The year 2020 was certainly ‘a year like no other’. As a school family we experienced hardship, sadness and loss during this time, yet we also saw our pupils respond with determination, enthusiasm and selflessness. This reflection back on the year captures some of the ways in which Ballymena Academy responded to the crisis. Life before lockdown is captured perfectly in the joy and excitement of the art trip to Belfast to see Matthew Jackson’s (Year 14) work in the Ulster Museum. While the Leaver’s Video from June, perhaps best illustrates that, even during a crisis, Ballymena Academy’s sense of community remains strong. We hope you enjoy this moving and inspiring look back over 2020 – ‘a year like no other’
February 5th 2020 – Memories of normality
February 5th 2020 – Memories of normality
February 22nd 2020 – Schools’ Cup Memories
Preparations underway here @ballymenaacadem ahead of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup quarter-final clash with @rsarmagh ! Kick-off is at 10.30. pic.twitter.com/9fTAkglEkw
— Schools' Cup Rugby (@DBSchoolsCup) February 22, 2020
February 22nd 2020 – Schools’ Cup Memories
March 17th 2020 – Our year changed…
**Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update – Ballymena Academy** pic.twitter.com/VNDymMfBNJ
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) March 17, 2020
March 17th 2020 – Our year changed…
March 19th 2020 – …but we never gave up
To all our @ballymenaacadem #gcse and #Alevel pupils. Sorry this year has ended so abruptly. Life sometimes throws you a curve ball. How you respond is important and will define who you are. We have no doubt you all will go on to do amazing things. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/j3auDAoY7n
— BA_Physics (@PhysicsBA) March 19, 2020
March 19th 2020 – …but we never gave up
March 30th 2020 – Home Schooling Tips!
A letter from the principal 30/03/2020 and Aware’s top 5 home-schooling tips! pic.twitter.com/J3ajtEOQHo
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) March 30, 2020
March 30th 2020 – Home Schooling Tips!
April 1st 2020 – Donating Safety Equipment to the COVID-19 response
We were delighted to be able to donate 400 safety goggles and other safety equipment to the COVID-19 response. pic.twitter.com/M6NWXRtXSz
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) April 1, 2020
April 1st 2020 – Donating Safety Equipment to the COVID-19 response
April 6th 2020 – The Great BA Easter Bake Off!
The Great BA Easter Bake Off!
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) April 6, 2020
Ready……Steady……BAKE!https://t.co/OiZLbIKTo7 pic.twitter.com/0mSKApuj0g
April 6th 2020 – The Great BA Easter Bake Off!
April 15th 2020 – 3D Printed Faceguards
Over the Easter holidays our Technology Department has been busy making visors using a 3D printer. Thank you to all involved and hopefully it will help to support, in some way, our frontline workers pic.twitter.com/K1nYDU2Yud
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) April 15, 2020
April 15th 2020 – 3D Printed Faceguards
April 17th 2020 – Bagpipes for NHS Heroes!
Some people clap, some people hit pots and pans, our PE Department like to play the bagpipes!
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) April 17, 2020
Thank you NHS! #NHSclap #NHSheroes pic.twitter.com/ORxRpr1YRP
April 17th 2020 – Bagpipes for NHS Heroes!
April 17th 2020 – BA’s Ping Pong Pots and Pans Trick Shot Challenge
BA’s ‘Ping Pong Pots and Pans Trick Shot’ Challenge.
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) April 17, 2020
Our third challenge this Easter is to beat the master in our ‘Ping Pong Pots and Pans Trick Shot’ challenge. The video below is a BA member of staff showing you how it’s done.
Post your attempt in google classroom! pic.twitter.com/mHgd0jOe83
April 17th 2020 – BA’s Ping Pong Pots and Pans Trick Shot Challenge
April 24th 2020 – The school in bloom
The month of April sees the annual cherry blossom bloom along the front drive. We know for many in the Ballymena Academy community, this is one of the first true signs of spring time.
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) April 24, 2020
These photos were taken today in school and capture the cherry blossoms in full bloom. pic.twitter.com/V8YDrQvdvq
April 24th 2020 – The school in bloom
May 18th – 24th – Mental Health Awareness Week
Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 18-24 May 2020.
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) May 18, 2020
The theme is kindness. More information can be found at: https://t.co/NVq8fyj8dG and a short video on the benefits of kindness found at: https://t.co/29AJyWNFX1
May 18th – 24th – Mental Health Awareness Week
May 20th 2020 – Year 8 & 9 Artwork
The Art Department in school have been so impressed with the work our pupils have been sending in through Google Classroom over the past number of months.
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) May 20, 2020
Have a look below to see some of the work Year 8 and 9 have been producing! pic.twitter.com/sGbKhZeELS
May 20th 2020 – Year 8 & 9 Artwork
May 26th 2020 – Drama Remote Learning – Lady Macbeth
Here are some of the fabulous costume designs for Lady Macbeth completed by Junior School pupils as part of their remote learning for Drama.
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) May 26, 2020
The pupils read an extract from Macbeth, then they researched some theatrical costumes for Lady Macbeth before designing their own!
👏 pic.twitter.com/xmzX5MSMl8
May 26th 2020 – Drama Remote Learning – Lady Macbeth
June 4th 2020 – Leavers 2020
June 4th 2020 – Leavers 2020
June 23rd 2020 – Science Remote Learning
Year 9 pupils have been busy learning about "air and burning" in Science. They have been investigating the sources of different pollutants and have made some wonderful models to show their findings. pic.twitter.com/A5Gv2KSm1X
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) June 23, 2020
June 23rd 2020 – Science Remote Learning
June 24th 2020 – Education Minister Peter Weir visits Ballymena Academy
We were delighted to welcome @peterweirmla to Ballymena Academy this afternoon.
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) June 24, 2020
This provided the school with an opportunity to showcase the various models already prepared for our re-opening at the end of August and to discuss the range of associated challenges. pic.twitter.com/09iS0SY6bA
June 24th 2020 – Education Minister Peter Weir visits Ballymena Academy
June 30th 2020 – Final Assembly of 2019/20
June 30th 2020 – Final Assembly of 2019/20
August 13th 2020 – A Level Results
**G.C.E. ‘A’ Level Results Press Release**https://t.co/RnczpiYYQX pic.twitter.com/461fbl09zM
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) August 13, 2020
August 13th 2020 – A Level Results
August 24th 2020 – Staggered return to school
We are delighted to welcome Year 14 back to school today – pupils are being briefed on our new Covid-19 safety measures with classes starting later this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/4cJnhdCZhf
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) August 24, 2020
August 24th 2020 – Staggered return to school
August 25th 2020 – GCSE Results
**GCSE Results Press Release**https://t.co/C44S5AP2vd
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) August 25, 2020
August 25th 2020 – GCSE Results
September 5th 2020 – Year 8 rugby training in class bubbles
Lots of happy faces this morning at Year 8 rugby. Pupils participated in their class bubbles with well over 60 boys taking part! 😄 pic.twitter.com/gKGF0vz3Uk
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) September 5, 2020
September 5th 2020 – Year 8 rugby training in class bubbles
September 5th 2020 – Year 8 hockey training in class bubbles
Year 8 girls enjoying the sunny conditions this morning at their first Sat morning hockey session. There was a great turnout from each class bubble with some impressive skills on display 🏑🏑 pic.twitter.com/JRWi3qPR4W
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) September 5, 2020
September 5th 2020 – Year 8 hockey training in class bubbles
September 11th 2020 – Ballymena Academy students stop, care and help
Well done Lucy Magee and Katherine Duff, both A level Music students, on your outstanding quick-thinking care, intervention and compassion to an older lady who suffered a fall in the town. @ballymenaacadem
— Music@BallymenaAcademy (@BAcademyMusic) September 11, 2020
Read the story at LoveBallymenahttps://t.co/6jQGUDFKXT pic.twitter.com/m4aCS50yvb
September 11th 2020 – Ballymena Academy students stop, care and help
September 12th 2020 – Athletics success
Congratulations to Sam Booth (Year 13), who won a silver medal in the 100m and bronze in the 200m, at the N.I. and Ulster U18 championships.
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) September 12, 2020
Well done Sam 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/01NCo79EkH
September 12th 2020 – Athletics success
September 22nd 2020 – Sailing to victory
Tom Coulter sails to victory!
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) September 22, 2020
Read more below 👇👇https://t.co/NOfyWhmfx7 pic.twitter.com/HrUEoDvJm9
September 22nd 2020 – Sailing to victory
September 28th 2020 – Socially distanced choir practice
Delighted to have Chamber Choir back! https://t.co/oAkfsihewl
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) September 28, 2020
September 28th 2020 – Socially distanced choir practice
November 2nd 2020 – Operation Christmas Child
A huge thank you to parents and pupils in years 8-10 for their contribution to the Operation Christmas Child appeal. In challenging circumstances, pupils managed to fill 62 boxes which are now packed and ready to go to children in great need! pic.twitter.com/NnDm4BP6Fp
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) November 2, 2020
November 2nd 2020 – Operation Christmas Child
November 11th 2020 – Remembrance Day
This morning in school, a very different Remembrance Day service took place. In each form class bubble, pupils watched the following presentation simultaneously.
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) November 11, 2020
Lest we forget. https://t.co/c0xqwXg5Gu pic.twitter.com/8hltyPYalI
November 11th 2020 – Remembrance Day
November 13th 2020 – Ballymena Academy’s PE Department innovate due to restrictions
November 13th 2020 – Ballymena Academy’s PE Department innovate due to restrictions
November 19th 2020 – Luke Gregg (Year 14) takes part in the Ulster Youth Ochestra online sessions
recorded separately at home on phones and tablets and carefully stitched together by producer Tom Wall from TWPost.
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) November 19, 2020
Well done Luke!
⁰https://t.co/Q3UoloXbaz pic.twitter.com/kVceyEcjDP
November 19th 2020 – Luke Gregg (Year 14) takes part in the Ulster Youth Ochestra online sessions
December 2nd 2020 – Prize Day
December 2nd 2020 – Prize Day
December 3rd 2020 – Annual unveiling of Mr Christie’s Chemistree
Each year, pupils and teachers wait with eager anticipation for the unveiling of Mr Christie’s ’Chemistree’.
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) December 3, 2020
I am delighted to report that is it now on display in one of our science classrooms.
Thank you Mr Christie! pic.twitter.com/0LpCHtFX7A
December 3rd 2020 – Annual unveiling of Mr Christie’s Chemistree
December 9th 2020 – Year 8 Taster Days
Thanks also must go to Richard Montgomery who donated lunch for all Year 8 pupils. https://t.co/9NaHSosbnF
— Ballymena Academy (@ballymenaacadem) December 9, 2020
December 9th 2020 – Year 8 Taster Days
December 16th 2020 – Carol Service – Facebook Premiere
December 16th 2020 – Carol Service – Facebook Premiere