OMAGH BOMB VICTIM PRAISED FOR ATTAINING EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS OVER ADVERSITY
Omagh bomb victim praised for attaining exceptional educational success over adversity
BY JACQUELINE COURTNEY
A COURAGEOUS teenager who triumphed over adversity, after being injured in the Omagh bomb, has gone on to bring a top UK honour to her former school.
18-year-old Nicola Marlow from Newtownsaville, Eskra is to be officially rewarded for her outstanding all-round educational success in the prestigious OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations) Recognising Achievement Awards 2001 at a special ceremony in London on Wednesday next.
The former pupil from St Ciaran's High School, Ballygawley is now the talk of the school after her being chosen for her national award.
A representative of the teaching staff described Nicola as an excellent student who had surpassed all of the trauma of being injured in the Omagh bomb.
"Her work was always excellent and showed exceptional quality," said the proud tutor. She and several other tutors, closely associated with Nicola during her years at the school, will be present at the ceremony to see the young student pick up her 'well deserved award'.
She added that Nicola, who was well known in the school for being in 'a league of her own and always meeting deadlines' was a worthy all round winner.
"She has brought great honour to St Ciaran's and put it on the map. We are all delighted" added the tutor.
Recognising Achievement Awards are presented annually to learners of all ages and abilities who deserve special recognition for their educational and training efforts in gaining qualifications. The awards recognise not just those who have achieved academic excellence of bettered expectations, but students who have shown particular flexibility, dedication, originality and commitment.
Nicola achieved distinction in OCR's Advanced GNVQ in Health and Social Care despite suffering severe personal injuries and the loss of her only sister in the Omagh bomb.
She is one of only twenty two people from throughout the UK who will be honoured by OCR when she receives her award in London.
Through her enjoyment of the GNVQ course at St Ciaran's and the rapport she had established with her occupational therapist, Nicola has decided to embark on a degree course in occupational therapy at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown.
St Ciaran's external verifier for GNVQ Mervyn Tweedie who nominated her said: "Her standard of work has been beyond everyone's expectations."
OCR chief executive, Dr Ron McLone said: "We are delighted to be able to recognise Nicola's exceptional success which has been achieved by commitment and courage. I am particularly impressed that she was capable of achieving such academic excellence in the aftermath of her experiences and I know she will continue to achieve and enjoy her learning at university.
Recognising Achievement Awards are designed to honour people of all ages from all walks of life who have really done something special. Nicola certainly fits into this category and we congratulate her and her teachers, who have provided such valuable support," he added.
Nicola is one of three other students in the GNVQ/VCE Category who will receive an award at the London ceremony. In total 22 awards across eight categories will be presented during the ceremony by television news reader, Krishnan Guru-Murthy with the Government's Minister for Young People and Learning, Ivan Lewis MP making a keynote speech.
OCR is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range;of qualifications to meet the needs of learners of all ages and abilities. OCR qualifications include AS/A Levels, GNVQs, VCEs, GCSEs, Key Skills, Entry level qualifications, NVQs and 'own brand' qualifications in areas such as IT, business, languages, teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills.
BY JACQUELINE COURTNEY
A COURAGEOUS teenager who triumphed over adversity, after being injured in the Omagh bomb, has gone on to bring a top UK honour to her former school.
18-year-old Nicola Marlow from Newtownsaville, Eskra is to be officially rewarded for her outstanding all-round educational success in the prestigious OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations) Recognising Achievement Awards 2001 at a special ceremony in London on Wednesday next.
The former pupil from St Ciaran's High School, Ballygawley is now the talk of the school after her being chosen for her national award.
A representative of the teaching staff described Nicola as an excellent student who had surpassed all of the trauma of being injured in the Omagh bomb.
"Her work was always excellent and showed exceptional quality," said the proud tutor. She and several other tutors, closely associated with Nicola during her years at the school, will be present at the ceremony to see the young student pick up her 'well deserved award'.
She added that Nicola, who was well known in the school for being in 'a league of her own and always meeting deadlines' was a worthy all round winner.
"She has brought great honour to St Ciaran's and put it on the map. We are all delighted" added the tutor.
Recognising Achievement Awards are presented annually to learners of all ages and abilities who deserve special recognition for their educational and training efforts in gaining qualifications. The awards recognise not just those who have achieved academic excellence of bettered expectations, but students who have shown particular flexibility, dedication, originality and commitment.
Nicola achieved distinction in OCR's Advanced GNVQ in Health and Social Care despite suffering severe personal injuries and the loss of her only sister in the Omagh bomb.
She is one of only twenty two people from throughout the UK who will be honoured by OCR when she receives her award in London.
Through her enjoyment of the GNVQ course at St Ciaran's and the rapport she had established with her occupational therapist, Nicola has decided to embark on a degree course in occupational therapy at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown.
St Ciaran's external verifier for GNVQ Mervyn Tweedie who nominated her said: "Her standard of work has been beyond everyone's expectations."
OCR chief executive, Dr Ron McLone said: "We are delighted to be able to recognise Nicola's exceptional success which has been achieved by commitment and courage. I am particularly impressed that she was capable of achieving such academic excellence in the aftermath of her experiences and I know she will continue to achieve and enjoy her learning at university.
Recognising Achievement Awards are designed to honour people of all ages from all walks of life who have really done something special. Nicola certainly fits into this category and we congratulate her and her teachers, who have provided such valuable support," he added.
Nicola is one of three other students in the GNVQ/VCE Category who will receive an award at the London ceremony. In total 22 awards across eight categories will be presented during the ceremony by television news reader, Krishnan Guru-Murthy with the Government's Minister for Young People and Learning, Ivan Lewis MP making a keynote speech.
OCR is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range;of qualifications to meet the needs of learners of all ages and abilities. OCR qualifications include AS/A Levels, GNVQs, VCEs, GCSEs, Key Skills, Entry level qualifications, NVQs and 'own brand' qualifications in areas such as IT, business, languages, teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0863
Published Date: 22-Nov-01
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