As part of the Sharing Education Project (SEP) the Learning for Life and Work departments within St Paul’s High School and Newtownhamilton High School have been working together on a unit of work entitled My Cultural Identity over the past year. The programme has been designed by staff in both schools to encourage students to investigate aspects of our cultural identity and to promote a greater understanding of the unique traditions and customs that exist within all communities in Northern Ireland.

On Friday 15^th April the culmination of the first year of the collaborative project was marked by a Cultural Identity Show in St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook. This event provided students with a platform to showcase their talents. The performances included Irish and Ulster-Scots dancing, traditional instrumental music performances as well as a celebration of an array of time-honoured songs from both cultural backgrounds.

The over-riding success of the event has been the opportunity for staff and students from both schools to work together to enhance not only the curricular aspirations of the project but moreover to continue to forge meaningful and lasting relationships between the two partners.

Pictured is Mrs Noella Murray (SEP Co-ordinator), Ms Joanna Ferris (Teacher in Newtownhamilton High School), Mr Mark Baker (SEP - QUB), Mrs Una McNulty (Vice-principal of St Paul's H.S), Mr Oliver Mooney (Principal of St Paul's H.S), Mr Garnet Mullan (Principal of Newtownhamilton H.S), Ms Clare Maguire (LLW Co-ordinator St Paul's H.S), Ms Joanne Leonard (Teacher in St Paul's H.S) along with a group of students who took part in the Diversity Celebration Show