A FANTASTIC five are celebrating a year of success after sealing straight As in their Higher exams.

The pupils from St Columba's High School in Gourock defied all the disruption caused by coronavirus to net top marks.

All of them were former pupils at St Ninian's Primary.

Morag Goodfellow, depute head at St Columba's, has congratulated the young women for their excellent academic achievements.

She said: "They're fabulous, particularly in such a difficult year.

"We have been monitoring them closely, we knew they were winners from the start."

Dux Hannah McGeehan, who wants to study prosthetics, said it's been hard work but added that pupils have received a lot of help and encouragement.

She said: "I have been constantly working hard.

"We have been well supported by our teachers throughout lockdown.

"Everyone knew what was going on and we knew we would get through it."

School proxime accessit Megan Quinn, who wants to study maths and chemistry at the University of Glasgow, is relieved that all her hard work has paid off.

She said: "I'm quietly proud.

"I worked hard for the full year, so I feel I have worked to get good results."

The other pupils also have ambitions to study at uni.

Mairead Deeney, who wants to specialise in maths, said: "The teachers were always there through lockdown, there was always someone who could message if you needed help."

Mechanical engineering is Rebecca McNally's goal and should be no trouble for the talented all-rounder.

She said: "At the start of the pandemic I thought, 'how are we going to manage this studying from home'.

"But Microsoft Teams was all set up for us and everything worked smoothly."

Madeline O'Brien is still trying to make up her mind between veterinary medicine and pharmacy and is delighted to have notched top grades.

She said: "It was a lot of hard work but it was worth it."

Ms Goodfellow said: "They are excellent ambassadors for the school and are heavily involved in school life.

"Megan and Hannah are members of the young enterprise club and all the girls are in positions of responsibility and leadership in the school.

"They are wonderful role models and also help mentor younger pupils."

Rhys Lambert, the only boy to achieve 5As, has left school to pursue a promising career in musical theatre.

Rhys, also a former St Ninian's pupil, got his big break, aged only 10, when he starred in the lead role in the west end production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

He later appeared in the Agatha Christie adaptation Ordeal by Innocence shot at Ardgowan Estate.

A TEAM: Back from left are Hannah and Megan, and front are Mairead, centre, Rebecca, left, and Madeline.