Ballyclare High School Summer Newsletter 2017 by ThinkFinch

am part of Ballyclare High School

Summer Farewells 2017 Here we are with third term drawing to a close and summer holidays on the horizon. Many folk exclaim, “Oh you must be winding down now!” If only! It is always a busy term putting the final touches to ensuring our examination classes are as prepared as they can be for terminal assessment and proceeding with internal summer examination and reporting. It‛s the time when we reflect on what we‛ve done and how well we have done it as we look towards next year. Like the winter and spring terms we‛ve had another profitable period with respect to achievements and accolades too. I‛m delighted and inspired by the talents reflected in those pursuits and equally proud as I review at the end of my second year that our staff-pupil relationships remain enthusiastic and passionate as we strive to ensure each develops to always give of their best. Our pupils continue to impress me, too, as they present themselves respectfully and maturely, curiously and openly, to all opportunities afforded them. Both teaching and support staff, with our governors, continue to work closely with me in support of my pursuit of making changes and all are progressively aware of the bigger picture. Your voice and the voice of our pupils, staff and governors, along with inspection outcomes, have informed a new school development plan for 2017-2020. I look forward to moving ahead with that plan after what I trust will be a restful and happy summer break for us all. May I send my best wishes to all our Year 14 pupils as they finish their A levels and the same to those in Year 12 who have already decided not to pursue A level study. Come September Mr Crampsey retires, Dr Wilson begins a period of work for QUB and Mrs Scott embarks upon a career break. Mrs Czerepowicz also leaves our employment. To say their commitments and contributions have been fulsome is an understatement and they will all be missed but leave with our sincerest thanks; may the next chapter for them all be a happy and successful one. My final word goes to Mr Trevor Martin‛s family as we remember his passing from our lives this year; we still hold you close in our hearts and hold dear the legacy he left behind at Ballyclare High.

Dr M Ra Rainey ain Principal

Ballyclare Ba allyclare e High h School: Sch hool: Summer Summ mer 2017 7 Newsletter Ne ewssletter

Art

Another Outstanding Year for at Ballyclare High School From portraiture executed on wooden pallets to video installations incorporating the poetry of Thomas Frost, this year‛s GCSE and A Level Art pieces delighted visitors to the school‛s Annual Art Exhibition at the beginning of June.

The event followed the moderation process, which revealed that once again the results of the Art Department have been outstanding. Head of Department, Mr Paul Reid paid tribute to the talents of the members of his team and to the dedicated application of the exhibiting artists. “We are delighted with the outcome of this year‛s moderation which has followed another industrious year of innovative practice and creativity.”

The exhibition was assembled by the Art Department with the assistance of pupils to create an event which would be at home in any professional art exhibition space. The event was widely attended by proud parents and the art-loving public. Staff and younger pupils also took the opportunity to attend the exhibition and were inspired by what they saw.

Ballyclare Ba allyclare e High hS School: ch hool: Summer Summ mer 2017 7 Newsletter Ne ewssletter

#Co #C olour R Ru un Crazy - Fundraising Fun! Nearly 1000 Ballyclare High School pupils and staff participated in a Colour Run charity event in Hollinger Park on 7th April to raise much-needed funds to replenish our ageing computer stock..

Pupils were led by staff (heavily disguised in 1980s work out apparel) daringly poised on top of a container, in a pre-run warm-up session Jane Fonda would have been proud of! The run comprised of 12 loops of Hollinger Park past colour stations which saturated runners in rainbows of colour.

The event raised £9,000, and was captured from all angles by a drone. The runners wore t-shirts emblazoned with ‘#Colour the Clare‛ and ‘I am Part of Ballyclare High‛ with colour co-ordinating sun glasses. Many pupils in attendance agreed the event was a great way to end a busy term.

It was lovely to see this event supported by parents and the community, keen to enjoy the colourful spectacle, making the most of the picnic opportunity at Hollinger Park.

Ballyclare Ba allyclare e High h School: Sch hool: Summer Summ mer 2017 7 Newsletter Ne ewssletter

Student Wellbeing at the Heart of CRY Clinic The Cardiac Risk in the Young Charity (CRY) recently screened 220 of our pupils over two days. The CRY clinic was the culmination of three years of endeavour and planning by the Gault family and Senior Teacher, Mrs Andrea McCullough.

Mr James and Mrs Margaret Gault (pictured below) have worked with CRY in Northern Ireland since its inception in 2005. They lost their son Jamie, a pupil at Ballyclare High School, 31 years ago due to a cardiac condition that had never been identified. Jamie died aged 15 during a school crosscountry training run in the Six Mile Water Park, Ballyclare. It has long been their dear wish to bring the CRY clinic to Jamie‛s former school. Mr and Mrs Gault have maintained their contact with the school throughout the years, supporting school functions and attending musical events. “The Gaults involvement in Ballyclare High life is very special to the school. Through this year‛s clinic the small number of referrals will hopefully save other families the distress” Mrs McCullough said. Jamie was survived by siblings, Derek and Angela. Angela, now an inhabitant of Kinross, Scotland has also facilitated CRY clinics there.

Ballyclare Ba allyclare e High hS School: ch hool: Summer Summ mer 2017 7 Newsletter Ne ewssletter

Inspirational Pupil Pays Tribute to Staff on Year 9 Ballyclare High School pupil Alex Corr impressed listeners so greatly by his articulate and confident broadcasting style last month that he has helped to raise £88,000 for Cool FM‛s Cash for Kids. Alex co-hosted the fund-raising show with regular Breakfast Show DJ Pete Snodden who attributed the amount raised that day to Alex‛s performance on the airwaves. Despite Alex‛s own personal health challenges, which he faces everyday, he has made a great impact on every aspect of school life. When asked by Pete Snodden what the best part of school was, Alex praised ALL of his teachers without a second of hesitation. Staff listening to Alex on the show on the way to work and to the podcast afterwards were deeply touched by his words. Alex is famous at Ballyclare High for a previous occasion on which he interviewed Usain Bolt! The world famous athlete posted his admiration for Alex on Facebook. he‛s not the only one who is inspired by this special boy. The school will also support Alex‛s tremendous work for the charity by making a donation to Cash for Kids.

Ballyclare Ba allyclare e High h School: Sch hool: Summer Summ mer 2017 7 Newsletter Ne ewssletter

Junior School Musiciansâ&#x20AC;&#x203A; Opportunity to Shine The talents of our younger musicians were showcased once again in a Junior Concert on the 21st June. This event was once a regular in the school calendar and we are delighted to see it return. Junior school pupils from Year 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10 demonstrated their progress in music this year at the concert. The Junior Concert celebrated pupil attainment in examination board grades. The talent-filled programme involved performances from soloists, duets and the Junior Choirs. There was high praise indeed from all the parents and grandparents, who were enchanged by the talents and confidence on display. All proceeds for this evening went to the Music Department.

Ballyclare Ba allyclare e High hS School: ch hool: Summer Summ mer 2017 7 Newsletter Ne ewssletter

Wind Band Wows Audiences The Wind Band blew Ballymena audiences away at the town‛s recent Festival with their rendition of ‘Highland Cathedral‛ which won the post primary wind band class. Following a wonderful Spring Concert the previous evening, the intrepid music department teachers set off with the wind band to compete in Navan at All Ireland level. The band received a number of accolades, among them ‘Best March‛ and a fourth place in the Irish Association of Brass Concert Bands National Championships. The talented wind band has been greatly in demand. They delighted May Fair audiences at Asda and as part of the Saturday evening entertainment of this cherished community event.

Ballyclare Ba allyclare e High h School: Sch hool: Summer Summ mer 2017 7 Newsletter Ne ewssletter

Fund Raising Heavy-Weights Join Forces Parents, Teachers and Friends of Ballyclare High School (PTAFA) convened this term to form the inaugural committee of our association which will lead fundraising for a range of projects to support and further the academic and extra-curricular experiences of our pupils. Mr Brian McFetridge was elected as the PTAFA‛s Treasurer and Mrs Helen Craig as Secretary. New Chairperson Philip Leckey commented. “I hope the creation of the PTAFA will encourage the parents of the school to actively engage with us in raising the funds which will give the pupils of Ballyclare High School a wide variety of exciting and rewarding educational experiences.” We look forward to forging closer links with all our parents through this association.

Ballyclare Ba allyclare e High hS School: ch hool: Summer Summ mer 2017 7 Newsletter Ne ewssletter

New Pupil Leadership Team Ballyclare High School proudly announces the Senior Pupil Leadership Team for 2017-18. The Prefects were voted for by Year 13 pupils and staff and 51 prefects were elected this year. The elected Prefects then voted for their team of Senior Prefects, who were further interviewed by Senior Staff for the offices of Head Boy, Head Girl and their Deputies. For the incoming year, we wish to congratulate Rory Dorman as the Head Boy and Ellen Hall as the Head Girl and they will no doubt be ably assisted by their Deputies Rachel Black, Rebecca McConnell, Harry Mathers and Euan Woodside. The remaining 7 Senior Prefects who will support them are Kerry Cloke, Evie Flynn, Sophie McDowell, Ellie Ross, Ben Catherwood, Ross Heron and Ross Patterson. We wish all the Prefects every success throughout the year and we are excited to be working with them in all areas of school life where pupil voice and leadership are required.

John Whincup Head of Sixth Form