Grosvenor In View Magazine 2025

28 THE GROSVENOR JOURNEY

Emma Mackey Deputy Head Girl

this will truly be friends for life. We learned resilience together — especially when we couldn’t seem to get the ball over the goal line in despite our efforts throughout junior school! Despite results, we always laughed, supported each other, and made the best memories. My favourite moments aren’t necessarily the matches we won, but the times we spent off the pitch together, like the early bus rides, trying to persuade Mrs Murdock to let us train inside instead of outside in the freezing cold, and all the fun we had at training. Eventually all the hard work paid off, and in senior school we got to play in several finals, including, my personal highlight, the Plate Final against Friends’ School, Lisburn in Year 13. Alongside hockey, I loved being involved in netball and table tennis, both of which gave me experiences I will never forget. Grosvenor also gave me the chance to grow in my faith and build friendships with other Christians. Our SU Community in Grosvenor was something I probably took for granted in junior school but something that became so important to me. Our Tuesday meetings were always a chance to have fun and fellowship together, and in senior school I was fortunate to help plan and organise them as part of the SU Committee. I can definitely say that I threw myself into Grosvenor life over the last seven years — there is no way I would have enough space to mention everything! I want to thank all my teachers, especially those who taught me at A-Level. I am genuinely so grateful for every bit of support, encouragement, and patience they shown me. Grosvenor has given me more than I ever could have expected, and I know I will carry these memories with me for many years to come. teachers always told you to do your best and no matter what the result, they were proud of you. This idea was summed up perfectly by Mr McDowell when after a tough relay race at the all-Ireland championships he reminded us of what an accomplishment it was to qualify for that and how we’d already impressed everyone in making it to this stage. I will always look back on my time of Grosvenor with fond memories. The opportunities the school gave me to build meaningful friendships that I’m sure will last a long time and relationships with a range of people I will always truly cherish.

Looking back over the last seven years, it is hard to believe how many amazing experiences and lifelong friendships Grosvenor has given me. As a

keen Year 8 pupil, I got involved in as many things as I possibly could, discovering new passions and joining extracurricular activities that ended up shaping the rest of my time here. I am so grateful to all the staff and pupils who supported me and helped me grow into the young adult I am today. From arriving at Grosvenor in Year 8, I can still remember my first day in Mrs Maguire’s form class and being shown around the school by our prefects. Everything felt so new and exciting, and I knew straight away that Grosvenor was the right place for me. One of my earliest opportunities to make new friendships was the Delamont residential. During these 2 days, we participated in lots of teambuilding activities, and I can remember our class archery competition — we all got very competitive trying to beat Mr McDowell, although I don’t think any of us managed it! Last year, I had the privilege of returning to Delamont as a Year 8 Prefect with my own class. It was such a fun day where I made lots of new memories, as well as reminiscing on my own experiences as a Year 8 pupil. Throughout junior school, I had even more chances to make friends outside my form class through girls’ hockey, netball, SU, choir and table tennis. I am filled with happy memories when I think about my time playing hockey in Grosvenor. The girls I met through

Finn Cross Deputy Head Boy

Where to start with my time in Grosvenor: seven years ago, when I first walked through the front doors, I didn’t know what to expect for

the future. The nerves soon turned to excitement, when I discovered the large number of opportunities I’d have during my time here at Grosvenor. The opportunities were fulfilled with two sport trips away to Spain and a Senior Ski Trip. These trips allowed me to meet people outside of a classroom and give me memories of a lifetime provided by the school. During my time, I participated in a lot of sport teams. While not being the favourites to win everything, the

GROSVENOR IN VIEW > 2024/25