Welcome to
St Louis Grammar School
Ballymena
Celebrating Success
Britain’s Gymnastics Disability Competition
On Saturday the 19th of November, I attended the British Gymnastics Disability competition in Cardiff.
My goal in this competition was to try my hardest and prove to everybody that with a lifelong illness you can still achieve your dreams. With a lot of dedication within the gym, I trained my hardest for eight hours a week, to come home with five gold medals on every piece including floor, vault, bars, beam and all around British Junior Champion. I really enjoyed my time spent in Wales with my team mates and my wonderful coach. My mum was supporting me through all my routines, and I knew my best friend and all of my other supporters were rooting for me back at home by watching every minute of the live stream. I think it’s a great opportunity to be part of and I cant wait to go back next year.
Julia Babuszewska 11 Lurig
On Saturday, November 19th, I competed in the Disability British Gymnastics Championships in Cardiff. I flew over with my Mum, teammates and coach and competed in four apparatuses (bars, beam, vault and floor). I was very nervous, but once my nerves settled, I really enjoyed myself. My goal was to do my routines successfully and enjoy the experience. I didn’t expect to win anything, as it was such a big competition, but I came home with a bronze medal on bars and silver medal on floor. It proves that hard work and dedication pays off.
I attend Valdez Gymnastics Club in Ballymena and train for eight hours per week. I increased my training to 12 hours for the 5 weeks leading up to the competition. I hope I inspire other children with Type One Diabetes or any other physical or hidden disability. The whole weekend was an amazing experience and I can’t wait to attend the Championship again next year.
Carla O'Brien, 8 Lir
Schools Cup Football All-Star Award!
Congratulations to Year 8 student Eóin Lorcan Bradley and Year 10 students Eunan Curry and Domhnall McKay on being nominated and winning the first ever Antrim Schools Cup Football All-Star Awards!
As a result of winning an Antrim Schools Cup All-Star the players were invited to a Celebration Event in St Marys University College on Thursday 1st December. They also received their own unique All-Star jerseys for their outstanding achievement.
Eóin was a key member for the Year 8 team that competed well in their group stage games but narrowly missed out on a semi final spot. He played as a forward, taking excellent scores aswell as displaying some eye catching runs.
Eunan and Domhnall played an integral part in the St Louis defence at both full back and centre half back where they recieved their All-Stars. Although the team were defeated in the final, both players stood out for their strong performances. The Year 10 team are into the final stages of the Ulster football competition with Eunan and Domhnall playing crucial roles in this progress.
Well done to all three players for their achievements and we hope to see more awards from the boys in the future.
Irish Swimming Nationals
In July I competed in the Irish Summer Nationals in swimming for “long course” (50m pool length). This competition is the biggest swimming competition I have competed in so far. I have previously competed for my primary school and now St Louis for the Ulster Schools and Irish Schools Cup as well. This year I hope to achieve qualifying times for other competitions such as the McCullagh International Cup and Irish Long Course and Short Course.
I train with Ballymena swimming club, 13.5 hours a week before and after school and in addition, I train 8 hours of gymnastics a week at Valdez Gymnastics Club. I started swimming at Ballymena competitively when I was 9. I have a large number of friends in swimming and gymnastics, and I feel like they are a second family. I swim all 4 strokes, but my current favourite stroke is breaststroke as I qualified in the Irish Summer Nationals for 4 events – two of these were breaststroke 100m and 200m. This year, I have already achieved one time in the 50m breaststroke for the Irish Long Course in April. My main goal would be to compete in the McCullagh International Cup.
I honestly can’t wait for this year and what it will bring.
Hannah Tohill – 10 Laragh
Northern Ireland Pool Association
Year 8 pupil, Jude Dalrymple, has been selected by the NIPA (Northern Ireland Pool Association) to represent Northern Ireland at Under 15 level, at the 2023 EBA (European Blackball Association) Nations Cup of Pool.
Jude is 1 of 3 individuals from Northern Ireland to have been selected and is also the youngest player to have ever been selected at this level.
We wish Jude all the best of luck in the tournament which takes place in Bridlington, England in April.
Well done, Jude - we are all very proud of you!
Clodagh Maguire Year 12 - Football Success
Congratulations to our Year 12 girl, Clodagh Maguire, who has been selected for the Under 16 Northern Ireland Squad.
Clodagh and her teammates play in Bulgaria on 12th March against teams from Montenegro, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia!
Well done on your huge achievement, Clodagh and good luck for the upcoming games!
Roger Casements GAC U15 Champions
Huge congratulations to our pupils who were members of the Roger Casements GAC U15 Team who won the Under 15 County Antrim Division 1 League 2023.
Well done boys!
Left to Right
- Conor McKeever
- Cathan McCart
- Conall Morgan
- Phelim McCloskey
- Conor Burns
- Tom Convery
- James McVeigh
- Eoghan Smith
- Cillian McKenna
Cailín an Chúrsa!
Aoibheann Neeson won ‘Cailín an Chúrsa!’ (Girl of the course), on Cúrsa B, Bun an Inbhir. This is awarded to the student who best displays the spirit of the Gaeltacht by making a huge effort to speak and learn Irish, make new friends and engage wholeheartedly in all the fun Gaeltacht activities! Comhghairdeas léi!
U14 Derry Camogie Champions
Congratulations to the following camogs who are now U14 Derry champions with their club, Kilrea.
Left – Right
- Evie-Aerinn Boreland
- Aisling Campbell
- Molly McBride (Captain)
- Lucy McGilligan
- Niamh Morgan
- Grace Maguire
- Rhiannon McCullough
- Amy McGilligan
- Roma Martin
All Saints U13 Gaelic Champions
Well done to our Year 9 boys who play for All Saints, Ballymena and have recently become U13 Champions!
Ava selected for South Belfast Football League
Congratulations to Year 9 pupil, Ava Carroll being selected for a 'Select' Squad for the South Belfast Football League.
This includes some of the best players from clubs all over County Antrim including Cliftonville, Glentoran and Linfield.
A fantastic achievement and is no surprise as Ava can be seen practicing her skills every lunch time!
'Buachaill an Chúrsa
Mikey O'Brien, Year 12, was awarded 'Buachaill an Chúrsa' (Boy of the Course) at Campa Chormaic in St. Pat's, Maghera, July 2023. Campa Chormaic is an Irish language and Sports summer camp held in memory of Cormac Mc Anallen. Mikey was delighted to be presented with his trophy!
Comhghairdeas leat, a Mikey!
Innovators!
Congratulations to Jake and Enzo who were awarded the Most Innovative Project at the Sentinus Young Innovators Awards!
Well done boys and special mention to Mr Trainor for his guidance and support.
ABP Agriculture ambassadors.
Congratulations to Orlagh one of our ABP Ag ambassadors who won the overall Outstanding Individual Achievement Award at the final of the ABP Youth Challenge.
The team received a trophy for their research project and were congratulated for their knowledge of Succession in Agriculture.
Well Done to Orlagh, Grainne, Declan and Garron.
Irish Dancing Ulster Championships
Well done to Aimee and Ursula (10 Laragh) who did extremely well in the FTDA Ulster Irish Dancing Championships, held in the Carrickdale Hotel in Newry.
Aimee placed 1st so is now the Under 13 Ulster Champion and Ursula placed 4th in the Under 14 Championship.
We are so proud of both girls!
First Responder Certificate
Well done to the pupils who passed their First Aid / First Responder Certificate with the Order of Malta.
Such a worthwhile and valuable endeavour.
Thank you to Mr Quinn for facilitating.
U11 Player of the Year!
Congratulations to Year 8 pupil Darragh who was awarded Under 11 Player of the Year with St Comgalls GAA, Antrim.
Well done Darragh!
Congratulations to Ava!
Well done to our Year 9 pupil, Ava, who won the SFAI Girls Inter League in Kilkenny.
Ava's team, SBYL, beat Galway to bring home the medal! Congratulations Ava!
Eco Student of the Year
Congratulations to Emily who has been awarded Eco Student of the Year for the Mid & East Antrim Council Area! We are so proud of Emily, she is the very essence of our Eco Council and a founding member, working away diligently and purposely to increase the sustainability of our school.
Well done to Emily and all involved!
Eco Awards Green Flag 2024
Eco Awards Students 2024
E Crooks Eco Student of the Year 2024
Irish FA JD National Academy
Well done to Year 10 pupils, Noah and Caden!
The boys are members of the Irish F.A J.D National Academy Training Programme which sees elite young players from Northern Ireland from U12 to U16 compete in international tournaments and attend weekly training sessions at University of Ulster Jordanstown as well as residentials.
