Rossmar in the Community

Springfest 2019

The choir and Year 8 pupils really enjoyed a visit to the Millennium Forum this morning for Springfest 2019! Along with other schools we had lots of fun taking part in singing and dancing activities (even though Baby Shark was played!) as well as listening to the EA orchestra play different emotions through their music. Thank you for having us!

EXTERN

Rossmar School have been offered the opportunity to work with  Extern in partnership with the Verbal Art centre to deliver a cross community and cross border programme, which is young person centred. We have agreed this would be an excellent opportunity for our Year 10 pupils.

The Third Space, as the project is called, leads to improvement and supports the agreed outcomes of Personal Development, good relations building and Citizenship.  This will be delivered through a structured OCN accredited format which encompasses citizenship, personal development and good relations complemented by a range of supported engagement activities.

The group will come into school to deliver the programme in class.  Some of The Verbal Arts centre will support them with a committed worker and the participant using a set of creative tools including;

• Drama
• Shared Reading
• Story telling
• Active Listening

The programme will be on offer for a 26 week period, which will include the following;

• Participant engagement- (ongoing one to one support, Extern youth intervention process)
• Daytrips-Social- Cultural, reactional, recreational, and educational
• Residential- providing a range of activities including outdoor pursuits
• Verbal Arts Centre- Storytelling/Audio visual/arts development/info Graphics
• Volunteering opportunities through Extern and the Verbal Arts existing infrastructures

As part of a Shared Education link with 3 local Secondary Schools all Year 8 pupils have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of musical activities along with pupils from other backgrounds and schools at the Nerve Centre. Some of these activities include song writing, singing, GarageBand on the iPad and experimenting with a number of instruments including guitar, keys and drums. These sessions have been very beneficial for pupils, it’s great to see them mixing with others whilst also learning new skills and gaining new interests. One pupil has even considered taking up guitar after his taster session.

Watch this Space!

The Joint School Council, which is made up of two pupils from each of the Post Primary Schools, is currently working on a roster for each of the schools to donate food to the town's local food bank.  Each pupil will be asked to donate one item for hampers made up for single people, couples and families in need.  We will let you know as soon as the project is launched and send a note home requesting one specified item of food.

This is a very exciting project which is intended to give the food bank a constant source of items for their hampers.

Thank you in anticipation of your support.

Mrs Archibald

ROSSMAR PEACE PLEDGE

Pupils from Rossmar have been actively engaged in creating a Peace Pledge as part of Dr David Latimer, Minister of First Derry Presbyterian Church, 'Pathway to Peace' initiative.  The Peace Pledges are composed by schools and colleges from right across the North West.  Each participating school/college has, in addition to creating a twenty five word Peace Pledge, also produced a piece of artwork with a visiting artist.  

Rossmar's Pledge

"We pledge to care for people one and all.

Help creatures big and small.

Look after what God has made.

Let the Spirit of Peace never fade."  

In September pupils attended an unveiling ceremony of their work in the Arts and Cultural Centre. Councillor George Duddy quoted from Rossmar Peace Pledge in his speech saying the line 'Let the Spirit of Peace never fade,' summed up the wishes of us all.   

The artwork of the schools from the Limavady area are on display in the Arts and Cultural Centre.

Young Enterprise Team Programme

R9 have had a wonderful opportunity to take part in the Young Enterprise Team Programme through their Learning For Life and Work programme. 

The Young Enterprise Team Programme is an exciting, flexible enterprise journey that is suitable for students aged 15 to 19+  who have mild to moderate learning difficulties or are studying Entry Level or Level 1 qualification.  It is designed to aid transformation from education into independent living and employment, developing life skills through the experience of working as a team to set up and run a business. 

Judge s comments

Rossmar' s Christmas treats and decorations poster was beautifully crafted with hand-drawn typography unpacking the seasonally themed products and presenting a strong festive pitch. A great combination of creativity and clarity.