P7 Girls- A message from the Sacred Heart Grammar School Newry

Principal: Mr Paul Kane

Website: www.shsnewry.com

3rd February 2021

Dear Primary 7 pupil,

I hope you are keeping well and managing to cope through these very testing times.

Under normal circumstances, at this stage of the school year we would have already hosted our annual Open Evening, to which Primary 7 pupils and their parents/guardians would have been invited to attend. However, due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and the following advice issued by the Public Health Agency, we had to cancel this year’s Open Evening. This decision brought great disappointment to many, both within and beyond our school community, as this is an event that is much anticipated and enjoyed by all those who attend or take part.

I fully appreciate that there is no substitute for experiencing something first hand, in person, but in order to try to give you a flavour of what Sacred Heart Grammar School is all about we have made a very short ‘Virtual Open Day’ video which you, your parents/guardians and teachers are invited to watch. This video can be accessed under the ‘Admissions’ tab on our school website, the link to which is: www.shsnewry.com. Also on the website you will be able to take a virtual tour around our school, read our School Prospectus, find useful information about our school and importantly get a sense of what it is like to be a Sacred Heart student.

As you will see on our website, we aim to develop every aspect of a young person, mind and body, heart and soul, as well as tap into their interests and enable their talents to blossom. Of course, academic success is also important to us as a school because it is strongly linked to the positive outcomes we value. We have high expectations of our students and expect them to work to the best of their ability. We want our students to become the best that they can be, achieve more than they think they’re capable of and go on to lead happy and fulfilled lives. Simply stated, we want our students to do their best so that they can be their best.

I understand the pressures that you and your parents/guardians are under when trying to choose the right post-primary school for what potentially is the next seven years. Choosing a school where you will flourish both academically and socially, where you will be stretched and inspired both inside and outside the classroom, and where you will feel safe and secure is by no means an easy task. Therefore, my prayer for each of you is that you will have confidence in your decision, whatever that may be. Fortunately, we are extremely blessed to have so many excellent post-primary schools in the Newry & Mourne Area, each of which in their own unique way provide an excellent education to their students.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and hopefully for journeying through our school website. My wish for you at this stage is that the angels will watch over and protect you, the love of God will live in your hearts and the joyous simplicity of our school patrons, St. Francis and St. Clare, will be an inspiration and guiding force as you continue on your life’s journey.

In the days and weeks ahead, continue to take care of yourselves and those who love you, and remember ‘always find time for the things that make you feel happy to be alive’.
With kindest regards,
Mr P Kane
(Principal)