Bangor Grammar School
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| Address | College Avenue Bangor BT20 4RB |
| Phone | (028) 9147 3734 |
| Fax | (028) 9146 5282 |
| Headmaster | S.D. Connely |
| School type | Voluntary Grammar |
| School Board | SEELB |
| Location | Bangor, Northern Ireland, UK |
| Enrollment | 993 students |
| School colour(s) | Navy Blue, Gold |
School Information
School Backround
Bangor Grammar School, also known as BGS, is situated in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the main All-Boys School in North Down, and had appox 1,000 boys in 2005/06. It is considered to be one of the better Grammar schools in Northern Ireland. Many teachers are from other parts of both the country and the world. The school consists of teachers from England, Australia, New Zealand, USA among others. The school has been recognised as a first choice for many boys from the North Down area and is able to keep the standard of its intake high by limiting the grade boundaries from the 11+ Transfer Procedure tests to B2 at minimim.
Latest News
Art Class
Ok what is going on here? There must of been 6 or 7 boys out of my class today for some art class thing. I call the case "Fake art" but why is the school making such a big deal of a couple of new art teachers. The question is; are they art teachers? Well this reporter can't tell you much apart from that Jason King has already forgotten what he done. Typical Jason ;)
NEW SCHOOL
Plans for a new school building
A 3 year campain to gain funding from the SEELB for a new school building for BGS has finally come to a sucessful end. BGS received news that funding had been granted on 1.March 06. There was considerable celebration when the Headmaster, Stephen Connelly, announced the news to the school on what was possibly the most important moment in the history of the school. The new location of the school builing will be outside the town centre, on the current Bangor Academy site. It is estimated that the new school will take at least 5 years to complete.
Costello Reforms
Bangor Grammar School is totally opposed to the government's plans for the reform of education based on the flawed Costello Report. These reforms will ban academic selection and will effectively destroy the province's grammar schools. Over 60% of parents in Northern Ireland are opposed to the changes, but because the province is ruled by English ministers, public opinion has been ignored.
Sports
Badminton Double
Bangor Grammar School have achived a badminton double result in the Ulster Finals of the Minors Divison 2 and the Seniors Ulster Cup. The Minors beat RBAI in the League Final 4-2 and the Seniors won 4-2. The Seniors were also in the Divsion 2 final but were beat by BRA, a Divsion 1 team. It has been a respectable event for a very sucessful babminton team this year.
Bangor Grammar crosses a big bridge
OK, we could debate all day if Bridge is a sport but what we dont need to ddebate about is the marvilous acheivment of Bangor Grammar in the All-Ireland Schools Bridge Championships. BGS came 2nd in Galway so they did and one of the players in Year 9. This shows that we have a good future ahead of us in Bridge, or so i think, no idea if it is luck of th card. But whatever it is we have acheved a marvelous prize. WELL DONE LADS!
Subjects
- English - BGS has one of the best English departments in Northern Ireland and usually brings some of the best GCSE results in Northern Ireland.
- Maths - Mathematics in BGS brings good results in GCSE and A-level, but not matching English. Maths has more teachers than any other department in the school.
- Science - In Year 8 (the first year) pupils do Combined Science but in Year 9+ it is separated into 3 Sciences.
- Physics - Physics results are good compared to other local school and average compared to results throughout Northern Ireland.
- Chemistry - A new Chemistry department was installed into BGS in 2001 making the department a much more comfortable place to be in.
- Biology - BGS brings some of the best facilities for Biology in County Down.
- Drama - Renovation of Crosby House in 2005 made the Drama Department one of the best in Northern Ireland. Larger, purposed designed rooms make it easier to work and act in.
- ICT - In 2002 when the RM and the NIEB came together they created a new Education network that BGS got as soon as it was released. This has made the ICT department safer and much more manageable for both pupil and teacher.
- Technology- The new Chemistry block had 3 storys so the new technology deparment was moved here as well - it has planning rooms, large workshops and a large facility centre.
- Art and Design - It has had a lot of change on the teacher front.
- Geography - It has been improved over the years and gives out good results at GCSE.
- French - has produced very good GCSE results and A level.
- German - has become a mixed class subject like technology etc. due to the new arrival of Spanish.
- Spanish - New to 2005/06 it only so far has one teacher, limiting the number of classes that can be held.
- History - Is a subject loved by many in the school and produces some of the best results in GCSE.
History
Bangor Grammar School was founded in 1882. The school used to be a school for sailors' sons to teach them how to map read etc. and it was situated near the old beach where High Street now is. It was a large school for its time, but in the early 19th century sailors' schools became less popular. Bangor, being one of the main ports in Ireland, continued on until 1882 until it became an all-boys grammar school. It moved to where Bangor Golf Club is now, and also founded Connor House as its Preparatory department in 1900. Bangor Endowed School, as it was then known moved to where it is now. The Headmaster,John Crosby, built his own house and made it a part of the school. Connor House moved to the old BGS building, but now sits on the main school site .
The School Song
Bangor Grammar, as befits a school of its size, history and distinction, has a Latin school song:
Comgall noster, Columbanus,
Sanctus noster Gall, Britannos
Effecere Christianos.
Floreat Bangoria,
Deo laus et gloria.
Sana mens in corpore sano
Hic quaeratur et humano,
Quisque sit discipulus animo
Ne pavidus exeat.
Laboratores inter pares,
Oratorus,
Fidem quolibet lauturus
This song is sung on important school occasions.
The House System
The school is divided into 4 houses: Crosby, Dufferin, School and Ward. Regular inter-house competitions are held to cultivate house pride.