Page 6 - royal-times-17-18

AFTER SIX YEARS

For the last six years, I have been a day pupil in the Royal,
and it has been a wonderful experience. I’ve built many
strong friendships within my year, and I think the small
class size has helped me to bond with my classmates and
get to know them really well. I’ve had the opportunity to
learn alongside some great people, people from Spain,
Argentina, and some from a little closer to home. From the
trips away to the banter we have in the classroom, we have
always remained a tight-knit group and have had great fun
growing up alongside one another, and developing into
who we are today. Our year has always been small, and we
wouldn’t have it any other way.

During our time here, we have experienced many changes
and developments throughout the school which have
improved and enhanced our lives as students. The new
addition of the water-fountain this year sounds insignificant, Cian Walker Head Boy,Colin Dugdale Deputy Head Boy, Peace Jameson
but it has ensured that the student population are kept Deputy Head Girl & Nicole Higgins Head Girl
hydrated, increasing our capacities to learn and is a valuable
amenity in the school. Other improvements include newly advantage for the future. We took part in the AIB Build a Bank
refurbished dorms which contribute to the welcoming and challenge, made a TY Night production, Films, Art and even
homely environment. went to Manchester by boat, which was rather unpleasant!
Despite the sea sickness experienced by some, it was
In the classroom, the quality of tuition that I’ve received has such a great trip. We got to travel around Manchester and
been second to none. The teachers are inspiring, and they Liverpool, had fun Bowling, visited Old Trafford, shopped
make class time an interesting and enjoyable experience. and much more! My favourite part of the trip was definitely
They go above and beyond to make our lives as easy as the day in Alton Towers theme park! Even though it rained
possible. We are encouraged to work as hard as we can, all day, the spirits were high, as this reflected the general
to fulfil our potentials, and to take big steps in order to be theme of the whole year!
the best that we can be. Although the work can be tough,
the classroom is also a place of great craic! The stories I think that for me, the Royal has lived up to its Motto - “ We
we’ve heard and shared can have you in stitches laughing prepare for life”. Not only have we been given the tools to
for hours afterward, and sometimes the practical advice is get into college, but we’ve also been given the knowledge
worth much more than what’s in the textbooks. to know how to make decisions for ourselves, and to be
independent. I think having this sense of who we are will be
Boarding has been a unique experience, but an extremely of great benefit to me and my classmates as we make the
beneficial one. Those nights spent away from home will transition from school to college and into the future
no doubt ease the transition as we prepare for college.
The comradery between the boarders shows the strength I also loved the trips that we went on, especially to Killary
of the friendships and bonds that are forged when you Harbour and Manchester. There were moments on each
spend twenty-four hours a day with your best friends. A where we all seemed to just click together and it was the
special mention to those who we share a dorm with, these intimate times like these where I realised how lucky I am to
friendships are perhaps the strongest bonds we have formed have made really good friends here, and I can’t imagine the
during our time here, bonds which will never be broken. year without a single one of them.
As a boarder, I will never forget the many conversations
The boarding staff are nothing but accommodating and
helpful and have kindly organised many cinema trips for us had in the dining hall over a cup of tea, the weekly visits
throughout the year, which everyone enjoys. The boarding downtown and the Halloween antics.
house truly is a home away from home. We are all eternally At the end of the day, the Royal School is just a building.
grateful for the kitchen staff who work so hard to ensure It’s just bricks, mortar and glass. It’s the people inside, my
that we are fed and watered. A special thank you to PJ for closest friends, the teachers, staff and the students in the
the nutritious meals, but also the odd treat. corridors which have brought it to life. It was the stage to
six years of memories, memories that I know I will cherish
Transition Year in the Royal was such a good year, and it
went above and beyond my expectations. For me, I see it as for years to come. As we go our separate ways, there is no
a time where I developed myself for the years to come. The doubt that we will remain in contact and always find time
year really focused on building up your skills as a person, for one another.

and how to work as a team with your classmates. I learned Cian and Nicole.
really transferable skills, and I know the year gave me an (Headboy & Headgirl)

6 The Royal Times 2017-2018