STUDENTS across the district received their GCSE results last Thursday (August 25), which were determined by public examinations for the first time since the pandemic started.

Across Northern Ireland, the percentage of students receiving the highest grades in 2022 is higher than in 2019 – the last time qualifications were awarded on the basis of public examinations.

Some 37 per cent of GCSE entries were awarded the highest grades of A* to A, marking a 6.5 per cent increase on 2019.

The percentage of students achieving grades A* to C was also higher than in 2019, with 90 per cent of students being awarded these grades – a 7.8 per cent point increase from 2019.

Education Minister Michelle McIlveen congratulated GCSE students receiving their results, praising their hard work and resilience.

She said: “The outcomes are extremely positive, with 90 per cent of students achieving grades A* to C. The success of our students is well-deserved and testament to their hard work and resilience following three years of disrupted learning.

“They should be rightly proud of their achievements.”

 

St. Michael’s College

ACKNOWLEDGING his students’ success, St. Michael’s College principal Mark Henry said: “The boys have produced outstanding GCSE results.

“This is just reward for all their hard work in challenging circumstances over the past 18 months and we now look forward to welcoming them back into Year 13 to embark on their A-Level studies.”

 

Fivemiletown College

AN AIR of celebration was tangible at Fivemiletown College on Thursday morning as Year 11 and Year 12 students received an “outstanding” set of GCSE results.

Principal Janice Allen said: “The GCSE results are the best ever in the history of the school, with 100 per cent of year 12 pupils gaining at least five A* – C grades.

“This, coupled with 92 per cent of Year 12 students gaining at least five A* – C grades including English and Maths, reflects the hard work and dedication of students, parents and staff over the course of the past two very difficult years.”

 

Erne Integrated College

THE principal of Erne Integrated College, Jimmy Jackson-Ware, commended the GCSE students on their “persistence, resilience and ambition”.

He noted: “No one would deny that this particular cohort of GCSE students have had a particularly unsettling and challenging experience through the pandemic, and therefore their success is all the more impressive and praiseworthy.

“They have shown persistence, resilience and ambition in striving towards their achievements and their efforts have been rewarded.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the students’ families for their support and understanding and to the staff in the school who worked tirelessly with students to help them achieve these excellent results.”

 

St. Joseph’s College 

HELENA Palmer, the principal of St. Joseph’s College, was “absolutely delighted” with the GCSE results of her students, and to see the “resilience and hard work of our young men being rewarded”.

She added: “I am just so proud of their efforts in very testing circumstances. I want to thank our staff for their tireless and pastoral approach to our students.

“We are delighted that a record number of students will be continuing their studies at St. Joseph’s College.”

 

St. Kevin’s College

GARY Kelly, principal of St. Kevin’s College, spoke of his delight that Year 12 students have “done so well”.

He continued: “Especially considering this is the first time sitting public exams in two years. Congratulations to all in Year 12 who received their GCSE results today.”

 

St. Mary’s College, Irvinestown

THERE were smiles of congratulations, with some tears of relief, in Irvinestown last Thursday morning as St. Mary’s College students received their GCSE results. 

“These students – along with the rest of their GCSE cohort in other schools – should really move forward with their heads held high as they faced challenges never before experienced,” said principal Anne Flanagan.

“With a 100 per cent pass rate in 12 of the subjects delivered this year, to say we are proud of our young people is a massive understatement.

“We send them out in the knowledge that what they have achieved, against the odds, is a sign of what can be accomplished with teamwork, with determination and with sustained effort.

“Congratulations to our Class of 2022!”

 

St. Fanchea’s College

THE staff in St. Fanchea’s College are delighted with the results achieved by the Year 12 students.

Principal Maurice Collins said: “As a result of the Covid pandemic over the past number of years, the students have been through a very anxious and difficult period.

“The past academic year did see a return of some sense of normality in education following the re-introduction of the first public examinations since 2019.

“Despite the many challenges, we are confident that our pupils have achieved their full potential across a range of GCSE/BTEC Level 2/OCN Level 2/Prince’s Trust Level 2 and Essential Skills qualifications.

“The results achieved are a testament to the hard work, resilience and commitment of the girls, the dedication and inspiration of our staff, and the continued support and encouragement of parents/carers.

“We wish all of our students continued success in their future courses.”

 

Mount Lourdes

PRINCIPAL Sinead Cullen hailed the students’ results, saying: “We are very pleased with the excellent performance of our Year 12 students in their 2022 GCSE examinations.

“They worked extremely hard to achieve these outstanding results. I am sure that the girls and their parents are delighted with their success.

“I would particularly like to acknowledge the great resilience shown by our young people this year.

“The results achieved also reflect the commitment of our dedicated teaching and support staff who work tirelessly with the girls to ensure that they reach their potential in a supportive school environment.”

She continued: “Of the 95 students who sat GCSE examinations, 31 achieved a combination of A* and A grades in all nine subjects – an impressive performance; 99.54 per cent of the grades attained were A* – C grades, and 100 per cent of students attained 7A* – C grades including English and Mathematics.”

 

St. Aidan’s High School, Derrylin

THE principal of St. Aidan’s High School, Derrylin, hailed the results achieved by the school’s students this year.

Pat McTeggart said: “I would like to congratulate all our students on an outstanding set of GCSE results, with over 84 per cent achieving A* to C in five or more subjects, including English and Maths.

“Success is a team effort, and all staff, supported by parents or guardians, are involved in helping the students achieve their full potential.

“As is evident from the excellent results, we in St. Aidan’s cater for the needs of all students, both academic and vocational, and continue to demonstrate that our school is a high-achieving educational institution which will undoubtedly maintain our position as one of the top achieving schools in Northern Ireland.”

Mr. McTeggart concluded by saying that he would like to wish all the students continued success for the future in whatever career path they choose.

 

Castlederg High School

PRINCIPAL Susan Wilson welcomed the results, hailing them as a testament to the efforts of the school’s students.

Praising them, she said: “In this, their first set of formal external examinations, 89 per cent of our students achieved 5 A* - C, including English and Maths, and 93 per cent achieved 5 A*- C!

“The emotion was tangible in the air today. Such an incredible achievement by all our students!

“Huge thanks go to our highly-dedicated staff, teaching and non-teaching alike, who so ably supported and guided our students through the whole process.

“We are also indebted to our parents and carers who have worked with us continuously throughout the year.”

 

Enniskillen Royal Grammar School

ELIZABETH Armstrong, the principal of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, warmly praised the students’ efforts and GCSE results, hailing their results despite the difficulties of the pandemic.

She said: “We are delighted to see the hard work and perseverance of our GCSE students and their teachers rewarded in our excellent GCSE results.

“Their capacity to respond with flexibility and determination to the many challenges of Covid-19 over the past three years, together with the stalwart support of our parents, have allowed the class of 2022 to achieve a sparkling set of results where 54 per cent of the students have five A* or five A grades or better, and some 82 per cent of all grades were at A*-B.

“Behind these excellent headline statistics, each student has their own individual story of achievement and challenges successfully met.

“They should all be very proud of their journey, to date, and we know there is much more success to come,” she added.

 

Devenish College

THE principal of Devenish College, Simon Mowbray, warmly extended his congratulations to the 115 Year 12 students who received GCSE results.

He hailed “a fantastic buzz around the college as the students revelled in the successes of their hard work, endeavour and commitment”, with 96 per cent of students achieving at least five A*-C grades, while 80 per cent achieved at least five A*-C, including English and Maths.

“This is a phenomenal achievement, given the hardships students faced over the past 30 months,” he added.

In total, 155 grades were awarded at A*/A, 274 at grade B, 177 at C* and 277 at grade C.

Mr. Mowbray spoke of his extreme pride in the students, and he offered huge praise to their parents and the staff in the college.

He also expressed his delight that a significant majority of the students were returning to the college and he wished all of the leavers every success in their future endeavours.