Slemish College celebrates student excellence and calls for greater support for Integrated Education

Love Ballymena
Nov 3
11 min read

All photos: Cindy Robinson Photography

In a heartfelt ceremony underscoring themes of hope, reconciliation, and academic triumph, Slemish College held its annual awards presentation on Friday, 24 October 2025, honouring the achievements of its pupils while advocating for the expansion of integrated education across the region.

The event, hosted at the integrated post-primary school in Ballymena, brought together pupils, staff, parents, and distinguished guests to recognise outstanding accomplishments in academics, sports, arts, and community service.

Principal Mr Michael Bennett delivered a stirring address that wove personal stories of resilience with broader calls for societal change, drawing inspiration from global figures of peace and the poetry of Seamus Heaney.

Welcoming the assembly, Mr Bennett expressed gratitude to attendees, including MLAs John Burrows and Sian Mulholland, Education Welfare Officer Susan Harkeness, Mr Corr of Seaview Integrated Primary School, and Mrs Mann from Moyle Primary School.

A special acknowledgment was reserved for the guest of honour, Roisin Marshall OBE, whose decades-long dedication to education was lauded.

“Roisin has dedicated 34 years to education, working as a teacher in both special and primary schools,” the Principal noted.

“For eight years, she served as Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE), tirelessly advocating for schools like ours. Currently, only 8% of children in Northern Ireland attend integrated schools — something we want to see improved.”

Marshall’s advocacy was described as deeply personal, stemming from her own experience:

“Roisin’s passion stems from a personal experience: being unable to find a place for her own child in an integrated school.”

Mr Bennett added, “Roisin, thank you for your leadership, and thank you for all you have done for schools like ours.”

Shifting focus to the pupils, the Principal reflected on a recent encounter that encapsulated the school’s ethos.

“Two weeks ago, I met three remarkable individuals: Rami El-ha-nan, Bassam Aramin, and Colum McCann, an Irish writer,” he shared.

McCann’s Booker Prize-winning novel Apeirogon chronicles the tragic losses of Rami, a Jewish Israeli whose 14-year-old daughter Smadar was killed in a Hamas suicide bombing, and Bassam, a Palestinian whose daughter Abir was shot by an Israeli soldier.

“Despite their grief, these two men chose peace over revenge, sharing their daughters’ stories to inspire hope …. it was powerful, it was moving,” the Principal recounted.

This narrative led into a reading of Seamus Heaney’s poem The Cure at Troy by pupil Erin Dempsey, which served as a poignant metaphor for the school’s mission.

The full poem reads:

THE CURE OF TROY

Human beings suffer,

They torture one another,

They get hurt and get hard.

No poem or play or song

Can fully right a wrong

Inflicted and endured.

History says, don’t hope

On this side of the grave.

But then, once in a lifetime

The longed-for tidal wave

Of justice can rise up,

And hope and history rhyme.

So hope for a great sea-change

On the far side of revenge.

Believe that a farther shore

Is reachable from here.

Believe in miracles

And cures and healing wells.

Call miracle self-healing:

The utter, self-revealing

Double-take of feeling.

If there’s fire on the mountain

And lightning and storm

And a god speaks from the sky

That means someone is hearing

The outcry and the birth-cry

Of new life at its term.

It means once in a lifetime

That justice can rise up

And hope and history rhyme.

by Seamus Heaney

Explaining the relevance, the Mr Bennett asked, “Why this poem? Why these stories? Because at our core, this is who we are. We acknowledge the suffering and conflict that has recently taken place in our town, in our nation, but as the poem says: ‘Believe in miracles’ believe in ‘cures and healing wells.’ believe ‘That justice can rise up, And hope and history rhyme.’”

He emphasised that the ceremony embodied this hope, aligning with Slemish’s commitment to integrated education.

“Like Rami and Bassam, we at Slemish are committed to building something different. Lasting peace isn’t forged by world leaders alone; it’s built one relationship at a time. That’s the heart of integrated education, and the heart of Slemish College.”

The speech also highlighted practical challenges facing the school, urging greater support from Stormont.

“That’s why we strongly believe that Stormont should do more to support integrated education. Last year, we received 300 applications for just 140 places. We’ve submitted a Development Proposal, to the Department of Education, to allow us to maintain our current intake, but we still await a response.

“Our facilities are stretched — two changing rooms for over 1,000 students. We make the best of what we have, but temporary classrooms are not the answer. Our students deserve better — they deserve great facilities and cutting-edge equipment. Our new build is no nearer, and this needs to change. Is it too much to ask for a sports hall for 1000 students?”

Despite these hurdles, the Principal celebrated the pupils’ achievements, noting that 2025 exam results were “on par with many grammar schools.”

He shared anonymised stories of perseverance, such as a pupil who overcame adversity to secure two As and a C at A-level, now studying at a top university; another who excelled academically while representing Ireland in basketball; and a boy who defied self-doubt to achieve three distinctions.

Beyond academics, the Slemish+ programme was praised for fostering talents in sports, arts, and leadership. Highlights included Ukrainian pupil Roman’s selection for the Northern Ireland volleyball development squad, Emilee Leacock’s representation of Northern Ireland in UEFA Under-17 football while earning top GCSE grades, and the school’s production of Sister Act.

In music, Michael Hickinson’s performance at the BBC Proms with the National Youth Orchestra was singled out.

Other initiatives, such as the Sisters In leadership programme, science competitions, and community outreach like the Saphara team’s work in India and with local newcomers, underscored the school’s holistic approach.

“What makes me even prouder is the number of events that bless and positively impact our wider community,” the Principal said.

The address concluded with thanks to staff, governors, parents, and pupils, reiterating Heaney’s call to “Believe in miracles. Believe in cures and healing wells. Believe that justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme.”

Head Boy Angus McCollum and Head Girl Carly Burns

Head Boy Angus McCollum and Head Girl Carly Burns then took the stage, embodying the leadership celebrated throughout the evening.

Slemish College, as an integrated institution, continues to champion unity in education, with this awards night serving as a beacon of what can be achieved through determination and community spirit.

Full List of Award Winners

• Year 8 Certificates (for Academic Achievement, Citizenship & Attendance):

Year 8 Academic Achievement Certificates

Year 8 recipients of Academic Achievement Certificates : Annie-Rose Atcheson, Isla Brownlow, Jeron Cinoby, Shaelyn Davison, Aydin Gok, Natalia Kuspa, Danny McClure, Jaycob McFall, Charlie McKeown, Kevin Mathew, Grace Michael, Tom Munro, Faith Neill, Zoe Rainey, Tobias Taylor

Year 8 recipients of Citizenship Certificates: Zachary Bartholomew, Dillon Berry, Felicity Devine, Billy Donnelly, Tillie Johnston, Matthew McBride, Kaylin McCleery, Macey McKee, Caleb McKirgan, Diana Moise, Emeli Turner, Martyna Baczkowska, Abigail Barr, Nikola Byczek, Riley Craig, Robyn Dickson, Joshua Todd, Jayden Fleck, Joshua McAuley, Adam McNeilly, Eve Moore, Eireann Nelson

• Year 8 Perpetual Awards:

Year 8 trophy/cup winners Gabriella Jankevica, Joshua McAuley, Adam McNeilly, Eve Moore, Lorcan Mullin, Eireann Nelson & Eduard Pojar

Gabriella Jankevica - Evans of Longton Shield for Most Promising Girl in PE

Joshua McAuley - Claire McWilliams Cup for Citizenship in Year 8

Adam McNeilly - Wheatley Cup for Overall Academic Achievement in Year 8

Eve Moore - Viva Espana Cup for Achievement in Spanish

Lorcan Mullin - Evans of Longton Shield for Most Promising Boy in PE

Eireann Nelson - PH McHugh Cup for Year 8 Science

Eduard Pojar - Keenan Shield for Reading at KS3

Year 9 Award Winners

• Year 9 Certificates (for Academic Achievement, Citizenship & Attendance):

Year 9 recipients of Academic Achievement Certificates: Lawrence Asar, Mila Clayton, Adam Dalzell, Molly Delargy, Ashton Devine, Lucy Kernohan, Bella Kuchocha, Ellie Morgan, Max Reid, Anna Robb, Mollie McBride, Alastair McDowell, Liam McLarnon, Daniel Neill, Hollie Rushton, Ewan Stewart

Year 9 recipients of Citizenship Certificates: Charlotte Baillie, Yasmin Firici, Noah Foster, Ryan Glenn, Olivier Golebiewski, Kyle Haveron, Noah Mairs, Jake Mitchell, Peter McConville, Anna McCourt, Abbie McCrory, Ruby O’Neill, Olivia Taylor, Khloe Trainor, Ruby Worrall

Year 9 recipients of 100% Attendance Certificates: Max Baczkowski, Layla Harding, Nathalie Mathews, Cara Liddy, Casper Mikolajczak, Ollie Wilson, Joel Hagan, Oluhle Moyo

• Year 9 Perpetual Awards:

Joel Hagan - Kuijten Cup for Overall Academic Achievement in Year 9; and Oluhle Moyo - Philip Harris Cup for Achievement in Science

Dylan Hussain - RES Cup for Year 9 Science

Year 10 Award Winners

• Year 10 Certificates (for Academic Achievement, Citizenship, Attendance & Bronze DofE Award):

Year 10 recipients of Academic Achievement Certificates: Alexandra Brown, Alyssa Carr, Grace Colgan, Jodi Eccles, Johnathan Gibson, Hayley George, Anthony Kernohan, Ashling Lavery, Samuel Mitchell, Ellie McCaig, Eleni McKelvey, Elizabeth Porritt, Sofia Rosiiets, Ellie Ross, Annie Storrie

Year 10 recipients of Citizenship Certificates: Olivia Arnold, Daniel Biegacz, Myles Burnside, Khloe Kane, Eabha Kelly, Ella McCaw, Iona Tweed, Caitlin Porritt, Robbie Reid, Hayden Rhodes, Elodie Shaw, Jay Wallace, Samson Wilson

Year 10 recipients of 100% Attendance & Bronze DofE Certificates: Caitlin Liddy, Charlie O’Brien, Anna Redmond, Devon Sloan, Evan Smyth, Rhys Lamont, Zara Mattar, Ellie McAtamney, Kodi Sheridan, Iona Tweed, Anna Gamble, Kateryna Kurochka, Taylor McNeilly, Eve Mann, Daniel O’Boyle, Noah Hampton, Archie Atcheson, Jesse McNeilly

• Year 10 Perpetual Awards:

Macy Brennan - McKavanagh Shield for Excellence in Gaelic Sports

Freya O’Kane: Ruth Millar Shield for Key Stage 3 French

Sofia Steele - Bullivant Trophy for Achievement in Key 3 History

Eve Mann & Daniel O’Boyle - NIE Cup for Key Stage 3 Science

Kateryna Kurochka - Magee Shield for Overall Academic Achievement in Year 10, Main Shield for Key Stage 3 Maths, Watts Cup for Key Stage 3 Technology & Design

Jesse McNeilly - Lynn Award for Contribution to DofE Bronze

Taylor McNeilly - Weir Shield for Key Stage 3 English, Currie Shield for Key Stage 3 Geography, Elizabeth Law Trophy for Key Stage 3 Music

Noah Hampton & Archie Atcheson - DofE Award for Spirit of the Award

Year 11 Award Winners

• Year 11 Certificates (for Academic Achievement, Attitude Towards Learning, Attendance & Bronze DofE Award):

Year 11 recipients of Academic Achievement Certificates: Maksym Borovyk, Zara Compton, Charlie Ewart, Rohan Gardiner, Neve Hargan, Darius Ilie, Ejaz Khan, Louis Logan, Daniel McConville, Ruth McCormack, Katie McIlwaine, Katejan Pajak, Tilly Quigg, Alex Robinson

Year 11 recipients of Attitude Towards Learning Certificates: Joshua Adams, Shone Anish, Olivia Fulton-Brown, Hummad Hassan, Michael Hickinson, Ava Hilton, Bethany MacDonald, Faith Moore

Year 11 ATL & Academic Academic Achievement Certificates

Year 11 recipients of ATL & Academic Academic Achievement Certificates: Adam Dempsey, Isaac Getty, Erin Lamont, Liam Logan, Kinga Lipszyc, Zoe Topping, Scott Campbell, Kathryn Kennedy

Year 11 recipients of Bronze DofE Certificates: Adam Dempsey, Isaac Getty, Erin Lamont, Liam Logan, Kinga Lipszyc, Zoe Topping

• Year 11 Perpetual Awards:

Scott Campbell - Orr Trophy for Academic Achievement in Year 11

Kathryn Kennedy - Poulter Cup for Most Improved Female Athlete

Dillon Raine - Poulter Cup for Most Improved Male Athlete

Year 12 Award Winners

• Year 12 Certificates (for Academic Achievement, Attitude Towards Learning, Attendance & Bronze DofE Award):

Emma Burnside, Ewan Campbell, Eve Daly, Kelci Eccles, Jenna Leacock, Grace Mitchell, Joni Neill, Liza Rosiiets, Matthew Stevenson, Mya Carson, Peter Hamilton, Addisyn Kinghan, Orlagh Lavery, Ewen McKelvey, Ellie McManus, Mia McShane, Lijana Michailova, Natasha Millar, Tristan Munnis, Jonah Somerville, Seth Stewart, Ella Willams, Ionel Tanasache, Matthew Morrison, Freya Brady, Ben Croy, Erin Elder, Rudy Harvey, Louise Hill, Romaine Killough, Grace Laverty, Emilee Leacock, Raiana Li, Rory MacDonald, Cara MacDonald, Freddie McMullan, Aoife West, Lea Wilson

Year 12 recipients of Academic Achievement Certificates

Year 12 Attitude Towards Learning Certificates

Year 12 recipients of Attitude Towards Learning Certificates

• Year 12 Perpetual Awards:

Ionel Tanasache: Academic Achievement Certificate & Bronze DofE

Matthew Morrison & Rory MacDonald: 100% Attendance Certificate

Freya Brady - OCN RS Award for OCN Religious Studies, Hutchinson Shield for GCSE Art & Design

Ben Croy - Luke Cup for GCSE Physics, Hutchinson Cup for GCSE Digital Technology

Jenna Dowds - Crawford Trophy for GCSE Music

Erin Elder - Frazer Memorial Cup for Poetry Games Winner, Stewart Cup for Modern Languages, Gordon Cup for Contribution to the RE Department, Child Development Cup for GCSE Child Development

Rudy Harvey - Shaw Cup for GCSE Biology, Boyle Cup for GCSE History, AC Connects Media Award for Top GCSE Media Studies Student

Louise Hill - Cindy Robinson Photography Award for Top GCSE Media Production

Romaine Killough - Building for the Future Award for GCSE Construction, Michael Palin Award for GCSE Geography

Erin Elder & Cara MacDonald: Gordon Cup for Contribution to the RE Department

Emilee Leacock: Kane Cup for GCSE Maths

Ryan Watt - Cushenan Award for Footballer of the Year

Erin Elder & Crystal Mukwada: Frazer Memorial Cup for Poetry Games Winner

Rory MacDonald: Hospitality Cup for GCSE Hospitality

Raiana Li: Stewart Cup for GCSE English, Edwin May Cup for GCSE Business Studies & Kujiten Cup for Best Overall Academic Achievement in GCSEs

Grace Laverty - McFerran Cup for GCSE Food & Nutrition

Aoife West: Spar Cup for GCSE Chemistry

Lea Wilson: First Trust Trophy for GCSE Business Studies Controlled Assessment & Cheryl Campbell Shield for GCSE Religious Education

Leah McConville-Armstrong - First Trust Trophy for GCSE Business Studies Controlled Assessment

Cara MacDonald - Gordon Cup for Contribution to the RE Department

Freddie McMullan - Salters Cup for GCSE Single Award Science, Sustainable Development Award for OS Construction

Crystal Mukwada - Frazer Memorial Cup for Poetry Games Winner

Ella Steele - McClurkin Cup for GCSE Physical Education

Aoife West - Spar Cup for GCSE Chemistry

Lea Wilson - First Trust Trophy for GCSE Business Studies Controlled Assessment, Cheryl Campbell Shield for GCSE Religious Education

Year 13 Award Winners

• Year 13 Certificates (for Academic Achievement, Attitude Towards Learning, Attendance & Bronze/Silver DofE Award):

Isabella Hendron, Alexandra Hume, Taylor Leacock, Freya McGookin, Ellie Mayo, Naomi Moore, Drew Hoy, David Lamont, Erin Armstrong, Brooke Coyne-Lennox, Gracie Kenny, Natalie Lin, Caitlin Moore, Zoe Moore, Sienna McQuillan, Jake Nelson, Dylan O’Neill, Jagoda Pietras, Lily Waddoups, Matthew Leetch, Ellyn McConkey, Jamie Woodward, Carly Burns, Lukas Dumpis, Ryan Hickinson, Cody Hill, Lenny Kirkpatrick, Oskar Michno, Brandon Neeson, Yasmin White, Angus McCollum, Erin Dempsey, Christy Heffron, Tony Logan, Natasha Murray, Garrett Smyth, Ria McKelvey, Abbie McMaster, Nikodem Byczek, Christopher Crabbe, Daisy McBride, Timothy Rosiiets, Niamh White

Year 13 recipients of Academic Achievement Certificates

Year 13 recipients of Bronze & Silver DofE Certificates

Year 13 recipients of 100% Attendance Certificates

• Year 13 Perpetual Awards:

Karol Lipszyc: Steede Shield for Leadership in the Duke of Edinburgh Award

Timothy Rosiiets: Computing Shield for Going Above and Beyond in AS Computing

Niamh White: Cumberland Shield for Contribution to Music

Christopher Crabbe - Law Award for AS Computing

Daisy McBride - DofE Award for Going Above and Beyond in DofE

Alex Steede - CIGA Award for Work Experience in Year 13

Year 14 Award Winners

• Year 14 Certificates (for Academic Achievement, Attitude Towards Learning, Attendance & Bronze/Silver DofE Award):

Susannah Agnew, David Connolly, Maja Kopczynska, Shannon Laverty, Kacey Lovett, Georgia MacDonald, Kaylah McCambridge, Rory Sweeney, Boaz McKelvey, Ciara Connolly, Eliza Daly, Dylan Hickman, Alex Jones, Lucy Jordan, Amber Kirkwood, James McBride, Joe McCudden, Megan McKenna, Joshua Murray, Hannah Ojo, Ryan O’Boyle, Ellie Patterson, Jack Somerville, Jessica Wilson, Lewis Esler, Colby Metcalfe, Adam Murray, Cara McGaughey, Adam Coard, Isaac Allen, Charlie Aikman, Ellie Cooley, Ellie Esler, Ellie Gilmore, Eve Hammond, Eimear Liddy, Angelika Pekala, Chloe McGann, Bronagh McGaughey, Dan McGrattan, Chloe McPeake, Reese Parker

• Year 14 Perpetual Awards:

Isaac Allen - RAF Award for Excellence in BTEC Uniformed Protective Services

Charlie Aikman - Gunning Cup for A Level Biology Coursework

Ellie Cooley - Magee Cup for A Level English

Ellie Esler - Wrightbus Trophy for A2 BTEC Business Studies, Hope Award for A Level Hospitality

Ellie Gilmore - Stoker Award for A Level Art & Design, Inspiring Belfast Media Award for Top A Level Media Performance

Eve Hammond - Kainos Trophy for A2 BTEC ICT

Stacey Hanna - Harrison Shield for Netball

Marek Kopecky - Murray Cup for A Level Music

Eimear Liddy - Bell Cup for A Level Health & Social Care

Angelika Pekala - Bell Cup for A Level Health & Social Care, Wrightbus Trophy for A2 BTEC Business Studies

Chloe McGann - Manson Cup for A Level Geography, Adams Award for BTEC Travel & Tourism

Bronagh McGaughey - Harrison Award for Top Academic Achievement in A Levels, ESAT Cup for A Level Biology, Donnelly Cup for A Level Drama

Dan McGrattan - Anderson Shield for Practical Production in A Level Media Studies

Chloe McPeake - David Field Award for A Level History

Reese Parker - Harrison Award for Top Academic Achievement in A Levels, Leetch Cup for A Level Maths, BP Chemistry Cup for A Level Chemistry, McAlonan Cup for A Level Physics