SMILES AND TEARS AS LEAVING CERT RESULTS ARE REVEALED
Students and teachers unite on special day for so many
SCHOOL leavers across the country made a beeline back to school last Wednesday morning as the Leaving Cert results were released – and it was no different in Drogheda where students joyously celebrated reaching a major life milestone.
At Our Lady’s College, Greenhills, there were tears but mostly of excitement which principal Geraldine Mulvihill described as “always a good sign.” The school celebrated not one but two girls earning in excess of 600 points in the state exams.
Speaking to the Drogheda Independent on Wednesday, Ms Mulvihill said, “It is absolutely wonderful. The girls were delighted. The Kleenex ran out very quickly. They were so nervous coming in and to see the relief and happiness on their faces when they were leaving, it was great.”
Just under 170 students sat the exams in Our Lady’s College, with this year’s group particularly distinguished themselves with excellent results. English was just one success for the school in 2018.
“I think the national rate of students getting H1’s in English is just over 2.5% but in one of our English classes, we had six – which is 20%. That was excellent,” Ms Mulhivill added.
More students than ever, as was the national trend, were trying their hand at honours subjects with the extra 25 points available for higher level maths enticing students take it on.
“Now the students can get points for trying higher level, it is encouraging more students to do it. Failure in maths is always a worry but we did very well this year.
‘Students can find maths challenging. Maths is a different ball game these days, there’s a lot of problem solving. You can’t just learn it off,’ she stated.
The principal was thrilled with students efforts in that subject too and concluded, “We have so many students who are happy and relieved.”
Hugh Baker, principal of Drogheda Grammar School, admitted that the results day and the wait for CAO offers meant that this period is always one of “nervousness” for students but he hoped everyone could enjoy their achievements.
“There is always an uncomfortable lapse for our students as they move on to wondering about points and third level education with the release of the CAO offers the following week and until that process begins, there is always a little nervousness,” he said.
“For now, we want our students and families to enjoy the results and relief that came with opening the envelope.
“These positive results are a reflection of all the hard work, encouragement, extra classes and motivation our teachers give. But much credit must be given to our students who worked hard, stay focused and gave their best.
For Sacred Heart principal Leoni Carroll, it was another of those emotional days when girls saw the fruits of their years of effort.
‘We are proud of them all. It was another strong year of results and it is a big day for the girls and their families,’ she stated.
They had 80 Leaving Cert students this year and nine took Leaving Cert Applied.
‘ The teachers worked extremely hard and I have to congratulate them for the way they prepared the students for the challenge of the exams.
‘I wish all the students the very best for the future.’