PROUD Peebles High pupil Olivia Brunton is celebrating gaining five A band 1s at Higher after collecting her exam results on Tuesday.

She told the Peeblesshire News: “I am really happy with these results. It took a lot of time, effort and sacrifice revising for hours. All my teachers were very supportive; they believed in me and worked for me marking all the extra work I submitted.

“The important thing to remember is it is not about working to get by but it is about working to stretch yourself above what you thought you were capable of.

“Back in first year I was really shy and never thought I would have got here. The secret which really helped me was finding subjects that I loved and having teachers take the time to speak to me with mutual respect.”

And there was more good news for teachers and pupils at the school.
Depute headteacher, Paul Fagan, said: “Peebles High continues to set new records for SQA exam results. 

“This year an outstanding 34 per cent of S5 pupils achieved five Highers, a six per cent increase on last year’s results. 

“This fantastic achievement is due to the commitment and dedication of our young people, parents and staff working tirelessly throughout the year and reaffirms Peebles High as one of the highest attaining schools in Scotland.

“We are immensely proud of many of our young people who not only went on to set records for achievement in Highers but also improved results in almost every measurable area by the end of their sixth year. 

“In particular we are delighted with a significant improvement in the number of students leaving with five qualifications at National 3 (up two per cent) and National 4 level (up five per cent). 

“Results for pupils achieving five National 5 results or more by the end of S6 increased by 4.5 per cent to 78 per cent of all school leavers, significantly higher than Scottish Borders averages and higher than any other school in the authority.

“We are very hopeful that with this year’s results our young people will go on to many wonderful and exciting positive destinations. 

“However, we are also conscious that for some of our young people results day was not a cause for celebration and we look forward to meeting with them at the start of the new term and planning for success in session 2017-18.”

Chairwoman of Peebles Parent Council, Margaret Hogg, added: “On behalf of the Parent Council, I would like to congratulate our students on yet another year of outstanding exam results. 

“I’m particularly pleased to learn that across all levels, from National 3 to Advanced Higher, our school leavers are leaving this year with more qualifications than ever before.

“It is also a tremendous achievement that, while nationally the pass rate for Higher exams has dipped slightly, the number of fifth years obtaining five Highers has increased to a record 34 per cent. 

“A huge thank-you from parents goes to all the staff of Peebles High for their dedication and hard work in preparing our children not just for these exams but also for life after school.”