The Owl 2019
Distribution of Prizes The guest speaker, Karyn Harty’s, address I would like to thank the Principal and Mr Knox very sincerely for their very warm welcome here today.
The Annual Distribution of Prizes took place this year on Friday 25th October at The Spire’s Centre. The Warden, Mr K. A. Knox welcomed parents, pupils, staff and the Guest of Honour, Mrs Karyn Harty, LL.B., to the prize-giving ceremony. He gave thanks for all the work done throughout the year by all to support the School and its pupils. The Senior Orchestra gave a rousing performance of ‘Radetzky March’ by Johan Strauss while the Chamber Choir gave a soothing performance of ‘If Ye Love Me by Thomas Tallis. An entertaining DVD, compiled by Mr Jamison, that highlighted various pupils’ successes and achievements from the past year was shown. We are most grateful to Rev. P. McCrea, B.A., B.D., for opening the prize-giving ceremony.
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When I was driving up from Dublin this morning I got into Belfast and was trying to work out where I could park because I don’t know Belfast as well as I used to. I suddenly saw hordes of BRA pupils, all very well turned out, heading out of this building and I thought that must be where I’m going. But I must say it took me back - I had a very happy time at BRA. It’s also fair to say that I probably had a slight ‘impostor syndrome’ for a lot of it. I did not come from a well off family and I felt a little bit at times like I was from the wrong side of the tracks. But I was blessed with teachers who really encouraged me. Names like Jack Snowball, Rosemary McIlroy, Jim Carolan (who I see here today), Ken Hawtin, these were teachers who truly inspired me to achieve. I am going to talk (not for an hour of selfindulgence you will be pleased to hear) but I am going to talk for about 15 minutes if I could have your permission to do that. I am conscious it’s a Friday afternoon and it’s a warm room. And I have to tell you that it is a not inconsiderable relief to me that the walls of BRA can’t talk and I’ll say no more about that!
