Principal delighted by Lismore achievements

94% of all grades were in the A* to E category, with 99% gaining two or more “A” Level passes. 111 students sat a total of 334 examinations in 24 different subjects with a 100% pass rate in 14 of these.

Just 10 years ago, only 55 students sat a total of 162 examinations in 18 different subjects with a 100% pass rate in 10 of these.

Against this background of providing A-Level opportunities for a much larger and more diverse body of students across a much wider range of subjects, there were some very pleasing individual performances.

Sandra Fontes gained three A* and one A grades in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics, while Head Boy Cillian McDowell achieved four A grades in the same subjects. Head Girl Charlotte Boyd scored three A and one B grades in the Science subjects and Music, while Eimear O’Neill gained three As in Drama, English and Music. Other top achievers this year with excellent grades in three or four A-Levels were Thomas McCaughley, Olivia Wilson, Jagoda Baran, Michael McBride, Eimear O’Neill, Shauna Culbert and Emma O’Neill.

At AS Level, 90 pupils sat a total of 272 examinations (again twice as many as 10 years ago) across a range of 23 subjects, with a 100% pass rate in 14 of these subjects. 93% of students have gained passes in the A* to E category, while 87% have achieved three A* to E passes, figures which augur well for next year’s A2 results. Top achievers here were Meabh McManus who achieved three As and one B in English, History, Politics and French, Joshua O’Hagan who gained three As and one B in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, and Aaron McAree who had three As and one C in RE, Health & Social Care, English and French. Other note-worthy performances included Katie Smith (three As in Media Studies, Drama, and RE) and Sergey Kravtsov (one A, two Bs and one C in Russian, Physics, Maths and Chemistry). Other top achievers at AS level included Kate Corvan, Ryan Heaney, Martin Lauiowai, Michael McKane, Niall Mulholland and Ciara O’Hara.

The school’s principal, Mr Joe Corrigan, congratulated the students on their excellent achievements and commended the staff for the unstinting help and support they gave to their students. He also thanked the parents for their support and encouragement during what can be a particularly stressful time for young people.

“I am delighted that so much hard work has come to fruition for so many of our students”, said Mr Corrigan. “These results provide an excellent base for crossing the threshold to university, or to further education, or to the world of work, and in the case of our Year 13 students, to successful A2s next year.”

Mr Corrigan added: “One interesting and pleasing aspect of this year’s results for us here in our comprehensive school is the fact that as well as our native students, four other nationalities were represented in our top achievers’ list at A-Levels – Sandra Fontes (Portugal), Jagoda Baran (Poland), Sergey Kravtsov (Russian) and Martin Lauiowai (Hong Kong), with particular congratulations going to Sandra who achieved three A*s and one A. This emphasizes once again the diverse and inclusive nature of our school community.”