After an anxious wait over the summer break, Year 13 students and their families arrived at Hele’s school on August 17 to collect A Level and Level 3 results with Principal Justine Mason and other staff present to share in celebrations with students and parents.
Miss Mason remarked:
“Today marks the end of a very unusual journey through education for our Year 13 students. This cohort were unable to take their GCSEs in 2021 so this summer’s exams were the first external assessments they have taken and obviously at this stage in their education, the stakes can feel incredibly high.
“They have shown grit and determination to overcome tremendous adversity and we are unbelievably proud of each and every one of them! It has been wonderful today to celebrate their successes with them.
“As we say every year, success is measured far beyond the classroom and students are not defined by a set of grades; we celebrate all that these young people have brought to Hele’s over their time with us. Now, though, it’s time for them to fly the Hele’s nest and there are exciting times ahead for them all, whether it be going on to university, taking up an apprenticeship, starting in employment or taking a well-deserved gap year.
“Today’s results are a testament to the collective hard work and dedication shown by all associated with Team Hele’s, from the students themselves to our staff and parents, along with the Westcountry Schools Trust, and the wider network across the city of Plymouth. I am so proud of our Hele’s students and all the other young people collecting results today; they thoroughly deserve their time to shine and we wish them all the best of luck for their next exciting chapter!”
Director of Post 16, Kairn Stone, added,
“Working with this cohort has been a real privilege as we tackled unprecedented challenges together. I am so proud of what they have achieved today, both as individuals and collectively. This year group have contributed widely to our school community, acting as extremely positive role models for our younger students and displaying determination and resilience in abundance. As a result, they leave a wonderful legacy and have set a new benchmark of others to aspire to. We will miss this fine group of young people but wish them well as they go on to make their mark on the world.”
Erin Rumble achieved A* A A and has secured a Degree Level Apprenticeship with Bishop Fleming to become a chartered accountant – these apprenticeships are extremely competitive, so this is a fantastic achievement. It was A* A* B for Alicia Dan who can’t wait to start at the University of Plymouth to study Game Development
Best friends, Evie Laird and Francesca Graham, celebrated excellent grades in Drama alongside their other A Level results, with Evie now off to study Law and Frankie taking a gap year.
The following week Hele’s staff were welcoming Year 11 students and their family members back to collect their much-anticipated GCSE and VTQ results.
After a turbulent journey through their Level 2 courses, there was great joy as students opened results of which they are rightly proud. This Year 11 cohort showed exceptional resilience and determination not to be defined by the circumstances in which they have studied for these qualifications, and it was wonderful to see so many smiling faces, with students, staff and family members alike celebrating the achievements of these fantastic young people.
Principal, Justine Mason, who shared in the occasion along with families and friends who supported the students through their final years of secondary education said:
“This group of young people have been such a credit to themselves, their families and us as a school from the day they started in Year 7.
“We are immensely proud, not only of the results they are collecting today, but also the broad set of skills they have developed along the way, which I’m sure will stay with them into adulthood and arguably say more about them individually and collectively than a set of grades ever could.
“That said, I am thrilled that in addition to all that they’ve given to the school and our wider community during their time at Hele’s, they also leave a legacy as the best-performing Year 11 cohort we have ever had!
“Students have worked incredibly hard, demonstrated such a positive attitude and sense of togetherness, and it’s all of this which has secured them what they have achieved today. Well done to all our wonderful Year 11 students, and my warmest thanks to the wider team of parents, carers, family members and staff who have been such super support to our young people throughout their time at Hele’s.”
Over half of the students collecting results will now return to Hele’s Post-16 to study for their A Levels. Those flying the nest have a range of other exciting plans, ranging from further education to apprenticeships and some even entering the job market.
Deputy Principal, Emma Clapham, said:
“We are delighted that our students can look forward to their next steps with such confidence, knowing that hard work really does pay off. We always talk about GCSEs being a passport to the next stage of life and it’s great to see that coming to fruition now. It has been such a privilege to work with this cohort; their work ethic will stand them in such good stead going into whatever they choose to do next, be it at Hele’s or beyond. We are incredibly proud of our students and wish them the best of luck for the future.”
There were too many personal successes to mention but stand out individual attainment included: Charlie Hodgins: Isobel Prowse; Grace Taylor; Erin Marshall; Sid Warrier; Adam Partridge; Aidan Hannon; Matthew Duckworth; Megan Chambers and Lena Szarota
(Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)
