Top pupil jets in from Spain for GCSE gong

Mercedes Monton, a former pupil of Thornhill College, flew all the way from Spain to pick up her GCSE Top Candidate award in Spanish. She is pictured with CCEA Chairman Trevor Carson at the CCEA Celebrating Excellence ceremony in Lisburn.

Mercedes, a former pupil of Thornhill College, picked up her GCSE Top Candidate award at the CCEA’s Celebrating Excellence ceremony in Lisburn.

Richard Hanna, Chief Executive at CCEA, said: “As we celebrate the achievement of our Top Candidates I would like to acknowledge the support and encouragement of their families and the hard work and professionalism of teachers.

“It takes a huge commitment and effort to achieve top marks in GCSE examinations and we are delighted to host the GCSE Celebrating Excellence ceremony to recognise this.

“Our young people face an increasingly challenging and competitive world of employment. It is critically important that their skills and knowledge are relevant, fit for purpose and meet the evolving demands of the 21st century.

“The young people recognised today can look to the future with optimism and I have no doubt they will play an important role in growing our society and economy.”