Last awards event at education centre

IT was a day of mixed emotions for students of St Joseph’s Education Centre in Ennis as they celebrated the year’s achievements, aware that this would be the last major awards event to be held by the centre, which is facing closure.
The presentation of awards took place in the Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis, during the annual celebration of academic year achievements by St Joseph’s learners. The centre is to be phased out in 2012 as a result of cutbacks being implemented by the Department of Education and Skills.
The programme for the award’s day displayed the affection in which the centre is held. Kathleen Marie Keenan wrote, “I have the opportunity to learn to read and write. I will miss it when they close us down. The teachers are nice. We will never get to meet anyone like them again.”
Michael P Mongans commented, “It means a lot to me to be here in the centre; I love coming here. I never knew how to read and write. I was kicked out of school but I am learning every day now. I can even help my kids so they can get further than I ever got.”
At the ceremony, the Student of the Year award at St Joseph’s Education Centre, Ennis, went to Edel Curtin, who was presented with her trophy by Shelagh Graham, human resources manager of County Clare Vocational Education Committee, which administers the centre.
Other special awards went to Maggie Maughan for best attendance; Peter Keenan, best new learner; John Molloy, leadership within the centre; John Mongans, centre representative; Ciara Finucane, personal achievement and William Faulkner, best humoured.
St Joseph’s was established by the vocational education committee 34 years ago as a centre for senior Travellers and operated in various Ennis locations before moving to Gort Road Industrial Estate, where in recent years it became open to learners from the settled community also.
It has enjoyed a high reputation nationwide, some describing it as the leading centre of its kind. The most recent presentation of awards, true to custom, was an occasion to compliment its succession of directors and staff and the learners themselves for exceptional dedication and application that created its great standing.
Particular satisfaction on the day was felt for the achievements of five learners who gained the full Further Education and Training Awards Council of Ireland (FETAC) Certificate at Level 3. They are Anne Marie Carr, Kelly Corbett, John Molloy, Thomas Mongans and Philip Sherlock.
Then there was the successful Leaving Cert Applied 2008-2010 group of Gavin Cording, Thomas F McCarthy, John G McDonagh, Margaret Molloy, Mary Molloy, Nellie Mongans, Peter Quinn, Eddie Sherlock and Pa Sherlock.
Following them to receive FETAC 2009-2010 certificates in single and group subjects (two learners having an eight-subject portfolio) were Anne Marie Carr, Kelly Corbett, Nora Donovan, James Keenan, Roseanne Keenan, Julia McDonagh, Annie McCarthy, John Molloy, John B Mongans, Martin Mongans, Michael P Mongans, Michael Mongans, Patrick Mongans, Patrick G Mongans, Peter Mongans, Sineád Mongans, Thomas Mongans, Winie J  Mongans, Mary Sherlock and Philip Sherlock.
Speakers at the awards ceremony strongly urged the centre’s learners and their acquaintances to examine the many other options in further education that will be still open to them in Ennis at the centre’s closure.
The County Adult and Community Education Service operated by the vocational education committee delivers a vast range of programmes in all sorts of subjects, it was pointed out by the committee’s chief executive officer, George O’Callaghan, and the centre’s director, Brian Crossan.
Mayor of Clare, Councillor Christy Curtin is well qualified to speak in the education field after a lifetime of teaching in the vocational sector. “Stay engaged in education where you can,” he counselled. “You have the talents and sense of purpose. Our society needs you and those talents you undoubtedly possess.”