New term for Ballycastle High School

Principal Mr Williamson expressed his delight at the enthusiasm shown by piupils at the start of term.

The new term began on Wednesday 1st September as the staff welcomed 61 new Y8 pupils to the school. On the first day the Y8s enjoyed meeting their new classmates and teachers. They also had a tour of the school and participated enthusiastically in a series of getting to know you games and team building activities which were lead by the PE department.

Last year’s Y12 enjoyed an outstanding pass rate at GCSE and as a result a large number have been able to return to complete their studies at Advanced Level. The returning Ballycastle pupils have also been joined by a number of pupils from neighbouring schools and there are now 36 pupils in Y13.

In order to introduce sixth year study, allow new pupils to make new friends and encourage the general spirit of cooperation for which BHS is known, the sixth years also completed an induction programme in the first week of term. They enjoyed a range of activities including an outdoor pursuit day at the Carrowmena Activity Centre in Limavady and a very enlightening Spirit of Enniskillen workshop.

The much celebrated shared curriculum which has long been part of sixth year study at BHS and neighbouring Cross and Passion College has been extended to include a range of Key Stage 4 subjects. This year Y11 pupils from the two schools will have the opportunity to learn and work together in a number of areas. The shared curriculum allows both schools to offer the widest possible range of subjects at GCSE and equivalent level, so that the widest possible range of interests and abilities can be catered for successfully.

To facilitate this collaboration, the Y11 pupils involved spent time meeting each other and getting to know their way around the respective school buildings and also enjoyed a Spirit of Enniskillen activity day and induction process.

September also sees the appointment of new heads of school to replace the outgoing head girl and boy. This year the role of Head Girl has been awarded to Dorothy Nicholl, while Ben Kennedy will take on the role of Head Boy. Each will be ably assisted by two deputies in the form of Courtney Logan, Becky Clarke, Stephen Morrison and Ryan McGowan.