Dalriada School
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| Dalriada School | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Ballymoney, | |
| Information | |
| Headmaster | Thomas Skelton |
| Deputy Heads | Joe Slater & Mervyn Barkman |
| Students | Approx 850 |
| Type | Voluntary, Co-educational Grammar School |
| Motto | Labor Sine Cura, Labor Sine Fructu (work without effort is work without gain) |
| Established | 1878 |
| Homepage | http://www.dalriadaschool.com/ |
Dalriada School is a mixed voluntary grammar school in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland
Dalriada School, as a co-educational, voluntary grammar school, provides secondary education for young people in the upper band of the range of academic ability. The School draws its pupils from a wide geographical area and from the full range of social, religious and cultural backgrounds.
Students of Dalriada School are known as Dalriads and former pupils, Old Dalriads. Mr Derek Boyd became principal in 2003, following the retirement of Mr William Calvert having been vice-principal in the school. Mr Boyd retired at the end of the school year (2006/7). The new principal, Mr. Thomas Skelton, was announced on the 8th of March and took over the duties of headmaster on September 2007.
Dalriada Preparatory Department is a fee-paying primary school on the main school campus. There are currently over 100 pupils in attendance at the prep school.
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[edit] History
Dalriada School (which takes its name from the ancient Goidelic kingdom, see Dál Riata) was founded in 1878 in the town centre of Ballymoney (originally known as Ballymoney Intermediate School). This first headmaster was Rev. J. B. Armour, renowned as an independent thinker, and for his efforts to promote the liberty of the individual. Co-educational from its inception the school drew pupils from the whole community. First held in the library of the old town hall, the school moved to the new Technical School building in Charles Street, and finally to the present site, a new building in 1937. In 1924 the school changed its name again to “Ballymoney High School”, and under the Board of Governors, became a limited company.
A strong tradition of music and drama has long been a trademark of the school. A special pageant-play called Dalriada written and produced by the English master, Mr G.E. Gordon, later Headmaster, was the inspiration for the school’s present name. The name came from the kingdom of Dalriada, which had its royal seat in nearby Dunseverick. It was also at this time that Dr Ross, Headmaster since 1931, gave the school its motto “Labor sine cura, labor sine fructu” (work without effort is work without gain). He also re-established a Preparatory Department.
The school grew rapidly, with a building extension under Mr Edmund Gordon, Headmaster from 1948 (following the sudden death of Dr Ross). New laboratories, classrooms, refectory and the John Armstrong Assembly Hall were opened in 1969, followed by the addition of six English classrooms and an open-plan Art Department, “The Edmund Gordon Centre”. It was under Mr Gordon that the school became renowned for its annual Shakespearean plays, which he produced, and the term “the spirit of Dalriada" coined at the time, came to encapsulate the liberal, inclusive and caring tradition which is still promoted in the school. Mr Gordon also composed the school song “O Dalriadan land” which is rendered by pupils at major formal school events.
As pupil numbers increased and the curriculum expanded, so building work continued. Mr Alan Reynolds, Headmaster from 1975 until 1987, saw the building of additional laboratories, and a new Sports Centre, to be followed in 2002, under Mr William Calvert’s headship, by a large new extension, comprising accommodation for Modern languages (6 classrooms), ICT (3 classrooms), Religious Education (3 classrooms) and Music (2 classrooms and a large performance room). The school is now over 815 pupils strong, excluding the Preparatory Department.
[edit] Present Day
Dalriada offers a wide range of extra curricular activities to compliment the academic curriculum;
Music and Drama
Dalriada is perhaps best known for its historic commitment to Music and Drama. Dalriada's four choirs (Junior Choir, Intermediate Choir, Senior Choir and the more exclusive invitation-only Chamber Choir) practice frequently and are well populated by both male and female students. The choirs have known much success in competitions and perform at several school concerts throughout the year.
Dalriada has a full and very competent orchestra, string group and wind band. There are many smaller music groups, most notably the Irish Traditional Groups. A Dixieland Band, Jazz Quartet and many other small group reflect Dalriada's commitment to musical excellence and diversity.
The musical highlight of the year is the "Evening of Music" concert, where each choir and musical ensemble prepare an impressive collection of songs. Other concerts including the annual Christmas Concert feature prominently on the school's calendar.
Dalriada has traditionally staged an annual Shakespearean production. This has been altered to include modern plays bi-annually. They have now incorporated musicals into the Dalriada production schedule. They originally alternated musicals and plays but over the past few years they have had a run of musicals continuing this year with 'Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat'
Sports
All pupils must take part in two periods of "Games" each week. Rugby is the compulsory winter sport for boys with cricket and athletics being practiced in the Spring season. The Medallion (U15) rugby team got to the quarter-final of the domestic shield in the 2006-2007 season. Hockey is the compulsory sport for girls at the school. Rugby and Hockey form the competitive backbone of the school sports. Many other sports are on offer in two additional periods of PE each week. Aerobics, Athletics, Cricket, Dance, Cross Country, Fishing, Football, Gaelic football, Golf, Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball are offered as part of the PE curriculum or as extracurricular sports. Inter-house sports form a means of competition within the school. Each student belongs to one of 5 houses (Ross, Armour, Reynolds, Gordon and Calvert) and competes to defend the name of their house.
Medallion Rugby Team
Dalriada Medallion Rugby Team2007-2008 Have so far got to the 3rd Round of the Medallion Shield. The Team:
1.Andrew Skelton (C) 2.Samuel Kyle 3.Richard Duff 4.Glen Russel 5.David Campbell 6.Peter McCully 7.Robert Hanna 8.Roger Bonnar
9.Matthew Dunlop 10.Ben Henderson 11.Rhys McAuley 12.Jonny McMullan 13.Jonny McLaughline 14. Ewan Strang 15.Simon Hunter
Subbies:
Ross Graham Thomas Procter Sean Ennis Niall Adams Scott Barr Jack Finnerty David Traynor Zach Templeton Zak McClelland
they train every thursday and tuesday.
under 13
1.Peter Johnston (C) 2.Josh Mccormick 3.Andy McWilliams 4.Joel Hunter 5.Mark Matthews 6.Adam Pollock 7.Phillip Taylor 8.David Holmes
9.Timmy Crainy 10.Jamie Gardiner 11.Adam Hodges 12.Stewart Fallows 13.Allen Carruthers 14.Isaac Kerr 15.Jonny Allen
Societies
The school has a long tradition of facilitating student-run extra-curriculur societies. Membership of many societies is both enthusiastic and proactive. Individual pupils are encouraged to contribute to school life and to aid the wider world. Student-run societies have raised large sums of money through numerous charity events such as band nights and World Aid Weeks. Teams have travelled abroad to orphanages in Romania as part of a charity programme.
Christian Union
One of Dalriada's largest extracurricular organisations is the Christian Union (CU). The CU is held every Monday Lunch Time for those of 4th Year+. There is also Scripture Union (SU) For those of Years 1-3; it is held on a Friday Lunch. The theme in CU this year is "Stand", UP-WITH-OUT-FOR, as chosen by the CU committee.
Further Education
Dalriada students almost without exception continue their studies in Sixth Form and often go on to study at many of the UK's finest Universities.
For more than 50 years, Dalriada has published an annual magazine, The Dalriad.
Departments and Subjects
Dalriada offers many subjects for its pupils at GCSE and A-Level. Below is a list of departments and their heads.
Art & Design - Brian Coulter
Business Studies - Joe Tannahill
Careers - Claire Kelly
English - Sharon Flynn
Geography - Helen Leighton
History - Heaney Sayers
Home Economics - Assumpta McGonigle
Information Technology - Ian Walker
Mathematics - Ettaline Wasson
Modern Languages - Robert McClements
Moving Image Arts - David Bradley
Music - Heather Montgomery
Physical Education - Peter Davidson
Religious Education - Ruby Gamble
Science - Janice Emerson
Technology - Alan Robinson
[edit] School Uniform
School uniform is compulsory for all pupils at Dalriada. The school's colours are maroon and royal blue.
All boys in years 8-12 must wear a school blazer (maroon, bound with royal blue, with pocket badge), black trousers, white shirt, school tie (striped maroon, royal blue and black), plain black shoes (not suede or patent), grey or black socks.
In sixth form, an official, emblazoned, black, V-neck pullover must be worn by boys whilst the school Blazer is optional.
All girls in years 8-12 must wear a school blazer (as above), a regulation grey skirt, a white school blouse, a school tie (as above), plain black shoes with low heels and white, orange or grey socks (knee-length or ankle length) or black tights. A royal blue V-neck pullover is optional.
In sixth form, an official, emblazoned, black, V-neck pullover must be worn by girls whilst the school blazer is optional.
School hats are on display in school but are no longer worn by boys of any age. School emblazoned raincoats and school bags are available but are not compulsory.
There are also designated sports, PE and games kits. Separate, sponsored kits are worn by the 1st and 2nd XV rugby teams as well as the 1st XI hockey team.
[edit] Dalriada Prep
Dalriada Preparatory Department is a fee-paying prep school affiliated to the main school and situated on the same campus. It is co-educational and typically for children aged between 4 and 11 years old. With less than 150 pupils and 17 full time staff, Dalriada Prep maintains an emphasis on small class sizes and individual stimulation. With the same liberal, non-denominational ethos as the grammar school, pupils are encouraged to respect others and to develop to their greatest potential. Pupils score highly on the 11+ transfer test and many go on to study at Dalriada Grammar School.
