Background Information & Aims
Background Information
Newtownhamilton High School is a Controlled Co-educational (Group 2) High School for the 11-16 year old pupils of the town and surrounding rural areas. The school, which opened in 1955, occupies two red-bricked buildings on the north side of the town, with five annexes added to meet the growing requirement for teaching accommodation.
The school aims to provide a sound, broad-based education and useful qualifications in a secure, happy, Christian environment. Though small, Newtownhamilton High has proved that it can deliver parity of educational opportunity with success and provide a broad and balanced curriculum appropriate to the age, aptitude and ability of each child. Having kept abreast of all the recent educational changes and with heavy investment in new buildings and computer facilities, the school is well placed to deliver the Northern Ireland Curriculum.
In the school, you will find an excellent blend of ingredients which ensure success. The close co-operation between parents, children and teachers motivates the pupils to succeed and minimises discipline problems. The combination of an excellent academic record, a commitment to those children who have learning difficulties and the friendly family atmosphere (which is unique to the smaller school) has earned Newtownhamilton High School a special place in the educational world.
Aims
Within a Christian, caring environment, the school aims:
To provide a welcoming atmosphere where pupils are prepared to become mature, responsible, self-sufficient adults and contributors to society.
To broaden horizons through a variety of experiences within the school and further afield in order to foster and encourage an appreciation of the benefits, challenges and difficulties of living in this isolated area that is part of the Newry & Mourne Area Learning Community.
To provide a curriculum suited to the intellectual, aesthetic, spiritual, practical and physical needs of each individual child - a curriculum designed to allow each child to fulfil his/her maximum academic potential. This will include the use of ICT, where appropriate and may include provision of courses outside the confines of the school in collaboration with other educational providers in Newry & Mourne ALC.
To provide a caring environment which promotes confidence and self-esteem and therefore a heightened awareness of the needs of tolerance and sensitivity towards others.
To develop good relationships and closer links between school and home, community and the outside world.