More than 30,000 pupils across the north celebrated receiving their GCSE results on Thursday - with one family toasting a triple success at an east Belfast school.
Triplets Sara, Elin and Lois Mackey from Saintfield picked up an outstanding 29 As and A*s between them when they opened their results at Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock.
The trio plan to go on to continue with their studies at the school into A-Level, and are eyeing up careers in Medicine, Architecture and Veterinary.
Speaking to the Irish News on Thursday, the triplets said they were “delighted” with their results and that they had supported each other through their exams.
“We would ask each other questions and quiz each other on our notes and stuff like that,” Sara said.
The close sisters said they planned to celebrate with their family on Thursday evening, with their proud mum and dad ecstatic at their results.,
Hundreds more pupils arrived in Knock to pick up the all-important envelope in the morning, while St Patrick’s principal Deborah McLaughlin said the results were a culmination of their hard work.
GCSE exam marking and moderating returned to “pre-pandemic arrangements” this year with some results seen lower than in previous years during the pandemic.
“This is one of our favourite days of the school year because it’s a day of celebration and the students have performed exceptionally well across so many different subjects,” Ms McLaughlin said.
“I love the fact that our students have been able to realise the potential that we have always seen in them and that they have been able to cope with the return to pre-pandemic standards.
“The percentages across the board were really high, so we’re absolutely delighted.”
On a visit to Dromore High School on Thursday, Education Minister Paul Givan welcomed the success of students receiving their GCSE results.
82.7% of students in the north received grade C/4 and above while 31% received grade A/7 and above.
Mr Givan said: “Pupils in Northern Ireland have once again performed impressively and have continued to outperform their counterparts in England and Wales. This is testament to their own efforts and the hard work, dedication and commitment of teachers throughout Northern Ireland. I commend all our pupils as they move on to their next stage of education, employment or training.”
