Why Campbell?
Campbell College is home to over 150 Boarders from 30 different countries. Our diverse and unique boarding family is a tight-knit community that nurtures individuals working in close partnership with parents and pupils. We believe that what our wonderful Boarding department provides is pretty special but we would say that - so why not hear what our Community has to say!
What our Students say...
Christoph Pirker
It has been a great privilege to call myself a boarder at Campbell College and therefore, it is with a heavy heart, that I say goodbye from my home from home and close this chapter of my life.
As I reflect on the last 4 years at Campbell, I realize what an incredible journey it has been: Not only has the College offered me a great education, and a vast range of new opportunities, but it has turned me into, what I believe to be, a well-rounded and confident young man- and for that I am immensely thankful.
However, the beating heart of the Campbell and what makes it so special from other schools is the diversity, kindness and overall sense of belonging that you feel from both students and members of staff alike - And nowhere can this be felt more, than in the boarding department. Boarding is unique as it aims to offer the 150 Students from over 30 different countries a home-from-home. I think I speak for every boarder when I say that this goal has been met and even exceeded as the great variety of ages, languages and cultures makes boarding into a unique place where everyone feels welcomed from day one.
The past school year was especially challenging for boarding as the Covid-19 pandemic swept the globe. This left many international students stranded in the UK during the holidays and prevented most outings. Even the weekly trip to town and the very popular Tesco run had to be put on hold. However, thanks to the dedication of the boarding staff, under the leadership of Mr. Robinson, boarding was able to stay open even during the most challenging weeks of this pandemic. This not only allowed boarders to stay safe but also gave them the opportunity to grow more close knit whilst becoming an even more vital part of the college.
For several weeks, the boarding community gave life to Campbell, as the school was forced to close its doors to all dayboys.
I think it is fair to say that during this year no boarding student could complain of boredom as there were countless activities on offer. The following are a few (of my) highlights:
- Watching scary movies on Halloween in the drama theatre.
- Going to the gym with friends every night and staying in shape with the help of Ron.
- Taking part in Bingo nights and enjoying the lively atmosphere and the good craic in general.
- Playing table tennis with countless boarders in the central courtyard between Bowens and Chases.
One can also not forget all the themed food nights that the kitchen staff and Mr. Harper organized. These nights not only allowed us to sample cuisines from all around the world but it also helped tighten the bond between the staff and students in boarding.
Another one of the highlights in boarding were the “Kitchen gatherings” where students met after the gym to cook some food and to exchange casual gossip with members of staff. This led to so much laughter and many unforgettable moments.
At this point I would like to thank every member of the boarding staff, for their commitment in their roles and for going above and beyond. A special thank you to:
- Mrs Pearson, Mr McNerlin, Miss Beckett and the Housemothers
- Matron and Ron Fullerton for keeping us healthy and fit over these challenging months.
- The kitchen staff for adding not only taste but also humour to our meals.
- Mr. Harper for organizing multiple boarding events.
- Domestic staff for their innumerable contributions
Last but certainly not least I want to thank Mr. Robinson for all his hard work and perseverance even during these challenging times. Whether you need help in Differentiation, have personal issue or simply can´t find your passport, Mr. Robinson is always there and ready to help. Under his tenure the boarding department has grown rapidly, and I do not see it stopping any time soon.
I am once again very grateful for everything I experienced during time in Northern Ireland. Campbell offers endless opportunities from academic excellence to sporting activities to friendships that last a lifetime. It has been a life-changing experience that I can warmly recommend to anyone who has the opportunity to join the boarding family, whether it be for a year or for their entire secondary education.
Thank you
Christoph Pirker
Head of Boarding 2020/21
Year 14
Michael Sullivan
With the conclusion of the 2017/2018 academic year fast approaching, it is time for some reflection on the year, especially for those of us who will depart the school gates for the last time as students of Campbell College. The year, in my eyes, has been a hugely positive one, and one which I and fellow pupils will look back on with fondness, especially within boarding.
The saying “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” was particularly pertinent this year as we welcomed back into the boarding community Chef Conor, after 12 months working in the care sector. I am sure that I can speak for all in School House when I say his return was a welcome and most pleasant surprise!!
Boarding itself is also undergoing a colossal physical transformation with the commencement of the extension to the ‘New Build’, with an additional 67 ensuite bedrooms being added to the ever-expanding boarding provision at Campbell College!
2017/18 continued to bring sporting success to School House, and quite significant was the contribution to the Schools’ Cup winning squad (led by the effervescent Mr Brian Robinson), where boarding contributed over 30% of the playing team. In addition to helping gain team success, there was also significant individual success in rugby: Ben Power (Year 14) and Oisin Kiernan (Year 14) represented Ulster and were involved in Ireland squads, Jamie Brennan (Year 13) played representative rugby for Scotland, and Matthew Carlisle (Year 14), was captain of the 2nd XV, having also won a Schools’ Cup winners medal. Dominance in House Volleyball and House Football continued, with Dennis Fung (Year 14) and Jared Duval (Year 14) leading the teams, respectively.
In addition to the sporting events there have been numerous additional successes within boarding, such as the Spring Concert in which a large section of the school orchestra was comprised of boarders; Isaac Ho (Year 10), Cody Chan and David Tait (both Year 11), William Gallery, Ryan Chan and Alvin Yip (all Year 12), Ivan Liu and Rex Tinsley (both Year 13) and Alex Hardacre (Year 14). House Drama was expertly directed by Alex Deeny and Hal Byrne (both Year 12), where they produced a well-received production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It is also noteworthy that Mr Rea accompanied a large number of junior boarders on a sponsored walk for Prostate Cancer in Stormont Park on a Sunday morning in May.
The representation from School House on the Prefect Team for 2018/19 is also really quite significant, and special mention should go to the following students on their elevated appointments – Rex Tinsley, Head of School; Hans Jenckel, Head Boarding Prefect; and Senior College Prefects Leon Gurtler and Shashank Balasubramani.
Writing this report has frankly been rather surreal, as I have now finally arrived at the inescapable truth that my time in Campbell has ended. But instead of the melancholy I have been told to expect to feel, I instead feel something quite different - I feel a warmth knowing that I received an experience few people can claim to have had! I, for all intents and purposes, gained a second family. Of course, like any family, there were the odd lows but these were far-outweighed by some stellar highs and I know that who I am now, can primarily be attributed to my time in boarding at Campbell College. So from the bottom of my heart I thank my peers, the phenomenal catering team, the frankly excellent facilities staff, and the pastoral team that genuinely care about you, not out of some sort of false notion of “responsibility”, but because they truly know you and truly wish the best for you! Thank you to Matron for the countless hours she has spent dealing with our ailments, both physical and emotional (and her ground-breaking research on the myriad of medicinal applications of Gaviscon). Special mention must also go to Miss Skipper who has been much more than a Tutor in the traditional sense to Year 14; her support and encouragement has been unwavering, and it is not possible to explain the bond she makes and the care she exudes! Finally, I would like to thank Bert Robinson. I am sure I could think of some metaphor relating him to “glue” but that would be doing him a disservice; the energy that Mr Robinson puts into the day to day running of boarding is quite staggering and just what he does for boarding cannot be quantified.
In summation, and whilst it may sound clichéd, my four and a half years in boarding have been life changing and I would like to thank everyone who was with me on my journey. To the younger members of School House and those who read this as they consider boarding at Campbell College I say this: you are afforded a rich opportunity. Make the most out of every second of your time at Campbell – take every opportunity you are given, speak with people from other cultures, appreciate both our differences and similarities, and always remember this: any issue or concern you have will not be unique to you, someone, be it a roommate, an older student or even a teacher, will have gone through what you are going through and the Boarding Staff are always only too happy to support and assist. It may be difficult, but take the time to speak with someone and I guarantee you your time in Campbell will be better for it.
Michael Sullivan
Head of Boarding 2017/18
Year 14