Students are top of the form yet again

Students are top of the form yet again

28 August 2013

HUNDREDS of local students are celebrating after receiving their GCSE results last week.

They nervously made their way to their respective schools early last Thursday morning accompanied by anxious parents to get their eagerly-awaited results.

Last year, St Patrick’s Grammar School in Downpatrick topped the NI league table for boys’ grammar schools at GCSE level and this year’s students have continued to shine with 98% achieving seven GCSEs at grades A* to C. The figure exactly matches last year’s achievements.

STEM subjects continue to be a particular strength with 100% of students achieving A* to C grades in Mathematics, Chemistry and Technology, with 13 different subjects recording 100% pass rates and in over 80% of examinations students were awarded top grades.

School principal, Mr. Sean Sloan, said he’s “exceptionally proud” of the students’ achievements and of the continued dedication of his staff.

“When these students came to us five years ago, they did not collectively have the academic profile of some of the top performing grammar schools in the country but, once again, we have proved that we are more than capable of guiding our students to reach the very top levels of achievement across a broad spectrum of disciplines,” he said.

“It is the partnership between home and school that makes this possible. The parents, teachers and the boys themselves working together is the key to today’s success. The unique ethos of St. Patrick’s Grammar is the catalyst that manages to bring this successfully together.”

At Down High School, well over half the grades obtained by students were either A or A* with the proportion of A* grades being well above twice the Northern Ireland average. Headmaster, Paul Logan, said it’s “marvellous” to see the pupils’ dedication and the teaching skill of staff rewarded so richly.

He continued: “We are particularly pleased to see that it is not only the most able who have excelled. More than 70% of the pupils have an average grade which is higher than a B and for well over half of the students a majority of their grades are A or A*. There were a multitude of tremendous performances at the top of the year group, with 29 pupils achieving an A or A* in ten subjects.

Three pupils, Melanie Campbell, Andrew Irvine and Rebecca Stevenson obtained 8 A* grades, Erin Bill achieved 9 A* grades and tied at the top of year were Rebecca Guiney, Mark Hanna and Ewan Martin each with 10 A* grades.

Assumption Grammar School said it had surpassed its previous best at GCSE, with 55 per cent of all grades achieved either an A* or A.

Some 29 girls, almost a quarter of the students, achieved at least 10 A*/A grades.

Principal, Paul McBride attributed much of this success to the learning support systems in place.

“Overall, this particular year group has outperformed the previous ones, with more girls gaining higher grades,” he said. “We have journeyed through some exciting years with the new build, specialist status and continually improving our academic and extra curricular excellence. Also, our sixth form provision has expanded greatly with many new pupils joining us from other schools who adapt quickly and easily into the Assumption way. I firmly believe that the next few years will be our best yet. We aim to continue to outdo our previous best whilst not losing track of what we are about, which is a community where each one is valued and supported.”

Ninety per cent of students at St. Colman’s High and Sixth Form College in Ballynahinch achieved at least five GCSE’s at grades ranging from A* to C, with principal, Mark Morgan, describing the examination success as “exceptional.”

He said each student produced results “well above what was predicted” and said that to add to this achievement, nearly all St. Colman’s students will continue to study at the Sixth Form College, choosing to follow the very successful post 16 programme which offers the pupils 29 A-levels and Applied Courses of their choice.

Mr. Morgan added: “We will continue to support any young person who chooses our college to be the best they can be over the next two years.”

The number of GCSE students at Ballynahinch High School achieving five or more GCSE grades between A* and C increased by 20 per cent. School principal, Mrs. Kathi Moore, said everyone is delighted to see the improvement in the top grades with the increase in exam success including English and Maths subjects.

She continued: “Staff and pupils worked hard all year and remained focused on success. The hard work has paid off with the success down to the close partnership we have between pupils, parents and staff and a shared desire to ensure the young people achieve their goal.

“As an 11-16 school, one of our many roles is to prepare pupils for moving on to the next stage of their education. It is rewarding to hear that by last Thursday afternoon, most of our pupils had successfully gained places with local post 16 providers by achieving the required points for their chosen courses.”

Year 12 students at Blackwater Integrated College in Downpatrick recorded a pass rate of 72 per cent, an increase of 10 per cent on last year.

College principal, Dr. Olwyn Griffith, said the dedication and hard work of staff and students yielded “unprecedented examination scores.”

She added: “I am absolutely delighted. Our staff have worked diligently all year to continue to raise standards. Our young people have given themselves a fantastic platform to continue studies or move into employment. I wish them all every success.”

St. Colmcille’s High School principal, Mrs. Marian McGreevy, described the Crossgar students’ GCSE results as “fantastic.” She said it’s “wonderful” to see so many superb results across the year group from students of all abilities.

“The hard work, commitment and effort of students and staff has resulted in remarkable achievements. The support of parents has also been vital,” she continued. “I offer my congratulations to all students and wish them continued success. Once again, I must pay tribute to staff for creating an excellent teaching and learning environment which enables students to fulfil their potential.”

Results obtained by students at St. Malachy’s High School in Castlewellan have been described by principal, Mrs. Joan McCombe, as “outstanding.” She said the Dublin Road school is celebrating “another year of outstanding success at GCSE” and paid tribute to all teachers and support staff for their “continued efforts in providing a centre of excellence for learning and teaching for the students.”

Saintfield High School principal, Mrs. Vivien Watt, reported another successful year of excellent grades and praised students for their hard work which resulted in “wonderful achievements.”

She added: “There were a significant number of outstanding individual performances, with many pupils planning to continue their studies at a range of schools and colleges. I and the teaching staff wish to congratulate pupils on their wonderful achievements. Their hard work, commitment and determination are a credit to them and the school recognises all academic and personal successes.”

The principal of St. Mary’s High School in Downpatrick, Mrs. Sheila Darling, congratulated students, parents and staff on “outstanding” GCSE results, adding: “Hard work and determination, coupled with a strong home-school partnership, has ensured every student experienced success.”