On Tuesday morning (August 10), students across the district received their A-Level results which, for a second year, have been determined by teachers after this summer’s exams were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

For students, the receiving of these results marks the beginning of the next chapter of their lives as they go on to either university, higher education, travel or work.

Across Northern Ireland, at A-Level, 15.8 per cent of students achieved the top A* grade – a 2.3 percentage point increase from last year.

The A* to A grade also increased by 7.5 percentage points, to 50.8 per cent.

At grades A* to E, there was a 0.4 percentage point decrease to 99.4 per cent, compared to 99.8% last year.

Commenting on this summer’s AS and A Level results, Margaret Farragher, Interim Chief Executive of the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), said: "I would like to pay tribute to all the teachers, examination officers, school and college leaders who have been central in determining the grades awarded this year.

"Thanks to their hard work and constant professionalism during the last 18 months of disruption, students have been able to receive grades and progress on to the next stage of their journey.

"Also, on behalf of CCEA, I would like to congratulate all students in Northern Ireland who have received their AS and A-Level results.

"Today marks the culmination of their hard work and resilience during the pandemic. We applaud these students for continuing with their studies in challenging circumstances and wish them well with their future plans."

MOUNT LOURDES GRAMMAR SCHOOL

THE Principal of Mount Lourdes Grammar School, Sinead Cullen, commented on the "outstanding set of A-Level results" produced by the Year 14 students.

"The Board of Governors, senior leadership team and staff are delighted with our students’s success. Students performed exceptionally well in all subjects and I congratulate each student on their individual success," said Mrs. Cullen.

She went on to note that the results are "particularly commendable" given the challenging circumstances and disruption to education that the young people have experienced.

"It is particularly satisfying this year to see our young people enjoying the rewards of their hard work and to share in their excitement as they commence the next phase of their education," she said.

FIVEMILETOWN COLLEGE

At Fivemiletown College, the school is celebrating another year of "outstanding student achievement".

Principal Janice Allen said: "Year 14 pupils have excelled themselves once again, securing exceptional A-Level results.

"This remarkable success is testament to the hard work of students, staff and parents throughout the last unprecedented two years of disrupted learning.

"The Board of Governors and staff of Fivemiletown College are extremely proud of the achievements of all Year 14 pupils and send each one every good wish as they embark on the next stage of their journey."

ST. MICHAEL’S COLLEGE

THE Principal of St. Michael's College, Mark Henry was "absolutely delighted" with the results achieved by the students.

He said: "The boys have worked incredibly hard in very challenging circumstances over the course of the past 18 months, and these results are testament to their resilience as well as their academic ability.

"I am delighted that the vast majority of the boys have been placed in their chosen course at university, with many having secured places at some of the most prestigious universities in the UK and in Ireland.

"We wish them all continued success with their studies," said Mr. Henry, going on to thank the parents for all their support, adding that he also wanted to thank "our excellent team of teachers for all that they have done in guiding this outstanding group of students".

ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE

Commenting on an "excellent" set of results from students at St. Joseph's College, Principal Helena Palmer said: "We’ve seen really positive results this year, which I think reflects the resilience of our young men.

"It also reflects the hard work of their teachers, parents and carers in keeping them motivated, given the level of disruption they had faced over the past 18 months.

"The results that they are getting today are fantastic, and I am just so proud of them all.”

She added: “It’s always a big day for everyone, collecting their A Level results, and this year was a very different scenario, given the exceptional circumstances in which they have been awarded.

"We wish our young men all the very best as they move on to the next chapter of their educational lives.”

ST. FANCHEA'S COLLEGE

THE staff in St. Fanchea’s College were also delighted with the A-Level and BTEC Level 3 results achieved by their students.

Principal Maurice Collins said: "All of our examination pupils have been through a very anxious and difficult time over the past year.

"The results achieved are a reflection of the hard work and commitment of the girls, the dedication and inspiration of staff, and the continued support and encouragement of parents.

"Students have achieved their potential and have secured places in universities or in higher education courses.

"We wish the girls continued success in their future pathways.”

DEVENISH COLLEGE

THE staff of Devenish College are “absolutely delighted” with the achievements of the Year 13 and 14 students in their AS and A2 qualifications.

Principal Simon Mowbray said: “Over the past two years, the students have faced unprecedented disruption to their learning, yet despite this, they have shown fantastic determination, commitment and resilience to achieve an excellent set of results.

“I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to all of the Devenish College Post-16 students for their remarkable achievements, and wish them every success in their future pathways.

“We look forwarding to hearing of their future successes in their chosen careers.

“I would also like to articulate my deep appreciation of the dedication of our staff and parents in supporting our students during these challenging times. Congratulations, everyone.”

ENNISKILLEN ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL

AT ENNISKILLEN Royal Grammar School, Principal Elizabeth Armstrong congratulated the A2 and AS students for their “excellent results despite the many challenges of Covid-19”.

She continued: “A warm tribute also goes to our teachers and support staff for their hard work, as together we have navigated the Centre Determined Grade process.

“These sterling results, which show the perseverance and resilience of our whole school community, are the passport for our A2 students to courses as diverse as Actuarial Science and Risk Management, Civil Engineering and Computer Science at Queen’s University, Veterinary Medicine and Economics at Edinburgh, German and Russian at Oxford University, English and Philosophy at Wheaton College Illinois, and Film Production at Bournemouth.”

ST. KEVIN’S COLLEGE

THE Principal of St. Kevin’s College, Gary Kelly, said that the Year 14 students “did extremely well”.

He said: “We’re extremely happy. After a difficult year for Year 14, with Covid-19, lockdowns, isolations, and with them being out of school for so long, we are very happy with the results that they actually achieved.

“All of our Year 14 students have either got their first or second preference course at university, which we are really delighted about,” said Mr. Kelly, going on to comment that the school’s pass rate was approximately what it had been in previous years, and that they have seen an increase in the number of higher grades across the board.

CASTLEDERG HIGH SCHOOL

OVER at Castlederg High School, Principal Susan Wilson applauded all of the Sixth Form students for “having risen so admirably to the challenges they encountered over the past two years”.

Speaking about the success of her students, she said: “We are bursting with pride and full of admiration for our A and AS level students. They have had to navigate the most challenging of years.

“Indeed, their whole Sixth Form experience has been turbulent, and yet their flexibility and ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances is in itself an incredible achievement.

“We would like to wish all our students the very best as they embark on the next step in their chosen pathway.”

ERNE INTEGRATED COLLEGE

THE students of Erne Integrated College again celebrated “record-breaking results” in Post-16 studies with a return of 81 per cent A* to C.

Principal Jimmy Jackson Ware said: “This particular cohort of students have had a very difficult and challenging experience throughout their studies.

“However, they have shown determination, fortitude, patience, and ingenuity in overcoming these unique and testing obstacles, and I am thrilled to see that their hard work, courage and resilience has been repaid and our students are reaping the rewards of their labours.

“We wish them the very best in the future.”