‘Anxious start’ but State exams going well
The sun is shining, there isn’t a cloud in the sky, which can only mean one thing; the exams are upon us. For many Leaving Cert pupils in the locality, this might be the first time they’ve done a formal exam, as many of this cohort will not have sat the Junior Cert examinations due to their cancellation over Covid lockdown.
However, from the students The Avondhu met on Wednesday one wouldn’t guess it, as there was little sign of fear or worry. Students seemed generally pleased with their performances, and while some were headed home, others were holding onto their Home Economics book already in preparation for their exam later that afternoon.
Local principals extended their well wishes to students sitting exams this year, with Junior and Senior cycle students both returning to the traditional written exams once again.
At St Colman’s College in Fermoy, around 80 Leaving Cert students began their exams on Wednesday with English Paper 1.
“It was an anxious start for them all but it’s going well so far. They seem happy coming out,” principal of St Colman’s College, Sean Lane, said.
“It’s always a busy year for students and their parents. It’s a lot of pressure on all families when they have kids doing State exams, it’s the same for the Junior Cycle. Keeping them going is difficult for parents and it’s a big buildup for families, but it’s good to get them started and I hope the next few weeks go well for them all.
“Best of luck to them all no matter what they are going on to do, college or apprenticeships or the workplace. I hope the best for them all and that they achieve the success they have been preparing for over the last six years,” Mr Lane added.
‘POSITIVE MINDSETS’
At Loreto Secondary School in Fermoy, exam season kicked off with calmness on Wednesday, despite the building anticipation in the run-up to the Leaving Cert and Junior Cert, according to principal Orla Forde.
“Our third-year and sixth-year students have worked extremely hard over the past two years and their diligence and commitment to their studies will stand them in good stead over the next fortnight. The overall feeling in the school over the past month was anticipation, but the girls kept calm throughout and their camaraderie and positive mindsets have helped them to prepare.
“We wish them all the very best of luck over the next few weeks. They have put in the work and once the first exam is over, everything will settle down and they will navigate their schedules comfortably,” Ms Forde assured.
TIME TO SHINE
As LCA, Junior and Leaving Cert exams came to a finish on Wednesday morning, there was little sign of any heartache or panic from students in Mitchelstown. Leaving Cert CBS students that The Avondhu spoke to were unanimous in their feelings that the exam was ‘grand’, while Presentation Leaving Cert students were generally laughing and in too good spirits to even guess that they were just out of an exam!
One Presentation student was seen to be already flicking through her Home Economics book, with the English exam finished only 10 minutes beforehand. For Coláiste Fionnchua’s Mischa Spillane, and Shannon O’Regan, they were looking ahead to the same Home Ec exam in the afternoon.
While it must have been a sense of relief to have the first exam out of the way, there was a feeling that students were gone straight back to the books as about 20 minutes after the exam, there wasn’t a school uniform to be seen in the vicinity of the secondary schools, either around the church or the back of the Leisure Centre in town.
Presentation Secondary School expressed how “proud” they were of all their students, and reminded them to do their best; the hard work will pay off. Likewise, CBS advised their pupils to “Seize the day, and give it everything you’ve got!” Coláiste Fionnchua, meanwhile, told their students that it was “time to shine” with the hard work done.
Local councillors have also extended their well-wishes. Cllr Frank O’Flynn said: “I wish them every success on the exams”.
While the Leaving Certificate generally dominates the news cycle, the Leaving Cert Applied exams also began on Wednesday with English and Communication in the morning, and Social Education in the afternoon. While the Junior Cert exams saw English in the morning and Religious Education in the afternoon.
The last date for all exams in the 27th June, when Japanese, Arabic, Politics, Religious Education, and Applied Maths will all be sat. Examination entry fees for 2023 are being waived; normally, €116 for the Leaving Certificate and €109 for the Junior Cycle exam.
The Leaving Cert results will be known on August 25th this year.