Slemish College grows in stature

Slemish College students, staff and parents were told that the Ballymena School is ‘going from strength to strength’ at the college’s awards ceremony.
Guest of honour UTV presenter Lynda Bryans with school principal Dr McHugh,  Head Boy David Hamilton and Head Girl Niamh McGlade at the Slemish College prize night in the Seven Towers Leisure Centre. INBT 40-100JCGuest of honour UTV presenter Lynda Bryans with school principal Dr McHugh,  Head Boy David Hamilton and Head Girl Niamh McGlade at the Slemish College prize night in the Seven Towers Leisure Centre. INBT 40-100JC
Guest of honour UTV presenter Lynda Bryans with school principal Dr McHugh, Head Boy David Hamilton and Head Girl Niamh McGlade at the Slemish College prize night in the Seven Towers Leisure Centre. INBT 40-100JC

Principal Dr McHugh paid tribute to all who support the College with such dedication, including the Board of Governors and Deputy Chair Dr John Lynas, before acknowledging the partnership that exists between the staff, students and their families.

He stated: “We really value the relationships we have with our families. The encouragement and support that your young person receives at home is invaluable in ensuring that they achieve the best possible outcomes during their time at Slemish.”

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Mr. McHugh continued: “I would particularly like at this point to acknowledge the contribution of our Parents’ Council to the life of the school. Our Parents’ Council was recognized a couple of years ago for its Dyslexia Support Group and has been recognized again this year as a model of good practice by the Parent Teacher Association UK.”

The headmaster that Slemish College continued to grow in academic terms: “With regard to examination achievements, we have once again exceeded the expectations for a school of our type with 100% of our students achieving recognized qualifications. Three-quarters of our students achieved 5 or more GCSE’s at A*-C. Abigail Fletcher, Ben Dunleavy, Kirstyn Sampson, Lauren-Louise McCartney, Timothy McGarvey, Hannah Crawford, Lauren Johnson, Jack Haveron, Hannah Black, Robyn Dorsett, Brooke Mawhinney, Allan Watts, Hannah Orr all achieved 10 GCSE’s at the higher grades.

“At A level all our students achieved the grades they required to go onto further study or employment. In particular I’d like to congratulate Bridget Keenan A*A*AA, Conor Crilly AAAA, Paul Davison AAA, Josh Hunter A*AA, Lee Mason A*AAB, Amy O’Hara A*A*A, Nicole Quinn AAB, Sally Flaherty AAB and Michelle McAuley AAB.”

Doctor McHugh thanked the Ulster Council, GAA, Ulster Rugby, Ulster Hockey, Ballymena Learing Together, The Irish Football Association, The PSNI, The Ulster-Scots Agency, The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, Music Service for Pipes and Drums, Ballymena Inter-ethnic Forum, Foras na Gaeilige and Ballymena Borough Council for providing so many sporting, cultural and academic opportunities for the students, before paying tribute to the teaching staff, saying he felt ‘humbled’ to work alongside such dedicated and committed people who contribute so much to the relational aspect of the school.

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The College was delighted to welcome Guest Speaker and former Television Presenter Linda Bryans who spoke candidly about the importance of good mental health. Ms Bryans who is a director of the charity ‘Aware Defeat Depression’ encouraged the audience members to consider the importance of health and well-being amidst the stresses of modern life.

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