St. Mary's Grammar School, Magherafelt

News

Year 13 Student Attends CCEA Celebrating Excellence Award Ceremony

On Friday 23 April 2010, Year 13 student Aisling O’Brien attended the CCEA Celebrating Excellence Award Ceremony which was held in the Examination Board’s headquarters at Clarendon Dock, Belfast.  During the ceremony, Aisling was presented with an award in recognition of her outstanding achievement of gaining First Place in GCSE Drama in Northern Ireland.  Anne-Marie Duffy, Director of Qualifications for CCEA, said: “Today we have the opportunity to celebrate the success of the highest performing students from the highest performing region in the United Kingdom.  We very much look forward to this annual award ceremony.  It provides us with the opportunity to celebrate the truly excellent achievements of our students.  It is also a time for the students’ success to be shared with their family, friends and teachers who have helped them accomplish so much.  Well done to all our award winners.  Be proud of yourselves and your achievements.”  Aisling is pictured with Mrs Helen McClenaghan, Vice-Chair, CCEA Council and her teacher Mr G. Quinn, Head of Drama.  She is also pictured with her parents, Mr and Mrs O’Brien.   

Year 13 Theatre Visit to the National Theatre of Ireland

On Saturday 1 May 2010, Year 13 Drama and Theatre Studies travelled to the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, the National Theatre of Ireland, to view the theatre’s latest production – Macbeth by William Shakespeare.  The visit was part of students’ preparation for Unit 4 (Text in Context) of the A2 Drama and Theatre Studies course.  This unit requires students to engage with a contemporary production of a play written in a specific historical period and to compare this production with the original performance context of the play.  During their visit, students had the opportunity to discuss the production with members of the cast and Andrea Ainsworth, Voice Director at the Abbey Theatre.  Following this, students were treated to a behind the scenes look at the production.