Prize night guests told of Carrick Grammar’s ‘upward trajectory’

Principal Kieran Mulvenna referenced the pop sensations on a number of occasions as he underlined the point that teachers, governors and parents “are all moving in the one direction, the right direction, towards building together the best future that we can for you, boys and girls”.

In his opening remarks before guests including Shane McCurdy, chief executive of the North Eastern Education and Library Board, the headmaster revealed the school building will shortly benefit from a very gratefully received “little makeover” courtesy of NEELB.

Paying tribute to colleagues who have moved on from North Road and welcoming those taking up new posts, Mr Mulvenna made special mention of Elaine McBride, who gave “33 years of outstanding service” as a teacher, head of English, Literacy co-ordinator, charities co-ordinator, magazine Editor and Duke of Edinburgh mountain-climber.

Guest of honour was Richard Carberry, a former pupil who is now a forensic risk consultant with KPMG.

Mr Mulvenna said: “I am always keen to invite former pupils back to meet our current crop of talent, to show that those who walked these corridors and sat in this hall have gone on from here to achieve their goals in life, which is exactly what you can do too boys and girls.

“After leaving us in 2003, Richard studied Interpreting and Translating in French and Spanish at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh from where he graduated top of his year with first class honours and the Watt Club Medal, an award which is made annually to final year students who have achieved the greatest distinction in their undergraduate degree course.

“On a personal level, sport is still a major part of Richard’s life and in the last 18 months he has completed the London, Paris and Rome marathons raising over £4000 for mental health charities along the way.

“Richard’s story is a fine illustration of one of the key messages that we drive home to our pupils at every opportunity – that whilst you may be in competition for success (for such is the way of the world!) you have ample ability to achieve it, and the only things you require are the willpower and the hard work.

“Witness the 56 former Carrickfergus Grammar School pupils who graduated this year from local universities, amongst whom there were 19 2:1 degrees, 13 first class honours, 12 masters degrees and a PHd in Archaeology thrown in for good measure.”

After highlighting further academic achievement by former and current pupils, the principal went on to emphasise the breadth of the extra-curricular experience on offer at the school including athletics, choir and Army Cadets.

Mr Mulvenna spoke too of the enduring legacy of his predecessor in the role, the late Ken Irwin, following the purchase of the school’s first grand piano.

“As you might imagine, an instrument of this quality does not come cheap, but by combining funds which Mr Irwin himself left with donations from parents, pupils, staff, friends of the school and the proceeds from last year’s splendid spring concert we have been able to commemorate Ken’s memory with something that properly reflects his enduring commitment to the music department, his polished sense of style and his penchant for the big occasion.” In his concluding remarks, Mr Mulvenna expressed delight that “the results achieved by pupils from Carrickfergus Grammar School in public examinations in August rank with our very best and continue our upward trajectory – most definitely the right direction to be going in”.

He added: “As a co-educational school we are also bucking the national trend with our top boys matching our top girls grade for grade.

“I congratulate too our Year 14 pupils on producing a set of A-level results which also equal the best produced in the 52 years of the school.”