Over 150 guests enjoyed a warm reception and engaging experience at the Annual Prizegiving Ceremony held in St Brigid’s High School on Thursday 27th October 2011. The ceremony was the perfect platform to launch St Brigid’s entry into the world of social media and showcase their facebook page and new modern website designed by Mare-Claire Donaghy, director of Bluefish, Armagh. Year 12 pupil, Jake Dobbin presented a short movie to the audience which he had designed in Windows Movie Maker for the “Class of 2011” to portray their five happy years in St Brigid’s. Mr Eamonn O’Hagan (Acting Principal) opened proceedings by extending a warm welcome to the “Class of 2011”, present pupils receiving awards, parents/guardians, Board of Governors and guest speaker Mr John Rath.
Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr Pat Brannigan praised all the pupils on their excellent GCSE results, the present pupils on their awards and commended the staff of St Brigid’s for their hard work and dedication to the school.
Mrs D Grant (Senior Teacher) with the help of three year 12 pupils, Jake Dobbin, Shane Leonard and President of the Student Council, Caolan Toal launched the new school website in a very dramatic fashion. The named pupils designed a theatrical presentation which made the launch a spectacular, exciting event. Mrs Grant informed the audience that the school strived to improve its communication links with parents, pupils, other schools and the wider school community. “We are now in an era of social media and schools need to tap into this new marketing trend to keep up with our digital age children”.
Mr O’Hagan congratulated his students past and present on their wonderful achievements in both internal and external examinations. He talked about how every school wants excellent results but St Brigid’s aim to also develop “a full rounded person, who is secure, confident and will make great contributions in the future”. Mr O’Hagan welcomed guest speaker Mr John Rath, a past pupil of the school who is now a senior teacher in the Abbey Grammar school, Newry to the stage.
Mr John Rath received a warm welcome from the audience and he thanked Mr O’Hagan for the kind words he spoke about in his introduction. He spoke of his time in St Brigid’s and how the teachers really pushed him to achieve his full potential. He encouraged the boys to keep trying, even when things did not seem to be going their way and he encouraged them “if you have a dream, pursue it with hard work and commitment”. His light hearted and honest speech captivated and motivated the audience who gave him an extended round of applause.
Presentations were then made to Star Students, Science Students of the Year, Newcomer pupils, and Sportsman of the Year.
Star Student Awards were made to Odhran Hughes, Martin McDonagh, Jordan Kelly, Anthony Cavanagh, Daniel Donnelly, Robert Karwecki, Ronan McGleenan, Conor McClelland, Caolan Smith, Mantas Simanaitis, Declan McGinley, Rory McCreesh and Jake Dobbin. These pupils all received a letter of commendation, certificate and a sports voucher for Armagh Sports.
Science Students of the Year 2011: Year 8 Joint 1st place - Marc Devlin and Matthew Devlin, 3rd place Jordan Kelly. Year 9 1st place - Jack McConville, Joint 2nd place Shane Nugent and James Kelly. Year 10 1st place - Darran Mone, 2nd place James Toner and 3rd place Fintan Heaney.
Newcomer Awards, ESOL International Jetset Level 2 & Level 4: Piotr Damps, Krystian Felinczak, Robert Karwecki, Lukasz Krepula, Stainislaw Stain, Patryk Stepniak, Attila Szollosi, Miksa Szollos, Agris Kondruss and Kacper Machcinski.
Mr Rath presented each member of the “Class of 2011” with their official GCSE certificates and each Head of Department awarded their “Best in Subject” cup to the following pupils:
See Gallery for all full set of prizegiving photographs.
| Art & Design | Shea Cullen |
| English | Adam Sutton |
| Geography | Adam Sutton |
| History | Jamie Gamble |
| ICT | Adam Sutton |
| LLW | Eoin Donaghy |
| Mathematics | Adam Sutton |
| Physical Education | Ryan Trainor |
| Religious Education | Adam Sutton |
| Road Traffic Studies | Ryan Trainor |
| Single Award Science | Gary Hart |
| Double Award Science | Conal Connolly |
| Technology & Design | Tarran O'Hara |
| Occupational Studies | Ryan Quigley |
| ASDAN CoPE | Joshua Loughran |
| ASDAN Employbaility | Conor Carville |
| Work Experience | Jamie Gamble |
| Sports Person of the Year | Cathal McKenna (Current Year 12) |
The Pursuit of Excellence award was presented to Shea Cullen by Mrs D Grant (Senior Teacher) to recognise his high level of hard work, perseverance and dedication that he showed throughout his five years in St Brigid’s.
The Governors Cup was presented to top performing pupil Adam Sutton by Mr Pat Brannigan in recognition of his excellent GCSE results across all nine subjects. Adam is now studying 3 A’ level’s in St Patrick’s Grammar School, Armagh and plans to study ICT at degree level in University of Ulster.
Caolan Toal, recently elected President of the Student Council presented John Rath with a gift on behalf of the school to thank him for his visit to St Brigid’s High School as guest speaker.
Mr O’Hagan thanked everyone for their attendance and for making the Prizegiving a wonderful event. The audience then proceeded to the school canteen for light refreshments.
