Private School News

CHURCH HIGH CELEBRATES 100% PASS RATE AT GCSE…

Following the news last week that students at Newcastle Church High in Jesmond achieved a 100 per cent pass rate at A Level, the independent school had cause for celebration again today (Thursday 21 August), after students achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in 5 GCSEs, grades A*-C.

Amongst the successful candidates were girls aged 13 and 14 celebrating A* grades in Chinese and Punjabi two academic years early and three students in Year 11 who achieved an outstanding A*s in all 10 or more subjects.

Nearly 60 per cent of the Newcastle Church High GCSE results were at an A* and A grade and nearly 80 per cent of grades were A*–B grades. One fifth of the candidates achieved A* and A grades in all 10 or more subjects taken, with nearly half achieving all grades at A*–B.

Lucy Matthewson, 16, of Jesmond was celebrating after gaining 10 A*s at GCSE. The results top off an outstanding year for the teenager, who was part of the Church High tennis team which won the coveted National Nestle Team Tennis Championships 2008 for girls aged 15 and under, beating over 3,000 school entrants.

Lucy said: “When I called my parents to tell them my results they didn’t believe me at first. I didn’t expect to do this well and I’ll be celebrating today!”

Meanwhile Rebecca Webb-Mitchell, 15, of Kingston Park, achieved an outstanding 11 A*s an academic year early, and will be staying on at Church High to complete A Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics. She said, “I’m very happy and looking forward to coming back to Church High in September.”

A third student, Emma Chisolm, 16, of Washington also achieved 10 A*s at GCSE, including full marks for English Literature. She said, “My results were a shock but it’s great that all my hard work has paid off.” Emma will be studying Biology, Chemistry, Maths and English next year.

Rachel Stein, 16, was celebrating after achieving 8A*s and 3As. She said, “I feel really good, it’s a great feeling. I worked really hard during the year and feel great that it’s now all paid off. I’m coming back to Church High next year to hopefully study A Levels English, Maths, History, Art and PE.”

Two other pupils, Phanne Yang, 13, of central Newcastle and Jaspreet Lally, 14, of Fenham, Newcastle, were delighted to achieve A*s in Chinese and Punjabi respectively, two academic years early. The girls are currently in Year 9. Jaspreet’s achievement rounds off a week of success for the Lally family, after her sister Manpreet, who also attends Church High, gained 3 A’s at A Level and one A at AS Level last Thursday. Jaspreet said: “I’m really excited, but it hasn’t sunk in yet!”

Meanwhile, 15 year-old Adeline Owen of Jesmond, achieved an A* in French a year ahead of schedule. She said: “I’m really pleased with my result, I worked really hard for this. The school was great and gave me a lot of support throughout my studies.”

Joy Gatenby, head at Newcastle Church High School, said: “Academically, the school and our pupils have had another outstanding year, with fantastic A Level and GCSE results. Our girls have excelled at all levels and abilities and I am very proud of them.

“As well as our academic successes, we have also seen great achievements in the sporting field with our girls winning national and regional competitions for swimming, squash, tennis and badminton.

“Our teachers and support staff do everything they can to encourage our students to do well both academically and through extra-curricular activities, and the girls are a credit to us.”