STAFF, pupils and parents of the former Collegiate Grammar gathered together last week for the Enniskillen school’s last-ever prizegiving ceremony, which was held at the Cooper Crescent site.

The famous old school, which taught generations of Fermanagh schoolgirls, closed its doors for the last time in June, before amalgamating with Portora Royal to form the new Enniskillen Royal Grammar School.

Chairwoman of the Collegiate’s Board of Governors, Mrs Florence Brunt, opened the evening by welcoming everybody to the ‘Celebration of Success’ event. She extended an especially warm welcome to guest speaker, Alison Cathcart, a former pupil who is now Superintendent Registrar of Westminster City Council.

Former Collegiate Grammar principal, Miss Elizabeth Armstrong, gave her report in the form of an interview with five Year 14 pupils, Leigh Crozier, Ellie Ingram, Grace Kettyle, Jane McCutcheon and Dorothy McDowell.

They began the lively interchange by sharing their subject choices and career aspirations ranging from medicine to engineering, to Spanish and English Literature.

Turning their attention to the current year, where they belong to the most senior year group in Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, they spoke of how they are giving a lead in the new school.

In conclusion, Miss Armstrong, who is now the principal of Enniskillen Royal Grammar school, paid tribute to all of the pupils present and to their successes both academic and in many other areas of school life in the past year.

She thanked the pupils, staff, parents and Board of Governors for their contributions. In particular, she thanked Kerry McCabe for her support last year as vice-principal and latterly as acting principal of the Collegiate in the summer term.

Miss Armstrong added: “To you the girls I say warmest congratulations to each and every one of you for your successes: we are deeply proud of you all and I know we will be hearing more of your achievements in the years to come whether it be in in your university or college career, in your place of work, in the wider community or as proud pupils of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School.

“In the words of the motto of our new school, Perstare et Praestare, I know you will persevere and excel.”

Meanwhile, in her own report, Mrs Brunt celebrated the pupils’ excellent examination results in 2015-16. At GCSE 90 per cent of all the grades were at A* to B, with 59 per cent recorded as A* or A.

She highlighted also the girls who were in the top three candidates in Northern Ireland.

Sophie Coalter was first in Home Economics in Northern Ireland and joint third in Learning for Life and Work. Naomi Beattie was second in Religious Studies and Ellen Kelly was joint second in French.

Sophie has also been awarded a Drummond Education Award by the British Nutrition Foundation to recognise her achievement. She travelled to London this week to receive the award, along with her Home Economics teacher, Mrs Kettyle.

At A Level 90 per cent of the overall grades were at A* to C and a third of the girls had at least one A* in their profile. Fifteen girls had three Grade As or better.

Top achievers were Harley Beattie, who achieved three A*s and one A, Tamsin Martin, who achieved three A*s and Becky Johnston and Amy Wilson, who each achieved two A*s and one A. Harley Beattie was also joint third in Northern Ireland in A level Geography.

Sarah Downey was awarded a JP McManus All-Ireland Scholarship on the strength of her A2 results.

Mrs Brunt then thanked the parents for their support which was evident in so many different ways over the years, through attendance at parent meetings, school events and sporting fixtures and the various fund-raising functions that were held to support local charities.

She went on to highlight some of the varied range of activities which made up the rich tapestry of life at the school in 2015-16.

Guest speaker, Alison Cathcart, delighted the audience by recounting her meetings with Prince William at the registration of the births of Prince George and Princess Charlotte, of the weddings of Barbara Windsor, Claudia Winkleman and Len Goodman, among many other famous celebrities. She added: “The education I received at the Collegiate – without me even knowing it at the time – qualified me for many aspects of my job which are so important and can be applied to any job you choose to do. I absorbed these skills and should also not forget the influence of our great teachers.”