Prize-Giving Awards Ceremony

It is that time of year again when all students and staff (teaching and ancillary) come together in Our Lady’s College as a whole school community to recognise and reward hard work and effort in diverse areas of school life.

In a two-hour ceremony on Friday, May 19th, led by Master of Ceremonies, Tim O’Connell, best effort in the classroom was acknowledged with winners in every class throughout the school.

Sports awards featured heavily in the event with participation, volunteering, team spirit as well as individual prowess in Gaelic football, camogie, soccer, basketball and athletics recognised. A number of sports grants made possible as a result of sponsorship by the very successful Greenhills Badminton Marathon organised by teacher Anne-Marie Nolan were made available to students in a range of sporting activities.

Creativity in English and Irish essay writing and poetry was celebrated as was talent in Music and Art.

Student effort and skills development in entrepreneurship, environmental awareness, cookery, photography and student journalism, wellbeing, literacy promotion and foreign languages were some of the other areas of school life that were also recognised.

In the run up to exam season for Junior Cycle, Leaving Cert. and LCA students, principal Geraldine Mulvihill told the assembled Greenhills girls that they are not defined by percentage or descriptor achieved in exams. At the same time, ambition to achieve one’s personal best academically was celebrated during the awards ceremony and good luck wishes were extended to all students undertaking exams in the coming weeks.

There was a special award for students on the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion committee and commitment to intercultural education was foregrounded as a vital aspect of the educational experience in Greenhills.

Following a whole school vote, Moya Corrigan and Denise Ivare were announced as this year’s Junior and Senior Students of the Year respectively.

The final part of the awards ceremony was a farewell speech from outgoing head-girl, Denise Ivare who had written a cleverly composed poem titled “Google Search” as a metaphor charting her journey through the school since first year. Her deputy Sarah Jane Hughes made an equally entertaining and emotional speech that featured the language of business as she compared the adventure of secondary school to the highs and lows and risk taking associated with a new business start-up.

The girls acknowledged all of the guidance they have received throughout their time in Our Lady’s College and extended thanks to all of their teachers, past and present for the varied opportunities they have enjoyed during their time in the school. They also thanked their fellow 6th year students for their friendship and support and wished incoming head-girl Clara Mc Veigh and deputy headgirl Shannon Briscoe every success in their new roles for the coming year.