The students at the newly formed school which merges Collegiate Grammar School and Portora Royal School have been adjusting to the changes in their school lives. 

The school is being run from the sites of the two former schools at Cooper Crescent and Loughshore Road until a new premises is built. The move brings a big change to Enniskillen with new uniforms, new school motto and for some a new school. 

After a lot of planning, Principal Elizabeth Armstrong is happy with the outcome. 

 “It has been a real pleasure to welcome the pupils to Enniskillen Royal Grammar School for their first term in their new school at the end of last week. The staff were very pleased to see their careful planning over the past months bear fruit as they helped the pupils who are at the heart of all we do, settle into their new term and for some, into their new surroundings.”

In order to ease the change in student life, the school held induction days which gave students advice and guidance on the year ahead. While still in the early stages of the year, the pupils are looking forward to being part of a new community where already strong bonds exist between staff and pupils. 

Year eight pupils, Lauren Glenn and Cameron Aiken are enjoying settling into their new school. Both students found the induction days last week very helpful and are glad that finding their way around is not as difficult as they thought it would be. With regard to the new uniform they both like wearing it but Cameron is “still getting used to wearing a blazer.” 

Nessa Brennan who is joining the Sixth Form on the Lough Shore site as a new pupil is studying History, English Literature, Economics and Government and Politics. Nessa has to travel between the two sites for some of her classes but is content that all the necessary travel arrangements are in place and are working for her.

The sense of community and family is evident within the new school as Harry Whitehead commented  “even pupils who are not in his year group have reached out to help him find his way around.” Daniel Williamson is studying History, Geography, RE and Health and Social Care and is interested in a career in teaching is also happy that everyone is making a positive effort to help him settle into his AS Studies. In particular, the useful induction session on Thursday where Year 14 pupils talked to the new Year 13 intake about how to approach the year ahead successfully as they were given straight talking advice based on their previous experience.   

While students are adjusting to the changes within their school lives, Elizabeth Armstrong has ensure that it is business for the new community within the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School.

“At our opening assemblies we spoke about the importance of building our new school community and of each pupil and member of staff making their own distinctive and unique contribution to this new community. In line with our school motto, ‘Perstare et Praestare’ which means to persevere and excel, we will continue to work hard and with determination to build a school of excellence through high quality classroom and extra-curricular learning experiences.”