n June 2025 a group of Year 10 pupils travelled to Magee University to take part in the prestigious Amelia Earhart STEM Challenge. They emerged victorious, earning themselves the top prize, a Helicopter ride over Co Fermanagh! They also cut the ribbon on the new “Amelia Earhart Engineering Building” which had its official opening on the same day of the event. Their hard work, dedication, and teamwork was the key to their success, and I am thrilled that they have been recognised for their efforts.
On Friday 10th October they travelled to St Angelo Airport where the staff gave them a tour of the airport facilities. They got to see how air traffic control operates and were given a full tour of the Cutting Edge Helicopters maintenance hangar.
As a special treat, our pupils were told that they would be flying in one of their luxury Helicopters, an Airbus AS350 B2 and they could tell the pilot, Jason Porter exactly where they wanted to go. Ellie decided she would like to fly over her house close to Topped Mountain before spinning around and heading back into town to hover over Martha, Hollies and Maya’s house. Unfortunately Matthew lived a bit to far away so he decided that he would like to see our Cooper Crescent site and Loughshore site from above. The timing was perfect as we watched from above our Yr8 and 9 pupils enjoy their lunchbreak on the Galbriath Track. After that, it was a quick spin around town before heading to Devenish Island, then onto Lough Erne Resort before landing safely back at St Angleo Airport. An unforgettable experience that the pupils will hold onto for years to come!
Many thanks to the staff at St Angelo Airport for the warm welcome and making the pupils feel so welcome. Thanks also to Robert Cummings and Jason Porter from Cutting Edge Helicopters who went above and beyond for the pupils. To Steve Frazer, Manager of City of Derry Airport and Gavin Molloy who flew down to meet the pupils again and to spend the day with them . Finally, to Maressa for the Goody Bags which she had made up for the pupils.
