As part of the Sharing Education Programme (SEP), St Paul’s High School and Newtownhamilton High School have begun a collaborative programme to create a joint rugby team.  This is a first for the South Armagh area and involves students in Key Stage Three from both partner schools working together to develop their interpersonal and team building skills.

Over the course of the academic year, thirty students have been participating in a training programme facilitated by Mr Jonathan Black, Newtownhamilton High School, and Mr Martin Rafferty, St Paul’s High School.

On Wednesday 6th April the team enjoyed an intensive training session hosted by the Acton Adventure Centre at Poyntzpass, before returning to St Paul’s to compete in a mini-tournament.

The tournament allowed the two schools an opportunity to launch their new strip, which was designed by students from both schools, and bearing the logo of their proud sponsors CR Sports, Newry Physio & Sports Injuries Clinic and Mc Cartan, Mc Lornan and Associates Dental Surgery Bessbrook.

The new team are looking forward to competing against other local rubgy teams in the near future.

Principal of St Paul’s High School, Mr Oliver Mooney, said that he was “delighted to see the new joint rugby team compete in their first tournament.”  Mr Mooney added, “This initiative is an integral element of our PEACE project, and advances the aims and objectives of our programme.  We now can see the project coming alive as our students continue to make real and lasting friendships.”

Mr Garnet Mullan, Principal of Newtownhamilton High School, paid tribute to the contribution of the students who have given up their time to become involved in the rugby team and to the staff of Newtownhamilton High School, and St Paul’s High School, who have shown dedication and commitment to the spirit of the SEP programme.