‘ Victoria College Belfast’
Y8 Speakers
Open Day 2017
Cranmore Assembly Hall
Saturday 7th January
Y8 Speakers
7th January 2017
Leyla McElhinney 8LUN
10am Cranmore
Hello my name is Layla McElhinney and although it doesn't seem like it, one year ago I
was sitting where you are now!
My mind was whirling with excitement on moving on from Primary school. New subjects
such as HE and science thrilled me. Yet I was also slightly anxious, what if I didn't make
new friends? Or what if I kept getting lost in such a big school? Now it seems silly that I
even thought that!
I instantly made friends with my whole form class and all of Year 8 helps each other out
like one big family. As for getting lost I knew the whole site in 3 days and it didn't matter
if I did you can simply follow the other Year 8's.
Another thing I worried about was how to pick the right school. When I was visiting
Victoria College I felt instantly at home, I could imagine myself wearing the uniform and
walking arm in arm with new friends.
At Victoria College there is truly something for everyone.
If you are sporty there is netball, hockey, camogie, gaelic and much more.
If you like to be creative there is art, drama and cookery club and if you ever feel you
need help with homework or a certain subject there is spelling bee, science, homework
and classics club.
I have joined many of these societies and enjoy each and every one of them.
I feel safe and secure at school and there is always someone to talk to if I am troubled. I
knew I had made the right choice immediately, everyone was so friendly and polite and
everyone looks out for each other.
I believe this school has brought out the best in me and offers me endless opportunities.
I am extremely proud to be part of Victoria College and I wouldn't change my choice for
anything.
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Victoria College
Belfast
Open Day 2017
Thank you for listening and hopefully I will see many of you next year.
Y8 Speakers
Aoife Mallon 8LAV 10am Cranmore
7th January 2017
My name is Aoife Mallon and I attended Victoria College Preparatory School. You might
think that I had a very easy decision to make, to transfer to Victoria Senior School, but it
was far from that.
So many of my friends were planning to move up to the senior school, however I have a
brother and sister who attend Rathmore grammar school and both my parents did.
Receiving an A in my GL and a top band in my AQE made the decision even harder.
Choosing between two of the best schools in Northern Ireland was a very hard decision.
To help me make the decision I wrote out a list of all the things I liked about the schools
and Victoria won by far.
It not only offers sport, dance, music, fun and all round personal development but also
does extremely well academically.
Choosing to go to Victoria is a decision I will never regret. It was clearly the right one for
me. I am so happy here and have made so many new friends as well as becoming
better friends with my prep classmates.
I decided to make my own decision and it was one of the best I have ever made.
Annie Lindsay 8LAV
10am Cranmore
Hello my name is Annie and I wanted to come to Victoria College for two main reasons.
Firstly, when I was growing up I would hear my mum talk about her years at Victoria,
how much she loved it and the lifelong friendships she made. So I wanted to follow in
her footsteps.
Her best friend from first form is still her best friend today, and they are godmothers to
the other’s children. I hoped to make friendships like that here at Victoria College.
Secondly, at home, I help care for my older brother who has a brain injury. Things can be
hard for me when he is very ill or in hospital. So I wanted to come to a school outside of
my local community, where I could be me. Annie Lindsay. And not ‘the girl with the sick
brother.’
HON
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Victoria College
Belfast
Open Day 2017
I knew within minutes of arriving at open day last year, that Victoria College would be the
school for me. I feel happy and safe her, I love coming to school everyday.
It has been so exciting learning new things, discovering new subjects and making new
friends. My first term here has been everything I’d hoped for, and more. I’m playing
new sports, learning a new musical instrument.
I am so glad I chose Victoria College and am so looking forward to being educated
here.
Thank you.
Y8 Speakers
7th January 2017
Isabella O’Brien 8LUN
11:30 Cranmore
Hello my name is Isabella O’Brien and believe it or not just a year ago I was sitting were
you all are sitting now about to make the daunting decision of what post primary school
to go to.
But after touring the school my mind was made up Victoria was the school for me.
One of the many reasons I picked Victoria was how inclusive it is – there were girls from
a whole range of different primary schools.
It also has a wide range of extra curricular activities from Gaelic football, Hockey, Hurley,
Netball, debating and choir just to name a few.
The school also is on 2 campuses so I don’t have to deal with the big senior girls twice
my height.
There is also a drop in centre were you can talk to prefects whether you are nervous or
just want a chat about last night’s x factor. They will always listen.
The teachers and year 9’s kindness never fails to amaze me - whether you need
directions to your next class or you are worried about something.
The school made me feel welcome and at home and I get a real since of pride every
morning when I tie up my tie.
I look forward to seeing many of you next year.
Lucy McClure 8LAV 11:30am Cranmore
Just about a year ago, I was sitting where you are sitting now, taking in the sights and
sounds of a new school, wondering if it would be the right choice for me.
I was taken on a tour around the school where I enjoyed doing different activities in the
classrooms, such as experiments in the science room.
To me, Victoria College seemed to be an amazing school, with unlimited opportunities
and when I started I found that everyone was so friendly, including the teachers, which is
very important in a new school.
The first week of school was a week to get to know everyone and make new friends.
HON
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Victoria College
Belfast
Open Day 2017
There are about 130 girls in each year, which sounds like a lot at first, especially if you
have a very bad memory like me!
The surprising thing was that by half term I knew basically everyone in Year 8 and had
made friends with most of them!
Y8 Speakers
7th January 2017
Serene Baladi 8CAL 11:30am Cranmore
Hi my name is Serene Beladi and about 11 months ago I had to make a huge decision
about which school I should go to.
I went to many school open days and I hadn’t the slightest clue which one to pick until I
came to Victoria College.
My first impression of the school was warm and inviting and I immediately knew I wanted
to come here.
A few months later when I got into Victoria College I was more than ecstatic.
On the first day of school I was so excited and very nervous but I had nothing to be
worried about because everyone was so kind and helpful to me. And although the
school is huge it is very easy to find your way around.
In Victoria everyone is so caring for each other and the teachers will always help you to
strive to your full potential.
Therefore I really hope you do choose Victoria College because I guarantee you won’t
regret it.
Sophie Luke 8LAV 12:30 Cranmore
Hello, my name is Sophie Luke and I attended Victoria College Preparatory School.
I chose to go to Victoria College Belfast for many different reasons.
First of all, my mum went to this school and recommended it to me and my cousin also
attends.
For me it wasn’t a hard choice because as soon as I went to the open day I knew
Victoria College was the school for me and I hope you feel this way too.
My highlight so far at school has been the HE practicals – my particular favourite has
been making chocolate snowballs!
I think Victoria College is the school to go to because you get to meet lots of new friends
and join lots of different sporting activities such as hockey, netball, Gaelic, Camogie,
tennis, gymnastics and swimming.
HON
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Victoria College
Belfast
Open Day 2017
The teachers are also very nice which is really important when going to a new school.
There are also a variety of activities that you can get involved in; Choir, Orchestra, SU,
Science and Classics Club. You also get the chance to do other subjects such a Latin,
Spanish Drama and ICT.
Victoria College is my school, I hope it will be yours!
Y8 Speakers
7th January 2017
Teresa O’ Kane 8OKA
12:30 Cranmore
My main reason for choosing Victoria College is that all of the teachers, members of staff
and older pupils are so kind and caring.
Also I believe that having only year eight and year nine in one smaller campus is
extremely beneficial to being able to make new friends a lot faster and being able to find
your way around the school.
It also helps the hard transition from Primary school to secondary school become a lot
smoother and be a lot less daunting.
At Victoria College there are many amazing extracurricular activities that I have had so
much fun taking part in this year.
At Victoria College the atmosphere is amazing and I can always be myself and I know
that I will always be accepted.
I hope you decide to join us in Victoria College. I know you will never regret that decision!
Meadow Cinnamond 8KAV
12:30 Cranmore
Hello, I'm Meadow Cinnamond. This year I moved from Harmony Hill Primary School to
Victoria College Belfast.
It has always been my dream to come to VCB. I had always heard the girls from Victoria
saying what a great school it was and how nice all the teachers were.
Today I will explain why you should choose VCB.
Victoria has a very welcoming atmosphere and a wide range of subjects and other
activities.
If someone would have said to me last year I would like Latin I would have laughed but
Dr Brown makes it so much fun and now it is one of my favourite subjects.
No one from my primary school class came to VCB but I quickly made new friends.
I have really enjoyed my time here so far and I hope to see you next year!
Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy our Open Day.
HON
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Victoria College
Belfast
Open Day 2017
Y8 Speakers
7th January 2017
Emma Harrison 8KAV
12:30 Richmond
Hello, my name is Emma Harrison.
There are many reasons why I chose Victoria College as my school for the next 7 years.
From the moment I first walked through the College doors, I knew it was going to be a
special place for me even though I was only 5 years old when I first arrived into Prep One
in time for our school production then shortly after for prize day.
As a student of Victoria College Prep, I had always been familiar with the two senior
campuses and many of the teachers.
I also attended many taster subjects including Art, Science and Drama, which I
thoroughly enjoyed and found all the teachers very friendly.
I knew I wanted to continue my education in Victoria College.
I found it amazing how many extra-curricular activities I could get involved with such as
netball, dance, cross-country and many more.
I think you should choose Victoria College as your school, because of the many extracurricular activities, great teachers and of course, fun school trips such as a trip to
London in year 8 and Italy, skiing.
It is an amazing school which has something and someone for everyone.
Holly Hall 8KAV
12:30 Richmond
Good afternoon everyone. My name is Hollie Hall and I am in Year 8.
I want to tell you why I chose to come to VCB, when there are so many other grammar
schools to choose from. My very first time at Victoria was on an open day, just like this
one. We were given a guide to give us a tour of the school, and she was so friendly and
polite. As we continued through the school she would always see other girls she knew
from the school and would smile and give them a wave.
HON
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Victoria College
Belfast
Open Day 2017
That's when I knew that everyone here was very close, and I knew that I would have no
problem making friends. But I was still a bit worried about my classes, and how much
homework we would be getting and would it be easy or not. But when I started school I
was in for a surprise! I found that every class was really interesting and the homework
was all manageable. I also want you to know that if you ever have any concerns, you
can always talk to a teacher or your form councillor, like me. We are always here to help
you if you are worried about anything.
Another thing that impressed me about the school was the range of extra curricular
activities. We have a drama club, a netball club, a debating club and lots of others that
are always great fun. And so, that is why I chose to come to VCB. I really do
recommend this school to you and I hope I will see a lot of you here next year.
Thank you very much for listening, and have a nice day.
Y8 Speakers
7th January 2017
Grace Green 8 KAV
12:30 Richmond
Good afternoon ladies, gentlemen and future Victoria girls. My name is Grace and a year
ago I sat in the same seats you are sitting in today, feeling the same way you probably
are now, nervous, apprehensive but excited.
I had a decision to make, one that would shape my future for the coming years and I can
stand here in front of you all today knowing that I made the right decision to become a
Victoria Girl.
I was of course nervous on my first day but the teachers and pupils alike made me feel
welcome, comfortable and ready to learn.
I have really enjoyed the variety of subjects and trying out the different extra-curricular
clubs like netball, dance and the learning cafe where we can go and do our homework
with support from teachers and prefects.
But the best thing about Victoria College is the help and encouragement I get to be the
best I can be, on a personal and academic level and after all, Victoria College is where
dreamers become doers.
Thank you for listening! I hope you have enjoyed our Open Day!
HON
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Victoria College
Belfast
Open Day 2017