GRYPHON 23/24

Gareth, is a pleasure to welcome you today, and I trust that you will inspire our young men as you tell them about your story and your time here in Bangor Grammar School - obviously all the good parts, not the bad!

It was also a great pleasure today to host our first ever Prize Distribution in the Connolly Hall for the first time. During the academic year 22/23, we had the privilege of renaming the assembly hall in memory of our former principal, Mr Stephen Connolly, who brought us onto this site and this brand-new building over 10 years ago. Stephen was a dedicated, professional, caring headmaster who wanted the best for his pupils, and for the generations that lay ahead. As our chairman, Mr Clive Harper has already alluded to, over the course of the year the Board of Governors decided on what would be suitable as a lasting tribute to Stephen, and it was a great pleasure that, prior to the spring concert in April, we renamed the Assembly Hall as the Connolly Hall in his memory. At the unveiling, his wife, Jane, and son Edward were touched by the high esteem that their husband and father were held in. Indeed, it was a privilege to hear the Connolly Choir, made up pf current staff, past staff and pupils, sing the first piece of music that had been commissioned for Stephen's retirement back in 2013.

Staff Changes

As always, school has been busy this year, and we have seen a definite return to normality following the years of Covid. Clubs, societies and sport have all returned to school life - along with the joy of examinations. The change of pace has been felt as we return to full throttle; days and weeks quickly disappear in the fast pace of school life. Staff have also moved on during the year and we bid farewell to the following:

Daniel McShane left in March to take up position as an ICT teacher in Campbell College, Belfast.

Jessica Childs left us in June to take up the position of Head of Modern Foreign Languages in Larne Grammar.

Sarah O’Carroll also left us in June to take on the role of Art Teacher in Belfast Royal Academy in a permanent capacity.

Nicola Palairet has also left to join Priory College as a Classroom Assistant.

Sharon Neill Sloan retired in June as a classroom assistant. Sharon had been with us since 2008 and we all miss her colourful character around school.

Don McFerran also left the facilities team during in March to work in his family’s business.

We also welcome several new individuals to the staff this term:

Gemma Horner to the English Department

Chole McVeigh to the Art Department

Jessica Smyth to the MFL Department

Erin Johnston to the ICT/Computing Department

Gemma McNally as Classroom Assistant

Jill Davis as Classroom Assistant

In addition to this, the Board of Governors granted Mrs Huddleson an extension to her career break for another year and afforded me the opportunity to continue on as Acting Principal. A role that I have to confess is only made possible through a dedicated and supportive team of teaching and non-teaching staff, made up of Classroom Assistants, Office Staff, Technicians, ICT Manager, Facilities and Catering Staff and I wish to thank you all for your support, both last year and this this year already. I would also like to thank the Board of Governors for all their hard work and dedication to the school, for what is at times a difficult and onerous task involving many nights throughout the year. At this juncture I would also like to pay tribute to Mr Ian Henderson who was not only a board member for 29 years, but also held the position of Chairman and was the school’s representative on the Governing Bodies Association who champion the concerns and issues for the voluntary Grammar sector. I would also like to thank the Senior leadership team, made up of Mrs Boyce, Mrs McDermott, Mr Robinson and Mr Todd for their hard work, good spirits and ‘can do’ attitude, in a year when there was so much change and when grace under pressure had to be shown - and that was just because they were working with me.

Promotions

In terms of promotion, Caelan Moreland has been made Permanent Head of Year following a vacancy made possible through Myles Christy’s decision to step down from this role after a change in his working pattern.

Claire Spiers and Stephanie Squance have joined the Pastoral Team as temporary Heads of Year.

Sarah Ryan has joined the Safeguarding Team as Shadow Deputy Designated Teacher for Child Protection.

Academic Results

In terms of Academic Success, we have been able to report the following:

A2: 84% achieved 3+ A*-C

AS: 73% achieved 3+ A-C

GCSE: 91% achieved 7+A*-C

Year 11 GCSE module results returned 78% A- B of which 49% were A’s and 29% were B’s %

• At A2, John Guibao achieved 4 A*
• Luke Hamilton achieved 2 A* and 2 A
• Roan Taylor and Matthew Vaughan both achieved 3 A*
• Timothy Bell and Josh Irwin achieved 2 A* and an A

At AS the following boys achieved 4 A:

• Will Johnston
• Zak Lorimer
• Marcus McGowan
• Shay Ritchie
• Jacob Singleton
• Austin Williams

At GCSE the following boys achieved 9A*:

• Keenan Kennedy
• Aaron Teeney

2 boys achieved 7A* and 2 A:

• Finn Crowther
• David Polly

Over 72 boys achieved A* - B in 7 subjects or more.

Extra-Curricular Success

I am pleased to report that the extra-curricular programme within school has now managed to restart and I must give credit to the staff of Bangor Grammar School, who, despite Union Action, have put the boys front and centre and ensured that they continue to get a well-rounded and varied experience, of both curricular and extra-curricular facets of school life.

Some highlights include success in our major school sports. These have included:

In Hockey:

• 1st XI McCulough Cup Semi-Finalists
• 1st XI Burney Cup Semi-Finalists
• U15 Richardson Cup Finalists

In Rugby:

• Under 16 Inter-provincial representation

In Athletics:

• Ulster Schools Senior 100m Champions
• Irish Schools 3rd in Senior 100m
• Northern Ireland representation at the Youth Commonwealth Games

All achieved by Jamie Moffat.

In Football:

• 1st XI Grammar School League Winners

In some of our other sports we have also seen tremendous success. In the Autumn term, Daniel Palmer was selected by Irish Sailing to represent Ireland at the European ILCA Championship in Poland.

In Tennis, Oliver Hall was selected to represent the U14 Ulster Tennis team at the Inter-provincial Championships in Co Mayo. Max Skelton and his brother James (who was a leaver in 2022) were both selected to play in the U19 European championships in July.

In the Winter term, Ethan Constable qualified to represent the National Cross-Country Championships in Cork. Frank Allen broke the NI U18 Powerlifting Federation record, with a deadlift of 207.5kg - exceeding the record by 17.5kg. Luke Henry also was the overall winner in his class in the same powerlifting competition. Luke Stirling was selected to complete at the Open Taekwondo tournament in Oss in Holland. In weightlifting, Harrison McGrogan also won the Under 49kg class and beat the British record by 30kg at the British Olympic Weightlifting Championship in Leeds.

In the Spring/Summer term, our swimming team exceeded themselves by ranking 5th in the whole of the UK, seeing off the local competitors at the Bath Cup in London. This was an excellent achievement, given that we were competing against other HMC schools such as Eton and Harrow (who have their own swimming pools). The Year 8 badminton team won the Ulster School Year 8 Cup at Lisburn and two teams competed in the Belfast City Marathon, raising £3262 for the NI Children’s hospice.

In addition to this, £1857 was raised at our sponsored walk in June and was divided between three charities; namely, Abanna, Angel Wishes and PIPS. The MacMillan Coffee Morning raised £414 and our annual Children in Need Day another £2566, bringing the total of money raised by the school for charities in excess of £8000 this year.

In terms of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, the 2022 season running from April 21 to October 22 had two Year 12 Silver Groups completed their Practice and Assessed Expeditions in the Mournes. One Year 14 Gold group completed their Practice Expedition in the Mournes, and their Assessed Expedition in the Lake District. Three Year 13/14 Gold Groups completed their Practice Expedition in the Mournes and their Assessed Expeditions in the Mournes and Cairngorms in Scotland.

In the whole of the Education Authority Award Scheme there were only four groups who left Northern Ireland to complete their Gold Expeditions: three of these groups were from Bangor Grammar School.

The 2023 season, running from April 22 to this October; all pupils in Year 11 were offered a place on the Award Scheme and we will see six Year 11 groups complete their Practice and Assessed Expeditions.

At Year 13 there are three Gold Groups working towards their Award. They have completed their training and Practice Expedition in the Mournes and are due to do their Assessed Expedition at the end of September in the Cairngorms.

The success of the scheme depends a lot on the encouragement given by parents, especially regarding completing the online record sections of the Award. Pupils must be self-motivated to complete a level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

We are appreciative of the financial help given by the Parents Teachers Association which was used to purchase tents.

The PTA have been active throughout the year hosting events such as the Year 8 Disco, Quiz night, Uniform Sale, and (Gareth will be glad to hear), a Gin Tasting Evening. The PTA have raised over £4500 this year and we appreciate all the time and dedication they give, to help support the work of the school and the experience of the pupils.

Special Events

I have already mentioned the special event of the Spring Concert this year but we have also been able to host our normal programme of the Arts this year again. Those of you who were able to attend the Senior Drama Society production of A Christmas Carol prior to Christmas were blown away by Ben Watson and Will Johnston in their roles as Scrooge and Marley, supported by a huge cast that involved pupils throughout the school.

The Service of Remembrance was also a special occasion when we, as a school, remembered those boys who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. The presence of the CCF at this event adds to this occasion and I am pleased to report that the school has more than 200 cadets from both BGS and Glenlola every Wednesday night engaging in this activity. This year the CCF were also successful in winning the NI Cadet Orienteering Competition against Campbell College, Bloomfield Collegiate, Strathearn and Royal School Armagh.

This year we also brought the Carol Service back into the school and, despite some reservations, it was a truly spectacular night which allowed us all to get into the festive spirit. I would recommend the need to book tickets early this year... Another fantastic opportunity for our boys and the local community was the Careers Fair in February, when over 30 universities and 45 employers came to assist and provide advice on potential career and study opportunities.

And who can forget (although many try), the randomness of the Junior Drama competition - where you never quite know what you will see...

This goes to show the wide breath of opportunities that we provide our boys with, and it is a pleasure to see them engage in so many areas of school life. I am always encouraged to see that they do not box themselves in, but are all-rounders in the various activities within this school.

Alumni Members

The ability to be involved in so much of school life was made apparent to me when over the Easter holiday, I had the privilege of meeting with T A Kelly’s sister, Heather who visited the school and met with myself and Paul Blair, former Chairman and current governor of the school. Our reason for meeting Heather was to show her how we had spent the very kind legacy that had been left by her brother to the school - in the rejuvenation of the hockey pitch, and also to allow her to see how her brother had been remembered in this new school building.

As she talked about her brother and shared stories of his time in Bangor Grammar School, it became apparent that the experiences he had whilst at school are still afforded to this generation and it was encouraging to think that he has left a lasting legacy for the next generation, to enjoy the areas of school life that he gained so much from. I would encourage the young men who are leaving us today to consider this - what am I leaving behind? As you enter university or the world of employment, what legacy will you leave in your destinations ahead? Today you will leave behind your experiences of school life, but they are always something to reflect upon, reminisce in, and return to.

BGS is a community that is made up of many different parts - always remember that you are welcome here and that, as a Grammarian and a member of the Alumni, we are always here for you.

Pastoral Form Time

Over the year, our classes have had a wide range of experiences during their pastoral form time lessons; from learning how to live a balanced lifestyle, to giving your car a health check and many more activities.

The overall adjudication was:

• BEST CROSBY ACTOR was awarded to Isaac Johnston
• BEST DUFFERIN ACTOR was awarded to Marcus McKinley
• BEST SCHOOL ACTOR was awarded to Joseph Skelly
• BEST WARD ACTOR was awarded to Beau Bryans
• BEST OVERALL ACTOR was awarded to James McCrea
• 4th PLACE: Crosby House
• 3rd PLACE: Dufferin House
• 2nd PLACE: School House
• 1st PACE: Ward House

After the adjudication, Finn was presented with a replica Spartan helmet, to thank him for his services to BGS Drama over the years - and to replace the original helmet he wore in Year 9 (fashioned by Mr Cunningham from a plastic bucket and brush head), which he treasures to this day. Finn spoke eloquently to the packed auditorium about the importance of Drama as a subject and how much it meant to him personally. He received a standing ovation for his speech, and his words were an inspiration to all present.

Senior Drama Society

It was Albert Einstein who said that: “Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought”; and coming up with ideas that no one has ever thought of is a B.G.S speciality. The frequent delays and late performance date of the school play gave the Senior Drama Society an extended period of time to revel in the joys of the creative process. Guided by Mr Cunningham, Tuesday nights became a joyous time, where the madcap ideas of boys were allowed to flourish and soar to new and unexplored heights (and depths), partially necessitated by the fact that we had no script.

How to sensitively integrate the problem of school vaping was the topic one week, while the next it was how to comedically represent the mental breakdown of a Physics teacher delivering a Zoom lesson during the pandemic - onstage.

The abundance of creative energy that could be found during these sessions was down in no small part to our huge cast of Year 12’s, firmly taking up the mantle of Senior Drama and leaving this Year 14 very confident of the future of Drama at B.G.S.

As the long-awaited performance date drew ever closer, preparations were taken up a notch: staging was erected, costumes were fitted, and electromagnetic cannon designs were finalised. Then, before we knew it - Opening night (which would also be our only night)!!

Perhaps we are all a little mad, we who don the cap and bells, and tread beneath the proscenium arch (if we had one). We had but one chance: Mr Gilmore was sitting in anticipation (or fear) in the front row; dozens of old boys from the original production were waiting to be transported back to their youth.

Belfast Marathon Relay 2024

Children In Need

Children In Need was a busy day in Bangor Grammar this year. The whole school took part in a non-uniform day, whilst the Year 14 celebrated their annual Fancy Dress Competition with costumes ranging from a giant inflatable unicorn to Columbo, the private detective.

Carol Service

Ski Trip

Food Technology

Chamber Choir

On April 25, 2024, our Chamber Choir headed to the Bangor International Choral Festival at St Comgall's Parish Centre in Bangor, and it was an unforgettable experience! Led by Mrs Claire Buchanan, students from Year 8 all the way up to Year 14 competed in the Grammar Class and were awarded an amazing second place.

But the excitement didn’t stop there. The Festival Committee was so impressed that they invited our choir to perform at the Welcome Concert on Friday evening. The boys totally nailed it, delivering a performance that had the audience on their feet with a standing ovation!

The whole festival had a super supportive vibe, and it was awesome for us to hear other choirs and see what they're doing. We got to meet a bunch of other choral groups, which was really cool and gave us new ideas and inspiration for our own singing.

Going to the Bangor International Choral Festival wasn’t just about the competition; it was a chance to bond with other choirs and share our love for music. Our Chamber Choir’s success shows just how hard we’ve been working and how much we love what we do.

Congrats to everyone who took part! We’re all super proud and can’t wait to see what our choir does next.

Duke of Edinburgh

Krakow Trip

A week before our visit to Poland, I went to see a viewing of The Zone of Interest - a film with astounding praise from film critics and teachers. The film was about the commandant of Auschwitz from 1940 to 1943. However, what set it apart from other movies about the holocaust was that it never once showed the deaths themselves; only using sound to hint at the horrors that took place in the camp. This idea intrigued me and seemed to be what earned the film such great reviews.

As I left the cinema however, I couldn’t help but find myself underwhelmed with the film; I had found it extremely boring - slow and with a gimmick that wears off after 10 minutes. I spent the next week feeling disappointed but also confused; Why did this film get such great reviews?

The BGS history trip finally arrived and we spent the first day getting to know Kraków; we all learnt that Mr Wolfenden wasn’t lying when he said, “This is one of the most beautiful cities in the world!”. The architecture of the city was fantastic and was rich with history.

Eventually, the day most of us had all been waiting for , arrived. Our bus dropped us off at the main visitor centre for Auschwitz. We got through security and entered into a concrete tunnel; there were speakers surrounding us and we heard a man reading off a list of the names of people who had lost their lives in the infamous concentration camp.

This moment in particular hit me in a way that not many others had. Before, the people who had died were just numbers - nameless statistics that would be shown in a textbook or a YouTube video.

But now they were people just like you and me. People who had loved ones and friends. Eventually we made it to the gas chamber built at the first Auschwitz camp. As I was observing the surroundings of the gas chamber, I noticed a building that looked familiar. I quickly realised that the building I was looking at was the same building I had seen on the big screen just a week prior - the commandant's house.

German Exchange Visit

In June 2024, twenty boys and two members of staff, Mr Nicholl and Mr Ramsey, took part in the German Exchange with the Immanuel-Kant Gymnasium in Lachendorf, Northern Germany. The BGS boys enjoyed a fascinating week experiencing life in Germany first hand through living with host families and attending school classes with their German exchange partners. We started the week with a traditional German barbecue, which was kindly organised by the German parents at the school, where everyone enjoyed some Bratwurst and watching the opening match of the Euros – which Germany won!

Several excursions were planned during our time in Germany, including trips to the local outdoor swimming pool and a round of “swing golf” where teachers and pupils alike showed off their golfing skills. We also spent a day in in the city of Hannover where we visited the Zoo where we went on an animal safari and saw over 2000 different animals. Quite a bit of pocket money was spent in one of the many shops around Hannover in the afternoon.

U16/U18 Football Report

U18 Football:

The 2023/24 season was always going to be a challenging season and we moved into another cycle of rebuilding the team following the departure of the Year 14 boys from last year who had formed the central core of the Grammar School League winning team in 2022/23. The situation was exacerbated by season long injuries to 3 key players - Dawson O’Rorke, Ryan Gamble and Michael McDaid. These two factors left significant gaps in the team structure and returning players such as, Sam Little (Captain), Morgan McGimpsey, Josh Colville, Thomas Forsythe, Jamie Daniels, Jamie Miller and Joshua Ritchie had to step up to form the backbone of the team. However, we still needed to draw on several players from the Year 12s to make up the U18 1st XI squad. Daniel Hannan, Finlay Bayliss, Oliver Keenan, Ben Black and Rees McClements our top goal scorer, were regular players in the U18 Squad.

The U18 season was further affected as our midweek games were beset by the frequent bad weather and other factors. The result of all this was a difficult season for the U18 Squad. The NI Cup restricts the squad by age and Josh Jones, Kai Morrow, Adam McGarry and Laughlin O’Neill supplemented the team for this competition, but we exited the cup in the early rounds. In the Belfast Cup we progressed out of the group stage as group winners but lost to local rivals Regent House at the Quarter Final stage. The boys performed well on the field but unfortunately, were unable to match the heights of the 2022/23 season.

Best wishes go to those boys for whom this was their last season of football with Bangor Grammar and particularly with Sam Little who will be heading off to New York in August on a football scholarship with Jamestown Community College.

U16 Football:

The 2023/24 season was only the second time we have been able to have an U16 football team in recent years. Running a second team in football brings additional pressure getting fixtures played across the season but we had done some work with these boys at the end of the 2023 academic year and had identified them as a promising group of players.

From the opening games in their cup competitions, it was obvious that we had a good squad to work with and we were hopeful of success. The team had good runs in both cups, progressing to the 3rd round in the NI cup, going out in a narrow defeat to Craigavon High School. In the Belfast cup we perhaps should have made better progress, but we narrowly lost against Grosvenor Grammar School, who went on to be finalists in the NI Cup. The team then moved into the Belfast Plate and convincingly won the next 3 rounds of that competition to make it to the final in April 2024. Unfortunately, despite playing some great football and creating several goal scoring opportunities we could not convert them into a winning goal in normal time. The match went into extra time and De La Salle emerged as victors against the run of play. It should be noted that the same De La Salle team had already won the NI cup final this season and so it should be considered a great achievement of the boys to take them so close in the final of the Plate competition.

On the whole the U16 team had a successful season and have built a solid foundation for next year. As such I believe that we can look forward to further success in the 2024/25 season.

Martyn Nesbitt, Teacher in Charge

Cricket

U12 Cricket Report

At the beginning of the season, we started off playing softball and those new to cricket learned how to bat and bowl. The first games that we played were softball matches against Bangor Academy, which we won.

After the first few weeks, we started playing hardball cricket, playing both in the nets and on the wicket. Our first hardball match was against Down High, where we managed to score 91 runs. Thanks to Charlie Drysdale, who got 25 runs and Rory Rea, who got 21 runs. However, Down High managed to chase our score down with four overs left.

In our next game we got knocked out of the cup by a very strong Inst side. Our next match was a league match against Grosvenor, where we managed to restrict their team to only 89 runs. We managed to chase their total and with five overs left, Ruan Loggenburg scored 40 runs and Theo Wardley scored 17 off 4 balls not out. In our next few training sessions we practised fielding and high catches.

In the Plate quarter final match against Inst 'B team, we chased and achieved 69 runs in 10 overs. Charlie Drysdale scored 35 not out, Theo Wardley scoring 30. Hugh Kells took an astonishing 5 wickets!

There was then another match against Inst ‘A’ team who beat us convincingly a few weeks ago. The match was played on the astroturf hockey pitch and we scored 151 runs with Charlie Drysdale getting 52 not out, Rory Rea getting 38 and Theo Wardley getting 30 not out. This was a great total! In the second innings Inst only managed to get 121 runs, thanks to Reuben Flemming. He has only started playing cricket this season and managed to get 2 maiden overs. The team was really improving and this win gave the team confidence!

The plate semi-final was played at Down High School, who had also beaten the team in the first match of the season. BGS managed to score 131 runs with Theo Wardley getting 39 and Harry McGowan getting 25 runs. In the second innings, Down High only managed to score 72 runs, with Reuben Fleming taking 3 wickets and Cole Galloway taking an extraordinary catch to send us into the final!

In our final training session, we practised playing straight shots and this training has really helped us to improve our batting.

In the plate final against Sullivan, played at home, we scored an astonishing 163 runs thanks to Rory Rea, who scored an incredible 63 runs, Charlie Drysdale scored 43 runs and Theo Wardley scored 25 runs. Sullivan only managed to score 111 runs, with Theo Wardley taking 3-11 and Jonah Mcauley taking 3-25.

Our final match against Sullivan was our last game in a fantastic, enjoyable season. We won our last 5 games, won the plate and everyone developed and improved!

Theo Wardley (8MAS)

Cross Country/Athletics Report

The 23/24 Cross Country and Athletics season at Bangor Grammar School was filled with incredible performances and plenty of achievements to celebrate.

In Cross Country, Carter Rolston had a standout year, winning both the mini boys' district competition and the Ulster competition - an outstanding accomplishment which highlights his talent and determination. Our Junior Cross Country team also had a strong season, finishing 3rd at the Ulster competition and qualifying for the All Irelands. The team - Ethan, Alex, Bruce, Ryan, Ché, Ollie, Milo, and Matthew - showed fantastic grit, teamwork, and determination, competing well on the national stage. We’re proud of their efforts, and the experience will surely help them continue to improve.

In Athletics, we had several students make their mark at both the Ulster and All Ireland levels. Albie Scott competed in the All Irelands for the intermediate boys' hammer throw, showing great promise. Theo Scott and George Patterson represented us in the intermediate boys' speed walk, and their dedication to such a unique event was impressive.

In the senior category, Jamie Moffat took home a bronze medal in the All Irelands for the senior boys' 100m—a well-deserved reward for his hard work and dedication. Andrew Brown competed in the pole vault, while Daniel Constable took on the long jump, both at the All Irelands, showcasing their skills at the national level. Beyond these, we had five more athletes who competed at the Ulster level, further highlighting the depth of talent in our athletics program.

Overall, the season was filled with great moments and performances that made the school proud. From Carter’s big wins to the Junior Cross Country team’s strong showing, and our athletes taking on the best in Ireland, it’s clear we’ve got a lot to look forward to. With so much talent and determination, the future of cross country and athletics at Bangor Grammar School looks very bright indeed.

Matthew Armstrong Sanchez, Teacher in Charge

Hockey Report

The 23/24 hockey season at Bangor Grammar School was filled with excitement, intense competition, and promising performances across all age levels. While the season was marked by some close calls, our players showcased resilience and determination throughout.

The 1st XI faced a mix of triumph and heartbreak. In the Schools' Cup, they narrowly missed out on a spot in the semi-finals. Wins against Cookstown and Campbell College, combined with a draw against Sullivan Upper, set up a playoff against Friends School Lisburn, where they were narrowly beaten. Despite falling short, the campaign highlighted their ability to compete strongly against top teams.

The All Ireland competition was a highlight for the 1st XI. They notched impressive wins over Bandon Grammar, Campbell College, and even defeated tournament favourites Wesley College in a standout performance. Unfortunately, their journey ended in a narrow defeat to Wallace High School in the semi-final, who went on to win the competition. This run was a testament to their talent and tenacity, showing they could compete at the highest level. The Burney Cup, however, brought disappointment as the 1st XI lost to Banbridge in the second round.

The U15s put together a strong run in the Richardson Cup, making it to the semi-final stage before being narrowly defeated by a powerful Inst team. Their progress this year demonstrated great promise for future success. The U14s also competed well in what was a particularly strong year group, while the U13s advanced to the semi-final of the Bannister Bowl, a testament to their growth and teamwork.

At the representative level, several players earned well-deserved honours. Sam McMillan, Robbie Brown, and JJ Holley were all selected for the Ulster U18 squad, with Sam and JJ progressing to the Irish training squad—a remarkable achievement. Additionally, Seb Holley represented Ulster and Ireland at the U16 level, underscoring the level of talent present at Bangor Grammar.

Individual honours were awarded to the standout players of the season. Sam McMillan was named 1st XI Player of the Season, demonstrating maturity, dedication and skill on the pitch. Jonah McCrea earned the 2nd XI Player of the Season award for his dedication and contributions. Ethan Archer was recognized as U15 Player of the Season, while Max Watson and Zach Johnston received the honours for the U14 and U13 squads, respectively.

Our junior teams (U13, U14, U15) showed significant growth over the season, laying a solid foundation for the future of hockey at Bangor Grammar School. Their progress is a promising sign that we can continue to build a strong hockey tradition.

Overall, the 23/24 season brought its share of challenges, but also moments of brilliance and plenty of reasons to be optimistic. With a talented group of players and a clear hunger to improve, we look forward to even greater success in the seasons to come.

Dawie Holley, Teacher in Charge

Rugby Report

The 23/24 rugby season at Bangor Grammar School was one of mixed results, with the senior teams facing challenges, but also showing glimpses of potential that can give us hope for the future. While this year was not without its setbacks, it has provided valuable lessons that will only make us stronger.

The 1st XV's journey ended in the semi-final of the Schools' Cup Plate competition. Although the Plate represents the third tier, it gave the team an opportunity to gain more experience and develop resilience against tough opposition. The journey to the semi-final was not easy, and the grit shown throughout the campaign indicates that with further development, this team has the potential to compete at a higher level. The 2nd XV also showed flashes of promise in their quarter-final run, and with a bit more consistency, they could progress deeper in future seasons.

The Medallion team had a spirited run to the semi-final of the Medallion Bowl, demonstrating moments of quality and strong teamwork. While this season didn’t see us competing in the top-tier competitions, the progress made by these players has laid a strong foundation. There is every reason to believe that with commitment, these young players can push on and elevate their game in the coming years.

A major positive from the season was the representative honors earned by Christian Little and Albie Scott, who were selected for the U16 and U17 Ulster Training Squads, respectively. Their hard work and dedication highlight the potential within our program to produce players capable of competing at the highest levels.

The junior teams had their share of successes as well, and their improvement over the season was noticeable. It is encouraging to see the next generation developing, and their progress fills us with optimism for the future of rugby at the school.

Special mention must go to Rory Fulton, who was named 1st XV Player of the Season. His leadership and performances on the field provided a beacon of hope, and his example will be crucial in setting the tone for next year.

In summary, while there were challenges this season, there were also signs of growth and potential that we are eager to build on. We are committed to putting in the hard work to ensure that Bangor Grammar School rugby returns to competing at the highest level, and we look forward to seeing what we can achieve in the upcoming seasons.

Rhys Botha, Teacher in Charge

Sports Day