Picture slideshow: Celebrating a year of success at Monkstown Community School

Principal Nigel Pell-Ilderton welcomed pupils, parents and governors to Monkstown Community School’s last ever prize distribution ceremony.

The Bridge Road school is due to merge with Newtownabbey Community High from next year to form the new Abbey Community College.

Guests at the event included Mrs Maria Quinn, principal designate of the new college, retired members of staff and members of the interim board of governors - symbolising the legacy of the school and the future of education at the site.

In his brief address, Mr Pell-Ilderton celebrated the success of the school’s pupils in their external examinations - the sixth form achieving a 95 per cent pass rate at A Level and the huge improvement made at GCSE, where the numbers achieving five or more A* to C grades rose from 45 per cent to 60 per cent.

The guests enjoyed a modern mime performance by the school’s performing arts students.

Following the prize distribution, the evening concluded with a light supper.