Alumni Newsletter December 2014

Alumni Newsletter December 2014 Consider liking us following on Facebook (Belfast Royal Academy) or following on twitter (@belfastroyalac)

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 access The Owl magazine, The Academy newsletter and the Old Boys’ Association newsletter, please visit the ‘Our School’ section of our website:www.belfastroyalacademy.com You can also follow the School on social media:Twitter Facebook You Tube

https://twitter.com/belfastroyalac https://www.facebook.com/belfastroyalacademy www.youtube.com/user/belfastroyalacademy

ALUMNI NEWS JACK KYLE – An Obituary…

It was with great sadness that the Academy community heard of the death of Dr. Jack Kyle on 28th November 2014.

One of Ireland’s greatest rugby players, John Wilson Kyle was a pupil at the Academy between 1930 and 1944, and during his last terms at school, 1943-44, he was Head Boy, captain of rugby and captain of cricket.

He was renowned for his acceleration and balanced running in attack, and for his anticipation in defence, and later won most of the honours that rugby has to offer. Those who packed the touchlines at the Castle Grounds and the terraces at Ravenhill were treated to displays of spectacular rugby. His try at Ravenhill during the Ireland-France International in 1953 was described at the time as the best post-war international try. Kyle’s long, swerving run untouched by a single French player was saluted even by a French journalist in the press box as “magnifique, magnifique, fabuleux!”

When he retired to Northern Ireland after working for more than thirty years as a surgeon in Chingola in Zambia, he was a great supporter of the school.

Good-humoured, modest and humane, his was a life well lived: most of it lived far from the arena of his fame and in the service of others. If a school is judged by the quality of its former pupils, we can be proud indeed to be associated with Jack Kyle.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2014

J.M.G. Dickson, Headmaster Copyright © 2014 Belfast Royal Academy - All rights reserved

CLASS OF 2014 A warm welcome to the Class of 2014 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.

REUNIONS Class of 1989 Reunion On the afternoon of Saturday 7th June, the Headmaster gave a tour of the School to around 15 former pupils. Later that evening, 70 classmates from the Class of 1989 attended an informal reunion at the Belfast Barge, Lanyon Quay which was enjoyed by all.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2014

Copyright © 2014 Belfast Royal Academy - All rights reserved

Class of 1994 Reunion Around 30 former pupils had a tour of the School on Friday 6th June which brought back some positive memories! After travelling into town on the School bus, we had an informal, relaxed evening at 21 Social (owned by another Class of 1994 former pupil, Colin Brown). We all bonded very quickly and had a wonderful evening – some even remarking that they wished they were going back to School on Monday morning!

Caroline Dillon

Class of 1974 Reunion On Friday 27th June, former classmates from across the UK and USA attended a tour of the School guided by the Headmaster, as part of a 40 year reunion celebration. This was followed, in the Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick, by a drinks reception and a 4 course dinner, with entertainment by the Belfast Royal Academy Senior Traditional Music Group.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2014

Copyright © 2014 Belfast Royal Academy - All rights reserved

SCHOOL DRAMATIC SOCIETY REUNION AND PLAY The modern era of school drama at BRA began in 1968 with a Midsummer Night’s Dream and it has continued annually. On Saturday 22nd November of this year, past and present pupils and staff were invited to celebrate this tradition at a reunion in the assembly hall. It began with a reception hosted by the Friends of the Academy when guests were able to view over 50 framed pictures commemorating each show. The reception was followed by the current senior pupils’ production of a one act play entitled appropriately “REUNION”. It was wonderful to see so many former actors, crew and production staff who were represented on the evening by the irrepressible Mr Stephen Connolly. Thank you to all who took part.

Roland Jamison

SHARING YOUR EXPERTISE We are very proud of the continuing achievements of all our pupils – past and present. We greatly appreciate when past pupils give of their time to encourage and support current pupils by sharing their knowledge, experience and expertise in varied fields.

In recent months several Alumni came into School to give enlightening and interesting talks to Forms LVI and MVI about their specialist areas.

Many thanks to the following for sharing their expertise: Jonathan Rainey and James Donnelly for their talk on studying and working with PWC, Steven Allen for talking about his career in Business Management, Dr Hannah Shields, Dr Anna Diamond and Katy Shields for their presentation about studying Medicine and Matthew Corkey for his talk on his work as a barrister. Adrian Mawhinney, now a successful dentist, came into school on Tuesday 2nd December to discuss the Multi Mini interview process and to offer tips and advice on how to prepare for these interviews. He spoke to our aspiring medical, dentistry and veterinary pupils.

Please contact us if you would like to discuss an opportunity to support the School in this way.

Matthew Corkey (Pupil 1995 – 2002)

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2014

Adrian Mawhinney (Pupil 2002 - 2009)

Copyright © 2014 Belfast Royal Academy - All rights reserved

ALUMNI UPDATES Darian Duffin (née Shotton) (Pupil 1954 - 1964) ‘Darian invites you to view her second solo Photography Exhibition ‘Colours of Nature, Moods of the Mournes’ 20th Nov 2014 – 3rd Jan 2015 Crescent Arts Centre, University Road, Belfast (028 9024 2338)

All photographs are for sale, and reprints are available.’

Dr Derek Enlander (Pupil 1942 – 1953) ‘Dr Derek Enlander has been given a grant of $1,000,000 for research in ME CFS (Myalgic Encephalomylitis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).

As an attending physician at the Mount Sinai Medical School, he is the Clinical Director of the New York ME CFS Centre and the author of ‘The CFS Handbook.’

Christine McMahon (Pupil 2001 – 2011)

Former Academy pupil and Head Girl Christine McMahon experienced the highs of top-flight international athletics during the summer when she competed for Northern Ireland in the Commonwealth Games.

Christine raced in the 400m Hurdles event in Glasgow, finishing 4th in her heat.

Nicola Jackson (Pupil 2005 – 2012) Nicola, who is in the first year studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast, has been awarded a prestigious scholarship by Northern Ireland Electricity.

The scholarship package, which is worth £25,000, includes financial support as well as the opportunity to spend a placement year and each summer break working for the Company.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2014

Copyright © 2014 Belfast Royal Academy - All rights reserved

Jonathan Agnew (Pupil 1993 – 2000) Past pupil of the Academy, Jonathan Agnew, has been awarded the Danske Bank Prize for Mathematics at the annual Stranmillis University College Prize-Giving Ceremony.

Jonathan, who graduated from Stranmillis in June with a BEd in Post Primary Education Studies, received the award as the student who, having taken Mathematics as the main subject of the degree, achieved the highest standard in that subject in the final BEd honours examination.

OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION

At the Old Boys’ Dinner on Saturday 29th November, Immediate Past President, Mr David Haslett, handed over a cheque for £3,000 to the Headmaster.

This donation was used to create a new, hand-crafted lectern, which was the centre-piece at the Prize Day celebrations in the Spires Centre, and will have pride of place in the Assembly Hall for years to come, replacing one which was presented to the School by the Association almost 30 years ago.

The next social event, organised by the Old Boys’ Association, is the Former Pupils’ London Dinner, which will be held on Friday 27th February 2015 at the RAF Club, 128 Piccadilly, London. Last year, over 70 former pupils attended the London Dinner in the Oxford and Cambridge Club, Pall Mall. This event was hugely successful prompting a move to the larger venue of the RAF Club. Information about this event and enquiries about joining the Old Boys’ Association can be obtained by contacting me at doc_malone2004@yahoo.co.uk Dr L Campbell, Hon. Secretary OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION Fancy a chance to catch up with old friends & to meet some new ones?

If you haven't already heard, the Old Girls’ Association is in the process of reforming! Our aim is to form a new & vibrant group, providing the opportunity for old and new Academy girls to be involved.

All are welcome, existing members, recent school leavers/graduates, the more the merrier. For more information, including any upcoming events, contact formergirlsbra@gmail.com or click on our Facebook page 'Former Girls of Belfast Royal Academy' and please like & share!

www.facebook.com/BRAformergirls

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all pupils, past & present, and members of staff, a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. We look forward to a fun & successful OG 2015!

Nikki Johns

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2014

Copyright © 2014 Belfast Royal Academy - All rights reserved

CURRENT SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL OPEN EVENINGS Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th January 2015 6.45pm - 9pm; Headmaster’s Talks, 7pm & 8pm Prospective pupils (including Sixth Formers) 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.

ARABIC LANGUAGE & CULTURE This year Belfast Royal Academy has initiated Arabic and Chinese language courses as enrichment subjects, as they form part of the British Council’s ‘Languages for the Future’ document. This indicates that Chinese and Arabic will be very important for the UK economy over the next 15 years.

Five Form I pupils from Belfast Royal Academy visited Stormont to attend a conference about Arabic language and culture. This initiative was organised by the British Council.

The aim of the programme is to provide young people with information on the Arabic language and culture. The Academy is coordinating this initiative and will work with five other schools, including: Methodist College, Victoria College, St. Malachy’s College, Carr’s Glen PS and Ben Madigan Preparatory School.

UK MATHS TRUST TEAM CHALLENGE The Junior Maths team won the NI round of the UK Maths Trust Team (UKMT) Challenge. Being placed as the top school qualified the team to represent Northern Ireland at the National Final in London in June. They were recently awarded a certificate by UKMT, in recognition of their achievement.

The achievement is all the more impressive, as this is the second year in a row that the Academy has won the NI round and qualified for the finals in London.

EXAMINATION SUCCESSES 2014 Congratulations to Form V pupils Chloe Anderson, Rachael O’Donnell and Juanita O’Kane, who all gained full marks in the CCEA GCSE level Art examination Congratulations to Kellie McLean, who was Joint 2nd in Northern Ireland in GCSE French, and to Taylor McCombe who was placed 3rd in the Province in GCSE PE.

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2014

Copyright © 2014 Belfast Royal Academy - All rights reserved

A SELECTION OF SPORTING SUCCESSES

The Academy was well represented at the recent Sainsbury’s UK Schools’ Games, held in Manchester on 4th-7th September. Results included a Silver medal in the 200m Backstroke.

The Academy had a great start to the school swimming season on Saturday 11th October, with a 20 medal haul at the Ulster Schools’ Minor Swimming Championships.

Special mention must go to Conor Ferguson, who had a stellar summer of competitive swimming. In the build-up to the Schools’ Games, Conor experienced top international competition when he represented Ireland in the Canadian Age-Group Championships, setting multiple Irish agegroup records and winning 4 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze medals.

The addition of the Silver medal from Manchester to his Canadian haul meant it was truly a summer to remember for this talented athlete.

On Saturday 11th October the B.R.A. Show Jumping team competed in the 2nd leg of the Inter-Schools’ Show Jumping League. The Open Team Competition stood at a rather terrifying 1m course and the team pulled off a zero score, which saw them race into first position.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Andrea Kerns is your main point of contact for alumni enquiries. We continue to seek 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 Telephone: 028 9074 0423 Email: akerns246@bfsra.belfast.ni.sch.uk We wish you a very merry Christmas and all our best wishes for 2015!

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – December 2014

Copyright © 2014 Belfast Royal Academy - All rights reserved