Academic success marked by best ever GCSE results

Academic success marked by best ever GCSE results

2 November 2016

THE academic success of students at Ballynahinch High School was highlighted at the annual prize distribution last week by acting principal Paul Marks.

Addressing students, parents and friends, he said GCSE students recorded the school’s best ever results over the past seven years and praised them on their success.

In a wide-ranging address, Mr Marks highlighted a number of key areas including major investment in the Belfast Road campus to upgrade and improve a range of facilities.

The acting principal said the 60th anniversary of the school was celebrated with a variety of events with many former students and staff joining in the celebrations to mark what he described as an “important milestone in its history.”

Mr Marks said the culmination of the anniversary celebrations was a gala ball held at the Millbrook Lodge Hotel where all past and present pupils and staff danced the night away reminiscing of their time at Ballynahinch High.

He said as a result of the anniversary celebrations and contributions from local businesses, the school was able to refurbish its ICT suite which was officially opened by Mr Walter Watson.

“The past 12 months have seen a number of changes and many new improvements of which we are very proud,” continued Mr Marks.

“Our examination results have been the best ever over the past seven years with a 20 per cent increase in our success rate. We have had considerable investments in the school including classrooms being renovated, a refurbished ICT suite and Ipads being made available to a number of departments.

“A £250,000 changing pavilion has been constructed on the playing fields beside the school which will allow our fantastic reputation for sport to continue. The pavilion was opened in June by Mrs Pamela McFetridge and Mr Latimer Adair who as leaders of the PE department laid the foundations for sporting excellence for many years.”

Mr Marks said the High School’s shared education programme between St Colmcille’s High School in Crossgar and Ballynahinch’s St Colman’s High and Sixth Form College “continues to flourish” with all pupils in years 11 and the vast majority in year 12 learning in a shared environment.

“These are all wonderful achievements but they are only part of the whole story of our school,” he continued. “This is the story of ensuring that every pupil is a valued member of our school community, that their talents and strengths are developed and that they achieve their best in all aspects of their school life and, above all, that they are happy. Our pupils learn early on that hard work reaps rewards and it is this message that has ensured the fantastic results we are here to celebrate today.

“We are proud that the students who attend our school are focused on their futures and are able to achieve the results that take on them on their next path, whether to another school or college. We hope they realise that the years that they have spent with us have prepared them for the ever-changing world in which they live.”

Mr Marks paid tribute to last year’s year 12 students, praising them for their hard work and their academic success. He also singled out their parents and guardians for supporting the students and the school.

The acting principal also extended thanks to the special guest at the annual prize distribution, Canon Warren Russell who was the keynote speaker, and to members of the Board of Governors , including the group’s chairman William Slater, for their tireless work and support.

Mr Marks thanked teachers for helping students achieve fantastic GCSE results and highlighted the key role played by the school’s support staff.