The Senior Choir travelled to Theatre at the Mill to participate in the recording of the Antrim and Newtownabbey Coronation Hymn to mark the Coronation of King Charles III in May.  The hymn was written by local composer Philip Hammond who spoke to the pupils about the piece, the sentiment behind it. The Senior Choir were joined by the choir of Integrated College Glengormley and it was great to work collaboratively with them during the recording session.

Please find below our Weekly Communication Bulletin for Parents and Carers and other important documents which has been sent out to you via Sims App.

Last week, our Year 13 English Literature students visited the Seamus Heaney Homeplace. The students explored the exhibition and received a lecture and seminar experience from QUB lecturer, Fran Brearton and her PHD students.

Congratulations to Katie Knowles (Year 14) who took the New Driver NI safe motoring pledge, committing to be a safe driver and in doing so I gained entry into their cash draw and won £100. Congratulations Katie!

Mrs Shingleton led an assembly for our Years 8 and 9 pupils to celebrate in the exceptional successes of our fabulous musicians during their time at the Ballyclare Music Festival. The choir also started our day off beautifully with some wonderful singing.

Below are the overall results from an amazing week and a massive well done to everyone who took part.

Joint 2^nd place  - Jayden Doak  and Oliver McIlwaine in the Traditional Class 

2^nd place  - Jayden Doak Under 11 piano solo

3^rd place - Ruby Cartwright Under 16 piano solo

1^st place - Lauren Ferguson Under 16 piano solo.  

2^nd place - Hannah Gillespie under 18 piano solo

3^rd place - Hollie Hamilton 12-14 brass solo

2^nd  place - Erin Ashe15-16 brass solo

1^st place - Brass ensemble

1^st place - Lucy Bingham under 11 solo.

Joint 3^rd place - Abigail Pye and Daniel Campbell in the 15-16 vocal solo.

2^nd place - Eva Campbell in the 15-16 vocal solo.

3^rd place - Chloe Gilmore in the 17-18 vocal solo

1^st place -  Jack Metcalfe in the 17-18 vocal solo

Overall best vocalist of the day Jack Metcalfe          

1^st place - Grace Martin under 11 woodwind class

3^rd place - Abi Caldwell in the under 12-14 woodwind class

1^st place - Taylor Carmichael 15-16 woodwind class

2^nd place - Hannah Caldwell under 17-18 class

1^st place – Flute ensemble

2^nd place – Clarinet ensemble

Joint 3^rd - Lois Bell and Sarah Dalzell in the 12-14 string solo class

Joint 2^nd place – Ruby Cartwright and Lewis Clark in the 15-16 string solo class

1^st place – Joel Porter in the 15-16 string solo class

2^nd place – Senior String Ensemble                   

3^rd place – Junior String Ensemble

1^st place – Orchestra

Best overall instrumental performance of the day

t has been a busy year so far in the Music Department, and we would like to invite you to join us in celebrating our pupils’ achievements in our Spring Showcase on Wednesday 29th March 2023 from 5.00-6.00 pm. This event will take place in our assembly hall and drinks and refreshments will be available before the start of the event. Tickets for this event will be £5 for adults and £3 for children/concessions and can now be purchased on Parent Pay App. Printed tickets will not be distributed for the event, but names will be ticked off at the door.

Our Year 8 rugby team played in the annual U12 High Schools’ Eastern Qualifier on Tuesday 7th March at Lisburn Rugby Club. The boys played Breda Academy in their first match and won 13-0 (tries). Their second match was against Glastry College, and they won 7-2 and the boys won their final group match against St. Columbanus, Bangor 7-0. The boys played fantastically well with nine different players scoring tries. Ballyclare Secondary won their group and have now qualified for the U12 Ulster High Schools’ Finals on Monday 27th March 2023 at Lurgan Rugby Club. Well done and good luck!

Megan is one of our Year 12 pupils and has been taking Irish dancing lessons from the age of four at the Mackay school of Irish dancing in Templepatrick. Her dance teacher is Iain MacKay and dance teacher assistant Susan Purdy. So far, Megan has enjoyed every minute of it and is not planning on leave it anytime soon. Her ambition is to go on and perform with the Riverdance crew.

At Megan’s last festival in Loughgall Millennium Centre, she achieved very pleasing results with three 1st and one 2nd place in the 15-16 age category (3 trophies and 1 shield). Well done Megan. We are so proud of you.

Please find below our Weekly Communication Bulletin for Parents and Carers and other important documents which has been sent out to you via Sims App.