On Friday the headmaster hosted a lunch for the heads of the 1608 Royal Schools. This is a small group of five schools dotted across Ulster which were created in or around 1608 on the order of King James I. Pictured are (left to right) Dr David Burnett, headmaster of the Royal School, Dungannon, Rev Canon Mark Lidwill chaplain of Cavan Royal School, Dr Howard Welch principal of Royal and Prior Comprehensive School, Raphoe (Co. Donegal) and Mr Montgomery. Mrs Elizabeth Armstrong, principal of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School was unable to attend due to unforeseen school business.

Over lunch the school representatives discussed how to continue to develop and strengthen the schools’ sense of common purpose and work together in the interests of their pupils and the communities they serve. They also discussed how they might support the work of Bethel Royal School, Nakasongola, Uganda which was established by the Royal Schools of Ulster as a legacy to celebrate their 400th anniversaries in 2008.

Speaking after the lunch Mr Montgomery said, “While over the centuries the Royal Schools have developed into very different institutions, some academically selective and others all ability, some retaining boarding and others admitting day pupils only and of course spanning each side of the border, at heart they remain deeply committed to the same core values. There are already a number of common activities such as the 1608 Debate and a joint Scripture Union event but today we explored a number of new possibilities to build on our common history and prepare our young people to make a positive contribution to the future”.