PICTURE GALLERY: Ballee HS Open Night
Prospective pupils and their parents gathered at Ballee High School last week for the Open Night. View picture gallery here...
Mrs McCartney welcomed the parents and P7 pupils who packed the Assembly Hall and outlined how the school would promote children's all round development through sound teaching and quality pastoral care.
She explained: "Ballee Community High School is a changing and progressing school where every child matters."
As a mother, teacher and now a Principal she expects the same quality educational experience for her pupils a she would expect for her own children. She continued: "We identify, from early on where pupils abilities lie, working hard to stretch all pupils to make maximum use of their ability and supporting those who need a little extra help. Developing potential is one of our 10 core values."
Pupils are thoroughly prepared for examinations which match their ability making success achievable. For most that is GCSE's, for others it may be Entry Level exams. This year two pupils have received from CCEA the top accolades for their work in Art & Design and Occupational Studies demonstrating that hard work really does bring results.
With excellent teaching facilities and resources the school offers a broad and balanced curriculum at both key stages working in partnership with the Northern Regional College and other schools in the town a wide range of courses is offered. Full details of courses available can be found in the new school prospectus.
There are many opportunities for pupils to develop their self confidence and leadership skills both in the classroom and through the raft of extra curricular activities on offer e.g., trampoline, horse riding, rugby, horticulture, hockey, karate and ICT just to name just a few. Interests, hobbies and talents are nurtured, celebrated and rewarded.
Ballee Community High School has a long history of family connections and the Principal welcomed the very many past pupils who are now parents of P7 children to the audience.
"This "Family" spirit creates a feeling of closeness and loyalty towards the school and generates trust in what we can do and have been doing for over 30 years for the young people in our care", she explained.
The school is ideally situated and welcomes pupils from both town and country primary schools creating a healthy balance and mix of young people. Transport to school is not an issue with many buses being dedicated for our own pupils with pick up and drop offs in the school car park avoiding the busy bus station.
Mrs McCartney continued: "The schools educational vision is to work towards 'Preparing young people for tomorrow's world, today'. What tomorrow's world will bring no one really knows. Margaret Meek stated that we are at a point where we must educate our children in what no one knew yesterday and prepare them for what no one knows yet about tomorrow."
Through our educational pathways and extra curricular programme we are preparing young people to become contributes TO society rather than takers FROM society.
Photographs by Hugo McNiece.
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Weather for Ballymena
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
