Belfast Model
School for Girls

Since mid Spetember 10E have been working with Fra Stone and Sharon Pickering of the Falls Community Council to produce material for a website which highlights the issues of drug and alcohol abuse that affect many of our young people today.

Fra has commented that there are many young people out there who are still unaware of the dangers of abusing drugs and alcohol and too many more are living by an 'it won't happen to me attitude'. Worryingly, there has been a rise in the amount of suicides in North and West Belfast, many of which can be traced back to difficulties that young people are facing with drugs and alcohol. Both Fra and Sharon are committed to drugs and alcohol education that targets young people and their parents in a way that is frank yet informative and aims to empower young people to make decisions that are based on their health and future well-being, rather than on pressure from their peers.

Sharon Pickering, 10E and Fra Stone during their weekly website planning sessions

As part of the project, the girls from 10E will use video conferencing to link up with a group of boys from La Salle. This is to introduce themselves before they spend a day together filming the video clips for the website. It is hoped that the collaboration between the two schools will bring perspectives from young people from across the communities.

We look forward to meeting our partners from La Salle and to seeing the finished website around Easter 2008. In the meantime, if any parents or pupils need to seek help or advice on drugs or alcohol related issues, they can contact Fra Stone at the Falls Community Council on 028 9020 2030.

On Monday 19th November the Girls' Model held their annual Prize Distribution ceremony. The evening event brings together past and current pupils, their parents, former and current teachers and partners of the school, all with a sole aim - to recognise the achievements of our pupils in both GCSE and GCE A Level examinations.

Principal, Mr Jonny Graham reported that the 2006-07 examination series has been the best that the school has ever seen with a record amount of girls achieving grades A* to C in GCSE. The A Level results too were praised by the Principal and credit was given to the hard working pupils and the school's dedicated teaching and support staff, working as a team to raise attainment.

Prize winners Colleen Mann and Carole Grant

The guest speaker for the evening was Mrs Julie Healy (nee Neill) Senior Researcher for Banardo's NI and former Head Girl in 1990. Mrs Healy spoke warmly of her time at the Girls' Model and gave some inspirational words to the pupils about pursuing their goals, even if things don't go as planned, a dream is still something worth striving for.

Many congratulations to all our pupils who have achieved their personal goals - attained their desired exam grades, returned to Sixth Form, are continuing their education elsewhere, achieved a place at university or have gained employment. You are all truly Model Pupils!

For a copy of the Principal's full report, click here Principal's Report 2007.pdf

For more photos of Prize Night 2007 click here

The girls from the Year 11 and 12 Leisure and Tourism classes, accompanied by Miss Magee and Miss Brown, had a fabulous day at Belfast Zoo by all accounts. The great weather added to the enjoyment but the girls were given a real treat when they came face-to-face with some of the Zoo's smaller residents - the Ring-tailed Lemurs! The small and furry Prosimians (that's 'monkeys' to you and me!) were more than happy to perform for the girls and let them offer a few tasty morsels. The Seals too, were in a performing mood as they treated the girls to a great display of swimming and splashing. Even the bottom-scratching Gorilla made sure he did it in full view of the onlookers, which caused more than a few giggles!

Thanks to our new Virtual Learning Environment,virtualgms.org, we were able to make a video clip and photo gallery of the day available for the Leisure and Tourism students to study.

Making friends

Having fun

Model pupil Joanne Porter has beaten of stiff opposition to win an opportunity of a life time - an acting masterclass with some of Britain's top TV stars.

Joanne in action at Rock Challenge

Joanne, a Performing Arts student outshone other aspiring actors from all over the province to secure a place in Cinemagic Stars, a three-day intensive masterclass including a performance at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

Taking part in the masterclass are former Coronation Street actress, Suranne Jones, the ex-Hollyoaks star, Mikyla Fodd, Chris Hoyle and musical director Lee Bryn Heywood.