VEC honours leading second-level students

LEADING Clare students have received awards for achievement and contribution during their years in second-level education.
A scroll and silver medal were presented by County Clare Vocational Education Committee (VEC) to the students with the highest 2009 Leaving Certificate results and to the Leaving Certificate students nominated for outstanding participation and contribution during their time in each of its eight academies.
Another round of awards went to students for excellence of results in their Junior Certificate examinations.
Parents, family members and friends attended the presentation night in The Woodstock Hotel, Ennis.
The principals and, in some instances, the vice-principals of the eight academies introduced the Leaving Certificate and merit award winners and recited citations grounding their selection. All of them welcomed the introduction of the awards system as a most appropriate way of recognising excellence.
Additionally, 10 students from around the county were presented with certificates recognising A grade achievement at higher level in the 2009 Junior Certificate examination Irish papers.
Speakers described the awards as recognition of self-development by developing one’s special talents. Inherent, too, were parental motivation and input, which also should be recognised, speakers said. They underlined that the ethos of the colleges needed to be carried forward to each succeeding generation. Thus, students receiving awards had made a positive contribution to that aspiration.
The chief executive officer of Clare VEC, George O’Callaghan, said it was fitting that the committee recognise, appreciate and award the students for their efforts and achievements.
Although most students receiving awards had now completed their studies with the VEC, that body would always be interested in their progress in life, he said.
“This is a special time,” he went on, “when we pause to celebrate the committee’s and the academies’ greatest asset and resource – its people. It is the outstanding quality, achievement and dedication of students and teachers of these academies that enables them to make a singular contribution to education in the county.
“The ceremony, therefore, is an occasion to give due recognition to those pupils for their work and achievements. We should not underestimate their work and commitment in facing the challenges of education.
“At the very core of our mission as a vocational education committee is the education of our students. The calibre of our activities as colleges is very dependent on the strength of the students’ work and dedication.
“In Clare Vocational Education Committee we strive to focus on the quality of the education we provide, the wide range of talented students who attend our centres and the diversity of strengths that we offer.
“The high quality of our individual colleges depends today and in the future on certain deep, shared characteristics of colleges and teachers.
“Firstly, there is the institutional drive among teachers and staff that help make us creative and daring college communities, attractive places for students to work and take part in a wide range of activities.
“Secondly, through the resources we have available, and, thirdly, the pool of talented and committed staff, be they the principals and deputy principals who are here this evening or the other teachers upon whom we rely to deliver that education to all the students,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
Councillor Tommy Brennan, chairman of the vocational education committee, presented the awards.
Leaving Cert Awards: Micheál O’Loughlin, Ennistymon Vocational School; Paulo Rouque, Ennis Community College; Cormac Ó Súilleabháin, Gaelcholáiste an Chláir; Maria O’Brien, St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe; Suzi O’Gorman, St Joseph’s Community College, Kilkee; Laura McCarthy, St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart; Eimear McNamara, Scariff Community College and Eimear Pilkington, St Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil.
Merit awards: Cathal Sexton, Ennistymon Vocational School; Lisa Mullins, Ennis Community College; Caitríona Ziemann, Gaelcholáiste an Chláir; Tom Prendergast, St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe; Clodagh Brew, St Joseph’s Community College, Kilkee; Nicola Hogan, St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart; Brian Corry, Scariff Community College and Imelda Hehir, St Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil.
Certificates in recognition of A grade at higher level Irish, 2009 Junior Cert: Yasmin De Bláca, Christina Ní Fhoughlú-Ellis, Genevieve Ní Liodáin, Cáit Ní Mhurchú, Fionnuala Ní Niallghuis, Leanne Ní Ruairc and Bernadette Nic Chonmara, Gaelcholáiste an Chláir; Laura Clancy, Coláiste Phobal Cill an Dísirt; Christopher Balfe and Sarah Ann Kikkers, Coláiste Phobal Naomh Áine, Cill Da Lua.
Junior Cert Awards 2009 for excellence of results: Igor Brodecki, Ennis Community College; Kieran Roche, Ennistymon Vocational School; Genevieve Ní Liodáin, Gaelcholáiste an Chláir; Christopher Balfe, St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe; Jim Downes, St Joseph’s Community College, Kilkee; Laura Clancy, St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart; Frank Blake, Scariff Community College; Gearóid Johnston, St Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil.