Ryan signs contract with Everton

Ryan, a past pupil of our school, is pictured here with his parents and brothers Raymond & David, signing a 3-year professional contract with Everton Football Club.

Ryan is currently a member of the Northern Ireland Under 19 Squad and is progressing well at Everton. He plays regularly for the Youth Team and has also featured for the Reserves.

His brother Raymond currently plays for the Clounagh U14 team, while his other brother David was a member of Clounagh rugby teams and has represented Portadown Rugby Club 1st XV this season.

Belated news: Trip to Belgium & France 2005

Another piece of news that slipped through the cracks last year was the summer 2005 trip to Belgium & France. At the request of past pupil Jennyfir Hill and friends, I've uploaded a gallery of photos.

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Clounagh wins Young Enterprise Programme

Pupils from the senior class of Clounagh's Learning Support Centre participated in this year's Young Enterprise Programme, competing against around twenty-five schools in a trade fair at Rushmere Shopping Centre on Friday 10 February. Clounagh was judged runner up for Best Display, winner of Best Product, and Overall Winner. The pupils' products consisted of bread boards and tie racks, all hand-made during Technology class, in Beech wood, hence their company name, The Beech Company. As a follow-up to their success, the pupils will be attenting another trade fair in Dundalk on 11 March.

Belated news: Southern Regional Development Squad 2005

Three pupils from Clounagh JHS were selected for the Southern Regional Development Squad 2005. From left to right: Rachel (Year 9), Leanne (Year 10) and Alex (Year 10). These pupils represented the school in the Golden Cow Youth Games last summer.

Belated news: Prize Night 2005

At the request of some past pupils, here is a small gallery of photos taken during last year's Prize Night (June 2005). I should have put these online long ago, but better late than never.

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Ski trip to Bulgaria

On 4 February the ninth annual ski trip left for Pamporovo, Bulgaria. This was the largest group yet, with 66 pupils from years 9 and 10. The pupils, as usual, had a great experience, and by the end of the week even the 60 first-timers were able to ski green, blue and the occasional red runs.

As in previous years, a group of Clounagh pupils visited Katya Vanchev orphanage. This year, thanks to many generous donations, the pupils gave £2,300, plus ski jackets, football kits, and many sweets, to the children, who are less fortunate than themselves. Everyone found it a worthwhile and moving experience.

Once again, the ski party had a thoroughly enjoyable and very successful week.

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The cast of Calamity Jane (1978)

A special thank-you to past pupil Heather Wilson (nee McCormick, mother of present pupil Chloe Wilson), who sent in this photo of the cast of the 1978 school musical Calamity Jane. The school history archive is full of old black & white newspaper cut-outs, so it's nice to be able to include a vibrant colour photo from so long ago.

If anyone has any important group photos from Clounagh's history, please email them.

Pneumatic trucks

Class U1 made these pneumatic trucks during their Technology & Design classes.

Visit from Native Americans

On Thursday 6 October Pastor Larry Brown and his wife Dawn spent the day in Clounagh Junior High School, visiting various Religious Education classes. Pastor Brown is a Native American from the Cherokee tribe. His Indian name is Grizzly Bear Tallwalker, given to him because he touched two live bears. Pastor Brown gave the classes a brief history of the Cherokee Indians, and played their national anthem, "Amazing Grace," on his flute. Pastor Brown and his wife live on the edge of the Mojave Desert in California. They also spoke to the whole school assembly on Friday 14 October, when they played some Indian music from their newly released CD.