ADULT LEARNERS REAP THE REWARDS OF THEIR LABOUR
OVER 150 people attended Gorey Community School’s Adult Education Awards Ceremony in the Amber Springs Hotel recently.
Night class participants were presented with Full and Intermediate awards in QQI Level 5 Childcare, Healthcare Support, Business Studies, Community Care, Animal Care as well as QQI Level 6 Childcare and QQI Level 6 Training and Development.
Successful Accounting Technician students also received parchments on the night and those who completed their second year will now become members of Accounting Technicians Ireland.
The awards were presented by Cllr Joe O’Sullivan, Chairman of Gorey Municipal District.
‘Adult education is based on lifelong learning and I’d encourage people to take on courses and to continue their lifelong learning journey,’ he said, adding that night classes were a way for people to keep in touch with the education system.
Gorey Community School principal Michael Finn said that the skills and qualifications secured by people attending night classes had the potential to change their lives.
He said that the awards ceremony and the number of people receiving awards showcased how the school served the entire community early morning until late into the evening.
MC for the night was Fintan Kemple, Director of Adult Education in Gorey Community School, who congratulated the night class participants and paid tribute to their families and tutors for their role in this step along the recipients’ lifelong education journey.
Special Awards were presented on the night in Childcare (Amy Nolan, Loraine Bodell, Sarah O’Donohoe), Healthcare Support (Andrew Cullen, Martina Murphy), Business Studies (John Carter), Animal Care ( Verna Bolger), and in the Accounting Technician course (Fiadhnait Ni Lionain, Barbara Wojtasinska).
Lisa Marie Hempenstall was named QQI Student of the Year and newly retired wood turning tutor Willie Stedmond received a Lifelong Learning award to mark his 30 year commitment to adult education.
Also in attendance were Assistant Directors of Adult Education Noel Murphy and Aideen Connaughton, administrator Pauline Connolly and Sean Cassidy from the School’s Board of Management.
Up to 280 people attend certified courses and 500 people attend hobby and lifestyle classes in Gorey Community School each year. This year’s programme of night classes start this week.
A full schedule of night classes is available on www.goreyadulted.ie or you can text 087 904 9178 with your name and address and a brochure will be posted to you. In addition, you can keep up to date with the night classes on Facebook under Night Classes in Gorey Community School.