WITH the party season well and truly behind her, Collegiate pupil Sarah-Jayne Makhlouf is spending the new year with her head in the books.

The end of 2013 was a whirlwind of formals and after-party events for the 16-year-old from Lisbellaw.

But now that the GCSE exams are looming ever-closer, her sparkly stilletoes have been stored away in favour of her school textbooks.

“It’s all about priorities,” says the pretty teen, “All the partying was done before Christmas. Now it’s time to focus on the school work.” As she models her formal gown by Simply Devine, Sarah-Jayne explains that school formal after-parties have become the latest trend.

“Getting a dress for an after-party is just as important as getting a dress for a formal,” she says, “There is a lot of pressure to find the perfect dress and make sure it’s different from what everybody else has. I didn’t like this dress at first but when I tried it on I loved it.” Her second look is a striking blue, above-the-knee dress from Monsoon. She teams this with a pair of shoes from Primark.

“I wore this to one of the formal after-parties I went to,” says Sarah-Jayne, “Girls who are just going to the after-party wear a shorter-length dress to the girls who are going to the meal. The hockey matches don’t help the legs though -- I’m usually covered in bruises!” Indeed Sarah-Jayne’s extra-curricular activites leave her little time for rest and relaxation.

From hockey to horseriding, singing to Girls’ Brigade, her CV would put most people to shame.

As she models a pair of leggings with a scarf from Next, a top from NV, jacket from boohoo.com and boots from Barratts, Sarah-Jayne says her style is a mixture of casual and dressy attire.

“I like to dress up and I like to make an effort,” says Sarah-Jayne, “I do a lot of online shopping. And I love hair and make-up too.” Wearing a black and white top from Exhibit, with boots from boohoo.com and leggings from Next, Sarah-Jayne reveals her musical passions.

“I am doing my grade eight in singing at the moment and have my grade six piano. I also play the cello. I have always been musical. My aunt played the organ for the Cathedral so it’s in the blood. I play the organ for family services in Lisbellaw Church of Ireland now too.” But as she models a red blouse and boots from Dunnes Stores and boots with trousers from Exhibit, the clued-in beauty makes it clear that nursing is her main career goal.

“I want to study midwifery,” she says determinedly, “I just love children. I was a neo-natal baby myself. I was 4 lbs 5 oz when I was born six weeks prematurely. I have always had an interest in that kind of nursing. My aunt always told me to focus on one dream but have a few others on the side as well! So I see my musical hobbies as a sideline to what I really want out of life.” And now that 2014 is in full swing, Sarah-Jayne is setting her sights firmly on the prize.

“My New Years’ Resolution is to get involved in volunteer work as part of my Queen’s Badge through Girls’ Brigade,” she explains, “I will be volunteering at South West Acute Hospital and getting an insight into what nursing is all about. I’m really looking forward to helping out on the wards. I’ve been for all of my injections now and have all the forms filled in so I’m ready when they need me!”