As the new school term begins, we know that our students will want to start strong on developing their success stories for the year ahead. Reading some of the new books that have arrived in our library would be a great way to help support this growth. The English Department were very grateful for the generosity of our PTA in making some funds available to purchase these new titles. We’re sure that our library will have something to develop the reading and imagination of all our students. Watch this space for more opportunities to drop in and find out more.
We’re delighted to welcome Mr Wenjian Guan to Ballyclare Secondary School! Mr Guan will be joining us every Monday to teach Mandarin to our Sixth Form students as part of their enrichment lessons. He’ll also be taking our Culture Club along with Mrs Millar, at Monday lunchtimes, where pupils can explore Chinese traditions, language, and way of life. We’re thrilled to have Mr Guan on board and look forward to the amazing experiences he’ll bring to our school community!
Alice (Year 12) has enjoyed an outstanding year competing in mounted games with her pony, Cali. She achieved notable victories, including winning the Northern Ireland Area Championships and the prestigious Balmoral Wilkinson Sword event with her team.
Her success continued as she proudly represented Northern Ireland at the Zone Championships in Scotland, where her team placed 8th overall and 6th in the pairs competition. Alice also demonstrated exceptional presentation, winning Tack and Turnout awards at the Area Championships, Zone Championships, and Balmoral.
The highlight of Alice’s year came when she was selected to represent Northern Ireland at the European Mounted Games Individual Championships. Competing against top riders from across the continent, Alice finished an impressive 6th in Europe—an extraordinary achievement as the only young rider from Northern Ireland to reach the final. Well done Alice!
Molly Keys, a Year 11 student, travelled to Edinburgh over the weekend to compete in an Irish dancing competition. She returned with an impressive set of results: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes, along with 3rd place in the Open Championship. Molly proudly dances with the Royal Tara Dance Academy.
The first week of the academic year is complete! As you navigate drop-offs, packing lunches and following new routines, we extend our best wishes to all parents navigating the transition back to school. This week marks a fresh chapter filled with opportunity, growth, and learning. Your continued support, encouragement, and involvement play a vital role in your child’s educational journey. Here’s to a successful and enriching school year ahead for students, families, and educators alike.
Logan (Year 8) attends the Alfie Boe and James Huish Performing Arts Academy and regularly performs in shows across Northern Ireland. Between now and Christmas, he will appear in three productions, including playing the lead role of Kevin McAllister in Home Alone with NISMAT Theatre School this November. He will also portray Pugsley in The Addams Family with his academy and Jonathan Cratchit in A Christmas Carol with Fortwilliam Musical Society. Logan’s talent, dedication, and passion for the performing arts are truly inspiring, and we look forward to his involvement in Drama and Performing Arts at BSS.
Please find below our Weekly Communication Bulletin for Parents and Carers, and other important information, which has been sent out to you via Sims App.
The first day of Year 8 marks the beginning of an exciting journey for our newest pupils at Ballyclare Secondary School!
To all our Year 8s — we’re so proud to welcome you into our school family. Today is about new friendships, new adventures, and discovering all the amazing things you’re capable of.
Whether you're feeling excited, nervous, or a little bit of both — remember, every great journey starts with a single step.
Ballyclare Secondary School Celebrates Excellent GCSE, BTEC, Occupational Studies and King’s Trust Results
Today was a day of great excitement and celebration at Ballyclare Secondary School, as students received their much-anticipated exam results. Many students achieved top grades across a wide range of subjects, reflecting their hard work, determination, and resilience throughout the academic year.
On behalf of the staff and governors, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to each and every student. Your achievements are a testament to your dedication and commitment to excellence.
We would also like to express our sincere thanks to all parents and carers for their continued support. Your encouragement and partnership have played a vital role in helping our students reach their potential.
As we look ahead, we are excited to welcome back those returning to Year 13. To those moving on to college courses, apprenticeships, or other institutions, we wish you every success in your future endeavours. You will be greatly missed, and we hope you carry forward fond memories of your time at Ballyclare. We also recognise that results day can bring a mix of emotions, including surprise and disappointment for some. What matters most is how we respond—by reassessing, realigning, and identifying the best possible pathway for each young person. We encourage any student or parent seeking further advice or support to reach out to our dedicated careers, pastoral, and curriculum teams, who are available to help guide you through the next steps. Among the many outstanding performances, several students achieved top grades in all eight of their subjects, attaining an exceptional combination of A* and A grades. We anticipate that this year’s Sixth Form will be highly subscribed, reflecting the continued academic success and ambition of our students. Mrs Wendy Shingleton, Acting Principal, commented: “We are incredibly proud of all our students. It has been a privilege to support them throughout their journey, and their achievements today are a reflection of their hard work, perseverance, and commitment—whether through GCSEs, BTECs, Occupational Studies, or King’s Trust programmes. Seeing so many happy faces this morning was truly heartwarming. These results mark an important milestone, and we are confident that our students will continue to flourish as they move forward into their chosen Post-16 pathways, be it A Levels, college courses, or apprenticeships. To our dedicated staff, I extend my deepest thanks. Your tireless efforts, outstanding teaching, and unwavering support have made a lasting impact on our students’ success. Today is a moment to celebrate—enjoy it fully, and carry this sense of achievement with you into the future.”
