Pen Portraits

Former Student plays for Ireland
St Josephs High School Crossmaglen Student Paul Kernan played for Ireland, in the U17 International Rules Series, last weekend. Paul was at the centre of the drama, kicking the crucial scores, which sealed victory, and stunned the Australians with a scoring blitz. It was his contribution that ensured a sweet Irish success.

With three minutes to go Paul seized on a goalkeeping mistake to shoot to the net from close range and Irish eyes began to smile.

"It's great to be a part of the Irish team and I'm happy that I played my part" said Paul after winning his first International Cap.

Paul is the son of Joe and Patricia Kernan , and brother to Ross also a student in St Josephs, as well as Aaron, Stephen and Tony.
His early education was at St Patricks Primary in Crossmaglen where he was part of the team that won the Armagh Primary Schools league, under manager Conn Davey.

For the past two years seventeen-year-old Paul has been a regular in the Armagh Minor Football team, whilst holding down a weekend job at 'Ma Kearneys'. At St Josephs he is undertaking A level studies in Business and Information Technology. Despite living a busy life he has achieved high grades in his examinations and hopes to study Property Investment and Development at the university of Ulster.

Paul has high praise for his teachers "The teachers have been very understanding. They know that I have a lot of commitments and have always been willing to extend deadlines and give me an extra bit of time. All of them are very approachable and always helpful."

The Principal of St Josephs, Mr Kevin Scally, said that the whole School was very proud of Paul whom he described as "a great role model for the younger pupils in the school. He has worked hard and achieved success both as a sportsman and as an A level student. I know that he will enjoy great success in both arenas in the future

Former Head Boy going from strength to strength
The former Head Boy at St Josephs High School, James Meegan,has achieved another set of top results in his A level examinations. James, who hopes to study a science subject at University, gained A grades in both Chemistry and Biology, as well as C in English Literature. In his AS levels, at the end of last year, James got 2 As and a C grade.

James is among the first group from St Josephs to complete A levels, after a break of 25 years. He is full of praise for his teachers "The best thing about St Josephs is that the teachers are totally dedicated to getting results. The large number of A grades in all subjects is evidence of that"

James lives in Concession Road, Culloville with his parents Alice and Padraig, and sisters Miranda and Tara, who is a second year at St Josephs.

Clonalig School is where James gained his early education. He has very happy memories, particularly of Mr Christopher Murray's class. He played a lot of sport, but in recent years he has become more interested in Science.

Aquarium keeping is James' s main interest outside school. "I like maintaining an environment in a closed space, and observing the interaction between the different species". Although his study of 4 A levels has been demanding, he has found time to gain a Diploma in Ichthyology (Fish Biology).

When asked to outline his aspiration for the future James replied "I want to be successful in some type of scientific field. I hope to go to University and study a scientific subject."

As James comes to the end of his time at St Josephs he says that his A level years have been the happiest of his school life. He enjoys warm relationships not only with fellow students but is universally popular with teachers. "The teachers can talk to us as well as teach us" he says.

The Principal, Mr Scally, was delighted at James's success " James has worked hard and deserves to do well. He is one of a large number of very successful siixth form students who leave us to go on to Univerity this summer. However James, as Head Boy, has been an outstanding role model for our younger students and he has enriched the school by his presence"

Ciara reaches for the Stars (Ciara heads for NASA, TEXAS)
Miss Ciara Martin, a past pupil of St Joseph's HS Crossmaglen, will shortly be departing on a 2-week trip to NASA's Johnston's Space Centre in Houston, Texas. She will be participating in an international summer school on space exploration, along with 40 other young people from around the world.

Ciara is one of just 4 young people from the whole of Ireland chosen to take part in this remarkable Programme. She applied to take part in the Programme through Armagh FE College, where she is currently studying A Level Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Ciara is the daughter of Dolores and Larry Martin from Cullaville. She started her education at Clonalig PS, progressed to St Joseph's HS Crossmaglen where she studied for her GCSE's, and then to Armagh FE College to study A Level.

Ciara is pictured with her former Form Teacher at St Joseph's, Mrs Ridley, who invited Ciara into the school to offer the school's congratulations and to wish her well during her visit to Houston in the summer.

The Principal, Mr Scally, and the entire school community in Crossmaglen, are delighted to hear of Ciara's success and wish her a truly BON VOYAGE to Houston in the summer. They also look forward to having Ciara back in St Joseph's next year to recount her experiences.