It was a very special evening in St. Declan’s NS as our 84 6th class children joined us for their graduation ceremony. The children have spent the last few weeks preparing for it. They prepared some gorgeous artwork with their teachers and displayed it all in the hall.

 

Mr Mc Loughlin joined us as camera man for the night while Mr Mc Keown was on sound. We streamed the event

live to our 6th class families as they couldn’t be present in the hall with us. We were also joined by Noel Curtin the chairperson of our Board of Management.

It was a time to remember and a time to look forward.  Most of the children have been part of our school community for the past eight years and some joined us along the way. During their time with us they have been nurtured by the love of their families, inspired by the guidance of their teachers and bound by the precious gifts of friendship. We hope that the road they have started with us will help them lead a full, contented and happy lifestyle, ready to take on the many challenges and also the rich opportunities that will come their way.

Rob Kelly from Room 2, Sophie Aylward from Room 3 and Kristian Frasca from Room 4 read a prayer of the faithful each.

Ava Mc Gillivray from Room 2 , Jack Price from Room 4 and Rachel Brogan from Room 4 shared memories and a poem about St. Declan’s.

We had super entertainment as we played the Lipsinc version of Bohemian Rhapsody. Even Ms O’Halloran, Mr Ryan, Ms Jenkinson, Joanne, Karen, Mr Kearins and Mrs Collier starred in the performance. It was epic!

We had the attendance awards next. Eric Byrne , Emma Nulty Finnerty, Toke Alicia Jones, Kady Mc Hugh, Conor Mc Cabe, Jean O’Donoghue, Fayomade Owoade and Nathan Day Daly achieved a fantastic attendance record over the past 8 years in St. Declan’s. Noel presented them with a certificate a voucher for Life Style Sports.

The three classes were presented with medals and certificates as a token of their time spent with us.

We had many worthy nominees of sportsperson of the year in 6^th class this year. This award takes the past 8 years into account. It is awarded for participation, dedication, sportsmanship, team spirit, leadership skills and behaviour on and off the pitch. We had 4 nominees from each 6^th class.  Mr Farrell couldn’t make it on the night so Mr Ryan to read out the nominations and presented the award on his behalf. The nominations went to Leon Callaghan, Grace Scanlon, Logan Moloney and Ava Mc Gillivray from Room 2. Matthew Cowley, Evan Burdock, Hannah Lumley and Katelyn for Room 3. Tommy Toth, Max Larkin, Rachel Brogan and Taylor Jade Kelly from Room 4.

And the overall prize went to Matthew Cowley from Room 3. Mr Ryan presented him with his trophy.

Student of the Year Award was first presented in 1995. Thank you to the Flannery family who sponsored the award. Unfortunately, Eileen was unable to be with us on the night but she sent all her best wishes for our 6th class children. The following children received nominations- Rachel Richardson, Fionn Kenny, Addison Kelly and Brandon Whelan from Room 2. Conor Jones, Emma Feeney, Aoife Mc Mahon and Kaitlyn Newman from Room 3. Leah Hallinan, Jack Price, Eva O’Donovan and Daniel Toms Joseph from Room 4. Noel Curtin presented them with their certificates.

And the Pupil of The Year Award 2020-2021 went to Rachel Richardson Room 2. Well done Rachel!

We watched the slideshow prepared by Ms Jenkinson. There was some lovely video messages from past teachers. No doubt all the mammies and daddies were in floods of tears at home.

Thank you to Ms O’Halloran, Mr Ryan and Ms Jenkinson who have taught the children for the past two years. They were extremely proud of all the children and they asked the children to represent St. Declan’s well going forward in life.

We finished of  graduation with a very moving version of When We Were Young by Adele. They were accompanied by Mr Mc Keown on guitar and Ms Jenkinson on bodhran. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house!! Best of luck and happiness to Class of 2021 from everyone in St. Declan’s NS.