We are delighted to announce that Fort Hill Integrated College has officially received the Excellence in Integrated Education Award (EIEA). This prestigious accreditation from the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE), serves as a ‘gold standard’ for schools that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to the principles of integrated education. What This Award Means The EIEA is not merely a recognition of our policies, but a celebration of our daily practice. To achieve this award, our school underwent a rigorous external assessment process, providing evidence of our excellence across four core pillars: Equality: Ensuring that all members of our diverse school community are treated equally and with respect. Faith & Values: Creating a safe, inclusive space where all religious and non-religious traditions are celebrated and understood. Parental Involvement: Maintaining a deep and active partnership with our families. Social Responsibility: Encouraging our students to be responsible, active, empathetic citizens within our local and global communities. A Word from our Principal "The granting of the Excellence in Integrated Education Award is acknowledging that our vision is not just words but the everyday experience of our learning community. ‘To EDUCATE, INTEGRATE and INSPIRE pupils to ACHIEVE their full potential in a supportive, safe and inclusive community.’" — Mr C Millar A Future Focused on Integration While we are incredibly proud of this achievement, the EIEA is also a roadmap for our future. It reinforces our mission to provide a learning environment where every child, of all faiths and none, feels they belong and can thrive. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the students, staff, parents, and governors who contributed to the assessment process. This award belongs to the entire Fort Hill Integrated College family.

Further congratulations go to the pupils who have been voted onto the Charity Committee and the Wellbeing and Social Events Team. We also want to introduce our Restorative Mentors, who completed their training in Restorative Practice last year. These pupils will play an integral role in the work of our school community this year.

Congratulations to our Senior Student Leadership Team led by Head Students Freya and Owen, supported by their Deputy Head Students Rowan, Erin Louise and Nathan.

30 pupils and 3 staff members will head to Paris on 18th March for a fun-filled trip to Paris. 30 current Yr 11, 12 and 13 pupils will spend 3 nights and 4 days in the French capital visiting the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, Disneyland as well as a boat trip down the Seine.

On the 21st March 2024, 33 students from Years 12 to 14, and 3 members staff gathered in the school car park at midnight, bleary eyed yet full of excitement, for the Fort Hill History and Travel and Tourism senior school trip to Berlin!

Students of Fort Hill Integrated College Experience a Ski Trip to Pamporovo in Bulgaria.

On Friday 27th September 2024 we had 48 kids and 5 staff depart FHIC at 5:30am to embark on our school football trip for the weekend to Newcastle Upon Tyne. An early start but no signs of tiredness as both staff and kids were filled with excitement to head away for an action packed weekend.

Students of Fort Hill Integrated College Experience the Trip of a Lifetime!   A group of 30 students and staff from Fort Hill Integrated College recently experienced the trip of a lifetime when they spent four days in Iceland on a spectacular Geography field trip.  The packed itinerary enabled students to appreciate not only the immense beauty of the landscape, but to view some of the most outstanding physical geography features of anywhere on the planet!  Whilst unexpectedly mild weather prevented first-hand sighting of the Aurora Borealis, students' curiosity for natural phenomena was nevertheless satiated by viewing of volcanic mountains, glaciers, canyons, geysers, awesome waterfalls, the atmospheric black beach of Vik, not to mention the ultimate swim in the warm, therapeutic, mineral rich waters of the Blue Lagoon.   In addition, Fort Hill College's PTA funded a visit to Iceland's historical culture museum along with a visit to natural hot springs where students boiled eggs.  A shopping spree in Reykjavik served as the grand finale to what was a superb educational trip that is anticipated to become a regular event in the calendar of Fort Hill College.

20 pupils and staff made the trip across the Atlantic to experience the Big Apple and a flavour of its way of life as well as some of the most high impact human geography in the world.  Highlights included climbing the Empire State building to see the views of New York on a clear crisp evening, sitting in time square and walking through central park. Travelling Manhattan island on the subway and a very emotional personal guided tour of the 9/11 memorial as well as a trip to see the Statue of Liberty which will all be long held memories for all. Our nonstop tour also took in the Guggenheim museum, Grand Central station, the United Nations as well as a back stage tour at Radio City Music Hall. The trip was suitably rounded off on the Staten Island ferry watching the sun set over downtown Manhattan and returning as the sky scrapers lit up and twinkled over a calm bay. Unsurprisingly, planning has already started for a return trip in 2018.

10 pupils and 2 members of staff visited the Lagan Valley Leisureplex in September 2024. The purpose of the visit was to research the business as part of their Year 14 Business Studies 'Customers and Communication in the Lagan Valley Leisureplex' course. We were given a tour of the complex and then given the opportunity to ask the Sports Development Manager, Mr Lee Evans, questions at the end.

Throughout the 2022/23 academic year, Year 10 and 11 students from six participating schools took part in theory and practical workshops to develop their engineering knowledge. For the final event, students applied the knowledge they gained throughout the programme to construct a cardboard boat which they displayed at the Showcase event in W5 LIFE.  On Thursday 22nd June 2023, the six teams, alongside their paired industry expert, travelled to W5 LIFE to participate in the programme's Showcase event.  The teams presented their innovative cardboard boat designs and communicated their engineering expertise to the judges.  The team from Fort Hill Integrated College performed fantastically, winning two trophies.  One for ‘Best Theme’ and one for winning the ‘Cardboard Regatta Race’.  Many thanks must go to the team of Engineers from Energia that supported the pupils over the year.

On December 12th, twelve dedicated students and two staff jetted off to Edinburgh for an unforgettable 3-day Netball tour. The team displayed incredible teamwork and camaraderie, securing victories against Edinburgh Diamonds Netball Club and Edinburgh Royal Academy. While a narrow defeat in their final match against Royal High School Edinburgh left them wanting more, the tour strengthened team bonds and created lasting memories. Beyond the competitive spirit, the students explored the vibrant Scottish capital, visiting the chilling Edinburgh Dungeons, the awe-inspiring Edinburgh Castle, and the magical Christmas Market for some retail therapy.