SPORT (GIRLS) HOCKEY (2007/2008) 1st XI | Runners-up in Derry and Antrim League. Runners-up in Antrim Sixes. | 2nd A XI U.14 A XI | Won Derry and Antrim League. Reached Semi-Final of McDowell Cup Competition. Reached Semi-Final of Junior Schools’ Cup Competition. Runners-up in Derry and Antrim League. | | Other teams with regular fixtures were 2nd B XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, U14 B XI, U13A XI, U13B XI, U12A XI, U12B XI, U.12C XI. |
Representative Honours: Caroline Doyle - Ulster U16B team (Captain) Ashley McIlroy - Selected for Ulster U18 team to play in the U.K. School Games Laura Robinson - Selected as Reserve for above U.18 team. ATHLETICS Teams competed in NEBSSA, Year 9, District and Ulster Competitions. TheYear 9 team, consisting of Heather Carson, Charlotte Finlay, Kim Lowry,Rebekah McBride, Jenny Paul, Shannen Smyth and Zara Thompson won boththe District and Ulster Final of the Ulster Secondary Schools’Athletics Association Year 9 Competition. NETBALL | Years 9 and 10 won Ballymena League. Years 8, 9 and 10 and Senior Teams all had regular fixtures. Years 9 and 10 teams played in NEBSSA Leagues. |
TABLE TENNIS Twelve teams were entered in the Ulster Schools’ League and Cup competitions. Winners: U.14 Girls’ League Competition. Runners-up: Ulster U.19 and U.12 Girls’ League Michael Stewart (U.19 Boys) and Amy Hawthorne (U.14 Girls) won Bronze medals at Ulster Schools’ Individual Championships. TENNIS Senior A, Intermediate A and B, Junior A and B and Year 8 levels, all competed in the Schools’ League and Cup Competitions. Intermediate A team reached Semi-Final of the Schools’ Cup Competition and won the League. Junior A Team reached Semi-Final of Junior Schools’ Cup Competition and won the League. Year 8 Team reached the Semi-Final of the Cup Competition and won the League. |
SPORT (BOYS) RUGBY (2007/2008) | 1st XV lost in the Semi-Final of the Schools’ Cup Competition to M.C.B. at Ravenhill. The 2nd XV were defeated in the Semi-Final of the 2nd XV Cup Competition by R.B.A.I. The 3rd XV were defeated in the 3rd XV Cup Competition by R.B.A.I. The Medallion XV were defeated in the Semi-Final of their Shield Competition by Regent House. The U14 XV won the O’Kane Cup. Other teams with regular fixtures were the Medallion B XV, U14 B XV, U13 A XV, U13 B XV and U.12s. |
Representative Honours: Gareth Gracey - Ulster U18 XV. Luke Marshall - Ulster U18 XV. - Irish Schools’ XV. Kyle Moore - Ulster U18 XV. Paul Pritchard - Ulster U18 XV. (Captain) - Irish Schools’ XV. Andrew Warwick - Ulster U18 XV. Ricky Andrew - Ulster U19 XV. (Captain) Michael Boyd - Ulster U19 XV. Thomas Dennison - Ulster U19 XV. Craig McKervill - Ulster U19 XV. ATHLETICS Minor and Junior Boys’ Teams represented the school in the District and Ulster Championships. Years 8, 9 and 10 teams were also successful in the NEBSSA Finals in June. Gary Coulter was placed 2nd in the High Jump in the Ulster Championships. CRICKET The staffing of school cricket became problematic this year. Nevertheless a full programme of fixtures was fulfilled by all six teams. The 1stXI practised hard indoors from Christmas onwards but failed to fulfilits potential, winning three and drawing two of its fifteen matches. The 2nd XI re-emerged this year and played half a dozen matches. The U-15 XI, U-14 XI, U-13 XI and U-12 XI all fulfilled a full fixture list. Bestperformance of the year belonged to the Under-14 XI which, under theexpert eye of Mr. Andrew Lytle, reached the semi-finals of the Schools’Under-14 League. CROSS-COUNTRY The Cross-Country Club had much success this year at the various events attended. At the Pegasus Cross-Country Championships, held at U.U.C., we gained 1st places in the U.14 Boys’, U.14 Girls’ and U.16 Boys’ team events. Alistair Black, Calvin Kernohan and Jack Neeson achieved 1st place in their races. At District Championship level, the Senior Boys’ team were placed 2nd and the Minor Girls’ team were placed 3rd, qualifying for the Ulster Championships. At individual level, James Johnston came 2nd overall in the Minor Boys’ race and Jack Neeson came 2nd overall in the Intermediate Boys’ race. At Ulster Championship level the Minor Girls’ team were placed 2nd – an excellent performance. James Johnston was placed 7th overall in the Minor Boys’ race, qualifying him to represent Northern Ireland in the 2008 London Mini Marathon event in April. More success followed at the NEBSSA Championships where the Year 8 Girls’ team and Senior Boys’ team gained 2nd places. Heather Carson finished in 1st place overall in the Year 9 Girls’ race and Jack Neeson finished 2nd place overall in the Senior Boys’ race. HOCKEY The 1st XI competed in The Prior Shield, The McCullough and Burney Cup competitions. Theteam enjoyed reasonable success in the early stages but could notmaintain the high standard needed to reach the later stages of thecompetitions. SOCCER The school entered three teams in various Cup competitions at U.16, U.17 and U.18 levels. SWIMMING We congratulate the following pupils on their outstanding achievements:- Ulster Grammar Schools’ Matthew Harkness Silver Medal (Butterfly) Swimming Championships Bronze Medal (Freestyle) Ulster Senior Schools’ Matthew Harkness 1st place (Butterfly) Championships 2nd place (Freestyle) Matthew also won Schools’ Performance of the Year Award presented by Ballymena Borough Council. Ulster Minor Schools’ Calvin Kernohan Bronze Medal (Breaststroke) Championships Bronze Medal (Individual Medley) MUSIC The Music Department’s extra-curricular programme continues to cater for the musical needs of a vast number of pupils. Whilethe large ensembles provide music-making opportunities for over threehundred pupils on a weekly basis the flourishing of smaller groups –such as String Quartet, Dixie Band, Chamber Choir, Jazz Quartet –raises the standard of the school’s best musicians through outsideengagements. Indeed, the range of activities, concert venues and repertoire are all perceived to be at a higher level than ever before. Theacademic year was also marked by an inspirational visit by musiciansfrom the Royal Marine Band Service who, after giving a concert in theMinor Hall, proceeded to rehearse and tutor our own Senior Wind Band. Amuch larger event was organised by the Central Band of the Royal AirForce who invited seven of our most senior musicians to perform withthem in a concert to the JuniorSchool in the W.H. Mol Assembly Hall. Thebusy schedule of concerts by school ensembles began with delightfulperformances by the Junior and Senior Choirs on Prize Day. Shortand sweet perhaps, but Prize Day gives the opportunity for the testingof new voices in a public arena before the onslaught of rehearsals forChristmas – St. Patrick’s ParishChurch once again providing the setting for the annual Carol Service. Two(internal) school Carol Services finished the term, with Junior andSenior Orchestras providing not only an accompaniment to the singingbut much entertainment for the staff and pupils in the form ofwell-rehearsed, seasonal pieces. Thisyear also marked the school’s return to the Ballymena Festival, thanksin no small measure to the persuasive and administration skills of Mr.Thompson. An impressive range of prizes were collected in a variety of classes throughout the week – both by soloists and ensembles. Therewere some organised trips to Ulster Orchestra concerts at theWaterfront Hall during this term, attended by full minibus loads ofpupils. The Annual Spring Concert in the new Braid Arts Centre concluded the extra-curricular programme. It was a feast of substance, variety, quality and once again huge numbers of participating pupils. Highlights this year included the Senior Orchestra’s performance of Jurassic Park and Sam Law’s rendition of Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 8 – Sam went on to win a special prize at the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition in Cardiff. Alsoof particular note was the emergence of a brand new Jazz Quartet, themembers demonstrating very high technical standards and more thanmodest ability in the art of improvisation. Thenotable tour de force, represented by the Strings Department throughoutthe concert under the tutelage of Ms Rebekah Durston, gave the wind andpercussion a run for their money, and the percussion ensemble succeededonce again in dazzling the audience, this time with tin cans, bottles,oil drums etc., in the form of a piece entitled Junk Funk. TheMusic Department continues to run a thriving instrumental tuitionprogramme, providing lessons for approximately two hundred pupils froma team of expert tutors. This is coupled withthe continuing support from the NEELB Music Service directly feedingpupils into the school’s bands and orchestras. Pupils are entered for the public music examinations of Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, TrinityCollege, London, and RockSchool. Thisyear the Music Department welcomed three new tutors – Ms RebekahDurston (Violin), Mr. Mark McKnight (Guitar) and Mr. Michael Rowley(Oboe). Two pupils – Daniel Ross and Peter Burton – gained places on the Ulster Youth Jazz Orchestra’s Summer School in Belfast. Daniel also accompanied Ross McQueen to the Guildhall Summer Jazz Course in London in July. DRAMA : JUNIOR “The Demon Headmaster”proved a sinister presence this year as Ballymena Academy Junior DramaWorkshop brought Gillian Cross’s famous novel to the stage in the W. H.Mol Assembly Hall. The author herself wrote that she intended her novel to be funny and exciting and indeed this production was both. Asa change to the usual staging techniques used by the Junior DramaWorkshop the play was performed with very little set besides severalfluorescent coloured rostra. The ominousatmosphere was created through lighting, sound, the excellent dancesequences, choreographed by Miss D. Clarke, and a pair of eerie eyespainted on the backcloth. Typically,the standard of audition was exceptionally high. The pupils who weresuccessful must be applauded for their commitment to rehearsals, aswell as for the quality of their performances. Everything from stage management to make-up was, once again, undertaken by pupils in Years 8 - 11. The Drama Department is delighted that such a strong extra-curricular programme continues in the JuniorSchool. Several Achievement Awards for Drama were presented to Junior Drama Workshop actors. DRAMA : SENIOR Thepast academic year has seen the Drama Department build on itsreputation, with several candidates receiving full marks in the variouspractical examinations at ‘AS’ and ‘A’ level. The 2007 Academy Players presented Sheridan’s “The Rivals” to the usual full houses. A lively and irreverent play, the actors injected their performances with all the wit and energy intended by Sheridan. NicolaMcNair made the well known character “Mrs. Malaprop” her own and SamuelSteele displayed particular comic skill in his performance of “SirAnthony”. Several Achievement Awards for Drama were presented to Academy Players for acting and technical roles. Once again there have been notable successes for our dramatists outside school: v Samuel Steele had a play performed in the Baby Grand. v Stephen Coulter performed in a drama/documentary for television. v Abigail McCready and Charlotte Cupples performed in an educational video for the ATL Union. v Michael Walker performed on stage in The Old Museum Arts Centre. v Fifteen students participated in an “Audition Skills” workshop as part of the BBC Blast Tour. Congratulations to all Drama students. We know that they will continue to build on these successes both in and out of school. PUBLIC SPEAKING : JUNIOR MatthewMcMurray (Year 10), Emma Glass (Year 10), Emma Jayne Williamson (Year9) and Georgina Collie (Year 10) participated in the MeningitisResearch Foundation Public Speaking Competition in November. Emma Jayne Williamson won the Environmental Youth Speak Public Speaking Competition in April. She represented the school at the Northern Ireland Final in May. PUBLIC SPEAKING : SENIOR NaomiLamont (Year 13) and Laura Bateman (Year 13) participated in the RoyalCollege of Psychiatrists Inter-Schools’ Public Speaking Competition inSeptember. AbigailNelson (Year 12) and Keith Fulton (Year 13) participated in the EdgarGraham Memorial Public Speaking Competition in October. VictoriaMcDowell (Year 12) won the Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition inNovember and Abigail Nelson (Year 12) was placed 3rd. Victoria progressed to the Northern Ireland Final in February and was selected to travel to Brussels in September as a reward for her success. Ateam of three girls consisting of Naomi Lamont (Year 13), VictoriaMcDowell (Year 12) and Abigail Nelson (Year 12) won the Business andProfessional Women’s Public Speaking Competition in November. The team represented the school at the Northern Ireland Final in January. Mrs. A. McClean and Mr. R. Marshall were the adjudicators at the annual Queenie McMullan Public Speaking Competition in April. AbigailNelson (Year 12) won the Queenie McMullan Cup for the Best OverallSpeaker and Paul Patterson (Year 13) won the Linda Hunter Cup for theBest Novice Speaker. Keith Fulton (Year 13) was Highly Commended. CROSS-COMMUNITY CONTACT Schools’ Community Relations Programme Three classes: 8.A, 9.D and 10.A enjoyed a full programme of events with St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt. Eachclass participated in two workshops, one connected to their programmeof study in History, the other addressing issues connected withcommunity relations. The final meetings focused on team building activities designed to emphasise the value of co-operation and trust. Service for Christian Unity Ten Year 13 students joined schools in the East Antrim area for the annual Prayer Service at St. MacNissi’s College, GarronTower. The Spirit of Enniskillen Trust “Together” Programme Thirty-nine Year 13 students attended a workshop in school organised by the Trust. Eight then joined students from Cambridge House Grammar, DunclugCollege, St. Louis’ Grammar, St. Patrick’s College and SlemishIntegratedCollege for a residential at the Share Centre, Lisnaskea. This was followed by a Review Day, held in the Ecos Centre. Theprogramme concluded with a one-day conference, “Young People Shapingthe Future” attended by students from the eighteen participatingschools. The Spirit of Enniskillen Trust “Explore” 2008 Keith Fulton (Year 13) was awarded a place on this leadership and dialogue programme and travelled with his group to Cyprus in July. Ballymena Learning Together Twenty-eightYear 11 pupils attended one day conferences or 3-day workshopsorganised by Common Purpose, an organisation with extensive experiencein Northern Ireland and elsewhere in the U.K. As part of the School Community Relations Programme a Year 9 class, (9A), from BallymenaAcademyunited with their counterparts from St. Patrick’s and Dunclug to tackleissues such as identity, conflict resolution and community, in a seriesof workshops facilitated by Youth Service. Pupils enjoyed a memorableday in Dublin visiting CrokePark, DublinCastle, Iveagh House and The Dail. The year finished with a visit to the Stormont Parliament and a celebration event at the Braid Arts Centre. Business Enterprise Programme Twenty Year 13 pupils from BallymenaAcademy and ten Year 13 pupils from St. Louis’ Grammar School participated in the Certificate of Business Enterprise Scheme, in conjunction with the NorthernRegionalCollege. Thescheme consisted of a project, made up of four taught modules, as wellas a ‘residential’ to the East Coast Adventure Centre at Warrenpoint. All pupils successfully passed the course, with the majority attaining the highest possible level. DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme in school continues to grow each year with more and more students enrolling. AtBronze Award level students are required to undertake a period ofservice in the local community, participate in some form of physicalrecreation, develop a skill and complete a challenging expedition. At Gold Award level students are required to complete the same sections as at Bronze level, but for a longer period of time. In addition to these areas, students must also complete a five-day residential programme. The following is a list of students who have successfully completed the Bronze and Gold Awards:- Bronze – SheenaghAiken, Christina Bashford, Adam Buick, Andrew Carson, Cara-Jan Craig,Emma Davison, Christopher Day, Jenny Dickson, Beth Dinsmore, StephenDuncan, Ellen Dundee, Margaret Dunlop, Andrew Ferguson, David Ferguson,Aaron Fry, Kathryn Gilmore, Rachael Graham, Nicola Greer, GlennHamilton, Judith Hanna, Matthew Hanna, Peter Hayes, David Headden, AdamHenry, Mark Herbison, Sarah Houston, Stephen Houston, Katherine Hunter,Hannah Ingleton, Melissa Jamison, Connor Johnson, Ryan Jones, CharlotteKane, Aoife Kennedy, Timothy Kennedy, Christopher Kyle, CatherineLaughlin, Tanya Leetch, Ethan Lowry, Joel Mann, Emma Manson, CatherineMark, Scott Martin, Jenna McCammon, David McCarroll, Abigail McCready,Ryan McFarland, Mark McGaw, Kerri McIlroy, Esther McKane, Emma McKeown,Zoe McLees, Steffi McNeilly, Sam Milenkovitch, Rachel Montgomery, CalebMorrison, Peter Neilly, Jonathan Nevin, Henry Patterson, Jessica Peden,Patrick Roulston, Desmond Scott, Laura Scott, Karl Smith, Jenny Speirs,Jamie Sutherland, Shannon Tella, Nicole Thompson, Michael Walker, DavidWallace, Natalie Wallace, Peter Wallace, Mary Ward, Rebecca Warwick,Lois Wilson, Alice Woods and Emma Wray. Gold - Alistair Black, Emma Brown, Louise Clarke, Steven Davey, Iain Hamill, Rebecca McCahon, Stephen Scullion aned Klara Tough. |