The President’s Letter 2024-25:
Belfast Royal Academy
Old Boys' Association
Letter to all Old Boys
Dear Member,
As my term as President of the Belfast Royal Academy Old Boys' Association draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support during what has been a truly enjoyable and rewarding year. It has been a great honour to serve as President, and I wish my successor, Paul Scoffield, every success for his upcoming year in office
I am pleased to report that the Association continues to thrive, with an active membership and a packed calendar of events. From our monthly lunches and the Annual Dinner to golf and cricket days and school reunions, our events provide excellent opportunities to reconnect with fellow past pupils in addition to maintaining a cherished link to the School we are all so proud to have attended.
Beyond its social purpose, the Association actively supports the School in a number of meaningful ways. Together with the Old Girls' Association, we continue the tradition of presenting every Year 8 pupil with their first House tie, along with information on the history and significance of the House system.
Following the challenges of the Covid period, the Association made a combined donation-on behalf of the past three Presidents' terms—towards a significant School project. We were proud to support the commissioning of a new Memorial to commemorate the 33 former pupils of the Academy who lost their lives in World War II. This impressive and poignant Memorial was unveiled on 10th November 2023 and now stands in the entrance hall of the Crombie Building. The Association contributed over £7,000 to this project, a commitment that has notably reduced our available funds.
Despite this, our desire to continue supporting the School remains as strong as ever. We have already begun discussions with the Principal, Mrs Woods, regarding future projects. One such initiative is the digitalisation of the many historic team photographs that once hung in the 'Crush Hall'—a significant and costly undertaking that will preserve this visual heritage and make it accessible to all online.
As many of you know, membership of the Association is currently free. In order to sustain our activities and support for the School, I would like to ask you to consider setting up a small annual donation of £20 by Direct Debit each June*. This modest contribution, if taken up by a good number of members, will make a substantial difference to our ability to plan ahead and continue our work with confidence.
Your support, both past and future, is very much appreciated. I hope you will consider taking this step to ensure that the Old Boys' Association remains a strong and lasting source of connection and support for our School and its pupils.
Kind regards,
lain A. Knox
President 2024-25
*Or make a transfer directly into the BRA Old Boys' bank account and reference 'Name, Year left BRA & Annual Donation'
Sort Code: 98-00-70
Acc No: 07803081
