Students in Year 11 at St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook, attended a special prizegiving ceremony on 9 October 2012, celebrating their success as a year group in their first three years at the school.  The Key Stage 3 Prizegiving is an annual recognition of achievements and successes of the outgoing year group, and Head of Year 11, Mr Brendan McArdle, praised his students for their commitment to hard work, both academically, and in other fields such as music, drama and sport.

Principal of St Paul’s High School, Mr Oliver Mooney, expressed his admiration of the students of Year 11 on their successful first three years in the school, and asked them to commit themselves to continue this hard work and endeavour as they prepare for GCSE examinations and beyond in the next few years.

Photos taken at the Key Stage Prizegiving ceremony at St Paul’s are below:

Recipients of awards at Key Stage 3 Prizegiving, Joseph Mee (Science), Shauna Magill (English) and Jack Mallon (Maths), pictured with Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mr Brendan McArdle.

Recipients of awards for Best Results in Languages at Key Stage 3.  Caroline McMenamin (Irish), Aoibheann Lewis (French) and Aobh McAnulty (Spanish), pictured with Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mr Brendan McArdle.

Pictured is recipient of the Anne O’Connor Trophy for Drama at Key Stage 3, Conal Coulter, pictured with Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mr Brendan McArdle.

Recipient of the Jubilee Award for Religious Education at Key Stage 3, Brendan McCourt, pictured with Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mr Brendan McArdle.

Recipients of special awards at Key Stage 3 Prizegiving held in St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook:  Rachael Sands (Sheila Darling Spirit of Goodwill Cup), Michael Lindsay (Anne McKeown Salmon of Knowledge Trophy for Endeavour) and Sean Cully (The Millenium Trophy for Commitment) , pictured with Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mr Brendan McArdle.

Recipients of Sporting Awards at the Key Stage 3 Prizegiving at St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook:  Maria Murphy (Commitment to Girls’ Sport), Declan Loye (Commitment to Boys’ Sport), pictured with Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mr Brendan McArdle.

Emilia Mannarino (Netballer of the Year), pictured with Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mr Brendan McArdle.

Recipients of Awards for Contribution at Key Stage 3:  Karyn Feehan (Ethnic Percussion), Moya Strain (Choral Singing), Cloideach Rafferty (Tony McParland Cup for Art) and Amy Bannon (Traditional Group), pictured with Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mr Brendan McArdle.

Recipients of Awards for Contribution at Key Stage 3:  Laura Clarke and Caelian McParland pictured with their teacher, Mr Ciaran O’Hare.

Recipients of Awards at Key Stage 3: Rachael Sands & Gerard Gollogly (Sheila Darling Spirit of Goodwill Cup), pictured with Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mr Brendan McArdle.

Mrs Una McNulty (Vice Principal) presents Caolan O’Hare (1273) with a plaque in recognition of his excellent attendance during his time in St. Paul’s. Also in the picture is Mr P Mc Avoy (Form Teacher) and Mrs B McAleer (Classroom Assistant). Caolan is presently undertaking a construction course in the Southern Regional College.

Mrs Una McNulty (Vice Principal) presents Louise Duffy (1273) with the St. Brigid’s Trophy for endeavour and plaque for outstanding achievement during her time in St.Paul’s. Also in the picture is Mr P Mc Avoy (Form Teacher) and Mrs B McAleer (Classroom Assistant). Louise is presently undertaking a Child Care course in the The Link Works in Newry

Students who completed their GCSE examinations this summer had their success rewarded at a special prizegiving ceremony held at St Paul’s High School on 9 October 2012.

Outgoing Head of Year 12, Mrs Catherine Rafferty congratulated the students on their tremendous successes and wished them luck in their post-16 studies.  Principal Mr Oliver Mooney, paid tribute to the hard work, dedication and commitment shown by this Year 12 group, and expressed his pride in their individual and group achievements.

Some photographs below from the GCSE Prizegiving Ceremony at St Paul’s

Recipients of awards at GCSE Prizegiving held at St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook.  Barra McAteer (Maths, English Literature, English, Irish and Music), Daryll Galloghly (BTec Science) and Eoghan Coleman (DA Science, Geography and Technology & Design), Ben Rogan (SA Science) and Nicole Loughran (Dance) pictured with Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mrs Catherine Rafferty.

Recipients of awards at GCSE Prizegiving held at St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook.  Gabrielle Gedminaite (CIDA, LLW), Aoife Malone (French and ICT), Aislynn Bagnall (Art & Design, Religious Studies and Drama), Darragh Mee (Spanish), Shauna McCabe (Business Studies, Home Economics: Food, and History), Emma Hillen (Home Economics: Child Development), Blaithín O’Brien (PE), Paul Rice (Construction) and Sarah Rushe (Health and Social Care),  pictured with Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mrs Catherine Rafferty.

Pictured are Recipients of Awards for Endeavour and Contribution at GCSE, with Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mrs Catherine Rafferty.

Pictured are Recipients of Awards for Endeavour and Contribution at GCSE, with Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mrs Catherine Rafferty.

Pictured are Recipients of Medals of Endeavour, with Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mrs Catherine Rafferty.

Recipient of Award for Best Overall Results at GCSE, Barra McAteer, congratulated by Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mrs Catherine Rafferty.

Recipient of Award for Outstanding Student at GCSE, Brendan Nutley, congratulated by Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mrs Catherine Rafferty.

Recipient of Award for Endeavour in Science, Ieva Vysniauskaite, congratulated by Principal Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of Year, Mrs Catherine Rafferty.

Principal of St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook, Mr Oliver Mooney, welcomed a large crowd of parents, friends and recent past pupils of the school to the Annual Senior Prizegiving, which was held recently.

Mr Mooney introduced the platform party, and welcomed Chair of Board of Governors Mr John Campbell, Principal of St Peter’s Primary School, Cloughreagh, Very Rev Father Seán Larkin, PP, Vice-chair of Board of Governors, and Very Rev Father Dermot Maloney, PP, School Chaplain, Head of Year 14, Mrs Catherine Hughes, representative of Norbrook Pharmaceutials, Mrs Sharon Doran and representative of First Trust Bank, Ms Colleen Murray.  Mr Mooney expressed a special word of welcome to Guest of Honour, Mr Brendan Connolly, who recently retired as Senior Teacher and Examinations Officer after thirty six years of service to St Paul’s.

Mr Mooney thanked the governors of St Paul’s and all the primary principals for their support and also thanked First Trust Bank and Norbrook Pharmaceutials for their continued support of St Paul’s. The special guest was one of St Paul’s recently retired teachers Mr Brendan Connolly. Mr Mooney described Mr Connolly as ‘Mr St Paul’s’. Brendan gave thirty six years of service to the school and twenty three of those were as Examinations’ Officer where he gave a faultless performance and managed tens of thousands of examinations.

 Mr Mooney went on to say that 2012 had been another exceptional year. “At GCSE our students excelled and we had students getting 8, 9 and 10 A*s and A grades and individual students getting up to 13 “Good” GCSE grades A* to C. Their prize giving will come later on in the year but they deserve a mention tonight. The new Lower sixth group is again our largest ever with almost 170 students. We now have approximately 300 students at post 16 one of the largest post 16 provisions in the North of Ireland”

“Our A Level students who are with us tonight should feel very proud. They have matched last year’s best ever A Level results in St Paul’s and 88% of all our A Level grades were A* to C. Not one student failed an A Level subject giving a 100% pass rate in every subject at A2 level. These are outstanding results from a group of students who chose to come to St Paul’s and didn’t have to do an academic test to get a place. Each year schools across the North of Ireland advertise their admissions’ examinations and bring 10 year old children in to sit unnecessary tests. They have created a myth that the most able academic children will only excel if they are educated with others of equal academic ability but that is simply untrue. Children will achieve when they are safe, happy and challenged. Success is achieved by the special relationships we build with the pupils, the teachers and the parents.”

“I call on all parents to spare their children from admission tests that are completely unnecessary and to the schools still administering these tests to move quickly to new procedures for admission. I welcome the direction given by the Minister of Education and the managing authorities of these schools, the Bishops and the heads of the religious orders, that the present system of academic “rejection” be abandoned and I call on the governors and principals of these schools across the North of Ireland to show compassion and courageous leadership in designing new admissions’ procedures.”

“These young people in St Paul’s are the proof of how successful you can be within a non selective co-educational environment. We need to equally value all young people, each young person deserves the best we can give him or her. Our A2 students are the role models for the younger students. They set the standards we want the others to equal and surpass.”

“I am immensely proud of them and I am grateful to their teachers who have given so fully of themselves so that these young people would succeed. These students have had 14 years of top class education and we should never forget the foundations that were laid in their respective primary schools.”

“It would be remiss of me if I didn’t look back on some of the great events over the past year when our students excelled beyond the academic arena in Music and Sport. Our orchestra, traditional groups and choirs have allowed our extremely talented students to perform in public and they have enhanced our enjoyment on several occasions. Individual students and groups have also won a range of local and national awards and competitions in Feiseanna and other competitions including the All Ireland Fleadh Ceoil.”

“2012 will go down as the year that St Paul’s won the Ulster MacLarnon Cup and the All-Ireland Colleges’ football title, the Noonan Trophy. This October will see the senior boys compete in the MacRory Cup for the first time and I know we all wish them well as they represent their families, their clubs and St Paul’s. I encourage them to bring their determination, courage, skill and sense of fair play to their matches and I have no doubt that they will enhance the MacRory competition.”

“A very special welcome to the family of our past pupil, Kevin Byrne, who died so young and so tragically. The Byrne family have generously donated a trophy for Boys’ Gaelic Football which they will present later this evening. I would ask you all to remember Kevin in your prayers.”

“2012 has been a fantastic year in every way and will set the standard for the years ahead.”

Mr Mooney then asked Mr Connolly to address the students and their families and to present the certificates to the graduands of 2012.

Chaplain at St Paul’s High School, Very Rev Father Dermot Maloney, PP, proposed a vote of thanks at the end of the ceremony to all who had assisted in the smooth running of the Prizegiving.  Father Dermot thanked masters of ceremonies, Ms Christine Fearon and Mrs Pauline McGuinness, and Prizegiving Co-ordinator, Mrs Siobhan O’Hare.

The following awards were presented and refreshments were served afterwards in the school cafeteria on what was an enjoyable and packed event of celebration.

Please click on our interactive Prizegiving booklet below to see a full list of award winners.

Mr Kevin Byrne senior, makes the inaugural presentation of the Kevin Byrne Perpetual Cup for Best Senior Footballer to Stephen Lavelle.  Also pictured are Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney, and Head of PE & Sport, Mr John Rafferty.

The family of the late Kevin Byrne RIP, past pupil, has dedicated a cup in his memory.  This cup was presented for the first time to Stephen Lavelle in recognition of his achievements on the school football field.  Stephen is presented with the cup by the family of the late Kevin Byrne.  

Pictured are students who received individual awards for Best Examination Results at GCE Advanced Level.  The students are pictured with Mrs Sharon Doran, Norbrook Laboratories, Ms Colleen Murray, First Trust Bank, Mr Oliver Mooney, Principal, Mr Brendan Connolly, Guest Speaker, Mr John Campbell, Chair of Governors and V Rev Father Dermot Maloney, Chaplain.

Pictured are students who received individual awards for Best Examination Results at GCE Advanced Level.  The students are pictured with (front row L-R) Mrs Sharon Doran, Norbrook Laboratories, Ms Colleen Murray, First Trust Bank, Mr Oliver Mooney, Principal, Mr Brendan Connolly, Guest Speaker, Mr John Campbell, Chair of Governors and V Rev Father Dermot Maloney, Chaplain.

Students who received individual awards for Endeavour and Contribution at GCE Advanced Level, pictured with (front row L-R) Mrs Sharon Doran, Norbrook Laboratories, Ms Colleen Murray, First Trust Bank, Mr Oliver Mooney, Principal, Mr Brendan Connolly, Guest Speaker, Mr John Campbell, Chair of Governors and V Rev Father Dermot Maloney, Chaplain.

Students who received individual awards for Endeavour and Contribution at GCE Advanced Level, pictured with (front row L-R) Mrs Sharon Doran, Norbrook Laboratories, Ms Colleen Murray, First Trust Bank, Mr Oliver Mooney, Principal, Mr Brendan Connolly, Guest Speaker, Mr John Campbell, Chair of Governors and V Rev Father Dermot Maloney, Chaplain.

Recipient of the Marion Reavey Trophy for Commitment to Music at GCE, Aisling Muckian, pictured with Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney, Guest Speaker, Mr Brendan Connolly and Chair of Governors, Mr John Campbell.

Recipients of Awards for Vocational Excellence at A Level, Christopher McMahon, Conor Moley and Michael Murphy, pictured with Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney and Head of PE & Sport, Mr John Rafferty.

Recipients of Awards for Academic Excellence at A Level, Catherine Brady and Shauna McNamee, pictured with Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney and Guest Speaker, Mr Brendan Connolly.

Recipient of the Hope Award for Contribution to School Life, Shannen O’Grady, pictured with proud parents, Mrs Martina O’Grady and Mr Adrian O’Grady, Guest Speaker, Mr Brendan Connolly, and Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney.

Guest Speaker, Mr Brendan Connolly, and Vice-principal, Mrs Una McNulty present an award to Rachel Boyle in recognition of seven years of full attendance at St Paul’s High School.

Principal of St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook, Mr Oliver Mooney, welcomed a large crowd of parents, friends and recent past pupils of the school to the Annual Senior Prizegiving, which was held recently.  Mr Mooney introduced the platform party, and welcomed Guest Speaker, Mr John Campbell, Principal of St Peter’s Primary School, Cloughreagh and Chair of Board of Governors, Very Rev Father Seán Larkin, PP, Vice-chair of Board of Governors, and Very Rev Father Dermot Maloney, PP, School Chaplain.

Mr Mooney addressed the recent past pupils and their parents:

“Given the economy as it is at present, the dark, dreary days of December and the constant gloom and doom that dominates our newspapers and the daily news on television and radio it would be easy to despair.”

“We need nights like tonight to remind ourselves that it isn’t all gloom and doom but that there is a bright, rewarding future ahead and that all bad things pass. Tonight is a night of great celebration and I am so proud of these outstanding young people who have made such great efforts in their studies at St Paul’s. They are all our futures and by the time they have graduated the economy will be on the way up again. Never has there been a more important time for everyone to enhance their education and training so that they are ready to positively contribute to our society.”

“Northern Ireland has made huge leaps forward as a society and St Paul’s with its partner schools are part of this rebuilding for the future. The students present have been part of the many initiatives that happen on a daily basis in St Paul’s and we can now look back together on our highly successful Specialist Schools programme that built so many bridges over the past few years between neighbouring schools both primary and post primary and cross sector. I am indebted to all the staff and pupils who were involved in this great work.”

“We now are in the second year of our Sharing Education Programme which is facilitated by QUB and funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies Organisation. This programme sees our students working with a wide range of schools, including our good neighbours, Newtownhamilton High School. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Garnet Mullan, the Principal of Newtownhamilton High School for his personal support and enthusiastic commitment for our PEACE programme. PEACE stands for Partnership for Education and Community Enrichment in South Armagh and only last Monday we had the launch of a new DVD supporting the Southern Area Hospice here in St Paul’s. This involved pupils from Bessbrook Primary School and St Joseph’s, Meigh coming together with pupils from Dromintee and other schools to produce a wonderful DVD in Spanish and English. St Paul’s hosted this initiative and our recording and editing equipment and our sound and film expertise were invaluable in bringing this hugely worthwhile venture to a successful conclusion. Copies are available locally at £5 each and all proceeds go to the Southern Area Hospice.”

“St Paul’s also has a very close relationship with Rathore Special School and again teachers and pupils from St Paul’s are regular visitors to Rathore. I would also like to acknowledge the Principal of Rathore, Mr Raymond Cassidy and his staff and Mr Alan Black, their Chair of Governors, for their great support in building this mutually beneficial relationship. I have been so impressed by the brilliant work being done with those wonderful children and young adults and I must thank our own Mr Peter Slane and Ms Pauline Lynch for their dedication and expertise in this school link.”

“Many of our students are fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to visit Romania, Kenya or Brazil through our International Projects. Others have visited France, Sweden, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain or England and Scotland over recent years. These visits help our students to look beyond themselves and their local area and to adopt an international and Christian perspective on people and places outside Ireland. They have also fund raised for scores of good causes and charities.”

“St Paul’s is truly an international school and none of this would have been possible without the support of you the parents and our dedicated and enthusiastic staff.”

“This just gives you a flavour of life in St Paul’s but the best advertisements we have for St Paul’s are the young people here tonight to collect their certificates and awards. They are now following the next part of their lives and most of them are at university following a wide range of courses. We are all very proud of what they have achieved and it is only right that we gather here tonight to mark their achievements. All of them will receive their certificates tonight and many of them will be presented with special awards. Each student here is a winner, they have all succeeded.”

“They are the product of a non selective, co-educational school that seeks to educate the whole person. They didn’t need a top grade in an academic assessment when they were 10 or 11 to get in to St Paul’s yet here they are tonight, highly successful and on a par with or better than those who were creamed off for a grammar school education. Schools should serve their own community and in the case of St Paul’s that is rural South Armagh, from Jonesboro to Whitecross and from Bessbrook to Mullaghbawn and Forkhill. We would love to take all children that apply to us but that isn’t possible as we must obey the numbers set by the Department of Education and anyway we wouldn’t have the space to hold them unless we expand again. I have learned many things as I have got older and I am totally convinced that there is no need for academic assessment at 11. If we truly want to build a new better society then we need to educate children to respect and value each other and to respect and value everyone who contributes to our communities no matter what job they do.”

“Jesus didn’t just pick professionals to be his disciples, he picked ordinary people who were prepared to follow him and spread his gospel of love, equality and social justice.”

“Please keep supporting St Paul’s, it’s your school in your community. Thank you again for being with us tonight and I hope everyone here has a happy, holy and healthy Christmas and a wonderful 2012.”

Pictured are students who received individual awards for Best Examination Results at GCE Advanced Level.  The students are pictured with Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney, Chairman of Governors, Mr John Campbell and Vice-chairman of Governors, V Rev Father Sean Larkin, PP, and representative from Norbrook Laboratories, Mr Paul Stokes.

Pictured are students who received individual awards for Best Examination Results at GCE Advanced Level.  The students are pictured with Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney, Chairman of Governors, Mr John Campbell and Vice-chairman of Governors, V Rev Father Sean Larkin, PP, and representative from Norbrook Laboratories, Mr Paul Stokes.

Students who received individual awards for Endeavour and Contribution at GCE Advanced Level, pictured with Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney, Chairman of Governors, Mr John Campbell and Vice-chairman of Governors, V Rev Father Sean Larkin, PP, and representative from Norbrook Laboratories, Mr Paul Stokes.

Students who received individual awards for Endeavour and Contribution at GCE Advanced Level, pictured with Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney, Chairman of Governors, Mr John Campbell and Vice-chairman of Governors, V Rev Father Sean Larkin, PP, and representative from Norbrook Laboratories, Mr Paul Stokes.

Students who received Medals for Class Endeavour, pictured with Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney, Chairman of Governors, Mr John Campbell and Vice-chairman of Governors, V Rev Father Sean Larkin, PP.

Recipient of the Marion Reavey Trophy for Commitment to Music at GCE, Nicola Hughes, pictured with Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney, Chairman of Governors, Mr John Campbell.

Recipients of Awards for Vocational Excellence at A Level, Diarmuid McConville and Noelín Bradley pictured with Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney, Chairman of Governors, Mr John Campbell.

Recipients of Awards for Academic Excellence at A Level, Johnny Feenan, Tanya Fitzpatrick, Sarah Harper, Mairéad Lonergan, Emer McDonnell and Michelle Murphy, pictured with Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney, Chairman of Governors, Mr John Campbell.

Recipient of the Father Henry Devlin Cup in Recognition of Outstanding Academic Excellence at A Level, Connor Fegan, pictured with Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney, Chairman of Governors, Mr John Campbell.

Recipient of the Hope Award for Contribution to School Life, Ronan Sharkey, pictured with Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney, Chairman of Governors, Mr John Campbell.

The Annual GCSE Prizegiving Ceremony took place recently at St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook.  Guest Speaker was Mr Christopher McCann, Principal of St Joseph’s Primary School, Carnacaville.  You can see excerpts from Mr McCann’s address to students in our video, and see photos of award winners below.

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Best GCSE Results at St Paul’s High School Pictured with Mr Jarlath Burns, Vice-principal, Guest Speaker Mr Christopher McCann and Mrs Mary McMahon, Head of Year

Endeavour and Contribution Award winners at GCSE at St Paul’s High School, pictured with Mr Jarlath Burns, Vice-principal Guest Speaker Mr Christopher McCann, and Mrs Mary McMahon, Head of Year

Sean Mooney is Presented with the cup for Achievement in Vocational Education by Guest Speaker, Mr Christopher McCann and Mrs Mary McMahon, Head of  Year

Excellent attendance over five years: Faye Toner, Rory O’Loughlin, Catherine McElvanna, Nathan Morgan, Ellen Boylan, Michael Connolly, Mark O’Hare and Marie Clare Crilly, pictured with Vice Principal Mr Jarlath Burns, Guest Speaker Mr Christopher McCann and Mrs Mary McMahon, Head of  Year

Niamh McGovern who received the award for best overall GCSE results and Afreen Ahmed who was presented with the outstanding Student Award at GCSE, pictured with Guest Speaker Mr Christopher McCann and Mrs Mary McMahon, Head of  Year

Student who received Medals of Endeavour, pictured with Mr Jarlath Burns, Vice-principal, Guest Speaker Mr Christopher McCann and Mrs Mary McMahon, Head of Year

 The Annual Key Stage 3 Prizegiving ceremony took place recently at St Paul’s High School.  Head of Year Mr Tohiln Murney congratulated all the prize winners, and paid tribute to the hard work, endeavour and contribution of each student in their first three years at St Paul’s.

You can see footage from the ceremony in our special video, or check out our photo gallery below.

Best Results Award: Kerry-Anne Garvey (English), Ronan Lennon (Science) pictured with Mr Tohiln Murney, Head of Year and Mrs Una McNulty, Vice Principal

Best Results Award: Anastasia Ní Riabhaigh (Maths)

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Best Results in Languages: Aoibhín McGuinness (French & Irish), Ciara Savage (Irish), Aaron McGivern (Spanish), pictured with Mr Tohiln Murney, Head of Year and and Mrs Una McNulty, Vice-Principal

Award for achievement in SuccessMarker Independent Learning Programme: Dominic O’Hanlon, Ben Mee, Jason Mackin, Dean Haughey, Patrick Fearon and Ronan Crilly, pictured with Mr Tohiln Murney, Head of Year and Mrs Una McNulty, Vice-Principal.

Jubilee Award for Religious Education at Key Stage 3: Aaron O’Connor, pictured with Mr Tohiln Murney, Head of Year and Vice Principal, Mrs Una McNulty

Sheila Darling Spirit of Goodwill Cup: Sean Collins (Anne McKeown Salmon of Knowledge Trophy for Endeavour), Shaunagh Higgins (The Millenium Trophy for Commitment) and Colleen McVeigh, pictured with Mr Tohiln Murnney and Mrs Una McNulty Vice -Principal.

Netballer of the Year: Dearbhla Wright with Mr Tohiln Murney and Mrs Una McNulty, Vice-Principal

Commitment to Girls’ Sport: Aimee Mackin and Louise Kenny , Commitment to Boys’ Sport: Miceal McNamee, pictured with Mr Tohiln Murney and Mrs Una McNulty, Vice Principal

Contribution to Music at Key Stage 3: Aisling Hughes (Choral Singing), Tara O’Hanlon (Orchestra) Eoin Murphy (Traditional Group) with Mr Tohiln Murney, Head of Year and Mr Una McNulty

Class Medal of Endeavour: Megan Boyle, Ryan Douglas, Joanna Dzik, Donal Austin, Daragh McGuinness, Margaret McQuaide, Gary Crummy, Gerard Boyle, Shane Finnegan and Seanna Doran-Collins, pictured with Mr Tohiln Murney and Mrs Una McNulty, Vice-Principal

Class Medal of Endeavour: Shauna Murphy, Shay Fegan, Caolan Flanagan, Charlotte Gibney, Courtney Loughran, Conor Larkin, Matthew Wilson,Beata Ambrozaityte,Matthew Larkin, Chloe McParland, Aimee Morgan and David Lipski, pictured with Mr Tohiln Murney, Head of Year and Mrs Una McNulty Vice Principal

Excellent Attendance Awards:Kerry-Anne Garvey, Ciara Savage, Clare Quinn, Lauren Curphey, Aisling Hughes, Dean McGuigan, Miceal McNamee, Ronan Crilly, Fainche Evans, Deirbhile Teggart, Eoin Murphy, Francine McKeown, pictured with Mr Tohiln Murney, Head of Year and Mrs Una McNulty, Vice Principal 

Anne O’Connor Trophy  for Drama at Key Stage 3: Gemma Fitzpatrick pictured with Mr Tohiln Murney, Head of Year

Over 150 Year 13 students at St Paul’s High School gave a warm reception to the special guests at the Annual GCSE Prizegiving Cermony at St Paul’s on Wednesday.  The Guest Speaker was Miss Briege Rice, a past pupil of St Paul’s, who is currently reading Irish and British Politics for a doctoral degree at the Queen’s University, Belfast.

After the opening prayer Mr Oliver Mooney, began the Prizegiving Ceremony in the school Assembly Hall by welcoming the special guests, staff members and students who were present.

Guest Speaker, Miss Briege Rice, thanked Mr Mooney for his kind invitation and remarked that it seemed a short time since she was a student at the school and attending her own Prizegiving ceremony.  She praised the students who have represented the school academically, on the sporting field and in Music and Drama and encouraged continued involvement in extra-curricular activities.  Briege paid tribute to the teachers she had while a student at St Paul’s, and praised their continued hard work and dedication to all students.

After Miss Rice’s speech, Mr Mooney, Principal and Mr Damian McKenna, Outgoing Head of Year 12, along with Briege Rice presented certificates and awards to last year’s Year students who had sat public examinations at GCSE Level.

Pictured are students who received individual awards for Best GCSE results in subjects.  The students received their awards at the recent GCSE Prizegiving Ceremony at St Paul’s High School, and are pictured with Guest Speaker, Miss Briege Rice, and Outgoing Head of Year 12, Mr Damian McKenna.

Students who received awards for Endeavour and Contribution at GCSE are pictured with Guest Speaker, Miss Briege Rice, and Outgoing Head of Year 12, Mr Damian McKenna.

Students who received award for Excellent Attendance over 5 Years at the recent GCSE Prizegiving Ceremony at St Paul’s High School.

Students who received awards for Sport are pictured at the recent GCSE Prizegiving Ceremony at St Paul’s High School.

Students who received recognition for their commitment to Music are pictured at the recent GCSE Prizegiving Ceremony at St Paul’s High School.

Aoibheann Coleman, who received award for Best GCSE Results,  receiving her award from Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney, Outgoing Head of Year 12, Mr Damian McKenna and Guest Speaker, Miss Briege Rice.

Year 11 students received their Key Stage Three certificates and awards at a special awards ceremony held recently at St Paul’s.

Some highlights from the ceremony are contained in this video.

Welcoming the students and their invited guests, Principal Mr Oliver Mooney took the opportunity to congratulate last year’s Year 10 students for their endeavour and hard work over their first three years at secondary school, and paid tribute to their teachers and parents for their encouragement and support.  Mr Mooney said that the Key Stage 3 results for this year group were impressive and established a great foundation for Key Stage 4 and GCSE study.

Outgoing Head of Year 10, Mrs Catherine Rafferty extended a special welcome to guest speaker Miss Briege Rice, a past pupil of St Paul’s, who is reading Irish and British Politics for a doctoral degree at the Queen’s University, Belfast.

Speaking to the Year 11 students Briege congratulated their achievements and reminded the students of the importance of continued study as a sure fire way to success in later life.

Briege related to the students how important the balance between hard work in class, and involvement in extra-curricular activities was.  She remarked on her success on the Gaelic field, and in singing and performing in Music, her love for the Irish language, and her deep appreciation of History and Politics.

Mr Mooney thanked Briege Rice for her inspirational words and for returning to St Paul’s, and wished her the best of luck in the future.

Mr Mooney extended particular thanks to Mrs Rafferty, Outgoing Head of Year 10, and her pastoral team of Form Teachers who mentor this group of students daily.

Pictured are Barra McAteer, Recipient of the Hugh Mallon Cup for the Highest Mark at Key Stage 3 English, Martin Kelly, Winner of the Award for Highest Mark at Key Stage 3 Maths and Darren Little, Recipient of the Norbrook Award for Highest Mark at Key Stage 3 Science, pictured with Head of Year 11 Mrs Catherine Rafferty, Principal Mr Oliver Mooney, and Guest Speaker, Miss Briege Rice.

Language Winners at St Paul’s: Pictured are the Recipients of Awards for Highest Marks in Modern Languages. Bryan McKevitt (Irish), Aoife Malone (French) and Martin Davidson (Spanish).

Recipient of the Jubilee Award for Religious Education is Aaron Crilly, receiving his trophy from Guest Speaker, Miss Briege Rice.

Recipients of Awards for Endeavour, Commitment and Good Will, Michael McCullagh, Daryll Galloghly and Emma Martin. Presented by Guest Speaker, Miss Briege Rice.

Awards for achievements in Sport were presented to Ciara Bannon (Girls’ Award), Peter Hughes (Boys’ Award) and Hannah Feenan (Netball). The students are pictured with Head of Year 11 Mrs Catherine Rafferty, Principal Mr Oliver Mooney, and Guest Speaker, Miss Briege Rice.

Contribution to the Musical life at St Paul’s High School was recongised at the recent Key Stage 3 Prizegiving with presentations made to: Michelle Brady (Choral Singing), Niamh McKeown (Orchestra), Traditional Group (Alannah O’Hanlon) and Aislynn Bagnall (Overall Contribution to Music at Key Stage 3).

The end of the academic year at St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook was marked with a special ceremony, atended by staff at the Whistledown Inn in Warrenpoint.

Guest of Honour at the reception was Mrs Bridie Fleming, who recently retired from the school office after thirty one years of service to the school. Mrs Fleming, who was accompanies by her daughter Sinead, received a presentation on behalf of the staff. Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney, paid tribute to Mrs Fleming for her long service to the school, and for her kindness and patience in dealing with students, parents and staff.

Mr Mooney presented a glass bowl to Mrs Fleming on behalf of the Southern Education and Library Board marking thirty years of service to education.

A presentation was also made to Mr Mooney on behalf of the staff of St Paul’s in recognition of his recent award as Headteacher of the Year. Presenting an authentic bog oak representation of the ‘Salmon of Knowledge’, Vice Principal, Mrs Anne Mallon, congratulated Mr Mooney on his award, and on the recognition it brought to the Bessbrook school.

VIDEO:  Click to Watch Mr Mooney’s address, and the Minister for Education’s address at Senior Prizegiving

Over 250 students and their parents at St Paul’s High School gave a warm reception to the special guests at the Annual Prizegiving Ceremony at St Paul’s High School held on Monday 21st December.

The assembled crowd were entertained by a performance of the school orchestra and the school choir before the platform party made their way to the stage.  Masters of Cermonies, Mr Brendan Connolly, Senior Teacher and Ms Christine Fearon, Head of Year 13, welcomed Principal, Mr Oliver Mooney to address the audience.

Mr Mooney, extended a cordial welcome to Minister for Education, Ms Caitríona Ruane, MLA, Vice Chairperson of the NI Assembly Education Committee, and past pupil and teacher of St Paul’s, Mr Dominic Bradley, Very Reverend Father Seán Larkin, PP, Chairman of Board of Governors, Very Reverend Father Dermot Maloney, Parish Priest of Dromintee and Chaplain to St Paul’s, Dr Lillian Cromie, representing Norbrook Pharmacueticals, Mr John Rafferty, Head of PE & Sport, and Mr Brendan McArdle, outgoing Head of Year 12.

After the opening prayer Mr Oliver Mooney, Principal at St Paul’s, began the Prizegiving Ceremony in the school Assembly Hall by welcoming the special guests, staff members and students who were present.

Mr Mooney addressed the gathered parents, staff and students and said that is was “a night of great celebration looking back at the Year of St Paul.”

Mr Mooney continued, “We are fortunate to have with us tonight the Minister for Education, Caitríona Ruane, a staunch advocate for our quality, non selective, all ability approach to education.  St Paul’s prides itself on being a community school supporting its parishes and in return receiving great support from them.”

“It has been another record breaking year in examinations at both “A” Level and GCSE.  This is the largest graduating Year 14 class in the history of the school. We now have a post 16 enrolment of over 260 and it will probably increase again next September. This is about three times the Post-16 group of some years ago and the phenomenal growth is due to the ever-increasing grades being gained by our Year 12 students that allow them the option to stay on in St Paul’s for further study and qualifications. This success is down to an enriched, imaginative, choice built, multi-pathway, curriculum at Key Stage 4 which has been designed by Mrs Anne Mallon, the Curriculum Vice-Principal, and the excellence of teaching and endeavour by the entire teaching and support staff.”

“Our Year 13 students are the top performing GCSE Year 12 group in the history of the school achieving a 71% pass rate for 5+ GCSEs, A* to C. Given the wide, all ability nature of the year group, this is an astounding achievement and is double the equivalent pass rate of some years ago. Each subject is consistently outperforming the Northern Ireland averages for equivalent schools.”

Mr Mooney added, “The Year of St Paul saw trips to a whole range of countries with the highlights being the International trips to Brazil and Romania and the Pilgrimage to Rome. Everyone who participated on the Pilgrimage to Rome agreed that it was a wonderful experience and personally I regard it as the most significant and rewarding experience of my entire career. I was so proud of our pupils singing in St Peter’s Basilica at the Sunday evening mass, it was literally nerve tingling.”

“Groups of students also visited England, Spain, and France and in September we had a group on exchange to Sweden and in October a group went on what has become an annual trip to Kenya. Father Tom McDonnell, of St Patrick’s Missionaries from Kiltegan, who look after us so well in Kenya, is here with us tonight.”

“It is with some sadness I mention the trip to Kenya as this weekend saw the return of Fr Jeremiah Roche’s remains following his brutal murder during a robbery at his home in Kericho in Kenya. Fr Jerry was a good friend to St Paul’s and several of our students and staff had the privilege of knowing him. May God now look after him as Fr Jerry looked after so many others during his long ministry abroad.”

A moment of silence was held in honour of Father Jeremiah Roche.

Mr Mooney congratulated the Under 16 BT Herald Cup team on winning the school’s first Ulster Colleges’ title in only our second year in the Colleges’ competitions.   Mr Mooney paid tribute to the staff involved, Mr Rafferty, Mr Digney and Mr Quinn and indeed the whole PE department, and also the parents who supplied the players and did the taxi runs to pick them up after training and travelled to matches to offer support. Thanks was also expressed to all the local clubs involved for their work for Gaelic games.

Mr Mooney concluded his address by offering his congratulations to Year 13 student Caolán Trainor, Year 13, on being selected as the school’s first Colleges’ All Star. “Caolán is a worthy recipient and a great ambassador for St Paul’s in every way,” said Mr Mooney.

Mr Mooney then welcomed Minister for Education, Ms Caitríona Ruane, MLA.

“It has been an honour to attend the Prizegiving here at St Paul’s. The awards being presented help recognise the young people’s individual achievements in areas including sporting and musical activities and academic studies.

“With its ethos of inclusion and mutual respect St Paul’s must be commended. All schools are a central part of any community, with the children and young people playing an important role both now and in the future.

Ms Ruane added, “I would like to recognise the excellent work St Paul’s are doing in working in collaboration with surrounding schools and education establishments. This has ensured that pupils are offered a wider range of opportunities and choices in their studies, which I am confident, will help them to make the right choices in the future.

“I want to commend the strong leadership of Oliver Mooney and the Board of Governors in helping to make the school a success. It is their dedication along with the teachers and school staff which help the young people to achieve their goals. Finally of course we should congratulate the young people themselves on their hard work and enthusiasm and I wish them every success in the future.”

As part of the school’s Annual International Projects a cheque for £18000 was presented for Father Tom McDonnell, representing St Patrick’s Missionary Society, Kiltegan, who host students and staff from St Paul’s each year in the Kenyan parish of Londiani.

Photography courtesy of St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook; and with kind permission of Shanroe Photography and Columba O’Hare.

For copies of individual award winner photos, please contact Noelle at Shanroe Photography, 028 3088 9274 or noelle@shanroephotography.com.