Dalriada School
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| Dalriada School | |
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| Labor Sine Cura, Labor Sine Fructu (work without effort is work without gain) | |
| Established | 1878 |
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| School type | Voluntary, Co-educational Grammar School |
| Location | Ballymoney, Antrim, UK |
| Students | Approx 850 |
| Website | http://www.dalriadaschool.com/ |
Dalriada School is a mixed voluntary grammar school in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland and one of the highest achieving schools in Northern Irelandcitation neede. ( Dalriada School Prospectus (in English). Press release.)http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c8/Button_redirect.png Redirect
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. Although being open to all students, as determined by academic ability, the segregated nature of Northern Ireland's education system results in the majority of students being from a protestant or non-religious background.
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 is due to retire at the end of the current school year (2006/7) - the post of principal was advertised in the week of 5th February in a number of newspapers, including the Belfast Telegraph and Times Educational Supplement and the new principal, Thomas Skelton, was announced on the 8th of March.
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.
What's in a Name?
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 reluctantly 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), 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
With all-round excellence as its goal, 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 was altered recently to include modern plays bi-annually.
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. 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 extra-curricular 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.
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.
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 - Bryan Coulter,
Business Studies - Joe Tanahill,
Careers - Mary Doherty,
English - Sharon Flynn,
Geography - Helen Leighton,
History - Heany Sayers,
Home Economics - Ass McGonigle,
Information Technology - Ian Walker,
Mathematics - Ettaline Wasson,
Modern Languages - Roberta 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 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 most go on to study at Dalriada Grammar School.
