Alumni Newsletter June 2016

Alumni Newsletter June 2016 We hope that you enjoy following the stories of Belfast Royal Academy alumni; your contributions and feedback are always welcomed.

For more school news and to read The Owl Magazine, The Academy Newsletter and the Old Boys’ Association Newsletter, please visit ‘Our School’ section of the website at belfastroyalacademy.com belfastroyalacademy

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ALUMNI NEWS CLASS OF 2016 – LEAVERS LUNCH

A warm welcome to the Class of 2016 to the Belfast Royal Academy alumni family!

We wish you all a fulfilling and happy future and hope that you will stay connected with Belfast Royal Academy and your fellow alumni. A Christmas reception will be held for the Class of 2016 in December – further information will be provided in the Autumn term.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – June 2016

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REUNIONS Class of 1965/66 Reunion – Friday 8th April 2016 On Friday 8th April, a 50 year Reunion of leavers from 1965/66 took place in School. Including some staff from the 1960s, over 70 people were present, with many travelling from places outside Northern Ireland such as England, Scotland, Kenya and Singapore.

Those attending assembled in the afternoon in the Library, where lively conversation was accompanied by music from the School String Quartet. Following a short speech from the Headmaster, the attendees enjoyed a School tour, an evening reception in the Library and a buffet supper in the new state-of-the-art Jackson Suite.

There was a marvellous atmosphere throughout the day and the Reunion proved to be a wonderful occasion, thoroughly enjoyed by all who were present, some returning to School for the first time in 50 years!

Class of 1996 Reunion – Saturday 7th May 2016 A 20 year reunion of Class of 1996 took place on Saturday 7th May. The group of former classmates enjoyed a tour of the School, followed by an evening in 21 Social in Belfast City Centre.

SHARED EXPERIENCE PROGRAMME The Shared Experience Programme is co-ordinated by Eddie McCamley, who is very grateful to former pupils who give so generously of their time to encourage ambition and aspiration among our pupils, by sharing their knowledge, experience and expertise in varied fields. Please contact Eddie at edward.mccamley@googlemail.com if you are interested in participating in the Shared Experience Programme.

Angela McGowan (Pupil 1986 – 1988) Former pupil Angela Magowan returned to the Academy on Friday 4th March to lead a discussion with economics students. Ms Magowan, who is Senior Economist at Danske Bank UK, and a well-known commentator on business matters, encouraged pupils to consider the opportunities offered by careers in business and finance. Angela, who has represented Danske Bank on the Board of Directors for Enterprise Northern Ireland, also stressed the importance of business enterprise for developing the Province’s economy.

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ALUMNI UPDATES Faye Kidd (Pupil 2007 - 2014) Congratulations to former Deputy Head Girl, Faye Kidd, on being elected 2016/17 captain of Cambridge University Hockey Club.

She is accompanied in the photo by fellow former pupil, Daniel Dass, who was appointed the Captain for 2016 of Cambridge University Rugby Football Club.

Brian Ross (Pupil 1955 – 1959) We were very pleased to have former pupil, Brian Ross and his wife Joyce, visit the academy.

Rev Ross left the Academy in 1959 and since then has had an active and varied life as a chef on a cruise ship, then as a teacher, and ultimately as a minister in the Church of Scotland. He is also the author of two books on the Christian faith.

After the passage of over half a century, Rev Ross, while delighted to see the new facilities available to today's pupils, was equally reassured to find that so much of School tradition had been preserved.

Eddie McCamley OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION The Annual General Meeting of the Old Boys’ Association was held on Monday 25th April 2016 at 6.30pm in the Sixth Form Centre at School; Mr Robb Fletcher was elected President and Mr Martin Blake elected as Senior Vice President. A cheque for £2500 was handed over to the Headmaster at the AGM; this money is to be used to purchase a new boardroom table for the new meeting room/Heritage Room to be created from the refurbished C1 in the Crombie Building.

The monthly lunches continue to attract between 40 and 50, mainly retired, members of the Association. The April lunch was held at Rockmount Golf Club; the May lunch was held at Bangor GC. In June and September, the Association will hold two golf outings. The first will take place at Malone Golf Club on 23rd June; the second will be held at Royal Belfast Golf Club on 9th September. Any Old Boys interested in playing in these competitions should contact Ken Knox at ken@cdgroup.com.

Following the success of the Former Pupils’ London Dinner, the Old Boys’ Committee has decided to hold a similar dinner for Alumni who live in Scotland. A provisional booking for this has been made for Friday 28 April 2017. The dinner is open to Alumni – both male and female – but not spouses/partners, unless they too are Former Pupils of the School. Anyone interested in attending should contact me at doc_malone2004@yahoo.co.uk.

Dr L Campbell, Hon. Secretary

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – June 2016

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OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION With the end of the school year approaching, two of our committee members spoke to the departing MVI girls on their final day to welcome them into the Old Girls’ Association. We are pleased to say that there was a huge interest from the girls to become members, with many signing up there and then.

We very much look forward to hearing their thoughts & ideas for the future, along with seeing them at one of our upcoming events.

A couple of weeks later, on 21st May, we held a complimentary coffee morning, where everyone was invited to take a look at the impressive new Jackson Suite and Music Building. This was a perfect time for a catch up with old friends, while enjoying the impressive state-of-the-art additions to the school.

To start the summer off, the Old Girls’ Association will be holding a Cocktail Night at 21 Social, Belfast on 24th June at 7.30pm. We would love to welcome all members, old, new and prospective. If you would like to join us, please email BRAOldGirls@outlook.com. Tickets are £5, which includes a cocktail on arrival. This will be an informal evening, giving us all an opportunity to reconnect with some familiar faces.

Looking ahead, we have some more dates for you to put in your diaries…    

3rd September 2016 - Annual Dinner at Ten Square Hotel, Belfast at 7pm. Tickets are £35pp, which includes a drinks reception, four course meal and music.

22nd October 2016 - Wine Tasting at Jordanstown Bowling Club. Tickets £12.50, including canapés Oct / Nov 2016 - 1st XI v OG Hockey match at Roughfort pitches. Date TBC 3rd February 2017 - Roly’s Quiz Night at the Academy Club, Mallusk at 7.30pm. Tickets £6

Please contact us by email if you are interested in any of the above. Also, if you’d like to register / reregister (if joined prior to 2016) for the Old Girls’ Association, please contact us at BRAOldGirls@outlook.com.

Thanks to all who have helped and shown an interest up to now. If you have any ideas for future events and are keen to lend a hand, we welcome all volunteers! Claire McGovern, Alumni Officer for OGA FRIENDS OF THE ACADEMY (FOTA) Friends of the Academy held their Annual Fundraising Supper Dance on Saturday 14th May. Attended by a group of former pupils, parents and BRA staff, the theme was ‘Back to School Disco’ and the venue was the fabulous new Jackson Suite.

SCHOOL ARCHIVES The complete bound set of the Owls has now been brought up to date, and the digital record of the school magazine is also almost complete. It is hoped that, when finished, this may be available for consultation via the Academy website. The school register 1881-1923 has been digitised. A digital, and a paper copy of the original, are now available for those who wish to check the records. This work was carried out by former pupil, Sandra Ardis. The School is indebted to Sandra, and the North of Ireland Family History Society for undertaking this task. Another former pupil, Stanley Robinson, is working on a technique which will enable all subsequent registers to be photographed in situ, and thus saved from the ravages of time.

Eddie McCamley ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – June 2016

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

As promised, in each edition of the Alumni Newsletter we will include some school history, excerpted from these books. If there is a theme or an era you would be particularly interested in reading about, please do tell us!

The history of the Headmasters of Belfast Royal Academy read as a history of the school itself; each making a unique contribution that shaped the Academy that we know today. Below is a very brief ‘snapshot’ of each of them; further information can be read in school history books.

Rev. Dr James Crombie, DD, 5 years (1785–1790) Dr Crombie was the founder of Belfast Academy, as it was then known. The son of a stonemason from Perth, he graduated from St Andrews and was licensed by the Strathbolgie Presbytery but Crombie found that study and teaching was more attractive than pastoral care. He moved to Belfast in 1770 and spent the rest of his life here. His contribution is commemorated today in the name of the 1885 building, which houses History, I.T., the Library and Administrative & Management functions of the School.

Rev. Dr William Bruce, DD, 32 years (1790–1822) Considered the most illustrious Principal of Belfast Royal Academy, Bruce was a Dubliner by birth, a graduate of Trinity College (a rather unusual distinction for a Presbyterian minister) and a founder of the Linen Hall Library. His contribution is commemorated today in the name of the 1970 building, which houses Sciences, Geography, Religious Education and the Cafeteria.

Rev. James Gray, DD, 4 years (1822–1826) Born in 1770 and largely self-educated, he was the Latin master in Dumfries Academy in 1791, when Robert Burns settled in the town. He educated Burns’ children and soon came to know the poet well. After a period teaching in the High School Edinburgh, Gray successfully applied for the position of Principal of the Academy.

Rev. Reuben John Bryce, MA, LLD, 54 years (1826–1880) (pictured left) A native of Scotland and son of a Presbyterian minister, Rev. Bryce joined the Academy as Master of Mathematics and Mercantile Subjects and Teacher of Oriental Languages. Dr. Bryce attempted to construct a ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – June 2016

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systematic science of education and lectured widely on the subject. It was Bryce who supervised the move from the old school in Academy Street to the present site. He was a strong proponent of female education and was summoned to Dublin Castle to give evidence to the Vice-Regal Commission on education. In his short history of the Academy, Dr Hugh Shearman points out that ‘Dr Bryce’s enthusiasm for education and his devotion to the Academy were unquestioned, but that these vigours were not matched by a capacity for administrative vigour’.

Dr William Collier, LLD, 10 years (1880–1890) Dr Collier was a gifted teacher of English and History and one of the pioneers of introducing the game of golf to Ireland. It was during the tenure of his Principalship that permission was gained from Queen Victoria for the school to change its name to Belfast Royal Academy.

Dr T. W. Foster, MA, 8 years (1890–1898) Dr Foster worked tirelessly to restore the fortunes of the school and to increase the dangerously low numbers of pupils which at his death in 1898 stood at one hundred. He started a movement for the funding of scholarships and improved the running of and education provided within the Kindergarten department.

Mr T. R. Collier, MA, 25 years (1898–1923) In an attempt to restore the Academy’s reputation and numbers, Mr Collier abolished the Board of Masters, established an inclusive fee for attendance, new teachers were given a fixed salary and inter-departmental strife which had so weakened the school came to an end. In 1901 he opened laboratories for Physics and Chemistry and a Girls’ School was established, however boys and girls were kept apart. In 1912 a Domestic Science room was built and a school blazer was introduced in 1930. Dr Hugh Shearman’s described Mr Collier as the ‘second founder of the Academy’.

When he retired in 1923, there were 300 pupils at the school.

Mr Alexander Roulston Foster, MA, 19 years (1923–1942) The changes initiated by Mr Foster are considered a testimony to his enthusiasm, energy and vision. The school timetable was reorganised to provide an hour for lunch at midday; electric lights and central heating were installed. The prefectorial system and rugby football were introduced, a school concert was held and the school magazine resumed. In 1930, a Crombie extension and in 1935 the Academy sports ground below Belfast Castle were opened. In 1924 the Academy was completely reorganised on a purely co-educational basis with the boys’ and girls’ schools being mixed for all academic purposes. A school uniform was introduced for girls. Teaching was put on departmental lines with seven Heads of Department and the title of ‘Principal’ was re re-styled ‘Headmaster’.

Mr John Darbyshire, MA, 25 years (1943–1968) During Mr Darbyshire’s years as Headmaster, the number of pupils doubled and the Sixth Form increased eightfold. The most notable additions were the Jackson Wing, the new Preparatory School, the new Darbyshire Building, the Ballywonard Playing Fields, the Picken Pavilion and the new rugby pavilion. Cricket in this period underwent a renaissance, the Cross Country Club, the ATC and the Orchestra were reestablished; separate departments of History and Geography were initiated; the Old Boys’ Rugby and Cricket Clubs were brought into existence and such new subjects as Engineering, Drawing, Economics and Russian were made part of the school curriculum. This unprecedented expansion of the Academy’s facilities involving well over a quarter of a million pounds of capital development, constituted an administrative burden which Darbyshire bore with characteristic fortitude. His contribution is commemorated today in the name of the 1968 building, which houses the Assembly Hall and Sixth Form Centre.

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Mr Louis Lord, MA, 12 years (1968–1980) A native of County Cavan, Mr Lord joined the Academy as a History Master. Possessed of great reserves of energy and a clear analytical mind, Lord arguably became the finest Headmaster of the school since Reverend Dr William Bruce. Lord had a profound sense of the importance of the Academy’s own particular ethos and it was his attitude to the pupils that established the tone of the Academy during his headmastership. His contribution is commemorated today in the name of the 1994 building, which houses English and Drama.

Mr William Sillery, MA, 20 years (1980–2000) Considered a man of high intelligence, culture and considerable charm, Mr Sillery was a popular school master. Appointed directly after graduating from Cambridge University in 1962 he was appointed a Form master in 1966, Head of Modern Languages in 1968 and Deputy Headmaster in 1976. His contribution is commemorated today in the name of the 1998 building which houses Mathematics.

Mr William Young, MA, 8 years (2000–2008) ‘Billy’ Young was a graduate of Queen’s University, he came to the Academy in 1968, becoming Head of Religious Education in 1974 and Vice-Principal in 1980. Mr Young was a gifted teacher of Classics, mathematics and Religion Education. In response to attempts to abolish traditional grammar schools, he became a formidable advocate of equality, achieved by allowing young people to fulfill their academic potential regardless of parental income or social background.

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 Governors and the Headmaster. They can elect from its members, 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.

THE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER

‘The Academy Newsletter’ is published each June and the 2016 edition will shortly be available to read on the School website, in the ‘Our School’ section.

You will also find online copies of other School publications: The Owl Magazine, Old Boys’ Association Newsletter and the Alumni Newsletter.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – June 2016

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CURRENT SCHOOL NEWS JOHN REILLY RETIREMENT Mr Reilly joined Belfast Royal Academy in September 1982 as Teacher of Classics, becoming Head of Classics in September 1987.

During his first 2 years in the Academy he assisted with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, taking over responsibility in September 1984. Under his leadership, the Academy became the largest school-based Duke of Edinburgh’s Award centre in N.I., if not the U.K., with 410 pupils participating in this current school year.

After 34 years with Belfast Royal Academy, Mr Reilly will retire in August 2016. We wish him a long and happy retirement!

BEN MADIGAN This has been a particularly busy and action-packed term.

Brain McLaughlin has visited us to coach Prep 6 rugby on a few occasions and the girls, in particular, enjoyed the opportunity to sample the game.

We have formed a Ben Madigan Development Association which will assist with the continuation of the improvements to the school facilities and children’s learning opportunities which you read about in previous issues of the Newsletter. A committee of parents, together with the Principal and VicePrincipal, constitutes the Association. The very successful Fun Evening held on 3rd June bore witness to the harmonious and purposeful work achieved by this group in conjunction with the school staff.

Our school choir sang at Carrickfergus Musical Festival on 6th May. The Prep 3 class visited the Balmoral show in May. The Preps 4 and 6 classes have visited Chichester Library. Our Prep 5 class visited Castle Espie and the Prep 7 class are visiting the Titanic exhibition later on this month.

We are introducing the popular and successful Accelerated Reading scheme from Prep 4 to Prep 7 in September and there have been several staff training sessions held this term.

The majority of our Prep 6 and Prep 7 pupils participated in a “Stay-Awake” from 8 pm on 27th May to 8 am on 28th May. Mr Patterson masterminded this very successful sponsored event assisted by Mr Wilson, Mr Warwick and Mrs Bell.

Our Sports’ Day on 10th June was preceded by a very enjoyable Pre-Prep “Graduation”.

The aforementioned events are just some which have taken place during this term. There will be more next term.

Timothy Wilson, Principal

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BELFAST ROYAL ACADEMY HOSTS MINIVERSITY SUMMER CAMP Belfast Royal Academy will be hosting a careers-themed Miniversity Computer Club for primary school children from Monday 4th – Friday 8th July 2016. The camp runs 9.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. (extended hours 3-4pm available) and the cost is £20 per day or £90 per week. Sibling discounts are available.

Monday 4th July Tuesday 5th July Wednesday 6th July Thursday 7th July Friday 8th July

Illustrator & Author for a day (Art) Nutritionist for a day (Science) Coder for a day (I.C.T.) Business Manager for a day (English) Minecraft Madness (EduFun)

Availability is limited so please contact Miniversity now to register your place.

0771 204 2222 / study@miniversity.com / www.miniversity.com ART EXHIBITION The Annual Art Exhibition, showcasing Junior, GCSE, AS and A2 Level disciplines and crafts, was held on Saturday 18th June.

This was followed by an Arabic Exhibition of pupils’ art work.

N.I. BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE – BLOOD MOBILE VISIT TO SCHOOL On Friday 18th March, the N.I.B.T.S. ‘Blood Mobile’ visited School. 500 patients in Northern Ireland need a blood transfusion each week and there is an ongoing need for new donors.

Belfast Royal Academy was pleased to support this voluntary activity and invited all staff, Board of Governors and pupils aged 17 and over to donate.

65 pupils and members of staff took part in the session and 40 units of blood were donated. This was the first visit of the Blood Mobile to the School in approximately 10 years and we hope it will now become an annual fixture in the School calendar.

1st ARABIC CONFERENCE Belfast Royal Academy has been instrumental in the promotion of the Arabic language in N.I. as the lead in a cluster of schools interested in introducing the Arabic language to N.I. Therefore the first ever Arabic conference to support the teaching and learning of Arabic was hosted in the Academy on Wednesday 1st June. Representatives from various grammar schools and colleges of further education in NI were in attendance and had the opportunity to discuss Arabic from a business perspective, Arabic and Art, the importance of Arabic in light of the refugee crisis and the problems of introducing this new language to schools and colleges. The conference was attended by representatives from the British Council in London headed up by Faraan Sayed, overall leader in this UK project.

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ACHIEVEMENTS IN MUSIC, DRAMA AND DANCE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND ULSTER YOUTH CHOIR Congratulations to the 14 pupils from Forms V – MVI who have gained a place in the Ulster Youth Orchestra and/or Ulster Youth Choir.

Candidates were selected after a tough audition process and will take part in a residential course and concerts in the summer. The Ulster Youth Orchestra will perform a selection of music from Gershwin, Saint-Saens, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov in the Guildhall, Derry on 27th August and the Ulster Hall, Belfast on 28th August. The Ulster Youth Training Choir will perform on 22nd July and Ulster Youth Choir on 30th July – venues are to be confirmed.

‘HARMONY NORTH’ CHOIR Pupils of Belfast Royal Academy were members of the ‘Harmony North’ choir which sang at the Irish Embassy in London on 24th February. During the day they also enjoyed visits to Imperial College and the Royal College of Music. They are photographed here with former pupils Professor James Stirling (Provost of Imperial College, London) and his wife Paula. The ‘Harmony North’ Choir also spent a week in Washington D.C. in June.

BELFAST SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS Congratulations to Jordan Walker (Form V) and Mimi Joffroy (MVI) who have gained a place in the Belfast School of Performing Arts production of Les Miserables in the Grand Opera House, Belfast. Over 1,200 students applied for only 40 places. Mimi and Jordan will spend the summer rehearsing and working with seasoned professionals from the West End and Broadway before a 10 day performance in August.

CREATIVE MOVEMENT COMPETITION Following on from their success at NICMAC, the B.R.A. Dance team entered the 2016 Ulster Fitness and Dance Championships. The competition took place on Friday 15th April in the Spectrum Centre. There was a record number of entries this year and the team faced stiff competition but were awarded first place in the Fitness section of the competition! As reigning champions of both NICMAC and Ulsters, the team are looking forward to the challenges they face in the next school year.

HOUSE COMPETITIONS The House system was re-invigorated this year under the leadership of Mr Dorman.

House Assemblies take place once per month and many competitions have been organised throughout the School year, such as the Lego ‘Big Build’, ‘Get Creative with Waste’, ‘Build a Gingerbread House’, ‘Charity Shoeboxes’, a Swimming Gala and Boys’ and Girls’ Hockey competitions.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – June 2016

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SPORTING NEWS ATHLETICS The Irish Schools’ Athletics Championships took place in Tullamore on Saturday 4th June. In hot and sunny conditions, there were many excellent performances from Academy athletes.

Special congratulations must go to Stephen McCorry, who won the Senior Boys’ Hammer, and Shane Martin, who won the Intermediate Boys’ Pole Vault. Erin McMahon and Callum Davidson also deserve special mention for finishing second in the Minor Girls’ 75m Hurdles and Junior Boys’ Pole Vault respectively.

CRICKET Belfast Royal Academy has retained the Ulster Bank Schools' Cup after a tense three wicket win over RBAI on Friday 17th June at Muckamore C.C. The Academy won the trophy for the first time in our history last year and this successful retention of it came with less than two overs to spare, and thanks to a brilliant 78 not out by Max Burton in 94 balls.

LIFESAVING The School’s Lifesaving squad took part in the Ulster Championships on Friday 6th May. There were some excellent performances from the pupils and all of our pupils qualified for the Irish Championships, which will take place at the end of September.

SWIMMING The B.R.A. Swim team finished off the year with pleasing results at the Irish Championships, winning the overall title of Irish Senior Schools’ Relay Champions, with a 24 medal tally.

WATERPOLO The U16 Girls’ Waterpolo team took part in the Irish Schools’ Waterpolo Championships in the National Aquatics Centre, Dublin. The team won all 4 matches to reach the Final, and secured a Silver medal, after losing out narrowly to a single goal.

The U16 Boys’ Waterpolo team have successfully defended their Ulster Schools’ Championship title for the 3rd year in a row. The team played some thrilling and hard fought matches this term, beating RBAI twice and winning one and losing 1 match against St. Malachy’s. In the end, the destination of the winner’s trophy was decided on goal difference, which thankfully went in favour of the Academy by 2 goals. Also, beginning their defence of the Brother Murphy Shield, they played against RBAI in the first match and ran out convincing 11-2 winners. Next was the St. Malachy’s team, and in a closer game, the Academy boys were victorious 7-2.

FORM I HOCKEY CUP SUCCESS Congratulations to the Form I girls, who won the Lindsey Waller Year 8 Hockey Cup. The tournament, hosted by Carrick Grammar School, included Bloomfield, Carrick Grammar, Belfast High School and Ballyclare High School. Well done to all of the girls involved!

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BELFAST SPORTS AWARDS Two Academy sporting stars were honoured recently at the Belfast Sports Awards, held on 18th March in the City Hall. Golfer Keaton Morrison, Form II, won Junior Male Sports Personality of the Year. The Greenacres Golf Club player was presented his award by High Sheriff Alderman Jim Rodgers. Jack Agnew, winner of three Gold medals at the recent Brazilian National Paralympics Junior Championships, was named Disability Male Sports Personality of the Year. He was presented with his award by Lord Mayor Arder Carson.

GOLF – TOM McKIBBEN Tom McKibben was invited by Rory McIlroy to play in the Irish Open Pro:Am on Wednesday 18th May at the K Club, Kildare. He played the eighteen hole round with professional golfer David Lingmerth and former World Snooker Champion Dennis Taylor. Tom played exceptionally well and scored +2 for the day. This was a great experience for him and for his family. The Headmaster attended the event at the Children’s Hospice on Monday 23rd May at which Tom became a Children’s Hospice Ambassador.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

The aim of the Alumni Office is to engage with our past pupils and to help you to remain connected to the School and to your former classmates. We can also 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. Belfast Royal Academy Alumni Office also administers the Old Girls’ and Old Boys’ Associations membership and email communications.

We love to hear about what our past pupils are doing after they leave Belfast Royal Academy and your contribution, feedback and suggestions to this Newsletter are always welcomed. If you have a story or 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 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 family. All alumni data is held securely in the School in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of Belfast Royal Academy.

The Alumni Office will be closed from Wednesday 29th June until mid-September.

We hope you have a lovely summer!

Alumni Office Belfast Royal Academy 3 – 17 Cliftonville Road, BELFAST BT14 6JL 028 9074 0423 akerns246@bfsra.belfast.ni.sch.uk

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – June 2016

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