Student achievers honoured at Offaly secondary school's annual awards night

A SPECIAL event in Killina Presentation Secondary School's calendar took place on Friday with the presentation of the Academic Awards for the State Examinations 2025.

On the night, the school formally recognised the outstanding achievements of the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate students. The school was delighted to welcome back students from the Class of 2025, and to catch up on their progress in 3rd level education.

The compere for the night, and the Awards Committee coordinator, Ms Lynne Kennedy, spoke about how gratifying it was to see that amongst the highest achievers in academic areas there was a large number of athletes and musicians who have showcased themselves and their talents at a high level, who have represented their school, clubs, families, parishes and communities with pride. This is testament to their diligence, dedication, resilience, their attitude and their ambition, proof that it is possible to find a balance between extracurricular or co-curricular activities and learning.

She then outlined the criteria for selection and qualifying for the different awards.

At Leaving Certificate level recipients are awarded based on the results achieved in the State Exams, as calculated by the CAO system. At Junior Cycle to reflect recent changes in the exam system we have devised a points system as follows: Distinction 10 points, Higher Merit 8, Merit 6 and Achieved 4 points , for subjects studied at Higher and Common Level. Students were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals based on their attainment.

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A number of students achieved the highest grade possible in a subject area, outside of the medal categories, that is they earned a Distinction at Higher Level in Junior Cycle or a H1 at Leaving Cert level. These students received Certificates of Attainment and book tokens.

School Principal, Mr John Cotter, began the presentations at Junior Cycle to Emma Behan - Science, Jack Conroy - Wood Technology, Lauren Healion - Home Economics, Natalia Hejnowska - Wood Technology, Myleene Rose Laffere - Home Economics, Tadhg McGrath - Wood Technology and History, Ciara Rose McNeill - History and Religion, Lucy O’Rourke - Home Economics. A number of other students also earned Academic Achievement awards but were unable to attend on the night- Grace Buckley, Jack Conroy, Caleb Grobbelaar, Maeve Jordan, Naomi Kearney, Eva Minnock, Marie Minnock, Diana Sikora and Noelia Sempere Strelcova.

The Bronze Medal Awards, which were presented by Ms. Byrne went to Colm Buggy, Kevin Cleary, Jack Cunningham, Ciarán Flattery, Ronan Guinan, Alanna Loughnane, Anna Shiel, Anna Young, Tyler Buckley and Muireann McDonnell.

Mr. Lawless presented the Silver Medal Awards to Rory Byrne, Calan Kinnarney, Sorcha McDonagh, Róisín Osborne, Katie O’Toole and Maebh Coll.

Finally the Gold Medal and winner of the Overall Junior Cycle student of the year award, presented by Mr. Cotter was awarded to Laura Fox. Throughout her Junior Cycle in Killina Laura proved herself to be a dedicated, perceptive and talented student. Laura always displays great interest and enthusiasm and a huge love for learning, she endeavours always to give of her best. She is unfailingly positive in her outlook and an excellent role model for her classmates and peers.

Then for Senior Cycle, Mr. Cotter presented the awards for Academic Achievement at Leaving Certificate level.

To Alina Biduc - Russian, Emma Buggy - LCPE, Mia Ravensburg - DCG.

The Bronze Medal Awards, presented by Mr. Lawless went to: Leah Carroll, Seán Chen, Diarmuid Delaney, Ryan Gleeson, Jane Maher, Cathal Moran, Dylan Murphy Smyth, Aisling Nunan, Aoife Minnock and Charley Powell.

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Ms. Byrne presented the Silver Medal Awards. Congratulations to - Silver Medal Recipients: Samuel Brickland, Ava Grennan, Patrick Noga, Robert Regazzoli, Jessica Smyth . Ellen Dolan was also a Silver Medal Recipient but was unable to join on the night. Her mother Ann was there to accept the award on Ellen’s behalf. Ellen recently signed to play for Hearts in the SWPL. We wish her every success in her football career going forward and we are immensely proud of all she has achieved to date in her sporting career, on a national and international level all the while balancing her schoolwork and studies.

Finally, the Gold Medal and overall Leaving Certificate Student of the Year Award. This year, there was 3 worthy gold medal winners, all of whom scored maximum points in the Leaving Certificate - Orlaith Garvey, Dan O’Brien and Stephen Troy. Orlaith is currently studying Pharmacy in Queen’s University , Belfast. Dan is undertaking Actuarial studies in UCD and Stephen is pursuing his study of Mathematics in UCD. Throughout their time in Killina our 3 worthy recipients dedicated and immersed themselves fully in all aspects of school life. They were dedicated and diligent students who always gave of their best efforts. They truly embodied the 4 as - attendance, attitude, ambition and attainment. They showed great enthusiasm for learning, and a determination to succeed, traits which will no doubt stand them in good stead going forward .

On the night, the guest speaker was past pupil Ken Molloy. Ken graduated from Killina Presentation SS in 2007. He initially studied Primary Teaching and worked as a primary school teacher for a number of years before pursuing further education. Ken is now working with Oide, the professional development service for teachers and is a member of the STEM team. The school was delighted to welcome Ken back to share with us some of his experiences and the lessons he has learnt as he navigated his journey from leaving Killina to now.

The school would like to congratulate all of our students on their outstanding achievements, and wish them every success, whether in Senior Cycle in school, or in 3rd level hereafter. A special thanks to all who organised the night, especially Ms Kennedy and the other teachers on the committee for running an enjoyable and memorable night.