Page 14 - Bellfort Issue 3 2014

Coca-Cola.! Rutledge delivered a other schools and the commu- yond their means and blame workshop where students in nity. someone or something else – or year 12 developed their employ- at least expect a solution to ability and interview skills. This Scripture Union met faithfully, come from somewhere else. We was followed by a one-to-one not neglecting the spiritual and cannot solve the problem when interview with local HR profes- moral development of our pu- schools have failed to deliver the sionals, based on the career in- pils. We are privileged and education their pupils deserved terests of the student. Ap- blessed to have the support of and lost the support of the com- proaching Exam Time Year 12 all our local churches – in Scrip- munity. We labour under exactly students got a visit from “Big ture Union, various Assemblies, the same difficulties and to main- Ted” and “Wee Darren” from Christianity Explained courses tain progress in that context is a eye4education who delivered a and RE classes. Through SU, 89 continual challenge for us too. “Motivation for Education” Shoeboxes are going this year to It’s time for a reality check. workshop to help encourage and Operation Christmas Child. Spe- Schooling does not hinge on his- inspire student achievement. cial mention must go to Mrs tory, politics or promises. It can- They also attended a Careers fair Whyte and Philip for their excep- not be improved by negotiation, in February where they visited tional contribution. demands or blame. There is no exhibits from a range of employ- substitute for faithful hard work The Bellfort to help them plan their career Dunclug College travelling to the that it is not the high point of an focused on the children and their For the first time this year there ers, universities and further/ learning. We are all too aware were two mission teams from higher education establishments ‘House of Hope’ in the village of Eti Inspection that matters – but paths. Year 13 students visited Glenoe in Moldova. They visited the Kings Hall in March for the the consistency which delivers kindergartens, clinics and a state for the children year on year, UCAS Higher Education conven- indeed day by day. run orphanage, and were hum- tion. A successful work experi- bled at the gratitude shown for ence programme was conducted That is the standard to which we for Years 12 and 13: in a range of the very simple gifts we brought. local businesses from animal sanctuaries to photographers, elderly people, experiencing the my staff and I are committed, God-willing, going into the fu- shock of seeing the impover- from primary schools to hotels. ished living conditions and the We sincerely thank all the busi- They visited some of the local aspire! That is the job to which ture. nesses who accommodate our oppressive loneliness. They also students every year! helped practically with cleaning and painting. Those privileged The Technology Department to go, acknowledge the financial delivered its Technology and generosity of parents and pupils Tinsel Day for P7s, when 200 in sending them. The school pupils competed to design a continues to sponsor Georges, dash board console for Santa’s our adopted orphan from Haiti sleigh. In Feb., 70 P6 pupils ex- and our Charity Committee is perienced Robotics — develop- active in encouraging a range of ing valuable programming and support for other local charities. numeracy skills. As part of STEM Our pupils are encouraged to focus, Year 10 pupils travelled to look beyond themselves to the Michelin to take part in an Inside needs of others, to serve their Manufacturing day in October. community and indeed to reach The Technology KS3 Award sys- out right across the world. tem continued at KS3 resulting in success for Scott Norris, Laura So what of the future? Our Reid and Paul Alexander. school is expected to grow as the plans for the area unfold. Time does not permit me to For those who have accused suc- elaborate on every worthy activ- cessful schools of empire build- ity summarised in your Highlights ing, let me say this. We cannot booklet – many, such as The answer for schools which have NEELB PIRCH programme, & drawn an intake whose needs Ballymena Learning Together they have not been able to meet, involving collaboration with or for those who have spent be- 14