Introductions and Chairman's Remarks by Dr R McMillen

Professor & Mrs Gregson, Distinguished Guests, Headmaster, Members of Staff, Prize-winners, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Both our professions, Education and Medicine, are in the midst of a Government blitz of Legislation, Targets, Initiatives and Soundbites.
In school life it is claimed, just as it has been on many previous occasions that we are moving forward with the most important educational developments for years. There is a determination to implement:

• the recommendations of the Post-Primary review group without sufficient regard to reason or the population’s wishes;
• the new curriculum;
• the development of the school estate; and
• the continuing development of information and communication technology.

That is not all. We also have to cope with:

• performance review and staff development for teachers, including the principal;
• demands on the school relating to Special Educational needs;
• requirement to produce a School Development Plan;
• the production of profiles for pupils at all levels.

Surely there comes a time to say “enough”, or to replace “Could this be done?” with “Should this be done?"
Then there is the Mission Statement - the compulsory tongue-twister replacing a simple motto. Here is an example from the Department of Education: “to have an education system that puts the pupil at the centre and provides equality of access and opportunities for all young people to prepare them for life and work in the 21st century”.
Fifty-five syllables to describe what has been known as schooling for a hundred years, at least in Ballyclare High.
No doubt any one of these policies could be taken on board singly, but to expect schools with busy, hard-working professional staff to assimilate them all at once seems to me likely to cause a fall in morale and a loss of motivation.
We as governors, parents and staff must work together with the pupils to concentrate on what we do best. We do not seek a bland equality but to provide every individual child with the best that we can offer.

Headmaster's Report

Introduction of Mrs Gregson
As well as being the wife of the Vice-Chancellor and the mother of three children, two of whom have reached secondary education, Mrs Rachael Gregson has another string to her bow. Graduating as a physiotherapist from the Royal London Hospital in 1985 she achieved extensive clinical and research experience in Southampton. At present Mrs Gregson holds a research fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Great Ormond Street working towards a Doctorate in her special interest - the chest problems of the young patients in intensive care units.
Thank you for agreeing to present the prizes.

Welcome to Judge Rowland
At this stage I would like to offer a special welcome to Judge Robin Rowland returning to the school he left over 65 years ago and to which he returned as Guest of Honour in the 1980s. It is wonderful to know that you are in good health and to have your company tonight.

Introduction of Professor Peter Gregson

Professor Gregson is an Engineer with a First Class Degree in Materials Science from Imperial College, where he went on to obtain a PhD before joining the Academic Staff at the University of Southampton.
Appointed to a Personal Chair in Aerospace Materials in 1996 and then as Deputy Vice-Chancellor in 2000 he came to The Queen’s University of Belfast as President and Vice-Chancellor in 2004.
His research has been recognised internationally with numerous awards and he has been elected a Fellow of both the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Engineers of Ireland.
His and Mrs Gregson’s hobbies include sailing, walking and gardening.
It is my pleasure to invite him to address us.

Professor Gregson's Speech

Return to Prize Night 2005