Celebrations at Rathfriland High School prize night

All the 2013 Rathfriland High School Leavers who received their various Certificates, during the annual Prize Night. © Photo: Gary Gardiner. IN BL WK 4414-510.

Speaking during the school’s recent prize night, Mrs Amanda McCullough said everyone at the school should be proud of the results.

“It gives me great pleasure to report that 73% of our Year 12 pupils last year achieved five or more passes at GCSE grades A* - C,” she said. “This is indeed a great achievement and provides our pupils with a very firm foundation upon which to build their future careers and move on into the world of work.

“Worthy of particular attention are the following pupils whose individual results were superb: Kirsty Stewart, Kerrie Annett, Jack Cochrane, Alex McCarrison, and Rachel Moffett.”

Mrs McCullough paid tribute to all those who played a part in the school’s successes.

She continued: “I would like to thank our local primary schools who have the responsibility for each child’s education before they arrive with us, a job which they do superbly well.

“We as a school benefit greatly from the sure foundations they provide for us to build upon. I would also like to place on record our thanks to the many other agencies and organisations for the professional support they provide such as DENI, the inspectorate, SELB, RTU, Southern Health and Social Services and the PSNI. I would also like to commend the work of the pastoral care teams in school. The tutors, under the guidance of the senior teachers, ensure pupils feel comfortable, safe and happy in school.”

Mrs McCullough also paid a warm tribute to the teachers. She continued: “Time and time again teachers give freely of their own time to help pupils who need extra support and attention. I am indebted to the staff for the support they have given me and for their attentiveness to their work. I would therefore like to put on record my gratitude, and that of Governors, for all the hard work of our teaching staff.”

The principal also underlined the key role played by parents.

She added, “Parents too play a vital role in our success and that of their children. We are very fortunate here to enjoy robust support from parents who have a genuine concern for their child’s education.

“It is only through a transparent partnership based on mutual respect that any difficulties may be addressed and effective solutions agreed. I thank parents for their significant contribution to school life.”

For pictures see pages 24&25.