Adrienne Burnett, Head Teacher of Ballakermeen High School, highlighted examination results in her report at the annual prize-giving at the Villa Marina. For the second year running, Mrs Burnett stated, GCSE results were the best achieved by one of the Island’s five secondary schools, with 81% of qualifications being at grades A*-C. The Douglas school also had the highest number of A*/A grades, and 63% of the students achieved at least 5 A*-C grades, including English and Mathematics, which is 8% above the Island average.
Ballakermeen was similarly successful at sixth form level, with a 100% pass rate at Advanced level, and 26% of grades being at A* and A. There were too many students who had achieved academic excellence to name, but the Head Teacher made special mention of young athletes Alex Bregazzi, Tara Donnelly and Will Draper who managed to do well in their studies as well as enjoying sporting success.
Mrs Burnett paid tribute to Paul Craine, Education Advisor, who is retiring from the Department of Education and Children, and thanked him for his support of the school. She also thanked long-serving staff Mrs Gamill and Mr Matthews who gave over 60 years’ combined service to Ballakermeen, and former heads of Mathematics, Mr Bradbury and Mrs Wareing who have both moved on having had a sustained and significant influence on Ballakermeen.
In reviewing the many sporting and artistic activities and triumphs of the past year, Mrs Burnett remarked on the generosity and dedication of her staff, reminding the audience that teachers are not paid any overtime for running clubs, revision classes, competitions, school shows, exhibitions and concerts, and that when they get home late from sporting fixtures there are still books to mark and lessons to prepare.
Mrs Burnett said she felt as lucky as a lottery winner because she loved her job and enjoyed the support of staff, parents and governors, in particular the Chair of Governors Mrs Skinner who shares her passion for the school.
Mrs Skinner echoed the Head Teacher’s remarks about the outstanding examination results before introducing the guest of honour, Mrs Gerry Pishvaie, a former student, parent of a student, and founder of Naseem’s Manx Brain Tumour Charity. Mrs Pishvaie spoke very movingly of the life and untimely death of her daughter Naseem, a talented dancer, and of the charity set up to honour her memory and help fellow sufferers and their families in the Isle of Man. She described some of the fund raising activities and people who had been helped.
The Head Boy and Head Girl thanked all concerned with the event, especially the cast of the Lion King and music students who provided excellent entertainment. They then presented Mrs Pishvaie with a cheque for £1000 out of money raised from the school’s Memorial Walk.
