Belfast High School Voluntary Grammar School Founded 1854 Belfast High School
Voluntary Grammar School Founded 1854
740 Shore Road Newtownabbey Co. Antrim BT37 0PX T: F: 028 9086 4431 E: 028 9086 1527 W:[email protected] www.belfasthigh.co.uk
CONTENTS
Introduction...... 1 Welcome...... 3 Feeder Schools...... 4 Where We Are...... 4 The School Day...... 5 Lunchtime ...... 5 Our House System...... 5 Subjects ...... 5 School Uniform...... 6 & 7 Clubs and Societies ...... 6 & 7 School Trips...... 8 Year 8 Classes 2018-19...... 9 What Our Year 8 Pupils Think...... 10 Spotlight On...... 11 Exam Success ...... 12 Frequently Asked Questions...... 13
2 www.belfasthigh.co.uk Introduction
Hello and welcome Year 8 Form Captains to Belfast High School 8P Ruby Campbell (Greenisland PS) Peter Young (Cavehill PS)
8Q Luke Wison (Whiteabbey PS) This time last year we were in your shoes, looking for the school that was Jazmin Morrow (Whiteabbey PS) right for us. 8R Daniel Harvey (Carrick Model PS) Holly Beckinsale (Eden PS) We chose this school because of the wide range of learning opportunities Devonne Fitzpatrick (Eden PS) and activities. We also get to participate in various competitions 8S Nicola Leacock (Acorn Int PS) throughout the year and to round off the year, first years get the opportunity Alex Roman (Abbots Cross PS) to have a fun-filled trip to Disney in Paris. 8T Eoin Keenan (Ashgrove PS) Jayden Lloyd (Oakfield PS) There are lots of new subjects which you will study with amazing teachers. Ciara Wilson (Carrick Model PS) Eva Wilson (Whiteabbey PS) There is a wide variety of extra-curricular activities from drama to badminton and many other brilliant clubs in between.
We hope this booklet gives you an insight into our amazing, fun-filled and Welcome to interesting BHS life. our school! See you next year!
1 www.belfasthigh.co.uk 2 www.belfasthigh.co.uk Ethan McConkey (Head Boy), Mrs C Weir (Principal), Welcome Sophie Patterson (Head Girl)
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Belfast High School Open Day. I am delighted that you are interested in finding out about our school and hope that the information in this booklet and in the parents’ booklet answers some of the questions that you may have about becoming a pupil at Belfast High School.
Our pupils feel safe and are very happy here. They thrive in the supportive, aspirational and inclusive environment we offer which helps each of them to fulfil their true potential and achieve success. Our parents also tell us that they are pleased with the very high standards in all aspects of school life as well as the wealth of opportunities on offer.
Belfast High School has a long, successful and proud history. We are called Belfast High School as the school was founded in 1854 by Mr John Pyper on a site near Carlisle Circus in Belfast. The school moved to its current location at Ardilea House in Jordanstown just over 50 years ago. Our beautiful 32-acre site overlooks the Loughshore and is next door to the University of Ulster. In addition to the main school buildings, you will be able to use the on-site state-of-the-art sports hall, drama studio, strength and conditioning/fitness suite and Astroturf pitch which were completed in June 2016.
We cherish the tradition and family values on which our school is built while also being innovative and forward-looking in all that we do. I hope that you have the opportunity to get a flavour of the friendly and caring atmosphere here, see for yourself the positive relationships between teachers and pupils which are evident both inside the classroom and through extra- curricular activities.
I wish you success with your AQE test results and hope to see many of you here in September 2019. Rest assured that if you join us at age 11 you will leave 7 years later as a happy, confident, articulate, well-rounded individual and with a group of life-long friends.
I hope you and your family enjoy your visit to our school this morning. Mrs Charlotte Weir
Principal
3 www.belfasthigh.co.uk Feeder Schools Where We Are
Abbots Cross P.S.
740 Shore Road Whitehead Acorn Integrated Newtownabbey P.S. Co. Antrim BT37 0PX Ashgrove P.S. Carrickfergus Ballycarry Greenisland P.S. Newtownabbey Ballyclare P.S. Glengormley Whiteabbey Ballyhenry P.S. Ben Madigan P.S. Holywood Carnmoney P.S. Belfast Carrickfergus Central P.S. Carrickfergus Model King’s Park St Mary’s on the Hill P.S. P.S. P.S. Carr’s Glen Lowwood St Nicholas’ P.S. P.S. P.S. Cavehill Mallusk Straid P.S. P.S. P.S. Earlview Mossgrove Stranmillis P.S. P.S. P.S. Eden Mossley Thompson P.S. P.S. P.S. Glengormley Integrated Oakfield Victoria P.S. P.S. P.S. Greenisland Rathcoole Whiteabbey P.S. P.S. P.S. Hazelwood Integrated Seaview Whitehead P.S. P.S. P.S. Islandmagee Silverstream Whitehouse P.S. P.S. P.S. Hollybank St James’ Woodburn P.S. P.S. P.S. Kilcoan St MacNissi’s Woodlawn P.S. P.S. P.S. 4 www.belfasthigh.co.uk
School
Day
The school day9.10 starts am with registration3.40 at pm and finishes at except on
Wednesdays3.05 pm when classes end at (hockey/rugby 3.05 - 4.30 pm).
9.10am School Starts Lunchtime at BHS
Packed lunch, pizza, panini …..
There is a wide choice of food in the canteen including curry, 3.40pm soup and wraps. Pupils can then play table tennis in the Year 8 School Ends Garden or join one of the lunchtime clubs. At break time the canteen also sells fruit, bacon rolls, toast and scones.
Pyper Our House System Watson
Every pupil is assigned to one of 4 houses and pupils are awarded points for their involvement in and contribution to the life of the school. The house system provides Storey opportunities for pupils in the junior school to meet with and work alongside senior pupils, fostering a spirit of co-operation and social awareness. Sixth Form pupils are Boyd House Captains and organise competitions and activities throughout the year.
Junior School Council
Year 8: Fahriye Onur (Seaview PS)
Jovial Vincent Gigy (St James’ PS)
Year 9: Lauren Burke (Whiteabbey PS)
Alfie Hogg (Glengormley Int PS) Amy Swarbrick (Greenisland PS)
Year 10: Hannah McCullagh (Mossley PS) Lee Walker (Whiteabbey PS)
Sixth Form Leaders: Abbie Magowan (Abbots Cross PS) Josh Scott (Ashgrove PS)
5 www.belfasthigh.co.uk Our School Uniform
Boys’ Uniform Girls’ Uniform Boys’ Rugby
Blazer, shirt, tie, jumper, trousers, Blazer, shirt, tie, cardigan, skirt, Rugby shirt, shorts, socks, socks and black shoes socks/black tights and black shoes boots and gum shield Rhys Gordon Laila Hunter Sol Proctor (Ashgrove PS) (Victoria PS) (Whiteabbey PS) There is something for every
Film Club Tennis Choir Junior Strings International Club Bar Mock Trial Musical Theatre Animal House Hockey Orchestra ASA Swimming Cricket Current Affairs Duke of Edinburgh Rugby Cross Country Debating Christian Union Badminton Golf Competitions Wind Band Let’s Cook Club Netball Table Tennis Athletics Games/Pokémon Astrogazers
6 www.belfasthigh.co.uk Boys’ PE Hoodie/Tracksuit Girls’ PE/Hockey
School T-Shirt, shorts, Hoodie for School polo shirt, skort, socks, socks and trainers girls and boys gum shield and trainers Matthew Horan Holly Beckinsale Madison McFadden (St Mary’s on the Hill PS) (Eden PS) (Mossley PS) one at Belfast High School...
Junior Drama Gymnastics During PE Classes we have the Craft Club Football opportunity to try a range of other activities including swimming, football, Equestrian Competitions Chemistry Club basketball, dance, gymnastics, Community Service Breakfast Club circuits, volleyball etc.
Eco Club Chess Club Our Sixth Form Enrichment Walking Club Creative Writing Club Programme includes Philosophy, Irish, Motor Vehicle Studies, Young Greek as a Treat Sound and Light Enterprise, Chinese and the delivery Lego Robotics Club Chinese Club of Maths/Science activities in local primary schools. Homework Club Folk Group
7 www.belfasthigh.co.uk School Trips
• Annual Year 8 trip to Paris including Disneyland • Ski trip to America • Hockey and Rugby tours • Christian Union weekends • Classics trips to Italy and Greece • History and Politics trips • Geography trip to Iceland • Biology field trips and many more ……
8 www.belfasthigh.co.uk Year 8 Classes 2018-19
Belfast High School Intake September 2018: 8P
Abbots Cross 1
Acorn 2
Ashgrove 7
Ben Madigan 1
Carnmoney 8
Carrick Model 11 8Q Cavehill 3
Earlview 2
Eden 4
Greenisland 18
Hazelwood 2
King’s Park 4
Lowwood 4
Mossgrove 1 8R
Mossley 10
Oakfield 4
Raffles World Academy 1
Seaview 1
Silverstream 1
St James’ 2
St MacNissis’ 1 8S St Mary’s on the Hill 2
Stranmillis 1
Templepatrick 1
Victoria 4
Whiteabbey 27
Whitehead 3
Whitehouse 10 8T
9 www.belfasthigh.co.uk What our Year 8 Pupils Think!!
Year 8 pupils were asked to sum up in one sentence the ‘Highlight’ of their first term at Belfast High School...
The projects in Art. Playing on the A team at the rugby blitz. Kathryn, Oakfield PS Peter, Whiteabbey PS How easy it was to settle in. Louisa, Whiteabbey PS
The AMAZING Colour Run! Emily, Acorn Int PS The clubs that I go to. Gaby, Carrick Model PS Fantastic – the school is great! Sophie, Earlview PS When we first did drama. Cameron, Lowwood PS Lots of opportunities. Karys, Mossley PS Playing rugby against Making my first new friend. Campbell and scoring 2 tries. Riley, King’s Park PS Nathan, Whiteabbey PS
I have not regretted coming to this school. Starting the Towers of Julien, Carnmoney PS Doing my first practical in HE. Hanoi puzzle in Maths. Alex, Abbots Cross PS Peter, Victoria PS
All the different subjects and Lego Mindstorms in moving from class to class. Lego Club Rose, Greenisland PS Learning to play rugby. Luke, Whiteabbey PS Peter, Mossgrove PS
My Chemistry Throwing myself into all teacher! aspects of life at BHS. Learning French. Phoebe, Whitehead PS Leah, St Mary’s on the Hill PS Nathan, Whitehouse PS
Getting to know my teachers. Busy, fun, new. Making slime in Chemistry. Kaci, Carrick Model PS Jonny, Greenisland PS Eva, Whiteabbey PS
Making new friends and enjoying new subjects. At BHS nothing is impossible! Playing football at Luka, Ashgrove PS Jayden, Oakfield PS lunchtimes. Darrin, Mossley PS
10 www.belfasthigh.co.uk Spotlight on ….
Ruby Campbell (Greenisland PS), Joel Clotworthy (Ashgrove PS), Jazmin Morrow (Whiteabbey PS), Caitlin Steenson (Mossley PS)
What was your top reason for choosing My favourite subject is English because we are doing Belfast High School? autobiographies and it allows us to reflect on memories. We have also looked at Boy and created our own I love drama and musical theatre – BHS really focuses on characters and gothic stories which are really interesting. the arts! What Clubs and Societies have you joined? After attending the open morning I knew BHS was the school for me. The staff were welcoming and were I have joined lots of clubs as there are so many to choose interested in me (not just my parents). The pupils made the from. I have joined hockey and netball as they are my school feel very friendly. favourite sports. BHS has a really strong team! I have also joined the Art Club as it has such a relaxed vibe and Animal My two brothers went and still to go BHS. The eldest is at House because I love animals and looking after them is university and the other is in Year 12. just the best!
On the open mornings I loved going to the sciences and There are lots of opportunities and you could do a different Belfast High’s stood out to me the most because the pupil activity every day but I decided to try my hand at table at Biology knew everything. BHS ticks all the boxes! tennis.
Has Belfast High School lived up to your I have joined cross-country, athletics, hockey and Animal House. In cross-country senior pupils teach you how to run expectations so far? easily and for a long time without getting out of breath. I Yes. BHS has definitely lived up to my expectations. The play hockey on Tuesdays and you learn new tricks and school has such a friendly atmosphere and it inspires you skills all while making new friends. At Animal House you to be better every single day. get to feed, pet, play with and take home the bunny, guinea pigs and much more. Yes. It is a very friendly school with teachers and staff who are caring, helpful and who strive to get the best out of you. I have joined Christian Union, netball, hockey, Chemistry I love the wide range of subjects we are taught and the Club and Animal House – they are all great! friends I have made. Sum up in one sentence the highlight of your This school has passed with flying colours. BHS has given first term at Belfast High School? me the chance to make new friends, discover new wonders, expand my vocabulary and work on my hockey The highlight of my first term at Belfast High School would skills. The teachers are friendly and fair and my teacher definitely have to be the day I was elected Form Captain. It makes every Chemistry lesson fun, whether we are solving just made me so happy to know that my class trusted and problems or boiling liquids in the Bunsen burner. believed in me.
Yes. Everyone is welcoming every single day. It’s I have really enjoyed my first term at BHS. Yes it has been everything I imagined it would be and this school still ticks hard work and is challenging but I know I have made the all my boxes! right decision. My highlight has to be the Colour Run where everyone, including the teachers, has fun! I also What is your favourite subject and why? love the bacon butties and the sausage rolls from the canteen. My favourite subject is French as it is so interesting learning a new language. I love that incredible feeling My highlight would have to be the Colour Run. You dash when you think about how far you have progressed! around the pitches and get covered in coloured paint. It was one of the best days of my life which I will never forget. I enjoy all subjects but especially Maths (always have) and #BHSFOREVER Technology because I get the chance to use different tools and materials to construct crafts. The highlight of my first term was the week when we did our first HE practical, first technology project and we got to Hmmh… that’s a tough one but I’d have to say Chemistry. use the Bunsen burners for the first time all in the same I love how we can conduct different experiments safely and week. It was the best week ever! independently. In Chemistry we are discovering new things – all weird, wacky and wonderful. 11 www.belfasthigh.co.uk Exam Success 2018
MaximumSarah marks Eastham, in GCSE Ellie Art andKane Design: 190 A* and 137 A grades. and Stephanie Robinson Top performing GCSE pupils:
Chloe Bingham Andrew Beggs
3rd in Northern Top 10 in the UK in Talula Reid 11xA*Top grades, performing Jonathan GCSE pupils:Mullan 10xA* grades Ireland in GCSE A Level Computer Jay Ford 10xA* grades Andrew Huey 10xA*, 1xA grades Child Development. Science
Sam Cavey
29 A* and 42 A grades 2nd in NI in A Level Top performing A Level pupils: Geography. 12 www.belfasthigh.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions What subjects will I study? Biology, Chemistry, Citizenship, Employability, French, Home Economics, Latin, Music, Physics, Technology as well as Art, English, Geography, History, Maths, PE and Religious Studies. What if I get lost? Belfast High School will be bigger than most primary schools but there are lots of signs to help you find your way around. Prefects, senior pupils and teachers are all very helpful and you will get a tour on your first day. It’s nice to change classrooms and move around during the day rather than being in the same room like in primary school. How much homework will I get? You will get 1-4 homeworks a night, but none of these should take any more than 30 minutes. Some will be projects that you will have a week or two to complete. What happens if I feel sick?
Your teacher will send you to see the School Nurse who can give you medicine or else arrange for your mum or dad to come and take you home. What if no-one else from my primary school is going to Belfast High? Year 8 pupils come to BHS from approximately 30 different primary schools so lots of you will be in the same position. You will have the opportunity to attend an induction night in June where you will meet your classmates, Form Teacher and Form Prefects. How will I know which bus to get on in the bus park?
There are 5 members of staff each day in the bus park to make sure everyone gets on the right bus. Pupils in Year 8 and Year 9 are given priority to get on the buses first.
What will I do in PE and Games?
As well as hockey and rugby you will get to try lots of different sports and activities including gymnastics, dance, football, basketball, netball, badminton, cross- country, swimming and lots more!
What if I need some additional help with a particular subject?
We have lots of senior pupils who act as mentors to help. We have a VLE (virtual learning environment) and teachers put notes online so that you can access these in school and from home.
13 www.belfasthigh.co.uk #19104 © IED Print T: 028 9041 9005 SAMPLE YEAR 8 TIMETABLE - WEEK 1 Period Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Registration Assembly 9.10 – 9.25
Period 1 Technology French Form Time Drama French Wed9.30 – 10.30 9.10 – 10.05 Break Wed10.30 – 10.45 10.05 – 10.20 Period 2 Art Maths English Biology Geography Wed10.45 – 11.45 10.20 – 11.20 Period 3 Maths English French PE Biology Wed11.45 – 12.50 11.20 – 12.20 Lunch Wed12.50 – 1.35 12.20 – 1.05 Period 4 English Chemistry RS Physics History Wed1.35 - 2.35 1.05 – 2.05 Home Period 5 History Music Maths Games Wed2.35 – 3.40 Economics 2.05 – 3.05 SAMPLE YEAR 8 TIMETABLE - WEEK 2 Period Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Registration Assembly 9.10 – 9.25
Period 1 French Chemistry Form Time ICT Technology Wed9.30 – 10.30 9.10 – 10.05 Break Wed10.30 – 10.45 10.05 – 10.20 Religious Home Period 2 English Geography English Wed10.45 – 11.45 Studies Economics 10.20 – 11.20 Period 3 History Maths French PE Latin Wed11.45 – 12.50 11.20 – 12.20 Lunch Wed12.50 – 1.35 12.20 – 1.05 Period 4 Maths Latin Physics English Maths Wed1.35 - 2.35 1.05 – 2.05 Period 5 Art Geography LLW French Games Wed2.35 – 3.40 2.05 – 3.05
Belfast High School
740 Shore Road Newtownabbey Co. Antrim BT37 0PX T: F: 028 9086 4431 E: 028 9086 1527 [email protected]: www.belfasthigh.co.uk
14 www.belfasthigh.co.uk All details correct at time of printing.