Head of Sixth Form at Laurelhill, Mrs Stewart, welcomed the new Sixth Form class of 2017-2019 to the college. September is an interesting month for Lower Sixth: they are undertaking new courses; being put into new Registration groups and mixing with students new to their peer group or new to the college. To break the ice, Mrs Stewart and the sixth form tutor team held their annual induction day. The day is jam-packed with activities to assist students with the transition from GCSE to A-Level study, but also to allow students the chance to get to know one another before their first week at school.

This year’s induction was a new programme of activities with Year 13 first undertaking a morning of Urban Orienteering. Students, in small groups, participated in a series of orienteering activities within the local area learning vital skills such as self-motivation, time management and working purposefully as part of a team. After a busy morning the students had worked up quite an appetite and enjoyed lunch provided by Dominoes. Refuelled and now ready for the afternoon session, students had their choice of activity: sport, cookery or professional make up application.

Head of Sixth Form Mrs Stewart was delighted with the success of the day, ‘I hope the new year 13s value this day as much as I do. It is an excellent way to reward their hard work and ease them in gently to new peer groups and a new school in some cases. It was very much all about the taking part and we have a very positive impression of the new sixth form cohort.

The Urban Orienteering was a success, partly down to the weather and partly down to the calm, relaxed attitude by staff and students alike. Thanks to Anna McConnell who delivered a fantastic demonstration on makeup; to Mrs Gray for running a cookery workshop and Mr Hillis who organised various sporting activities.

A super day to ease themselves in gradually’

Laurelhill Community College celebrated another superb set of results at GCSE as more pupils than ever gained the top grades. 78% of students gained at least 5A*- C grades, once again exceeding the Northern Ireland average for non-grammar schools for the third consecutive year.

Principal Mr James Martin along with teaching staff, parents and the entire school community were thrilled with the success of so many students, “I am extremely proud of the achievements of our GCSE students. The hard work of the students, combined with our highly effective and dedicated teaching staff and support from parents has enabled many to achieve outstanding results. We celebrate once again A* grades this year for Louise Bann and Julia McMullan; congratulations on this remarkable achievement.”

Top GCSE students: Louise Bann achieved an outstanding 9 GCSEs A*- B grades; Julia McMullan and Charlene Spence each attained 10 A*-C Grades; Luke Tinsley celebrated 9 A-B grades and Matthew Lowry obtained 10 A-C grades. Other students who have achieved exceptional results include: Calvin Patterson with 1A and 8Bs; Megan McNeill with an A in Additional Science and 9 B-C grades and Joseph McKee celebrated 3A, 3B and 3Cs.

The college was delighted with the results for many individual subjects. Mr James Martin continued, “We also celebrate 100% A*-C in GCSE Drama, GCSE Music and GCSE RE (Full Course), 89% in GCSE Art & Design, and 83% in Single Award Science. We are delighted with the results for many of the individual GCSE subjects. These results demonstrate how learning and achieving together really does pay off.”

The College is delighted to welcome many students back into our successful Sixth Form. The first day of Sixth Form is Thursday 31st August 2017. New applications for Sixth Form are welcome from all students. Please contact the school on 02892607351.

Louise Bann celebrates 9 A star - B grades in her GCSEs with Principal Mr Martin and Education Authority Board member Mr Jonathan Craig

Outstanding Results for Julia McMullan in her GCSES 10 A star - C grades

Principal Mr James Martin congratulates Charlene Spence on achieving 5As, 4Bs at GCSE and Level 2 Performing Arts

Chairman of Laurelhill Board of Governors Mr Jonathan Craig and Mr James Martin congratulate Luke Tinsley on his results at GCSE - 4As and 4Bs

Fantastic GCSE Success for Matthew Lowry and Megan McNeill who between them achieved 20 A - C grades at GCSE

Calvin Patterson and family celebrate an A and 8Bs at GCSE

Joseph McKee celebrates with 3As, 3Bs and 3Cs

Results once again were well in excess of the Northern Ireland average for non-Grammar schools for the third consecutive year as Laurelhill students continue to gain the top grades, placing the college amongst the highest performing schools in their sector for post-16 study.

Celebrating with students and staff, Principal Mr James Martin said: “Building on the success from last year, our A level results are up by a further 8% across the broad range of subjects on offer to our students. Health and Social Care, Sport, Performing Arts, and ICT all gained 100% A*-C, which is a tribute to the hard work of students and committed staff. I am also delighted with the results in Child Care, Business Studies, English and Media (to name a few).”

Many students in Year 14 attained outstanding results including, Kerri Smyth who achieved an A in ICT and two Bs in Business and Technology and Design and leaves to study BSc Hons in Human Resource Management at University of Ulster. Chad Edmont celebrated a B in ICT and triple Distinction* in BTEC Sports Studies, excited now to begin a BSc Sport at the University of Ulster. Sarah Preston achieved an A in Sociology and two Cs in English Literature and History and leaves hoping to study BSc Sociology at the University of Ulster.

The College also celebrates another year of success in Child Care Education (CACHE) with four students achieving triple A grades in the new extended diploma. Congratulations to Megan Waterworth who leaves with an offer to study Health and Social Care at Liverpool Hope University and Hannah Fleming who leaves to study Early Childhood Studies at Liverpool Hope University. Congratulations also to Sophie Blythe, Gemma Henderson and Nadine Shannon who celebrate their CACHE success with fantastic employment opportunities.

Reflecting on a very successful day, Mr James Martin thanked parents for their continued support and the strongly committed teaching staff within the college to help students realise their potential, “I am extremely proud of the students’ achievements in Laurelhill and delighted with our continued success at post-16 study. We wish all of our students every success as they progress to University, further education and employment.”

Principal Mr James Martin and Education Authority Board member Mr Jonathan Craig congratulate Luke McCrossan on A-Level success

Lewis Hanna and Billy and Charlie Walkingshaw celebrate fantastic BTEC Sport success with Principal Mr James Martin

Education Authority Board Member congratulates A-Level students Kerri Smyth, Carlie Brown and Lauren Eglinton

A-Level success for Sarah Preston who achieved an A in Sociology and two Cs in English Literature and History