Carson award for two students

The Carson Awards are named in honour of the legendary Northern Ireland comedian Frank Carson who was a passionate supporter of integrated education. The Awards aim to support students who are interested in demonstrating what integrated education means to them through their creative talents. Principal E Lennon said: “We are delighted that two of our students, Aoife-Marie Todd and Jessica Quinn, have been awarded the Carson bursary for the academic year 2016/2017.”

Aoife-Marie, an A Level Art student, and the youngest of six children, explained why integration has been a very significant part of her life.

“Meeting so many new people from different cultures, recognising our differences and respecting them; I have come to learn that everyone should be treated as equal,” she said.

“My eldest sister was one of the first students to join New-Bridge shortly after it opened in 1995.

“I remember distinctly listening to discussion about the risk it was for our family to attend a new school with little history and uncertain future.

“For me being part of integrated education means that we are making a significant step forward in moving to a better place for education in Northern Ireland.

“The ‘school for all the family’ is our school motto and it is only in my final year in New-Bridge that I have really thought about its meaning and understood the significance of this phrase.”

Jessica Quinn is a year 11 student and a team leader with the Anti-Bullying ambassadors. Jessica used her creative musical talent to compose a song entitled ‘Where Is The Love?’ to express what integrated education means to her.

Jessica’s lyrics reflect the excellent work the anti-bullying ambassadors do in the College community.

“‘People hurting people dyin’, kids you tease you see them cryin,……………’” she said. “These are some of the words I put into my song. These words echo how I feel about integration and how much our country has moved on.”