Rathfriland High School holds its prize night

Rathfriland High School held their prize night last week and invited back Robert Megarity, who has a long association with the school, as a special guest.
Years 8, 9  and 10 Class Prizewinners pictured with Head of Key Stage 3 Teacher Helen Wilson at the Annual Distriburion of Certificates and Awards at Rathfriland High School ©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1543-228EBYears 8, 9  and 10 Class Prizewinners pictured with Head of Key Stage 3 Teacher Helen Wilson at the Annual Distriburion of Certificates and Awards at Rathfriland High School ©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1543-228EB
Years 8, 9 and 10 Class Prizewinners pictured with Head of Key Stage 3 Teacher Helen Wilson at the Annual Distriburion of Certificates and Awards at Rathfriland High School ©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1543-228EB

Robert was the school’s link officer with the Southern Regional College. As such he was responsible for the smooth operation of their Occupational Studies programme and our BTEC courses such as Engineering and Childcare, awards which we will see presented to students this evening.

He retired from the SRC in August. Other guests included those from the local primary and secondary schools, local government, the PSNI and our community.

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Principal McCullough thanked the Board of Governers for all their hard work, before describing the very good inspection report that the school received.

Senior Teacher David Barron with pupils who achieved Full Attendance ©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1543-229EBSenior Teacher David Barron with pupils who achieved Full Attendance ©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1543-229EB
Senior Teacher David Barron with pupils who achieved Full Attendance ©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1543-229EB

A total of 82% of Year 12 pupils last year achieved five or more passes at GCSE grades A*-C.

Mrs McCullough 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: Emma Frazer, Neil Galloway, Joy Kennedy and Ellie Ward.”

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Beyond GCSEs pupils encountered further success in a wide range of BTEC Extended Certificates and Essential Skills qualifications. Many too completed Occupational Studies at the Southern Regional College.

For those entering BTEC qualifications many of the grades achieved were at Distinction* or Distinction level – the equivalent of two A*s or As at GCSE.

Current pupils then collected Merit Awards for Contribution to School Life, Class Awards and Certificates of Full Attendance at School.

Mrs McCullough concluded the evening by looking towards the future of the school.

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She said: “With a thoroughly committed staff, talented pupils, solid parental and community support and excellent facilities the future really is bright for our school; a school which is exceptional, confident and an honour to serve.

“We, in Rathfriland High School, look forward to a bright future together and will continue to be “Big enough to deliver and small enough to care” as recognised in our recent inspection report.”