Belfast Boys Model School

I attended the Boys' Model when it was at Cliftonville Road and Ballysillan Road, think it was around 1950 to 1958 and at that time I lived in Carrs Glen, so the school was only a walk away from home.

I have only just come across this website and like many other past pupils have very fond memories of the Model and its staff, 'Bulldog' McNeilly who put me on the straight and narrow a few times, and our
maths teacher, the best of all 'Ernie' Davies - what a great man he was and an inspiration to everyone he tutored. I can also remember a Mr Irvine (arts teacher I think) and old 'Morty' Mortimer, who loved the cane.
Some names in the our form were Houston, Matthews, Patterson. I left the school and after a
short while in the printing trade I joined the Royal Navy and did service the Middle and Far East. I left the service and went to Saudi Arabia with British Aircraft Corp (now British Aerospace) working with the Royal Saudi Air Force.

I am now retired in live in Lancashire. I am proud to have come from the realms of the Boys' Model and send my best wishes to all past and present members.

Signed on: 27/12/11

87-93 roughly.. If only I could go back. I miss the friendships and the laughs. I live in Canada now and I can say that seeing the kids here after they come out of school, I can say with conviction that my time at the Model was well spent.

Will Blair

Signed on: 5/12/11

I attended the Model School 45 to 48. My early schooling had been disrupted by the war and a lot of catch up was needed.

Tommy Morton, Ernie Davis and Mr. Smith taught me Maths and English that saw me through the first 11 plus into Inst then to Queens for Civil Engineering. You have come a long way since then and a Schools Rugby Cup win is the icing on the cake.

From Vancouver

Signed on: 29/11/11

I attended the school from 95 to 99. Looking back they were the best years of my childhood life. I wish i could go back and do it all over again!!

Signed on: 26/10/11

The Model made me believe in myself. I owe you everything.

Signed on: 16/10/11

Well done to all the boys who spoke so articulately last night after getting their results.

Signed on: 19/08/11

I was at "The Model" up to the mid 70s, a tough era, but what a great place. Mr McNeilly was the boss when I first joined and then Ernie Davis took over. Dawn McBride, art, Willie McDowell geog, Harry Hughes for English until a very young Jim Keith turned up with his "Afro" hair style, tank top, bell bottoms and a Tubular Bells L.P. We thought he was so cool!

Well I not only got a good education but a set of rules/principals for life that have stood by me all these years. I drove by recently and couldnt believe what I saw, the place is looking fantastic. Well done Boys' Model !!

Signed on: 9/08/11

Attended the Boys' Model from 80 to 85. Now living and raising a family in North Carolina,USA. Great to hear names of teachers that have influenced us all through the years...Many students are now spread out across the Globe which is a testimony in itself to education we received. The new building and staff will continue to 'model' young boys into our future leaders.

Signed on: 12/07/11

I attended this school from 97-03. I stayed on to AS-Level then left due to commitments. Looking back I wish I was more involved in the school as it was a great place to be. The teachers were great and my peers were too. It looks like a different school now, hopefully values are the same.

Signed on: 24/06/11

This is my first year in the school and it is amazing.

Signed on: 10/06/11