Alumni Newsletter March 2015

Alumni Newsletter March 2015

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 the ‘Our School’ section of our website at belfastroyalacademy.com You can also follow the School on social media:twitter.com/belfastroyalac

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ALUMNI NEWS REUNIONS Class of 1973 As we, the pupils of the Class of 1973, have reached, or are reaching, our 60th birthdays this year, we thought it was time to think about another reunion. The feedback from the last event was very positive and this seems as good a time as any to organise another one!

We propose to hold a very relaxed and enjoyable get together in Fortwilliam Golf Club on Friday 9th October at 7.30pm. A light finger buffet would be included and we will try to keep the cost to a minimum. If you are interested in joining us, please reply to brareunion1973@hotmail.com as soon as possible. When we have a better idea of numbers, we will get back to you with specific details and cost.

We will be trying to contact directly all those who attended the last reunion, but as details may have changed, any help to spread the word to as many of our Class of 1973 classmates would be much appreciated. If you are feeling unsure about attending, please be reassured that several people who had doubts before the last reunion decided to give it a go and were pleased that they did. We look forward to hearing from you. Heather (Morrison) and Pamela (Worrall) Class of 1995 It is hard to believe that our Belfast Royal Academy school days ended 20 years ago this summer! Many people have expressed an interest in marking this special anniversary with a reunion of the Class of 1995.

Please get in touch with me directly at simon@arcadesign.co.uk, so that I can gauge the level of interest and if you would like to help with the organisation, your support would be much appreciated! I anticipate the reunion would be held towards the middle or end of June 2015 in the Greater Belfast area and hopefully take the form of a school tour, a catch up and then move on to Belfast.

I very much look forward to hearing from you all. Simon Houston, Head Boy 1994/95 ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – March 2015

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If you are still in contact with any classmates from the Classes of 1973 and 1995 who have not received this newsletter please ask them to email the Alumni Office at akerns246@bfsra.belfast.ni.sch.uk.

Christmas Reception The Christmas Reception was held in the Library on Saturday 13th December. Many former pupils and members of staff enjoyed the festive spirit and the opportunity to reminisce.

Class of 2014 Reunion A Class of 2014 reunion was held in the Library on Friday 19th December. Around 100 former pupils came along, many returning home to Northern Ireland for the Christmas holidays.

The former classmates enjoyed meeting up to swap stories after a term away from school, collected and browsed through their copy of The Owl 2014 and watched the DVD of Prize Day 2014.

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.

A number of former pupils were in School on 22nd January to represent their employer at the School Careers Convention: Matthew Nicholl (pupil 2003 – 2010) (PWC), Paul Martin (pupil 2001 – 2008) (Xafinity) and Lucy Marsden (pupil 1995 – 2002) (AES Kilroot and Ballylumford Power Station).

On 30th January Michael Hutchinson (pupil 1983 – 1990), who, following a career in Law and spending some time as a professional cyclist, is now an author, sports journalist and broadcaster was a guest speaker in the series of Shared Experience seminars.

Michael spoke to a gathering of sixth-formers and staff about his change of career path from academic lawyer to competitive cycling, sports journalism and writing. In a wide ranging discussion he dealt with animated questions about sporting achievement, the problem of drug use in sport, and the challenges of making a career in this hugely competitive world.

Katie Brown (pupil 2004 – 2011), who is currently training to become a nurse at Queen’s University, came into School on 12th February to talk to pupils who have applied to study Nursing at Queen’s. Katie explained in detail the interview process and offered some tips and advice on how best to answer the questions asked.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – March 2015

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ALUMNI UPDATES Rev. Ian McNie (Pupil 1960’s)

Former Academy pupil, Rev. Ian McNie, has been selected to be the next Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

The 64-year-old Minister of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Ballymoney was nominated by 12 out of the 19 presbyteries when they met across Ireland to select a successor to the current Moderator. Known as the Moderator-Designate, Mr McNie will officially take up office as Moderator at the start of the Church’s General Assembly on 1st June 2015.

Born in 1950, Rev. McNie was brought up in Antrim and attended Belfast Royal Academy in the 1960s before moving on to Queen’s University Belfast, graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity degree.

Keith Reilly (Pupil 1973 – 1978) Former pupil, Keith Reilly, will publish his debut novel, ‘Ahoy for Joy’ on 28th March 2015. He very kindly spoke to the BRA Alumni Office about his School days and experiences since…

‘I went to Ben Madigan for the seven years until 11, then to BRA until I left with three ‘O’ levels aged 16 in 1978, although I fit with the class of 1980 as these people are my contemporaries. We lived in Cardigan Drive, just off Cliftonville Circus.

There was a time when for me to feature in the BRA Alumni Newsletter would have been bound to coincide with a blue moon in the sky! I was not the child who grabbed enthusiastically at the wonderful opportunities a first class education offered. Instead a mixture of a rebellious streak and chronic procrastination made my last days at BRA a downward spiral towards academic irrelevance.

By the time my ‘O’ levels came along, I had not carried out even the most basic of study. At the time I blamed myself, but on reflection I do recall an almost psychological barrier that seemed to stand in my way. Perhaps it was just a loss of confidence, but I recall opening books, only to close them again without reading a word.

However, it is perhaps testimony to the quality of my education that I have been able to survive and even prosper in the modern world. In the end, I studied as an adult and picking up where I left off was not really that difficult. Today I run a company and I meet many young people who have simply not enjoyed what I would call even a basic education. Their employment opportunities are really quite limited and their ability to make sensible life decisions severely compromised. Sometimes it brings tears to my eyes. Sometimes I blame political ideology, but mostly I think we just don’t have enough good schools. It is important that BRA and other schools like it defend their values with uncompromising determination.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – March 2015

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In the end, I believe our lifetime activities are dictated by our own measure of confidence. The man climbs the mountain because he believes he can get to the top. If a school can give its pupils anything, then confidence must be the elixir. I wrote a novel because I believed I could. Also, I had a story to tell. For me it was a truly stimulating experience that challenged both my intellectual and creative capacities and it had the delicious attribute of being entirely outside of my usual work activities.

The book is in some sense a contrasting study between the Belfast I grew up in in the late 1970s and the more settled city it has become today. But, that is just the background. It is the engaging story of a pen pal romance between a troubled Irish boy and a Dutch girl he meets on holiday that really dominates the narrative. Sure, there are sad bits, some tragedy and even a bit of humour, but by the final pages, I do hope the reader will feel charmed by the twists of the story, excited by its originality and I hope too, uplifted by its timeless message.’

Please visit Keith’s website for more information about the author and his novel ahoyforjoy.com/home/4587009030 Daniel Dass (Pupil 2006 – 2013)

Faye Kidd (Pupil 2007 – 2014) Graham Crothers (pupil 1960 – 1967) kindly alerted the BRA Alumni Office that Daniel obtained a rugby ‘Blue’ for representing Cambridge at the Annual Varsity Match against Oxford at Twickenham in December.

Graham won the first BRA Cambridge ‘blue’ in 1977.

Congratulations also to last year’s Deputy Head Girl, Faye Kidd on obtaining a hockey ‘Blue’ for Cambridge in March.

Stuart Olding (Pupil 2004 – 2011) and Iain Henderson (Pupil 2003 – 2010) Ulster Rugby stars Stuart and Iain came in to School on Thursday 18th December to support the Northern Ireland Hospice’s ‘Lights to Remember’ campaign. Stuart and Iain lit a candle in memory of Jack Kyle, who inspired them both by his spectacular achievements.

Speaking at the special remembrance service held at Belfast Royal Academy, BRA former pupil and chair of the Northern Ireland Hospice Development Board, Dominic Walsh (pupil 1973 – 1980) said: "It's fantastic to see the Ulster Rugby team and Belfast Royal Academy pay tribute to Jack in this way, whilst also supporting Northern Ireland Hospice.”

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – March 2015

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APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR MEMBERSHIP OF BELFAST ROYAL ACADEMY 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.

FRIENDS OF THE ACADEMY (FOTA)

The Great Escape!

Saturday 9th May An early summer supper dance is to be held this year in the unique surroundings of Crumlin Road Jail. Tickets cost £35pp, to include a 3 course meal and entertainment and are available from the School office. It is a great opportunity to perhaps meet up with old classmates and teachers and support the School and its activities at the same time!

LINKED IN Michael Hills (pupil 1998 – 2005) is the creator and manager of a BRA Alumni Network on LinkedIN. The group, which has been running since 2012 and has over 200 members, is for Belfast Royal Academy alumni and students who want to build professional relationships and take a proactive approach to their career development.

OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION The Old Boys’ Association continue to hold monthly lunches in golf clubs around the Greater Belfast Area. The Christmas Lunch was held in Knock Golf Club; the January lunch in Shandon Park Golf Club; the February lunch in Helen’s Bay Golf Club and the March lunch in Bangor Golf Club. These lunches are coordinated by Robin Reid and regularly attract over fifty Old Boys.

The Old Boys’ Association recently organised the second annual Former Pupils’ London Dinner on Friday 27th February 2015 in the beautiful setting of the ballroom at the RAF Club, Piccadilly. Eighty seven people attended the dinner. The President of the Old Boys’ Association, Adrian Brown (pupil 1967 – 1974), welcomed everyone to the dinner before inviting Professor James Stirling (pupil 1964 – 1972), Provost of Imperial College, to say the Grace. Following an excellent three-course dinner, the President invited Colin McIlheney (pupil 1967 – 1974), Global Research Director at PwC, to propose the toast to the School; Dr Catherine Scully, Deputy Principal, responded and showed the latest School DVD to update those present on the breadth of academic and extra-curricular life on offer to pupils at the Academy.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – March 2015

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After some closing remarks from the Old Boys’ President, there was plenty of time for those present to socialise and exchange reminiscences of their days at the Academy.

The Annual General Meeting of the Old Boys’ Association will take place in the Sixth Form Centre at School on Monday 20th April 2015 at 6.30pm.

All enquiries about joining the Old Boys’ Association or to register interest in attending next year’s London Dinner, should be emailed to me at doc_malone2004@yahoo.co.uk Dr L Campbell, Hon. Secretary OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION Well ladies, we are almost there with the re-launch of the Old Girls’ Association. We have lots of new and exciting ideas that we can't wait to share with you all!

We would like to kick things off with our first event, a quiz night to be held on Friday 12th June at 7.30pm in The Academy Club, Mallusk ... hopefully with a familiar face as our Quizmaster! Entry will be £6 per person and light refreshments will be provided.

Please register your interest by emailing formergirlsbra@gmail.com and we will forward you payment details.

Also, we will be holding our first official meeting on Thursday 7th May at 5.15pm in the School Library.

We would love to see as many Old Girls as possible; again, if you are planning to come along, please register your attendance by email.

We are always interested in new members and new ideas; in particular we would like to create a group who could develop and manage our Social Media presence. If you would like to get involved in this venture, or know anyone who would be interested, please do get in touch. Thank you in advance.

Wishing everyone a very happy Easter & we look forward to meeting you. All at the OG. CURRENT SCHOOL NEWS PRIMARY 6 OPEN MORNING AND INFORMATION SESSION Saturday 16th May 2015 9.30am – 11.30am Primary 6 pupils and their parents are invited to tour the School, meet staff and pupils, view the facilities and experience the wealth of extra-curricular activities on offer at Belfast Royal Academy. Information will be given on the AQE assessment, assistance offered for completion of the forms and the test classrooms can be visited.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – March 2015

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BEN MADIGAN Open Day Friday 17th April 2015 2.30pm – 4.00pm

Fun Day Saturday 30th May 2015 10.00am – 1.00pm

Small classes Experienced and caring staff Wraparound daycare from 8am Excellent sporting facilities

Fun and refreshments FREE ENTRY

PRINCE EDWARD VISITS BRA DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD We were delighted on Thursday 26th February to welcome HRH Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, to the Academy.

The Prince was visiting the School’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award team, which is probably the largest school-based Award Centre in the United Kingdom, with 442 pupils from Forms III to MVI currently participating.

ANNUAL MOURNES CLEAN-UP Over 100 pupils and 30 adult helpers, including former pupils, parents and teachers, braved the freezing December weather to clear over 6 tonnes of waste that had been dropped or dumped in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Clean-up, now in its 25th year, has become an annual event and a rite of passage for those involved in the School’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It is estimated that, over the years, the School has removed 120 tonnes of dumped waste, including abandoned cars and household appliances.

ULSTER YOUTH CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA SUCCESS In November, the Ulster Youth Choir held a choral workshop in School, and subsequently auditioned everyone for a coveted place in the UYC. In a never before heard of move, all our pupils received an unconditional offer to join the Ulster Youth Training Choir, with two pupils (Paige Clements, MVI and Fiona McIlroy, LVI), gaining places in the Ulster Youth Choir.

Congratulations also to Ellen Quinn (Form IV) and Hannah Edgar (Form V), pictured left, who have both gained a place in the Ulster Youth Orchestra. The Orchestra brings together the best young musicians in the country and enables them to achieve their full musical potential.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – March 2015

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SPORTING NEWS Swimmer, Conor Ferguson has delivered some remarkable performances recently. First up was the Ulster Open, where Conor won 3 Gold medals in the 50m, 100m and 200m Backstroke events, setting 3 Senior (and Junior) Ulster records and 1 Junior Irish record. Next came the Irish Short Course Championships, where the Larne Swimming Club athlete became the first Irish Junior to break the 2 minute barrier for the 200m Backstroke.

By the end of the weekend, Conor had collected 2 titles, in the 100m and 200m Backstroke events, also setting 2 new Ulster Senior records in the process.

ROUGHFORT FLOODLIGHTS OFFICIALLY OPENED The launch event, which was hosted on Friday 23rd January, was attended and officially opened by Councillor Nichola Mallon, Lord Mayor of Belfast; also in attendance was former pupil, Kate Hoey MP. Headmaster, Mr Dickson expressed his appreciation to Belfast City Council for funding the project saying “We are very grateful to Belfast City Council for the financial support which has allowed us to create an outstanding facility which will be used not only by our pupils but by pupils from other schools and clubs. Through sport young people develop a wide range of skills and learn valuable lessons. This facility will provide an excellent environment in which to do so”.

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. Andrea Kerns is your main point of contact in the Alumni Office.

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.

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

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – March 2015

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