A virtual goodbye to St Peter’s students as awards handed out
FOR schools across the county and country, the class of 2020 will always be remembered as the school year brought to a premature end by Covid-19. While the stress regarding the fate of exams was to the fore, when the decision was made and the dust settled, there was somewhat of an anti-climax as sixth year students didn’t have the luxury of bidding farewell to their classmates and teachers, attending their graduation mass or celebrating a major milestone.
At St Peter’s College, the traditional end of year mass took place online this year and students tuned in from home as Chaplin Fr Aodhán Marken, Principal Robert O’Callaghan and year head Mr Cathal O’Gara addressed them as they take the next step in their lives.
‘The year 2020 has proven to be the strangest year ever in the history of St Peters,’ Mr O’Callaghan said. ‘Since the lockdown on 13 March, you the Senior Class of 2020, have shown outstanding resilience and courage before and since that time. Congratulations on graduating from the College, we hope we have played some part in making you the men you have turned out to be. You are part of the St Peters College family and you will be missed.
‘Covid will come and go but the Class of 2020 will never be forgotten because you were the boys in the eye of that storm,’ he continued. ‘Remember, you must live in the best way, love, forgive and offer the best of who we are, dream big and follow your passions and remember our motto ‘Disce Prodesse.’ The entire school community wish you all the very best in the exciting days and years ahead.’
In addition to wishing the outgoing students all the very best, Mr O’Callaghan also announced the three main 6th year award winners.
The Disce Prodesse Award for striving to be of service went to Darragh Howlin. Sportsman of the Year went to Conor Mahoney who excelled in athletics, represented the college at every age in football and hurling and was captain of the senior hurling team, as well as playing midfield for the school’s senior footballers.
The level of competition was high for overall Student of the Year and in the end the short-list came down to Cian Bates, Bill Cullen, Morgan Haydon, Conor Kelly, Robert Rowe and James O’Leary.
It was James O’Leary, however, who scooped the honour. The son of Elaine O’Leary and a native of Our Lady’s Island, James is the current Senior of the House and is very musically talented, playing the lead in this year’s show ‘South Pacific’. He also represented the college in senior football and is an active member of the students council. Mr O’Callaghan said that James ‘is very popular with both staff and students and is widely respected for his positive disposition and willingness to help and encourage his fellow students.’ On behalf of all staff, Mr O’Callaghan wished the students all the very best as they embark on the next chapter.