Table of Contents Editorial Note……………………………………… 03 Contact Addresses ……………………………… 05 Board of Governors 2014 ……………………… 07 Teaching Staff 2014 ……………………………… 08 Ancillary Staff 2014 …………………………………11 Past Presidents FCOBA ………………………… 12 Past Presidents LHSOGA ……………………… 14 Joint Presidents FCFPA ………………………… 16 FCFPA Officers 2014-15 ……………………… 18 Prizegiving Speeches …………………………… 19 Update on the New School ……………………… 35 Leavers’ Destinations …………………………… 37 Graduations ……………………………………… 41 Notes, News and Announcements …………… 43 Obituaries ………………………………………… 48 President’s Profile ……………………………… 60 Vice Presidents’ Profiles ………………………… 61 Reports of the Year’s Events …………………… 66 World War I Centenary 1914 – 2014 …………… 85 Your Contributions ……………………………… 92 From The Archive ………………………………… 98 Dates for Your Diary ……………………………… 104 Standing Order Mandate ………………………… 105 1 2 Editorial Note Welcome to the 2015 edition of the Foyle College Former Pupils’ Magazine. 2014 has been a significant year for the school. Firstly, it marked the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War during which 490 former pupils were to serve their country, of whom 72 made the supreme sacrifice. Many events were held to mark the Armistice in November and this edition includes articles outlining the notable service of some former pupils, a description of ceremonies held in the school and some illustrations of the spectacular, but poignant display of ceramic poppies at the Tower of London. Secondly, the Department of Education moved the building of the new school forward by agreeing the Contract to Tender in January 2015. The Chair of Governors has given details of the schedule for the build which should now commence in March this year with the school transferring to the Springham Campus on Limavady Road during 2017, a most significant year, as it also marks the 400th anniversary of the school’s foundation. Details of the year just past are covered by the Headmaster’s, Head Girl’s and Head Boy’s reports. Last year’s Sixth Form pupils went to a greater range of universities and courses than previously, an indication of the changing employment prospects in the country, the ever-increasing pressure from the Northern Ireland universities for prospective students to meet high entrance requirements and the limited number of places. Also included are lists of graduations from some of the universities. This information is no longer provided to the school so I am grateful when students or their parents forward it to us. I will be pleased to add any others, omitted here, to next year’s edition. Keeping former pupils in touch with the school and other former pupils is the main aim of the Former Pupils’ Association. The best way to do this is by viewing the school’s website, especially the section dedicated to former pupils and I am grateful to Jennifer McClintock who updates our web pages and had an extensive database to keep former pupils informed. Please send her your email details, if we do not already have them; contact addresses and other details follow this editorial. Laura Taylor continues to manage our facebook account and details of all forthcoming functions, events and reunions can be found on the website and facebook pages. Please keep us informed of achievements, births, marriages, etc. The Former Pupils’ Committee continues to publicise and organise the traditional luncheon and dinner, and will facilitate reunion events for year groups. Details and photographs of two reunions held in 2014 are included in this edition. As Chair of the committee this year, I would like to thank all members who have worked hard to ensure the smooth running of these events. Our Joint Presidents, Phenella Black and Lowry Cunningham, have been most active in attending events in school and socially outside school, and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the remaining functions before the end of their tenure in May this year. I would like to thank Laura Taylor for all her work as Editor over the past 3 years and for her assistance to me as former Editor. Now that she has handed the editorial baton 3 back to me, I look forward to her continued input through the facebook account. I am most grateful to my editorial team, Mildred Deans and Sean McMahon, for their substantial input into this edition. We hope you enjoy the magazine, whether you are reading it online or in hard copy. I would remind you that you can avail of hard copies by returning the Standing Order Mandate at the back of this edition to the school’s Bursar, Neil Stewart, and that a limited number will be available for purchase at the school office in Duncreggan. Finally, please support our advertisers. Without their financial backing, it would not be possible to produce the magazine. W M Lynn Editor Foyle College Former Pupils’ Magazine 4 Useful Contact Addresses Foyle College Duncreggan Road Londonderry BT48 0AW Tel: (028) 71269321 School Website: www.foylenet.org.uk You can also contact us and submit news and information to: Mrs Mildred Deans 18 Altrest Road Cullion Londonderry BT47 2SJ Tel: (028)71841454 [email protected] For submitting contact information: [email protected] Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/foylecollegefpa 5 6 Board of Governors 2014 Governor’s Name Electing Body Mr R Young The Honourable The Irish Society Mrs K Jackson, Mrs D Leeson, Mr P Howie Parents’ Representatives Mrs S Guthrie, Mrs S McLaughlin, Mr T Nutt Staff Representatives Mr W M Lynn, Mr C Jeffrey, Former Pupils’ Representatives Mrs I McNally, Mrs J McClintock Rev Dr R Craig Presbytery of Derry and Strabane Representative Rev M R K Ferry Church of Ireland Diocesan Representative Professor D Heenan University of Ulster Representative Mr B Dougherty, Mrs D Fleming, Department of Education Mrs S Young, Mrs S O’Kane, Representatives Mr R McCullough, Mr R McCaughey, Ms L Quigley, Mrs J Stewart, Mr J Templeton Mr G Killeen, Dr R Manning, Foundation Nominated Mr B Long, Mr I McCarter Representatives Mr P W J Allen Principal Mr N Stewart Clerk to Governors 7 Teaching Staff 2014-15 Principal Mr P W J Allen Vice Principals Mr P G Gault Mr G S Mercer Mr R W H Menown Art & Design Mr K F Ward (Head of Department) Mrs C J Kane Mrs S C Thomas Biology Mrs I A Hannaway (Head of Department) Mrs L J Hand (Head of Junior Science) Mr P T Farmer Business Studies Mrs H Eakin (Head of Department) Mrs B B McGowan Careers Mr P T Farmer (Head of Department) Mrs H Eakin Ms L D McAuley Chemistry Mr K S Given (Head of Department) Mrs J Millen Mr R A McKeegan Design & Technology Mr A C Moorcroft (Head of Department) Mr A J Manning Mrs K R McShane English Mrs A B Mercer (Head of Department) Mr P G Gault Mrs E O Steele Mr D R Keown Mrs K O Knox Mr B J Duffy Geography Mrs S J E Guthrie (Head of Department) Mr R Menown Ms K Eakin Ms S Bollard Mr D T Gallagher Mrs L Wylie Geology Miss N S Sloane History Mrs M Dougherty (Head of Department) Mr J R McBride Mrs C O Robinson 8 Home Economics Mrs F Feeney (Head of Department) Miss N C Doyle ICT Mrs S McLaughlin (Head of Department) Miss E Kivlehan Mrs K R McShane Mr A J Manning Mrs M M Leonard Mathematics Mr T S Nutt (Head of Department) Mr G S Mercer Mrs B B McGowan Mrs B A Gillen Mrs C R Lynn Mrs L E Buchanan Miss K H Sayers Music Mrs B O’Somachain (Head of Department) Miss E R Barr Modern Languages Mrs J L Campbell Mrs P A L Coughlin Mrs H Kane-Craig Ms L D McAuley Mrs C A Lynch Mrs C A Johnston Physics Mrs S M O’Connell (Head of Department) Mr D B Phillips Miss L M Carlin Physical Education Ms K Eakin (Head of Department – Girls) Mr D A Barnett (Head of Department –Boys) Miss S Bollard Mr A J Ferguson Mrs L Wylie Religious Studies Mrs J M Allen (Head of Department) Mrs S Moore SENCo Mrs B B McGowan Visiting Staff Mr B Quigley Ms C McCartney Miss C M Moore 9 FOYLEFOYLE COACHESCOACHES Redcastle, Co. Donegal Providing transport for Foyle and Londonderry College Minibus and coach hire at competitive rates All vehicles meet high standards of safety and comfort All enquiries to Foyle Coaches - Tel. 00353 74 93 82116 Mobile: 00353 86 2600265 Fax: 00353 74 93 82619 Web: www.foylecoaches.com 10 Ancillary Staff 2014-2015 School Bursar Mr N Stewart B Sc Principal’s Personal Assistant Mrs J Galbraith School Secretaries Mrs J Cole (Springtown) Mrs W Nutt (Duncreggan) Clerical Office Mrs J Gallagher Library Mr P Walker Mr P Wright Sixth Form Study Supervisor Mr K Quigg Junior School Study Supervisor Mrs M Thompson Classroom Assistants Miss L Boyce Mrs A Callaghan Mr P Coyle Mrs K Doherty Mrs P Feathers Miss J Leitch Miss J Lynch Mrs P McCandless Mrs C McShane Mrs D Rankin Mrs R Wilson Reprographics/Premises Officer Mr G Balmer Network Manager Mr S Hamilton Technicians Mrs C Hume Mrs M Mullan Mrs J Woods Estates Manager Mr C Austin Grounds Staff Mr N Cole Duncreggan Canteen Mrs V Bratton Mrs A Burton (Head Cook) Mrs S Coyle Ms C McAuley Ms B McCallion Mrs L Murray (Assistant Cook) Mrs C Page Mrs H Wright Springtown Canteen Ms V Hockley (Head Cook) Mrs J Doherty (Assistant Cook) Mrs M Duddy Mrs A Wilson Mr S Powell Duncreggan Cleaners Mrs M Bignol, Mr J Ferguson, Mrs M Ferguson, Mr J Geslak, Mr G McNulty, Mr R Nesbitt, Mrs H Wright Springtown Cleaners Mrs V Bratton, Mrs M Cooke, Mrs V Lynch , Mrs M Lynn, Mrs P McColgan, Mrs D Smith 11 Past Presidents of Foyle College Old Boys’ Association 1928 - 29 The Right Hon Sir John Ross Bart 1929 - 30 Alfred Moore Munn BA 1930 - 31 His Honour Judge John Fitzpatrick Cooke KC DL 1931 - 32 Sir Samuel Thompson Irwin CBE BA MB MCh FRCS DLMP 1932 - 33 Major James Sproule Myles MC TD 1933