A Thai boxer is kicking it up a notch after securing top GCSEs.
Adam McAuliffe, 16, from Newton Aycliffe, will now study sport and nutrition while continuing to compete in Muay Thai.
“I’ve been doing the sport for five years and it’s now just been accepted into the Olympics,” he said. “I’m fighting in the European Championships and am number one in the UK in the sport.”
Top performing girl, Imogen Walton, 16, from Spennymoor, and top performing boy, Matthew Mellody, 16, from Newton Aycliffe, are both delighted with their results.
“It’s been such a weird year,” said Imogen. “The mocks actually felt quite similar to actual exams but it’s been so uncertain that the whole experience has made us all appreciate everything a bit more.”
“I thought I’d be terrible at maths and science but I’m really proud,” said Imogen who achieved seven grade 9s and two grade 8s.
Matthew, who had two older sisters to live up to who also did exceptionally well at St John’s Catholic Academy, achieved the highest grades in his year, eight grade 9s and two grade 8s.
“My grandma said she’d give me £10 for every top grade so I’ve had a really good morning and made £100,” said Matthew.
“It was a really unconventional year but I made sure I attended all the live lessons and worked hard. My favourite subject is maths and I want to go to the University of Durham because that’s where both of my sisters went.”
As well as two older sisters, Matthew also has two younger siblings who must be feeling the pressure.
A group of Year 11 students, who were the winners of the Future Business Magnates competition when they were in Year 8, were over the moon with their GCSE results.
Callum Giblin, Amadeuz Norwicki, Ella Stanbridge, Erin Clarke, Alice Chilvers, Katy Mattinson, Jessica Dailey and Rebecca Lees, were enjoying success once again.
Callum Giblin, 16, from Crook, who also received the Father Towers Award at St John’s Catholic School for his positive attitude, excellent endeavours and wider contributions to school life, is staying at the Sixth Form for his A Levels.
Amadeuz Norwicki, 16, from Newton Aycliffe, was thrilled with his results. “I found lockdown really tough but we all got through it and I’ll be staying at St John’s for my A Levels,” said Amadeuz.
“Eventually I want to do something with Languages and Japanese Studies and I’d love to do it at the University of Newcastle.”
The FBM team’s project was a jigsaw designed to get people talking and support well-being. They decided to donate the winning prize money to support the school in achieving a well-being award, leaving a legacy at St John’s that would encourage people to talk about their mental health.
Team member Ella Stanbridge, 16, from Spennymoor, continues to help people. “I’d love to work in the humanitarian sector. I think it’s such a meaningful thing to do,” she said.
Similarly, Erin Clarke, 16 from Newton Aycliffe, wants to turn her attention to helping animals, “I want to work with animals, hopefully something like zoology,” she said.
Another animal fanatic, Kylah Gillespie, 16, from Newton Aycliffe, said: “I want to work in a job that focusses on animal behaviours.” Kylah achieved eight grade 9s, one grade 8 and one grade 7.
Kylah is also a talented musician, “I’ve played the flute since I was nine years old and had online lessons over the lockdowns. I actually did my Grade 5 exam over Zoom,” she said.
Cody Hall, 16 from Bishop Auckland, wants to go on to study a media, film studies and performing arts degree with the dream of becoming an actor.
“It was hard over the lockdowns and being at home, motivation was the hardest thing,” said Cody.
Talented pianist and saxophonist Matthew Curry, 16, from Crook, achieved two grade 9s and five grade 8s.
Matthew holds a Grade 7 in piano and Grade 5 in the saxophone. “I should probably practice the saxophone a bit more,” he said.
Octawia Przybyl, 15, from Newton Aycliffe, achieved one grade 8, three grade 7s, overcoming a stammer and not having English as a first language to achieve her results.
Headteacher Lisa Byron said: “We are incredibly proud of our students and their impressive results. It really reflects their commitment and determination to do well. Despite the difficult year, they have been resilient and dedicated to their studies, whether working at home or in school. We are delighted with their excellent efforts and we wish them every success and happiness as they begin their further education or training courses.”