Caption for photo above: Carrick-on-Suir Credit Union Board members John Casey and John Power presenting Senior Student of the Year awards at the Edmund Rice Secondary School awards ceremony to Nigel Comerford and Adam Lonergan, who received the Mossie Casey Memorial Bursary Prize. On the right is special guest and past student, Professor John Nolan.
The achievements of students at Carrick-on-Suir’s Edmund Rice Secondary School over the past academic year were celebrated at the school’s annual awards night and Transition Year graduation in the town’s Carraig Hotel.
The awards were presented by past students Professor John Nolan, Howard Chair of the Nutrition Research Centre at South East Technical University, and Waterford Football Manager Paul Shankey who both gave motivational talks at the ceremony that took place on May 27.
Cathal O’Brien received the Junior Student of the Year award while Adam Lonergan and Nigel Comerford were the Senior Students of the Year award recipients. These awards recognise work ethic, dedication to studies and academic achievement
Carrick Credit Union, sponsored the very generous bursary for the Senior Student of the Year award, which was presented to the recipients by John Power and John Casey of Carrick Credit Union.
The Junior Sports Award was won by Conor O’Meara while the Senior Sports Award was presented to David Comerford.
Edmund Rice Awards were presented to students in recognition of their school spirit in terms of participation in school activities, their positivity and kindness to others.
Extra-Curricular awards, which included sports awards, were presented to those who excelled in activities ranging from chess, art, enterprise and music to Model United Nations, Sci-Fest, basketball, rugby, football, soccer and hurling.
In his speech, Professor John Nolan spoke of the value of change. “Change is brilliant, disruptive, embrace and move with it,” he said and told the story of his own academic struggles at school.
“Be the best version that you can be, you have done the work, there is a road for you. You must believe in yourself and realise your goals,” he added.
He also spoke about the toxicity of worry and advised students that 95% of what they worry about doesn’t happen.
And he encouraged students to be kind, respect their family and emphasised that “to have a friend, you must be a friend”.
Waterford Football Manager Paul Shankey spoke of the importance of regular exercise in the daily routine for fitness and mental health well being.
Guest of honour for the Transition Year Graduation was former vice-principal Myles Mitchell who congratulated the students for their presentations on their activity packed year.
He commended teacher Mr Peter Foran and his team of staff for organising such a broad range of events which, he said, will shape and form the students as they stand on the threshold of the senior cycle.
Mr Mitchell encouraged the students to find a sense of wonder and joy in the ordinary and wished them well for all the choices they would make.
Over the past year, Transition Year students took part in a variety of challenges and courses, team bonding and outdoor activities, Biodiversity awareness with Carrick Lions Club, Model United Nations and drama workshops.
The also enjoyed a school trip to Spain, cycles and hikes. And they participated in First Aid training, sports, cookery, swimming, set up mini- companies, visited heritage sites and the National ploughing Championships and did work experience.
Music was performed by some students between the presentation of the many awards and the teachers spoke with great pride of their students’ achievements.
Principal Majella Gleeson congratulated the students and acknowledged the collective hard work of staff during the academic year. She thanked them for their contribution, encouragement and support in guiding students throughout their studies and in all their activities and projects.
Pictured below: Waterford Football Manager Paul Shankey presents the Senior Sportsperson of the Year award to David Comerford.
The ERSS Junior Sportsperson of the Year prize was awarded to Conor O’Meara and presented by Waterford Football Manager Paul Shankey (pictured left)
Edmund Rice Secondary School’s Junior Student of the Year prize was awarded to Cathal O’Brien and presented by special guest, Professor John Nolan (pictured right).
