Awards Day in Ardscoil Mhuire Ballinasloe 2017
Congratulations to the more than 100 students who were honoured on our Awards Day that was held in the school on Tuesday 23rd May last. Our awards were presented by Dr Caitriona Cormican, a past pupil, who spoke inspirationally on the day about school life and combining academic work with sporting activities to achieve a balance. She wished all our exam students the best in the upcoming state exams and was also on hand to launch our school magazine “Echoes.” Awards were achieved for full attendance, academic excellence, sporting endeavours, Green Schools Committee work, Friendship/Cara awards, Gaisce, Sky Sports activities, Creativity and Music, Realt and Ceist Awards as well as the prestigious Student of the Year Award.
The Student of the Year Award is sponsored by Bank of Ireland each year and is presented to a 6th year student who has, over her years in the school, stood out as an example to all, in her commitment to her studies, her attendance, her school spirit, as well as her friendship and respect to all in our school community. This year’s very worthy winner is Claire Butler. The school also presented Claire with a Michael Kors pendant as a memento to mark the occasion and the contribution she has made to our school community in the 6 years she has been here.
Our All Ireland winning 1st Year Spike ball team and 2nd Year Volleyball All Ireland Shield winners were presented with their Gold medals. Our Cadet Volleyball team who made it to the All-Ireland final, but were narrowly beaten, received their Silver medals. Sarah Lyons 1st Year was awarded the Volleyball Award, Rachel Whyte received the 2nd Year award, while Alice Duncan and Georgia Codyre received the Cadet and Senior Awards respectively. Huge thanks to Ms Usher for her work with these teams all year.
Football awards were presented to Gemma Ward 2nd Year, Hannah Gullane TY and Becky Cawley LCA2 for their contribution to teams this year. Camogie Awards were presented to Aoife Murray 2nd Year, Hannah Flynn TY and Emma Donohue LCert for their contribution to camogie. Lauren Doherty 1st Year and Rachel Whyte 2nd Year were awarded the basketball prizes for their commitment and skill in the sport this year. Junior and Senior Rugby Awards were won by Beibhinn Parsons 3rd Year and Sarah Dent 5th Year, who was also named Connacht Rugby Player of the Year.
Heather Payne was honoured with the Soccer Award for her outstanding contribution to the National Ladies u17 Soccer team who made it to the European Championships in May this year. Heather captained the team for one of the games and we are very proud of her achievements.
Cross country and athletics were very successful in our school this year and Grace Campbell 5th Year and Michelle Winters 3rd year were presented with awards for their great year and qualification for the All-Ireland event next month. The Mary Casey PE Perpetual Trophy was presented to 6th year student Jennifer Kelly who not only is talented in sport but gave her time generously to help out in organising extracurricular activities during her 6 years here.
Creativity Awards were presented to two very talented 6th Year Art students, Lara Clifford and Joanne Murray. The Music award was presented to the very talented Aoife Hibbitt 6th Year. The Bernie Nash Irish Traditional Music Perpetual Trophy was presented to Alison Egan 5th Year. The CEIST Award, sponsored by our Trustees, acknowledges the student who exemplifies dignity and respect for all. The very deserving winner was Mary Cuddy TY.
Our Senior German Debating team of Laura Hession, Jane Corbett, Kate Kelly , Laura Finn and Heather Payne, who made it to the All Ireland Semi Final stages of the prestigious Goethe Institute Competition , were presented with their Certificate from the Institute.
Two talented first year students Holly Crosby and Catherine Gately, were awarded the Science award for their excellent projects for the Scifest@School Competition this year.
Our Realt Award, which acknowledges students who have had to overcome particular challenges during the year, was presented to Bianca Pletosu 3rd year, who has been an example to all in her learning of English and achieving high standards in her academic studies.
The LCA award went to Rachel Ward LCA2 while the FETAC award went to Melissa Brady. CARA awards were presented to students who were identified by their peers as being kind, friendly and helpful during the year. In 1st year Katie Malone was selected, 2nd years chose Clodagh Powell, 3rd years selected Paula Brady. Aoife Dudgeon was chosen in TY while Amie Hawkins was chosen in 5th Year.
Academic awards were presented to students from 1st to 5th year for aptitude and ability in all their subjects. The Leaving Cert student who achieves the highest LCert results will be honoured on Mercy Day in September.
Aislinn Clifford, Ceanna Bolton, Athia Mohdzairi and Avril Deely were the recipients of the 1st Year academic awards.
Clodagh Powell, Aoife Castle, Rachel Whyte, Alison Markham and Abbey Downey were the 2nd year recipients.
Maria Colohan, Shauna Mulry, Anna Kelly and Mei Chen Kennedy were the 3rd year winners.
In 5th year Paula Generelo De Reina, Blanaid Fenton, Laura Finn, Sarah Fletcher and Laura Hession were the winners of the academic awards.
Our Awards Day was the culmination of a year of academic excellence, sporting endeavour, friendships and extra curricular activities here in Ardscoil Mhuire. We wish all our students the very best in the upcoming state exams and a restful and renewing summer holiday.