JUNE 2009

Welcome to our 2009 newsletter. Much of this issue

focuses on the images and reflections of the visit of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the

Duke of Edinburgh to the school on 6th May. We

were extremely honoured to have such prestigious visitors to our school and that day will remain in all of our memories for a very long time. What impressed me most was the manner in which the Queen and Prince Philip engaged with all of the staff and pupils so naturally, and the interest they showed in the various activities which were presented to

ROYAL VISIT

them. I must also congratulate all of our pupils who put on such a magnificent show during the visit; they were a credit to the school, our community and their families.

I would like to wish the best of luck to all our

senior pupils who are completing important examinations.

I trust that you will all have an enjoyable summer.

David FunstonHeadmaster

Airport style security in place in the school Assembly Hall before the visit of the Queen,everyone was scanned and all bags X-rayed.

6th Form pupils form a guard of honour for the arrival of Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh.

“To hear the Queen was coming to visit our school – it was almost hard to believe. It was a day you would only dream of and I will never forget it. To meet a person that important was a breath taking experience”

Lee Campbell, Year 13.

“It was a great opportunity to meet Her Majesty. It was a once in lifetime experience which I will never forget”

Stephen Porter, Year 13.

The Queen entering the school with the Lord Lt Donal Keegan.

Headmaster David Funston accompanies the Queen into the canteen to be shown the biometric catering facility where the pupils use their thumb print to access their canteen account.

In the lead up to the Royal Visit, staff had been told a few days before that a VIP visit was imminent. Up until the last minute, teachers and pupils had not been told who the visitors were although many had a fair idea. One in-class discussion highlights this when a pupil stated that he knew that it was going to be the Queen. This statement

had both his peers and the teacher laughing. Rumours of second-rate pop stars and politicians circulated, along with suggestions that it was probably a “minor royal” or the Prime Minister.

On the actual morning however, there was no mistake as to who it was going to be. The security was intense.

All cars on the road approaching the school had to be searched with both bonnets and boots opened for inspection by the PSNI. Some female drivers added to the congestion, as they hadn’t a clue as to where the bonnet release was for their car, causing tailbacks.

It was total lockdown within the school. A secure zone

was set up which one could only gain entrance through via the school Assembly Hall which overnight, had been transformed into something reminiscent of an airport security area with X-Ray machines, conveyor belts and metal detector archways. Keys, phones and the contents of pockets had to be put in red plastic trays in the same way that air passengers are scanned before boarding a plane.

A SURPRISE VISIT

A line of new Union flags had been erected on the road outside the school and from around lunchtime, a large group of primary school children stood behind railings opposite the school entrance with more flags enduring the windy, wet weather for a glimpse of the Queen. The sixth year pupils also braved the elements as they stood patiently as a welcoming guard of honor.

At precisely 3.45pm the appearance of a procession of police motorcyclists heralded the arrival of the royal visitors. As they disembarked from a black Range Rover surrounded by a flurry of security men, the cheering and applause intensified …. the unbelievable was happening.

“Having taught for 35 years the visit of Her Majesty the Queen was a very special day for me and the highlight of my career. The whole experience of talking to Her Majesty was nerve-wrecking, however, The Queen helped to put me at my ease and was very interested in hearing about our recent success in achieving a gold standard in the Health Promoting Schools Award. I was proud to introduce Hannah Boyd, a year 10 pupil of our college, to Her Majesty and Prince Philip. Hannah represented Lisneal and the Western Board in the Dairy Council Young Cook of The Year Competition. The Queen asked questions about the two course meal Hannah had on display for The Royal Couple and was particularly interested in the ingredients for the dessert. When asked by Prince Philip about the competition Hannah confidently

said, ’ My entry was one of two hundred and fifty

entries from forty six schools ‘. His Royal Highness then proceeded to state to Her Majesty that, ‘There is chicken and ‘everything’ in this’, referring to the main dish.On their departure Hannah was interviewed for national television and local radio and stated, ‘ The Queen was very a very quiet and gentle Lady and it was such an honour to meet her’.Hannah was an excellent ambassador for Lisneal College and we felt extremely proud of her and the confident manner in which she handled this very

special occasion.”Liz Manning, Head of Home Economics

and Health and Social Care.

The Queen talks with Hannah Boyd a pupil in Year 10 about her culinary skills, Hannah is Dairy

Council Young Cook of the Year.

The Duke of Edinburgh talks with Hannah Boyd about the award winning mealwhile the Queen talks with Mrs Manning, Head of Home Economics.

Hannah being interviewed by the media.

Head Girl Rachel Devine presents the Queenwith a floral arrangement of orchids.

“Meeting HM the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh was an experience I will never forget. When I found out that I would be presenting her a gift I was very nervous at the thought of doing something wrong but when I greeted her she made me feel completely at ease. It’s amazing to think that the one year that I happen to be the Head Girl of the School the Queen came to visit and I was given the opportunity to meet her face to face. When I presented her with a posy of orchids she was very grateful and she seemed delighted with the diamante design that had been specially made for her. I felt both Her Majesty and His Highness were very down to earth and attentive with everyone that they spoke to and they are both very gentle and genuine people.”

Rachel Devine, Head Girl.

“The day for me was truly unbelievable and unforgettable. The school was a hive of activity and the buzz of excitement when we first heard that Her

Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh were visiting our school. It was just one of those things that I thought would never happen. It was truly exciting and unbelievable and delightful to have witnessed the Royal Couple turning up at the school gates. Although the weather was grey, wet and miserable the royals made their way into the school in an elegant and graceful manner as the students in Year 13 and Year 14 formed a guard of honour. During the end of their visit to the school I presented the Duke with a replica of “Roaring Meg” a cannon situated on the city walls. It was great for me to have had the privilege to have met the Queen and His Royal Highness.”

Robert McBeth, Head Boy.Head Boy, Robert McBeth, presents a handmade

replica of “Roaring Meg” from the Siege of Derry.

“Meeting the Queen was an event that I shall always remember. All the students laughed when she made a joke about having collected so much rubbish on her behalf! She was very interested in the students achievements and I was surprised at how much she was aware of current recycling and waste issues.”

Nicola Mullan, Head of Geography.

The Queen views a recycling project in Geography

The Duke of Edinburgh meets Mr G. White and Miss A. Stewart (Head of Department) in the Technology Suite with Mark Hanna, Year 12.

Young Enterprise pupils Lauren January and Sarah Mitchell speak to the Queenabout their award winning business products.

“When the Duke of Edinburgh arrived in the Technology Department I was so excited! He asked me if I was going to keep Technology as a main subject. I was delighted to have the privilege to meet him and I also got to have a conversation with him.”

Victoria Smith, Year 9.

“It was a great opportunity for me to get a chance to take photographs of one of the most iconic people of the 20th Century. I think that it is only in later life that many of our pupils will fully appreciate the experience of having met probably the most popular and accessible monarch in British history.”

G. Mitchell, Science Dept.

“I was astonished when the Duke of Edinburgh spoke to me. He asked me a lot of questions about what I was doing. It was a great experience and I will never forget it.”

Kyle Mehaffey, Year 8.

“The Royal Visit was a very busy day for the School Band. Pupils were in the hall practising for most of the day, for their performance in front of the Queen. This was a great experience for the wind band which consists of pupils from every year group in the school. The opportunity to perform in front of the Queen was a once in a lifetime opportunity which we were determined would be special.When speaking to the Queen after our performance she commented on the standard of the band. She was very impressed with the vast range of both age and instruments within the band. She also commented that the pupils seemed to really enjoy the experience. The pupils rose to the occasion well. The fact that we played a medley from Mama Mia was very appropriate. This certainly has been our most important engagement so far and one that will never be forgotten.”

Stewart Smith, Head of Music.

The School Wind Band performs in front of the Queen.

The Headmaster escorts the Queen into the School Assembly Hallfor a short performance by the School Wind Band.

The Queen talks with some pupils in the audience.

“Getting the opportunity to meet the Queen was an honour. To be in the same room as her is something I never thought would happen and it was a once in a lifetime experience that nobody from Lisneal College will forget.”

Carrie McGowan, Year 14.

Important Diary Dates

OFFICIAL OPENING OF LISNEAL COLLEGEThe official opening of the school was performed by Bertie Faulkner OBE, Chairman of the Board of Governors and William Hay, MLA on March 31st 2009. The event was attended by many people involved in the construction and implementation of Lisneal College as well as many dignitaries including the Mayor, Chairman of the Western Education & Library Board and Minister of Education.

In the opening ceremony that involved a musical performance by the school band and a variety of speeches, Mr. Barry Mulholland, Chairman of the WELB commented, ”This unique facility is a state of the art school and has become a

‘flagship’ college to be proud of.” He also commented that, “ the magnificent building was matched by top quality teaching and support staff.”

After the official opening, large groups of visitors toured different departments within the school viewing the facilities and the activities, which pupils were demonstrating.

Mr. Funston addresses a packed Assembly Hall of guests and students.

Baker Days 1,2 & 3 Tuesday, 25th August

Wednesday, 26th August

Thursday, 27th August

Term Starts Friday, 28th August Year 8, 13 & 14 am only

Tuesday, 1st September Whole School

Half Term Monday, 26th October – Friday, 30th October

School Development Day 1 Tuesday, 1st December

Term Ends Friday, 18th December

Term Starts Monday, 4th January

Mr. Bertie Faulkner OBE and Mr. William Hay, MLA unveil the brass plaque.

Rev. John Mayes, Mr. Barry Mulholland and Mr. William Hay, MLA visit the Art Department

and view the work of Year 11 student, Erin Swaby.

Mr Funston commented, “We now have the facilities to rival any school in the country and it provides the teachers in each curricular area with the latest technology to deliver their subject to the highest level, and provide a suitable learning environment in which each pupil will have the opportunity to reach his or her potential.”

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