The Class of 2021 celebrated their Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday, 26th May in Coláíste Chraobh Abhann. Despite the current restrictions we improvised and celebrated with a very special gathering in school and online. Thanks to Ms. Madden, Ms. Armstrong, Ms. O’Driscoll, the art department and the graduation committee for putting together such a wonderful ceremony.
112 students graduated from Coláiste Chraobh Abhann this year. The theme of the ceremony was "A Moment in Time", representing each students’ journey, from the first moment when they entered the school in First Year, to successfully completing their secondary level education in CCA.
Lucy Phipps Rooney and Cole Kelly were the hosts for the afternoon, inviting numerous students to share memories, reflections and poetry to the class of 2021.
Conor Power, Lauren Delamare, Lucy Shortt, Hannah McConnell and Kayla Devlin all contributed to the beautiful music and songs throughout the ceremony under the guidance of Ms Armstrong.
Head Girl Casey Finnerty and Head Boy Conor Power addressed the class for the last time, giving a very emotional speech on the memories made and friendships forged over the last six years together.
Deputy Principal, Ms. Laura O’Driscoll, thanked the Prefect team for their leadership skills and commitment to their roles and presented them with a medal to mark the time they spent as prefects in the school.
Deputy Principal, Ms. Leanne Coleman presented Erika Meneses with an attendance award for not missing one single day in her six years in Coláiste Chraobh Abhann. A remarkable achievement.
Principal Mr Oliver Stack presented Lucy Phipps Rooney, Hannah McConnell and Kayla Devlin with a Gradam Speisialta for their outstanding achievements, before addressing the Class of 2021 and thanking them for their hard work, respect and leadership roles over the last two years. He wished them the very best for the Leaving Cert and in their future paths ahead, wherever it may lead them. He also acknowledged the continued support and guidance given to the students by parents and guardians, staff, and the wider community.
Mrs. Therese Phipps Rooney spoke on behalf of the Parents’ Council thanking the school body for all they had done for their children, while Mr. Tom Niall Fortune spoke on behalf of the Board of Management.
6th Year Head Ms. Sharon Smith then gave her final address to the Class of 2021. She offered some fine words of wisdom, fond memories and thanked everyone who helped support and guide these young men and women who were now setting off on their new adventure.
Ms. Smith then awarded the big prize of the evening, the 6th Year Rogha na Bliana to Alex Brady and Sinead Brady, for their diligence, kindness, academic and non-academic excellence over their six years with us in CCA.
We now wish the Class of 2021 the very best of luck as they sit their Leaving Cert. We are proud of each and every one of you, and we wish you the courage and passion to follow your dreams.
Junior and Senior Prize Days
The CCA Junior and Senior Prize Days were held on the 19th and 20th of May, where students from 1st to 6th year were awarded for their hard work, academic excellence and extra-curricular achievements throughout the year.
Students who excelled in a particular subject were awarded a medal of merit chosen by their teacher, while in 6th Year the overall best student from the year was awarded a subject plate in recognition of their hard work and academic excellence.
The year’s sporting achievements were also recognised, with each year group awarding the Sports Person of the Year to a boy and girl who excelled in a sporting capacity and were chosen by the PE Department.
The TY Sports Person of the year went to Ella Mackay and Aaron Killick. The 5th Year awards went to Matt Nolan and Chloe Byrne, and the 6th Year Sports Person of the Year was awarded to Jordan Brady and Robyn Evans.
In the Junior Sports category, Keelin Dodd and Charlie Colleran were awarded Sports Person of the Year were Sean McLeavey and Aoibhinn Keating were awarded in 2nd Year, while Callum Davis and Ella McAuley took the 3rd Year awards.
The Rogha na Bliana award is a perpetual trophy presented to the boy and girl from each year group with teachers, tutors and Year Heads selecting the very best student for that particular year. The criteria considered for this very prestigious award include hard work, school involvement, leadership and responsibility, kindness, respect and academic excellence. All of the students selected for Rogha na Bliana 2021 have displayed these traits throughout the year.
Rogha na Bliana for 1st Year was awarded to Tom Gammell and Sarah Heatly. In 2nd Year it was awarded to Finn Larkin and Emma Jayne Taylor. In 3rd Year, Sean Byrne and Emma Walsh. In Transition Year, Abbie Wills and Theo Mariyasingarayan and in 5th Year Eve Leacy and Evan Cooke were chosen.
Thanks to the staff who helped organise and present the awards on the day and a special thanks to the hard work of Ms. Tarrant who organised and coordinated the entire event.
Shauna Healy and Jeremiah Scott were presented as the Head Girl and Head Boy for 2021-2022 at the Senior Prize Day.
This very distinguished leadership role is awarded to two students from the Prefect team and are chosen on the basis of showing excellent leadership skills, being highly personable, and embodying all the skills and traits deemed necessary to be ambassadors for the school.
We wish Shauna and Jeremiah and all the new prefect team the very best of luck in their new leadership roles.
We would also like to thank the outgoing prefect team who have worked tirelessly throughout the year and fulfilled their responsibilities so admirably. We would especially like to thank the Head Girl and Head Boy team of 2020-2021, Casey Finnerty and Conor Power, who have performed their leadership roles throughout the year with such admirable distinction. The kindness, respect and confidence they showed each day make them an inspiration for everyone.
Photographs