St. Paul’s Community College held their annual awards night on Wednesday the 17th of May. A packed audience comprising of students, parents, guardians, grandparents, members of the BOM, Parents Council, former teaching colleagues and current staff attended this prestigious event. The night was opened by St. Paul’s Community College School choir who wowed the audience with their rendition of Tina Turner’s classic ” Proud Mary” . Over the course of the evening students were awarded for excellence in categories including academics, attendance, merits, sports, cultural and humanity awards.
Mr. Kevin Lewis CE WWETB opened the event, where he commended students and staff on an excellent years work. All attendees enjoyed a short film featuring snapshots of our school year which our compiled by our school librarian Ms. Hillary Cantwell. Mr. Lewis referenced events throughout the year including a trip to Aras an Uachtarain, the International Commemoration of the Battle of the Somme, and the schools participation in the Your Europe Your Say trip to Brussels. He commended 5 teachers who had engaged with Post Graduate Studies in 21st Century Teaching and Learning in Trinity College Dublin, and other teachers engaged with Masters programmes in Education and additional teaching qualifications in Maths. He referenced the success of the school 40th Birthday celebrations earlier in the year. He remembered in a special way former SCP Colleagues Catherine Connolly & Brenda Holden who passed away this year. Both Catherine and Brenda had played a significant role with students in the school.
Former past student Eoin Hurley currently studying for a PHD in Bacterial Gene Regulation in Trinity College Dublin and soon to be Dr. Eoin Hurley gave the keynote address. Eoin’s advice to students was to “follow your dreams, you can be anything you want to be”. Eoin is the epitome of this advice. Eoin was accompanied to the event by his proud parents and grand parents.
The MC for the night was our own very dynamic Ms. Barron who is renowned for her quick wit and we certainly were not let down on the night.
School Secretary Ms. Jennifer Tobin who co-ordinated the evening was presented with a bouquet of flowers.
After all award recipients received their awards, the event was closed by the Principal Noreen Reilly. Noreen made a presentation of Waterford crystal to Deputy Principal Mr. Keane who has been appointed Principal to Presentation Dela Salle in Bagnelstown. Ms. Reilly commended Mr. Keane on his great work with students an staff saying ” The loss of Mr. Keane to St. Paul’s CC is a huge gain the the community in Bagnelstown.
Among the highlights for the night was the the award o student o the year to Leaving cert student Ben Arrigan.
The evening finished with a finger food reception prepared by students under the direction of Ms. Barron & Ms. Dayton.
See some photos below:
