Write a comment
Two students from the SRC Newry campus have been named as finalists in the WorldSkills UK National Finals 2026. Ruby Elliott (20) and Kate Mooney (19) will compete in the Laboratory Technician and Beauty Therapy categories respectively after progressing through entry stage and regional qualifiers earlier this year.
Elliott is currently in the first year of her Applied Science, Analytical Foundation Degree Higher Level Apprenticeship, and will compete in the Laboratory Technician category. Mooney, a Beauty Therapy Level 2 Trainee, will compete in the Beauty Therapy category. Both are one of eight finalists in their respective categories, having seen off competition from around the UK, and will now undertake further training ahead of the National Finals, which will be held in venues in South Wales from 17 to 20 November 2026.
The WorldSkills UK competitions are designed by industry experts to help young people develop technical and employability skills, and to support investment, jobs and economic growth.
Mrs Lee Campbell, Principal and Chief Executive of Southern Regional College, congratulated the pair on reaching the finals. "Congratulations to both Ruby and Katie for reaching the National Finals of WorldSkills UK. It is a significant milestone to have reached this stage of such a prestigious competition, and I look forward to seeing them demonstrate their exceptional skills in November." She added: "Their success reflects not only their own hard work and commitment, but also the high-quality teaching, training and support provided by our staff. We wish them every success as they prepare to compete against the very best young talent from around the UK."
Mark Smallman, Operations Director at WorldSkills UK, also congratulated this year's finalists. "Congratulations to everyone who has secured a place in this year's WorldSkills UK National Finals. Reaching this stage is a fantastic achievement and recognition that you are among the UK's most talented apprentices and students. Every finalist should be incredibly proud of what they've accomplished." He added: "Our competitions recreate the pace, pressures and standards of the workplace, challenging competitors to solve problems, think critically and perform at their very best. It's encouraging to see the diversity of learners taking part continue to increase, reflecting the growing reach of skills excellence around the UK. That's why organisations are embracing skills competitions as part of their teaching practices, they see first-hand how the experience builds confidence, resilience and the skills people need to be truly work ready."
Write a comment
More than 750 young women aged 16 to 18, including 37 from South Down, delivered almost 500 community leadership projects in Northern Ireland over the past year, according to a new report from charity SistersIN. The projects reached 17,755 people in schools and communities throughout the north.
SistersIN is a leadership and mentoring programme that pairs young women with mentors from business, public life and the community, encouraging participants to identify issues they care about and design projects to address them. Students from South Down schools taking part in the 2025-2026 programme included those from St Mark's High School in Warrenpoint, Kilkeel High School, St Malachy's High School in Castlewellan and Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch.
Over the past 12 months, more than 750 SistersIN participants designed and delivered 480 leadership projects, contributing 9,060 hours of activity to their schools and local communities. More than a third, 38%, of participants created entirely new initiatives that will continue beyond the programme.
A teacher from Kilkeel High School said the programme empowers girls to challenge themselves. "This is an amazing programme which empowers girls to challenge themselves and to step outside their comfort zone in an engaging way, building self-belief and self-esteem. It has been wonderful to see female teachers in school become involved too in sharing their expertise and experiences."
SistersIN commissioned research involving the participants along with their teachers and mentors to assess the impact of its work. The report found that girls who started the programme with lower confidence and self-awareness showed three times greater improvement than those who began with higher baseline scores. It also found that 92% of pupils felt more prepared for the transition from education into the professional world following their mentoring and job-shadow day, while 42% reported a clear boost in their ability to lead and said they were actively looking for opportunities to use their voice. Among teachers surveyed, 90% said they had seen measurable improvements in pupils' self-belief, communication, resilience, self-leadership and teamwork.
Mental health and wellbeing emerged as the most common project theme, featuring in one in six initiatives, followed closely by charity and fundraising, then clubs and extracurricular activities, mentoring, community impact and sport. Participation from young women living in deprived areas increased by 37% this year, which the charity said reflects its belief that opportunity should not be determined by background or postcode.
Among the businesses and professionals who volunteered as mentors, 62% said they came away with a better understanding of Generation Z's ambitions and the workforce of tomorrow, while 61% said they had built new community connections through the programme. The majority, 90%, said they would volunteer again.
Peter Dobbin, SistersIN Chairman, said talent exists throughout Northern Ireland but opportunity is not always evenly distributed. "SistersIN exists to help change that by ensuring young women from every background and every part of Northern Ireland can access the mentoring, networks and experiences that help them thrive." He added: "This year's participants have shown what happens when young women are given the confidence to lead. They have created projects that have made a real difference in their schools and communities, while developing the skills, resilience and ambition that will serve them throughout their lives. Northern Ireland's future leaders are already here, and they are ready to make their mark."
Founded in Northern Ireland in 2022, SistersIN was created to help close the leadership gender gap by supporting young women at a formative stage of their lives. In four years it has grown from a local initiative into one of Northern Ireland's foremost youth leadership programmes, built on mentoring, community impact and the belief that every young woman should have access to the skills, confidence and networks needed to lead.
Write a comment
Students at Sacred Heart Grammar School in Newry will be celebrating this weekend after receiving their 2026 A-Level and AS results. The school reported that 88% of students achieved three or more A Levels at grades A to C*, while 95% of all grades awarded were A to C*.
A spokesperson for the school said it was delighted to be celebrating with its students, with the results a testament to the hard work, resilience and determination of the young people involved, supported by their families, teachers and the wider school community. It added that grades were only one part of a student's story, and that what mattered most was character, effort and the journey taken to reach this point.
The spokesperson added that whether or not today brought the results students had hoped for, they had much to be proud of. As students prepare to begin their next chapter, whether at university, in further study, employment or training, the school wished them every happiness and success, congratulating each and every one of them and expressing pride in their achievements.
Write a comment
A retired GP from Warrenpoint has achieved a B in History A-Level after returning to education, as Southern Regional College celebrates another year of strong academic results. Mark Murphy is now considering his next steps and is thinking about pursuing a History or Art degree.
Students at Southern Regional College achieved an overall pass rate of 96.6% and joined thousands of students who received their results today. A number of subjects achieved a 100% pass rate, including Biology, English Literature and Religious Studies, reflecting the standard of teaching and learning provided across the College's A-Level provision.
Academic success at the College extends beyond traditional A-Levels, with many students achieving three BTEC Distinction Stars (DDD*), equivalent to three A* grades at A-level. Based at the College's Armagh campus, SRC's A-Level Academy offers students the opportunity to study a broad range of 13 AS and A2 subjects. The curriculum includes STEM subjects such as Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry, alongside popular choices including Government and Politics, Nutrition and Food Science, Sociology and Psychology, providing students with a strong basis for higher education, apprenticeships and future careers.
Stephen Rogan, Head of Faculty for Computing, Design and Academic Studies at Southern Regional College, said: "This year's A-Level results are a fantastic reflection of the hard work our students have shown throughout the year, as well as the incredible support from our teaching staff who have helped every student reach their potential." Rogan added: "While we celebrate these excellent results, we are equally proud of the confidence and independence students have developed along the way. Whether they are heading to university, apprenticeships or the world of work, they leave us ready to embrace new opportunities. It's been a privilege to be part of their journey and I wish them every success as they take their next steps."
The College welcomes students who are studying A-Levels for the first time as well as those applicants seeking to undertake one or more AS or A-Level subjects. To apply to SRC's A-Level Academy, visit www.src.ac.uk or contact the Admissions Team on 0300 123 1223 for advice and guidance.
Write a comment
Our Lady’s Grammar School, Newry are celebrating an exceptional year of A Level results with 91% of their Upper Sixth students achieving three or more A Levels at grades A* to C. 96% of all grades awarded were at A to C*, 80% at A*- B and 42% at A*- A. A total of 27 students in the year group attained 3 or more A*/A grades.
Commenting on the results, Principal, Mrs Fiona McAlinden thanked the teachers for their dedication and commitment to ensure that every student met her full potential and all of the school staff and parents for their support. “We are immensely proud of our students who have approached their studies with dedication, courage and a willingness to challenge themselves. More importantly, they leave Our Lady’s as well-rounded young people, ready to contribute to our local community and beyond."
Mrs McAlinden concluded: "As they move forward to new opportunities and experiences, we are confident that they will continue to learn, grow and strive for excellence, living out Mother Catherine McAuley's call to be 'good today, but better tomorrow.”
Education Minister Paul Givan has congratulated the pupils who received their results yesterday. Minister Givan said: “Congratulations to all of the young people receiving their results today. Behind each grade is a story of effort, resilience and self-belief, and you should all be proud of what you've achieved.
“Once again, pupils across Northern Ireland have worked incredibly hard to reach this point. I wish every one of them well as they move forward, whether that’s into further or higher education, an apprenticeship, training or employment.”
The Minister added: “If your results aren't quite what you hoped for, please remember that one set of results does not define you or your future. There is a wide range of paths open to you, and I'd encourage you to talk things through with your school or college, look at all the options available, and give yourself time to decide what's right for you.”
Paul Givan concluded: “I also want to thank the teachers, school leaders and support staff who have guided and encouraged young people throughout their education. Their dedication makes a real difference every day, and today's achievements reflect the hard work of school communities right across Northern Ireland.”
Write a comment
Abbey Christian Brothers Grammar School in Newry is celebrating the achievements of its Year 14 class of 2026, with students securing places at universities including Oxford and Harvard, as well as Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University and other institutions. Others in the group are also set to begin Higher Level Apprenticeships.
This year's results reflect the depth and breadth of talent within the school community, with students demonstrating the results of their hard work in 30 A-Level subjects. The school said the achievement reflects years of dedicated teaching, the ethos of Edmund Rice, and another generation of well-rounded young Abbey men.
Principal Mrs Savage said she could not be more proud of every one of the school's Year 14 students. She said they had worked with dedication, resilience and a real sense of ambition, and that the school community was proud to celebrate that effort with them.
Mrs Savage said students in the Class of 2026 were heading to destinations including Oxbridge, Harvard, Queen's, Trinity and Ulster, as well as Higher Level Apprenticeships and other destinations throughout Ireland, Scotland and England. She said she was particularly pleased with the number of students this year who had been accepted to their first choice destination. "They leave here as Abbey men, filled with values we hope stay with them on their next adventure, and we can't wait to welcome them back to Ashgrove Road and hear all about it. Congratulations Class of 2026!"
Abbey CBGS extended its warmest congratulations to the Class of 2026, their families, and the staff who supported them throughout their studies.
Write a comment
Pupils from St Joseph's Boys' High School in Newry celebrated their achievements today as GCSE results were announced. Deirdre Graffin, Senior Education Adviser for the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) in Northern Ireland visited the school this morning to support and congratulate the students as they received their qualifications.
Speaking at the event Principal Mrs Jeaneanne Muckian said: "Your hard work, resilience and determination have truly paid off, and we are incredibly proud of each and every one of you.
Mrs Muckian wished the pupils every success, happiness and fulfilment for the future as they took their next steps whether that was into further education, training, employment or a new adventure.
She thanked the school's incredible teaching and support staff for their dedication, encouragement and commitment to the students. "Your hard work has helped make these achievements possible."
Parents and carers were also thanked for their unwavering support, encouragement and belief in the young people throughout their GCSE journey.
Mrs Muckian concluded "Today is a day to celebrate - Well done to the Class of 2026! We are so proud of you!"
Write a comment
The Principal and teachers at Sacred Heart Grammar School have extended their warmest congratulations to students as they received their GCSE results today 20 August.
Schools' throughout the district saw pupils arrive first thing this morning to collect their results.
Principal Shane Comer said: "With an incredible 94% of pupils achieving 7 or more A*- C including English and Mathematics today’s results are a powerful testament to the sheer determination, resilience and academic focus displayed by our students."
The vital role played by the school's dedicated staff, supportive parents and guardians was acknowledged.
Mr Comer added: "As these young people prepare for their next steps, the school wishes them the absolute best in their future endeavours, whether they are returning to continue their studies, moving on to higher education, or embarking on their chosen employment and training pathways."
Write a comment
Students at Our Lady's Grammar School in Newry have achieved their best ever set of GCSE results, with the school's largest cohort to date recording exceptional grades. The 153 students saw 46% of grades awarded at A*-A, 70% at A*-B and 95% at A*-C, with 46 students achieving eight or more A*/A grades and 93% of students achieving seven or more A*-C grades.
Principal Mrs Fiona McAlinden praised the students' achievements, saying she was immensely proud of what they had accomplished. She said the outstanding results were a testament to their hard work, perseverance and determination and were richly deserved. Referencing the school's Mercy Foundress, Catherine McAuley, Mrs McAlinden said: "As our Mercy Foundress, Catherine McAuley, reminded us, 'We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.' Our students have certainly been shining lamps through their commitment, resilience and pursuit of excellence."
Mrs McAlinden also thanked staff and parents for their part in the students' success. She thanked the school's teachers for their unwavering commitment to nurturing the academic, personal and holistic development of every student, and said she was very grateful to support staff, whose dedication and invaluable contribution help create an environment in which young people can thrive and succeed. She also thanked parents for their continued encouragement, partnership and support throughout their children's educational journey.
Almost all of the year group are set to continue their A Level studies at Our Lady's, with Mrs McAlinden wishing every student success in the future, whichever pathway they choose.
 |
 |
 |