BY MARK McKELVEY
HEADTEACHERS across Tyrone have lauded the endeavours and dedication of their year 12 students following the release of GCSE results last week. Citing strong family and community support in aiding the students' success, also paying tribute to the teaching staff efforts.
Students anxiously opened these life-changing brown envelopes, on Tuesday of last week when the first batch of marks from the local examinations board CCEA arrived with the results from the English boards following on Thursday.
Overall the standard was amazing as many schools had record breaking results with more A grades than ever before.
These was illustrated at the Loreto Grammar where, amazingly, with 126 girls entered for 1,132 GCSE examinations, 98% of Year 12 students managed to attain grades between A* and C.
The school's Principal, Grainne T O'Hanlon congratulated all the GCSE students that have achieved excellent results.
"I congratulate the girls on their hard work and enthusiasm for learning," said the school principal Mrs O'Hanlon. "I thank the parents for their support and the staff for their teaching and guidance so that the girls' skills, knowledge and talents are realised.
Female domination and success continued amongst Omagh academy students who although achieving an excellent combined 90% overall pass rate, pride of place must go to the Year 12 girls of the school for an superb collective performance. Their achievement of a 100% pass-rate grades A* to C in five or more subjects and 98% in seven or more subjects was on a par with many of the top girls' schools that frequently head the national school performance tables.
Omagh Academy Headmaster, Keith Hill said, "In many cases they have exceeded their own expectations and as a group have left the boys a little in the shade this year."
With the education system in the North undergoing a major review, St Eugene's High School Castlederg Principal, Andy Tuck has expressed that the excellent GCSE standards achieved at his rural school is an illustration of their importance and value to the local community that it serves.
"I am delighted to be above the Northern Ireland GCSE average, which I feel is important for Tyrone rural schools to maintain this high level. I think that small rural schools, because of their size have the ability, time and resources to look at the pupils as individuals, where in larger schools this can be more difficult," said Mr Tuck.
"There is very much a place for the rural school within the whole structure and fabric of rural society. The pupils have done very well and have not only done themselves credit, they are a credit to the whole community of the Castlederg area.
"A good school can be a focal point for a rural area, as long as they maintain high standards and works for the community and that is our ongoing intention for the future."
