Pupils at Offaly school get a big surprise at 6th class graduation event

ST Brendan's PS held their customary 6th class graduation event on the last before the Summer break. The boys in their final month of primary school research a hero that they choose themselves and then present a project along with a speech to their peers, staff, family and friends.

This event has been running for the past 20 years since being introduced by Mr Crofton to the school. This year to a packed hall the boys' hero speeches started out and varied from Pele to T.J. Reid to David Walliams and then number 4 on the list Dylan Kelly went up to speak about his hero .. Adam Screeney. Guess what happened next!
Memories for a lifetime made as who appeared at the door of the hall but the Kilcormac Killoughey magician himself!

This was a massive surprise for parents, boys, staff and of course Dylan himself.
Thanks to Ms Roisin Donovan and Mr Damien Cunningham for rubbing whatever magic lamp they had and producing the genie! Adam Screeney – #legend #gentleman

A delighted Dylan and also Billy Carroll met their hero and took a few photos. Adam then spoke to the boys and crowd about the importance of having a hero to look up to and he remembered his own days growing up dreaming of his heroes on the hurling field.

The event then continued in the school hall as each boy spoke for 1-2 minutes about his hero (famous) and how he was inspired by them – the large crowd heard a variety of inspirational speeches about heroes ranging from Messi to Smokey to Ronaldo.

The parents had a cup of tea at interval and the boys enjoyed their customary slide show movie of their 6th class highlights created by Mr Crofton.
Ms Doyle then spoke and outlined how the boys had been an such a great class who had such an amazing year with sports/robotics/trips and projects. She also mentioned the loss that this group had endured over the past eight years with family members and of course fellow pupil Tommy K (RIP) back in Junior Infants and of how special it was that his little Mario teddy had followed the class each and every year. The resilience that this group has shown will be an asset to them going into the future.

The boys all wore their special 6^th class graduation hoodies that were kindly sponsored by the Parents Association.

Mr Crofton thanked all present for their support in the journey over the past eight years and encouraged each boy to always do his best and try to reach your dream. Mr Crofton also thanked the parents sincerely for placing their trust in the school and staff to provide the best holistic education for their boys. Well done boys, they are all so proud of you. Follow your dreams and your special hero. Thank you Adam Screeney for taking the time to come to the school hall to hear Dylan’s speech and displaying the genuine characteristics that allow so many young people look up to you.