Givan among the nervous early risers on GCSE results day
Among those nervously waking early on GCSE results day was Northern Ireland’s Education Minister Paul Givan.
The DUP minister said his early nerves were replaced by excitement after one of his daughters received her results on Thursday.
Mr Givan said: “I was like many a parent today, up earlier than normal, anxious to see how one of my own children had got on.
“I think my first emotion was one of relief and then excitement for my own daughter.
“I know that is the case for many parents out there.”
Among those celebrating was Ruby Dempster, 17. She said: “I got on really well, I passed everything. I got two Bs, four C*s and then four Cs, I am happy with what I got.
“I am going next to Belfast Met to do my A-levels. I am doing sociology, government and politics, and RE.
Mia McMullan said she was “super happy” after receiving an unexpected A in RE.
She said: “I got a B and then the rest were all C*s
“I got the A in RE. I got 97% so I was really happy.
James Wightman, 16, was pleased to receive the grades which will allow him to go to Greenmount agricultural college.
He said: “I am going to study garden design and landscapes. I will enjoy that.”
For the pupils at Saintfield, the celebrations were tinged with sadness as it was their final day at the school, which offers education up to Year 12.
In Belfast, among the pupils celebrating at St Dominic’s Grammar were Kate and Emily Fanning. Kate received five A*s and five As while her sister got seven A*s and three As.
Kate said: “I want to do my A-levels here in St Dominic’s. I want to do maths, biology and history and politics.
“Hopefully I will go on to study law in the future.
“I was so nervous, I didn’t really know what I was looking at, there are three different pieces of paper.
Emily added: “I want to chemistry, biology, maths and drama. Hopefully I will go on to study veterinary in university.
Julia Hegarty said her nine A*s and two As were a “lot better” than she was expecting.
She said: “I am proud that I did the work, I am glad it all went very well.
“I am considering staying here to do A-levels.
Anna Rice received nine A*s and one A.
She said: “I thought I had done OK, I didn’t think I had done that well.
“My mum is delighted, on the phone to all the family members now.
At Lagan College in Belfast, Rory McQuoid said he was surprised after receiving an A in maths.
He said: “I want to stay on to do A-levels in sport, RE and applied science.
Tula Babes said she was “very happy” after receiving three A*s, four As and a B.
She said: “I was a bit nervous but I felt confident in myself.
“I am staying on for sixth year so I am doing maths, biology, chemistry and sociology and I hope to do healthcare.
Matthew Grogan said he was relieved after receiving “mainly As”.
He said: “A-levels is next, chemistry, biology and RE.
Grace Doherty said she had worked “really hard” and received five As and five A*s.
She said: “My mum came to collect the results with me and she was really pleased because she knew I had worked hard.
“I am coming back to Lagan to do my A-levels and then I am hoping to go to Stranmillis to become a teacher.
Alexander Chibanda said he had done “pretty well” after receiving A*s in maths, geography and music.
He said: “I was shocked by music, I didn’t expect that at all.
“I will do A-levels, Spanish, geography and maths.
“I want to go down the commercial airline route, I want to apply for the flier programme with British Airways and easyJet and see where I can go with that.”