Private schools have often boasted of their students' academic performance.

And when it comes to examination results they jump at the opportunity to share them with the public -- particularly when the results are favourable. Bermuda High School for Girls, Warwick Academy, and Saltus Grammar reported the following results of students who sat the British General Certificate of Secondary Education exam during the summer: Warwick Academy Those obtaining five or more subjects at Grades A to C were: Aisha James (3A's with Distinction, 4A's, 1B, 1C); Jennifer Cabral (5A's, 3B's, 2C's, 1D); Ryan Spring (5A's, 2B's, 2C's); Anjalie Nawaratne (3A's, 4B's, 2C's, 3D's); Rajesh Pachai (2A's, 4B's, 4C's); David Roache (2A's, 4B's, 3C's, 1D); Jeannine Jones (2A's, 1B, 3C's, 1D); Khamla Smith (9B's, 1C, 1E); Tricia Cross (1A, 6B's, 2C's, 1E); Heidi Madeiros (5B's, 4C's); Stephanie Bean (5B's, 5C's, 1E); Sian Caisey (4B's, 4C's, 1D); Melissa Flood (4B's, 5C's); Tareek Somner (4B's, 4C's, 1D, 1G); Amy Darrell (1A, 1B, 6C's); Nathan Samuels (1A, 3B's, 5C's, 1D); Lavina Darrell (1A, 2B's, 4C's, 1D, 1E); Jeremy Drover (1A, 2B's, 4C's, 1D, 2E's); Gary Adams (1A, 6C's, 2D's); Andrew Baylay (1A, 1B, 5C's, 2D's, 1F); Katrina Smith (1A, 1B, 4C's, 5D's); Adam Birch (1A, 1B, 5C's, 1E, 1F); Jessica Cardoso (4B's, 4C's, 2D's); Claudia Cabral (1B, 7C's); Robert Beale (3B's, 4C's, 1G); Leon Smith (2B's, 5C's, 2D's, 1E); Selena Bean (2B's, 7C's, 1D, 1E); Gemma Morrison (1B, 7C's, 2D's); Miechelle Hollis (1B, 6C's, 1D); Derek Lindo (1B, 5C's, 3D's, 1E); Jonea Paynter (1B, 4C's, 3D's); Arin Weller (8C's, 2D's); Gregory Bell (6C's, 4D's); Kristin Smith (1B, 4C's, 3D's, 1E); Allison Dill (6C's, 1D, 1F); Lakeisha Bean (5C's, 3D's, 1E); Alicia Simmons (5C's, 4D's, 1E, 1F); Jahkee Smith (5C's, 4D's, 1F); Gregory Doyles (5C's, 1D). "These results mark a solid rise of 13 percent on last year in the proportion of highest grades, with significant indication of future success,'' principal Robert Lennox said. "The whole of Year 4 (one year younger) were entered for English Language with 85 percent obtaining a grade A, B, or C.

Many of them also passed Math.'' BHS Twenty-eight out of 36 or 77.8 percent of Year 12 students achieved five or more results of grade C or above. They were Beverly Adams, Sarina Bean, Fatima Brown, Hilary Card, Nina Dakin, Sarah D'Alessio, Katrina Flath, Vanessa George, Laura Grant, Tiffany Hayward, Shomeiko Ingham, Nikia Manders, Nicola Mello, Jodie Moniz, Laurel Monkman, Laura Murphy, Imani Myers, Jessica Pearman, Victoria Pereira, Amanda Shailer, Joanna Stapff, Lindsey Ternent, Jenia Thompson, Natalie Thomson, Krista Viera, Leila Wadson, Jessica Waltham, and Amy Winstanley. Receiving all A's and B's were Sarah D'Alessio (1A with Distinction, 5A's, 2B's); Nicola Mello (1A with Distinction, 6A's, 2B's); Laura Murphy (4A's with Distinction, 4A's, 1B); Leila Wadson (2A's with Distinction, 3A's, 3B's); and Nina Dakin (1A with Distinction, 5A's, 1B). And 28 Year 11 students took GCSE/IGCSE exams in English, Mathematics, and Spanish. The results were as follows: three A's with Distinction, six A's, 11 B's, 14 C's and two D's. "Compared to Britain we've done very well in terms of GCSE results,'' headmistress Eleanor Kingsbury said. "We've got 82 percent with grades C or higher. And 78 percent of our students gained a C or above in five courses. This compares to 55 percent in the UK.'' But she noted that the 55 percent encompasses schools throughout the UK, including those in less fortunate areas. "The top schools in the UK report a pass rate of 98 percent for those who earn a C or above in five courses,'' Mrs. Kingsbury said. "So according to our own past record we've done well. But we must keep setting the bar higher.'' Saltus Students achieving one or more A grades was 16.8 percent, compared with 10.5 percent of students in the UK. Students earning five or more grades of A to C was 87.9 percent. Among them were Andrew Cossar who achieved nine A grades in ten subjects, five with Distinction. This puts him in the top four percent internationally. Alex Fay received eight A grades including three Distinctions; Neil Fenton gained seven A grades; Adam Laing accomplished six A grades with three Distinctions; Claire Melling received six A grades with two Distinctions; both Ryan Davidge and Nicola Francis achieved six A grades with one Distinction; and Andrew Ahern gained two A grades both with Distinction.

Rounding out the list were students who earned at least five A grades, including Catherine McGarey and Emma Holmes. "These young people deserve our warmest praise and congratulations for academic excellence,'' headmaster Trevor Rowell said. Saltus students pursue a standard British GCSE curriculum to ensure access to colleges and universities abroad. The GCSE replaced the General Certificate of English (GCE) O' Level which required students to be very literal. GCSE is considered much more skill-based and concept-based.