Bangor Grammar School
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| Address | College Avenue Bangor BT20 5HJ |
| Phone | (028) 9147 3734 |
| Fax | (028) 9146 5282 |
| Website | Bangor Grammar School Website |
| Headmaster | Mr Stephen D. Connolly, M.A. |
| Senior Vice Principal | Dr Peter L. Moore, B.Sc, Ph.D |
| Academic Vice Principal | Mr Trevor C. Magee, M.A, B.Ed, ALCM |
| School type | Voluntary Grammar |
| School Board | SEELB |
| Location | Bangor, Northern Ireland, UK |
| Enrollment | 993 students |
| School colour(s) | Royal Blue, Yellow |
| School motto | "Justitiae tenax" (Justice is Tenacious) |
Bangor Grammar School is an all-boys voluntary English-medium grammar school situated in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. It comprises two parts, the preparatory department, Connor House (co-ed) and The Grammar, (boys only). It has around 1,000 pupils from ages 4 to 18.
The school maintains close links with its sister single sex school in Bangor, Glenlola Collegiate. The two schools regularly participate in joint activities, notably the CCF, which meets on-site in Bangor Grammar; the two schools' Scripture Unions who combine monthly; and the Bangor Grammar Drama Department, which presents an annual play by students from both schools.
The school is divided into 4 houses: Crosby, Dufferin, School and Ward. Regular inter-house competitions are held. The House colours are as follows- Crosby (Red), Dufferin (Yellow), School (Blue) and Ward (Green).
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[edit] School building plans
A three year campaign to gain funding from the Department of Education for a new school building for Bangor Grammar School came to a successful end on March 1, 2006 when funding was granted. All pupils and staff were called to a last-minute full assembly to hear the announcement. All cheered in joy of the victory. The new location of the school building will be outside the town centre, on the current Bangor Academy site on the Gransha Road. It is estimated that the new school will take at least five years to complete.
[edit] Costello Reforms
The school is opposed to the government's plans for the reform of education in Northern Ireland based on the Costello Report. The school believes that the reforms to ban academic selection will effectively destroy Northern Ireland's grammar schools. Over 60% of parents in Northern Ireland are opposed to the changes. [1]
[edit] Clubs and societies
[edit] Sport
Bangor Grammar has won the rugby Ulster Schools Cup on five occasions. During the late 1980s they were a major force in Ulster Schools' rugby appearing in four finals from 1985 to 1988, winning three of them. Former distinguished 1st XV players include Mark McCall (Irish international and current Ulster coach), Jan Cunningham (a member of the Ulster team which won the Heineken Cup), Kieron Dawson (London Irish and Ireland), Kenny Hooks (Ireland international) and Dick Milliken (Ireland and the British Lions).
Hockey and cricket are other main sports at the school. In Cricket, the school has produced Ulster and Irish Schools' internationals.
In 2005, a badminton double was achieved in the Ulster Finals of the Minors Division 2 and the Seniors Ulster Cup. The Minors beat RBAI in the League Final 4-2 and the Seniors won 4-2. The Seniors were also in the Division 2 final but were beaten by Belfast Royal Academy, a Division 1 team.
[edit] Debating
The Debating Society is Bangor Grammar's oldest society. The society was established in 1927 by teacher A.L. Hawtin. Providing an insight into past pupil's opinions on current affairs are the minutes of the society, which have been maintained since its inception. Bangor Grammar won the Schools Cup in 2003, and the Best Speaker's Shield in 2006, and has been a finalist on more occasions than any other school in Northern Ireland. The Debating Society is currently run by Mr Sam Wolfenden.
[edit] Music
The Bangor Grammar School Music Department was formerly headed by Mr. Ian Hunter until 2001, when Mr. Jonathan Rea took over upon Mr. Hunter's retirement. The music department also has two other permanent members of staff: Miss Deirdre Cannon and Miss Claire Evans.
The school has a long and proud musical history, with its concert band playing at many school events throughout the year, including Speech Day, The Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols and the Spring Concert. The concert band also plays annually at Bloomfields shopping centre in Bangor where it entertains shoppers while raising money for charitable causes. Past charities include MacMillan Cancer Care and Abaana.
In 2004, the Concert Band played in the Great Hall of Stormont, Northern Ireland's parliament buildings to an audience of nearly 400, as guests of Eileen Bell MLA.
The department has recorded and produced two CD albums: A String of Pearls (2004) and The Christmas Album (2005), both under the musical direction of Mr Jonathan Rea.
In the 2006/2007 academic year, the school celebrated its sesquicentenary (150th anniversary). Alongside Mr. Rea, Mr. Wilie Cree (B.G.S. German Department) organised a gala concert in Belfast's Waterfront Hall to celebrate this extraordinary anniversary. The concert took place on 14th October 2006 in front of nearly 2000 people.
[edit] The school song
Bangor Grammar School has a Latin school song. It was written in 1950 by Miss Elsie Patton and set to music by Dr Emery, the school's music teacher. It is sung on major school occasions and at competitive events.
- Comgall noster, Columbanus,
- Sanctus noster Gall, Britannos
- Effecere Christianos.
- Floreat Bangoria,
- Deo laus et gloria.
- Sana mens in corpore sano
- Hic quaeratur et humano,
- Quisque sit discipulus animo
- Ne pavidus exeat.
- Laboraturus inter pares,
- Oratorus, oratorus,
- Fidem quolibet lauturus.
However this is not the full school song, which contains three verses, although, only the above verse is sung, to make it easier to remember throughout.
