Local students receive their A-level results

23 August 2017

HUNDREDS of A-level students received their results at high schools across the district on Thursday.

Pupils at Assumption Grammar School are celebrating the school’s best ever A-level results with 87.6% of pupils gaining at least three A*-C grades. Moreover, 95.2% of all grades at A2 were A*-C.

The top performing student, Eilis Rowan, achieved four A* grades in chemistry, biology, mathematics and further mathematics, securing her a place in Cambridge University to study medicine.

School principal, Peter Dobbin, is delighted by the exceptional performance in this year’s examinations.

“I am thrilled with the A-level results, but not surprised that they are outstanding given the dedication of our pupils, coupled with the hard work of the highly motivated Assumption staff. I never cease to be amazed by the academic achievements of our students alongside many other accolades in extra-curricular areas,” he said.

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

The top performing students at AS-level were Erin Fitzsimmons-West and Emma Braniff who both attained A grades in five subjects while Caitlin McMullan, Tia O’Malley and Ciara Maguire attained four A grades.

At Down High School 26 students secured at least three A* or A grades each, with 21 students achieving straight A grades.

Daniel Molloy gained three A* and two A grades, while Katie Brown and Michael Harper each received four A*s. Hannah Nelson and Aaron Spence were both awarded three A* grades. The percentage of A* and A grades in the school (33.8%) was noticeably above the Northern Ireland average.

Down High School’s Principal, Mrs Maud Perry, expressed her delight at the pupils’ achievements. “I want to congratulate all of our talented young people on a set of results that maintains the fine academic reputation of Down High School. It has been lovely to see the pupils develop their knowledge, understanding and skills during my first year in the school and I want to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of the students, their teachers, our support staff and parents,” remarked Mrs Perry. “At Down High, we value the academic ability of our students and this is augmented by the excellent relationships, based on mutual respect, that exist in our classrooms. We want to see our pupils aim high and live up to the school motto, which asserts that nothing is achieved without effort. We believe this is reflected in the 99.8% pass rate at A-Level.

Mrs Perry also acknowledged the excellent collaboration between Down High and the South Eastern Regional College, which delivered BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diplomas in ICT, business, engineering, sport and travel and tourism and praised the staff at SERC for their expertise in guiding pupils to their excellent grades and the pathways to universities across the British Isles. “We are delighted by the fact that three-quarters of the BTEC grades achieved were distinction* or distinction, which have A* and A equivalence,” she said.

Staff and students in St. Patrick’s Grammar School are celebrating another year of outstanding A-level results.

School principal, Sean Sloan, said staff are delighted with the results the students have achieved. “Almost 70% of all grades were A* to B and we are particularly pleased with the outcomes of the students who joined us for post-16 studies with 92% of all grades awarded at A*- C,” he said.

“Not only are students celebrating their results today but they were also celebrating gaining entry to their chosen university places,” he added. “Many of our students have secured third level places in Queen’s University Belfast and University of Ulster while others will be travelling to Universities in the South of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.”

Mr Sloan acknowledged the tremendous work done by both students and staff in preparation for the exams and the wonderful successes encountered along the way through extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities.

Shimna Integrated College students also celebrated record A-level results this year, with the number of students achieving three or more A*s/As a particular feature.

Principal Kevin Lambe said those straight A*s and As are a matter of great pride, and they are a result of students’ talent and hard work, of the teaching and support from outstanding staff and of the ongoing love and support from parents.

“Real success should also be measured in the performance of our students achieving their dream and securing their first choice place at university and college and that is the case for almost all of our students now moving on to study in universities at home and further afield,” he said.

“Destinations this year include Queen’s University Belfast, University of Ulster, Edinburgh School of Art, Manchester, Leeds and Stirling universities. This week across the Atlantic, one Shimna Old Scholar began his first week at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

“When we are reminded of the terrible damage division continues to cause across the world, we recognise the enduring value and significance of Integrated Education, of living and learning together, and achieving our excellent academic results together,” added Mr Lambe.

The staff at St Colman’s High and Sixth Form College are delighted that this year their students have continued to improve on the schools tremendous results.

At A-level there has been a 100% pass rate with students achieving grades A to E. So far 70% of students have gained acceptance to their first choice university course.

Those who have chosen to continue their studies are seeking places in the further education colleges.

“We must congratulate our young people for their hard work and thank their supportive parents and teachers for these fabulous outcomes,” said a school spokesman.

There were jubilant celebrations at St. Malachy’s High School last week when the students received their A-level results. The current year 14 students have achieved the best results in the history of the school having surpassed all benchmarks and exceeding all targets set.

“This is nothing less than we expected from a fabulous group of young people with over one third of the cohort achieving the top A* and A grades,” said principal, Mrs Orla O’Neill.

“As an all ability school we are extremely proud of their achievements – they are up there with the best, yet again. The students hold true the values that make St Malachy’s a winning team. These values underpin all the work we do.

“Our ‘A’ level students are happy and thrive in St. Malachy’s and this is evident in our continued success at A2-level with 88% of the year group leaving us with three good A-level grades to go on to further study at the top universities,” she added.

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