Schools across the district report good GCSE results

Of the 30,800 GCSE students in Northern Ireland who received results last Thursday, 86.8 per cent received grade C/4 and above, while 34.5 per cent received grade A/7 and above.

St. Kevin's College

St. Kevin's College GCSE students Kevin O'Donnell, Ciara O'Donnell and twins Eva and Molly O'Donnell.

Principal Gary Kelly was delighted with the Year 12 GCSE results at St. Kevin's College.

He said: "This year's GCSE results are even higher than last year's. This year, 89 per cent of Year 12 students in St. Kevin's College achieved five or more GCSEs Grades A*-C, including English and Maths.

"This is even more impressive when you consider that the majority of the Covid-19 GCSE Exam Concessions were removed for students doing exams this year, and schools in Northern Ireland have been told to expect a decline in GCSE results.

"In fact, the opposite has occurred in St. Kevin's. This is down to the hard work and outstanding effort of teachers, support staff and students working as part of a team."

He also recognised the help and support shown by Year 12 parents in encouraging their children to strive to the best of their ability.

St. Aidan's High School

St. Aidan’s High School students (front) Ann-Marie McDermott, Cara Clarke, Caitlin Mc Aloon, Eimear Mooney, Odhran Martin, Erin Louise Mc Manus and Samuel Jepson Reilly, with (middle) Padraig Connolly (Examinations Officer), Sean Doherty, Shay

Principal Pat McTeggart congratulated all his students on an "outstanding set of GCSE results", with 98 per of students achieving A* to C in five or more subjects, and 88.2 per cent achieving A* to C in five or more subjects, including English and Maths.

"Success is a team effort and all staff are involved in helping the students achieve their best, along with the support and encouragement of their parents/guardians.

"These set of fantastic results are certainly one of the highlights of our 50th celebrations and will maintain our position as one of the top-achieving schools in Northern Ireland," said Mr. McTeggart.

He added: "As is evident from the excellent results, we in St. Aidan’s cater for the needs of all our students through both academic and vocational pathways, and continue to demonstrate that our school is a high-achieving educational institution."

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.

St. Mary's College, Irvinestown

St. Mary's College, Irvinestown students Dearbhla McGoldrick, Faith McGrade, Aoife Maguire, Blaithin Maye, Cassie Goan, Caelan McGoldrick, Jamie McDonnell and Kelsey-Rose Ward.

Principal Martina McCauley said: "We are delighted with this year’s results. Students have worked hard, showing determination to achieve their goals. I congratulate all our students on these excellent set of results.

"Overall, our A*-C rate was 92 per cent. Six departments achieved 100 per cent A*-C, 12 departments achieved 100 per cent A*-E, and our English A*-C sits at 77 per cent, and Maths at 81 per cent.

“This is well above the Northern Ireland average for non-selective schools, and is a testament to our staff who work tirelessly supporting every student, so they maximise their true potential.

“I want to thank them for their commitment and dedication to each student in St. Mary’s."

Mount Lourdes Grammar School

Mount Lourdes Grammar School GCSE students. Photo by Tim Flaherty.

Saying that she is "very pleased" with the "outstanding performance" of the Year 12 students in their 2023 GCSE examinations, Principal Sinead Cullen added: "They worked extremely hard to achieve these excellent results.

“I am sure that the girls and their parents are delighted with their success.

"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.

"Of the 90 students who sat GCSE examinations, 41 achieved a combination of A* and A grades in nine or more subjects – an impressive performance.

"Some 99.77 per cent of the grades attained were A*-C grades; 100 per cent of students attained seven A*-C grades, including English and Mathematics.

“Congratulations to Ellen Conlon and Kyra Duffy, who achieved 10 A* grades," Mrs. Cullen told this newspaper.

St. Joseph's College

St. Joseph's College GCSE students (front) Cathair McCarney, Taidgh O'Brien, Principal Helena Palmer, Tiernan Henderson and Matthew Farry with (middle) Aidan Rasdale, Mikolaj Panek, Caelan Jones and Daniel Beresford and (back) Fergal Deery, Eamonn Og

The GCSE cohort of St. Joseph’s College celebrated an "excellent" set of GCSE results, with 97 per cent achieving five grades A*-C pass rate.

Principal Helena Palmer said she was “absolutely delighted with the results, and to see the hard work of our young men being rewarded".

She added: "Well done to them and to their parents and carers. I am just so proud of their efforts and wish them all well on their future pathways.

“I want to thank our staff for their tireless and pastoral approach to our students.”

Enniskillen Royal Grammar School

Enniskillen Royal Grammar School GCSE students (front row) Thomas Clarke, Ella Breen, Rebecca Thompson, Jessica Stronge, Heather McCaffrey, Maddison Blair and Aikin Wong, with (second row) Matthew Sharpe, Kyle Cadden, Paul Hawthorne, Curtis Cunningham,

Principal Elizabeth Armstrong said: "We are delighted to see the hard work and perseverance of our GCSE students and their teachers rewarded in our excellent GCSE results.

“The class of 2023 have achieved a sparkling set of results, where over 80 per cent of the grades were at A*-B, and half of the students have five A* or five A grades or better.

"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.”

St. Fanchea’s College

St. Fanchea's College Principal Maurice Collins congratulates Molly Carron and Lara Beckett.

Praising the results attained by the school’s students, Principal Maurice Collins said: “The staff in St. Fanchea’s College are delighted with the results achieved by our Year 12 students.

“Despite the many challenges faced by students over the past number of years, we are confident that they have achieved their full potential across a range of GCSE and Level 2 courses.

"The results achieved are a true reflection of 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 Year 12 students continued success in their future educational courses and pathways."

Erne Integrated College

Erne Integrated College students (front) Lashana Williamson-Owens, Principal Jackson-Ware and Liene Ozolina with (back) Chris Walsh and Thomas McCreery.

GCSE students at Erne Integrated College were "thrilled" to receive their results in what has proved to be yet another very successful year for students at the college.

Principal Jimmy Jackson-Ware said that he was “incredibly proud” of the achievements of the students, and he noted “these students worked extremely hard in the wake of a very turbulent time for our society, and demonstrated incredible self-belief and personal ambition”.

Mr. Jackson-Ware praised the students’ “tenacity, determination and work ethic” and added that “the assistance that students received from dedicated and hard-working teaching and support staff enabled them to realise their dreams”.

He wished all of the GCSE cohort “continued success and happiness in their future”, and he thanked them for “their unique and valuable contribution to the life of the college".

Fivemiletown College

Fivemiletown College GCSE students Sophie Robinson, Abagail Bateman-Smith, Lillie-Mae Baron, Principal Janice Allen, Cynthia Currie (Interim Education Authority Director of Education), Lauren Robinson, Erin Robinson and Sarah McFarland.

Principal Janice Allen said that Fivemiletown College is "delighted" to share the "outstanding results" which students achieved at GCSE level.

"On a whole-school level, 98 per cent of students achieved at least five A*-C grades, with 97 per cent of students achieving at least five A*-C grades, including English and Maths

“In recognition of these exceptional results, Education Authority Director of Education, Cynthia Currie, joined the celebrations on results day, congratulating students and sharing in their success.

“These remarkable achievements reflect the hard work and dedication of students, families and staff," said Mrs. Allen, adding: "Top achiever was Bethany Coulter, with seven A* and two A grades, with 100 per cent achieved in GCSE Maths.

"Exceptional results were also achieved in Art and Design, with two students, Alfie Weir and Ava Stubbs, both attaining 100 per cent, and joint top spot in Northern Ireland."

St. Michael's College

St. Michael's College GCSE students (front) Vincent Pearson, Mark Wallace, Connor Woods, Josh Hamill, Cohen Abraham and Peter Brines with (second row) Brandon Beattie, Daire McKenna, Conall Rasdale, Ciaran Rice, Callum McCabe and Eoin Rice; (third row)

Principal Mark Henry said: "We are absolutely delighted ¬– our students have, once again, produced outstanding GCSE results.

“This is just reward for all their hard work over the last two years, and we now look forward to welcoming the boys back into Year 13 to embark on their A-Level studies.

"I would like to thank the parents for all their support, and our outstanding team of teachers for all the hard work they do in preparing the boys for their examinations."

Castlederg High School

Castlederg High School students Molly Monteith, Amy Donnell, Rebecca Ellis and Abby Sherlock share their results with Mrs. Sandra Cashel, incoming Principal.

Mrs. Sandra Cashel, Principal designate of Castlederg High School, relayed how the whole school community had delighted in another year of excellent GCSE results.

“What a morning of pure joy and exhilaration as each opened GCSE result envelope further confirmed that nothing can stop CHS students soaring to success!

“Congratulations to all our students for a fabulous achievement. Hard work, determination and a positive attitude undoubtedly paid off.

“On behalf of all the staff, I wish each student more momentous moments of success as they set out on the next step towards a very promising future.”

Devenish College

Devenish College GCSE students Lucy Camley, William Shaw, Maria Elliott, Jamie Hood, Rebecca Grey, Timothy Graham, Archie Knox, Rebecca Morrison, Matthew Magee, Becca Thompson, Joshua McKeown and Principal Simon Mowbray.

Principal of Devenish College, Simon Mowbray, praised their students on their “fantastic” results in their GCSE qualifications.

He said: “We are so proud of all of our students and would like to commend them on their excellent achievements, hard work and commitment.

“It is fantastic to see them fulfilling their potential, especially those who have faced and overcome so many hurdles and personal trials since the Covid pandemic.

“We are particularly delighted that a large proportion of students have decided to return to Devenish College to study in our Sixth Form.”

He continued: “The Governors and I would also like to pay tribute to our staff. They are superb and are completely focused on making sure all students achieve the best grades possible, providing excellent support academically and pastorally.

“We extend our best wishes to all our Year 12 students as they progress in their chosen career pathways, and offer huge congratulations to their parents for their efforts and dedication to their child’s education.”