Page 10 - Bellfort Issue 3 2014

Prize Giving Oct 2013 Principal’s Address Welcome to Prize Day 2013 and a capacity for conversation that would make many of us Mr Alexander has commented quake - so what an honour that on our favourable Inspection she is here at our Prize Day, cele- Report. As a school which is fo- brating the successes of a mod- cused on self evaluation/self im- est school in Ballymena. I actu- ally first met Joan in Maternity hospital, where we were each engaged in the most important work we ever did - and we have been friends ever since! We hope you feel relaxed in our company, enjoy the afternoon and we look forward to hearing from you later. My thanks also to provement we were excited at The Bellfort pils, I have pleasure in reviewing of meetings monitoring the work the prospect of having our work Mr Alexander, and members of Mr Chairman, Honoured Guests, the Board of Governors, who Governors, Parents, Staff & Pu- good humouredly attend hours the work of our school for the of our school. We are privileged viewed through another lens, & past year. I want to give a per- to have a Board which is serious pleased, but not complacent, about the outcome. It confirms in committing time and energy sonal welcome to Mrs Joan to school improvements. Fi- our improvement journey and is Christie. There was a buzz of nally, and not least, welcome a spur to our continued develop- excitement in the school when I announced Mrs Christie would be our guest. We’re aware of all present of Dunclug College. pupils. the important work she does locally in education, for youth parents, friends, pupils past and ment for the betterment of our Dunclug College at first glance So what indeed are the ingredi- and in the community, but since may seem not to have a great ents that make a school very her appointment in 2008 as Her deal going for it: it is not set in good and outstanding? We be- Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of extensive well-cultivated lieve our future citizens’ learn- Antrim, she officially represents grounds or financed by generous ing, needs to go beyond simply the sponsors. It is quietly situated acquiring knowledge. They need Queen between two estates on the the skills both to acquire and in Co North side of Ballymena – and apply knowledge through critical Antrim. yet, it has an indefinable quality thinking, problem solving and So, that draws people to it. De- risk-taking. A school can achieve techni- scribed by someone in the past this as readily in a difficult con- cally, year as an oasis, it has a sense of text, as from a position of com- we purpose which is palpable when fort, if it has the correct focus. It have you enter. It is consistently over- is not achieved by additional the subscribed and while the prem- funding, by reorganisation or by Queen ises is 40 years old and far from better accommodation, impor- with us grand, it is neat, orderly, teaming tant though these are. Research on Prize Day today. She has with energy and most impor- and experience tells that what is been, for example, a guest at the tantly, a place of purpose and consistent across high perform- Royal Wedding of Prince William safety where our pupils are ing schools is an unshakeable and Catherine, met with world highly motivated. The walls and belief in the ability of the stu- leaders at the G8 summit, mixed corridors are alive with student dents to achieve high standards with foreign dignitaries, senior work, there are good relation- irrespective of their barriers. politicians, charity workers and ships between staff and pupils These schools are able consis- celebrities, extending friendship and the pupils are experiencing tently to provide a climate that is in all manner of exotic ceremo- the delights that growing self- characterised by high expecta- nies – she is required to have a confidence and achievement tion, very good teaching and a knowledge, an understanding bring. great deal of very hard work in- 10