Private School News

A QUARTER OF GIRLS SECURE ALL A* OR A GRADES AT GCSE

Newcastle Church High School has cause for celebration as a quarter of students have gained A* and A grades in all 10 or more GCSE subjects taken, up five per cent from last year’s results.

Over 60 per cent of the Newcastle Church High GCSE results were at A* and A grade and 85 per cent of grades were A*–B grades, a five per cent increase on the 2008 results.

Best friends Rachel Gourley, of Killingworth, and Amy Woodruff, of Ponteland, each received A* grades in 12 subjects, they have been through the journey together taking the same subjects and studying together.

Rachel said: “It is so nice to be able to celebrate today with my best friend. We’ve both worked extremely hard and helped each other out throughout.”

Amy enthused: “I don’t think either of us was expecting to get all A* grades. I feel absolutely ecstatic that all of the hard work that we’ve put into our coursework and exams has made a difference.

“The feeling I have today is amazing and it just tops off the fantastic time I have had at Church High with all my friends.”

Amongst the successful candidates were twins, Olivia and Lucy Topham, both 16, of Gosforth, who achieved 19 A* and 1 A grades between them. They are looking forward to staying on at the School’s Sixth Form.

Olivia said: “I am so happy today and it’s wonderful to be celebrating with my sister. We have worked together which I think has really helped as we have been able to ask each other questions and push each other to keep going.”

Lucy said: “I was so nervous this morning but now I can’t stop smiling. I really want to join the RAF and become a pilot so I know I’ve got to keep up the hard work during my A Levels and at university in order to secure a place.

“Collecting my results today has made me realise that with hard work I can achieve anything, it’s incredibly satisfying.”

Debbie Topham, mother of Olivia and Lucy who between them achieved 19A* and one A grade, said: “I am truly overwhelmed. This is just the most fantastic news and I am so, so proud of the girls.

“They have both worked very hard and I am delighted that all their studying has paid off. The staff at Church High have also been a great source of support to both of them and I feel they have really benefitted from the advice they received from their teachers.

“They are both looking forward to staying on at the school to do their A levels but we will make time for a bit of celebrating before they start the new term!”

The Oswald family of Gosforth are continuing their exam celebrations from last week as 16-year-old Rachael has picked up 7A*, 2A and 1B.

Sisters Anna and Sarah picked up their A Level results last week; 18-year-old, Anna, who gained three A’s, is going on to study Geography at Durham University and 19 year old Sarah, who returned to Church High this year to take a further A level in PE, was thrilled to achieve an ‘A’ grade after only one year of study. Sarah, a talented sportswoman, will be going on to study sports science at Northumbria University.

Rachael Oswald, 16, of Gosforth said: “I am shocked but absolutely thrilled with my results. I really wasn’t expecting this and when I opened the envelope I just got such a lovely surprise!

“I am now looking forward to starting sixth form at Church High. I am fairly sure that I am going to take A levels in maths, P.E., geography and chemistry.

“I am most surprised with my A* in history – I don’t know how I got it as I thought the exam was quite difficult and hadn’t gone very well. I really couldn’t be happier and it’s lovely to see my mum so proud.”

Mrs Oswald, mum of four, said: “It’s strange to be back at the school just a week later collecting more exam results! The last couple of weeks have been incredibly stressful and I am so relieved that all of my girls have done so well, I am exceptionally proud of them.

“Church High has been incredibly caring and supportive to all of my daughters and I cannot thank them enough for helping my girls to excel not only academically but in sports and music.

“It will be a very sad day for me and family when my youngest daughter leaves the school.”

Year 9 pupil Sofia Moghal, 14, of Gosforth, is celebrating today as she picked up an A* in German two academic years early.

Sofia commented: “I have always loved languages so this news has just made my day. I really enjoy studying at Church High and the staff in the language department have really helped me progress this year.

“I hope to carry on my studies at the school and in two years time I will be here with all the other girls collecting the rest of my results. I am looking forward to starting back at school next week.”

Sofia’s mother, Gertrude Moghal, spoke of her delight at her daughters result: “Sofia has always had a real flair for languages. Our family is bi-lingual but Sofia has always been the most fluent. She has worked very hard for this and is naturally very conscientious so it is fantastic to know that her efforts have been recognised.

“I am extremely proud of her and grateful to the staff at the school who encouraged Sofia to sit the exam so early. It has been a great morning and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything!.”

Francesca Thornton of Ponteland was amongst this year’s high achievers as she scooped 11 A* grades.

Francesca said: “I am on top of the world right now! I am so glad that all the hard work over the last two years has paid off and my mum and dad are so proud.

“All through school I have been aiming for A* grades and working extra hard to do my best to achieve them – today’s news is a massive relief.”

Imogen Atkinson of Whitley Bay is celebrating today as she has secured four A* and 7 A grades.

Imogen said: “I’m so pleased right now. I worked really hard and I’m delighted with what I’ve got. I was hoping for A’s and B’s but I never expected this.

“This morning I was so nervous – I went and sat in a little room on my own just to calm my nerves but I was so happy when I opened the envelope and saw my results!

“My favourite subject is Drama and I’m excited to study that in the sixth form, along with English, History and Religious Studies.”

Holly Cuthbert, 16, of Corbridge, was thrilled with her 6A* and 4 A grades. Holly said: “I was terribly nervous when I arrived at school this morning but I am over the moon with my results.

“The grades I achieved mean that I can stay on at Church High to do A levels in biology, chemistry, psychology and maths. I am very keen on studying science related subjects and think psychology will be really interesting.

“It is lovely to meet with all my friends and find out what they got – we have all done so well that my nerves have well and truly gone!”

Joy Gatenby, head at Newcastle Church High School, said: “We could not have been happier with our A Level results and now we have further cause to celebrate with these superb GCSE results. The girls have done outstandingly well, with a quarter of our students achieving all A* and A grades in 10 or more subjects.”

“Over 60 per cent of all the grades achieved are A* and A grades and that is a most impressive achievement.”

“The girls did particularly well at religious studies, which is a compulsory subject, with 88 per cent of grades being an A* or A.

“Our students now have a very strong basis for further academic study and I know they will build on today’s success and go on to achieve even greater success in the future. I wish them all well.”