Extra-Curricular Activities

We believe that participation in extra-curricular activities is an excellent opportunity for students to develop new skills, make new friends and feel part of our school community. Please click the button below to view the Extra-Curricular Programme for 2021/2022. 

 

 

We have a wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer, both at lunchtimes and after school. They include the following. 

 

Coding Club:

If you want to advance your skills, we run a coding club after school every week for an hour, its aim is to encourage, challenge, enthuse and inform students about ICT.  Members complete a number of tasks and challenges to enhance their coding skills in a fun and relaxed environment.

 

Debating:

Students of all levels and key stages are welcome to join our Debating Club, which meets once a week for juniors and at least once for the senior team.

The KS3 students can avail of the opportunity to engage in lively discussions on pressing issues such as uniform policy and which Harry Potter House they would most like to join. Through their participation, students are encouraged to develop their confidence in public speaking and their powers of persuasion with language. Students are also expected to be keen listeners, and even when they are not performing, they are urged to take part as active members of the audience.

Our Senior Debating Team will tackle complex and sophisticated issues, ranging from how best to solve issues of wealth inequality to whether or not businesses should be involved in ‘woke’ marketing. The senior team participate in external competitions throughout the year and were recently awarded the prize of ‘Best Researchers’ in the Concern Debates 2020. We hope to continue to build on and develop this success in the coming academic years.

 

Drama Productions:

At Hunterhouse College students can enjoy being a part of the annual school production. Auditions for principal roles are open to ALL year groups. However, should students not wish to audition for a main role then all comers will be welcome to take up a role within the chorus or backstage. Our school productions tend to be full scale musical theatre productions or variety performances that take full advantage of the range of talents and interest students have a Hunterhouse College. So whether you like to sing, dance or act or have a particular performance skill like gymnastics or clowning then there will be an opportunity for you.

 

Equestrianism:

Hunterhouse Equestrian Team competes in all of the Schools competitions including Show Jumping in the ‘TRIequestrian Schools Show jumping League’ at Meadows Equestrian Centre in Lurgan; the Ulster Schools Derby at Gransha Equestrian Centre; RUAS Schools Show jumping qualifiers for Balmoral Show and ‘Ulster Schools Dressage’ competitions.

To participate as a member of our Equestrian team, you need to have access to a pony/horse and your own transport to travel to the competitions. We need to be able to confirm your ability to compete at a particular level and expect appropriate turnout care of your horse when representing the school.

Over the past few years, the Novice (85cm) Team and the Open (1m) team have experienced considerable success at all venues, placing in the Meadows League and qualifying for the All Irish Schools Showjumping in Mullingar Equestrian Centre.

 

Fencing:

Hunterhouse College Fencing Club is run by two former students of the School, Tasha Montgomery and Lydia Roets, both who have Access NI accreditation and British and Irish Accredited Fencing Coaching qualifications.

The club meets on Wednesday afternoons. There is an opportunity to fence all three weapons (Foil, Epee and Sabre).

Times:

3.30 – 4.30pm             Beginning Fencers

4.30- 5.30pm              Experienced Fencers

The coaches will train you and help you develop your skills in the preferred weapons and provide support when you are ready for competitions such as the Leon Paul Junior Foil League.  Many of our students have competed at National and International level at the British Youth Championships, UK School Games or Commonwealth Championships.

All equipment (including safety equipment) is provided initally (although you may wish to purchase your own at a later date).

All students need to bring is PE kit and trainers. This is a sport which is fun and skilful so come and give it a try.

 

Junior Drama:

In Junior Drama we explore improvisation, devising plays and performing plays. All members of the junior drama club will be given the opportunity to explore key performance skills in order to build their confidence as a performer as well as their individual skill in performance and stagecraft. Performance work created by the drama club throughout the year culminates in two showcase events where students can show their talent to an invited audience.

 

Music:

Extra-curricular musical activities flourish at Hunterhouse College. Each one is open to any interested student and we simply ask for genuine enthusiasm and commitment. The activities on offer are intended to provide access for all pupils, including total beginners, in all areas of music and also pathways into music careers for those with higher ability.

The Orchestra rehearses once a week and performs at concerts and Prize Events. Smaller groups and ensembles perform as the ‘band’ in school Musical productions and at our Carol Service and Spring Concerts. Students who enjoy singing are encouraged to join the Junior Choir (Years 8-10) and Senior Choir (Years 11-14). The choirs sing at the annual Carol Service, the Spring Concert, and other events and formal occasions (e.g. Prize Events) throughout the year. The Ulster Youth Choir give a workshop each year to the Senior Choir members. Students then have the opportunity to audition for the Ulster Youth Training Choir and the Ulster Youth Choir; each year students from the choir are successful in their auditions to one of these two outstanding choirs. Students are encouraged to join the ukulele club, African drumming groups, jammers, jazz band as well as forming their own ensembles. Regular trips are organised during the year to Ulster Orchestra concerts and other professional musical performances.

 

MUSIC DEPARTMENT – OPTIONAL TUITION 2021-22 

A number of visiting teachers are offering, as an optional extra, private tuition in the following instruments:

Piano Saxophone Violin Trumpet Drum Kit
Flute Oboe Viola Trombone Singing
Clarinet Bassoon Cello French Horn Classical Guitar
    Harp Baritone Horn Electric Guitar

Students receive a lesson of 30 minutes each week within a one-hour period.  The recommended fee is currently £14.00 per lesson but financial arrangements are made between the tutor and parents. When required, tutors will also give group tuition for students of similar ability; the individual fee will then be £7.50. To avail of this tuition, please complete the Music Lessons Application form by clicking the below link.

MUSIC LESSONS APPLICATIONS FORM 2021-22

For any further information, contact Miss Flanagan at [email protected].

 

National Theatre: 

For a number of years, Hunterhouse College has participated biennially in National Theatre Connections. The project involves staging, rehearsing and performing an original play, written by famous playwright before receiving feedback from a professionally recognised theatre director and performing the final piece at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast.

 

PE/Sport:

There are lots of opportunities to get involved in extra-curricular sport in Hunterhouse College with clubs in Hockey, Netball, Badminton, Tennis, Swimming, Football, Athletics and Cross-country to name but a few. We provide many opportunities for our students to show their competitive side by running House Competitions in school and entering many teams in a wide range of inter-school sports competitions. Indeed, over the years we have experienced much success at District, Interprovincial and even All-Ireland level.

 

Scripture Union:

Junior and Senior Scripture Union meet once a week. The Juniors meet in room 5 with Dr Riddell. We join for friendship and fellowship, to study God’s word and to think about how it can impact our life and our culture. We also have debates, discussions, times of prayer, quizzes and parties (with lots of buns!) Senior SU also meets once a week in Miss Moody’s H.E. room where the senior girls continue to have fellowship, listen to guest speakers, have panel discussions and find out more about the Bible and what it means to be a Christian today.

 

Senior Book Club:

Senior Book club meets once a month in Room 5. We choose books from different cultures and periods and discuss them without thinking about assessment objectives and mark schemes! We discuss a wider range of ideas as we think about characters and plots over copious amounts of coffee and packets of chocolate hobnobs.