Outstanding Individual Performances in A Level at Dunclug College

Dunclug College has continued to develop a strong profile of A Level subjects, as well as the number of students studying A level, which has risen significantly in the past year.  While the group did not achieve the truly outstanding results of the previous year, they achieved in line with their potential and the school’s expectations.  This year, 65% of the student cohort was entered for three subjects and 18% for two subjects at A Level.  In keeping with previous years, there was a large number of outstanding individual performances, with 73% of all grades being Grade C or better and 91% of all grades, Grade D or better.

The subjects which achieved outstanding levels of performance this year were as follows:  Business, Engineering, Art, Care, Performing Arts  (each of which achieved 100% Grade C or better), followed by high pass rates at Grade C or better, as follows:  Applied Business and BTEC Sports 92%;  ICT 86%;   Health & Social Care 81%; Travel & Tourism 79%;  Maths & Environmental Technology 67%;  Moving Image Arts 64%.

Special congratulations go to the following pupils for outstanding individual performances:

Ryan Chan                  A A BB

Rebecca Fowler          A* A* A

Chris Finlay                A* A* A

Rachel Thompson       A*A*B

Rebecca Linton           A A B

Lucy McCullough       A* A C

Stacy Millar                 A A C

Zoe McDowell            A B B

Rachel Graham           A B B

Maggie Louw             A B B

Natasha Adams           A B C

Joel Gaston                 A B C

Jennifer Kwan Lee      A B C

Brandon McRae          A B C

Richard Finlay            A B C

Tristan Erwin              A B C

Erin Caulfield             A B C

Jack Bailie                   A C C

Whitney Hamilton      A C C

Naomi French             A C C

Cameron Hodge         A C C

Muhammed Ibrahim   A C C

Aimee McCook          A C C

Rebecca Carson          B B C

Catherine Millar          B B C

Caitlin McGahey        B B C

Timmy Maguinness    B C C

Penny Darragh            B C C

Sarah Kouskounis       C C C

It was highly encouraging to note that 50 students in total achieved at least one A Grade and 11 achieved at least two A Grades, while 34 students achieved at least 2 B grades or better.

deserved by the students and secured their onwards pathways.

 In congratulating all students and staff, the Principal noted that as usual, the Careers Department was working closely with students to ensure progression to the next stage of their educational journey.

Year 12 pupils, their teachers and parents, can be justly proud of their GCSE achievements this summer, which were the best on record. 75% of students achieved a minimum of 5 grades in the A – C range, with almost 50% achieving a minimum of 7, and it is especially pleasing to note this included both English and Maths.   There were outstanding A – C passes in vocational subjects such Horse Care, Community Sport, BTEC Sport , Home Economics, Agriculture, Construction, Applied Business, Prince’s Trust, Media Studies, Technology and Performing Arts,  but this was also matched in more traditional subjects such as English Literature, Further Maths, Art, Double Award Science, Engineering, English, Geography, ICT, Music and RE. Results were achieved over a range of 32 subjects  in a full range of general and applied courses providing pupils with a wide range of options for their future pathways.  

In congratulating her pupils, the Principal noted that such success comes as a result of hard work on the part of the pupils, diligence on the part of teachers, combined with commitment from parents.  Where there is a combination of belief, high expectations and hard work, young people have been able to exceed the performance of many of their counterparts in schools which select by means of entrance tests, confounding the system and pushing the boundaries of success.

Congratulations to Rebecca Houston who achieved 2 A* grades and 7 A grades, Scott Robinson, 3 A*, 4 A and 2 B, James Fullerton, 3 A*, 3A and 2B, Scott Norris, 1A*, 4 A and 4 B, John Wilson 4A and 4 B and Jonah McHenry 2A and 5B grades.  21 students achieved at least 2 A* grades and a wide range of students achieved combinations of high grades, at least 5 of which came into the A/B range as follows:  Emmalee Adams, Julie Bonnar, Lee Buick,  Aaron Campbell,  Kristyn Chan, Aimee Chapman, Demi Chesney, Sarah Christie, Ellie Clyde, Courtney Conway, Joshua Courtney, Reece Dickey, Nicole Erwin, Jack Francey, Kyle Fraser, Shawn Greer, Charlotte Halliday, Grace Halliday, Holly Leckey, Toni Marriott, Scott Mawhinney, Stewart McClintock,  Kyle McCooke,  Zoe McIlroy, Jonathan McIlveen, Adam McKeown, ,Jack Millar, Jake Millar, Jack Milton, Lewis Murray, Charlie Nelson, Jessica O’Neill, Megan Rock, Bobby Smyth, Bethany Sterritt, James Tumelty, Megan Turtle,  Cain Williamson-Rainey and Aaron Wilson.

There are numerous other excellent combinations of grades in the A – C range which deserve special credit, and it is also encouraging to note that 96% of all students achieved at least 4 good grades and for many, including those with learning challenges, this was beyond their expectations, was the result of great perseverance and opened great opportunities for the future.

The Sixth Form Prospectus and subject details, together with Admissions Criteria are available at the School Office, and the closing date for applications is Wednesday 30^th August 2017.   Students from Dunclug College will have first preference for A Level places, but students from other schools who wish to avail of the subjects on offer, are most welcome to apply.  There will be careers advice available to all who are uncertain about choices.  Best wishes to all on your onward journey.

Ruth Wilson

Record Breaker Chelsea Millar

Record breaking performances at Dunclug College Sports Day

Congratulations to Chelsea Millar Y11 on a spectacular performance at the college’s recent Sports Day.  Chelsea managed to break not one, but three records! (Chelsea is pictured centre above)

The first was in High Jump where she jumped 1.47m, breaking the previous 17 year old record set in 2000 by Ruth Forsythe, at 1.43m.

The second record of the day was one of the oldest records in school history, set forty seven years ago and held jointly by J Ramsey (1974) and L Black (1978) in the 100m with a time 13.37secs.  Chelsea was naturally delighted to beat this long standing record, with a new time of 12.93secs, making her the fastest girl in Dunclug history! 

Maintaining the theme of speed, Aysha Moore’s (1992) record 0f 29.2secs in the 200m was smashed, as Chelsea stormed across the line in a time of 26.29secs.

Many times, many individuals have come close to each of these records, but not close enough.  This year, Chelsea was Y11 Champion and Senior School Champion-and our very own record breaker! We are extremely proud of her achievements.

Not to be outdone, Lewis Steele Y9 also set high standards for the boys by setting two new records of his own. In the 100m Andrew Brownlees (2005) record of 11.9secs fell, when Lewis cocked a new time of 11.22secs

The 200m record of 24.65secs set by Tyrone Balmer in 2012, was the final record of the day to be well and truly broken when Lewis set a new time of 23.19secs.  The Year 10 records are his target for next year!!