Schools delighted with final ‘old’ Junior Cert results
DUNDALK students who got their results for the last traditional Junior Certificate exams were pleased with their performance, particularly pupils at Bush Post Primary and St Vincent’s, a number of whom scored spectacular results.
Three students at St Vincent’s scored 11 As each - Aoife Begley, Bronagh Cassidy and Ruth Clarke, while it was a ‘perfect ten’ for Bush student, Peter Suresh, prompting principal Kevin Joyce to say he is an ‘outstanding student’.
Peter, from Rockmarshall, Jenkinstown, is, Mr Joyce said: ‘an exceptional student and this is an extraordinary achievement’.
The principal said: ‘We’re very proud of him and all our students who achieved brilliant results. He is such a well-grounded and well-rounded young man and totally unassuming. Throughout his years so for in Bush Post Primary, Peter has been no stranger to awards, winning in almost every category possible. No doubt the future is very bright and promising for him’.
Peter put his success down to hard work, his family and the excellent support he received from his teachers during the three years.
When asked about his plans for the future, he said: ‘I am thoroughly enjoying the transition year programme and will decide where my future lies towards the end of this year. Right now, I’m just delighted and relieved’.
Meanwhile St Vincent’s principal Deirdre Matthews said the triple 11 As were ‘outstanding’. She said the students were ‘ thrilled and delight- ed’ with their remarkable scores and added: ‘ There are always other girls’ work which doesn’t reach the headlines but their achievements are to be congratulated too’.
She said she was particularly happy that science and maths results were high once again this year. ‘ The Junior Cert is a very good experience of a State examination for the student and is a preparation for the Leaving Cert’.
A very pleased Lorraine Quigley, principal at Dun Lughaidh said: ‘‘Hot on the heels of highly successful Leaving Certificate results, we in St Louis Secondary School awaited the arrival of the Junior Certificate results with confidence.
‘We were not to be disappointed as student after student secured multiple A grades across the board in higher level subjects.
‘In addition to the core subjects of Irish, English and Maths where our students scored highly, once again the school’s tradition of excelling in the STEM subjects, modern European languages and the arts was upheld.
‘It was business as usual as classes continued for all at 9am on Thursday, putting the rite of passage through Junior Cycle on the shelf and propelling students on their onward senior cycle journey.’
At Colaiste Ris, principal Padraig Hamill said the students there had excelled in the Junior Cert. He said: ‘ There wasn’t the great hype around the country that there was in previous years. Results were handed out here and students went and met their families and talked about the results and they were pleased’.
With change coming next year in the form of a revised junior cycle English exam and assessment, Mr Hamill said there were interesting times ahead, especially in light of the stance of the union, the ASTI, which represents the majority of Dundalk second level teachers and their fundamental disagreement with the government on the implementation of the new regime, in addition to the dispute over the Croke Park agreement hours.
Mr Hamill said: ‘I’m not exactly sure what’s going to be done about it, but it will be resolved, disputes always get resolved eventually’.
At De la Salle College students were also celebrating success in the Junior Cert, with principal Patricia O’Leary saying ‘Overall the students were really happy with the results, with some scoring multiple A grades.’
She added that it was widely recognised how significant the junior cycle was in preparing students for the Leaving Cert.
‘It should not be underestimated just how important it is, and for that reasons we should be careful how we bring in change.’
Ms. O’Leary said it was ‘unfortunate’ that the new junior cycle system was being introduced amid industrial relations upheaval.
‘Unfortunately it hasn’t been a smooth run in, but we will see how it pans out. We all want our students to do well, that’s the main concern.’