A final farewell to the high school

A final farewell to the high school

28 September 2016

FORMER pupils of  Castlewellan High School are being invited to a last ever reunion dinner dance later this year.

The special function in the Slieve Donard Hotel on Saturday, November 5, will mark the 60th anniversary of the school’s opening and the 25th anniversary of its closure.

When Castlewellan High School opened its doors in 1956 the first headmaster, Mr Rab Baillie, had a staff of nine teachers and 120 pupils.  Mr Ken McCammon took over as headmaster in 1978 by which time the School was thriving with an enrolment of 270 pupils and a staff of 20 teachers.

It was held in very high esteem, not just by the local community in and around Castlewellan, Newcastle, and Dundrum, but also in wider circles with pupils coming from as far away as Ballynahinch, Saintfield and Downpatrick.  

During this time the school built up a formidable academic reputation with sizeable percentages of its pupils going on to third level education. It also catered for those pupils whose skills were more of a practical nature.

The school had extensive playing fields and sports teams competed against other local schools in rugby, soccer, netball and hockey.

The school ran a very successful youth club with huge numbers attending every Wednesday night, roller discos always being the favourite.

The annual pantomime was always eagerly anticipated with the whole school often being involved.  

The school was amalgamated with Killyleagh and Quoile  High schools as Down Academy in September 1991, bringing to an end to the provision of controlled secondary education in the Castlewellan Area.

Most ex-pupils still remember their days at Castlewellan High School with great fondness, often remarking on how many happy memories they had of the school.

Tickets for the dinner dance are available through The Four Seasons, Irelands, Shillidays and by post through the web site, www.castlewellanhighschool.co.uk.