details are
Tel: 028 4176 0128 Email: info@mournegrange.org www.mournegrange.org
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St. Louis Grammar School: 100 years at the heart of its community
Blessed with a wonderful view of the southern flanks of the majestic Mourne Mountains, St. Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel, has offered a high-quality education to the young people of South Down and beyond for nearly 100 years.
Happy 100 St. Louis!
The academic year 2022-23 is also a landmark year in St. Louis history. The school is celebrating its centenary this year with a calendar of exciting activities and events. Current pupils, former pupils and staff are invited to join the school throughout the year to mark this significant milestone and are invited to join the online School Alumni which has just launched. To celebrate the launch of the Centenary Calendar and Alumni network, St. Louis recently hosted a number of notable past pupils including former GAA and Aussies rules player and now BBC Sports commentator , Martin Clarke, Irish Olympian, Kerry O’Flaherty, Irish News editor, Noel Doran and Women’s Rights Advocate, Bronagh Hinds, at the school. Martin Clarke, who attended St. Louis from 1999 to 2006 commented: I look back on my school years with fond memories and thank all the great staff for providing an invaluable education which ultimately laid the foundation for all our successes after we left in 2006. My most cherished memories from my school days involved many happy times, both in the classroom and with the football teams. ‘I hope that many other past pupils and teachers from near and far will join me in celebrating the Centenary Year of our School and take this opportunity to join the Alumni Network.’ Mr Kevin Martin, St Louis Grammar School Principal commented: ‘This year marks a century of education and community spirit. As we approach this significant milestone for St. Louis Grammar School, I am delighted that so many past pupils are getting in touch with the school and are becoming involved with our Centenary celebrations . Our aim is to reconnect with many past pupils and staff members from across the decades and I would encourage all past pupils to join our Alumni Network.’
A call to all past students
We are calling on all past pupils to get in touch with St. Louis. Their journeys and success stories will no doubt inspire current and future generations at St. Louis to fulfil their potential. The newly created St. Louis Alumni Network will be a hub for our past pupils and staff to reconnect and share stories. We look forward to the year ahead and have a fun filled calendar of events for all generations to come together and share stories of the past and visions of the future. To join the Alumni Network with other past pupils and staff visit www.stlouis.org.uk and log your details. The school will be posting a full calendar of events and Alumni members will be the first to know. Also check out the school’s specially dedicated Facebook page ‘St. Louis Kilkeel Centenary’ which already has
Former Down GAA and Aussie Rulers star, Martin Clarke helps kick off the Centenary celebrations of his old school, St. Louis Grammar Schoo, Kilkeel. a very active following and gallery of photos from days gone by.
A school with a great tradition and future
St. Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel, has certainly delivered on the vision of its founders over the past 100 years and can look forward with confidence that it is meeting the needs of current and future generations. On the 23 June 2020 the Minister of Education announced 9 schools to advance in design under the major capital works programme, at an overall anticipated cost of £156million, £120m of which is anticipated on construction. St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel, was included in that announcement. The Board of Governors and the Trustees now welcome reaching a significant milestone for the project with the appointment of Hamilton Architects LLP, who have been selected to lead the project through to completion. Hamilton Architects LLP have now commenced with the design and appraisal of options for the scheme. We look forward to welcoming each new generation of St. Louis students and preparing them for life in the 21st Century. We hope the ethos that has influenced the lives of so many St. Louis students from the past will continue to have a positive impact on current and future generations of pupils for many years to come. Former BBC Sewing Bee finalist Angeline Murphy working with the Art students Ariane Quinn (seated), Aoife McGrath,Cliondhna Cope along with Art teacher Jayne Grant at the launch of the St. Louis Centenary celebrations. St. Louis Principal, Mr Kevin Martin pictured with students, both past and present, at the launch of the Centenary celebrations.
Kilkeel High School
Kilkeel High School is a non- selective post-primary school with a proud history based on a Christian ethos. The school is an academic institution which welcomes students from all backgrounds and has a diverse population from around the world.
Our aim is to prepare students to take their place as happy, productive members of society. This vision is fulfilled through a carefully structured curriculum which is tailored to meet the needs of all. Our ability to deliver is evidenced in a 16% increase in pupil numbers in recent years. We are delighted that this success is being recognised in the provision of additional facilities and upgrades to the existing school in the year ahead.
Our provision of both academic and vocational subjects is broad and is supported by our Shared Education partnership with neighbouring schools. This provides an extensive suite of options at both GCSE and A Level and our unique pathway system allows for students of all abilities to achieve. As a school with a vibrant Learning Support Centre which caters for young people with additional needs, we are in a position to ensure every child that walks through our doors meets his/her potential.
We are a school at the heart of the community with our eyes also set on the global stage. We have developed strong links with Queen’s University, Belfast and as a Queen’s Academy school our pupils benefit from opportunities to engage with the university on varied programmes from junior school level right through to our school leavers. We have also forged strong bonds with industry which empowers our young people to be ambitious and to consider options for training and employment that they might otherwise be unaware of. We are currently developing partnerships with schools in Germany and our planned visits to London, Rome, Paris and South Africa help broaden horizons for the young people in our care.
A strong and effective pastoral care system is at the heart of all we do. At Kilkeel High, every child matters and our team of caring, supportive teaching staff are ably backed up by medical and counselling professionals.
Our extra-curricular offer continues to grow and flourish. Whether it be in the area of sports, the arts or other creative pursuits, we believe that the development and education of the whole child is essential. There really is something for everyone at Kilkeel High School.
