Menu
23/02/2010
Presidental Visit For Ballyclare
A leading Co Antrim school had a special visitor this week, as the Belfast-born and educated President of Ireland Mary McAleese came to town.
She met pupils, teachers and governors at Ballyclare High School, having requested the visit after meeting representatives from the school at her official residence in Dublin in 2006.
The President was greeted on arrival by Headmaster David Knox and Chairman of the Board of Governors Dr Robert McMillen, before being shown to the assembly hall, where she heard a recital of Irish-composed music from the chamber choir and soloists.
The visitor is pictured here as she arrived, just before she addressed the gathered Year 13 and 14 pupils.
"We have just heard some stunning music from a beautiful soprano soloist and pianist and, on their own, they sound wonderful, but put them all together into what is an outstanding chamber choir and the result is sheer excellence," she said.
"And this is true, too, of your generation - if you perfect your own talents, skills and values and are willing to work together with others, then out of this will come a very different Northern Ireland and a very different island of Ireland."
When asked by an A-level politics student as to how she predicted Northern Ireland would look in ten years time, she continued: "I think Northern Ireland has phenomenal potential and, using the sheer amount of resolve and new brainpower in your generation, I think we can make a conscious move away from the idea of two communities and work towards one community and one society."
Headmaster Mr Knox said: "It was an honour and privilege to have the President of Ireland with us here today and hear her inspirational words to the pupils. Her visit has not only brought a great sense of excitement to the pupils and the teachers, but also a sense of pride that she should request to visit Ballyclare High.
"We are proud of all our achievements here and are delighted that we had the opportunity to showcase some of them to one of the most powerful women in the world," he said.
(BMcC/GK)
She met pupils, teachers and governors at Ballyclare High School, having requested the visit after meeting representatives from the school at her official residence in Dublin in 2006.
The President was greeted on arrival by Headmaster David Knox and Chairman of the Board of Governors Dr Robert McMillen, before being shown to the assembly hall, where she heard a recital of Irish-composed music from the chamber choir and soloists.
The visitor is pictured here as she arrived, just before she addressed the gathered Year 13 and 14 pupils.
"We have just heard some stunning music from a beautiful soprano soloist and pianist and, on their own, they sound wonderful, but put them all together into what is an outstanding chamber choir and the result is sheer excellence," she said.
"And this is true, too, of your generation - if you perfect your own talents, skills and values and are willing to work together with others, then out of this will come a very different Northern Ireland and a very different island of Ireland."
When asked by an A-level politics student as to how she predicted Northern Ireland would look in ten years time, she continued: "I think Northern Ireland has phenomenal potential and, using the sheer amount of resolve and new brainpower in your generation, I think we can make a conscious move away from the idea of two communities and work towards one community and one society."
Headmaster Mr Knox said: "It was an honour and privilege to have the President of Ireland with us here today and hear her inspirational words to the pupils. Her visit has not only brought a great sense of excitement to the pupils and the teachers, but also a sense of pride that she should request to visit Ballyclare High.
"We are proud of all our achievements here and are delighted that we had the opportunity to showcase some of them to one of the most powerful women in the world," he said.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 June 2013
Number Of Free School Meals Increases
2012/13 saw an increase in the number of children taking up free meals in Northern Ireland, according to the Department of Education. The Department has published statistics on the uptake of school meals in schools, commonly known as the School Meals census. The findings show that across all sectors (excluding special schools), 79,810 pupils (25.
Number Of Free School Meals Increases
2012/13 saw an increase in the number of children taking up free meals in Northern Ireland, according to the Department of Education. The Department has published statistics on the uptake of school meals in schools, commonly known as the School Meals census. The findings show that across all sectors (excluding special schools), 79,810 pupils (25.
16 August 2001
Northern Ireland pupils are in a class of their own
Northern Ireland students have outperformed their peers in England and Wales in both A-level and the new AS level exams. Figures released by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) on Thursday August 16 show a record 48,000 grades have been issued to Northern Ireland students across all exam boards.
Northern Ireland pupils are in a class of their own
Northern Ireland students have outperformed their peers in England and Wales in both A-level and the new AS level exams. Figures released by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) on Thursday August 16 show a record 48,000 grades have been issued to Northern Ireland students across all exam boards.
12 December 2013
Poorer GCSE Children Perform Half As Well In School
Poorer children in Northern Ireland taking GCSEs perform half as well as their classmates, according to a study of examination performance at post-primary schools in 2012-2013.
Poorer GCSE Children Perform Half As Well In School
Poorer children in Northern Ireland taking GCSEs perform half as well as their classmates, according to a study of examination performance at post-primary schools in 2012-2013.
29 May 2012
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
14 March 2022
Bank Of Ireland Backs Programme To Teach Pupils About Finances
Bank of Ireland UK has partnered wth Young Enterprise NI to bring financial capability programmes to almost 8,000 young people across schools in Northern Ireland. Bank of Ireland has supported Young Enterprise since 2013, enabling them to provide young students with the skills and confidence to successfully manage their finances.
Bank Of Ireland Backs Programme To Teach Pupils About Finances
Bank of Ireland UK has partnered wth Young Enterprise NI to bring financial capability programmes to almost 8,000 young people across schools in Northern Ireland. Bank of Ireland has supported Young Enterprise since 2013, enabling them to provide young students with the skills and confidence to successfully manage their finances.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
