Lisburn schools celebrate yet another successful GCSE year

There were celebrations in Lisburn schools this week when pupils collected their GCSE results.
Daniel Johnston, Jack Halley and Matthew Gardiner from Lisnagarvey High collect their GCSE results. US1435-507cd  Picture: Cliff DonaldsonDaniel Johnston, Jack Halley and Matthew Gardiner from Lisnagarvey High collect their GCSE results. US1435-507cd  Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Daniel Johnston, Jack Halley and Matthew Gardiner from Lisnagarvey High collect their GCSE results. US1435-507cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

The long wait was finally over on Thursday and for the majority of pupils, the news was good.

The principal at St Patrick’s Academy, Dr Seamus Quinn, said he was delighted with the performance by his students.

“St Patrick’s is proud once again to be the best all ability school in Lisburn,” said Dr Quinn.

“Our pupils’ academic achievement demonstrates how the attention our staff give to each pupil can result in outstanding achievement.

“We attracted our largest post-16 enrolment ever and I would invite anyone interested in pursuing a challenging A Level curriculum to contact the school.”

Students at Wallace are celebrating very good GCSE results this year. In a year group of some 170 students almost 25% of the students achieved 10 or more straight A* and A grades. Over 80% of the grades achieved across all subjects were A*, A or B.

Mrs Deborah O’Hare, Principal, thanked the teaching and support staff and recognised the important role played by the staff and parents in encouraging and supporting the young people. She also thanked and recognised the important contribution made by Primary Schools in the Greater Lisburn Area. She added that the school is once again celebrating 100% A*-C in GCSE Mathematics.

The principal of Laurelhill Community College, Mr James Martin, was also delighted with this year’s results.

“Once more, Laurelhill pupils have raised the standard in their GCSE examinations,” said Mr Martin.

“The percentage of pupils gaining five or more GCSE’s, including English and Mathematics, has increased again.

“The College congratulates all students and especially those students who gained A star grades in the following subjects: Mathematics, Spanish, Business Studies, History, Polish, Religious Education and Journalism.

“We congratulate each student on their success wish them well for the future. Any student who would like to return to enter Sixth Form in Laurelhill should contact the College as soon as possible.”

Elizabeth Dickson, Principal of Friends’, said that pupils had performed exceptionally well at GCSE level and all deserved great credit for how well they had done. Mrs Dickson added that, in terms of top grades, it was the best performance to date at Friends’. Pupils had worked very hard and could look forward with confidence, taking justifiable pride in what they had achieved. Holly Beckett, Alice Boyd, Emer Drayne, Elliott Lonsdale, John McCullough, James Milliken, Susanna Montgomery, Emma Rutter and Chin Nam Soong each gained ten passes at Grade A*, whilst John Dawson gained eleven A* grades and a further Grade A* in Advanced level Maths.

Lisnagarvey High School have recorded the greatest GCSE examination performance in the school’s history.

Chairman of the Board of Governors Dr Charlie Sproule stated: “The Governors would like to pay tribute to all the staff of the school; these results reflect years of dedication and hard work to improve standards and deliver the best education for the pupils and the community of Lisburn.”

Principal Jim Sheerin stated: “The school prides itself on delivering the values of success for all, through our caring and nurturing ethos, these results are down to the collective sense of responsibility of teachers and pupils to accept only the very best from students and have a ‘no fail’ mentality. I cannot praise the staff of the school highly enough for their ability to empower our students to believe in their own potential and therefore strive for their very best. We treat our learners as individuals, whilst also creating a sense of team work; these results show how we can facilitate them in delivering outstanding performance, whilst acquiring skills that will enable them to succeed in later life. The pupils deserve these fantastic results, as they have worked so hard to achieve them. Well done, all!”

The principal of Fort Hill Integrated College, Marion Getty, was also pleased with the performance of her students in this year’s exams.

“Last year we celebrated the “best ever results” in the History of Fort Hill College and so we were all very nervous this year,” she said.

“We had a hard act to follow. I am so happy for our young people and the staff and parents because we set another new record. We now have a “new best ever” at both GCSE and GCE level.

“Last weeks results saw an increase of over 5 % in the number of students achieving A-C in 3 or more A level courses.

“Today as I look at the GCSE results I am speechless as we are looking at not only a 100% pass rate for all but an outstanding 75% of our students achieved 5 or more level 2 qualifications at A*-C. This is simply the best.

“Well done, well done, well done to all the students and thank you to the staff, Teaching and non-Teaching and parents for all the hard work.”