The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
What a result as Kerry’s students look to future
SECONDARY schools across the county have expressed delight at their students’ Leaving Certificate results.
The scene at Killorglin Community College was similar to the one that played out across Kerry. Deputy Principal Dónal O’Reilly was thrilled with the overall results, saying: “It’s great to see our students’ dedication being rewarded with fine results – we’ve changed our approach to teaching and learning significantly in recent years, and the fruits are being reaped”.
Meanwhile over at the Intermediate School Killorglin, two students scored more than 600 points, and one in five of the school’s students cleared the 500 mark, which is well above the national average.
There was a similar reaction in Killarney, as St Brendan’s students welcomed their results warmly.
The school scored well across all disciplines, and Principal Seán Coffey said the results were “a high point to add to our sporting and competitive successes in 2015/16.”
“Our teachers are hugely committed, and that shows with a fifth of our students picking up over 500 points. I wish these young men all the best at university.”
Eileen Kennelly, Principal at Presentation Secondary School, Listowel, was shining with pride last Wednesday:
“We had two girls who got 605 points, terrific results, but students were delighted across the board. I’m happy that we helped everybody achieve what they wanted to achieve.”
“I’m particularly proud of our performance in Higher Level Maths – we far outstripped the national averages.”
Castleisland Community College’s Vice Principal Teresa Landers told The Kerryman “the school achieved excellent results. We had a very large number of students who scored over 500 points, and it looks like most will be offered their first preference course on Monday.”
It was a similar story in the south of the county, according to Coláiste na Sceilge’s Principal John O’Connor:
“One girl told me in the morning that she was expecting to get around 500 points, but she ended up getting 570 – and that was the narrative across the board, with many students surpassing their expectations. Overall, these were our best ever results, I’d say. It’s extraordinary, but a reward for hard work done by students and staff.”
Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne Principal Padraig Feirtéar said students in West Kerry were thrilled with their achievements, and that the school continues to perform far above the national averages.
“The overall picture for both the Leaving Cert and Leaving Cert applied shows that the school has done exceptionally. More than 27 per cent of our students scored more than 500 points, which is almost triple the national average,” he said.
“It’s little wonder then that when the CAO offers came out on Monday, there was a lot of delight around Dingle.
John O’Rourke, Principal at Mercy Mounthawk school in Tralee, was equally delighted with his students’ results, saying that fantastic scores were achieved and that he was very proud.
Mr O’Rourke did however express some criticism of the CAO’s offers system. “Students everywhere get their results on the Wednesday, but didn’t know for sure until the following Monday if they got their courses or not. I’m sure there’s a reason for the system being set up in this way, but it’s certainly an added stress to have to wait it out,” he said. “But that’s just a little bother. Our scores were excellent and thankfully there were plenty of happy faces at Mounthawk after the offers.”
Meanwhile Principal Cathal Fitzgerald of Causeway Comprehensive School said: “All at the school are delighted with our student’s results and the positive results demonstrated the strong work ethic of our students and teachers.”