Alumni Newsletter December 2018

Alumni Newsletter December 2018 For more school news and to read The Owl Magazine, The Academy Newsletter, the Old Boys’ Association Newsletter and past copies of the Alumni Newsletter, please visit the school website at belfastroyalacademy.com belfastroyalacademy

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ALUMNI NEWS

We wish you all a fulfilling and happy 2019 and hope that you will stay connected with Belfast Royal Academy and your fellow alumni.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2018

Belfast Royal Academy

KEEPING IN TOUCH The aim of the Alumni Office is to engage with our past pupils. We can help you to remain connected to the School and to your former classmates. We can help to put you back in touch with old school friends and to assist with the organisation of reunions, visits to the School and other events. The Alumni Office also administers the Old Girls’ and Old Boys’ Associations membership and email communications. An Alumni Calendar of Events is available in the Alumni section of the school website.

Your contribution, feedback and suggestions to this Newsletter are always welcomed. If you have a piece of news that you think others would be interested in, please email us with an accompanying photo. The Alumni Newsletter is published 3 times a year in December, March/April and June.

We appreciate your help to ensure that your contact details are up to date and to actively encourage friends, colleagues, siblings and other family members who were pupils at Belfast Royal Academy to join the Alumni register. An online sign up form is available in the Alumni section of the school website; alternatively, please use the email address given below. All alumni data is held securely in the School in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Have you got a story to tell or is there something you think we should follow up?

We would love to hear from you at the email address below.

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of Belfast Royal Academy; we wish you a great start to the New Year.

Alumni Office Belfast Royal Academy 5 – 17 Cliftonville Road BELFAST BT14 6JL 028 9074 0423 alumni@belfastroyalacademy.net

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2018

Belfast Royal Academy

REUNIONS 2019 ‘Class of’ Anniversaries There are plenty of opportunities for celebrations in the upcoming year!

If you are thinking of planning a formal reunion or just a casual get together for your ‘Class of’, please do get in touch. The Alumni Office can help to connect you with former classmates & teachers, promote your event, organise a tour of the school or an event in the school.

2009 2004 1999 1994 1984 1979 1974

10 years 15 years 20 years 25 years 35 years 40 years 45 years

1969 1964 1959 1954 1949 1944 1939

50 years 55 years 60 years 65 years 70 years 75 years 80 years

SUCCESS ON RESULTS DAY

We are pleased to announce that at A Level, there was a marked increase in the proportion of top grades awarded to our pupils, with over 35% A* or A grades and 90.1% of the grades awarded between Grades A* - C. Thirty-three pupils attained at least 3 A grades and all 8 of our Oxbridge candidates fulfilled their conditional offers.

At GCSE level, success was equally gratifying with 34% of pupils attaining grades A* - B across all subjects. The new 9-1 grading was taken in the stride of the Computing and Latin departments, who posted impressive results. Furthermore, 4 of our Form V pupils joined a select group across the country who scored 10 A* grades with a further 14 pupils achieving at least 10 A*/A grades.

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Special mention must to go Daniel Loudon, Joanna McClurg, Jack Golden, Daniel Quigley and Ellen Campbell who scored highest in Northern Ireland in subjects ranging from Software Systems Development, Economics, Music and English Literature.

SHARED EDUCATION

Shared Education encourages schools to make cross-sectoral collaborations an integral part of school life, creating enhanced educational and personal development opportunities for everyone involved.

Pupils from Belfast Royal Academy and St Malachy’s College joined together in a traditional Irish music session to launch the Shared Education event in Girdwood Hub on Monday 8 October. The group entertained a number of Principals and Senior Teachers, who were in attendance, at the beginning of the seminar and during the interval.

ARABIC LANGUAGE AND CULTURE CONFERENCE Did you know that as many as 420 million people speak Arabic Worldwide? This makes it the 6th most spoken language.

Mr Paul Porter and Mrs Pat Kerr presented at two British Council conferences on the topic “Making Arabic Language and Culture learning fun, rewarding and relevant in a Northern Ireland non-Arabic setting”. This project has been operating in Belfast Royal Academy for the past 5 years and introduces pupils to Arabic Language and Culture through the medium of Art. Through funding obtained from the Qatar Foundation, the school has employed an Arabic tutor for the 2018/19 academic year.

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Belfast Royal Academy

HEAD BOY AND HEAD GIRL FOR 2018/19

HEAD BOY: Tom McKee

HEAD GIRL: (Whitehead PS)

Samantha McGrath

DEPUTY HEAD BOYS

DEPUTY HEAD GIRLS

Oran Corry Andrew Dorman

Meghan Hamilton Amber McCalmont

(Our Lady of Lourdes PS) (Ashgrove PS)

(Mallusk PS)

(Whitehead PS) (Stranmillis PS)

JUNIOR MATHEMATICS TEAM This year’s junior Mathematics team consisted of Riya Raghuram (F2), Kaityln Toal (F2), Ben Golden (F3) and Donal McGrath (F3), who won the Regional Final of the UK Maths Trust's Team Competition in March. This meant they were asked to represent Northern Ireland at the National Final in London; an impressive achievement for the team and the fourth time BRA has triumphed at this level.

The National Final took place on Monday 18th June. A very early start (the International Airport for 5:15 a.m.) and a speedy journey saw the team arrive at the Royal Horticultural Halls in good time to compete against other teams from across the UK. The competition comprised of fast-paced rounds of varying formats which involved solving challenging mathematical problems against the clock. The teams were also asked to produce a poster on the work of Leonhard Euler (a Swiss mathematician, physicist, astronomer, logician and engineer) in which they had to answer particular questions and cover some prescribed topics. Despite some strong rounds the team did not end up placing; nevertheless, they performed very well against tough competition and it was a valuable experience to compete with elite mathematicians from throughout the UK. We are very proud of them being placed in the top 80 teams out of the 1742 who entered, and for their hard work in preparing for both competitions. Special thanks should go to Dr Springer for leading this club.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL We were delighted to learn that, over the summer break, the School had been re-accredited as an International School for the period of 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2021.

International Schools Accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental process that gives recognition to International schools that meet established quality standards. The purpose of accreditation is to assure the public, students, parents and other stakeholders as to the quality of an institution and its commitment to high standards through a system of continuous improvement.

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Belfast Royal Academy

SPANISH EXCHANGE

A number of Form V and VI students studying GCSE and A level Spanish spent a few days in Asturias (north-west Spain) at the end of October as part of their Spanish Exchange. This came after Belfast Royal Academy pupils and their families hosted their exchange partners in Belfast during the previous week.

The pupils spent time in their partners’ schools and participated in various trips and cultural events.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY On Tuesday 9th October, ten LVI pupils spent a day volunteering at Habitat for Humanity’s RESTORE shop in Lisburn. Working in partnership with De La Salle College, the pupils renovated facilities, cleaned and repaired donations and stocked the warehouse of the charity’s DIY/ furniture business.

The pupils are now setting out to raise much-needed funds for the charity and are beginning the application process to participate in the international Youth Build projects next summer.

Thanks to Ms McBeth for organising this and Dr Campbell for driving the minibus.

OPEN EVENINGS JANUARY 2019 Our Open Evenings for prospective pupils and their parents are being held on Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th of January 2019 from 6.45pm – 9pm.

This is an opportunity to tour the school’s facilities, hear our Principal, Mrs Woods, talk about the school, speak to teachers and ask any questions you may have. So please come along or share the word!!

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2018

Belfast Royal Academy

SPORTING NEWS

Belfast Royal Academy pupils have always enjoyed a fine reputation for sporting success across a range of disciplines. However, over the summer months, pupils reached new heights in their chosen sports.

The following pupils, with representative honours, are excellent role models within school for their ability to manage their commitments to sport alongside academic work. In addition, they are wonderful ambassadors for the School in the various competitions they participated in and are to be commended for their ambition, dedication and talent.

Congratulations to all of our elite sportsmen and women and we look forward to another year of sporting success.

Girls’ Hockey Abbie Braniff Form III, Emma Uprichard Form IV and Kerry Uprichard Form V all represented Ulster U16s in a series of matches against the UK Lions.

Abbie and Emma have been included in the 19 player squad which will prepare for the UXVI Interprovincial series in September.

Harriet Dougan MVI and Niamh McIvor Form V represented NI at the UK School Games.

Niamh also captained the Ireland UXVI in the European 6 Nations Tournament in Cork.

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Belfast Royal Academy

Netball Nada Hawela Form IV and Megan Warke Form V represented Northern Ireland as members of the netball team in the UK School Games.

Nada and Megan have been selected for the UXVII National Training Squad and will be preparing for the UXVII European Championships in March 2019. Fabienne Cochrane LVI, Ellie Collins Form V and Olivia Snoddy Form V will join Nada and Megan as members of this squad.

Athletics Erin McMahon Form V was placed 1st in the 300m in the Youth Development League and was 5th in the relay medley at the U.K. School’s Games.

Leah Doran Form V was placed 1st in the Pole Vault in the Youth Development League

Transplant Games Ben Bingham Form III took part in the British Transplant Games in Birmingham.

Golf Tom McKibbin Form V was a member of the GB and Ireland Golf team which won the 2018 Jacques Leglise Trophy in Finland against Europe.

Keaton Morrison Form V represented Ireland at 3 separate golfing tournaments - the Italian Open, the English Open and the European Young Masters.

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Belfast Royal Academy

Cricket Harry Warke Form MVI captained the NCU UXVII squad.

Max Burton Form MVI was a member of the Ulster Schools’ UXVIII team and represented Ireland UXVII on 2 tours, which included winning the Celtic Cup. David Kane Form III was a member of the NCU UXIII squad that toured Taunton and Ayr.

Football Maddy Clifford-Harvey Form LVI was selected for the NI UXVII Football squad.

Cycling Ciaran Dixon Form V was selected to ride for Ulster at the UK 2018 School Games in Loughborough and was selected to ride for Ireland at the Errigal International 3-day Youth Tour.

Rugby Tom Stewart Form MVI: Ulster UXVIII Captain, and member of Ireland UXVIII Schools and Ulster UXIX squads.

Brandon Hassan Form MVI: member of Ulster UXVIII. Patrick George Form MVI: member of Ulster UXVII. Elliot Donaldson Form V: member of Ulster UXVI. Michael Harvey Form V: member of Ulster UXVI.

MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY – MEMBERSHIP INVITATION Becoming a Member of the Academy offers former pupils the opportunity to contribute to the governance of the School. Members are invited to an Annual Meeting, usually held in November, where they are given a brief overview of the year by the Board of Governors and the Principal.

Members can elect Governors to sit on the Board.

All past pupils aged 18 and over and who have been in attendance for at least three full academic years may be eligible for Membership. Prospective Members are asked to complete a brief application form and return this with a £1 registration fee. All applications are submitted to the Board of Governors for approval. Please email the Bursar’s Office at gboyd707@bfsra.belfast.ni.sch.uk for more information.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2018

Belfast Royal Academy

EVENT

If you have a specific room you would like to redesign, have a keen interest in interior design or are in need of some inspiration then this is the workshop for you Learn how to coordinate fabric, wallpaper and colour to create the perfect interior.

During the workshop you will study the colour wheel and discover all of the latest trends for your home.

You will then turn your design ideas into reality by creating your own storyboard to take home with you.

Tickets can be purchased from the School Office on 02890 750 600 MUSIC

A number of BRA pupils performed at the ‘Music for Youth’ Proms in the Royal Albert Hall at the beginning of November with the City of Belfast Youth Orchestra. The pupils were Eva Hayward, Jonny Hayward, Maia Reilly-Stewart, Jason Melville, Anna Quinn, Ellen Quinn and Amber McCalmont.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2018

Belfast Royal Academy

CURRENT STUDENT NEWS Belfast Royal Academy student (2018), Chloe McCrory, has earned recognition as a ‘Master Cadet’, the latest in an impressive line of honours.

Chloe, who is a Cadet Company Sergeant Major with Sunnyside Detachment ACF, served in 2017 as Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for the City of Belfast. Now she has turned in a star performance to become a Master Cadet, having successfully completed a demanding course designed to broaden and develop further the leadership, instructional and administrative responsibilities of senior Cadets who have already attained the prestigious 4-star Army Proficiency Certificate.

Congratulating Chloe, Colonel Sam McCammond, Commandant of the 2 nd (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force, said, “We are delighted to see Chloe’s enthusiasm and commitment recognized with the achievement of these latest accolades. We are enormously proud of her and, indeed, she is a credit, not only to her Detachment, but also to her family, school and the wider community.

“The Cadet movement famously offers its members great fun and camaraderie but, as Chloe’s progress demonstrates, it also opens the door for significant personal development. Chloe’s achievements are truly significant to put on her Personal Statement as she prepares for college and will, I hope, inspire others to follow her lead.”

Chloe is pictured receiving the certificate which marks her achievement from Gillian Bingham, High Sheriff of County Antrim.

MUSICAL MOMENTS AT ROYAL VICTORIA HOSPITAL On Tuesday 23rd October the LVI String Quartet entertained patients at the RVH Children’s Ward as part of the Hospital’s ‘Musical Moments’ initiative. The Quartet was welcomed by Professor Martin Bradley and performed a range of pieces for the children, parents and hospital staff. Everyone really enjoyed the experience and the feedback from the children was heart-warming.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2018

Belfast Royal Academy

NEWS ON PAST PUPILS

Professor Ian White Master of Jesus College, Cambridge appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Bath

Professor Ian White (1977), Master of Jesus College Cambridge since 2011, has been appointed as the next Vice Chancellor of the University of Bath. He will leave Jesus College in April 2019.

Professor White has a long history of exceptional service to Education. He was educated at Belfast Royal Academy, followed

by Cambridge University, receiving his BA in Electrical Sciences in 1980, his MA in 1984 and his PhD in Engineering shortly after. He was then appointed a Research Fellow at the University and Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Engineering, before leaving Cambridge in 1990 to become Professor of Physics at the University of Bath.

In 1996 he moved to the University of Bristol as Professor of Optical Communications. He returned to the University of Cambridge and Jesus College in 2001, when he was appointed the Van Eck Professor of Engineering.

The Master’s wife, Margaret White, has also taken an active role within Cambridge University. She came up to the College in 1979 in the first cohort of female undergraduates. In addition to her role as Deputy Head Academic at St Faith’s School in Cambridge, Mrs White

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2018

recently published a book called Education.

A Good

Dr Stephen Siklos, Fellow at Cambridge University, said: “I am sure that everyone associated with the College will want to join me in congratulating Professor White on this prestigious appointment, and to wish him and Mrs White every success in this next chapter of their lives. In the coming months, we will be celebrating the outstanding contribution that Professor White has made to every aspect of College life.”

Professor White said: “This appointment means a great deal to me. Bath is a University which I care about deeply, having worked there at an early and highly significant stage in my academic career.

“A College community is a unique and special thing, and I will miss the Fellows, students and staff very much. I will also miss our alumni, who have been incredibly supportive throughout my time here.

“It has been a privilege to be Jesus College’s Master for the last seven years. The completion of the West Court development, which restored the College site to its original boundaries and

Belfast Royal Academy

offered excellent new facilities to students, Fellows, alumni and the wider world, has been

a particular highlight. I look forward to seeing how the College develops in future.”

NEWS ON PAST PUPILS

Valerie McKenna On the 28 November 2018, Valerie McKenna, a past pupil, came into school to give a talk about her work as a Clinical Psychologist.

At present she works as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist managing the provision of psychology resources across 3 services in Northern Ireland. She works in the acute end of mental health, generally with people who experience psychosis and have spent time in hospital.

Valerie’s talk was very interesting and appealed to a wide range of pupils including those who want to study Psychology, Medicine, Social Work, Nursing and Counselling. Many thanks to Valerie for speaking to this interested group. It was very much appreciated.

Alister Burns Former pupil Alister Burns, who is presently a high ranking officer in the PSNI, returned to the Academy in September 2018 to lead an Alumni Seminar on the importance of the work undertaken by himself and his colleagues.

Chief Inspector Burns, who had just returned from a briefing at the FBI’s law enforcement, training and research Centre at Quantico in Virginia, is now one of the leading figures in the PSNI’s programme to combat cybercrime.

A group of sixth formers were privileged to be able to participate in a discussion on, what is now acknowledged to be, one of the most pernicious forms of criminal activity. This ranges from money laundering to terrorism. The PSNI, with three mobile laboratories, is one of the best equipped in Europe and, in liaison with MI5, enjoys an enviably high international reputation in this area of law enforcement.

The students, many of whom were computer specialists in Karen Stewart’s classes, were fascinated by what Alister had to say about the nature of his work, and the School was very grateful indeed to him for taking time out of a very busy schedule to talk about an intellectually challenging, and crucially important public service.

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Belfast Royal Academy

NEWS ON PAST PUPILS Mark Lawson

Former pupil Mark Lawson, currently Professor of Engineering at the University of Surrey, returned to the Academy in October 2018.

Professor Lawson, who had also attended the reunion to commemorate the triumphant 1968 Medallion Cup team earlier in the year, took an alumni seminar on engineering as a career. His presentation stressed the intellectual challenges of engineering, as well as its attractions as a career option.

The sixth formers, including a student from St Malachy’s College, hugely enjoyed the occasion, and the question and answer session which followed the presentation, gave rise to a number of penetrating questions.

Before returning to England, Professor Lawson, had a tour of his old school and visited the sites of two engineering achievements of the past: The Titanic Centre, and the recently renovated First World War battleship, HMS Caroline.

THE OWL

THE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER ‘The Owl’ is published each December and ‘The Academy Newsletter’ each June.

Both publications are available on the School website under ‘Our School’.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2018

Belfast Royal Academy

CHRISTMAS RECEPTION, SCHOOL LIBRARY The School was delighted to welcome guests who braved the inclement weather on Saturday 15th December 2018 to attend a very festive Reception in the Academy library. Sixth Former, Emma Calderwood, delighted all those present with her wonderful performance of harp music.

Appropriately seasonal refreshment was provided by Anne-Marie and Carol of the Catering Department.

Former pupils, former staff, governors and friends of the Academy enjoyed the opportunity to meet once again.

A Happy Christmas to all those, past and present, associated with the School!

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Belfast Royal Academy

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CHRISTMAS RECEPTION, SCHOOL LIBRARY

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Belfast Royal Academy

DOCUMENTARY IN THE SCHOOL A film production team arrived at the Academy in September 2018. The crew, which included the local television presenter, Gerry Kelly, was making a documentary about the early years of golfing in Ireland.

The game was introduced to Ireland by two members of the Academy staff: Dr WF Collier, Principal 1880-1890, and Mr George Baillie, Head of the Commercial Department.

Together they established the Belfast Golf Club, (to which the prefix ‘Royal’ was later added), in 1881. The first match was played on 26th December 1881. Baillie later helped design most of the famous golf courses in the north of Ireland.

The documentary will be broadcast just before the Open Championship, which will be held in Northern Ireland in July 2019.

Gerry Kelly is seen in the school foyer delivering his piece to camera .

Dr Collier and Mr Bailie can be seen as fourth and fifth from the left in the back row of the old photograph.

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Belfast Royal Academy

FUND FOR SPORTING EXCELLENCE The School has a fundraising campaign, led by Iain Knox (Pupil 1982 – 1996), to develop the sporting prowess of our pupils.

This fund is to enable us to provide the first class rugby coaching services of Brian McLaughlin to our pupils and to improve sports facilities, including the construction of the new Weights and Conditioning Suite. We would also like to be able to provide funds for hockey and other sports in the school.

We are very appreciative of alumni who have already made or pledged donations. If you would like to be part of this ambitious development, please contact Iain Knox (iainknox@cd-group.com | 07590 734 061). And don’t forget, with Gift Aid the value of your donation is increased by 25% at no extra cost to you.

We look forward to your support!

SCHOOL ARCHIVES A number of books have been published on the history of Belfast Royal Academy, available to purchase from the school.

SPRING CONCERT INVITATION

Belfast Royal Academy is delighted to invite all former pupils and friends of the School to the Annual Spring Concert.

Ulster Hall, Bedford Street, Belfast City Centre Thursday 21st March 2019 7.30 p.m.

Further information and tickets will be available from the Ulster Hall website in January. Tickets can also be purchased at the Ulster Hall box office in January 2019

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Belfast Royal Academy

OBITUARIES

Vernon Clegg

Vernon was born in Oldham, Lancashire in 1935 and at the age of 3 he and his family relocated to Belfast. Due to the war, Vernon’s education started at Lurgan Model before moving to Harding Memorial PE School when the war was over. He then became a Probationer in the Cathedral choir in St Anne’s, Belfast and later gained a scholarship to Belfast Royal Academy. After finishing school at seventeen, he started work in Short Bros. as a Student Aeronautical Apprentice.

He gained an HNC in Aeronautical Engineering in 1954 and, seeing an outlet for his artistic ability in the Technical Publications Department, he succeeded there as an Illustrator. He was then given technical writing opportunities and became a Technical Author, rising to Deputy Head and in 1978, Manager of the Department.

Vernon inherited his father’s interest in and talent for music. On leaving the Cathedral choir, he became a bass in his father's choir at St Columba's, Knock. Later he became a founder member of the choir at Saint Gall's in Bangor and the semi-professional choir ‘The Anderson Singers’ for which he also served as chairman. Vernon made his home in Bangor with his wife and three children.

Since his retirement Vernon renewed and strengthened his links to the institutions which he felt had given him so much - St Anne’s Cathedral and Belfast Royal Academy. He was extremely proud of his old school and its distinguished heritage and he valued the many lasting friendships he made there. He was a keen member of the Old Boys’ Association, regularly attending committee meetings, lunches and events. He was instrumental in the installation of a plaque in 2015 marking the original site of the Belfast Academy as the school was then known, Belfast’s oldest school founded on Academy Street in 1785. He devoted many hours to researching and archiving on behalf of both the Cathedral and BRA. In particular, he was very committed to recording and preserving the memory of those who served in World War One. At the time of his death, he had been collaborating with the school over several years on the compilation of the histories of former pupils who served in that war. These were published in a book in 2018 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the war. The dedication of this book to Vernon is a lasting tribute to his invaluable contribution to this project and to the esteem in which he held his former school.

Hilary Ferris Hilary Ferris, former pupil and daughter of our colleague Heather Ferris, died after a short illness at the age of 23. There was a huge turnout of staff, former members of staff and former pupils at Hilary’s funeral. Our sincere condolences go to Heather, Ivan, Hilary’s sister Erin and her boyfriend, Gavin.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2018

Belfast Royal Academy

Professor James Stirling The School community is deeply saddened to hear news of the death on Friday 9th November of former pupil Professor James Stirling. Prior to his retirement in June 2018, Professor Stirling was the first ever Provost in Imperial College, London and he was a great friend of the Academy – always interested in current issues and the achievements of pupils.

He last spoke at the Former Pupils’ Association Dinner in London in March 2018 and delivered a speech in the School Assembly Hall as part of the 225th anniversary celebrations.

He was generous in the time that he so willingly gave to his alma mater and gracious in all of his dealings with pupils and staff. James Stirling joined Imperial following a distinguished academic career, where his work in theoretical particle physics resulted in more than 300 research papers, including some of the most highly cited of all time in the physical sciences.

Professor Stirling’s work in quantum chromodynamics has been central to discoveries in physics and many of his calculation techniques have now been adopted as standard practice. His ground-breaking work in particle physics phenomenology led to his involvement in the MSTW collaboration studying the ‘Parton’ structure of the proton with the Large Hadron Collider.

After a double-first and a distinction in Part III of the mathematical Tripos at Peterhouse, he took a PhD in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge.

Professor Stirling’s research career included stints in the United States, at CERN, and, holding a series of academic and leadership roles, at the Universities of Cambridge – including as Jacksonian Chair of Natural Philosophy – and Durham, as the first Director of the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP).

He led the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, home to some 29 Nobel laureates since its founding in 1874, before joining Imperial as the College’s first ever Provost in 2013, retiring in 2018.

On 17th October 2018, he received an honorary degree from Imperial College during Commemoration Day. He received Imperial’s highest honour for his outstanding contributions to physics and to the College, following his retirement in the summer.

He died peacefully in Durham surrounded by his family. Our sincere condolences go to his wife Paula, also a former Belfast Royal Academy pupil, his children and grandchildren.

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Belfast Royal Academy

Old Boys News

Annual Dinner This years’ Annual Dinner was held at The Europa on 3rd November, and hosted by the OBA President, Professor Robert McIlhagger.

The speakers at the dinner were:  Mr Philip McKenna who proposed the toast to the School.  The Principal replied and proposed the toast to the Association.  The President responded and proposed the toast to our guests.  Councillor Brian Bloomfield M.B.E. responded.

The success of the dinner was again due, in no small measure, to the Dinner Secretary, Iain Knox, and his team, who work extremely hard each year to ensure this event runs smoothly.

Monthly Lunches The Christmas lunch, organised by Robin Reid with local host George Hall, was held at Knock Golf Club on 17th December, 2018. There was a good attendance of more than 60 Old Boys, who had a very enjoyable three course Christmas lunch. Our ‘Thanks’ to Robin Reid & his team of local hosts for organising these monthly lunches throughout the year.

Happy 100th Birthday Roy A very special milestone was celebrated at the December Lunch. Roy Henderson had celebrated his 100th birthday on 11th December, 2018. Very Best Wishes to Roy and his family.

Old Boys’ Association Donation to the School 2018: Each year, the Old Boys' Association plans to make a substantial financial contribution to the School to support particular projects.

This year, the Association, with the guidance of the Principal, donated £3,000 to purchase some sturdy benches for the playground areas around the school. It is worth noting here that the Association has donated over £25,000 to fund various projects in School over the past number of years.

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Belfast Royal Academy

Belfast Royal Academy – World War 1 – Memorial Book The Belfast Royal Academy World War I Memorial Book, which lists former pupils who were killed in WWI, has been completed and a limited number of copies printed.

This book was the result of a lengthy investigation by the late Vernon Clegg – a long time and very active member of the BRA OBA Committee. The photo shows the Principal presenting a copy to Professor Robert McIlhagger, OBA President.

Golf Society The Golf Society again attracted good numbers of golfers for the two main competitions. The results this year were:  Picken Cup at Malone G.C. Thursday 14th June 2018: Winner: Chris Cooper  Jeremy Weir’s Captain’s Day at Royal Belfast G.C. 14th September 2018.

Winner: Mark Cooper.  Ferguson Cup: for best aggregate score over two outings: Winner: Mark Cooper.

Ken Knox (Hon Sec), Jeremy Weir (Captain 2018), and Tim Weir (Captain 2017 & Captain Larne Golf Club 2018),

Mark Cooper receiving the Ferguson Cup from Jeremy Weir (Captain).

The planned dates for 2019 golf competitions are  Picken Cup at Malone GC on Thursday 20th June 2019.  Captain’s Day to be held at Royal Belfast GC on Friday 13th September 2019.

Inevitably, many Alumni Newsletters are returned to School as members have moved away from the address held in the Alumni Office. All members who have moved in recent months (or years) are requested to send an update email to the Alumni Office at alumni@belfastroyalacademy.net.

I appeal to those Old Boys who are reading these notes but who are not members of the Association, to think about joining and thereby restoring links to the School Future dates: London Dinner: Friday 8th March 2019 at the RAF Club, Piccadilly.

Edinburgh Dinner: 26h April 2019 in the New Club on Princess Street.

Former pupils who wish to attend either of these should contact Dr Louis Campbell at doc_malone2004@yahoo.co.uk.

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Belfast Royal Academy

Thank you.

Philip

McKenna

OLD GIRLS NEWS The Old Girls decided to do something new this year by hosting an Afternoon Tea rather than the usual dinner event.

On 20th October we met in the Clayton Hotel, Belfast for an afternoon of food, drinks and plenty of chat. The event was very well received and will definitely be repeated in the future.

The AGM was held in the Heritage Room at the school on 20th November 2018.

With some new faces joining us, we were delighted with some fresh input and the new committee members were voted in for the year to come.

On 17th December 2018 we were thrilled to have a Coffee Morning for the MVI girls, in the Jackson Suite at the school. It was lovely to get the opportunity to meet the future Old Girls and we look forward to seeing them in the years to come.

With 2018 almost over, we are preparing for the new year and anticipate new fund-raising events in the first half of the new year. We expect that these should include below.

- Table Quiz - Car Boot Sale - Craft Morning We can also start planning for the 3rd Annual Hockey Match (OG XI v 1st XI) in the spring of 2019.

Dates for all events are to be confirmed and all updates will be posted on our Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as the Alumni section of the school website. If you would like to contact us please email us at BRAOldGirls@outlook.com.

Thanks to everyone for your continued support and we’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Claire McGovern

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Belfast Royal Academy

FRIENDS OF THE ACADEMY(FOTA) FOTA have been very busy since the beginning of the new academic year both supporting our very dedicated staff and also fundraising for the School.

On the first day of term we hosted a Breakfast for new Form I parents/guardians. The Breakfast is a very informal affair aimed at easing, what can be for parents/guardians a very daunting day. We do not supply an Ulster fry or bacon butties but what we do offer is tea, tissues (plenty of them) and a lovely Continental breakfast. The morning was a great success with over 300 people attending .

Our fundraising activities started in September with a Table Quiz in the Jackson Suite. As Mr Shields, our resident quizmaster, has moved to pastures new, Dr Springer very kindly agreed to host for us. It proved to be a really enjoyable evening. The winning team was 'Class of '15' and it was very refreshing to have past pupils participating. Hopefully they will return to defend their title!

Fundraising continued with a Christmas Craft Evening in November hosted by Mrs Patterson of the Art Department. This was a new event in our calendar with those attending learning new skills such as card and gift making. Some efforts were a little 'iffy' to say the least, but with the amount of laughter heard, no one seemed to care!

In November we held the first of this year's 'preloved' uniform sales. The uniform sales are going from strength to strength and have become an invaluable service for parents.

FOTA have also supported staff at various School events. This included serving refreshments at the Ben Madigan Carol Service in Whitehouse Presbyterian Church and the Senior Carol Service in Rosemary Presbyterian Church. We will also serve refreshments at the Open Evenings in School on 9th and 10th January 2019.

We have planned some very exciting events for 2019.This will include an Interior Design Workshop in February, a Photography Workshop and our annual Dinner Dance - both of which will be held in May 2019.

We really do hope you can come along and support us at the various events. It would be great to see some new faces!!!

On behalf of FOTA it just remains for me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Kim Burns

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2018

Belfast Royal Academy