One charity-minded student had just flown back from visiting an orphanage in Tanzania when she opened her A-level results this week.
Newport Free Grammar School student Claire Wyatt, 18, from Wendens Ambo, got two Bs and a C to earn herself a place at Loughborough University this September.
But rather than spend the past couple of months agonising over the outcome of her exams, Claire has been supporting her cousin’s charity by volunteering in Africa.
She told the Reporter: “I’ve just got back from working in an orphanage in Tanzania – it was an amazing experience. I’ve been there before and taken out things like shoes, nappies, clothes and heart monitors – because a couple of the babies have heart conditions.”
As the head girl at Newport, Claire asked if she could raise money to help youngsters at the orphanage as part of her charity endeavours.
Her cousin’s charity – The Small Things – was launched to improve the lives of children there and during her time as head girl Claire and the school raised £3,000.
“I first went two years ago and returned this month to see how the kids had grown up. I went with Miss Burt [a teacher] because I want the school to continue supporting the charity. It relies so much on that and I’m glad the school has agreed.”
A keen hockey player, who has had national and regional trials, Claire is hoping to sharpen her skills on the field at an institution famed for its sporting prowess.
“It’s the best uni for hockey – I’m looking forward to it,” said Claire, who is studying criminology and social policy and has aspirations of joining the police force.
The 18-year-old was not the only one who has devoted time for charity.
Deputy head girl Keely Edwards, 18, from Clavering has been volunteering at a disabled children’s club, CHIPS (Children’s Integrated Playscheme) in Bishop’s Stortford, since she was 13. The teenager is now hoping to realise her childhood ambition of becoming an geophysicist for an oil company, having got an A* and two As.
Keely, who will be studying Geophysics and geology at Durham University, said: “It’s a weird job for a girl to want to do but ever since I was little I enjoyed watching natural disaster programmes and things about the way the Earth works.
“I’ve researched what the job involves and it’s exactly what I’d like to do as a career.”
Speaking about her time at Newport, she said: “I’ve really enjoyed it. Going from Year 7 all the way through to sixth form, you get to know the teachers who help you through your studies, and go the extra mile for you. It has been great.”
Other students celebrating were Jack Craig, 18, from Duton Hill, who is going on to do creative music technology at the University of Hull after achieving an A*, A and B, and Louise Baker, who is looking to study medicine after getting three A*s and an A.
Nineteen-year-old Devon Oakley, of Kemp Road, Finchingfield, also produced a stellar set of results. She had a complete re-think about the subjects she wanted to study after struggling at AS-level.
“Originally I wanted to study medicine, but now I’d like to teach English abroad,” she said. “I like travelling and want to help as many people as I can. I went with the school to Geneva last December to the United Nations Conference and we heard about what they do.
“It inspired me to get a degree so that I can go and help people around the world who don’t have the chance to get an education.”
Devon, who got three As and a B at A-level, is now looking forward to taking up her place at Edinburgh.
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