Slemish College marks 30 years with record grades, inspiring pupils and call for investment

(All photos: Cindy Robinson Photography)

Monday 26 October 2026

Slemish College has celebrated 30 years of integrated education in Ballymena with one of its strongest years of examination results, outstanding achievements by pupils and a direct challenge to the Education Minister to invest in the school’s future.

At the College’s annual prizegiving ceremony, Principal Michael Bennett reflected on its remarkable growth from just 84 pupils in 1996 to more than 1,000 today, while paying tribute to the families who took a chance on a new approach to education three decades ago.

The anniversary celebration also recognised academic excellence, sporting success, charitable fundraising and individual stories of resilience, with pupils raising more than £18,000 for good causes over the past year.

But alongside the celebrations, Mr Bennett delivered a clear message about the continuing importance of integrated education and the need for government support.

Thirty years of bringing young people together

The College welcomed former pupil Katy Lynas Craig, now Principal of Ballymena Integrated Nursery, as guest of honour for the anniversary prizegiving.

Katy was among the first pupils to attend Slemish College, her father served as one of its founding governors, and her son Jack is now a pupil at the school.

Mr Bennett recalled how the College began with a single temporary building and a group of parents determined to give their children an education that brought together young people from different backgrounds.

Today, although the original building remains part of a much larger collection of temporary accommodation, the school community has grown considerably.

Reflecting on the courage of its founding families, Mr Bennett said:

“Thirty years ago, a remarkable group of parents looked at the divisions around them and decided they wanted something different for their children. They looked at Ballymena and believed there was a better way.”

He recalled the uncertainty facing parents who enrolled their children in a school without an established history, examination results or even completed buildings.

One founding parent had reflected on that decision in words shared during the ceremony:

“Sending my child to Slemish wasn't the risk. Not allowing our children to mix was the risk. Not allowing them to sit side by side. Not allowing them to create a different future. We looked at the division around us and believed in something different.”

Principal challenges Education Minister over investment

Mr Bennett said the continued existence of division in Northern Ireland demonstrated why integrated education remained essential.

Referring to events in Ballymena, Portadown and elsewhere, he questioned whether society had progressed far enough to consider integrated schools unnecessary.

“One question I am occasionally asked is: ‘Are integrated schools still needed?’ After all, Northern Ireland has changed enormously…and thankfully it has...but if the events in Ballymena, Portadown and across our country show us anything, it is that division has not disappeared… there is still work to be done.”

He highlighted the importance of schools where different traditions can be explored openly and where Irish, Ulster Scots and a range of sports, including Gaelic games, are embraced as part of school life.

The Principal also made a direct appeal for investment, with the College continuing to operate from temporary buildings while seeking a new school development.

“My challenge to the Minister of Education is, you need to support schools like ours, you need to invest in schools like ours. Slemish is a success story, Slemish makes a difference.”

Among the strongest examination results in College history

The anniversary celebrations came after an exceptional year academically, with Slemish recording more A* and A grades than ever before.

At A Level, 43% of grades awarded were A or higher, while 34% of GCSE grades were A or higher.

Mr Bennett emphasised that behind those results were young people whose achievements extended far beyond the classroom.

Outgoing Head Boy Angus McCollum and Head Girl Carly Burns each achieved three A* grades at A Level while also contributing to leadership, extracurricular activities and the wider life of the College.

Both received the Harrison Award for Overall Academic Achievement in A Levels, with Carly also collecting awards in Mathematics, Physics and Geography, and Angus receiving the BP Cup for Chemistry.

Rebecca McGarel

Rebecca McGarel received the Kujiten Cup for Overall Academic Achievement in GCSEs, alongside awards for Mathematics, Music and Digital Technology.

Joel Hagan was recognised for Overall Academic Achievement in Year 10, Mathematics and Spanish, while Holly Henry received the Year 8 overall academic achievement award and Nikola Byczek secured the equivalent Year 9 honour

Joel Hagan

Kateryna Kurochka

Kateryna Kurochka received the Orr Trophy for Overall Academic Achievement in Year 11.

Stories of courage, determination and kindness

Among the most moving moments of the Principal’s address were the stories of pupils who had overcome significant personal challenges.

Mr Bennett praised Kate, a Ukrainian pupil who arrived at Slemish three years ago with very little English after fleeing war in her home country.

Despite adapting to a new school and language while worrying about family members and visa arrangements, she achieved A grades across all her GCSE modules.

“Kate, we are incredibly proud of you. In fact, we are proud of all our Ukrainian students. You have overcome so much. And you have enriched our community enormously.”

He also recognised Matilda, who overcame considerable health challenges to secure the English grade she needed to continue into Sixth Form.

Year 12 Pupil Matilda Hendron

Ollie Kernohan

Year 8 pupil Ollie Kernohan was celebrated for his everyday acts of kindness, including quietly helping to tidy the school refectory after others had left.

Ollie received the Claire McWilliams Cup for Citizenship in Year 8, an award recognising the contribution pupils make to their school community.

Mr Bennett also highlighted the initiative shown by Year 8 pupils Robyn and Noah, who organised busking to raise money after hearing children’s author and Children's Laureate Onjali Rauf speak about refugees.

Their willingness to turn concern into practical action was among the examples he used to illustrate the character of the College’s young people.

Sporting success and £18,000 raised for charity

Beyond academic achievements, Slemish pupils enjoyed another successful year in sport, music, drama, leadership and community service.

The Year 10 football team completed an unbeaten campaign, the Year 9 netball team won its league, and Year 10 and Year 11 pupils secured the Cuchulainn Gaelic football cup.

Pupils also represented Northern Ireland and competed at national level across a range of activities.

Educational experiences took pupils to destinations including Barcelona, London, Iceland, Edinburgh, Dublin, Corrymeela, Stormont, the Antrim Hills, the Mournes and Kenya.

Through charitable and community initiatives, pupils raised more than £18,000, supported refugee families, visited local nursing homes, connected with schools in Ukraine and helped girls’ education in India through Saphara.

The College also supported the Rotary food collection and undertook community work in Kenya.

Mr Bennett described how pupils involved in the Kenya project worked in challenging conditions, carrying building materials and water, mixing mortar by hand and experiencing daily life without running water.

He said the experience had helped young people understand the realities of poverty, generosity and community.

National recognition for integrated education and pastoral care

The College’s achievements were also recognised externally during the past year.

Slemish received the Platinum Take Five award for pastoral care and the Excellence in Integrated Education Award.

Assessors visited lessons and spoke to pupils, staff, parents and governors before recognising the school’s approach to inclusion, diversity and belonging.

Their report described Slemish as:

“A wonderful example of an Integrated school in action.”

Mr Bennett said the recognition belonged to the entire school community rather than any individual.

Special awards recognise outstanding contributions

The prizegiving included awards recognising leadership, service, kindness, academic achievement and commitment to the College’s values.

Among the special award recipients were:

Erin Dempsey

• Erin Dempsey, Karol Lipszyc and Charlie Gardiner – David Jamilly Bursary for Kindness.

• The 2025–26 King’s Trust Class – Mark Magill Memorial Cup for Going Above and Beyond.

• Ronan Elliott – Arthur Letson Memorial Cup for Persistence and Industry.

• Oskar Michno – McGrath Sixth Form Bursary for University Studies.

Romaine Killough

• Romaine Killough – McGlade Cup for L’esprit de Corps.

• Nikodem Byczek – House Captains Cup for Best House Captain.

• Carly Burns – Principal’s Award for Outgoing Head Girl.

• Angus McCollum – Principal’s Award for Outgoing Head Boy.

Matthew Morrison and Erin McMullan

• Matthew Morrison and Erin McMullan – Principal’s Award for Presidents of the Students’ Council.

• Romaine Killough – Principal’s Award for Head Girl 2026–27.

Ionel Tanasache

• Ionel Tanasache – Principal’s Award for Head Boy 2026–27.

• Matthew Leetch, on behalf of Beryan – Slemish College House Shield for the Winning House.

• The Lamont Family – Killian Sandercock Cup for Commitment to Our College Values.

• Heather Watts-Steede – Fellowship Award for Contribution to the College.

A legacy built by families and sustained by community

Closing the ceremony, Mr Bennett thanked the College’s teaching and support staff, governors, parents and pupils for their contribution to its development over three decades.

He also shared the reflections of founding parent Veri, who recalled the anxiety of sending her daughter to a new integrated school at a time when the decision attracted questions and opposition.

Her words offered a powerful reminder of the social barriers faced by the College’s earliest families.

‘I remember on that first day, the teal blazers marching off to school. I remember people sitting out on the walls in front of their houses watching. I was so nervous. Had I made the right decision? Would I find my windows broken? I was asked by so many why was I sending my daughter to a school with “the other sort”, When I see what Slemish has become, how it has grown, its reputation. I am so very proud of the step I and others took 30 years ago.’

For Mr Bennett, the College’s anniversary was an opportunity not only to celebrate its achievements but to recognise the decision that made them possible.

Thirty years after its first pupils arrived, Slemish has grown into a school community of more than 1,000 young people, with its founding commitment to educating children together still at the heart of its identity.

And while the College continues to seek investment in its buildings, the Principal said the lasting legacy of those founding parents could already be seen in the young people gathered for the ceremony.

“I think we can safely say... it was a risk worth taking.”

Slemish College Prizegiving 2026 – Full List of Award Recipients

The following pupils, families and members of the school community were recognised at the Slemish College 30th anniversary prizegiving ceremony.

YEAR 8 CERTIFICATE RECIPIENTS

Ben Aiken, Martha-Ann Anderson, Emme Balmer, Taylor Baras, Aibel Bijilin, Zac Brown, Hollie Brownlee, Piotr Byczek, Adam Cairns, Lewis Campbell, James Currie, Noah Dallat, Lilah Ferris, Ella Fulop, Maisie Kirk, Conor Larkin, Oskar Lindsay, Bobby McClurkin, Fiona McCord, Victoria McCullough, Callie McKay, Lukas Mesfun, Zack Moore, Aoife Moore-Hargey, Daniel Morah, Julia Pawlowska, Anurag Ragesh, Arianna Reid, Diya Sinoj, Rayan Sundeep, Amelie Taggart, Conan Watt and Macy Yates.

YEAR 8 PERPETUAL AWARDS

Emily Givan

• Emily Givan – Philip Harris Cup for Achievement in Science

Ronan Hamill

• Ronan Hamill – McKavanagh Shield for Gaelic Sports

Holly Henry

• Holly Henry – Wheatley Cup for Overall Academic Achievement in Year 8

• Ollie Kernohan – Claire McWilliams Cup for Citizenship in Year 8

Connie McGavock

• Connie McGavock – Evans of Longton Shield for Most Promising Girl in PE

• Emma McNeilly – PH McHugh Cup for Year 8 Science

Amelia Rawle

• Amelia Rawle – PH McHugh Gaeilgeoir Cup for Irish

• Jay Steele – Evans of Longton Shield for Most Promising Boy in PE

YEAR 9 CERTIFICATE RECIPIENTS

Annie-Rose Atcheson, Martyna Baczkowska, Abigail Barr, Noah Bell, Ellie-Rose Boyd, Zoe Brennan, Jeron Cinoby, Riley Craig, Felicity Devine, Robyn Dickson, Billy Donnelly, Fletcher Eagleson, Erin Gilligan, Tom Henry, Grace Irvine, Adithya Krishna, Erin McAleese, Lucas McAllister, Matthew McBride, Aoife McCormick, Maddison McKenna, Charlie McKeown, Maisie McKibbon, Adam McNeilly, Grace Michael, Eve Moore, Lacey Moore, Eleanor Morrow, Faith Neill, Elsa O’Kane, Evan Swann, Bertie Tennant, Joshua Todd, Bella Wilkinson and Grace Wilson.

YEAR 9 PERPETUAL AWARDS

• Nikola Byczek – Kujiten Cup for Overall Academic Achievement in Year 9

Joshua McAuley

• Joshua McAuley – RES Cup for Year 9 Science

Eduard Pojar

• Eduard Pojar – KS3 Keenan Shield for Accelerated Reading

YEAR 10 CERTIFICATE RECIPIENTS

Bobby Anderson, Max Baczkowski, Charlotte Baillie, Mila Clayton, Keren Currie, Molly Delargy, Julia Fialkowska, Yasmine Firici, Sophia Gage, Layla Harding, Tommy Hill, Alexandra Holban, Lucy Kernohan, Bella Kuchocha, Noah Mairs, Molly McBride, Annie McConville, Peter McConville, Alistair McDowell, Chloe McIroy, Logan McMullan Elder, Dana-Fae Millar-Smyth, Jake Mitchell, Nicole Morrow, Dylan O'Lone, Katie Rainne, Max Reid, Anna Robb, Ewan Stewart, Olivia Taylor and Jude Ward.

YEAR 10 PERPETUAL AWARDS

Adam Dalzell

• Adam Dalzell – Bullivant Trophy for Achievement in Key Stage 3 History

• Joel Hagan – Magee Shield for Overall Academic Achievement in Year 10; Main Shield for Key Stage 3 Maths; Viva España Cup for Key Stage 3 Spanish

Cara Liddy

• Cara Liddy – Watts Cup for Key Stage 3 Technology & Design

Alastair McDowell

• Alastair McDowell – DofE Bronze Award

Ellie Morgan

• Ellie Morgan – Ruth Millar Shield for Key Stage 3 French

Oluhle Moyo

• Oluhle Moyo – NIE Cup for Key Stage 3 Science

Nina Murray

• Nina Murray – Spirit Award for Bronze DofE

• Paulina Ossowska – Currie Shield for Key Stage 3 Geography

Fletcher Wilson

• Fletcher Wilson – Elizabeth Law Trophy for Key Stage 3 Music

Ollie Wilson

• Ollie Wilson – Weir Shield for Key Stage 3 English

YEAR 11 CERTIFICATE RECIPIENTS

Olaf Batkowski, Grace Colgan, Layla Doran-Jones, Jodi Eccles, Hayley George, Johnathan Gibson, Ronan Heffron, Curtis Hughes, Khloe Kane, Grace Kirkwood, Caitlin Liddy, Eve Mann, Elli McAtamney, Eleni McKelvey, Taylor McNeilly, Raducu Moise, Daniel O'Boyle, Samuel Pearson, Anna Redmond, Sofia Rosiiets, Abigail Scott, Elodie Shaw, Nathan Shaw, Annie Storrie, Iona Tweed, Rachel Urwin, Jay Wallace and Samson Wilson.

YEAR 11 PERPETUAL AWARDS

Alyssa Carr

• Alyssa Carr – Poulter Cup for Most Improved Female Athlete

Anna Gamble

• Anna Gamble – Gordon Cup for Contribution to the RE Department; Spirit Award for Silver Duke of Edinburgh

Kateryna Kurochka

• Kateryna Kurochka – Orr Trophy for Overall Academic Achievement in Year 11

Andrew Purvis

• Andrew Purvis – OCN Award for Commitment to OCN Religious Studies

Ruby Rafferty

• Ruby Rafferty – Harrison Shield for Netball

Kodi Sheridan

• Kodi Sheridan – Poulter Cup for Most Improved Male Athlete

YEAR 12 CERTIFICATE RECIPIENTS

Joshua Adams, Sofia Anderson, Timothy Crabbe, Olivia Fulton-Brown, Hummad Hassan, Darius Ilie, Patryk Karkowski, Katherine Kennedy, Amy Lamont, Louis Logan, Daisy McConnell, Joseph McLarnon, Faith Moore, Ciara O'Boyle, Marta Ossowska, Tomas Potucky and Charly Robinson.

YEAR 12 PERPETUAL AWARDS

(L-R) Senan McGaughey, Scott Campbell and Teoman Gok

• Senan McGaughey, Scott Campbell and Teoman Gok – Kane Cup for GCSE Mathematics

• Michael Hickinson – Kane Cup for GCSE Mathematics; Crawford Trophy for GCSE Music; Luke Cup for GCSE Physics

Rebecca McGarel

• Rebecca McGarel – Kujiten Cup for Overall Academic Achievement in GCSEs; Kane Cup for GCSE Mathematics; Crawford Trophy for GCSE Music; Hutchinson Cup for GCSE Digital Technology

Bailey Coleman-Crawford

• Bailey Coleman-Crawford – Cindy Robinson Photography Award for Top GCSE Media Production

 Zara Compton

• Zara Compton – Building for the Future Award for GCSE Construction; McFerran Cup for GCSE Food & Nutrition; Hutchinson Shield for GCSE Art & Design; McClurkin Cup for GCSE PE

Ben Worrall and Zara Compton

• Ben Worrall – Hutchinson Shield for GCSE Art & Design

• Orlaith Doherty – Salters Cup for GCSE Single Award Science

Rohan Gardiner

• Rohan Gardiner – First Trust Trophy for GCSE Business Studies Controlled Assessment

Katie Hammond

• Katie Hammond – Waterstones Prize for GCSE English Literature; AC Connects Award for Top GCSE Media Studies Student

• Matilda Hendron – Ings Shield for GCSE Hospitality

Ava Hilton

• Ava Hilton – Stewart Cup for GCSE English; Moody Cup for GCSE Child Development

Courtney Kernohan

• Courtney Kernohan – Cheryl Campbell Shield for GCSE Religious Studies

Ejaz Khan

• Ejaz Khan – Shaw Cup for GCSE Biology; Spar Cup for GCSE Chemistry

Bethany MacDonald

• Bethany MacDonald – Michael Palin Award for GCSE Geography

• Ruth McCormack – Sustainable Development Award for OS Construction

Katie McIlwaine

• Katie McIlwaine – Stewart Cup for GCSE Languages

Kajetan Pajak

• Kajetan Pajak – Edwin May Cup for GCSE Business Studies

Calum Robb

• Calum Robb – Cushenan Award for Footballer of the Year

Alex Robinson

• Alex Robinson – Boyle Cup for GCSE History

YEAR 13 CERTIFICATE RECIPIENTS

Terri-Beth Bartley, Ryan Blockwell, Freya Brady, Mya Carson, Ben Croy, Nadia Dobrzanska, Jenna Dowds, Natasha Gruszczynska, Rudy Harvey, Oscar Kowalski, Grace Laverty, Emilee Leacock, Raiana Li, Benedicta Onah, Aoife West and Lea Wilson.

YEAR 13 PERPETUAL AWARDS

Hollie Brennan

• Hollie Brennan – Adams Award for A Level Travel & Tourism

James Clarke

• James Clarke – Silver DofE Award

Leah McConville-Armstrong and Mia McShane

• Leah McConville-Armstrong and Mia McShane – CIGA Healthcare Trophy for Work Experience

Naomi Moore

• Naomi Moore – Cavan Clarke Cup for A Level Performing Arts

Gabriella Onah

• Gabriella Onah – Frazer Memorial Cup for Poetry Games Winner

YEAR 14 CERTIFICATE RECIPIENTS

Chelsea Beresford, Ronan Elliott, Charlie Gardiner, Christy Heffron, Drew Hoy, Reece Irwin, Matthew Leetch, Eva McCullough, Reece McCullough, Caitlin Moore, Zoe Moore, Brandon Neeson, Patryk Pajak, Rhyanna Tennant and Lily Waddoups.

YEAR 14 PERPETUAL AWARDS

• Sebastian Biegacz – Kainos Trophy for A2 BTEC IT

• Carly Burns – Harrison Award for Overall Academic Achievement in A Levels; Leetch Cup for A Level Mathematics; McAlonan Cup for A Level Physics; Manson Cup for A Level Geography

• Angus McCollum – Harrison Award for Overall Academic Achievement in A Levels; BP Cup for A Level Chemistry

• Brooke Coyne-Lennox – ESAT Cup for A Level Biology

• Christopher Crabbe – Computing Shield for A Level Computing

• Erin Dempsey – Donnelly Cup for A Level Drama

• Ryan Hickinson – Murray Cup for A Level Music

• Cody Hill – Anderson Shield for Practical Production in A Level Media Studies

• Gracie Kenny – Bell Cup for A Level Health & Social Care

• David Lamont – Steede Shield for Leadership in the DofE Award

• Natalie Lin – RAF Award for Excellence in UPS

• Karol Lipszyc – Gunning Cup for A Level Biology Coursework

• Ellie Mayo – Hope Shield for A Level Hospitality

• Sienna McQuillan – Hope Shield for A Level Hospitality; Stoker Award for A Level Art & Design

• Ria McKelvey – Cumberland Shield for Contribution to Music

• Oskar Michno – David Field Award for A Level History

• Kajus Mickevicius – Charlie McCurdy Memorial Cup for Excellence in Education

• Jake Nelson – Magee Cup for A Level English

• Dylan O’Neill – Wrightbus Trophy for A Level Business Studies

• Yasmin White – Inspiring Belfast Media Award for Top A Level Media Performance

SPECIAL AWARDS

• Erin Dempsey, Karol Lipszyc and Charlie Gardiner – David Jamilly Bursary for Kindness

• The 2025–26 King’s Trust Class – Mark Magill Memorial Cup for Going Above and Beyond

• Ronan Elliott – Arthur Letson Memorial Cup for Persistence and Industry

• Oskar Michno – McGrath Sixth Form Bursary for University Studies

• Romaine Killough – McGlade Cup for L’esprit de Corps

• Nikodem Byczek – House Captains Cup for Best House Captain

• Carly Burns – Principal’s Award for Outgoing Head Girl

• Angus McCollum – Principal’s Award for Outgoing Head Boy

Matthew Morrison and Erin McMullan

• Matthew Morrison and Erin McMullan – Principal’s Award for Presidents of the Students’ Council

• Romaine Killough – Principal’s Award for Head Girl 2026–27

• Ionel Tanasache – Principal’s Award for Head Boy 2026–27

• Matthew Leetch, on behalf of Beryan – Slemish College House Shield for the Winning House

• The Lamont Family – Killian Sandercock Cup for Commitment to Our College Values

• Heather Watts-Steede – Fellowship Award for Contribution to the College