6th Class Graduation 2023
Congratulations to our eighty four 6th class children who had their graduation on the 28th of June to acknowledge their eight years with us here in St. Declan’s. It is a very special moment for the children as they leave primary school and move onto the next stage in their lives. Most of them have been part of our school community for the past eight years and some joined us along the way. During the 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 were joined on the night by our three 6th class teachers Ms Carey, Mrs Brick, and Mr McKeown along with their special education teachers Ms O’ Doherty, Ms Jenkinson and Mr Lydon. Father Ciarán, Frank Reidy and Eileen Flannery also joined us for the awards. The children have been working with their class teachers over the past few weeks and created some very impressive art work for the hall. Have a look at the amazing work. 
Ethan, Sophie, Jamie and Simona read the prayers of the faithful for us. Father Ciarán then blessed all the children making their graduation and their families. Mr Mc Keown, Mrs Brick and Ms Carey read out the names of the children for graduation and they came up to order their medals and certificates.
This year we reviewed our graduation awards – we discussed the awards with the Student Council also. In previous years we had a number of nominations from each class for Sportsperson of the Year and Pupil of the Year with two overall winners.
The awards for 2023/2024 were as follows:
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- Thomas Ashe Award – To acknowledge outstanding achievement and effort in academic learning
- Golden Heart Award – for someone who showed remarkable kindness, friendship and respect towards others
- Creative Arts Award – for someone who has shown fantastic ability, talent and creativity in the arts (music, art or drama)
- Outstanding Sports Achievement – Someone who has demonstrated excellent achievement, participation and contribution to sports in the school
- Overall Attendance Award – we like to acknowledge the importance of school attendance – every day counts.
- Sportsperson of the Year – we have retained this award but we are delighted to have renamed it “The Reidy Award” in honour of our former principal, Frank Reidy who worked tirelessly to promote sport in the school and across Co. Meath. He continues to be involved in promoting sport as a member of the Fingal League organising committee and Cumann na mBunscol.
- Pupil of the Year Award – this award is a long standing tradition. The award is presented by the Flannery family in memory of their late son,
Congratulations to Kaia Treacy-Khumalo, Cian Abbey and Annabel Doyle who won the Thomas Ashe Academic Award. 
Well done to Fawaz Ayuba, Holly Lynch and Anna Maria Kleibauer who won the Golden Heart Award.
Congratulations to Martyna Mozdzynska, Dawid Wojciechowicz and Alannah McGowan who won the Creative Arts Award.
Well done to Donnacha Paget, Ava Burke and Jude Duggan who won the Outstanding Sports Award.
The overall sportsperson of the year “The Reidy Award” went to Noah Pender. Noah was presented his award by Frank Reidy, our former principal. 
Congratulations to John Nulty- Finnerty who won the Overall Attendance Award for the past eight years.
The overall Pupil of the Year award was awarded to Conor Beggy. Conor was presented his award by Eileen Flannery
Thank you to the three 6th class teachers Ms Carey, Mrs Brick and Mr McKeown for their dedication and hard work with their classes and to all the teachers and SNAs who have worked with these classes over the past eight years. The class teachers and special education teachers were presented with beautiful gifts from the children.
Mr Kearins acknowledged the work of the Board Of Management, our secretaries Karen and Joanne our caretaker Tommy and our house keeping staff. Our PA presented Mr Kearins with a cheque for 20,400 for money raised through fundraising events throughout the year. 
6th Class Slideshow
6th Class Graduation Song 2023
We had a photo booth for the children to take photos in after the graduation. They had great fun trying on the different props. Thank you to our Parents Association for providing refreshments for the families and staff after the graduation. It was a great night and we are so proud of all the children as they move forward to secondary school. We wish them all the very best of luck and hope they will look back with fond memories on the time spent with us here in St. Declan’s NS.
