Gallen C.S annual awards ceremony was held in the school on Friday night last and the evening was enriched by the presence of Guest of Honour, Mr Mark Rohan, Paralympic and World Champion Handcyclist. Mrs Ursula Finnegan , Deputy Principal opened proceedings as she said this evening was about Gallen CS recognising and awarding the academic and personal achievements of its students and was very happy to welcome BOM members, parents/guardians, fellow staff and students.She welcomed Mark Rohan to the school and described Mark as being the epitome of tenacity, hard work and purpose in achieving his successes, someone that is an example for us all to follow. Mr Frank Kearns Chairperson of Gallen CS Board of Management welcomed Mark Rohan and spoke of the ethos of hard work that is needed to achieve success in any sphere. He wished continued success to all the recipients of awards.
It was then time to begin the presentation of awards with a nice feature of the awards being the personal citations before each award was presented.
First Year Winners- with the Criteria being best results in 7 subjects at Higher level in the Summer Tests were Sarah Murphy[ St Cynoc’s] Tara Dunican [ St Ciaran’s] and Michael Wren [ St Oenna’s]. The awards were presented by Mrs Margaret Healy, Chairperson of the Parents Association.
Second Year Winners-with the criteria being best results in 7 subjects at higher level in the Summer Tests were Emma Dolan [ St Mels] , Adrian Hynes [ St Patricks] and Laura Devery [ St Brigids]. The awards were presented by Mrs Mary Mc Loughlin, Board of Management.
Junior Certificate Merit Awards- the winners were Roisin Egan , Eimear Flynn, Rachel Hanniffy and Ellie Mc Evoy with the awards being presented by Mr Mark Rohan and Mrs Ursula Finnegan.
Medallion Award 2013 : Criteria is the best results in 10 subjects at Higher level in the Junior Cert . The 2013 went to Tara Flynn with Mr Mark Rohan and Mrs Ursula Finnegan presenting Tara with her award.
Fifth Year Winners- with the criteria being best results in six subjects at higher level in Summer tests 2013 were Matthew Murphy , Stephen Mannion and Ailbhe Doolan.Mr Frank Kearns presented the awards.
Co. Offaly Gaeltacht Scholarships– with the award based on Irish Department criteria went to Niamh Kenny , Stephen Mannion and Laura Devery . Mr Eamon Dooley presented the awards.
Co. Offaly Euro Language Scholarships with the award based on French Department criteria went to Matthew Murphy. Mr Eamon Dooley presented the award.
GALLEN C.S B.O.MGaeltacht Scholarships – went to Noelle Egan and Mr Frank Kearns presented the award to Noelle. Noelle was also student of the course in the Gaeltacht this year
It was then time to present the Gaisce Awards where students learn a new skill , take on a physical challenge and help their local community. Ms Aoife Kelly deserves commendation for promoting and implementing the Gaisce Awards in our school and it was fitting that she with the help of Mr Mark Rohan , presented students with their certificates and medals. IT is great to see students following their efforts on TY to continue to strive for Silver Gaisce Awards in fifth year and Mark Rohan commented on this and urged these students to strive for Gold over the next year or two.
Silver Award Recipients were, Ciara Casey, Ailbhe Doolan, Ruth Hennessy , Laura Keena , Michelle Keena, Niamh Kenny , Niamh Larkin, Ashling o Shea and Laura Phelan.
Bronze Award Recipients were Chloe Cahill, Celine Camon , Alisha Daly , Amy Dunican, Chloe Egan , Joseph Egan, Ashling Grogan , Catherine Guinan, Hazel Hackett, Niall Higgins, Dean Hogan , Sean Hynes, Laura Keenan, Conor Kelly, Colin Kenny, Conor Kenny, James Lowry, Michelle Lyons , Brian mc Evoy , Ronan mc Evoy, Tommy Molloy , Kevin Nugent, Michael o Shea, Donal Ryan , Anthony Seery and Jarlath Stevenson.
Academic excellence at Leaving Certificate level in 2013
Excellence in Home Economics Award went to Laura Dolan.
Excellence in Agricultural Science Award went to Eoghan Hennessy.
Excellence in German Award went to Jennifer Krock.
Excellence in Music Awards went to Chloe Flynn and Clare Anne Kearns .
Excellence in Construction Studies Award went to Keith Hamilton whose teacher Mr Michael Mac Cartain displayed Keith’s beautiful crafted table on the night.
Excellence in Biology Award went to Laura Dolan .
The John Sugrue Memorial Cup For Art with the criteria based on best Leaving Certificate Result and imagination , willingness to learn and participation in class went to Chloe Flynn who was presented with the cup by Mr Frank Owen Sugrue. Frank spoke with fondness about his days in Ferbane and said that John also really enjoyed his time in school and that their family love to see Johns memory remembered each year on Awards night. Gallen CS wishes to thank the Sugrue family for their continued support.
Leaving Certificate Commendation Award given to the student[s] who received the highest Leaving Certificate Results went to Laura Dolan and Clare Anne Kearns with the awards presented by Mr John Irwin and Mr Mark Rohan.
With the Awards presentations finished it was then time for Guest of Honour Mr Mark Rohan to say a few words. In a riveting and inspiring speech which those present were privileged to hear , Mark congratulated all those who had won awards and paid tribute to the role played by their parents. He spoke of the need to motivate yourself, to have the courage to look into yourself and ask ” how can I improve?.”Mark stressed that you must be honest with yourself and have the courage to reach out and work hard to achieve your goal. Mark asked those present to make the most of your opportunities and learn from other people in the quest for self-improvement. In a memorable and heartfelt speech full of witty anecdotes about his schooldays Mark concluded by reminding everyone of the importance of family support and concluded by wishing our students continued success.
Mr John Irwin thanked Mark for his presence on the night and said that the way in which Mark prepared , planned and powered his way to glory in London 2012 was an inspiration and an example for all to follow. Mr Irwin also thanked all those who had worked so hard to make the evening such an enjoyable success particularly referencing the work of Mrs Ursula Finnegan and Mrs Evelyn Breen.
A most enjoyable night concluded with the customary refreshments.