Our School

Principal’s Welcome

On behalf of the Board of Governors, Staff and Students, I would like to welcome you to our school. New-Bridge Integrated College is an 11 – 18 school which welcomes boys and girls, all abilities and families from catholic, protestant and other traditions. Our school was established in 1995 by parents from the Banbridge and Newry areas, who wanted a school where children from different communities could be educated together under one roof.

As Laureate of Peace Education, we continue to play a significant role in promoting our inclusive ethos, celebrating diversity and developing our young people into well rounded tolerant citizens, who are happy and engaged in their learning and respectful of each other’s beliefs and traditions. At New-Bridge we provide high quality education through a broad and balanced curriculum which caters for the full ability range. Our child centred approach to learning and teaching is built on positive relationships between staff, students and parents; with priority given to the care and welfare of our students.

New-Bridge is a happy place to learn and work and we are very proud of our excellent record of academic and vocational successes which ensures progression for all our young people. We offer a quality learning experience for those with gifts and talents, those with a high academic profile and those who require additional support and this is evidenced through the destinations of our students, be that University or Further Education Colleges. As our school motto states, we are indeed ‘The School for All the family’. I am proud to say we celebrate the ‘personal best’ of every student at New-Bridge.

We are delighted that under the Fresh Start Agreement Funding, our Contractors, Ganson Ltd, have been appointed with construction work expected to commence early 2023 with a completion schedule of 18 months! Our design plans are breath-taking and will offer so many new opportunities for our students, staff and local community. Through our School Website, our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts, we capture the ethos of our school in words and pictures.

We also hope that your visit to our school, be that virtually or face to face, enables you to experience first-hand our welcoming, friendly and caring ethos. We look forward to expanding our New-Bridge family in September 2023 by welcoming new students and new families to our school.

A Anderson Principal

Head Girl Welcome

Hello everyone, it is a pleasure to welcome you to our school. My name is Katie McMinn, and I am honoured to be head girl of New-Bridge Integrated College. I have always been proud to attend an integrated school that welcomes everyone with open arms.

I became part of the New-Bridge family in 2018 having previously attended Bridge Integrated Primary school and knew right away that this school was the place for me. This school has developed me into the confident, kind and compassionate person I am today. I hope that my role of being head girl allows me to showcase the many skills which I have developed in being part of this school. I hope I am able to be a good role model that students can look up to just as I have looked up to so many students and teachers before me.

I currently study A-Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics and I hope to pursue a career in medicine. I can wholeheartedly say that had it not been for the amazing teaching and pastoral care from all teachers in the school I would not be as successful and hopeful as I am today. Teachers in New-Bridge work so hard and it truly has made me aspire to be as hardworking and thoughtful as them which is why I hope to study medicine at Queens University Belfast.

One of the many reasons I love New-Bridge is that while they know the importance of academic success they also realise that school is much more about education, it is also about enabling us to grow and develop our skill set to make us ready for the real world. New-Bridge prides itself on making sure every pupil is well cared for in terms of their mental well-being. Pupils are never afraid to ask for support and all students know there is an extensive network of support they can benefit from. This network includes student lead teams for example the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, Peer mentors, AUsome mentors and academic mentors as well as the many staff that is always willing to help.

I have been involved in many amazing opportunities within New-Bridge which include leading the Anti-Bullying team and being part of the many mentoring opportunities, these teams have taught me the importance of empathy and compassion which I will forever use. I attended the Goldsmith Hall in London along with other pupils from New-Bridge where we presented the amazing community outreach programme’s our school has initiated.

New-Bridge truly is the best place to learn, grow and develop as it is such an inclusive positive environment to be in. Our school motto “the school for all the family” really showcases our integrated ethos which I was honoured to talk about in Stormont Parliament Building last year.

I am proud to be part of the New-Bridge Family and I hope you will be too.

Katie

Head Boy Welcome

Hello everyone, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to New-Bridge Integrated College. My name is Jake McCourt, and I am honoured to serve as Head Boy. Joining New-Bridge as the only student from my primary school was a daunting challenge, but it quickly became clear that New-Bridge is a place where every student is warmly embraced and thoroughly supported.

Our school is not just a place of learning, but a vibrant community where every individual finds their place and thrives. From our unwavering sense of togetherness to the extensive opportunities for both personal and academic growth, New-Bridge has profoundly shaped my journey in ways I could never have imagined. Here, our integrated approach ensures that every student is valued and included, and I am confident that you will discover your own path to success and fulfilment within our vibrant community.

I am currently studying Chemistry, Religion, and Drama—three subjects that challenge me to think critically, understand diverse perspectives, and express myself creatively. I aspire to pursue a career in primary education while also exploring opportunities where my passion for politics and community involvement might guide me. However, my journey here extends far beyond academics. As a Pupil Council Representative, I’ve been deeply involved in advocating for children’s rights, collaborating with the Northern Ireland Children’s Commissioner to promote the UNCRC and in my role as an Anti-Bullying Ambassador, I co-lead efforts to foster a safe, inclusive environment for all.

What truly sets New-Bridge apart is our exceptional sense of community and support that extends well beyond the classroom. Every student is encouraged to participate, whether it’s through anti-bullying initiatives, joining sports teams, or participating in the pupil council. Our motto, “The school for all the family,” perfectly encapsulates the inclusive and nurturing environment we are committed to maintaining.

As Head Boy, my mission is to uphold these values and ensure that every student feels welcomed and supported.

Thank you, and I hope you find as much pride and joy in being a part of New-Bridge as I do.

Jake

“New-Bridge Integrated is an integrated all-ability school. We are committed to ensuring that all our pupils are provided with the opportunity to achieve to their full educational potential in a challenging and stimulating environment in which they all feel cherished and valued”

Our College Aims
and College Prayer

To enable our pupils to grow mature in their own beliefs, culture and tradition
To promote peace and reconciliation by actively seeking knowledge and understanding of other beliefs, cultures and traditions
To develop in our pupils the self-esteem and self-discipline necessary for responsible citizenship in a pluralistic society
To provide a challenging and stimulating environment in which the academic, sporting and personal success of pupils is promoted and celebrated
To cherish, nurture and respect each other regardless of race, gender or other differences

To encourage individual spiritual development and to work and pray for peace in our lives
To promote the involvement of all members of the College community, whether governors, parents, pupils or staff in the development of the College
To foster a caring and responsible attitude to the College and the local environment
To create effective links between the College and the wider community

May God give Blessings on All

Whose Lives Build Our School

Both Parent and Child

Both Young and Old

Both Wisdom and Youth

Stranger and Friend

Both Male and Female

Catholic, Protestant and Others

Both Visionary and Builders of the Vision

With the Eye of the Weaver you have Chosen Us

Such Different Threads

to be Gathered into Unity

So that the World Might be Changed

Our Staff

Mrs Anderson Principal

Mrs Harbinson Vice Principal (Care, Welfare and Learning)

Mr Thompson Senior Teacher

Mrs E Cordner College Bursar

Please see Curriculum

Ms L Belshaw, Mrs D Daly, Mrs J Gibson, Mrs J Kelly, Mrs H Lennon, Mrs A Lennon-Malone, Ms R Lindsay, Mrs N McDowell, Ms A Monaghan, Mrs V Morton, Mrs E Sands, Ms J Smith, Mrs S Sweet, Miss J McDowell, Miss L Campbell, Miss P Hamilton, Miss S Maginness, Mrs N Cone, Miss M Connolly

Mrs E Lennon (Principal’s Secretary)

Mrs D Canniford (Pastoral Secretary)

Mrs S Rogan (College Secretary)

Mrs J McKeown (Finance/Exams Officer)

Mrs J Ward (College Librarian)

Mr T McGrath

Mr D Barker

Mrs S Kennedy, Mrs L Magill, Mrs S Moffitt, Mrs Á Mooney, Mrs S Taggart

Ms C Gonzalez (Manageress)

Mrs J Johnston (Assistant Cook)

Mrs L Burns, Mrs H Brown, Mrs C Finnegan, Mrs S Moffitt