Numbers game begins for Clare students

Having waited since finishing their exams in June for their results, the students of Coláiste Muire in Ennis were quick to arrive at the school to collect their grades on Wednesday.

Having waited since finishing their exams in June for their results, the students of Coláiste Muire in Ennis were quick to arrive at the school to collect their grades on Wednesday.
Most of the results had been handed out before 11am, with school principal, Jean Pound saying, “There was great excitement here today with plenty of tears of joy. Overall they are excellent results and they are very much on a par with other years. We are very proud of them all here. There have been reports that maths is down nationally, but that doesn’t seem to be the case here.”
According to Louis Mulqueen, principal of Rice College, Ennis this year’s results show “the future is bright”.
“Our students were all here bright and early for their results and the majority of them were very happy. The students that did very well were exceptional, while the other students’ results were very solid. There are some who are anxious about Monday and whether they have enough points or whether their course points have gone up or down, but that’s natural and of course there are lots of options there. The students were delighted, and there was lots of hugging and it’s great to see that even though the recession is hitting, the students are still positive.”
Matt Power, principal of Ennis Community College added, “It will take time to look over how everyone did but from what we have seen giving out the results they have been excellent. There were fantastic results in Irish and English and we’ve seen lots of As.”
Back West, Kilrush Community School principal Rock Kirwan professed himself happy with the results achieved by the school’s 61 exam students.
“The results are in line with previous years. I don’t think there are any major shocks or surprises to be honest. The vast majority of them seem quite happy with what they got but having said that everybody now is going to be waiting until Monday when the CAO points come out.
“It would seem that some areas like science are going to be up while teaching look as if they are going down,” he added.
In Shannon, St Caimin’s principal, John Cleary said he would like to see the Leaving Cert results and the CAO offers coming on the same day, which he said would cut levels of anxiety for the young people involved.
“I felt that all students reached their potential. We had a fairly broad group of students that got in excess of 500 points,” he added.
Anne Tuohy, principal of Ennistymon CBS, said her students were relieved by the results in higher level maths and advised students to stay calm ahead of the CAO offers.
“The mood is good among our 26 students. They are so excited and so nervous when they come in and hopefully then you see the broad smile spreading across the face as they open their results but we wish them the best of luck whatever they do.
“We were worried about honours maths after paper one but the boys are very happy with the results in that. The students have performed as would have been expected and many of them even better. We are hopeful that next Monday will bring them what they want. If it doesn’t for any pupil, there is always a way into things so long as you don’t panic. Keep the head, there is a place for everyone,” Ms Tuohy advised.
Leaving Certificate results 2011 were a source of pride and delight for Scoil Mhuire Ennistymon where a celebratory atmosphere prevailed. Students began arriving at the school at 8.45am reflecting the anxiety and trepidation of awaiting their results but the apprehensions and concerns were rapidly replaced with excitement and relief as envelopes were opened.
“54 students matched or exceeded their expectations as they got their due reward for their hard work, tenacity and drive throughout their years in the school. Scoil Mhuire had some particularly excellent individual results this year with a significant number of students gaining close to 600 points,” explained teacher Mary McGlennon.
Students who took subjects at Ordinary Level also performed exceptionally well. “The girls were a positive, co-operative group who committed diligently to their studies,” commented school principal Seosaimhin Ui Dhomhnallain.
Ms Uí Dhomhnallain said she was very heartened by the results in maths and the sciences despite talk of the national figures being disappointing.
“Students bucked the trend in maths and contrary to nationwide figures students achieved exceptional results in the sciences also. It is wonderful to see their efforts rewarded and I wish the girls every success in their chosen careers” she added.
In Kinvara, girls were delighted with their results. “It has been a very positive experience and a very positive morning here in the school. It was a wonderful thing today to see all the students doing so well and then to see so many of them going back to thank their teachers. We will be here on Monday for them if they need us,” said Maighread Mhic Dhomhnaill, principal of Seamount College.
At Gort Community School, 150 students collected their results, some in a most unusual attire. “They had their debs last night in Ballinasloe. They have done this for the last few years to distract themselves from the nervous tension that goes with this declaration of results. From what I have heard and seen they had a great night and it went off very well,” said Denis Corry, principal of Gort CS.
“The advice I would give for any student is to sit tight and wait to see what emerges next week because it is hard to visualise whether the points required for certain courses will go up or down so obviously there is a little bit of an anxious wait until those confirmations come through. I would say to students to take stock and relax until next week,” he added.
“Often the parents are forgotten today but I have to say there is great credit due to them for their support over the last five years,” Mr Corry concluded.
The mixture of anticipation, worry and excitement was evident among students and parents of Ennistymon Vocational School.
“We had 24 students who did the Leaving Cert and all of them came in person to collect their results. There was a real family atmosphere in the school, with parents, teachers and students analysing the results and having a cup of tea. We also had a guidance counsellor on hand to discuss options. We were delighted that the parents were involved. It is a very anxious time for them too,” said Elizabeth Flanagan principal.
Principal of St Joseph’s Secondary School Margaret O’Brien said that this year’s Leaving Certificate students received “good solid results”.
“They seem to be generally happy with what they got, and with the courses they hope to get from the results. Maths went ok in general. I think the students were quite nervous coming in but seemed to be happy with how they got on,” Ms O’Brien said.
Sean Daly of Scariff Community College said the school was very pleased with this year’s results.
“It’s very hard to make a general comment but the students have kept up to the standards we normally have. We had some very high achievers, and we are naturally always pleased with people who have achieved well. What I did notice this year was that the rate of failure was miniscule, which is very pleasing that the students passed the subject. There is a real air of satisfaction in the school here today,” Mr Daly concluded.