Orangefield High School celebrated a triple success this week as the school was awarded top places in three competitions.

Year eight pupils had the most to celebrate, bringing two competition titles back to the school.

Dominating the Belfast Education and Library Board’s literacy competition, ‘What a World’, pupils took first and third places.

Working together in the competition, students from the english and science departments produced a 300- word magazine article on the heart.

The science department found more success at the Salters’ Festival of Science at the University of Ulster Coleraine. There pupils came top playing the part if forensic scientists, solving a crime using experimental techniques.

And the pupils will soon have stars in their eyes after an essay written by science teacher Mr Johnston lead to the school receiving a free telescope, one of 1,000 given out across the UK.

Mr Johnston secured the telescope through a competition organised by The Society for Popular Astronomy, as part of the international year of astronomy.

Speaking to The CT he said: “I was absolutely delighted that my essay was successful.

“The school will get great benefits from the competition.”

The school plans to start an astronomy club which will meet regularly during the year.

Pupils will be able to see the moon 60 times closer, and under good conditions will be able to witness galaxies at least 50 million light years away.