New points system encouraged students to take higher level papers

‘WE’VE got some very content, delighted students,’ said Mr Alan Craven, who takes over as principal of The Marist when the new school year starts in September.

As a queue of early bird students gathered at the school doors at 8.30am, he said that there were ‘a lot of emotional and excited students who are looking forward to going to do the third level courses of their choice.’

‘We had some very eager and keen students waiting outside to see how they got on while others opted to log-in and see what they get on-line,’ he said.

‘We have noticed an increase in achievement particularly in those students who got over 500 points,’ he said, adding that it would be interesting to see what impact the new marking system would have on CAO offers.’

The new school building has allowed them to offer 18 subjects at senior level including technology and construction, music and agricultural science with the first cohort of students to study these subjects in the school due to sit their Leaving Cert next year.

‘One of the biggest bonuses of the new facility is that we can offer a much wide range of subjects,’ he said. ‘‘ There has been a very big demand for technology as it’s a cross-over subject for many courses and especially for those hoping to study STEM subjects at third level.’

The school management team at The Marist is being boosted by the appointed of a second deputy principal, Ms Anita White, who will be joining Mr Craven and deputy principal Mr Gerry Lambe as the school prepares to welcome around 735 students, the highest number ever, in September.

The new points system had led to an increase in the number of students taking Higher Level papers, said Mr Padraig Hamill, principal of Colaiste Ris.

‘Points are awarded to all students who get anything from 30 per cent to 100 per cent in a Higher Paper which was a very strong incentive for people to do Higher Level papers.’

He said the new system was proving a novelty tor the 102 students who sat the Leaving Cert and the 7 who sat the Leaving Cert Applied at the school as they calculated what points they got. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Colaiste Ris students, from left Mubarak Adelwunmi, Armagh Road, Ciaran McKenna, Father Murray Park, Sean Caldwell, Mandown Close, Aaron Whearty, Hyde Park, and Emmanuel Kwelele, Hoey’s Lane.

Conor Dunne Ashbrook, Joshua Atnuvbare, Bay Estate, Keelan Smith, Legion Avenue and Michael Ekperuoh, Bay Estate.