Fond Farewell to Mr Houston
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June 2016 Juneinform 2016 inform A Ballyclare Secondary Publication First for School News & Views Fond Farewell to Mr Houston Schools are wonderful places. From our first day when we are shiny and new in Year 8 to our last in year 12 or 6th form, we are growing and changing and adapting. We are becoming stronger and faster and more ca- pable. Things that puzzled us in junior school make so much sense in senior school. We have opportunities to reflect on ourselves as an individual, as a member of a class and as a member of a community. Most importantly, we have the chance to make the choice every day to try and do a little bit better than we did yesterday. Change and development are what schools are all about. It’s pretty much the same when you are a Pastoral Vice Principal. Every day is different, and I have learned something every day I who isn’t a teacher, was trying to teach me to grab every opportunity that presents itself, have been here. I have tried, every day, to do something important about ambition and te- and so I was delighted when they offered me a little bit better than I did yesterday. I have nacity- about challenging myself, and aiming the job. And then the realisation hit that I had not always succeeded, but I believe educa- big, and not giving up when things don’t go to leave Ballyclare Secondary – something tion is a journey and no one gets everything my way. She didn’t cheer me up much at the which I will be very sad to do. right first time every time. time though – the only thing that did was when someone let the air out of Richard’s This is a superb school, and I will always feel I certainly haven’t. For example, I failed my tyres on his bike. Wasn’t me, I promise. honoured to have been a small part of its cycling proficiency test in primary school. I great history. To the talented and dedicated was gutted. There was only me and a boy When I was appointed to this school in 2012, staff, and especially to the Leadership Team, called Richard failed it that year. But it didn’t I was thrilled to have the opportunity to join I wish to say a huge thank you for all your stop me going out on my bike. And then to such a prestigious school. Literally everyone help and support; I think the pupils in this make matters worse, my partner in disaster, I told that I was going to work in Ballyclare school are more blessed than they will ever Richard, only went on that year to pass his Secondary said the same thing; “What a know. To the pupils, I would leave you with “11 plus” transfer exam (the test before the fantastic school, you will love it there”. I can the same advice I was given: dream big P7 AQE test existed). I didn’t pass mine. In honestly say they were right. I have met and dreams and challenge yourself to aim as those days (when I were a lad…), you didn’t had the privilege of working with brilliant high as you can; work as hard as you can get a number score, you got a grade – an ‘A’, parents, outstanding staff in every role with- at everything you do no matter what those an ‘M’ or a ‘G’. Richard got an ‘A’ and kept in the school and best of all, a superb group around you are doing; never give up no on telling me how easy the test had been. of young people. matter how many knock backs you get; treat I got a ‘G’. I was devastated. My mum kept each other as you would like to be treated trying to cheer me up by saying odd things So I wasn’t particularly looking for opportu- and seize every opportunity that comes your like, ‘Sure just aim for the stars should nities to move on a few months back when way. Oh, and tuck your shirt in and do up you only hit a lamp post’, or ‘If at first you a friend sent me a text saying there was an your top button please… don’t succeed, try, try again’. What I didn’t opening for a Principal in Ulidia Integrated understand at the time was that my mum, College in Carrickfergus. I think it’s important M Houston First for School News & Views page one inform June 2016 June 2016 inform School Enhancement Programme- Phase 1 Complete New Mini Bus Arrives in Ballyclare Secondary The school enhancement programme has provided a state of the art extension onto the existing school buildings. A completely new wing of the school now houses the English, Geography and HE departments. The HE department is still situated on the ground floor and is now School equipped with state of the art equipment and computer rooms. In addition, the department now boasts a child development/ health and On Wednesday 13th April 2016 a Coffee Morning was held in social care room. The English and Geography departments have also gained new suites and all classrooms are furnished and equipped to the Ballyclare Secondary School to celebrate the arrival of a brand new highest standard. School Mini Bus. The brand new silver Ford Transit mini bus arrived on site and was welcomed by the invited guests, members of staff and the Board of Governors. In a presentation to guests Mrs Bell, Principal highlighted the tremendous asset the new bus will be for the school. It will enable school rugby, hockey, netball and football teams to travel in safety to the many fixtures which they have throughout the season, the school will be able to facilitate many school trips including Geog- raphy fieldtrips, Scripture Union Weekend, Year 8 residential trips, Fleet Financial who had worked very closely with staff in Ballyclare a key part of our induction process, and transport for the choir and Secondary School in securing the new bus and to Mr Raymond Hill, orchestra to music festivals to name just a few of the many activities City Auction Group for facilitating a Golf 4 Ball Competition in Temple which go on in the life of a busy school. The curriculum for all pupils Golf Club in August 2015 which had raised a significant quantity of can be enriched when there is safe transport available without the money towards the purchase of the bus. financial outlay of hiring buses. Mrs Bell stated that she hoped that all pupils would benefit from the arrival of the new school bus. Mrs Bell expressed her thanks to all present for their generosity in terms of giving of their time, financial support, sharing of talents and “Our pupils and staff take pride in having a school bus and it makes support for the school. Mrs Bell expressed the wish to continue to a difference for young people to arrive in the “team” bus, the public build on the links already made with local businesses. Working with identity of Ballyclare Secondary School.” the local business community provides experiences which support the curriculum and enhance our young people’s learning. PE Department Given a face-lift Mrs Bell thanked all those involved in the fundraising activities which over the past year had raised the funds to facilitate the purchase of The inaugural trip of the new bus will be on Friday 21st April 2016 it will be used to transport our Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award pupils The second stage of the redevelopment of the new bus. Particular thanks was given to Mr Brian Casey, Opera- to the Mourne Mountains for their practice expedition. the PE department has now been completed. tions Director and Mr Scott Wylie, Business Development Manager of The school now boasts modern changing facilities for boys and girls, toilets and staff offices. The second stage of the redevelop- Occupational Studies Patisserie and Baking ment has also included a wider entrance at the side of the department which will help students raise £327 for Cancer Focus ease of access to the rest of the school. During the month of January our Occupa- Valentine cupcake boxes. We liked how they to. Following a vote the decision was made tional Studies class had two visits from Mr turned out and everyone was really happy to support Cancer Focus. A big thank you Alistair White from Multi Packaging Solu- with how they looked. must also be made to Mr White from MPS tions. We discussed with him our ideas in for working with our class and producing the relation to selling cupcakes for Valentine’s Our cupcake sale was on Friday 12th Feb- cupcake boxes. Day. We then had to design our cupcake ruary just before Valentine’s Day. Over 300 box. As a class we selected a heart shaped cupcakes were made and these were sold Renee Black box and decided to include an ingredients out in almost 10 minutes during breaktime. list, Valentine poems, our school crest and As a class we raised £327 which was amaz- Year 12 Occupational Studies the name of our product ‘Something Sweet ing. We then had to make the hard decision Cupcakes’. We agreed that our cupcake box of selecting a charity to donate the money would be red and pink in colour. Mr White used all this information and Multi Packaging Solutions produced our cupcake boxes. We then waited for the cupcake boxes to arrive.