Grosvenor In View Magazine 2025

16

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

When you watch the video, none of this would be possible without the help and support of our staff members, both teaching and non-teaching. What we do, both inside and outside the classroom, creates a culture of encouragement and learning that allows every child in our school a chance to grow. We cannot do that without the support of our parents and I want to thank you personally for the way in which you entrust your children to our care, and work alongside us to support and inspire our young people to be the best we can be. A particular thank you to our Parents Association, Friends of Grosvenor, for their fundraising efforts last year which culminated in a cheque for £14,000 being awarded to the School. We thank the Friends of Grosvenor for their ongoing loyalty and hard work, and we encourage other parents to join them in their ongoing endeavours. My personal thanks go to Miss Rainey for her huge commitment to the Grosvenor community, her professionalism, and her personal support and friendship to me in the years that we have worked together. I thank the Board of Governors for their support and strategic guidance, without which the School would not enjoy such high levels of success. My personal thanks are extended to my Senior Leadership Team for their continued hard work, commitment and good humour: thank you to Dr Rolleston, Mr Brunt and Mr Young (Vice Principals) and Mr Cowan, Mr Thompson, Mrs Rea, Mrs Maguire and Mrs Lander (Senior Leaders). I would like to end on a final comment for our young pupils. Grosvenor Grammar School began with what could be seen as humble beginnings eighty years ago and whilst our pupils are different, even the school name is different and the very building is so far beyond the first school premises, I would argue that the vision that we have has remained the same over those eighty years. If you leave Grosvenor with a love of learning, feeling that you have worked hard and achieved your potential, if you are tolerant of other people and other viewpoints and you have the confidence to make your own way in the world, then this school is a success. It will not happen without our agreement that we have to seize every opportunity we can, and that we have to work together to ensure the best outcomes in every aspect of school life through the relationships we build, the respect that we have for one another, and our acceptance of individual and group responsibility. Enjoy school and know that everyone in our community is welcome and valued. Work hard, be kind, and embrace the help and support of your family, your teachers, the support staff and governors. We all want you to feel inspired and to make a difference in your life, and to the lives of others.

to go from strength to strength last year, winning a gold medal in the Under 13 age group in the Junior Classification Table Tennis Tournament held in Dublin in September. Karsten went on to further individual success at the Ulster Open Tournament, winning once again in the Under 13 category. He followed this up with wins in the North Ayrshire Open in Scotland, the Connacht Open in Sligo, and in Division 8 of the British Youth League. Table tennis attracted a huge number of participants last year under the leadership of Mrs Peel, assisted by Mr Kennedy and Mr McFerran. Football in Grosvenor had another successful season under the leadership of Head Coach Mr Winters and Assistant Coaches Mr Thompson and Mr Tomkins. The Under 18 Team had an excellent season, securing the Under 18 Belfast Grammar Schools’ League for the first time since its inception in 2018 and also reaching the semi-final of the Northern Ireland Plate. Equally, the Under 16 boys performed exceptionally at times to make progress in both the Belfast District and the Northern Ireland Cups. The girls have also achieved considerable success in football last year, with Ellie Tohill and Caitlin Shields representing Northern Ireland Under 15s on several occasions, including the UEFA Development Tournament in October and the Bob Docherty Tournament held in Belfast over Easter. A special mention should go to Reuben Walls who was awarded his Northern Ireland Cap, having represented Northern Ireland in Powerchair football. Badminton continued to surge in popularity as a team and extra-curricular sport, under the leadership of Mr Hunter and assistant coaches Mrs Corken and Mrs Reid. With the growing numbers at the club attending training each week, we were able to add a senior girls’ team to the list of competitive teams. Great progress was made on all fronts, and we look forward to the improvement at competitive level as participation continues to surge. Our pupils excel at many other activities, such as equestrian sport, cross country and running, creative writing, orienteering, darts, golf, sailing, JagTag, ice skating, golf, polocrosse, public speaking, American football, Irish Dancing and Highland Dancing, to name but a few. I apologise that I cannot name everyone in my report, but I trust you will enjoy reading about these events in our School magazine, due to be published shortly. I really hope you have enjoyed today’s video and that it gives you a real sense of what Grosvenor is all about. I want to pay tribute to our pupils for their wonderful participation and achievements, and for the way in which they represent the School so beautifully. Alongside all of their academic, pastoral and extra-curricular events, we also raise money for charity, under the leadership of Miss Stephens and the Charity Committee.

Thank you. Dr F Vasey Principal

GROSVENOR IN VIEW > 2024/25