Head Girl Reflection
Hello everyone, it is a pleasure to welcome you to our school. My name is Tara Lennon, and I am honoured to be head girl of New-Bridge Integrated College. It is a privilege to represent my school that have I always been proud of attending – a place that truly embraces diversity and welcomes everyone with open arms.
I became part of the New-Bridge family in 2019 having previously attended Brontë Primary School. Joining secondary school as the only student from my primary school was a daunting challenge, but from the moment I attended the Open Day, I knew this was the school for me. New-Bridge has helped me grow into the best version of myself, both academically and personally. As Head Girl, I hope to showcase the many skills I have developed over the years at school and use them to make a meaningful and positive impact in our school community. I hope I can be a good role model, so that students can look up to me, just as I have looked up to so many inspiring students and teachers before me. My goal as Head Girl is to help build a school environment where everyone feels confident to be themselves and proud to be a part of our diverse, inclusive community
I wanted to be Head girl because New-Bridge has always felt like a safe place for me. It is somewhere I’ve grown so much, and I wanted the chance to give back to the community. I’ve looked up to the past Head Girls and always wanted the achievement of being Head Girl myself, and now, as I have proudly achieved that, I hope I can be that person for someone else – someone who’s approachable, supportive, and truly cares about making a difference in our school.
I currently study A-level Maths, Psychology and Art and I hope to pursue a career in Architecture. I can wholeheartedly say that had it not been for the incredible teaching and pastoral care provided by the staff at New-Bridge, I wouldn’t be as confident, successful or hopeful about the future as I am today. The teachers in New-Bridge work so hard and genuinely care about every student, their dedication has inspired me to be just as hardworking and thoughtful in everything I do. This is why I’m so excited to take the next steps towards studying Architecture this coming year.
One of the many reasons I love New-Bridge is because the school knows that success goes beyond academic achievement. I am so grateful to be part of a school that not only values academic achievement but also embraces creativity, kindness and ambition. As I am a student who has always loved Art, New-Bridge stuck out to me for the way it values all subjects equally. Last year I entered the Carson Art Project competition and was honoured to go on and win it where my art is going to be showcase later this year – an opportunity that reflects how New-Bridge encourages students to pursue their passions and take pride in their talents.
I have been fortunate to be involved in many amazing opportunities within New-Bridge, which include taking the leading role in CORE mentoring. This involved me tutoring students, being a peer mentor, and an academic mentor. Through these experiences, I’ve learned the true value and importance of empathy and compassion, which I will forever use.
New-Bridge is truly a place to learn, grow and develop, as it’s such an inclusive positive environment to be in. Our school motto “the school for all the family” really showcases our integrated ethos.
Thank you and I hope you find as much pride and joy in being a part of New-Bridge as I do.
Tara
Head Boy Reflection
Hello everyone, it is my pleasure as Head Boy to welcome you all to New-Bridge Integrated College, the school for all the family. Coming from a small school, I was anxious of the new journey ahead of me, but it quickly became clear that New-Bridge is a place that warmly welcomes every student with open arms. The school swiftly became a second home where I could express myself, have fun, feel comfortable in class and attending after school activities. Our school is a vibrant community where every individual is celebrated for their academic achievements and personal growth. New-Bridge’s Integrated approach has shaped my journey in ways I could not have imagined. I am confident that you will discover your own path to success and fulfilment with our community.
I am currently studying Maths, History, and Psychology for A-Level. These subjects challenge me daily, but New-Bridge has made it clear that their unwavering support is always available to me. I hope to go to university and have a career in Psychology. I have always been interested in psychology as that is what my mum studied in university and believe that everything we do has a reason related to psychology.
New-Bridge is helping me achieve my dream through their many available extra-curricular activities, including Peer mentoring, where I learnt conflict resolution and empathy. I have also been involved in Academic mentoring, which taught me to help my fellow students academically as I was able to share my own first-hand experiences which helped me study in Junior School and at GCSE level. Also, the many competitions New-Bridge has provided as part of their extra-curricular programme allowed me to use my skills yo represent the school at Gaelic tournaments and athletic competitions.
What truly sets New-Bridge apart is the sense of community and support that you feel, inside and outside of the classroom. Through our anti-bullying teams and pupil councils, it makes every student know that there is a support system, and that everyone is part of the New-Bridge family. As head boy, my mission is to uphold these values and ensure that every student feels welcomed and support.
Thank you, and I hope you find as much pride and joy in being a part of New-Bridge as I have done over the past 6 years.
Rory
Deputy Head Girl
I would like to welcome everyone to our college as New-Bridge Integrated College’s Deputy Head Girl, Sienna Callan. It is a privilege to have this role in the college and I am proud to attend the school for all the family and be a part of its senior leadership team.
I began attending New-Bridge Integrated College in 2019, since I joined first year, excited for all the opportunities and experiences I would be exposed to. Before joining the college I had attended St Francis Primary school which is across the road from New-Bridge so I knew it would be a first choice for me as I was so close to it through my primary school experience. This school has allowed me to develop into the person I am today as the staff have guided me through every step of the way. I plan on using my new role as Deputy Head Girl to be a role model to other students, to set an example, and to help anyone I can develop and get involved in as many opportunities as they can.
I have always wanted to get involved as much as I could in the school and when senior leadership applications came out I got started on mine straight away as I knew it was something that I wanted. The reason I wanted this role so much was because I love helping people achieve their goals and I knew that in this role I could make that possible as well as helping anyone along the way make a difference in the school. By being part of the senior leadership team I’m able to voice any concerns and have an input on any important decisions that affect the students. I love that I am able to be the voice for the pupils of New-Bridge and be a bridge of communications between staff and pupils.
For my A levels I had chosen Sports Studies, Business Studies, and UPS. The reason I chose these subjects is because they will help me get into the University course that I wish to follow in the near future. These subjects are coursework heavy but that is what I love about them as I am able to meet deadlines and prepare myself for the workload I have ahead of me.
My goal for the new school year is to promote a larger inclusion in physical activity to our school to improve pupils’ physical health which will also have a knock-on effect on pupils mental health. The idea is to bring in those who specialise in wellbeing and physical activity workshops to educate all pupils on how to look after your mind and body the way it should be looked after. Luckily with the new school build this has a higher chance of success due to the facilities, such as the new school gym and the sports hall, that have been made available to us. When you look into it, the benefits of this initiative are endless and can bring the school community closer and promote and educate the ideal picture of health, physically and mentally.
Life after New-Bridge for me will hopefully include getting the results that I need to be accepted into my chosen University course, whilst keeping up with my own business that I established in 2023. I wish to travel and experience everything I’m able to between the gap of the end of sixth form and the start of university to make the most of my last summer after secondary school.
Sienna
Deputy Head Boy
Hello everyone, my name is James McSherry, Deputy Head Boy, and I welcome you all to New-Bridge Integrated College.I had attended St Francis Aghaderg Primary School before joining New-Bridge and although it was only across the road, it was a big jump for me switching from a primary school to a secondary school. On my first day, I felt intimidated, although I soon felt very comfortable as all the teachers and even my new classmates made me feel so warm and welcome.
I wanted to become Deputy Head Boy of New-Bridge, due to the many opportunities it would bring me and also bringing me a sense of identity of being one of the leaders for the pupils within my school. Also, being the Deputy Head Boy allows me to express my own initiatives into New-Bridge and bring in new ideas.
I am currently studying History, Psychology and Applied Science for my A-Levels. I chose these subjects as they are a reflection onto me as these history and psychology are very essay heavy, which I enjoy. I chose Applied science because I enjoy writing up the coursework and also writing up the experiments. All in all, I enjoy what subjects I am learning and would not choose different subjects if I had the chance.
I am aiming to introduce new initiatives into the school, particularly with the new school, not only does it bring more opportunities, but also more space. For example the new sports hall and the variety of pitches will bring in more opportunities for more extra-curricular activities and different sports.
My aim for after New-Bridge is to go to university to study Construction Engineering, in Ulster University. I feel like I’d strive to do this type of engineering because my dad is a civil engineer and I have lots of experience of growing up with what my dad does. Also, I completed work experience in an engineering project managing company.
As deputy head boy, I hope to support all the people in New-Bridge and provide them with my duty.
James
Enrichment Programme
The Sixth Form Enrichment Programme in New-Bridge Integrated College is designed to add breath to the examined post 16 Curriculum and provide opportunities which extend beyond the classroom.
Our programme consists of a wide range of additional courses which seek to enrich our students’ Sixth Form experience and provide them with the wider skills required for the world of work and indeed wider life. The courses range from The Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise Company Programme, Mental Health Ambassadors Programme, as well as fitness and art and craft courses.
Leavers Destinations – Universities
In New-Bridge ,we provide high quality careers, education, information, advice and guidance. Our pupils have a very good understanding of the world of work and of the education, training and employment opportunities that are available locally and regionally. Our range of career learning activities are well integrated into the curricular provision in our College and meet very effectively the needs of our pupils.