I don't know about you but my lasting memories of Christmas at Antrim Grammar were the school discos.
Senior school discos were well attended and always brought significant levels of melodrama and gossip. Mistletoe was rife and the occasional locker being 'banged in' led to a threat of termination of all night fever action. A threat which indeed was eventually fulfilled in the early nineties. There's no danger of a return to the good old days of senior discos when Wham was the vibe, however juniors now enjoy dance action every term at Antrim Grammar...and they love it!
Hope you enjoy perusing our last newsletter of 2006, an eventful year. I've added many names to the distribution list over the year and would love to keep up the trend. Do indeed send me your contacts and pass our news on where possible.
This last edition of 2006 includes a farewell from our outgoing Principal. We're sure she'll do a fine job at RBAI and we wish her well. Other articles are samples of a busy and, as ever, varied year.
Features
- » Farewell and thanks from Janet Williamson
- » South Africa Rugby Tour
- » Students at the bar
- » Boys' Hockey
- » Christmas Fayre
- » Snapshots from 2006
Farewell and thanks from Janet Williamson
Dear former pupil
This will be my final newsletter, as Principal of Antrim Grammar School, in advance of taking up my new post as Principal of R.B.A.I. The past five and a half years at AGS have gone so quickly and I leave with many good memories. The pupils and my colleagues, parents and governors have been supportive, positive, progressive and committed to the positive and inclusive ethos of the school. Antrim Grammar School can be proud of its academic success, its pastoral care and excellent range of extracurricular activities. The building programme has also ensured the school has some of the best facilities in Northern Ireland.
Mr Stephen Black, a former pupil, has been appointed the new Principal. He will be taking up his post in March or April of 2007. I wish him every success and know he is coming to a great school and one which he will enjoy leading and managing. In the interim, Mr Gingles, currently Vice Principal, will be Acting Principal and I know he is looking forward to taking the school forward, in the new year.
I sincerely hope the Past Pupils' Association will develop to support current pupils and to reinforce the excellent reputation of AGS. There are tremendous benefits to be gained from a past pupils' network and I hope you can benefit from these, in the years ahead.
I may be leaving AGS, but I am proud of my links and associations and will continue to be interested in how Antrim Grammar School is doing.
May I thank you for your support and wish you a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas and a great New Year.
Janet Williamson
Principal
South Africa Rugby Tour
Rugby at Antrim Grammar continues to grow and is slowly but surely starting to make its mark.
ULSTER STARS
We were fortunate to have Ulster and International stars Justin Harrison and Kevin Maggs join us for a practice session in October. Although it was a holiday for pupils, we had over 60 players turn out to meet them and pick up some tips. 
The 6 ft 8" Harrison certainly had the lads gobsmacked!
We have put forward a number of players to the Ulster trials.
Chris McGregor, Michael Duncan and Michael Smith will all pitch their skills against the best in the province in an attempt to pull the white jersey of Ulster over their shoulders.
The 1st XV received significant coverage in the Belfast Telegraph of late as the Schools' Cup got underway. The boys had an outstanding second half against Cambridge House, winning that 7-0 which laid the platform for an impressive 12-8 victory against Strabane on the 2nd of December.
The under 12's have got out of the blocks early and have already won 3 out of 5 matches. The under 13's started off excellently clocking up good 40 point victories against Wellington and Strabane. Our under 14's have lost just once and have racked up some highly impressive victory margins including a 20 point trouncing of a strong Methodist College B team. On the 2nd December the under 14s also took the winner’s cup at the Limavady Tournament.
In addition, the South African tour fundraising is progressing excellently. The tour fund now stands at a healthy £4000 thanks to the skill development day, bag packing, the Battle of the Bands and the Chinese Banquet. A big vote of thanks needs to go to Jane Smith and her band of helpers who put so much effort into the Skill Challenge day and BBQ. Colin Alexander did a great job in co-ordinating the bag pack in Marks and Spencer’s Ballymena and will also be one of the coaches to look after the players in Cape Town. Dr Reidy orchestrated the Battle of the Bands in which a number of our tourists featured prominently. Jason McMahon and Helen Ingram pulled together for a very successful Chinese Banquet at the Bamboo Inn where 122 supporters were treated to a great meal. A number of auction prizes were bid for, including a signed Ulster rugby shirt. Many thanks to all involved!
Brian Baguley
Students at the bar
After many weeks of preparation, a team of fifteen Antrim Grammar School pupils competed in a series of mock trials at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast. The pupils had the opportunity to rehearse their skills in many areas of the criminal law. 
Some were barristers, defending or prosecuting a case, complete with wigs and gowns. Others took on the roles of Court Clerk, ushers, witnesses, juries and the accused themselves. On the day in question, everyone rose to the occasion as the majesty of the courts and the seriousness of competition took hold. We were ably supported by two past pupils Laura Neeson and Emma Stewart who are completing their training for the bar.
Miss J Burch
Boys' Hockey
The Boys’ Hockey team started on a high this year with the comfortable 10-0 demolition of Ballyclare in the first game of the Prior Shield. Successes against Regent House, Methodist College and a thrilling 3-3 draw with Sullivan Upper in which goalkeeper David- Lee Badger played extremely well, kept confidence flowing. The final game of the group was a brilliant 2-1 win against Portadown, when miraculously David Gleghorne scored the winner. The resulting play-off against Sullivan Upper was another exciting encounter, with the lads coming back from a 2-0 deficit early in the second half, to progress into the next round, 3-2. A Quarter Final match against the holders RBAI 2nds loomed large, and after a tremendous effort, and some dubious umpiring decisions, the boys were defeated 4-1. However, an invite to the Burney Cup was given to the team, thanks to the great progress made. The commitment of Mr Brown was remarkable, along with the excellent captaining by Gleghorne. Other positives were the endeavour of new arrivals such as Mark Hamill and Tommy McMaster, coupled with the great ability and experience of Smyth, Caldwell , Badger, and Shirley. Furthermore, Basil Babu should be highly commended for his performances and his ability to put his shirt on correctly once or twice.
David Caldwell and David Gleghorne
Christmas Fayre
On Saturday 25th November 2006 the ‘Friends’ ran a craft fayre in the assembly hall. We had stalls from many arts and parts of Northern Ireland bringing us glass painting, home baked fare, jewellery, painted milk urns and stitched craft too. In all we had 16 stalls. Greenmount Agricultural College brought us some of their poinsettias and cyclamen which sold very well.
The pupils had their own stalls, for example, books, bric-a-brac, Christmas table centres and a chocolate fountain – which was very popular. You could try your skills at hockey, penalty shoot out, karaoke and the dance mats. After all the effort of spending money, dancing and singing, you could get some tea/coffee with a mince pie and/or a piece of short bread. The morning was a huge success, raising £1200 for the school and so the ‘Friends’ intend to run it again next year around the same date, the last Saturday in November, so keep this date free and join us then.
Snapshots from 2006
Mr Gillen, Mr Ross and Dr Treon on a fine June afternoon enjoying Sports day. There was some fantastic style on this glamorous day - only this line up could carry it off. Class is permanent!
The Staff relay team before the event and before various hamstring and hip complaints. Some dodgy starts and changeovers meant the teachers finished fifth overall! Out of five that is.
Some fine athletes!
Various prizewinners with guest speaker Mr Poynor, September 2006.
Thanks for the messages in 2006. Our newsletter will continue in 2007 as we anticipate the arrival of our new principal. In the meantime have a great Christmas and a fine New Year.
Jason McMahon
