Laois principal blown away by Leaving Cert students who took challenge head on

There is delight in Heywood Community School where the principal is "blown away" by the performance of students who he said took the challenge "head-on" as the first Leaving Cert class to sit the exams as normal since before the pandemic.

"We are absolutely delighted with the results of our sixth year students," said Eamon Jackman, the new Principal at the Ballinakill school. 

"They are to be commended on the very diligent approach to their studies over the past few years in the most difficult of circumstances. Our staff have provided support and education to this group in what were very exceptional times. We are very proud to see vast majority fulfil their protentional and allow them access career paths in third level, trades and the workplace," he said.  

Mr Jackman spoke about some of the scores achieved.

"We witnessed many of our students score over 500 CAO points and a number scored over 600 also. For these students and their families we must commend them for the extremely focused approach they took to their studies in their time here. It really is an amazing achievement and one we are all here very proud to have played a part in.   We hope to further analyse the data in the coming days but the results appear very very good.

"We must also pay tribute to Molly O'Rourke who achieved the incredible feat of 7 H1 grades and scored 625 points. We really wish her well as hope to pursue engineering in UCD. Alannah Brennan and Patrick Brennan also gained over 601 points and we are very proud of their achievements," he said.

He also highlighted another big achievement.

"A big source of pride for us today is that we had our first graduate from "The Ryan Centre" which is a class for students on the ASD spectrum. We are overjoyed really to see the positive impact this has made and that student is now accessing further education as a result of their time here.  To see the emotion in both the student and their family today is a testament to al the hard work our staff put in with the students on an hourly basis with them," he said.

Mr Jackman praised the reslience of the class of 2022/3.

"It has been discussed at length how this was the first Leaving Cert without any edits for a number of years. This challenge has been taken head on by our students. It did cause anxiety to some students but with the pastoral supports here in Heywood students were able to navigate this difficult time in their life. Whilst it may not have been appreciated at the time, we hope that this experience has built resilience within the students that they can call on as they go on their next aspect of life," he said.

He said it is very difficult to compare years in recent times due to the different metrics over the past few years.

"However on a personal level I am blown away by the level of achievement from our students. For me only in the position a number of weeks, I am incredibly proud to be associated with students who have obviously applied themselves so well with the support of our teachers. They really are a credit to their families and also the wider community in south Laois. we hope that they can further their education and make an impact in this region for years to come," he said.

He said it would also be a very proud day for the former principal Phil Bowe as it was his last 6th year group to oversee before retirement. Mr Jackman paid tribute.

"From speaking with some of the Leaving Cert students today, they spoke of his care and enthusiastic support over their six years here in the school. He has left a legacy that we hope to continue long into the future. The reputation of the school in this area has been built upon the standards and ambition that are very evident to me as I settle into the role and speak with all the various people associated with the school. I am sure it was a little strange for the 6th years to return today and not see him present as all have such find memories of him from their time here," he said.

He wished the students the best in the future.

"We really hope all our students have options available via CAO, PLC courses and apprentices in the coming weeks. The school is available for any career advice if it is needed. We welcomed a large percentage of them into the school this morning and it was a brilliant experience to be able meet them and share in their happiness. I hope they can enjoy the coming weeks and celebrate a key milestone in their life in a fun and safe manner over the day coming days," he said.  

To see more pictures from the school taken by Alf Harvey - TAP NEXT or ARROW.