THE students at Bungay High School this year had given the school its best exam results since the new exam system was put in place, its head teacher told parents and students on Monday.

THE students at Bungay High School this year had given the school its best exam results since the new exam system was put in place, its head teacher told parents and students on Monday.

In his report at the annual presentation evening Sean O'Neill was full of praise for the students and staff for their hard work and dedication.

“This group of young people have given us the best GCSE and A-level results since the new system came into place,” he said. “When you look at what the young people and our teachers have had to do to achieve this there is no way you can describe the exams as easy. It is done through hard work and dedication.”

He added: “Every visitor who comes into this school…says what a wonderful bunch of young people we have got here, and they are absolutely right.

“Tonight is about resolution, endeavour, resilience, reflectiveness in achieving all the skills they will need for the future.”

He also praised the efforts made by students in drama and music, particularly with the production of We Will Rock You, science and maths challenges, business enterprise and sport.

He described the students as “global citizens,” and added: “I have the best job in the world - I am blessed with young people like this. We offer a wrap around service and the teaching we have in the school is absolutely second to none.”

Chairman of governors Zoe Sprake, in her report, said the partnership with high and middle schools was working well and was now involving primary schools in the pyramid, so that the school re-organisation changes would go through as seamlessly as possible.

Guest speaker was former student Paul Hunt, now UK account manager for equipment and footwear for The North Face, who spoke of his challenging exploits in climbing in Wales and in taking part in an ultra-marathon covering 98 kilometres in Italy, France and Switzerland.

“You need to finish and win your personal race - that was instilled in me at Bungay High School and that is clearly still going in here today. It is fantastic to see people go on and do so much more.”

Mr Hunt presented the prizes, and was thanked by head boy Matthew Linger and head girl Eleanor Love. The evening included musical interludes, with Michaela Li playing Debussy's arabesque on piano, Beth Woods and Kate Skingley singing Amazing Graze, and James Seabrook playing the tuba.