There were tears of joy on Thursday as school pupils received their A-Level results, which for many holds the key to their futures.
Traditionally one of the highest performing schools in the north is the all girls St Dominic’s Grammar School in West Belfast.
While many schools and pupils opt to receive their results online these days, St Dominic’s still invites their A-Level cohort to the Falls Road school to open their envelopes in person.
The school was buzzing with activity on Thursday as many came to collect their results in the same hall they had sat those nerve-wracking exams a number of months ago.
After Nadia Maguire picked up top results in Maths, Physics and Digital Technology, she’s off on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of enrolling in college in Connecticut, USA.
“I’m heading to the states on Sunday, it was a really competitive programme and I never thought I would get into it,” Ms Maguire says.
“But I made it after a year of research and applications, they brought us to America and we got to see a range of different colleges and immerse myself in the college system.
“I thought that was for me and I gave it a shot, and luckily it worked out.”
Dearbhla Crilly-McAufield got 2 A* and an A in Chemistry, Maths and Biology and is headed to Queen’s to pursue a pharmacy degree
“Exam season doesn’t really start in May and June in St Dominics, you work for it all year round really.
“The school opens Tuesdays and Thursdays until 9pm every night so I was in here working away and so many others were as well.
“It’s just amazing to see it all come together, it’s hard to believe that all of your work has just come down to a piece of paper today.
“I’m devastated to leave here actually, it’s been home for so long.”
Orla O’Neill, principal at St Dominic’s, said it was wonderful to see so many happy faces at the school on Thursday.
“Our overall benchmark figure was 94.4% for three A*-C. Pre-pandemic we were at 88% so we’re absolutely delighted.
“Statistics are one thing but behind every one of those stats there is a child and a backstory and a result and it’s just wonderful to see all the individuals and their successes and their happy faces.
“They’re all going off to do a plethora of subjects and courses across Northern Ireland and further afield and we’re very proud of them.”
Pupils were also in attendance to receive their results at Coláiste Feirste, the only secondary-level Irish-medium school in Belfast.
Anna Marie McGuinness from the college says she was delighted to pick up an A, B and C in her exams.
“Last year I fell down a wee bit in my grades due to my attendance, as happens with every teenager,” Ms McGuinness said.
“This year I’ve made a big massive improvement and I’m very proud of myself. I’m heading to Ulster to do Real Estate, over the last few years I’ve got a real interest in selling and all the TV series on Netflix that have come out on it. So I just can’t wait to see what happens in the future.”
