Someone needs to tell the students at Nairn Academy that exams are supposed to be difficult.
This year was the first time any cohort will have sat proper SQA exams.
But within just a couple of hours of results being posted on Tuesday morning, head teacher Julia MacDonald was able to assemble a group of students who earned more than three dozen As across National 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers.
Although the SQA confirmed on Tuesday that the 2022 exams were graded with a lighter touch than usual, nothing takes away from the achievements of this year’s students.
Faced with their first real exam atmosphere and coming off two consecutive years of confusion and disruption, the secondary students had plenty of challenges to overcome en route to their top marks.
Hoping for the best
Rising S5 Lucy Armstrong earned seven As on her National 5 exams in chemistry, physics, biology, maths, English, art and design, and applications of maths.
She admitted she was “quietly hopeful” for the strong results, but still, she wasn’t sure what to expect from her first exams.
“I think I really enjoyed all of the sciences this year, and art as well. It was something a bit different than all of the more logical subjects. Sciences this year got a lot more interesting I found.”
She’s always enjoyed art as a hobby, and she likes to experiment with different mediums for different results. She found it useful this year to have the time and space to prepare for her exams independently, and she’s grateful to have that skillset.
“I think personally I quite enjoy the whole learning from home aspect. I found it helpful to make my own schedule and structure my day around studying.
“But a lot of people struggle with that, so I’m just lucky that way I suppose.”
She hopes to study medicine someday, and she has her sights set on historic Edinburgh University.
Stressed but confident
Fellows S5s Anna Leo and Harriet Lyons were more than happy to speak about their results. Each earned six As in National 5 subjects ranging from chemistry and biology to art and design and manufacturing.
Anna said that even though she felt prepared, the exam itself was an intimidating experience.
“It was really stressful, you’re just stressed by the time. You need to get everything done but you can’t make any mistakes.”
Anna wants to study medicine at St Andrews University, and Harriet wants to see where her art can take her.
First time for everyone
Aimee Willox and Joe Elvines should be old hands at SQA exams by now. They each sat five Higher exams and earned A’s in all of them, but it was their first experience with SQA exams, despite being in fifth year.
Joe said that there was a lot of uncertainty going into the exams this year.
“Before we had PSAs invigilating that we knew and had been in our school for years, but this year we had proper people that were paid to come and watch us do our exams.”
Aimee said that it was much more daunting actually being in an exam room this year, whereas last year it was all done in the classroom. Now, she’s ready to take on Advanced Highers in English and history, thanks to her new-found exam experience.
“It’s definitely a confidence boost,” she said.
Results are a testament to commitment and dedication
Head teacher Julie MacDonald was proud of her students’ achievements in the wake of years of uncertainty.
“They’ve worked through a really difficult few years and shown great resilience and commitment and dedication to achieve their results.
“Obviously the assessments have changed in the last two years. But they’ve certainly put in the work – as have staff in supporting them – to celebrate their achievements today.”
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