�The choir was a very important feature of the school. Some boys were members, but the majority were girls. They sang at competitions in Dundalk, Dundonald, Kilkeel, Newry and Warrenpoint, always returning with trophies. We also had our own brass band. My husband, Andy, taught brass instruments to some boys and girls. They passed exams, performed at festivals, and had lots of success. Many joined St Peter�s G.A.A. Band, which is now being revived.

�Eunice Fegan from Mayobridge was a trumpet player, folk-singer and guitarist. She now teaches music at St Mark�s. The Kelly family from Rostrevor have appeared on stage from their childhood, motivated by their mother, Mary, the well-known poetess. I also remember Kevin and Gary Magill, Damien O�Loughlin, Seamus and Chris Dinsmore. Seamus got a degree in music, and was appointed Head of Brass by the S.E.L.B. Mark, Adrian and Peter Grant were also good musicians, - Peter became conductor of the Newry and Mourne Symphony Orchestra.

Among the other talented singers and musicians were Shane Morgan, Des McCaughey, Davina Cummins, Frances Corrigan, Donna O�Hagan, Jennifer Farnan, David McNally, Brenda Quinn, Cecilia Carr, Suzanne Burke, Marina Magee, Jerome McAteer; Peter, Siobhan, Eileen and Tracey Magee; Patrick Luckie, Gerard O�Sullivan, Briege McShane and David Savage.

On the Irish drama front, the school had great success in 1983, when a play `Fuadan an Phudal` won the All-Ireland Championship. As head of the department, Sean McCann commented: �The dream of achieving an All-Ireland title did not enter the equation. The third-year pupils showed tremendous zest, on stage and behind the scenes.

�Success at Feili an Iuir led to the Ulster Feili, when we were nominated for the All-Ireland Festival. Colette Grant received the award for `Best Actress.` And we repeated that achievement in 1985 with `Oiche Nolag na n-Og�, when Cathal McNulty was awarded `Best Actor` Also, St Mark�s were All-Ireland runners-up in 1986 and `87.�

The history of St Mark�s goes back to 1948, when a scheme was submitted to the Department of Education by the Catholic administrator at Warrenpoint, for a voluntary intermediate school to serve the town and the surrounding area. However, the catchment area was considered to be too small, and the proposal was quashed.

Then, in 1960, a revised plan was put forward for a school, catering for 450 to 500 pupils. The Ministry suggested a site on the Rostrevor road; but it was felt that the price was too high, and it would be exposed to the weather and traffic. A formal application was made by the bishop of Dromore in 1962, but the Department felt that the school would be too small.

Finally, the present project got under way on the Upper Dromore Road in 1963, - it was regarded as the most ambitious ever undertaken. By September 1970, the building was almost completed, consisting of 25 classrooms, library and gymnasium. The first 170 pupils came from Warrenpoint, Burren, Mayobridge, Rostrevor and Hilltown. By 1995, this had increased to 850 pupils and 55 teachers.

Crucially, special facilities to cater for the needs of pupils with physical disability were provided at St Mark�s in September 1992. The Unit consisted of a classroom, staffed by experts, and with the necessary resources. The pupils were given the opportunity to integrate with their peers, on both an academic and social level. And the school building was modified to give access to all students throughout the school.

The young disabled pupils, who came from Newry, Armagh, Crossmaglen and Kilkeel, were warmly welcomed to the school community, and contributed greatly to it, - as did all the pupils. Very few allowances were made for the Unit students, who were treated in the same manner as their peers. Every opportunity was taken to ensure that the pupils availed of all the facilities for academic and social development.

And the recent refurbishment has the same philosophy, - to enable the handicapped pupils integrate with the student body. There are two full-time teachers, three full-time assistants and one part-time assistant. And the aims are to �help all pupils to recognise and develop their talents and abilities to their full potential; to develop self-disciple and self-control, self-confidence and emotional stability of all pupils.�

Other aims of the Education Centre for Physical Disability are: �To provide a happy, sensitive and secure environment; to ensure that each pupil�s individual needs are catered for in a broad curriculum; and to prepare the pupils for life beyond school, by encouraging them to be as independent as possible, also aware of the further training and career opportunities which exist.�

As the principal, Mr Clarke stated: �One of the strengths of the school has been that so many young teachers, founding members of the staff in 1972, have dedicated their careers to St Mark�s, helping successive generations of pupils to achieve their potential in a wide range of careers. A source of pride for the staff is that all the students, irrespective of academic ability, are accepted and cherished.

�Our path over the past 30 years has seen many changes. The future education plan for pupils at second level will undergo immense changes in the next decade. But one thing that will be constant is the important role that St Mark�s will play in the lives of the young people who enter its doors.�

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