A RECORD number of students were celebrating A-level passes across Gwent yesterday.

St Joseph's RC High School celebrated a pass rate of 100 per cent with 77 per cent of students getting grades A to C and 33 per cent achieving a grade A.

Sue Jenkins, head teacher, said the school was delighted with the results.

Duffryn comprehensive student Matthew Carver, 18, from the Gaer, achieved three grade As in history, chemistry and English and will go on to study history at Oxford University.

He said: "I was ecstatic this morning but I had put a lot of work into the exams.

Brian Whittaker, 18, from Ridgeway, also got three grade As in English, geography and history and he is set to go to Bristol to study law. He said: "I was really pleased, shocked but pleased."

Caerleon head teacher Adrian Davies said: "I am delighted. The results are superb. We had 20 students with straight A grades and a higher success rate for the school."

Dino Nocivelli, 18, kept his mother waiting for an hour in the car to hear the news. He got three A grades in history, French and maths. "It's wicked. I am very pleased.

"I want to study law in Cardiff. It will be nice to get out and start life." His mother, Maria said: "It is wonderful news and he did exceptionally well getting 100 per cent in French. I am so proud."

Bassaleg comprehensive dep-uty head, Sarah Logan said: " The school did exceptionally well. We are delighted with this year's results."

Lisa Hale, 18 achieved three A grades in psychology, German and English and plans to study law at Cardiff.

"I couldn't have ever imagined this - it is the best day of my life," she said. Alia Hayat, 18, also achieved three A grades in chemistry, biology and English and is planning to study medicine in London. "I can't believe it, I am shocked and amazed.

"I have mixed feelings today. It's my grandfather's memorial service later but I feel quite proud because I knew he wanted me to do well and I have. He would be proud of me."

Rougemont School also achie-ved a 100 per cent pass rate.

Brynmawr Foundation school pupil Gareth Watkins was jumping for joy when he found out he is still on course for achieving his lifetime ambition of becoming a vet.

The 18-year-old from Holland Street, Ebbw Vale, got an A in biology and Bs in chemistry and English language. Although he needed two As and a B to go to the Royal Veterinary College in London, he was still accepted. He said: "When I rang them they said they still wanted me to attend the course, so I'm really happy."

Tredegar Comprehensive student Tomas Buttress, of Princes Court, Ebbw Vale, achieved the three Bs he needed to start a politics and government course at Cardiff University.

He said: "I can't explain how I felt when I opened up my results - they were exactly what I needed to start my course."

David Hopkins, Caerphilly's director of education and leisure, said: "This is an excellent set of results and reflects the hard work of students and the commitment of teachers to maintain a focus on raising standards."

IT was smiles all round at Caldicot comprehensive yesterday morning as students notched up some of the school's best results ever.

Head teacher, Susan Gwyer-Roberts, said: "I am absolutely delighted with our results and wish all the students well in their careers."

And Caldicot pupil Thomas Williams is hoping his top A-level results will set him on the path to Hollywood stardom.

The 18-year-old scored A grades in media studies and film studies, a B for English literature and a C for theatre studies.

His achievement is even more remarkable in that he taught himself the film studies course. His media teacher, Simon Rees, said: "Although I guided him he did the vast majority of the work all on his own. I can't wait to see his name on the credits of a Hollywood blockbuster."

The Alfred Hitchcock fan is now off to Exeter University to study film. He said: "Sometimes it was hard trying to do the work all alone but it was definitely worth it."

At Chepstow comprehensive pupils were also celebrating a bumper set of results, with four star pupils notching up a total of 13 top A grades between them.

Gayle Smith, 19, from Caldicot is off to Oxford University to study politics, philosophy and economics, after securing top-class results in economics, history and English.

She said she was delighted with the results but dismayed by media talk of the exams getting easier.

Record breaking results were achieved at King Henry VIII comprehensive, Abergavenny with five pupils heading to Oxford University. Top achievers were 18-year-old Adam Peacock and Edward Saunders who both achieved five A-levels at grade A.

Adam is off to read law at Oxford while Edward plans to study Russian and German at University College London.

Head teacher Gareth Barker said he was delighted with the school's 99 per cent pass rate out of 96 sixth form students.

Monmouth comprehensive head teacher Carole Anderson said: "We still have not collected all the data but it does look like another successful year."

Wyedean head teacher John Claydon paid tribute to his students' success, saying: "They show once again how determined to do well in their exams so many young people are."

And Haberdashers student Mackenzie Howe, 18, who competed in the pool at Manchester Commonwealth games two years ago, has complemented her swimming success with three A grade results.

And there were five pupils with four A grade A Levels at Monmouth School with 21 pupils achieving three A grades.

Andrew Crump, leader of Monmouthshire council, said: "I am delighted with these results which show once again that Monmouthshire schools and Monmouthshire pupils are among the best in Wales and continue to improve."

St Alban's RC High School in Pontypool enjoyed successful results. Approximately 55 per cent of pupils achieved A and B grades, with an overall pass rate of just over 96 per cent. Head teacher Mike Coady said: "We've done very well - it's our best ever year by quite a way."

Hannah Morgan, 18, pictured, of Pontnewydd got As in music, English literature and history.

She said: "I'm pretty pleased because I didn't think I was going to get three As - I'm in shock at the moment."

Helene Mansfield, head teacher at Croesyceiliog Comprehensive, said they were pleased with their 99 per cent pass rate.

Fairwater High School saw their best results ever with 98 per cent of pupils passing their A-levels.

Stephen Cox, head teacher, said: "We are very pleased." Coleg Gwent achieved a pass rate of 98.6 per cent, up 0.9 per cent on last year.

Howard Burton, principal, said: "I am delighted that our A-level results have again showed further improvement."