Special night for sixth years as they move onto the next chapter
ST Kilian’s Community School held its sixth year graduation and awards night last Thursday.
This is an annual highlight at the school, with the sports hall transformed into a theatre for the evening. A full year of careful organisation and planning by a large team, led by Sinéad Murray, ensured that the sixth years had a special night.
This year, 70 students received their graduation certificates from principal John Murphy and their year head, Helen Dodd, in front of an audience of over 300 invited guests. The graduation theme was ‘ To Everything there is a Season’, and the evening started with a liturgy, led by Sheelagh Murtagh, one of the school’s two chaplains. Music was provided by the sixth year music class, under the baton of Louise O’Sullivan.
After speeches by Mrs Dodd and Mr Murphy, the graduation awards ceremony was held. Notable prize winners include Cian O’Neill (Community Spirit), Hannah Brady (Prefect of the Year), Niamh Murray (Lions Club Endeavour Award) and Arif Ogunseye (Academic Excellence).
Kalum Walsh and Chloe Gray shared the Attendance Award, while international boxer Shannon Reilly and stalwart of the football team, Karl Mulligan, shared the Sports Award. The much-coveted Student of the Year title was awarded to Graham Kane, while Amy Doyle was announced as the LCA Student of the Year. Twelve students were also given the school’s Courtesy Award. The student leadership team of Niamh Murray, Arif Ogunseye, Kellie Waters and Graham Kane brought proceedings to a close with speeches and presentations, before the entire year group took to the stage for a rousing rendition of their graduation song, ‘On Top of the World’. Refreshments were provided by the Parents’ Association and there was lots of reminiscing about the students’ time at the school. Good wishes were extended to everyone ahead of the forthcoming Leaving Certificate exams.
It was a particularly poignant night for Dagmara Tomaszewska and Katie Breen, the last two students from the now-closed St Thomas’ Community College to graduate from secondary school. There was a large group of their former teachers present to congratulate the two girls, who had transferred after their Junior Certificate.