Belfast Royal Academy Old Boys’ Association
President’s Newsletter November 2018 Dear Member, I am honoured to have been elected as your President of the B.R.A. Old Boys’ Association and will endeavour to uphold the high standards which have been set by my predecessors. Due to family circumstances, I was more associated with Friends’ School, Lisburn at which my four children were educated, and at which I served on the Board of Governors for 30 years. Little did I think, when my family moved from Ballymena to Belfast where I was sent to Wingfield all those years ago, that one day, I would become President of the Association. This year we have continued to build upon what was achieved by my predecessors. It is my hope that we will strengthen all aspects of the Association, involving younger members in the running of the organisation, invite new and younger members to the committee so that responsibilities can be shared and encouraging ‘lapsed’ Old Boys to become involved in our activities. B.R.A. continues to thrive under the leadership of Mrs Hilary Woods. Having attended the Distribution of Prizes in the Spires Building, I am amazed by the academic standards set and the breadth of opportunities given to the pupils by the School. The Principal and the staff have to be commended for their commitment and dedication in preparing pupils for everyday life. This is not without cost and the Old Boys’ Association continues to provide support where it can, particularly in the current economic climate. In continuing to support the School, this year the Association donated six playground benches for pupils to use during break time. It is also appropriate to pay tribute to Billy Young, Moore Dickson and their colleagues who worked tirelessly over the last 10 years to ensure that the voluntary principle and academic standards are maintained in the NI education system. As an external examiner throughout GB and Ireland, I know that NI students are highly regarded and valued, by Universities as they know that ‘our’ students are very well prepared for tertiary level education. The Association is honoured to have Iain Henderson as a member. What a year in the history of Irish Rugby! Congratulations to Iain on the success of 2017 Autumn Internationals, 2018 Grand Slam and the successful British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. Iain has brought great distinction to B.R.A. and the Association. We wish him every success in his rugby career. This year has seen substantial change in the Association. After ten years of dedication and commitment, Dr Louis Campbell stepped down as Honorary Secretary. Louis has been a stalwart for many years, forming a very strong link between pupils past and present and always working strenuously for the benefit of the School and the Association. Louis has always provided sound advice and guidance to successive Presidents and even in ‘retirement’ continues to lend his experience to