Winners praised at second Wallace Junior Prize Evening

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“Celebrating success” was the theme as The Wallace High School hosted their second ever Junior Prize Giving last Wednesday night.

The event, sponsored by the hard working PTA, celebrated the curricular and extra curricular successes of pupils currently in Years 9 – 11.

Principal Mrs Deborah O’Hare welcomed the guests and also presented her report for the previous year. She also praised the achievements of all 166 prize winners.

Former Head Boy, Reverend Dr Maurice Elliott addressed the pupils and guests and also presented the awards. He was delighted to return to his former school and commented: “It is an immense honour and privilege to be invited back. My memories of school are all very positive and as a result I was thrilled to accept the invitation back to this important evening. It also enabled me to meet up with former teachers, as well as friends who now have children attending the school and receiving awards tonight.”

Prizes totalling £1500 were donated by the PTA for categories in Effort, Improvement, Subject Prizes and Outstanding Academic Achievement.

Vice – Chairperson of the PTA, Gillian McGarry, said: “We are proud to support the Junior Prize Giving, as it offers us the opportunity to celebrate the achievements and experiences of our pupils.”

“The PTA aims to enrich our students’ school life by providing additional funding for both curricular and extra curricular activities. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the Lisburn community to our Christmas Dinner Dance on Friday 10th December, our major fund raiser for the year.”

Hannah McGrath (Year 9) and Katie Lockhart (Year 10) received trophies for Overall Outstanding Achievement in their respective year groups, whilst Zara McConnell (Year 11) received the Alastair McWilliams Trophy for Overall Academic Achievement in her year group.

This trophy was presented by the McWilliams family in memory of their son who died tragically in 1994 whilst still a pupil in Wallace. Briagh Hull (Year 9) received the Generosity of Spirit Award presented by The Richard Wallace Trust.

Mrs O’Hare said of the recent evening: “Our second Junior Prize Evening was a great success. Rev Dr Elliott, a former Head Boy, reignited his passion for Wallace and entertained the young people with stories of his time at Wallace.

His energy, humour and value for our school was enlightening and motivational. The evening focused on the impressive successes of our junior pupils. 2009-2010 was a very successful year, it was a pleasure and privilege to take the time to celebrate all that was achieved.

I was delighted to have a formal opportunity not only to recognise these achievements but to thank parents for their support and to recognise the quality of education provided by our dedicated staff.”

Last modified: October 6, 2010