And Reading Partners get their training next week. Watch this space for more sixth formers stepping up to share their talent and time for their school community and partner primary schools.

Wow! Our Drama students really enjoyed John Travers’ performance of 17 different parts in the school rugby drama ‘Under the Lights’. The Q&A with the actor, writer and director was fascinating, especially for those thinking of a career in theatre. Thank you c21 Theatre Comp NI

How do you run a 5* tourist attraction? Year 13 Travel and Tourism pupils enjoyed the ‘White Star to 5 🌟’ event at the Titanic and touring the iconic Giant’s Causeway. They were not just sightseeing, it was a crash course in running, funding and maintaining a top attraction.

As part of #GoodRelationsWeek, the Bangor Cuchulainn’s team, made up of pupils from Bangor Academy and St.Columbanus College, were hosted by the Mayor of ArdsandNorthDown, Councillor Gillian McCollum, in recognition of their outstanding engagement in the Ulster GAA Cúchulainn Initiative.

Friends re-united! Italian schools’ exchange students are back in Bangor Academy. Following our trip to Lombardy, Italy in September to trace some of the Via Columbani, our exchange school friends from Brescia and Bobbio are back in Bangor.

Ulster Museum trip inspires Year 14 It was a grand day out for Year 14 as they toured the rich collection of art, natural science exhibits and the Tropical Ravine in Botanic Gardens. Great ground work for the A2 Art extended essay.

Delicious! Our Italian visitors joined Year 11 Food and Nutrition pupils and Hospitality students for a tasty sample of NI produce. During three live cooking demonstrations, Hilary, the NI Livestock and Meat Commission chef, rustled up three banging beef dishes.

Triathlon News Despite a broken toe, Sophie has clocked up four 1st places and two 2nds since April! Two silvers came from the prestigious National Youth Series & Triathlon Ireland’s National Youth Cup (age 13 - 14). Each event means a 300m swim, 10k cycling and 2k run. Kudos!

Years 8 and 9 had their Monsters’ Ball last night. There were some absolutely howling costumes, lots of frightening face paint and a fire eater! Thanks to everyone who organised and helped make it such a fun night. Half-term is on the horizon!

‘Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble’ We’ve been spell casting in Year 8, competing in the Hallowe’en House Points Quiz in the Library and completing ‘Macbeth’ in Year 12 Literature classes. Meanwhile AS texts ‘The Crucible’ and ‘Frankenstein’ are feeding into the mood perfectly!

Wonderful to see past pupil Tess Carter thriving on her career path! Her stunning knitwear collection was featured on the catwalk at Ireland's first ever Fashion Week. She was one of only 40 young designers selected from across Ireland. BASFC proud 😊

Three future engineers got a fantastic glimpse into Belfast's rich engineering heritage today at Queen's University Belfast's 'Civilisation' event. They explored the legacy of engineering in the city and gained valuable insight into careers in the field. Thanks Queen's University Belfast 🎓

Wear your Languages knowledge with pride! The winners of the 2025 European Day of Languages t-shirt competition have been announced! You can see them all on our Open Nights in the EDL fashion show in January. *Special thanks to Mrs Adair for her help producing the T-shirts.

Reading Partners: ready, steady, go! Our eager new cohort of Yr. 13 and 14 Reading Partners are trained and ready to begin mentoring junior book lovers who want to develop reading confidence in Year 8 and in our partner primary schools at Bangor Central and Kilcooley Primary School

Leah jumps into the top ten. Leah competed on two ponies to the Inter-schools’ Showjumping at Meadowlands. She achieved a 6th place out of 67 on Poppy. While Keeva, her second pony did not place it was a grand day out at Meadowlands.

Impact Day - Shared Education’s sustainable innovation challenge. Collaboration, innovation and sustainability were the focus for each team made up of pupils from each of the 9 NI and border counties schools at the SEPI launch event in Bangor Academy this week.

The Senior Pupil Leadership team met with their counterparts from 17 other schools at the Slemish Leadership Lunch event. Keynote speakers from the PSNI, school Principals and collaboration with their peers highlighted what effective leadership looks like. Thank you Slemish!

NI teenager bags top award for reaction to mum’s cancer diagnosis 🗣️ ‘Very unique for his age’ belfasttelegraph.co.uk/events/ni-teen…

Year 12 footballer, Cameron looks like he loved his latest trial at Charlton Athletic over the Hallowe’en break.

Are you aged 15–17 and living in Ards & North Down? Join BRIDGE — an exciting two-year, fully funded programme where you’ll explore history, culture, and new friendships across communities. 👉 Apply now: bit.ly/4qIEKiU