Headmaster says outstanding year lived up to school motto

Speaking at Dalriada School’s annual prize day, headmaster Mr Tom Skelton said “2014-15 has been an outstanding year ofsuccess for Dalriada where we have truly lived up to our strapline “Committed to Excellence” both inside and outside the classroom.”
GR'EIGHT'. Yr8 pupils, who gained 10 or more A*/A grades in selected subjects.INBM40-15 002SC.GR'EIGHT'. Yr8 pupils, who gained 10 or more A*/A grades in selected subjects.INBM40-15 002SC.
GR'EIGHT'. Yr8 pupils, who gained 10 or more A*/A grades in selected subjects.INBM40-15 002SC.

He began his speech by highlighting the school’s examination results - the best in the school’s history.

“At GCSE 100% of our pupils gained 5 or more A*-C grades, including Maths and English. A staggering 98% of our pupils gained at least 7 A*-C grades including Maths and English, affording pupils greater choice for A level study. 63% of all grades achieved by Dalriada pupils were A* or A grades, way ahead of the Northern Ireland average of 19.60%. Peter

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Forde and Beth Patterson gained the maximum 10 A* grades. 22 pupils gained 10 A*/A grades each.

A OK. Yr9 pupils, who gained 10 or more A*/A grades in selected subjects.INBM40-15 003SC.A OK. Yr9 pupils, who gained 10 or more A*/A grades in selected subjects.INBM40-15 003SC.
A OK. Yr9 pupils, who gained 10 or more A*/A grades in selected subjects.INBM40-15 003SC.

“Of last year’s cohort of Year 12 pupils 114 of them have progressed to Sixth form where they have been joined by 12 high achieving pupils from schools in Ballymoney, Bushmills, Ballycastle, Coleraine and Portstewart. We also wish the 12 pupils well who have left Dalriada with strong profiles at GCSE, to pursue alternative post-16 courses elsewhere.

“In Lower Sixth the results were impressive 77% of students obtained at least 3 A-C grades. 33% of all AS grades obtained in Dalriada were A grades and almost 60% were either A or B grades, well above the Northern Ireland average. 25 Dalriada students gained at least 3 A grades each and of this group 9 students obtained an outstanding 4 A grades each.

“Last year’s Upper Sixth produced the best set of A level grades in Dalriada since 2008, when we won the prestigious “School of the Year” award. 81% of our students achieved at least 3 A*-C grades. Almost 40% of all A level grades obtained at Dalriada were A* or A grades, well above the NI average of 29.30%. Pride of place goes to Thomas Hancock who gained an incredible 5 A*s at A level, one of which he taught himself! Sarah Cassells gained 3 A* grades. 24 pupils gained 3 A*/A grades. Our decision in recent years to introduce BTec courses has certainly been justified with students gaining 100% A*-C equivalent grades in engineering and Sports. Great credit is due to Mr. Tom Heaney and his staff at Northern Regional College who have worked in partnership with Dalriada staff to help our pupils

achieve this outstanding level of success.”

TOP. Pictured are Top Performers in Yr12 at their Prizeday on Wednesday.INBM40-15 007SC.TOP. Pictured are Top Performers in Yr12 at their Prizeday on Wednesday.INBM40-15 007SC.
TOP. Pictured are Top Performers in Yr12 at their Prizeday on Wednesday.INBM40-15 007SC.
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Mr Skelton continued: ”It has been said that children spend the rest of their life benefitting from or recovering from the influence of a teacher. I have no doubt that our teachers have a profoundly positive influence on the development of our pupils, helping them develop personal qualities and characters which CANNOT be measured by test scores or league tables.”

Mr Skelton also highlighted new developments for the school: “We look forward to work commencing on our new £2.4 million School Enhancement Project, fully funded by the Department of Education. This major capital development will include a

new gymnasium complete with toilets, changing rooms and a state of the art fitness suite.

“Work is due to commence during the October half-term.”

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