Second-level high achievers recognised

DOZENS of Clare pupils have been honoured by the County Vocational Education Committee (VEC) for their achievements and contribution to their schools during their time in second-level education.

 

A scroll and silver medal presented by the committee acknowledge pupils in each of its eight academies with the highest 2012 Leaving Certificate results and a similar merit award goes to the Leaving Cert pupils nominated for outstanding participation and contribution during their time in each of these centres of education, particularly in their final year.

Another round of awards has gone to Junior Cert pupils for excellent results in that examination last year.
The principals and, in some instances, the deputy principals of the eight schools introduced the Leaving Cert and merit award winners and read citations grounding their selection. All of them acknowledged the introduction of the awards system as an appropriate way of recognising excellence.

Additionally, a remarkable number of pupils from around the county – 34 in all – were presented with certificates recognising A-grade achievement at higher level in the 2012 Junior Cert examination Irish papers, the trophy for the highest number of such attaining pupils (18) going to Gaelcholáiste an Chláir in Ennis.

The chief executive officer of Clare VEC, George O’Callaghan, said it is fitting that the committee recognises, appreciates and awards the pupils for their efforts and achievement.

Councillor Tommy Brennan, chairman of VEC, formally made the presentations, after which there was a reception for pupils, parents, guardians, family members and other guests.

The Leaving Cert award winners were Kieran Roche, Ennistymon Vocational School; Nils Blosenko, Ennis Community College; Sorcha Nic Mhathúna, Gaelcholáiste an Chláir; Ellen Collins, St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe; Ailish Brew, St Joseph’s Community College, Kilkee; Conor McNelis, St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart; Eimear Bane, Scariff Community College and Una Kelly, St Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil.

Merit awards were presented to Joseph Brown, Ennistymon Vocational School; Kate O’Neill, Ennis Community College; Conchúr Ó Maonaigh, Gaelcholáiste an Chláir; Ellen Collins, St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe;  Sineád Kearns, St Joseph’s Community College, Kilkee; Jacqueline Lynch, St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart; Charlie El Baba, Scariff Community College; Darina Hehir and Colin Daly, St Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil.

Certificates in recognition of A grade at higher-level Irish in the 2012 Junior Cert were presented to Gaelcholáiste an Chláir: Aaron Little, Hannah Ní Bhriain, Nicole Ní Chathasaigh, Máire Ní Fhuaráin, Emily Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh, Luke Denning, Gary Ó Cearmada, Aindriú Ó Faoláin, Ryan Ó Seannainn, Conall Ó hAiniféin, Diarmaid Mac Eadbhaird, Alex Maguidhir, Áine Mhaoir, Sailí Ní Mheadhra, Dearbhla Ní Uallacháin, Ciarán Pfiffer, Aoife de Faoite, Ronán Ó Fallúin; Coláiste Phobal Cill an Dísirt: Máire Garry, Elizabeth Kelly, Laura Meaney, Mark O’Sullivan; St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe: Thomas Conway, Marco Federico, Ciara Hayes; Scariff Community College, Caoimhe O’Gorman, Róisín McNamara, Emily Roskam, Niall Dear; St Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil: Nollaig Blake, Deirdre O’Dea, Lisa Falsey, Isobel Pilkington and St Joseph’s Community College, Kilkee: Matthew Ryan.

The Junior Cert Awards 2012 for excellence of results were presented to Ennis Community College: Yuan Fang Quian; Ennistymon Vocational School: Tony Malone; Gaelcholáiste an Chláir: Ciarán Pfiffer; St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe: Thomas Conway; St Joseph’s Community College, Kilkee: Tomás Crotty; St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart: Mark O’Sullivan; Scariff Community College: Niall Dear; St Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil, Isobel Pilkington and Nollaig Blake.