TRIBUTES PAID TO FORMER PRINCIPAL AT PRIZEGIVING
Tributes paid to former principal at prizegiving
School's significant success celebrated
The former Principal of Loreto Grammar School, Colm O'Neill, was paid a glowing tribute by his successor, Grainne O'Hanlon, at the school's recent annual prizegiving ceremony.
Dedicating the evening to Mr O'Neill, who retired as Principal in June last year, Mrs O'Hanlon said that the ceremony was a tribute to his most caring and considered leadership for the past six years.
"Colm O'Neill has been part of this school community for the past 30 years and is regarded as one of the finest teachers of Art & Design and the History of Art & Design.
"From Head of Department he was appointed as Vice Principal in 1983 and significantly in 1994, he was appointed as the first lay Principal of Loreto Grammar School," said Mrs O'Hanlon.
"His leadership was characterised by his wisdom, reflectiveness and sensitivity during a period of great educational change and, in particular, he supported the pupils and staff with a calm, quiet dignity in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb,"she added.
Mrs O'Hanlon went on to describe how one of Mr O'Neill's greatest strengths was his ability to name any pupil and engage them in conversation about people in their families and their communities. "His depth of interest in pupils' achievement in all areas of life was realised in the strength of his support for their engagement in many extra curricular activities.
His positive outlook and keen sense of humour contributed much to his success as a leader," she added.
Mr O'Neill was then presented with a range of artist materials on behalf of the school as a token of appreciation for all the hard work, loyalty and commitment he showed to the spirit of Loreto.
Guest speaker on the night was Maureen Boyle, a past pupil of the school who is currently Head of English in St Dominic's High School, Belfast, as well as Northern Ireland Theatre Critic for the Sunday Times and BBC Radio Ulster Presenter.
Ms Boyle spoke of her fond memories from her time at the school as a pupil, recalling humorous anecdotes from her experiences with various teachers, one of whom told her, 'Don't give up Maureen, God isn't finished with you yet....'
"Everyone has a special teacher in their past and I think as teachers ourselves we could wish for no higher accolade from you the students than to stay in someone's mind like that, she said.
Referring to debate on the future of education and so much that is negative being found in the past, Ms Boyle said she felt privileged at what she learned at Loreto which was a genuine openness and freedom to think, challenge and query.
"No-one ever told me that I couldn't have an opinion, that I couldn't read anything, that I couldn't say anything - I still remember the opening line of one debating speech which talked about being black, gay and a woman and another which talked about not wanting to give the sensuality of unlacing and undressing.
"Our nuns came and they laughed, they encouraged us and there was a tolerance there which I have not found in schools I have taught in since, which is to their credit," she said.
Ms Boyle spoke of her disdain for the setting of examination targets and 'percentage target levels' of achievement and said that her true target is to do her best for every single pupil in every single class.
"Statistics don't capture colour, they can't account for the bonds that are formed - you students in Year 12 are probably spending more hours of you lives with your teachers than almost anyone else yet at the end of this year you will walk out the door and go and there is little to mark that connection.
"Remember as students that what I have said works in the other direction too - it is rarely for a piece of work that I remember a student and that is not to diminish the importance at all of the academic work we do together," she said.
Recognising the academic achievements of the pupils, Principal O'Hanlon said that the present year had witnessed a truly remarkable set of results for the GCSE students. 16 subjects were offered and 142 girls sat the GCSE examinations. Almost 50% of the grades achieved were A* or A with 15 girls obtaining nine straight Grade A*'s and 18 had at least eight A's.
"This was an extraordinary year and whatever your individual results we recognise your truly remarkable achievement," said Mrs O'Hanlon.
The Principal also welcomed the return of the A level students, who had moved to colleges here and in Scotland, Wales and England, describing their results as exceptional as 141 girls entered for examinations with no-one failing to achieve an A level pass.
"10 girls obtained three or more A levels with Grade A and 33 girls obtained two Grade A's or better. Significantly most of you were placed in the courses of your choice and for those of you taking a Gap Year enjoy the experience.
"I hope you all are enjoying your lives and experiences and trust you will continue to maintain links with each other and with the school for many years to come, she said.
Concluding Mrs O'Hanlon praised the parents, teaching staff and non - teaching staff for their energy, commitment and enthusiasm towards school life and spoke of her pride at leading the school into a bright future.
"As a past pupil I am proud to lead this Loreto community which energises young people to own and progress in life. I will honour the position with commitment and enthusiasm and I will respect the trust placed in my position as leader." she said.
"The Gallagher Smith Report and the current review of the transfer procedure now places a question mark over the structure of education in the future and no-one can deny that our present system of education is flawed and there will follow an intense period of deliberation and planning.
"We will make our past and present inform the future. We will channel our expertise and exercise sound judgment in the promotion of excellence in educational standards and relationships for everyone. All our children deserve that," added Mrs O'Hanlon.
Top achievers
GCSE AWARDS
Maire Bradley Trophy: Highest Achievement in Home Economics at GCSE Level - Edel McCarron
Sister Philomena Griffith Cup: Excellent Achievement at GCSE Level - Claire O'Kane
McAleer & Teague Trophy: Excellent Achievement at GCSE Level -Amanda Bradley
Sister Soubirous Trophy: Best Achievement at GCSE Level -Melanie O'Donnell
Top Student Awards at GCSE in N. Ireland: First in Mathematics -Noeleen McCrystal
Joint First in Irish- Susan McSwiggan
Joint Second in Irish- Claire O'Kane
A LEVEL AWARDS
The Loreto Community Cup- Charlene Getty
The Principal's Cup- Kelly McClements
Past Pupils' Trophy- Naomi McSorley
Bishop Daly Trophy- Fiona Browne
The Sister Dominic Lynch Trophy -Mathematics - Helen McElroy
The Mother Teresa Ball Trophy Combined Studies - Arts and Science - Ann Marie Benson
Top Student Awards in N. IrelandFirst in Home Economics Bronagh Doran
Third in Home Economics: Naomi McSorley
SPECIAL AWARDS
First Trust Trophy: For Promise in Business Related Projects - Mairead Flanagan
Mary McAnanney Shield:For Environmental Awareness Jacqueline Ferris
Mary Lowry Trophy : For Commitment to Projects Within Religious Studies - Claire Chesters & Lisa Quinn
Sister Fidelma Burley Trophy: For Outstanding Contribution to Choral Work- Orlaith McGinn
The Hillbank Fold Memorial Trophy: For Outreach to the Community- Donna Donnelly
Marian Gormley Memorial Cup: For Most Promising Musical Student of the Year- Roisin McCann
The Jolene Marlowe Memorial Award: Lyn McCaskie
Owen Craft Award: For Art & Design- Fiona Molloy
SENIOR LEADERSHIP AWARDS Pricewaterhouse Coopers Trophy: For Public Speaking- Cara McCullough
The Eileen Boyle Memorial Trophy: For Computer Studies - Paula Mullan
Sports Plaque- Eimer Doherty
Omagh Meats Perpetual Trophy : For European Awareness- Maria Boden
Fairway Stores Shield- Donna Donnelly
Senior Prefect Plaque- Ann Marie Benson
School's significant success celebrated
The former Principal of Loreto Grammar School, Colm O'Neill, was paid a glowing tribute by his successor, Grainne O'Hanlon, at the school's recent annual prizegiving ceremony.
Dedicating the evening to Mr O'Neill, who retired as Principal in June last year, Mrs O'Hanlon said that the ceremony was a tribute to his most caring and considered leadership for the past six years.
"Colm O'Neill has been part of this school community for the past 30 years and is regarded as one of the finest teachers of Art & Design and the History of Art & Design.
"From Head of Department he was appointed as Vice Principal in 1983 and significantly in 1994, he was appointed as the first lay Principal of Loreto Grammar School," said Mrs O'Hanlon.
"His leadership was characterised by his wisdom, reflectiveness and sensitivity during a period of great educational change and, in particular, he supported the pupils and staff with a calm, quiet dignity in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb,"she added.
Mrs O'Hanlon went on to describe how one of Mr O'Neill's greatest strengths was his ability to name any pupil and engage them in conversation about people in their families and their communities. "His depth of interest in pupils' achievement in all areas of life was realised in the strength of his support for their engagement in many extra curricular activities.
His positive outlook and keen sense of humour contributed much to his success as a leader," she added.
Mr O'Neill was then presented with a range of artist materials on behalf of the school as a token of appreciation for all the hard work, loyalty and commitment he showed to the spirit of Loreto.
Guest speaker on the night was Maureen Boyle, a past pupil of the school who is currently Head of English in St Dominic's High School, Belfast, as well as Northern Ireland Theatre Critic for the Sunday Times and BBC Radio Ulster Presenter.
Ms Boyle spoke of her fond memories from her time at the school as a pupil, recalling humorous anecdotes from her experiences with various teachers, one of whom told her, 'Don't give up Maureen, God isn't finished with you yet....'
"Everyone has a special teacher in their past and I think as teachers ourselves we could wish for no higher accolade from you the students than to stay in someone's mind like that, she said.
Referring to debate on the future of education and so much that is negative being found in the past, Ms Boyle said she felt privileged at what she learned at Loreto which was a genuine openness and freedom to think, challenge and query.
"No-one ever told me that I couldn't have an opinion, that I couldn't read anything, that I couldn't say anything - I still remember the opening line of one debating speech which talked about being black, gay and a woman and another which talked about not wanting to give the sensuality of unlacing and undressing.
"Our nuns came and they laughed, they encouraged us and there was a tolerance there which I have not found in schools I have taught in since, which is to their credit," she said.
Ms Boyle spoke of her disdain for the setting of examination targets and 'percentage target levels' of achievement and said that her true target is to do her best for every single pupil in every single class.
"Statistics don't capture colour, they can't account for the bonds that are formed - you students in Year 12 are probably spending more hours of you lives with your teachers than almost anyone else yet at the end of this year you will walk out the door and go and there is little to mark that connection.
"Remember as students that what I have said works in the other direction too - it is rarely for a piece of work that I remember a student and that is not to diminish the importance at all of the academic work we do together," she said.
Recognising the academic achievements of the pupils, Principal O'Hanlon said that the present year had witnessed a truly remarkable set of results for the GCSE students. 16 subjects were offered and 142 girls sat the GCSE examinations. Almost 50% of the grades achieved were A* or A with 15 girls obtaining nine straight Grade A*'s and 18 had at least eight A's.
"This was an extraordinary year and whatever your individual results we recognise your truly remarkable achievement," said Mrs O'Hanlon.
The Principal also welcomed the return of the A level students, who had moved to colleges here and in Scotland, Wales and England, describing their results as exceptional as 141 girls entered for examinations with no-one failing to achieve an A level pass.
"10 girls obtained three or more A levels with Grade A and 33 girls obtained two Grade A's or better. Significantly most of you were placed in the courses of your choice and for those of you taking a Gap Year enjoy the experience.
"I hope you all are enjoying your lives and experiences and trust you will continue to maintain links with each other and with the school for many years to come, she said.
Concluding Mrs O'Hanlon praised the parents, teaching staff and non - teaching staff for their energy, commitment and enthusiasm towards school life and spoke of her pride at leading the school into a bright future.
"As a past pupil I am proud to lead this Loreto community which energises young people to own and progress in life. I will honour the position with commitment and enthusiasm and I will respect the trust placed in my position as leader." she said.
"The Gallagher Smith Report and the current review of the transfer procedure now places a question mark over the structure of education in the future and no-one can deny that our present system of education is flawed and there will follow an intense period of deliberation and planning.
"We will make our past and present inform the future. We will channel our expertise and exercise sound judgment in the promotion of excellence in educational standards and relationships for everyone. All our children deserve that," added Mrs O'Hanlon.
Top achievers
GCSE AWARDS
Maire Bradley Trophy: Highest Achievement in Home Economics at GCSE Level - Edel McCarron
Sister Philomena Griffith Cup: Excellent Achievement at GCSE Level - Claire O'Kane
McAleer & Teague Trophy: Excellent Achievement at GCSE Level -Amanda Bradley
Sister Soubirous Trophy: Best Achievement at GCSE Level -Melanie O'Donnell
Top Student Awards at GCSE in N. Ireland: First in Mathematics -Noeleen McCrystal
Joint First in Irish- Susan McSwiggan
Joint Second in Irish- Claire O'Kane
A LEVEL AWARDS
The Loreto Community Cup- Charlene Getty
The Principal's Cup- Kelly McClements
Past Pupils' Trophy- Naomi McSorley
Bishop Daly Trophy- Fiona Browne
The Sister Dominic Lynch Trophy -Mathematics - Helen McElroy
The Mother Teresa Ball Trophy Combined Studies - Arts and Science - Ann Marie Benson
Top Student Awards in N. IrelandFirst in Home Economics Bronagh Doran
Third in Home Economics: Naomi McSorley
SPECIAL AWARDS
First Trust Trophy: For Promise in Business Related Projects - Mairead Flanagan
Mary McAnanney Shield:For Environmental Awareness Jacqueline Ferris
Mary Lowry Trophy : For Commitment to Projects Within Religious Studies - Claire Chesters & Lisa Quinn
Sister Fidelma Burley Trophy: For Outstanding Contribution to Choral Work- Orlaith McGinn
The Hillbank Fold Memorial Trophy: For Outreach to the Community- Donna Donnelly
Marian Gormley Memorial Cup: For Most Promising Musical Student of the Year- Roisin McCann
The Jolene Marlowe Memorial Award: Lyn McCaskie
Owen Craft Award: For Art & Design- Fiona Molloy
SENIOR LEADERSHIP AWARDS Pricewaterhouse Coopers Trophy: For Public Speaking- Cara McCullough
The Eileen Boyle Memorial Trophy: For Computer Studies - Paula Mullan
Sports Plaque- Eimer Doherty
Omagh Meats Perpetual Trophy : For European Awareness- Maria Boden
Fairway Stores Shield- Donna Donnelly
Senior Prefect Plaque- Ann Marie Benson
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0728
Published Date: 11-Jan-01
Related Images
