It's June and the sun is shining today quite like how I remember summer terms as a pupil at AGS. After exam week time flew by as the long holidays beckoned and all I can recall is the mass games of football on the rugby pitches when the rules were dubious and the occasional broken collar bone was the norm, (no solicitor's letters either). One section of turf which was sacred was the cricket square. Mr Thompson was the guardian of that patch of grass and his bamboo cane was the best detterent for the wayward student.
As this year draws to a close I'm starting our newsletter by introducing you to our recently appointed Principal Mr Steven Black, another past pupil of AGS. Other items are written by pupils who are involved in something new in our extra-curricular programme. Who'd of thought? Show jumping at AGS! Oh and finally congratulations to AGS old boy big Ian Magee on his latest promotion! Thanks for keeping us all safe at night Ian. Well I hope you enjoy the read and do continue to forward your comments (jmcmahon@antrimgrammar.antrim.ni.sch.uk).
Features
- » Hello from Steven Black
- » The Spirit of Enniskillen
- » An AGS Rugby final at Ravenhill
- » Show jumping - Another first for AGS
- » Golf - Pupils v staff
- » Have a good summer
Hello from Steven Black
As a past pupil of the school I feel privileged and honoured to have been given the opportunity to return to Antrim Grammar School as Principal.
I have many fond memories of my time here as a pupil, and especially of the Mathematics Department. Next year I intend to do some teaching of Further Mathematics within the department and hope that I can instil the same enthusiasm and knowledge for the subject as my teachers, Mr Magee, Mr Thompson, Mr Flowerday, Mrs Crozier and the late Miss Kempton, did for me.
The school continues to go from strength to strength and to uphold the standards of excellence in academic achievement and pastoral care which were established by Mr Spence and developed by Mr Hunniford and Miss Williamson. I look forward to the opportunity to build upon this and to further enhance our reputation locally, nationally and internationally.
Steven Black
Principal
The Spirit of Enniskillen
This year, for the first time, our school was involved with the Spirit of Enniskillen School Programme. A group of Year 13 students took part in a preparation day, in which we discussed common prejudices that exist within Northern Ireland. From this day, 10 pupils were selected to go to the Share Centre for a weekend with people from other schools, including Cross and Passion, Ballycastle High School and St Patrick’s, Maghera. Our group was split up and we stayed in chalets with pupils from the other schools. It was with our chalet groups that we worked during the day and socialised with in our spare time. Once again, we discussed the religious and racial divides that permeate our society, as we tried to envisage a solution to create a more peaceful and prosperous future for Northern Ireland. I know that we all gained a lot from our participation and that many of our own perspectives were challenged. It was a great experience and we would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to get involved to do so.
Caroline Hull, Matthew Joyce and Mo Stewart
An AGS Rugby final at Ravenhill
Every Friday afternoon during the winter, come rain, hail and wind we got together as a team and trained. Some days the weather was so bad that the horizontal rain stung like needles as it hit the back of your neck. 
The pain in your legs as you push that little bit extra to score a try. The cuts and bruises as you crash down for the touch. The screams as you call to your team mates. The thundering voice of Mr. Mc Kenna and the enthusiasm of Miss. Connor as they shouted encouragement, even when our heads dropped, their help and support made all the difference to our team.
Would it all be worth it in the end? Well it was! On Friday 11th May all our efforts were rewarded when we represented our school in the Girls School Cup Final at Ravenhill stadium. Everyone was so nervous thinking about the task a
head, but although the game ended in defeat, really we were all winners.
All the hard work, pain, agony and stress was worth the experience of walking onto the pitch and hearing people shouting your name. What an experience, what a night. All the nerves leaving your body as you rise to the occasion and try to fight your way back into the game. At times it felt like David versus Goliath as the sheer strength of the Foyle and Londonderry, opposition forced us backwards towards the goal line. The physical size of these girls and their extensive experience did not daunt us. We fought for ourselves our team mates and the honour of the school.
We didn’t want the final whistle to come, but it did and we had to accept defeat with dignity and grace. We are happy to put this year down to experience but with more training, more support from the coaches then we can go one step further next time.
Roll on next year. We want the title in Antrim!
By Edel Finn - Year 10 pupil
Show jumping - Another first for AGS
In aid of the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice an inter-school show jumping competition was held at Silverwood Equestrian Centre, Lurgan on Monday 3rd of April. Antrim Grammar School was one of 23 Intermediate teams from all over Northern Ireland. The AGS team included Lucy Hanna, Nicola McKee, Joanne Blair on Tickety Boo, Sarah Fenning on Euro 
Technique and Mrs. Ayling as Chef de Quip. The team looked fantastic, with horses plaited and boots polished a credit to the girls, despite not winning the tack and turnout prize.
The course proved to be very challenging for competitors, it was very bright and bold with a number of spooky fillers and unfortunately it didn’t ride well at all with numerous competitors getting eliminated at the 1st fence!
Lucy Hanna rode first, and had a beautiful round but was very unlucky and unfortunately had fence four down. Joanne Blair went next, riding an inexperienced Tickety, she was eliminated In the first round and had an unlucky four faults in the second round. Sarah Fenning riding Euro Technique went next, the playboy bunny fence proved too frightening to her young horse resulting in elimination in the 1st round and was also eliminated at fence eight in the second round but tried very hard! Last but certainly not least was Nicola McKee. She was fantastic and rode the only double clear in our team, well done Nicky. AGS all things considered, rode really well as only one team finished on a zero score!
The AGS team would like to thank Mrs Hanna for doing a super job, warming every one up and to Mrs McKee for helping with tack and turnout and Mrs Ailing for her encouragement.
Sarah Fenning - A 2nd Year Pupil
Golf - Pupils v staff
After the first encounter of 2006, which was by no means a real challenge, the staff golfers took it upon themselves to prepare for a long anticipated re-match in 2007. 
As someone who plays golf regularly I can easily say that it’s not hard to get bitten by the “golf bug” and it was clear that from the early signs of a new school term that Mr. Coert, the staff teams’ talisman had been showing signs of high enthusiasm and practice. However our team was not really all that prepared as Jonny and Steekie had not played in roughly a year!
The match began in good weather which did not really benefit the standard of the teachers’ play. However after being tied with Hugh Wallace on a points system after 6 holes I couldn’t help but worry slightly. 
Golf is complicated in many ways and for those of you that don’t understand the points system and want to, I’m not going to as it may fry your heads but the extra shots gave the teachers a bit of an advantage. One man that took advantage of this was Mr. Neill who I would describe as a gangster of the highest order as he could chip and putt from anywhere while he was fairly straight from tee to green. This was aided further by the extra number of shots that Mr. Neill received playing off a handicap of 28 which should be more like 20! Therefore it was a bit of a shock to see that when Marc was at one point 2 under par gross, Mr Neill was leading on a points basis. Mr. Coert who was taking snap shots from everywhere seemed to employ a great tactic by causing 
Jonny to laugh constantly but fortunately didn’t succeed. Hugh was a good laugh to play as his commentary provided a humorous analysis of shots that were played. Watching from the group in front, it was easy to see Steekie in his jeans beating the ball out of the sand while Mr McMahon had his ever posing golf swing that provided some good results for the teachers.
However, for all their hours of practice the teachers did not disgrace themselves at all and came a lot closer than they had done so the previous year. 
The pupils’ team had claimed a consecutive victory and as they say “the cream always rises to the top!” In all seriousness the day was brilliant, enjoyed by all and played in good spirit and we all look forward to playing again in the next encounter, thanks for a brilliant game. In golf there is no such thing as third time lucky!
Gary Marks L6
Have a good summer
Well another year has come and gone and AGS continues to develop in a variety of fronts. Our rugby pitches are currently undergoing a 100k revamp as 45 players head to South Africa for a two week tour. Medallion rugby players head for Rome in October and 95 pupils will hopefully be skiing in New Hampshire, USA come early 2008. Girls rugby has even reached Ravenhill and Hockey continues to prosper. Exciting and enjoyable times at AGS and of course lets not forget the continued academical excellence which prevails here.
Thanks again for your feedback this year and keep your comments flowing.
Have a great summer and don't forget your sun cream (just in case!).
Jason McMahon
