Louis double delight!

THERE was double delight at Dun Lughaidh on Leaving Cert results day when twins Gillian and Rachael Browne arrived to collect their results. The sisters, two of six siblings from Carrickedmond, Kilcurry, were in the same classes, doing the same subjects and both want to have the same career.

Beautiful, bright and bubbly, the sisters were both thrilled with their results, which were slightly different to each other’s and came just a day after the twins turned 18. Mum Lorraine (nee Craven) and dad, Andrew, had driven the girls to school for 8.30am, but had to leave them and head straight back home after the sisters forgot a friend’s bag at the house.

It did give them time to speak to their older sister in Australia who was delighted for them both. Gillian, who was the school’s deputy head girl for the Leaving Cert year, said they didn’t get the exact same results, but both of them have enough to start courses that will lead them both into nursing.

They have personal expe- rience of the work nurses do, through family members, and both ‘want to help people’. And while they admitted to being nervous ahead of getting their results last Wednesday, the twins had better things to distract them - they enjoyed their 18th birthday celebrations with all their friends and family the previous Saturday night.

And, of course, after the excitement of doing so well in their exams, the pair turned their attention to the much deserved big night out that evening with their pals.

And outside, Siobhan McKenna from Knockbridge got a massive hug from her sister, and former Louis student, Elizabeth for doing so well in her results. Siobhan admitted to being ‘really nervous’ about getting the results but she had nothing to worry about in the end and got enough for her chosen course.

Acting principal Michelle Dolan said the staff, which included guidance counsellor Dara Mee, were delighted with the results for the young ladies in the class of 2017. Many of the students received points in excess of 500, and there had been ‘no problem’ understanding the new grading system, which was used for the first time this year.

The focus on the STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) subjects was paying off for the students, a number of whom achieved top grades in these subjects. In addition, there was many congratulations for the students who completed the Leaving Cert Applied course, with many achieving merits and distinctions.

And heading into the 201718 academic year, Ms Dolan says there will be plenty of changes, with the new Junior cycle coming online and secondary schools in Dundalk moving to a half day on Wednesdays. The school is also looking forward to welcoming five new teachers in September.

The Dun Lughaidh open day, for prospective students currently in fourth, fifth and six classes, takes place from 3pm on Wednesday September 27.