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Coming Events / Membership / List of Members / How to Join / Application Form / School History / History Part 1 / History Part 2 / History Part 3/Contacts/Activities 2006-
Ken Reid O.B.E.
1931-2001
1931-
The following is an excerpt from the tribute to him which the present Headmaster,
John Lockett, wrote at that time.
John Lockett, wrote at that time.
Ken Reid took over the mantle of Headmaster in January 1973 having served his apprenticeship in Dundonald Girl’s High School, where five years earlier he had become the first male Principal of a girls’ school in Northern Ireland. His arrival it must be said, was not greeted with unadulterated joy and rumours were rife that his primary task would be to manage the transition of Grosvenor from grammar school to ‘Sixth Form College’ as part of the development of the Orangefield/Grosvenor campus into a comprehensive school. It is a measure of his strength of character and his beliefs that all such attempts were quashed and it soon became clear that Ken Reid was not a man to be ‘messed with’. His distinctive voice commanded immediate attention and this combined with his straight talking and great sense of humour, marked him as a charismatic leader far beyond the corridors of
Grosvenor. Mr Reid was certainly a ‘person-person’ and the words of wisdom which he dispensed on a daily basis are no doubt still ringing in the ears of the many who owe their careers to him. It was a very proud moment for all when in 1997 he attended the official opening of of our new Science & Technology Building, appropriately named in his honour.
The following is an excerpt from the obituary which Malcolm Brodie wrote in the
Belfast Telegraph
Belfast Telegraph
Ken Reid, former president of the Irish Rugby Union, one of the games most accomplished administrators and 21 years Headmaster of Grosvenor High School, died in Belfast, aged 70.
The son of a beat policeman who later became an RUC Inspector, Reid was born in Creggan, Londonderry, attended six schools as his father was posted to various parts of the province and at one stage , the family lived in the Hastings Street barracks, Belfast.
He was a pupil of Methodist College where he later became a member of staff in the history department after graduating from Trinity College. He played rugby for Methody, Trinity, Old Wesley and Collegians; coached Methody and Collegians, was a member of the Ulster Referees’ Society; Ulster Selector in the 70s, with Ireland 1975-79, managed Ireland 1988-92 and the World Cup Team in 1991 and Ulster 1997-98.
Among the other posts he held were honorary secretary of the Ulster Branch of which his son, Michael, is now the chief executive, organiser of the 1996 European Cup, President of the Ulster Branch 1980-81, President of the IRFU 1994-95, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Sports Affiliation, Ulster Sports Recreation Trust and a member of the United Kingdom Sports Federation....
The son of a beat policeman who later became an RUC Inspector, Reid was born in Creggan, Londonderry, attended six schools as his father was posted to various parts of the province and at one stage , the family lived in the Hastings Street barracks, Belfast.
He was a pupil of Methodist College where he later became a member of staff in the history department after graduating from Trinity College. He played rugby for Methody, Trinity, Old Wesley and Collegians; coached Methody and Collegians, was a member of the Ulster Referees’ Society; Ulster Selector in the 70s, with Ireland 1975-
He was subsequently instrumental together with Eva Gross in reviving the Grosvenor Association in 2000 and served as our first Chairman until his untimely death on 30 April 2001.
Ken Reid was Headmaster of Grosvenor High School for 21 years from 1973 to 1993.
John Lockett
William Moles