A huge night of celebration at a Tipperary secondary school as achievements are recognised

A huge celebration of success and recognition spanning over the academic year 2024/2025 was witnessed by teachers, students, parents, guardians and family members in the Carraig Hotel on 26th May as Edmund Rice Secondary School students  in Carrick-on-Suir Carrick-on-Suir were awarded certificates and trophies for their achievements in academia, sport, music and extra-curricular activities and community involvement.

Awards were also presented for leadership, resilience and living out the values of the
Edmund Rice ethos. Principal Ms. Gleeson spoke with great pride about the students’
accomplishments and how this had a positive impact on the school and wider community.

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It was indeed an evening filled with stories of great success as the accomplishments of the nominated students were spoken of in detail as they were each individually praised and presented with awards in the many different categories to mark their exceptional dedication and hard work throughout the year.

The first half of the evening was dedicated to Transition Year Graduation as the school community gathered to bring the TY Programme to a close which is considered an important year as it links the gap between Junior and Senior Cycles whilst enriching and developing the student’s educational experience and offers a dip into various work place environments and promotes volunteering with various community groups.

Mr Peter Foran, teacher and TY Coordinator thanked Principal Ms Gleeson and the teachers for their support throughout the year on the various trips, and events happening and also the parents/guardians for their part in helping to make it a successful transition year.

Mr Foran addressed the TY students and told them they were now better prepared with skills built up and working together as a team in various projects, which will serve them well in the years to come. Each student then spoke of what they had learned and enjoyed during their year which covered many different experiences to include Model United Nations, cookery, charity soccer blitz, hurling coaching in the Greenschool, (for which they were presented with medals) ice skating, Gaisce Award activities, work experience, kayaking, mountain hiking and a trip to Paris. Tom Larkin, Chair of the Board of Management presented each student with a file of certificates which chronicled their TY year from workshops, to achieving bronze Gaisce awards, Safe Pass and manual handling certs to name a few.

Annual Awards

The second part of the evening unfolded with welcoming Guest of Honour Mr. Thomas Barr the 3 time Olympian and multi medallist at European and World Championships. Thomas spoke of the importance of having a good supportive network of people around you in all walks of life. When he started college, he gave up athletics as it required so much discipline and college life was offering him huge freedom with many different societies on campus. His parents told him he had talent, and out of respect for them, Thomas said he would ‘give it a try for one more year’ and he certainly proved he had talent. “Don’t turn away from something until you have exhausted every part of it, for motivation and discipline, put the process first and the goals will then come” he advised.

Thomas thanked the school for inviting him. Each year head teacher then announced the recipients of the Edmund Rice Award, Student of the Year Award and Academic Excellence Award. This was followed by the Extra-Curricular Awards presentations to include Young SVP Awards, Model UN 2025, Junior Enterprise and Music Student of the Year and also the soccer, football, basketball and hurling awards for 1st year, junior and senior years.

Minor Hurler of the Year – Conor O’Meara
Junior Sportsperson of the Year – Eoin Connolly
Senior Sportsperson of the Year – Darragh Dunne

Pat Dunphy, CEO of Carrick-on-Suir Credit Union presented the bursary for the Senior Student of the Year Award to Cormac Cummins and Jack Gough. Mr Dunphy said that the Carrick-on-Suir Credit Union Bursary Fund was a giving back to the community by sponsoring the two students of the year and how they are very happy to support education. The Junior Student of the Year went to Sean Flynn. All students and guests were treated to a buffet of delicious food and desserts on the night.

“A special thank you to Ms O'Neill for her efforts in organising a wonderful night and to all teachers who helped make this a very special occasion for the students and their families. Thank you again to Thomas Barr for presenting the awards and taking time with students and parents after the event. We would also like to sincerely thank our Principal, Ms Gleeson, and Vice-Principal, Ms Barry.

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Their encouragement and belief in recognising student achievement, not only on Awards Night but every day in school life which helps foster a culture of excellence, positivity, and pride in our school community.”