Celebrations for local GCSE students

THERE were celebrations in local schools this week when students received their GCSE results.

According to principals, this was a record year for Lisburn pupils, with schools reporting high success rates.

Wallace High School reported record GCSE results this year with 48 students achieving 9 or more straight A grades and 9 students achieving 9 or more A* grades.

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According to principal, Mrs Deborah O’Hare, grades have improved at A*, A, B and C with the school’s highest percentage A*-C on record.

Mrs O’Hare paid tribute to the students, their parents and thanked the diligent, expert and dedicated teaching and support staff. “Such outstanding results are a team effort,” she said.

“We are delighted for our young people. The local Primary Schools, who have provided an excellent foundation for these results, are also to be congratulated.”

The principal of Lisnagarvey High School, Mr Jim Sheerin, said everyone at the school was “thoroughly delighted” with the GCSE results.

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He said the results this year have “bounced back” to the highest level of GCSE passes previously seen in 2008.

He added that outstanding results were achieved in Information Technology, Business and Retail with excellent results in Hospitality, Technology and English.

“I am so pleased for our young people who have worked so hard, persevered and achieved this wonderful success,” said Mr Sheerin.

“We wish all our students well for their future and praise them for their tremendous efforts.

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“This year the school saw a great increase in A* and A grades awarded and I would like to thank the staff for their dedication and commitment to all of our pupils.

“The results attained reflect the continuing improving standards and success of our pupils, their families and the staff who have supported and encouraged them.”

The number of pupils being awarded the highest GCSE grades A* to C has risen again in Laurelhill Community College.

Principal Mr James Martin said it was “particularly pleasing to see the number of students achieving A* and A grades in one or more subjects.”

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He continued: “The GCSE results are the climax of two years hard work and dedication from pupils and staff.

“The outstanding academic success means that many pupils can look forward to Sixth Form Studies in the College from September 2011.

“Some particular successes this year included Alex McKinstry with an amazing 7 A*’s, 2A’s and 1B, William McFarland gained an impressive 1A*, 5A’s, 2B’s and 1C, Lynsey Campbell was awarded 1A*, 4 A’s and 4B’s and Jordan Rogers received 2 A*’s, 3A’s, 3B’s and 1C.

“We congratulate all Laurelhill fifth year students on their success,” he added.

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Dr Seamus Quinn, Principal at St Patrick’s Academy, said everyone at the school was “delighted, thrilled and excited” by the results.

“Once again the pupils have excelled themselves,” said Dr Quinn.

“We are very pleased that St Patrick’s continues to be the premier all ability school in Lisburn.

“Our results are consistently above similar schools and well above the Northern Ireland average once again.”

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Mrs Elizabeth Dickson, Principal of Friends’ School, said that she was very pleased at the high overall standard of results at GCSE.

“It was notable that 99% of pupils gained at least eight passes at Grades A* to C, reflecting hard work and consistent effort on the part of the whole year group across the full range of subjects offered at Friends’,” she said.

“There were high numbers of top grades also, with over two thirds of the grades awarded to pupils being at A or A*.”

Mrs Dickson said that pupils and their parents could be rightly proud of what had been achieved.

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“Members of staff were delighted by such a strong performance and joined in congratulating pupils on how well they had done,” she added.

There were also celebrations at Fort Hill Integrated College. “I am so pleased and delighted with the GCSE results this year,” said Principal Mrs Marion Getty.

“Last week we rejoiced with our A level students, many of whom had 3 A grades at A2 level.

“Today we see this mirrored with GCSE students who have again achieved A* or A grades across all curricular areas with our top student achieving an outstanding

5 A* and 3 A grades.

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“I am also especially pleased to see Moving Image Arts as a new subject to GCSE level, achieve 100% A*-C and hope this will give staff and students confidence as we take it forward next year to A level for the first time.”

She continued: “With over 150 students sitting GCSEs we have had little time to carry out a full analysis but across the year group all students have been successful this year and I am delighted to see so many of our hard working students exceed their target grades, in some cases by 2 or 3 grades.

“This reinforces what we strongly believe in - that effort and attitude go hand in hand with real success.

“As always these successes come about as a result of team work between teacher, pupils and parents and today will be one of celebration for all – well done and well deserved.

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“Now starts the next step of the journey and for many of the Fort Hill pupils that will be a return to our Sixth Form for further studies,” she concluded.

There was success too at Hunterhouse College, where Principal Mr Andrew Gibson praised the hard work of everyone involved. “We are very, very pleased,” he said.

“A lot of our girls have attained very good grades and the vast majority will be returning for Sixth Form.

“Our pupils did very well, including one students who attained 9A* and 1A,” he added.

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The Principal of Dunmurry Primary School, Mr Mervyn Magee, was delighted with the achievements of his students.

“Our results are very pleasing this year,” he said.

“A-C grades have improved on previous years and the most notable improvement was in the A-E bracket, which rose by 12%.

“I would like to highlight some individual achievements, the most notable of which was our head girl Rebecca McTier, who attained 3As, 1B and 3Cs.

“Stacey Taylor gained 1A, 3Bs and 4Cs, Natasha Reid attained 1A and 2Bs, Nicola Patty attained 1A and 4Cs, Jonathan McCormick attained 1B and 5Cs and Ryan McCormick attained 2Bs and 5Cs.

“We would like to thank the staff and pupils for their hard work throughout the year,” he concluded.