STUDENTS and staff at a school in the Vale of Glamorgan celebrated the release of GCSE results on Thursday (August 22), with many achieving 'exceptional outcomes.'

Pupils from Mary Immaculate High School, located on Caerau Lane in Wenvoe, have been commended for their hard work and determination after many of them achieved 'exceptional outcomes' at GCSE Results Day on Thursday, August 22. This was achieved despite the disruption and subsequent challenges they faced after beginning their GCSE journeys in 2021.

Headteacher at Mary Immaculate High School, Mr Huw Powell, said: "It has been so pleasing to see the wonderful results our leavers of 2024 have achieved. 

Mary Immaculate High School, located on Caerau Lane in WenvoeMary Immaculate High School, located on Caerau Lane in Wenvoe (Image: Google Maps)

"They have worked hard and, with the support of their teachers, have achieved some of the best results in recent years and have certainly outperformed the class of 2019, the year prior to the pandemic.

"This is the first year, since 2019, where no adjustments or consideration has been made for the impact of Covid 19, and yet these pupils' education was still affected by the challenges we all faced during that time. 

"We are so proud of our Mary Immaculate family and we know that they will go on to great things.

"We wish them all the best for a wonderful future!”

Meganne Clarke (left) and Fiorre Byrne (right) were the top performing boy and girl in the year, with 13 GCSEs each.Meganne Clarke (left) and Fiorre Byrne (right) were the top performing boy and girl in the year, with 13 GCSEs each. (Image: Mary Immaculate High School)

The school said it was "particularly pleased to report an increase in the higher grades of A* and A being awarded to pupils with English as an additional language".

A spokesperson for the school was also pleased that "the gap between the achievement of our FSM (free school meals) and non-FSM pupils has decreased.

"This gives us further evidence of the excellent work that is undertaken to support our most disadvantaged pupils, as celebrated in the Estyn report published in December 2023."

High achievers

Praise was especially given to the following pupils who achieved the highest grades across the school.

Minh Hoang joined Mary Immaculate in November 2023 after arriving from Vietnam.Minh Hoang joined Mary Immaculate in November 2023 after arriving from Vietnam. (Image: Mary Immaculate High School)

  • Meganne Clarke: Achieved 10 A* / A grades, two Bs, and a C, becoming the 'top performing girl in the year'. Meganne is enrolling at St David’s College to study physics, mathematics, product design and criminology.

  • Fiorre Byrne: Achieved 10 A* / A grades and three Bs, becoming the 'top performing boy in the year.'  Fiorre is also going to St David’s College to study A levels in maths, physics, PE and chemistry.  

  • Minh Hoang: Achieved 8 A* / A grades and four Bs, after arriving from Vietnam less than a year ago and joining Mary Immaculate in November 2023. She would like a career related to maths in the future.

Alleah Beard - Pace, one of the first blind pupils at the schoolAlleah Beard - Pace, one of the first blind pupils at the school (Image: Mary Immaculate High School)

  • Bartlomiej Kwarciany: Achieved 8A* and A grades. He hopes to go to St David's College to become a commercial pilot.

  • Tinodiwanashe Tandi: Achieved 5 As, three Bs, and a C, and was head girl. She has high aspirations and has been inspired by her dad to become an aircraft engineer.

  • Alleah Beard - Pace: Achieved an A, three Bs, and three Cs as one of the first blind pupils at the school. The school said they were "immensely proud of her result and the contribution she has made to the school, particularly in performing arts." Alleah has ambitions to be an actress, specialising in theatre work.

  • Nerea Bilbao: Achieved A* in geography, and five or more A* / A grades. She said she is heading to St David’s to study psychology.

Soliana Yonas was commended for receiving great marks in her GCSE results, especially since English is not her first language.Soliana Yonas was commended for receiving great marks in her GCSE results, especially since English is not her first language. (Image: Mary Immaculate High School)

  • Soliana Yonas: Achieved A*s in RE and English, despite having English as an additional language. She has enrolled at St David’s to study A levels in biology, chemistry and psychology and hopes to become a pediatric nurse.

  • Seren Hill: Achieved "excellent results" and is moving onto St David’s College to pursue a career in therapy.

The school said they were "incredibly proud" of all their pupils.

Nerea BilbaoNerea Bilbao hopes to pursue a career in psychology. (Image: Mary Immaculate High School)

They said a special congratulations must be given to "Nerea Bilbao, Soliana Yonas, Wei Ni Wu, Kristian Hill, Cai Hughes, Tanisha Blake, Demmie Draper, Sidney Edogiawerie, Marcela Gutmanska, Seren Hill, Alana Kemble, Celyn Le Maitre, Bartlomiej Kwarciany, Mira Lukawiecka and Amelia Maidment, all of whom achieve 5 or more A*/A grades which is a fantastic achievement."

Friends, Reiss Freeman and Ethan Trigg were amongst the first to arrive at school and supported each other whilst opening their envelopes.

Bartlomiej Kwarciany achieved 8 A* / A grades, and hopes to become a commercial pilotBartlomiej Kwarciany achieved 8 A* / A grades, and hopes to become a commercial pilot (Image: Mary Immaculate High School)

The school said both boys were "incredibly proud" of all they have achieved and are bot heading to Cardiff and the Vale College.

Reiss said “I am feeling really good, never better! I blew everything out of the water and into the sky!

"All I can see on my piece of paper are the first two letters of the alphabet and I am ecstatic. I couldn’t have done any better!”