Minister has ‘serious and urgent’ questions to answer says Markethill High School

Markethill High School is calling on the Education Minister to be transparent about his recent decisions in relation to requests for temporary variations in admissions.

The Minister refused Markethill High School and St Paul’s in Bessbrook but then did a U-turn on his St Paul’s decision which then saw St Paul’s being allocated an extra 24 places. The newly elected MP Mickey Brady described this as ‘Team Sinn Fein delivering for people on the ground’. Here’s the full story.

School looks to the future with confidence ahead of post primary education decision

The Markethill community are pushing for decisions to be made on the future of education at Markethill High School.

The chairman of the Board of Governors said it’s time decisions were made and he anticipates the right decisions being made by the SELB and the Education Minister in relation to sixth form provision and a new build school on its current site on Mowhan Road.

Basil McCrea gives his full backing for zero carbon construction schemes

Northern Ireland’s first zero carbon home to be accredited by the Government has been described by Basil McCrea as “an exemplary concept”.

Mr McCrea has joined a long list of politicians to visit the zero carbon home in Middletown, Co Armagh which was built by Green Future NI. The house which is 3,000sqft costs approximately £300 per year to heat and light thanks to a blend of technologies installed at the property.

Zero carbon house sees Green Future shortlisted for ‘Sustainable Development of the Year’

Green Future NI has been shortlisted for the ‘Sustainable Development of the Year’ award at this year’s Housing Awards in Belfast.

Green Future NI created the innovative ‘Green Future House’ in Middletown in Co Armagh which not only meets the Government’s required transition to mass construction of new ‘zero carbon homes’ by 2016 but the house exceeds the Government’s targets.

Markethill High School generates £2million stimulating economic and social growth

Markethill High School is an award winning school which not only positively impacts on the lives of its pupils.

The school also has a major impact on community life in the village as recent reports reveal it contributes approximately £2million to the local community which stimulates economic and social regeneration. The school is campaigning for a new build school and sixth form provision.

Pupils lend their voices to support community strong campaign for new build

Markethill High School is a school where pupils ‘Believe to Achieve’ and this is true in their drive to achieve a new build and sixth form.

Head Girl and Head Boy at the school have decided to speak out to show their support for the community campaign for a new building and a sixth form so students like them have to leave their own community to continue with their education. Here’s what they have to say.

Education inspectorate places school as practice leader for literacy and numeracy

Markethill High School is a school of “very good practice” in literacy and numeracy, according to the Educational and Training Inspectorate.

The school, headed by principal James Maxwell, was assessed recently on how it has developed literacy and numeracy initiatives in the past three years and how its practice can then be shared with other schools across the province. The school is campaigning for a new build and sixth form.

Thousands sign petition in support of Markethill new school and sixth form

Thousands of people from across the Armagh, Newry, Portadown and surrounding areas have signed a petition calling for a sixth form provision to be made at Markethill High School and new school to be built on the current Mowhan Road site in the town through the provision of a new build school. The Governors of […]

Thousands sign petition in campaign for new build school and sixth form provision

Thousands of people from across the Armagh, Newry, Portadown and surrounding areas have signed a petition calling for a sixth form provision to be made at Markethill High School and new school to be built on the current Mowhan Road site in the town through the provision of a new build school. The Governors of […]

School principal calls for a final push as consultation deadline looms

By Eleanor McGillie THE Principal of Markethill High School is calling on people in Portadown and the surrounding areas to make sure they have their say on the future of post primary education as the deadline for the public consultation draws to a close. People have two days left to take part in the process […]

First Minister to walk the sunny side of the street to launch Solar Hub 1

By Eleanor McGillie FIRST Minister, Peter Robinson, is joining forces with one of Northern Ireland’s leading renewable energy providers, Amber Green Solar, to officially open a new City learning hub dedicated to solar energy. On Monday, October 29, the doors to Northern Ireland’s dedicated solar energy hub will open at a new retail unit where […]

Community partnership provides lifeline against alcohol and substance misuse

By Eleanor McGillie THE manager of Northern Ireland’s drug and alcohol awareness programme, Breakthru, joined the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Edwin Poots MLA, to promote the benefits of a community development approach to promoting health and wellbeing. Bernadette Mc Hugh, who has been Breakthru’s manager for three years, addressed the Pharmacy […]

Education is the key to area based planning debate – principal

By Eleanor McGillie THE Northern Ireland Assembly’s committee for education has called for Education Minister John O’Dowd to extend the consultation time on proposed departmental plans for the sustainability and viability of post-primary schools. Education committee members have received feedback from many schools, parents and concerned organisations that the consultation time is too short, that […]

MGMPR leading media campaign for Markethill High School

By Eleanor McGillie SCHOOLS across Northern Ireland are currently waiting to hear their fate after Education Minister John O’Dowd ordered the education and library boards to host consultation processes on the future of post primary education in schools across the province. Consultation has now ended into the Post Primary Area Plans which was ordered by […]

School’s media campaign builds momentum

By Eleanor McGillie SUPPORT for Markethill High School’s campaign for a new school build and Sixth Form status is mounting as the school is inundated with letters and phone calls of support from councillors, business representatives, churches, community groups, parents and past pupils who are joining the campaign. The school was packed out on September […]