The Wallace High School held its Annual Open Day last Saturday, with hundreds of local families visiting the Clonevin Park School.
Following addresses from the Principal Mrs Anne McBride and current Head Boy and Girl Stephen Taylor and Amy McComish, prospective Year 8 pupils and their families had the opportunity to explore the school and its extensive grounds and talk to staff and pupils.
All subject departments hosted a range of interactive activities and displays with highlights including a mini- fireworks demonstration in the Chemistry Department and a chance to be transported to a Narnia wonderland in RE.
The Home Economics Department was also very popular, with visitors offered a range of tempting smoothies, scones and breads made by junior pupils. A taste of Europe was also on offer in the Modern Languages Department.
The School Gym hosted displays of the many sporting activities on offer and guests also were able to see the vast range of sporting silverware which Wallace teams won last year, including the Ulster Schools’ Cups for Cricket and Golf and Ulster and Irish Netball Badminton Cups.
The school’s flourishing clubs and societies were also represented with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme to the Chess Club, the Debating Society to Scripture Union among the dozens of activities on offer. Prospective pupils and their families also had the chance to watch a DVD which captured the myriad of activities which form part of school life.
Guests also were able to learn about Wallace’s charity fundraising , visiting the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children “Read-on” display in the school library and taking part in the Charity Committee’s games and competitions. To date, Wallace has raised over £70,000 for the NICFC whilst last year the school raised over £17000 for a range of local , national and international charities through a range of innovative events such as a “Strictly Come Dancing” competition, a Sixth form fashion show and sporting tournaments.
Prospective Sixth Year students were also welcomed, hearing about the range of curricular and extra curricular activities on offer at Wallace. They also had the chance to chat to current Upper Sixth pupils Adam Getty, Keith Hannigan and Gillian Poots who joined Wallace in Lower Sixth.
Vice Principal Dr James Napier commented, “There is no doubt that new pupils arriving in Lower Sixth have a very valuable contribution to make and pupils who are considering joining the school in the Sixth Form are encouraged to contact the school and attend the Open Afternoon that will take place later this term.”
Head of Year 8 Mrs Norma Cairns concluded,”We were delighted to see so many families at our Open Day on Saturday and we hope that their visit gave them an insight into daily life in our school.”
Last modified: October 16, 2007
