Awards 2017!

1st June 2017

Latest News

On Monday 22nd May, the staff and students of Donabate Community College gathered together as a whole school community to celebrate the achievements of students in our school over the past Academic Year. It has been a wonderful year for Donabate Community College. Students have shone in both academic and sporting fields. We have broken a World Record, our school is alive with artistic and musical talent. Students have trekked 25km in tremendous heat and we all had time to talk about our mental health. Mr. Creevey spoke about how proud he was of the students in Donabate CC – for their hard work, commitment to their studies and engagement in all aspects of school life.

The first awards of the afternoon were the ‘Academic Awards’ presented to students for their tremendous application to their studies. The First Year Academic Award was presented to David Oliver. In Second Year, Alanna France was announced as the winner while Rachel Smyth received the Third Year Academic Award for her dedication to her studies. In Fifth Year, Weronika Wierzbicka, Mieke Van Dreumel, Emmet Murphy, Olivia Smyth, Adam Bourke were all highly commended but the overall winner was announced as Katie English for a sublime year of study.

In Sixth Year; Bernard Hollands, Evelyn Sajeev, Ellen Hegarty and Rebecca Caffrey were all highly commended while Sarah McGrath was presented with the overall Academic Award.

Student of the Year Awards:

The next Award announced was the ‘Student of the Year’. These Awards recognise the students who have shown leadership in their respective year groups over the course of the year, while also remaining committed to their studies. They have been helpful, kind and considerate of their peers and continue to work hard under the school’s motto – Ad Astra.

In first year the overall winner was Chloe Williams, in second year Matthew Crowe took home the Award while in third year, Kevin Carr was announced as the overall winner. In fifth year, Aoife Fennell was named student of the year while in sixth year, Student Council representative and Sixth Year Valedictorian Hazel Preston was announced the winner. See a full list of nominees below.

Student of the Year awards

Nominee

Nominee

Nominee

Nominee

Nominee

Nominee

Nominee

WINNER

1st

Year

Islamia Rasheed

Kailey Berrigan

Sean Reynolds

Chloe Williams

Lee Byrne

Chloe Williams

2nd Year

Ruth Jones

Alanna France

Matthew Crowe

Angela Gunko

Claramae Kelly

Matthew Crowe

3rd

Year

Carla

McCarthy

Kevin

Carr

Sophie

King

Rachel Callender

Natasha Gozie

Kevin Carr

5th

Year

Sean Nolan

Lee McCarthy

Jennifer Cooney

Hannah Moynihan

Shauna Kane

Aoife Fennell

Tiernan

Healy

Aoife Fennell

6th

Year

Jack Roche

Nicole Shanahan

Hazel Preston

James Kirwan

Maria Carr

Adam Colgan

Hazel Preston

 

Student Council:

This year, we were fortunate to have elected an extremely hard-working group of young people on the Student Council. The Council met once a week and discussed issues of concern for students. The Council also represented students on a number of occasions and organised the record breaking attempt back in March that ended the inaugural and hugely successful Wellbeing Week. Special thanks to the Council for all their work, and in particular Nadine Patterson, secretary, Fionnuala Laughey, Vice-Chairperson and Mark Dockrell, Chairperson.

1st Year – Beth Power & Jordan O’Keeffe

2nd Year – Sarah Minto & Rob Mahon

3rd Year – Nadine Patterson & Jake O’Toole

TY – Eve Moore & Andrew Grace

5th Year – Fionnuala Laughey & Mark Madden

6th Year – Maria Carr, Hazel Preston, Conor McMahon & Mark Dockrell.

Gaisce Award Participants:

Gaisce, The President’s Award is a direct self development challenge to the young people in Ireland. It encourages students to master a skill, to get active, to make a difference in their community and to complete an adventure journey. There are three levels to the award, Bronze, Silver and Gold. 65 Transition Year students received their Bronze medal at the Transition Year Graduation on Tuesday evening.

There are 4 very brave 5th year students  who took on the Gaisce challenge again this year. Congratulations to Fionnuala Laughey who received her Bronze medal while Aoife Conlon, Hannah Moynihan and Shane Patterson continued their Gaisce challenges from Transition Year and received Silver medals.

Literary Awards:

This past year we were fortunate to have two students published in the annual Fighting Words supplement in the Irish Times. Congratulations to first year student Jack Davis and second year student Elizabeth Akinwande for their creativity. The Junior Literary Award went to Third Year student Sarah Oliver for her dedication to the analysis and craft of the English language. Being able to write in English when we speak it in our daily lives is one thing,  However the winner of the Senior Literary Award, Dominik Szymoniak, has accomplished beautiful writing with English as his second language. Congratulations Dominik!

Science Awards:

Congratulations to 6th Year Oisin Dineen who was presented with the Biology Award for his enthusiasm, understanding of the subject and curiosity to always know more. The Chemistry Award went to Conor McMahon for the effort and commitment to the study of chemistry over the last number of years, going over and above what is required to show great understanding of the intricacies of the subject. In Physics, Adam Colgan received the Award for his ability to work as part of a team, for going the extra mile for his studies and for his overall effort and commitment to the subject. Adam also received a Certificate from the Institute of Physics where his name will appear on their 2017 Roll of Honour. Congratulations Adam!

Business Awards:

The Accounting Award was presented to 6th Year student Alison Wall for her determination to succeed. Her hard work, dedication and respect for her peers made Alison a worthy recipient. The 6th Year Business Award was presented to Adam Colgan for his ability to absorb business, never resting on his achievements or good results and always looking for other ways to improve his work. The 5th Year Business Award winner was Shane Patterson for his in depth knowledge of the course and his work ethic in constantly looking for ways to improve. The Junior Business Award was presented to First Year student Gemma Roche for her flair in Business Studies, her willingness to answer questions and discuss difficult topics.

Spanish Awards;

For their hard work, application to learning to speak Spanish, encouragement and kindness to others the following students received this year’s Spanish Awards. In first year, Lee Byrne, third year student Lara Rooney, fifth year student Orla Keeling and sixth year student Ellen Hegarty.

Irish Awards;

Comhghairdeas le Sorcha Nic Craith a bhuaigh Grádam na Gaeilge 2017. Rinne Sorcha an obair sa Ghaeilge ón gcéad bhliain ar aghaidh.

Music Awards:

The Music Department presented their awards to four extremely hard working students. Second Year student Luke Dyas was the first student announced. Luke’s positive attitude, enthusiasm and availability to rehearse outside of class time  was commended. Third Year student Sarah Oliver, an accomplished pianist, singer, ukelele and guitar player was announced as the second award winner for her willingness to get involved in extra curricular music activities despite the pressures of an exam year. Fifth year student, Olivia Smyth was the Music Department’s third award winner for her motivation, positivity, enthusiasm which enriched not only the fifth year music class but also the school band. Finally, sixth year student Conor Grant was commended. Having never studied music before fifth year, Conor has shown a huge interest in getting to understand how music works. His motivation to look beyond the scope of the syllabus and demonstrate a keen knowledge of music was highly praised. Well done Conor!

Hockey Awards:

Congratulations to Sarah Keon who earned the first year hockey award after a solid performance in defence all season. Despite being under a lot of pressure at times her distribution of the ball was excellent. She had a wonderful season. Fifth year student Hannah Moynihan was deservedly announced as the senior hockey winner. Hannah was very strong in the centre of the field and was at the centre of all plays. Her skill was unmatched and her distribution of the ball was excellent. Hannah scored numerous goals this season which helped her team get to the Leinster semi finals. Congratulations to both ladies!

The final awards of the afternoon were presented by Mr. Creevey. For his outstanding promotion of positive mental health, sixth year student James Kirwan was presented with a Principal’s Award. For his kindness, friendship and positive attitude that were so evident during Wellbeing Week – Ryan Casey was also presented with a Principal’s Award. Fifth year student Sean Nolan also received an Award for his tireless work in the community – helping and looking out for others. Finally, fifth year student James Byrne was sincerely thanked for his contribution to the school – for the times he was called on to assist with technology issues around the school – James’ know how when it comes to technology is tremendous and we are indebted to James for his assistance.

The ceremony was brought to a conclusion with a final song with members of the school band performing ‘One Day Like This’ by Elbow to rapturous applause. Thanks to our performers and to fifth year students David Flanagan and Nathan Matthews for their photography and to all those who were involved in the organisation of the Awards!