St Patrick’s Grammar School, Armagh Senior Prizegiving took place recently with students, parents, guests, and staff enjoying a memorable celebration of recent external examination results.
Mr Clarke began proceedings at Prizegiving acknowledging the many and varied ways in which the students and staff of St Patrick’s Grammar School have responded to the challenges and opportunities presented to them in the past academic year.
He spoke of the hard work and commitment required for success after recent challenging times.
Addressing the most recent past pupils in attendance he congratulated them on their achievements but remembered all the students in the St. Patrick’s community and mentioned how so many of them had worked hard and realised their full potential over the last seven years.
Guest speaker for the evening was past pupil and All Ireland winner, Mr Joe McElroy.
Joe is remembered with great fondness by all in the St Patrick’s community with staff sharing anecdotes of his kindness and compassion when a student in the school.
Prizegiving co-ordinator, Mrs Julianne Denvir, described Joe as having an “attitude, manner and incredible passion which mean he is a role model for anyone who has the good fortune of crossing his path.
An example to us in all aspects of life and a young man we are proud to call one of our own.”
Joe spoke with obvious affection about his own time in the school and gave the prizewinners great advice, emphasising the importance of learning from mistakes, having resilience and always being true to yourself.
Plaques were presented to those students who were chosen by staff to be top achievers in each GCSE and A Level subject at St Patrick’s, and it was affirming to see the obvious pride of students, staff and families when these awards were being presented.
Several students were recognised for outstanding achievement at A Level. These students displayed the St. Patrick’s values of “diligence” and “determination” at all times during their seven years in the school. The Brendan Vallely Memorial Cup was presented to St Patrick’s Grammar School’s top student, Shea Maxwell, who achieved an A* grade in Environmental Technology, and A grades in Physics and Maths.
Sean McAleavey, Calum Hughes and Vissrawa Jayasinghe received the Drohan Cup for A Level Performance. These students received an A* grade and two A grades each in Construction, Maths, History, Chemistry. Irish, Software Systems Development and Physics. They are heading to study Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering at university.
Other students were recognised for their A Level achievement and were presented with a Stephen Farnan Ceramic plaque. Lonan Rooney and Peter McGrath achieved three A grades each in Biology, Physics, Maths and Double Award ICT. Lonan is headed to QUB to study Biomedical Science and Peter heads to University of Ulster to study Construction, Engineering and Management.
A year 11 student, Fergal Conlon, collected the top award for GCSE Mathematics in the school. An impressive achievement having completed the GCSE early in a single year. He now begins the study of Further Maths to be completed in one year as a Year 12 student.
Principal Mr Clarke expressed his pride in the 30 Year 11 students who completed an early GCSE in Fast Track Maths or community languages this year, explaining that it gives these students a confidence boost and a fantastic head start as they begin their Year 12 studies.
The Ciarán Donnelly Memorial Cup, presented to a student who encapsulates the spirit of the St Patrick’s community, was given this year to a very worthy recipient, Ben Scowcroft. Vice Principal, Mrs RoseAnne Slane spoke of Ben, stating “Ben is one of the kindest souls to have walked through the doors of St Patrick’s. A more mannerly, helpful, kind and bright student you will not encounter.” A well-deserved accolade for an impressive young man.
The winner of the Henry Murray and Company Cup for Services to local voluntary work was awarded to Darragh Branagh, described as epitomising all that is good about being a student of St Patrick’s. “His kind-hearted nature meant that he was willing to help out in any way he can.”
An address from Martin O’Hanlon, Chair of Governors, reminding the leavers of 2024 that the doors of the school will always be open to them, ended a most enjoyable celebration of academic, cultural and sporting success by the senior students of St Patrick’s Grammar School, Armagh, during 2023/2024.
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