Ballakermeen High School made a break with tradition which saw the head girl and boy lead the annual prize-giving.

The event took place at the Villa Marina.

Abi Forrest and Tim Payne led the proceedings, a celebration of the successes achieved over the last 12 months academically, on the sports field, in extra-curricular activities, and in charity work.

In addition to a multi-media presentation, entertainment was provided with musical items: Laura Corkhill played a piano solo, the cast of the school’s upcoming production Guys and Dolls gave a taste of what the audience could expect, the Balla Belles choir repeated their Guild success, as did the Xenakis Singers. The entertainment was rounded off with a duet by Isaac Murtagh and Connie Watson.

Head teacher Adrienne Burnett gave her annual report to an audience including MHKs Rob Callister and Julie Edge, Chief Constable Gary Roberts and director of education Geoff Moorcroft, before prizes were presented.

She highlighted some outstanding examination results.

At ’A-level 53% of grades achieved were A*-B and 26 subjects had a 100% pass rate.

She said that Year 11 students (ages 15 and 16) faced with the new ’stiffer’ Cambridge examinations had achieved 84% A*-C in English and science. Additional science students scored 85% A*-C, 15% higher than the island average, and 27% better than the UK.

Mrs Burnett paid tribute to retiring and departing members of staff, including deputy head teacher Keith James, the driving force behind our Chinese links and the Confucius classroom; and Chris Coole, who has taken up the headship at St Ninian’s High School.

She spoke of the benefits and challenges of change and a constant desire to make the school a happier and more successful place, and thanked the governors and the Department of Education and Children for their ’tireless support’.