As the school term comes to a close, so does the Duke of Edinburgh programme. Last but not least the Silver team spent 3 days this week navigating the Mourne Mountains in much different climate than they received on their practice. Just like with the Bronze groups, the staff couldn’t be more proud and impressed with how they did.

Well done to all participants this year, we look forward to seeing the team presentations in September and opening up for new Bronze (Year 10) and Silver (Year 11) applications in October.

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

We are pleased to announce that our Senior Prefect Team for 2023/24 will be:

Head Boy: Jonas Verner Deputy Head Boy: Adam Dalzell

Head Girl: Hannah Caldwell Deputy Head Girl: Sarah Campbell

Senior Prefects: Lauren Ferguson Hannah Gillespie Anna Laverty Zara Mawhinney

Well done to all the candidates who came for interview today and we look forward to working with you in the Academic Year 2023/24

It was also a sad week in the music department as we had to say goodbye to both our piano tutor, Miss Tosh and our drum kit tutor, Mr Holmes. We wish them all the best as they move on to the next chapter of their lives. Keep in touch and we are looking forward to hearing how you are both getting on.

We are saying goodbye to three long standing members of our school community. Mrs Oliver, Mr McGuigan and Michael McClean.

Michael first attended Ballyclare Secondary School as a year 8 pupil in 1969 and then was successfully appointed to Ballyclare Secondary School in 1995.

Gillian Oliver has been with us for 34 years with the last thirteen years spent as Head of English.

Stephen McGuigan started his teaching career in Ballyclare Secondary School in 1985….38 years ago. Ballyclare Secondary School has been Stephen’s only teaching job.

You have all worked endlessly for the benefit of all the pupils, and we would like to bid you a fond farewell. You will be sadly missed by your friends, colleagues and pupils, but here’s to the next chapter in your lives just starting! Best wishes from all of us at Ballyclare Secondary School.

This month in school all Year 8 pupils have been learning the basics of CPR through the British Heart Foundation’s campaign to create a nation of lifesavers.

All participants were awarded a certificate. Well done year 8, and remember Call, Push, Rescue!

Grace, the Area Fundraiser Manager for the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland came to school today to talk to our Year 11 Contemporary Cuisine students who, with their teachers, worked hard during the heatwave to cook and decorate amazing cupcakes. These were sold at break time and pupils were excited to purchase this treat. An amazing £340 was raised. Thank you to staff and pupils who gave generous donations and supported this worthy cause

As is routine, Mr Nicholl held very special assemblies as we draw close to the end of the academic year to present bronze, silver and gold achievement honours to pupils. These achievement honours reflect the hard work and effort from our pupils, in line with our five whole school reward categories: Academic Achievement, Endeavour, Kindness, Contribution to School Life and Contribution to the Community. Mrs Oliver and Mr McGuigan were invited, as special guests, to speak and help present certificates/badges to our pupils, to mark their retirement from their professional careers in teaching. What a warm, happy and positive morning! We would encourage our pupils to wear their achievement honours on their new blazers with pride in the next academic year!

On Friday 23rd June 2023 we held our annual Sports Assembly. During this assembly we recapped our sporting year highlighting many outstanding team and individual successes. We welcomed two very special guests on stage to present the awards, Mr McGuigan and Mr McLean, who are retiring from their positions in school at the end of this academic year. Mr McGuigan and Mr McLean presented the U14 rugby team with their NEBSSA winning medals, the relay medals from our 60th Annual Sports Day and the Years 8 to 11 Athletics Champions of the Year awards. Mr McGuigan also awarded the Jean Ross Cup to the house winner of girls’ athletics and the Roy Dickey Cup to the house winner of boys’ athletics. To conclude the assembly, Mr McGuigan awarded the Parents’ Cup to the overall house winners for 2022-23, which was awarded to Collin.