Academic excellence - Ballymena Academy prize distribution

Ballymena Academy form prize winners. Included are Beth Herbison, Crawford Fairfield, Katie Lawther, Robert Adair, Emily Shaw, David McNeill, Sarah McClean and Michael Knowles. INBT44-221AC

That was the message from Ballymena Academy principal, Ronnie Hassard in his address to the packed gathering at Friday’s Prize Distribution.

Looking back on a year in which, the “best ever” ‘A’level results were attained and in which exceptionally high standards were upheld at GCSE, he said: “The old cliché ‘there is always room for improvement’ applies and we are not complacent”.

Mr Hassard commended not just the pupils, but also the role played in the attainment of results by parents, staff and governors.

He said: “We know our education system is not perfect, but the Minister for Education rarely mentions its many strengths. Raising standards and closing the gap between high and low achievers are laudable goals; we want to play our part in a better education service with a variety of school types; all of them good schools, in a heterogeneous system rather than a monolithic and inefficient structure.”