A PRINCIPAL has praised the achievements of his students despite an academic year with a "climate of uncertainty".

Michael Finlay, of St Mary's College, said at their annual presentation evening last night that it was a highly successful year for the 960 students who enrolled in September 2001 - the highest ever number at the college.

Mr Finlay said that the college progressed regardless of a year which illustrated "the lack of stability and continuity which bedevils education."

He said: "In spite of the well-publicised tribulations of the examination process, we were delighted with the performance of our students in all forms of examinations."

The college had 946 entries at A-level in 36 subjects , the highest ever entry number and the highest ever pass rate at 96.2 per cent.

The most outstanding individual achievement was the six grade A's achieved by Andrew Bell, who was also one of only 50 students in the country to receive a distinction in his economics extension paper.

Mr Finlay mentioned the work of the Chaplaincy team which provided spiritual well-being to students. He also praised the work the college was doing to deliver a range of adult evening classes and basic skills through the creative and performing arts.

St Mary's football team won the Thorpe Cup against its sister college St Mary's in Middlesbrough and the netball and hockey teams retained the McCormack Shield.

AWARDS

PRIZE for College Representatives: M Coyne, H Cave. Fox Prize for Distinguished Studies: D Bailey, A Bell, C Bell, J Butterworth, G Fee, E Howard, N Jarrett, A Khan, C McAvoy, J McNulty, A Malik, N Mathers, D Meehan, T Mortiboy, A Patel, C Rawlinson, A Riding, H Shah, C Simmons, R Taylor, C Whittle.

Andrew Cusack Prize for General Studies: V Ayris. Ken Smith Prize for Business Studies: S Patel; John Gannon Prize for English Literature: J Keane. William J Stuart Prize for French: C King. McNeil Prize for Geography: A Murray. Philip Graystone Prize for Mathematics: J Byrom. JC Woods Music Prize: A Howard.

Owen Lee Prize for Physics: G Smith. Hughes Prize for Religious Studies: A Rostron. Kevin O'Neill Prize for Notable Achievement: C Bell. Veale Prize for Effort and Achievement: V Ormerod. Philip Cottam Memorial Shield: C Cook. Feroza Isa Memorial Prize: D Aspin. Margaret McNamee Prize for Care in the Community: H Cave.