🎓 *John “Boots” Malone & the Legacy of Orangefield High School 🎓
Orangefield Boys’ Secondary School opened its doors in 1957 in east Belfast, and at the heart of it stood its founding headmaster — John “Boots” Malone.
Malone wasn’t just a headmaster — he was a visionary educator who believed in *opportunity, inclusivity, and creativity. At a time when education in Northern Ireland was dominated by strict academic divisions, he encouraged students to look beyond exams and see life’s wider possibilities.
✨ Under his leadership:
Orangefield became a school that welcomed both Catholics and Protestants, fostering tolerance in a divided society.
He promoted music, arts, sports, and clubs — helping pupils discover talents they never knew they had.
Generations of students left inspired, among them Van Morrison, Brian Keenan, David Ervine, Gerald Dawe, and many more who went on to leave their mark in music, literature, politics, and education.
Many former pupils remember him as “an amazing and inspired individual” who gave them the courage to think differently and aim higher.
💬 “He enhanced the lives of a lot of youngsters in the sixties, even if only by prompting them to open their minds to life’s possibilities.”
Today, the story of John Malone and Orangefield is a powerful reminder that great teachers don’t just teach subjects — they shape lives.
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