Belfast Royal Academy

A great morning a Roughfort! Well done all! Belfast Royal Academy

We expect that our pupils demonstrate a ‘mind to be kind’ inside and outside school and are proud of our pupils who demonstrate this characteristic.

Mia Gibson, M6, helped to organise a recent fundraising event.

The Gorman family sadly lost their daughter Abbie whilst she was in university in Liverpool. Abbie’s younger brother is an Academy pupil. The family had support from the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and wanted to give back to the charity. At an event held in Forthriver Bowling Club, family and friends of Abbie raised an incredible £18,141, with Mia raising almost £4,000 of this total by holding raffles and placing collection tins in local shops. The Gorman family are very grateful for the support they have received from their local community.

Well done Mia for your fundraising efforts!

Really looking forward to getting the rugby season back up and running tomorrow! All the very best to our Senior rugby teams and Medallion who play Coleraine Grammar School. We look forward to seeing all our junior teams out to train including our new Form 1 pupils! Tea and Coffee will be available from the hatch! Many thanks to Barista Bar for their continued support! Coffee will be served from our fantastic Barista Bar machine!

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐞...
The distinctive Belfast Royal Academy crest features prominently in our school, on various items of pupils’ uniform, in publications, and on our website. As we embark on a new school year, it is fitting to examine the story behind this important emblem.

The modern school crest originates with the Academy’s re-opening at Cliftonville.

Continuity with the past was maintained by the inclusion of the date 1785 – the date of the Academy’s founding; the inauguration of the new (now the Crombie) building was marked by the date 1880, and the incorporation of the title Royal in the school’s name was given Queen Victoria’s approval in 1888: hence that date in the crest. This was also the year in which Belfast was granted ‘city’ status. The arms of the City of Belfast appear on the Academy’s crest.

Emblematic representation of England, Scotland and Ireland are to be seen. This includes the rose, the thistle and the shamrock plus the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom. The red hand of the province of Ulster is evident.

There is no such iconic reference to Wales because Wales was (and is) a Principality, while the other three states were historic kingdoms.

Congratulations to past pupil, Holly Hooks, who was the winner of 19-23 category for her piece ‘Colour Beyond The Male Surface’, as well as being selected as overall winner of the Terry Bradley Art Prize 2023-24. You can see Holly’s artwork in the Bradley Gallery, Victoria Square from Friday 30th August until the Sunday 8th September. Very well done, Holly!

We offer a 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 on both the Cliftonville Road site and Roughfort Playing Fields. If you want to try your hand at swimming, netball, rugby, hockey, athletics, cricket or golf at all levels and develop team spirit, then BRA is the place to be!

Our mission is to both broaden and sharpen the mind.

Find out more here: belfastroyalacademy.com/admissions

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐏𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐬
After the excitement of the team-building day yesterday, we were pleased to welcome our new cohort of Form 1 pupils to the Academy to continue their induction process in a more sedate manner.

We have no doubt that during their school career our pupils will make lifelong friends, will be inspired by their fantastic teachers, will feel supported, known and cared for by all the staff and will make memories that they will cherish.

We look forward to all that they can bring to the Academy community and wish them success and happiness in the years ahead. 🦉❤

Congratulations to Class of 2024 student and budding playwright Tom Moore who made his directorial debut on Friday 9th August when he staged his play 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 at Theatre at The Mill & The Courtyard Theatre. Alongside Tom, fellow Class of 2024 alumni Jack Cairns, Joseph Golden and Rhys Pollard joined Class of 2023 alumnus Matthew Mullan and current MVI student Ella Kilpatrick to help make up the cast. A huge amount of work went into taking Tom’s play from page-to-stage, and a packed out audience of family and friends thoroughly enjoyed the show! 🦉🎭

𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐲/𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒-𝟐𝟓
The Middle Sixth pupils returned to school on Wednesday 21st August and one of the first and most important tasks they completed was the vote for Head Boy and Head Girl. The pupils elected by their peers to these positions of responsibility are:

Head Boy - Nathan Rossal (Forth River Primary School)
Head Girl - Madhumitha Pandiaraj (Templepatrick Primary School)

Deputy Head Boys - Niall Blaskett (Our Lady of Lourdes, Park Lodge, Primary School) & Ryan Calwell (Whiteabbey Primary School)
Deputy Head Girls - Lucy Chambers (Whiteabbey Primary School) & Clara Walsh (Our Lady of Lourdes, Park Lodge, Primary School)

Congratulations to all of our Middle Sixth pupils who will serve as Prefects throughout this academic year and to those elected as Senior Prefects – we wish them every success in this key role within the Academy community. 🦉❤️

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐞...
This programme from the Belfast Royal Academy Sports Day in 1939 provides a fascinating insight to how this important fixture 85 years ago in the school calendar compares with our modern event.

This is another archive from Beattie Metcalf’s collection reflecting her time as an Academy pupil between 1927 and 1939. As well as the familiar relay race and 100 yards (91.44 metres) there was also a slow bicycle race, gymnastics display for boys and girls, and an egg and spoon race!

(Addendum - thank you to Dr Campbell for providing the pages from The Owl for Sports Day in 1939)

𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐂𝐒𝐄 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬
There may have been gloomy skies above the Crombie building this morning, but there was a great deal of happiness and sunshine inside as Form 5 pupils and parents collected GCSE results.

In their formative years in the Academy, this cohort faced significant challenges with Covid and we are delighted that so many have achieved their target grades and now have the currency required to pursue their chosen pathway. Almost 60% of all grades awarded were at A* or A and 94% of pupils attained at least 7 A* - C grades including English and Mathematics. There were some exceptional individual success stories including those who contended with extremely difficult personal circumstances to succeed in a range of subjects.

Congratulations to all of our pupils who worked with determination in order to achieve their goals and to their parents and guardians who supported them throughout.

A new chapter awaits – whether that is in Sixth Form, College, Modern Apprenticeship or employment and we wish all of our Form 5 pupils every success.

Good luck to all pupils receiving GCSE examination results on Thursday 22nd August! You can call the office in the morning to book an appointment to confirm subject choices.

We understand the 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒚 and appropriate challenge: of reading and discovering, debating and challenging, thinking and reflecting.

Our mission is to both broaden and sharpen the mind.

Find out more here: belfastroyalacademy.com/admissions

Due to the generosity of the Mary Ann McCracken Foundation, Belfast Royal Academy was able to offer financial support to three of our MVI pupils as they move on to their next educational setting.
The Mary Ann McCracken Foundation offers bursary programmes for post primary schools in North Belfast. The bursaries are targeted at 16+ year olds who face financial barriers which may prevent them from continuing to AS/A-Level, further or higher education, employment or apprenticeship.
As a school we are very grateful for the support and opportunities the Mary Ann McCracken Foundation has given our pupils.

𝑨𝑹𝑬 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑳𝑶𝑶𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑭𝑶𝑹 𝑨 𝑷𝑳𝑨𝑪𝑬 𝑰𝑵 𝑨 𝑺𝑰𝑿𝑻𝑯 𝑭𝑶𝑹𝑴?
Our Open Afternoon for prospective Sixth Form pupils and their parents will take place on Wednesday 21st August from 3pm. This event will give parents and pupils the opportunity to see the School, meet staff, view our facilities and get a flavour of what Belfast Royal Academy has to offer.
We hope to see you there!

Welcome Belfast Royal Academy is a voluntary grammar school. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest school in the city. An academic school with an inclusive community.

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐞...
Mrs Beattie Metcalfe (nee Stevens), aged 102, has fond memories of her time as a pupil at Belfast Royal Academy. Her 1939 examination card is one of the artefacts she has kept in her scrapbook which reflects her time as an Academy pupil. Beattie attended Wingfield Preparatory Department in 1928 and took her Senior Leaving Certificate in 1939.

The Senior Certificate was the main secondary school qualification in the inter-war period. Butler’s 1944 Act introduced the tripartite division in state provided education: Grammar Schools, Secondary Modern/Intermediate Schools, and Technical Schools.

A Levels were introduced in Britain from 1951, later in Northern Ireland. Senior Certificate examinations in which the candidate was required to pass a block of subjects (to be awarded the full certificate) continued until 1964. Ordinary Level, and for those who sought university entrance, Advanced Levels, were the replacements.

Following the successful outcome of her Senior Certificate examinations, Beattie joined the Ulster Bank.

𝐀𝐒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲
Congratulations to our Sixth Form pupils and their families who received AS and A Level results today.

We were delighted that so many of our pupils attained the grades they needed to progress to the next stage of their education and which reflect the hard work and determination invested by pupils and staff throughout the year.

At A Level, 86% of our pupils attained 3 or more grades A* - C with 8 pupils attaining A* in 3 or more subjects, including 3 pupils who achieved a remarkable 5 A* grades.

It has been a privilege to be part of our pupils’ journey throughout their school career and we wish them the best of luck as they embark on university courses, apprenticeships or careers.

Sixth Form pupils can continue to play 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕, 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎 𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒓 or join any one of our numerous 𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒓𝒂-𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒃𝒔 for the first time.

Register your interest here: https://tinyurl.com/2kjh6hrx and attend our Open Afternoon on Wednesday 21st August 2024.

Opportunities for 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒔 are plentiful. Whether you are interested in drama, dance, public speaking, debating or music, we can help to fuel your passion.

Our mission is to both broaden and sharpen the mind.

Find out more here: belfastroyalacademy.com/admissions

Well done to Form 4 pupil, Evan Tosh, on his 2nd place finish at the Triathlon Ireland Youth National Championships in the 14-15yrs category at Loughrea Triathlon last weekend. Congratulations on an excellent performance and result, Evan! 🦉🏊‍♂️🚴🏃

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐞...
This portrait of James Shaw, after whom Shaw House is named, is displayed in the Heritage Room.
Mr Shaw, known amongst his pupils as ‘Papa’ Shaw, was Head of the Classical School and latterly Vice-Principal until his retirement in 1923. He had taught at the Academy for 43 years and on his retirement at the age of 83 was probably the oldest serving schoolmaster in Ireland and Britain.
🟡

Congratulations to Form 3 pupil, Ethan Coulter, who was awarded the gold medal as the Northern Ireland Schools’ champion in the recent Schools’ Judo competition held in the Foyle Arena.

Our 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 and pupils have the opportunity to perform in the multitude of choral and orchestral groups and to enjoy the camaraderie with fellow musicians.

Our mission is to both broaden and sharpen the mind.

Find out more here: belfastroyalacademy.com/admissions

Congratulations to Form 5 pupil, Leah Callaghan who was recently presented with her Hockey Ireland shirt by current Ireland captain, Katie Mullan at Wesley College, having been named in the Ireland U16 squad for the 4 Nations tournament in Cork.

Congratulations, Conor, on a terrific performance in the 4x100m Medley Relay at the Olympics!

(𝐌) 𝟒𝐗𝟏𝟎𝟎𝐌 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐘 | 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓

6th in their heat and 11th in the 🌍 in a new Irish Record of 3:33.81 for our Men’s Medley Relay.

The boys came into this morning ranked 15th. Top 8 progress to the Final.

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𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐞...
Former pupil, Denis Anderson, who left school in 1970, donated this photograph which appeared in the Belfast Telegraph, of himself with fellow Form 4 pupils, leaving Stormont after a class visit in 1967.
The pupils were accompanied on the trip by Mr Elliott, Mr McConnell and Miss Bengies.
In a letter which Denis wrote to his friend John Burns, who emigrated to Australia in the mid-sixties, he described his experience of question time at Stormont during his visit: “Members left, and came, went around talking to people, and, generally, seemed to pay no attention to whomever was speaking.”
The pupil at the very front was Stephanie Lyons, daughter of Geography teacher Mr J.S.L. Lyons. She was Head Girl, 1969 – 1970.

Since 1785, the Academy has provided “𝒖𝒏𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆” to its pupils. Be part of the generations of young people who have benefited from an amazing BRA education for almost 240 years.

Our mission is to both broaden and sharpen the mind.

Find out more here: belfastroyalacademy.com/admissions

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐞...
These charming charcoal drawings, “Old Park”, April 1941 and “Magnesium Lamps” by Colin Middleton were recently donated to the School by Dr Michael Goldberger.
Colin Middleton, RUA, RHA, MA, MBE attended Belfast Royal Academy between 1921 and 1927. When his father died in 1933, Colin became a partner in his father’s damask design company. Throughout his life, he combined his career as a damask designer, art teacher and set designer with his true love of painting.
His talent, stylistic range and ability as a painter is widely recognised and he has been described as one of Ireland’s most outstanding artists in the Twentieth Century.
Dr Goldberger’s donation now brings to three the number of original pieces in the School’s collection. Last year we received a pencil drawing from Dr Bernard Jaffa and another from Middleton’s daughter, Jane Middleton Giddens. Last year, Dr Brian Metcalfe generously commissioned and curated a Middleton Gallery which is on display in the Darbyshire Building showcasing some of Middleton’s most well-known pieces alongside a detailed biography.
Learn more about this famous artist, his work and connection to renowned poets Seamus Heaney and Michael Longley here:
https://www.belfastroyalacademy.com/alumni/colin-middleton-gallery
We are very grateful to Dr Metcalfe for bringing Colin Middleton’s work to the fore in his alma mater and also to Dr Goldberger, Ms Middleton Giddens and Dr Jaffa who have generously donated these original pieces so that pupils and visitors to our School can continue to enjoy Middleton’s talent.

The opportunities to 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒔 to Europe, America and within the U.K. will provide lifelong memories, broaden your horizons and encourage curiosity about the wider world.

Our mission is to both broaden and sharpen the mind.

Find out more here: belfastroyalacademy.com/admissions

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐞...
This unusual photograph shows military vehicles in front of the Jackson Building.
When extensive civil conflict broke out across Belfast in August 1969 the British government sent troops to control the situation. Some of the soldiers were billeted in the Academy and other unlikely places until more suitable accommodation was found. The School reopened as always in September, by which time there was no trace of the visitors.
These times and these events are now part of the GCSE History course.