Loreto students honoured at awards ceremony
Loreto Secondary School in Fermoy recently held their annual awards ceremony in which several students were honoured for their achievements over the year.
The ceremony opened with speeches from the principal Orla Forde and deputy principal Trevor Franks, followed by head girl Ella Fahey and deputy head, Eabha Gayer.
Awards under the ‘commitment to school life’ category were first to be presented with sixth-year students Róisín Cahill and Clara Bradfield receiving trophies for their ‘ outstanding commitment and dedication to the student council’.
Members of the student council each also received a certificated under this award category.
Under the ‘ Green Schools’ category, chairpersons Leah Nolan and Clara Mohally each received trophies, while certificates were presented for several other awards.
Emma Doyle and Clíona Carey received their bronze medals and certificates for their Gaisce awards.
A trophy and certificate were presented to Ellie Mahon, who was selected to take part in the United Space School Programme and will be heading to America to study during the summer months with NASA.
Leah Nolan was commended under the ‘BT Young Scientist’ category as she was announced the overall winner in the Intermediate Category of Social and Behavioural Sciences in the BT Young Scientist Exhibition and her project Vaping Under the Influence also received a special award from the Health Research Board.
Leah was also awarded for Public Speaking as she advanced to the regional final of the Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition, which is a competition for senior students across Ireland.
Emily O’Donoghue was awarded a trophy for her debating skills as displayed in Concern Debates while Kate O’Hara was acknowledged for her commitment and efforts to Irish Sign Language.
‘PDST Young Economics Awards’ were also presented at the ceremony, as were awards for students who made it to the All- Ireland Drama Final, the winning group of Junk Kouture 2023 Samba de Carnival, and to those who were involved in DCMUN, LCMUN, LFMUN and Loreto MUN.
A host of students were honoured at the ceremony under the ‘Youth Leaders’, ‘ Foróige’, ‘ Prefects’, ‘Commitment Awards’, ‘ Cairdeas Awards’, ‘Mary Ward’ awards and ‘Meitheal’.
Academic awards were presented to Amelié Nolan for excellence in maths, Brianna O’Reilly for home economics, Amie Forde for excellence in Art, Claire Baker for excellence in music and to a number of others for Junior Certificate Results.
Several awards were presented for Sports under the categories of golf, rowing, racquetball, judo, equestrian, soccer, basketball, hockey, athletics, football, camogie, and more.
Rachel O’Flynn was honoured on the night and announced the Overall Junior Sports Person of the Year, while Leah Hallihan was announced as Overall Senior Sports Person of the Year.
Tara Harrington was announced as the Overall Junior Cycle Student of the Year, while Ruth Gubbins was announced as the Overall Senior Cycle Student of the Year.