Loreto principal: 'your journey with us doesn’t end today'
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Ms Bride Smyth, Mrs Audrey Hanlon and Mrs Olivia Callaghan with Ali Brennan, Entiona Muga and Zoe Burke (head girl team).Image 2 of 29
Mrs Mairead Seery with Zohra Syed Shah (maths student of the year).Image 3 of 29
Alix Wursdorfer (French student of the year) with Ms Sharon Dillon.Image 4 of 29
Lena Kasprzak (Spanish student of the year) with Ms Grainne O’Kennedy.Image 5 of 29
Ms Olivia Toman with Sarah Smith (music student of the year).Image 6 of 29
Lucy Dorr (English student of the year) with Ms. Orla LennonImage 7 of 29
Entiona Muga (German student of the year) with Ms. Sarah Weafer.Image 8 of 29
Greta Sutinyte (art student of the year) with Ms Amy Foran.Image 9 of 29
Megan Pantrey (Irish student of the year) with Ms Claire Gilmartin.Image 10 of 29
Mr Sean Walsh with Andreea Bura (religion student of the year).Image 11 of 29
Ms Jennifer Bracken with Saoirse Ní Dhomhnaill (home economics student of the year).Image 12 of 29
Genia Chatterjee (economics student of the year) with Mr Neil Garry.Image 13 of 29
Mr Alan Maguire with Zelie Tekumu (business studies student of the year).Image 14 of 29
Tadi Chitungo (accountancy student of the year) with Mr Gabriel Keyes.Image 15 of 29
Aine Curran (history student of the year) with Ms Orla Lennon.Image 16 of 29
Caitlin Toomey (geography student of the year) with Ms Catherine Gallagher.Image 17 of 29
Katie Kearns (PE student of the year) with Ms. Ashley Ruane.Image 18 of 29
Ella Bennett (LCVP student of the year) with Ms Sarah Malynn.Image 19 of 29
Martha Rodgers (6th year agricultural science student of the year) with Ms Patricia Woods.Image 20 of 29
Aya Salih (chemistry student of the year) with Ms Elizabeth Percival.Image 21 of 29
Aideen Langtry (physics student of the year) with Mr Steven McGroggan.Image 22 of 29
Aiswarya Sunilkumar (biology student of the year) with Ms Alma Grace.Image 23 of 29
Sr Teresita Award. Ms Olivia Callaghan (principal), Zelie Tekumu and Sister Therese.Image 24 of 29
Rene Lysaght Award. Back Row, L-R: Cian Daly, Zoe Burke, Alex Wursdorfer, Zohra Syed Shah, Ms Sinéad Uí Dhroma. Front Row, L-R: Ali Brennan, Hannah Obadina, Entiona Muga.Image 25 of 29
Greta Sutinyte (overall student of the year).Image 26 of 29
Joy Award. Back Row, L-R: Ms Audrey Hanlon, Orla Coll, Hazel O’Hehir, Alice Galvin, Isabella Perez, Ms Olivia Callaghan. Front row, L-R: Zoe Burke, Ali Brennan, Ava O’Grady, Kindness Amable Evobun Osaya.Image 27 of 29
Sporting Excellence. Back Row, L-R: Ms Sinéad Uí Dhroma, Ms Audrey Hanlon, Ms Maria Smyth, Ms Olivia Callaghan, Ms Bridie Smyth. Front Row, L-R: Eimear Doonan, Diana Cornila, Caoimhe McKeogh, Chloe Mulcahy, Fran O’Reilly.Image 28 of 29
Ethos Award. Back row, L-R: Mr Mervyn Lloyd, Ms Grainne O’Kennedy, Ms Elena Quintanal, Entiona Muga, Hannah Obadina, Halima Ogunleye, Zohra Syed Shah, Aiswarya Sunilkumar, Ms Mairead Seery, Ms Sinéad Uí Dhroma, Ms Therese O’Keeffe, Ms Veronica Ortega. Front row, L-R: Ali Brennan, Zoe Burke, Orla Coll, Ella Murtagh, Grace Hanly, Katie Kearns, Chloe Keena.Image 29 of 29
Sixth year Student of the Year. Back row standing, L-R: Megan Pantrey, Saoirse Ní Dhomhnaill, Evelina Bersevica, Grace Hanly, Grace Harvey, Gemma Nooney, Kate McDonnell, Aine Curran. Middle Row, L-R: Halima Ogunleye, Holly McCormack, Aideen Langtry, Iosa Smith, Isobel Doherty, Genia Chatterjee, Zelie Tekumu, Emylou Leech. Front row, L-R: Grace Stafford, Zara Anwaar, Claire McCaul, Andreea Bura, Niamh McDermott, Greta Sutinyte, Martha Rodgers, Emma Middleton, Aiswarya Sunilkumar, Lucy Dorr, Entiona MugaSíofra Grant
The Loreto College Mullingar sixth year awards took place on the students’ last day before they knuckled down in final revision for their Leaving Certificate.
The school hall was filled with the students in their blue uniforms excitedly chatting as they waited for the ceremony to begin.
It opened with a prayer from Sr Anna, followed by Olivia Callaghan, principal. "You’ve reached the end of a chapter that began five or six years ago when you first walked through the gates of Loreto College.
"Some of you were nervous, many of you full of curiosity, and all of you unaware of just how much you would grow in the years to come."
The girls in the room began their secondary school careers socially distancing in classrooms in the school gym or online.
"Since then, you have left your mark on this school through your spirit, leadership, creativity, and your resilience," said Ms Callaghan.
She complimented the staff on their work with the girls in the six years. "To the teachers, today is also your day. These students before us are a reflection of your care, effort, and belief in them over the years.
"You’ve not only taught your subjects, you’ve taught confidence, compassion, and courage. You’ve stood beside these students as mentors, role models, and steady hands guiding them toward independence.
"To our sixth years, as you prepare to leave Loreto, know that your journey with us doesn’t end today.
"You will always carry a piece of Loreto with you, not just the memories – but the values and friendships that will stay with you for life."
Sinead Uí Dhroma, year head also addressed the gathering: "I want you to take a minute. I want you to look to your left, and I want you to look to your right."
The crowd complied with synchronised turns and laughter engulfed the room; Ms Uí Dhroma continued: "These friendships formed here will remain some of the most important relationships of your lives.
"As I chatted to you over the last few weeks, you spoke of the fun and laughter you have had in the lockers and the classrooms around the school, your trip to Emerald Park. I even got to hear about some of the pranks you played on your teachers.
"It is hard to believe looking at these young women now, but these are the same women who used to blow into the carbon monoxide alarms in the classrooms, and other pranks that will have to stay between us."
Giggles rippled through the hall.
"But I want you to remember now the friends that only have to look at you across the room to make you laugh, the friends that will check in on you when you’re having a bad day; the teacher who encouraged you to be the best version of yourself, and who listened and motivated you, who took time out of their busy day to explain busy science questions after class, or helped you practise your oral before class."
Ms Uí Dhroma explained how the girls represent the school values, compassion, justice, courage, kindness and service to others. "These are values that have become part of the kind of person you want to be.
"It’s really important, because the world needs young women like you, young women who are intelligent and kind and confident enough to use their voices.
"Please remember, your worth is not measured by exam points, self value or peerism; it comes from who you are. Carry your kindness proudly, carry your confidence proudly, and carry your friendships proudly.
"Do not be afraid of making mistakes, do not be afraid of starting again and never make yourself smaller to fit into spaces that were never meant to limit you."
Following the speeches, it was time to present the awards, which began with presentations to the head girls. Then came the Leaving Certificate Department Awards in which each department chose a girl who excelled in each subject.
The main awards were then announced.
The Sr Terisita Award 2026, presented by Sr Therese was bestowed upon Zelie Tekumu, who had also won the award for Business Studies Student of the Year. The award recognises overcoming adversity.
Hannah Obadina received the Rene Lysaght Award, which recognises leadership within the school community. It was presented by Rene’s grand nephew.
The Joy Award 2026 was bestowed to Ava O’Grady. This award recognises a student who exudes positivity and has a positive effect on others.
There is a wonderful sense of support within the year group. Each time a girl’s names is called out, including as a nomination, the hall erupts with cheers and screams. Some are emotional for their friends and peers. It’s clear that a strong sense of community has been fostered among the girls.
Next came the sporting Excellence Award, it was given to Irish dancer Caoimhe McKeogh.
The School Ethos Award is a whole school award that recognises a student who lives out the Loreto Values through their actions, attitude and how they treat others. It was awarded to Ella Murtagh to the delight of her friends. As she returned to her seat, they started cheering once more.
Finally it was time for the sixth year Student of the Year Award, a highly prestigious award bestowed upon students who have shown dedication and commitment to their work, diligence and academic excellence. Out of 26 nominees, the award was presented to Greta Sutinyte.
After a few words of farewell, Ms Callaghan closed the ceremony. The girls then sang a song, and there were many tears among the emotional goodbyes all across the room as they filtered into the halls, ready to head out into the world.