STUDENTS from across the district received their GCSE results on Thursday, August 12, which were determined by their teachers exercising their professional judgement using a range of evidence following the absence of exams due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Figures released by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQCIC) show Northern Ireland’s GCSE students have continued to perform well, and demonstrated remarkable resilience in an exceptional year.

This achievement by the students is recognition of their hard work and resilience in overcoming the many challenges and disruption brought about by the pandemic.

Following the cancellation of examinations in January by the Education Minister, GCSE grades have been determined by teachers using a range of evidence.

The grades awarded reflect the actual work completed by the students, accounting for the varying levels of disruption experienced by schools, colleges, and individual students across the country.

Throughout Northern Ireland, teachers have demonstrated great commitment and effort to ensure that students are able to progress on to the next stage of their journey this year, be it further education, employment or training.

Commenting on the latest GCSE results, Margaret Farragher, Interim Chief Executive of the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), said: “Congratulations to all those receiving their GCSE results.

“Students have had to deal with unprecedented challenges since the Covid-19 pandemic began, and I hope that they can take pride in their achievements.

“We wish them well as they progress, be it in continuing education, training, or employment.

“In congratulating students, we must also commend our teachers for their commitment, professionalism, and the critical role they played in delivering the curriculum and determining the GCSE grades this year in the most challenging of circumstances.”

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE, IRVINESTOWN

THE Principal of St. Mary’s College, Irvinestown, Anne Flanagan, is “so proud” of this year’s Year 12 students who have had a “more difficult” GCSE experience than those in years gone by due to the myriad of pressures brought about by Covid-19.

She said: “However, this cohort was always unique and we are so sad to see them go. Their results speak for their hard work and ambition.

“We wish them all well on their future journey, and we really hope that they will all stay in touch with each other and with us.”

ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL, BROLLAGH

YEAR 12 students in St. Mary’s High School, Brollagh achieved 92 per cent five A* to C grades, including English and Maths, with a 98 per cent overall pass rate.

Principal Ann Carrigan said: “These excellent results were achieved through the hard work and dedication of students and staff.

“We wish our students all the very best in their future pathways.”

FIVEMILETOWN COLLEGE

THE Board of Governors and staff of Fivemiletown College are “delighted” to be congratulating Year 12 students on another year of “outstanding” GCSE results.

Principal Janice Allen said: “These results are the culmination of two years of hard work and commitment from staff, students and parents under what has been very challenging educational conditions.

“We wish all our Year 12 students every success as they embark on the next stage in their journey.”

ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE

THE Principal of St. Joseph’s College, Helena Palmer, was delighted with the outcomes for the students who have faced an unprecedented level of disruption to their studies throughout their two-year course of study.

She said: “These examination results really are a testament to the efforts made by our students, their parents and our staff working together.

“I am delighted to see the students’s resilience and hard work being rewarded. I am proud of their efforts in very testing circumstances.

“I want to wish every one of our students all the very best for their future.”

ST. AIDAN’S HIGH SCHOOL

PAT McTeggart, the Principal of St. Aidan’s High School, Derrylin, was also very pleased by the GCSE results, despite the disruption caused by the pandemic.

He said: “We are absolutely thrilled by the outstanding results achieved by our students who have worked so hard during this unprecedented time.

“I would like to acknowledge the role played by all our dedicated staff, supported by the parents, which has enabled our students to reach their full potential.

“Finally, I wish all our students continued success for the future in whatever career path they choose.”

ST. FANCHEA'S COLLEGE

OVER at St. Fanchea’s College, the staff were thrilled with the results achieved by the school's students.

Principal Maurice Collins said: "Students have achieved their full potential across a range of GCSE, BTEC and other Level 2 courses, and we are delighted that they have all secured places in a range of Post-16 courses and pathways.

"All of our examination students have been through a very anxious and difficult time over the past two years.

"The results achieved are a reflection of the hard work, resilience and commitment of the girls.

"It is also important to acknowledge the dedication and inspiration of our staff and the continued support and encouragement of parents."

ENNISKILLEN ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL

PRAISING the GCSE results of students at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, 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.

"Their capacity to respond with flexibility and positive determination to the many challenges of Covid-19, together with the stalwart support of our parents and guardians, have allowed the class of 2021 to achieve a sparkling set of results, where 66 students had five A* or five A grades or better."

CASTLEDERG HIGH SCHOOL

AS STUDENTS of Castlederg High School received their GCSE results on Thursday, the atmosphere of elation and real joy was tangible, said Principal Susan Wilson.

She said: “There is a real sense of making it through the darkness into the light. Our students have totally excelled themselves, with fabulous results.

"Our students have shown they can adapt in spite of the demands of constantly shifting goals and targets.

"As the assessment requirements changed through the year, our parents helped and navigated the ever-changing situation so well.

"The teaching and non-teaching staff are also to be applauded for their determination to ensure every student achieved the grades they deserved.”

ST. KEVIN'S COLLEGE

PRINCIPAL Gary Kelly said big congratulations were due to all Year 12 students at St. Kevin's College, who performed "extremely well in a most stressful year with lockdowns and self-isolation".

He added: "We were extremely happy with the results our GCSE students achieved, with 93 per cent of St. Kevin's students achieving five or more GCSE grades A*- C, including English and Maths."

ERNE INTEGRATED COLLEGE

2021 SAW yet another increase in the number of higher grades awarded to students with Erne Integrated College achieving its highest ever cache of grades.

Principal Jimmy Jackson Ware said the school's students "richly deserve the grades that they have achieved, given the unprecedented difficulties they endured on their pathway through the GCSE course".

He also paid tribute to the students for their courage, industry and tenacity in persevering at the most difficult of times and wished them all the very best in their future ventures.

MOUNT LOURDES GRAMMAR SCHOOL

THE Principal of Mount Lourdes Grammar School, Sinead Cullen, welcomed the results of the school's GCSE students.

She said: "We are very pleased with the excellent performance of our Year 12 students in their 2021 GCSE examinations.

"They worked extremely hard to achieve these outstanding results, despite the challenging circumstances they experienced due to Covid-19, and 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."

ST. MICHAEL'S COLLEGE

OVER at St. Michael's College, Principal Mark Henry was delighted with the results of the GCSE students.

He said: "The boys have produced outstanding GCSE results. This is a 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."

DEVENISH COLLEGE

THE staff of Devenish College are also delighted with the achievements of their GCSE students.

Principal Simon Mowbray said: “Congratulations to all our GCSE students who received their grades recently.

"We are absolutely delighted with their achievements, especially considering the level of interruption they have had to their learning over the past 18 months.

"They are a real credit to themselves, their families and the college.

"For those that are moving on to further studies or employment, we wish you every success, and we look forward to hearing of your successes.

"We are also delighted to be welcoming a large proportion of our students back to Sixth Form in September.”