He attended the Belfast Academical Institution, where his father was a Maths Professor. He later graduated from Cambridge, where he was a champion rower and one of the founders of the university music society.
As a scientist his achievements were many, but he is probably best remembered for his work with temperature, his discovery of absolute zero and his new scale of temperature, now known as the Kelvin scale. He also played a major part in the plans for the laying of a transatlantic telegraph cable, linking Ireland with Canada.
Among many honours and awards were President of the Royal Society, Edinburgh, Chancellor of Glasgow University and Lord Kelvin of Largs. He died in 1907 and is buried beside Newton in Westminster Abbey. A statue in his honour was unveiled at the Botanic Gardens, Belfast, in 1913.
Senior Housemaster: Mr S McMullan
Year 13: Ms P Miller
Year 12: Mr D Ross
Year 11: Mrs M Finlay/Mr R Griffiths
Year 10: Mr D Gray
Year 9: Mrs A Panaite/Mrs K Rogers
Year 8: Mrs K parks
Head of House: Charlie Gray
Deputy Head of House: James Kerr
House Secretaries: Robbie Henderson and Matthew Knox
Deputy Head of School: Michael Hollway
Senior Prefect: Charlie Gray
Prefects: Robbie Henderson, James Kerr, Matthew Knox, Jack Robinson, Josh Thompson, Scott Thomson, Dylan Weir
Mentors: Harry Beggs, William Brooks , Charlie Gray ,Robbie Henderson, Michael Hollway, James Kerr, Max Loebnau, Matthew McFarlane ,David McLorn, Jack Robinson, Josh Thompson, Scott Thomson, Dylan Weir
Valete: Luke Beattie, Oliver Billing, Angus Carson, Luca Coates, Gerry Dempsey, Jacob Dowie, Charlie Gaw, Adam Kihal, Ziyaad Manjoo, Peter McConnell, Jamie Nicholl, Caleb O’Shea, Adam O’Toole, George Palmer, Alex Place, Alex Rainey, John Shaw, Paddy Spollen, Toby Stewart, Joshua Wilson, Robbie Wilson, Lewis Wright.
Firstly, I would like to welcome the new Year 8 pupils and other new members of the House who have joined the school this year. I wish you all every success, as well as hoping that you will have an enjoyable and memorable time at Inst, whilst getting involved in the various activities offered by the school.
This year saw Kelvin pupils engage in a wide range of events in a highly contested House competition. Pupils were able to earn points in a wide range of house competitions ranging from rugby and swimming to junior drama. I would like to congratulate all members of the house who ensured that Kelvin were victorious in the overall final standings.
Kelvin also led the way academically. In Year 14, both Oliver Billing and Angus Carson achieved an outstanding 4A*. Moreover, Adam O’Toole achieved 3 A*’s. In addition, Luke Beattie and George Palmer gained an A* and 2A, while Robbie Wilson received 3A’s. On behalf of the House, we would like to wish the boys well as they go off to pursue their careers.
At AS-Level, pupils performed well across the board. Standout performances include Matthew Knox with 3A’s and an A* in A2 Maths, Charlie Gray with 3 As and Robbie Henderson who achieved 3 A’s and a B.
At GCSE, Jonah Power achieved an outstanding 10 A*’s, James Nelson 4 A*’s and 6 A’s, Rowan McSpadden 2A* and 8A and Oliver Spollen gained 8 A*’s and 1 B.
In Year 8, Reuben McCullough, Harley Davies, Caleb Heak and Milo Bosket-McCuigan were part of the Rugby A team. Alongside this, Felix Loebnau played for the Cricket A team.
In Year 9, Dylan Price, Bryson McClelland, Callum Warwick, Jamie Wilson, Matthew Whiteside and Noah Taylor represented the U13A rugby team which reached their cup final. Charles Hollway captained Ulster U13s for Hockey, David Agnew and Nicholas Shaw won the All Ireland U13s Cricket with Instonians. Zach Alderdice was involved in the Ireland Trampolining Squad and has been selected as part of the Olympic Pathway programme. In football, Cormac McIntyre was part of the Foyle Cup winning squad and Luke Annesley helped his club win the Northern Ireland Cup. Finally, Thomas McGurnaghan came 3rd in All Ireland Motorbike competition.
Year 10 saw success with a victory in the House Rugby Tournament. The U14 Rugby A team won the Plate competition at Terenure with Harry Beattie, Marcus Brennan, Max Coulter, Patrick Munce and Jared Hillis being involved in the winning side. Callum Lewis Won a Tennis Ireland tournament (Lisburn Junior Open) as well as the Belfast and District U14A Inter Club League.
In Year 11, Frank Hollway participated in the Ulster U18 Hockey school games as well as representing the NCU U15 Cricket team. Adam Millar, Luke Livingston, Jack Coulter, James Agnew and Jamie Stewart were part of the Medallion Shield winning side with Adam being selected as Medallion player of the year. Adam and Luke went on to represent the Ulster U17 rugby team and Jack Coulter played for Ulster U18.
Year 12 pupil Connor Patton was part of the 1st XV squad which won the Schools Cup. He later represented the Ulster U18 rugby team during their victorious inter-pro campaign.
In Year 13 James Kerr and Charlie Gray were key members of the School’s Cup winning squad and were also selected for the U18 and U19 Ulster squads respectively. In addition, Michael Hollway and Matthew Knox were members of the 1st XI hockey squad which won the Burney Cup. Michael Hollway was also selected for both the U18 Ulster (captain) and Ireland U18 Hockey teams.
In Year 14 George Palmer captained the Hockey 1st XI side as well as representing Ulster and Ireland U18s. Alex Place was a member of the 1st XV school’s cup winning side and represented Ulster rugby U18. Charlie Gaw was joint captain of the swimming club and represented RBAI in the Bath Cup swimming competition. Alex Rainey was Company Sergeant Major and Peter McConnell a Colour Sergeant both within the CCF
I’d like to take this opportunity, on behalf of all the House members, to thank Mr. McMullan and the tutors for their constant support and guidance.