Top pupils reap the rewards of hard work

The students from Banbridge High School, St Patrick’s College, Newbridge Integrated College, Rathfriland High and Dromore High School have worked throughout the year to complete and obtain qualifications in Engineering, ICT, Media, Retail and Travel and Tourism.

The students undertook their qualifications as part of the School Partnerships Programme which sees the College work with secondary level schools to deliver vocational qualifications to complement the academic qualifications that students receive at their respective schools.

David Vint, Assistant Director at SRC said, “The commitment and hard work that these students have shown in achieving their qualifications here today is extraordinary.

“It can be hard enough to deal with the pressures of GCSE’s, but these students have managed to also obtain a BTEC First Certificate which will ultimately add to their skills portfolio. Our work with the local schools under the School Partnership Programme is vital in ensuring that the students of today are leaving school with qualifications that employers want – and today was their first step towards this.”

Winners of the Best in subject awards included Scott Trimble (Engineering), John Meara (ICT) and Neil Donaldson (Retail) from Newbridge Integrated College; Lois Bingham (Media) and Linda Cochrane (Media) from Rathfriland High School; and Victoria Curran (Travel and tourism) from Banbridge High School.

The overall Best boys and girls were Scott Trimble (Newbridge Integrated College), and Linda Cochrane (Rathfriland High School).