Uniform launched as new school to open

The new uniform for St John the Baptist's College has been unveiled today (Friday) along with the announcement of the school's new principal.
Old meets new: Pupils of St John the Baptist Primary School compare their old and new uniforms.Old meets new: Pupils of St John the Baptist Primary School compare their old and new uniforms.
Old meets new: Pupils of St John the Baptist Primary School compare their old and new uniforms.

The school will open in September, replacing the existing Drumcree College on the same site on the Moy Road.

Noella Murray, who was appointed principal of Drumcree College last October, was confirmed as principal of the new school on Tuesday.

She said she was “delighted and humbled” and that it was an honour to be taking the school through the period of transition.

Laetitia Romit models the new uniform, left, and Courtney Castles the old one. INPT26-010Laetitia Romit models the new uniform, left, and Courtney Castles the old one. INPT26-010
Laetitia Romit models the new uniform, left, and Courtney Castles the old one. INPT26-010

The uniform was unveiled today, the feast day of St John the Baptist, following a design competition open to pupils of the primary schools and Drumcree College.

The winning design was by Ballyoran PS P7 pupil Megan Stewart who will become a first year pupil at St John the Baptist’s College in September.

The new, brighter uniform will consist of a blue blazer with silver reflective trim, blue tie, light blue shirt, navy trousers for the boys and navy skirt with tartan inverted pleat for the girls.

The school motto will be Parat In Via (Preparing the Way) and will be emblazoned on the tie and blazer.

Laetitia Romit models the new uniform, left, and Courtney Castles the old one. INPT26-010Laetitia Romit models the new uniform, left, and Courtney Castles the old one. INPT26-010
Laetitia Romit models the new uniform, left, and Courtney Castles the old one. INPT26-010

The uniform will be available from Intersport, High Street Mall.

The school has also launched Friends of St John the Baptist’s College, whose aim will be to raise the profile of the school and act as a think-tank and a vehicle for sharing ideas.

It will consist of political, community, church, school, parents, staff and youth service representatives.

And in September, the school’s official website will be up and running at [email protected]. The temporary website can still be accessed over the summer.

Mrs Murray said enrolment for September was up by a third, adding she was confident it was “a trend which will continue”.

The school has already begun making changes in preparation for the first term, with restructuring, new ideas and professional staff development

The school day will change slightly, with a whole-school assembly every morning and six periods every day rather than eight.

A Nurture Centre will provide a classroom setting where children can build up self-confidence and self-esteem and there will also be extracurricular provision for gifted and talented children.

Said Mrs Murray, “I would like to thank the community for all their help over the years in supporting the school.”