Spring Newsletter March 2017

By Ballyclare High School on 6 April, 2017

 

Easter approaches and as the evenings lengthen and the blossom returns the vibrancy of nature resonates with the completion of our winter examination series, progress interviews and parent consultations and the beginning of the next season in our school year. Pastoral and careers staff have been exceptionally busy and in fact there has been no hibernation on any front! Pupils taking GCSEs and A levels have been given explicit and timely support and guidance for success as they begin their final weeks of preparation. Yr10 pupils have navigated subject choices with their tutors and careers staff and look toward, all too quickly, the end of junior school. Yr8 and 9 pupils are also beneficiaries of having had feedback from subject and pastoral staff on progress to date so they can stretch themselves academically in the summer examinations in May.

The winter sports season draws to a close to make way for the summer programmes and notable successes in sport, science and cultural activities this year to date were honoured at Spring Honours Assembly this week with an array of pockets and blazers awarded to almost 150 pupils. Representative honours across eleven separate disciplines have been proudly recorded and further details of all activities and celebrations can be found on our website. They stand as testimony to the quality of the engagement of our pupils and staff as they operate together for the greater good through an unparalleled extra-curricular programme; what you see reported is only the tip of the iceberg of participatory levels.

The sad passing of Mr Trevor Martin was marked by memorial services for all pupils and staff in School a few weeks ago. As a trusted colleague and friend he will be dearly missed but his legacy as a true gentleman and his example of integrity will serve us all positively into the future; our love and prayers are still with his family.

This week brings our Spring Concert and I look forward to enjoying a sample of our musical talent with many of you during one of the most popular annual events in the calendar. Our Wind Band then travel to Navan on Friday to compete in the National Band Championships so good luck to them!

Our sponsored Colour Run #ColourTheClare event scheduled for Friday aims to raise as much as we can towards the cost of replacing old computers so may I thank you for your support to date and invite you to join us for some fun on Friday afternoon at Hollinger Park. In keeping with traditional practice, a proportion of the proceeds will be donated to support local charities.

Finally, may I extend my best wishes to all our exam students in particular as they prioritise study over the holiday and ask that you buddy them to ensure they keep the balance right with family time and adequate rest so levels of stress remain tolerable.

Have a safe and restful Easter break.

Warmest regards

Dr M Rainey.