GALLERY: Honouring friendship, growth and learning at St Brigid’s
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JCSP Awards: Mr Phil Tifft, teacher, Megan, Quintin, Kian and Mrs Jo Jordan (Principal).Image 2 of 18
Students of the Month, from back left: Adam, Ollie, Sarr, Nicole, Akachi, and Michael; and in front: Calvin, Philip, Mrs Jordan and Rachel.Image 3 of 18
Chef of the Year Awards: Mrs Judith Jennings, teacher, with Megan, Daisy, Mrs Jordan, and Ruby.Image 4 of 18
Most Improved Student: From back left: Dominika, Sarah, Adam, Mohamad, Daisy, and Mrs Jordan, and in front: Ms Shauna Butterly, teacher, with Eavan and Ella.Image 5 of 18
Artist of the Year: Mrs Bernadette Corroon, chairperson, pictured with Camilo and Mohamad.Image 6 of 18
Friendship Awards: Evan, Conor, Daniel, teacher and Deputy Principal, Mrs Lorna Butler, with Megan, Mia, and in front: Emily, Jamie, Hannah and Ronan.Image 7 of 18
Sports Day Medal: Back row: Hegrael, Steven, Mrs Henshaw (teacher and sports co-ordinator). Front Row: Amy, Michael, Camilo, Ollie, Rosei (SNA), Junior Sports Day race winners.Image 8 of 18
Senior Sports Day Race Winners: At back: Ms Henshaw, Zoey, Adam, Quintin, and Mohamad, and in front: Tara. Peter, Jason, and Alex.Image 9 of 18
Footballer of the Year awards: Mrs Jordan, Daniel, Daryl Gahan (Special Olympics gold medalist) Cody, Quintin and Ms Hensaw.Image 10 of 18
Student of the Year Awards. At back: Mrs Jordan, Akachi, Steven, Kina, and Nathan; and in front: Kotrina, Tara, Sam, and Annie.Image 11 of 18
Carpenter of the Year Awards: Mr John Maloney, woodwork teacher, Alex, Adam and Noelle.Image 12 of 18
Outstanding Contribution to School Life Awards: Mrs Jordan with Kian and Ella.Image 13 of 18
Mrs Jordan pictured with Kotrina who won a medal for kindness.Image 14 of 18
Award lottery for best attendance: Ruby was the winner of the Attendance Raffle, which gained her a €250 voucher for Coyne Cycles in Kinnegad!Image 15 of 18
Secondary Purple Leavers Awards: Mrs Judith Jennings, Jason, Adam, Jamie and Jo Jordan.Image 16 of 18
Gaisce Awards: Calvin, Adam, Amy, Mrs Butler, Daisy, Nathan and Daniel.Image 17 of 18
A presentation to the Secondary Yellow Leavers: Mrs Butler, Calvin, Adam, Nathan, Daniel and Mrs Jordan.Image 18 of 18
Footballer of the Year Awards: Mohamad, Calvin, Jason, Kian, Jamie, Daniel, Cody, Quintin, with Daryl Gahan, Special Olympic s gold medalist, and in front Ms Henshaw, soccer coach, with Kotrina photobombing!St Brigid's School in Mullingar held their annual awards day, and what an uplifting event it was, with awards handed out to those who excelled in all strands of school life, from friendship and kindness, to personal growth and learning, as well as sports, music and everything in between.
There was a very special guest there on the day also, one Daryl Gahan, who had just returned home with a gold medal for his part in the Irish team that came out on top in the soccer championship at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.
Daryl is a past pupil of St Brigid's, and currently has a brother Jason and sister Megan in attendance there, and on the day proved to his peers what can be achieved through sheer determination and application of spirit.
The awards ceremony began in poignant style with a Mass performed by Fr Norman Allred, a native of Salt Lake City in the US, who visits the school every Wednesday, teaching them about God and spirituality.
"This is the first time in four years where we've been able to invite people into the school and share in this wonderful celebration, and you're all very welcome," began Principal Jo Jordan, speaking to the pupils and their families who had arrived for the occasion.
"There are a vast array of awards to be handed out today," she continued, and these recognised the JCSP Awards, Student of the Month and the Year, Most Improved Student, Artist of the Year, Friendship Award, Sports Day Medals. Carpenter of the Year, Student Council Gift, ICT of the Year, Kindness Medal, Musician of the Year, and those who made an Outstanding Contribution to School Life.
There were also some new awards on offer, including Chef of the Year, as cooking and home economics, and the skills involved, are now a big part of the school, as well as the Kindness Award and award for Friendship, as Principal Jo Jordan said:
"A lot of the pupils in our school make friends here for life, friends who support them, peers who cheer them on and tell them to cop on sometimes!"
Particular time was made of those leaving the school and heading for pastures anew, with Mrs Judith Jennings and Deputy Principal Lorna Butler calling them "the most amazing crew I've had in years", and "a credit not only to themselves but to their families".
St Brigid's School is the chosen beneficiary of this year's Wagon Wheel Canal Cycle, which is taking place on Sunday July 30.
The 20km canal cycle starts at Ballynacargy and goes as far as Ballinea before making the return trip. The entry cost is €20 per cyclist. Refreshments will be served after the cycle and there will be water stations on the route.
Kenny Hicks will be performing live after the event and there will be a raffle on the day also.
All funds raised this year will be donated to St Brigid's. Anyone who would like to make a donation or provide a spot prize can do so at the Wagon Wheel.