It is my privilege to introduce you to Glastry College and to outline the ethos and values of our school.
For over 65 years we have been educating young people from the Ards Peninsula and beyond, irrespective of background, culture, or academic ability. I am privileged to work with dedicated and passionate staff who are committed to ensuring our school community is vibrant, dynamic, and forward thinking.
Glastry College is reputed for its warm, family feel, its strong sense of community and excellent interactions between students and staff which reflects our caring, child-centred, Christian ethos. Students at our college are very well cared for and supported and we aspire to develop their confidence and self-esteem, so they are motivated to achieve their highest potential within a safe and caring environment. This is enhanced and enriched by positive relationships between teachers, students, parents, and the local community.
When considering a post-primary school, where your child will be supported, cared for, challenged, motivated, and enriched, Glastry College is a school which can realise these aspirations. Our pastoral structure aims to keep the focus firmly on the individual child while supporting the raising of standards and achievements for all students. Our curricular provision supports a range of career pathways that are tailored to each pupil and the enrichment programme affords students opportunities to acquire life-long skills which can be used to prepare them for the challenges they may face in the future.
We have three main aims
- to enrich the student experience at Glastry College by providing a wide range of learning opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom.
- to empower students to be proactive in their learning and become independent learners; and
- to help them excel in their academic studies and in their ability to reach and fulfil their true potential.
I wholeheartedly believe that Glastry College is a school where any young person can flourish and develop into a mature, well qualified, responsible young adult, ready to embrace the challenges of further education, higher education, or employment with confidence.
Yours sincerely,
Mr A J Hutchinson
Principal
About Glastry College
Glastry College has been delivering education in the Ards Peninsula for over 60 years. It first opened its doors in 1957 as Glastry School with a small nucleus of staff. By 1962, five years after opening, the enrolment was 200 students and the college continued to grow over the following years, changing its name to Glastry Intermediate School, Glastry Secondary School, Glastry High School and now being known as Glastry College. Today we have over 600 students and proudly offer a wide range of subjects for students aged 11 – 18.
Our college badge, which is the Talbot Hound, is proudly worn on our blazer and signifies the community links that Glastry College has in the surrounding area. Its origins can be traced back to 1177 when one of John de Courcey’s Knights was gifted a track of land in Co Down and South Antrim called “The Parish of St Andrews”. This Knight was called Talbot or Talbet. As a small community developed it became known as Talbetona, later as Ballytalbet (The townland of Talbet) and over the centuries this has changed to Ballyhalbert.
The Talbet family bred hunting dogs that were large brown hounds – called Talbot hounds. When Glastry College opened in 1957, it was decided that a Talbot hound should feature on the school badge.
For over 65 years we have been educating young people from the Ards Peninsula and beyond, irrespective of background, culture, or academic ability. I am privileged to work with dedicated and passionate staff who are committed to ensuring our school community is vibrant, dynamic, and forward thinking.
Glastry College is reputed for its warm, family feel, its strong sense of community and excellent interactions between the college, parents and local community which reflects our caring, child-centred, Christian ethos. Students at our college are very well cared for and supported and we aspire to develop their confidence and self-esteem, so they are motivated to achieve their highest potential within a safe and caring environment.
When considering a post-primary school, where your child will be supported, cared for, challenged, motivated, and enriched, Glastry College is a school which can realise these aspirations. Our pastoral structure aims to keep the focus firmly on the individual child while supporting the raising of standards and achievements for all students. Our curricular provision supports a range of career pathways that are tailored to each pupil and the enrichment programme affords students opportunities to acquire life-long skills which can be used to prepare them for the challenges they may face in the future.
“To support, guide and equip each young person to reach their full potential as learners, their aspirations as individuals, and to be happy, resilient, and successful in life.”
Our motto, which was created by our Student Council is ‘Enrich, Empower, Excel’.
Enrich
To offer a wealth of learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom
Empower
To develop a sense of self-worth, resilience, independence and adaptability
Excel
To enable them to excel in their learning, attainment, in developing skills and capabilities to equip them for the 21st century