Local students celebrate after outstanding results

Local students celebrate after outstanding results

23 August 2023

LOCAL students were celebrating after another year of outstanding A-Level results last week.

For many the results pave the way for coveted university places, courses at further education colleges and vocational apprenticeships.

At St Patrick’s Grammar School in Downpatrick, the principal, Mr Joe McCann, said he was “proud of proud of our students and the determination, perseverance and buoyancy they have shown this year to achieve these results”.

Mr McCann revealed that 19 A-Level students achieved three A*- C grades or better while AS students also performed outstandingly well

“Of course, with so many students joining us each year for Post-16 studies, we are particularly pleased with their outcomes,” he said.

“These fantastic results achieved by our Year 14 students will allow them to progress to third level education or higher level apprenticeships with confidence.”

Mr McCann acknowledged what he described as the “wonderful partnership” between students, staff and parents.

He also commended the year groups on their achievements through extracurricular and enrichment opportunities and the resilience they had shown post-Covid. 

 Wishing the Year 14 Class of 2023 luck in their chosen pathways, Mr McCann continued: “Today is the day of mixed emotions. While I am sad to see these wonderful young men and women, that I have had the privilege of watching grow and mature and who have enriched our school community in so many ways leave St. Patrick’s, I am delighted to see them excited about starting the next chapter of their lives.

“I am confident that they are leaving us fully equipped for the many wonderful opportunities that lie ahead Their parents should be very proud of the well-rounded young adults they have become.”

Down High School pupils arrived at school early on Thursday, eagerly anticipating receipt of their AS and A-Level results.

They were congratulated on their success by Mr Michael Crossan, Head of Exams Assessment at the Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment.

As the school prepares to celebrate its 90th year there was significant cause for celebration as pupils from Years 13 and 14 achieved a tremendous set of results exceeding all national trends.

Thirty-five per cent of all Year 14 pupils secured at least three A grades in their A-Level exams, with 56% of all grades being A* or A.

Josh Cromie, Sarah Taylor, Amy Dickson, Ella Hawthorne, Catherine Clarke, Adam Jackson, Lizzie Kennedy, Charis Leaker, Catherine Martin and Sasha Wilkinson attained three or more A* grades.

Ninety per cent of students achieved three A Level grades at A-C. For pupils sitting AS examinations, 30% of pupils secured at least three A grades with 44% of all results achieved being grade A.

Mrs Maud Perry, principal, expressed her admiration for the outstanding results achieved and noted the hard work that brought this huge success.

“We are so proud today,” she said. “The young people receiving results have navigated many challenges, including a global pandemic during their time at school, yet have demonstrated remarkable resilience, worked hard and aimed high. They truly deserve the exceptional set of results produced.

“It is fabulous to see the pupils who joined our enlarged Sixth Form from local 11-16 schools again showing that they can achieve the highest grades and we are delighted to see how they have thrived in their post-16 studies.”

She continued: “I pay tribute to the professionalism and commitment of our teachers and support staff. Pupils receive the highest levels of encouragement, support and expertise from staff who genuinely care about them.

“We are also grateful for the leadership provided by our dedicated Board of Governors and the positive partnership we have with parents. The results published today reflect a vibrant, empowered community. As our Year 14 pupils progress to their next steps, we wish them every success in this exciting phase of their lives.”

Students at Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch achieved another outstanding set of examination results in 2023 both at AS and A-Level. 

At A-Level, 85.4% of all students attained three or more grades at A*-C with 19 pupils achieving a complete A*/A profile.

Across both AS and A-Level, 95% of grades achieved by Assumption pupils were at grade C or above, with 85% at Grade B or above.

There were many success stories at an individual level, with students gaining entry to a range of courses at many of the UK and Ireland's top universities. 

The school Principal, Mr Peter Dobbin, said he was “exceptionally proud” that the students had achieved so highly.

“I am thrilled with the outstanding A-Level results, but not surprised,” he remarked.

“The dedication of our pupils, coupled with the hard work of the highly motivated Assumption staff, is a winning combination.

“I never cease to be amazed by the academic achievements of our students alongside many other accolades in extra-curricular areas.

Mr Dobbin added: “The parents of this year’s A-Level students should be duly proud of all they have achieved and can be confident that they will enter the next stage of their life fully equipped to take on new challenges.”

At Shimna Integrated College in Newcastle, a third of all A-Level and BTEC passes were graded A* or A.

The principal, Mr Steve Pagan, said that as the school enters its 30th anniversary year, the results reflected the “unwavering commitment to academic excellence that has been the hallmark of Shimna for three decades”.

Mr Pagan said that despite the return to pre-pandemic grading levels, most Shimna students had met or exceeded their targets and had secured places at a range of universities such as Oxford, Trinity College Dublin; Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester; Royal Holloway, London and Glasgow, as well as Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster. 

“Even though we have seen a depreciation in some of the grading, this year’s results are a credit to the hard work and dedication of our students and staff,” Mr Pagan continued.

“We should not forget the students lost a significant amount of learning due to the disruption caused by the pandemic. Across 24 subjects, there are many success stories.”

Proud parent Mairi McCurdy said: “We never doubted that an integrated education would also be an academically excellent one. 

“The teachers at Shimna have been inspiring and supportive, leaving my child with a love of learning that she’ll take into the future. As parents we couldn’t have wished for anything more.”

With a spectacular four A*s, Year 14 student Mia Pobloth said: “The incredible support that I received from my teachers is what has brought me where I am today. They sacrifice so much to ensure that we get the best possible start into the world.

“I have had so much fun in the classroom over the years and have learnt things from them that will stick with me for the rest of my life.”

De La Salle High School principal Ciaran Maguire congratulated his students on their “exceptional results” and said there were a “lot of happy and relieved faces” at the school on Thursday morning. 

“The effort and resilience shown by both students and staff at the school this year has been reflected in the marvellous results,” he continued.

“Like all other schools, De La Salle continues to deal with the aftermath of Covid, while others try to revert back to pre-Covid, with their algorithms.

“We continue to focus on the here and now, on the student, their ability, supporting and working closely with them, to achieve their aspirations and dreams.

 “Good luck to those students who have already secured placements at different universities. For those who are going into apprenticeships and the world of work, we wish you well and your new and exciting journey.”

A-Level and AS Level students at St Malachy’s High School in Castlewellan students celebrate another very successful year in which the high standards set in previous years have improved once again.

Mrs Eileen O’Hara, principal, said: “We have had our challenges throughout the last few years. However, our students have shown such fantastic resilience dealing with any barriers amazingly well.  “The results achieved by our students today are nothing less than we expected from a truly amazing group of young people with almost 50% of the cohort achieving the top A* and A grades.

“The students hold true the values that make St Malachy’s a winning team. These values underpin all the work we do. We celebrate the potential in everyone, we put our words into action and we provide our students with the opportunities to develop their individual goals and aspirations 

Mrs O’Hara paid tribute parents, guardians and staff for their commitment and dedication.

“The successes are due to the support and guidance they gave to the students throughout their studies,” she continued.

“We want each of our students to know that the staff are proud of you, we are proud of your accomplishments, and we wish you well.

“However, know that the results you receive today do not define or limit you. Your true vocation in life is too sacred to be determined by exam results or qualifications.

“What really matters, what really counts is not your success at school, but how you live your life now. It is the choices you make as a student from St Malachy’s High School, as a young person of Christ, that count.

She added: “St Malachy’s High School is an amazing place for children to learn and it will continue to grow from strength to strength not only because of the amazing staff and the supportive parents but mainly because of the fantastic children which it serves.”

Mrs Jennifer King, principal of St Colman’s High and Sixth Form College in Ballynahinch, said she was “absolutely delighted” with the school’s A-Level achievements.

She congratulated the students for their hard work and determination, while also paying tribute to the support shown by staff, parents and the Board of Governors.

“Our students have many interests and ambitions and have excelled in the broad range of pathways offered at St Colman’s, with 93% of our students successfully achieving A*- C at A-Level, Mrs King said, 

She added that many students had obtained the results they required to secure their places on a variety of courses in top ranking universities.

The vice-principal, Mr Cathal Rice, wished all of the students “continued achievement and happiness” as they move on to university, higher apprenticeships or direct employment.

He said: “The courage and resilience that our students have demonstrated over the past two to eight years especially is highly commended. 

“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank compassionate teaching and support staff for the successful delivery of courses, working in partnership with parents, family members and governors.” 

The newly appointed Director of Post 16, Mrs Danielle Kearney, said: “We must also congratulate our past A-Level students who graduated this summer with many attaining first class honours.

She added: “We wish them and our wonderful A2 students continued success in the next stage of their educational and career journey and look forward to this year’s Sixth Form enrolment destined for success.”

The principal of St Mary’s High School in Downpatrick, Ms Rosemary McLaughlin, said she, along with her staff and the Board of Governors, wished to congratulate all A-Level and AS students at the school on their excellent results.

“We commend our students on their hard work and determination to succeed given 

the difficulties that all young people were facing over the past number of years,” she remarked.

“We wish our A-Level students every success as they begin the next stage of their academic journey at university or further education.”