Forres Academy students achieved outstanding results even after the education shortcomings caused by the Covid-19 lockdowns
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A LARGE number of local secondary school students achieved outstanding grades despite being part of the Covid-19 generation.
The highest marks at Forres Academy from pupils of academic year 2022/23 were: S4: 7As at Nat 5 - Kate Millar, Bethany McGhee, Jessica Powel and Angus Robertson; 6As at Nat 5 - Victoria Gornik, Alana Coutts, Eva Esslemont, Grace Cole and Isak Jones; 7As at Nat 5 and 1A at Higher - Eva Tisch; other S4s achieving Higher passes - Bill Symon, Leah Lister and Madeline Clark; S5: 5As at Higher - Olivia Dawson and Lewis MacKenzie; and S6: 3As at Advanced Higher - James McPartlin.
Head Teacher Jan Sinclair was thrilled by their results, particularly during an unprecedented period.
She said: “We must never forget the disruption felt by the pandemic and the ongoing issues that face our society.
“For this generation of young people, sitting exams under such circumstances is something none of us would ever have had to comprehend as we went through education.”
Eva Tisch (16) overcame physical injury during the Covid period and received her excellent results via text message.
She said: “I was very happy. Higher French was a big worry for me so I was very pleased I got that.
“After I’m finished at Forres Academy I’d like to take a gap year to travel and use my languages skills - I really enjoy speaking French and German and will go further by travelling and experiencing other countries.”
Eva damaged her wrist during the pandemic and struggled to write.
She said: “I sat my exams with a scribe. I’m very grateful to my teachers for making sure I got that.
“Being interested in and engaged with the subjects I studied helped me achieve high grades.”
Lewis Mackenzie (17) was in Romania helping out at a kids’ camp on behalf of the Blythswood charity when his results arrived so had to wait for a picture of them from his mum.
He said: “It was 4pm there by the time I got them but it was a good feeling - the straight As were a relief!”
The Maths and PE specialist is considering studying at university once he finishes at Forres Academy but will spend at least two months inter-railing around Europe first.
He said: “During the first lockdown, I didn’t do much but during the second I attended all of the online classes and did all of the work we were set.
“To achieve high grades you have to work hard and put the effort in at home as well as school. Use your study leave wisely and take full advantage of it.”
Olivia Dawson (16) heard of her results from her granny as she was also away on the day they arrived.
She said: “Because I wasn’t at home, waiting for them seemed more intense! It was such a relief when they came through and nice to hear I did well.”
Olivia plans to go to university but is not sure what she would study.
“Probably one of the Sciences,” she said. “They’re what I’m best at.”
She added: “Online schooling was hard during the pandemic. We had to learn how to teach ourselves and study independently - which actually helped me when it came to exam time.
“Some pupils might say differently! Everyone has to find what works for them study-wise.”
Jess Powell (16) received her results in the post.
She said: “I felt relieved and glad that a year of hard work had paid off.”
Jess is also considering studying Science at university.
She said: “I didn’t find studying during Covid too bad. I stayed motivated and kept up with the work we were set. To achieve high grades you have to keep up with all of your classwork.”
Mrs Sinclair praised all of her pupils for their efforts during a difficult few years of alternative teaching methods.
She said: “”When we see our young people and the huge range of different, individual needs they have, there are also a huge number who have achieved amazing results in the face of a variety of challenges.
“Whilst these results might not be straight A’s, we are very proud of them and hope they are proud of themselves. We are proud of them as firm believers in #NoWrongPath.”
