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Academy Celebrates an Excellent Set of Results
Credit to The Ulster Herald
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OMAGH ACADEMY GCSE RESULTS 2009
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Omagh
Academy
pupils celebrated another fine set of GCSE results, with 94% of pupils passing five or more subjects with good A* to C grades. An excellent collective performance was complemented by some outstanding individual results, and for the third year running one third of pupils achieved at least five A* or A grades.
Among the many first class personal achievements, pride of place for outstanding performance went to Benjamin Knox with nine A*s and one A grade and Georgia Stewart with eight A*s and two A grades. Other top performers were Sarah-Louise Campbell (10 A* or As) and Sarah Jones (9A* or As). Among the School’s high achievers with seven or more A* or A grades were Faith Armstrong, Trudy Crozier, Glenn Foster, Peter Knox, Stephen Martin, Aaron Smyth, Dione Todd and Mark Wright.
Congratulating pupils on their performance, the principal, Mr. Keith Hill, said: “I am delighted with these results. It is all too easy to take high examination performance for granted, and no matter what is said in the national press about standards – and much that is written is misguided – a huge amount of effort is still required from pupils. When I consider these results alongside what has been achieved in music, drama, sport and other extra-curricular activities, I am full of admiration for our young people. They have worked hard, and together with their teachers fully deserve their success and our appreciation.”
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In the Advanced Level examinations of 2009 OmaghAcademy pupils have once again excelled themselves, maintaining their usual high standards. Twelve pupils achieved at least three straight As at A level and thirteen achieved at least three AS level grade As. This compares well with last year’s successful performance and is significantly above the national average at Advanced Level.
While the Sixth Form performed well collectively, a number of individual pupils deserve special mention. At A Level pride of place goes to the five pupils who were awarded four straight As: Richard Clements, Alan McKinley, John Porter, Aaron Quinn and Peter Rogers. Seven pupils achieved three grade As: Timothy Aiken, Lisa Hemphill, Rachel Johnston, Alison Nixon, Andrew Todd, Mark Todd and Amy Wilson. Additionally the thirteen final year pupils who achieved two As are to be highly commended on their achievement.
At AS level seven pupils achieved four As: Emma Beattie, Jamie Beacom, Sarah Gilmour, Adam Leitch, Keri McLean, Kirsty McMaster and Alex Todd; and a further six pupils obtained three straight AS grade As: Chloe Acheson, Rebecca Logan, Jonny McClung, Sarah McKinley, Zarah-Jayne Muldoon and Melissa Smith.
The overall pass rate at Advanced Level was 99% with all pupils passing at least two A level subjects and an excellent 85% of grades awarded in the A – C range. A measure of the final year pupils’ success is reflected in the fact that over 90% of those applying for Higher Education have been immediately accepted by universities. While most of the remainder can expect to be offered a university course, the school has advised pupils to ignore the hype in the media regarding the lack of university places, and to weigh up the merits of different courses carefully before reaching a final decision about which course to accept. In addition to the more traditional university courses in the Sciences, Languages, Arts and the Professions, many Academy pupils have once again accessed a wide range of vocationally oriented courses at leading universities. It was also noteworthy that the trend of a small number of well-qualified pupils taking up positions with local employers is continuing.
Mr. Keith Hill, the Principal of Omagh Academy, stated that he was delighted with the A level results and congratulated Sixth Formers on their success. “I am particularly pleased that nearly all our leavers who were seeking admission to university were quickly placed on courses of their choice, despite the national shortage of places,” he said, “and it is good to see the hard work of our Careers Department bearing such positive results. Most of our students have worked really conscientiously and fully deserve the success which they are enjoying at the moment.” Commenting further on the results, Mr. Hill said, “Education is undergoing rapid change at the present time, but it is important that we do not lose sight of the simple fact that our main role as educators is to produce well-qualified, confident young men and women who are at ease in the modern world and are prepared to take responsibility for themselves and for other people. I want to acknowledge that the Academy Staff has worked hard to achieve this goal, and that their efforts have helped our students to achieve so highly.”
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