Leaving Cert students in Mayo pick up their results
There was joy at St. Joseph's Secondary School, Castlebar, with the news that one of their students had received maximum points in the Leaving Cert. exam.
She is Aibhe McBride, who got 7H1s, a brilliant achievement.
Outstanding results were once again recorded at Mount Saint Michael Secondary School, Claremorris.
Principal Ciarán Ryan is very proud of his Leaving Cert 2023 students. Their results are a testament to the dedication and commitment of our staff.
"Year on year our results exceed expectations and again, this year we are above the national average of students achieving top grades with three students receiving over 600 points."
Over in west Mayo, Sancta Maria College in Louisburgh welcomed a new era with record-breaking numbers.
Principal Áine Moran bid farewell to 60 Leaving Cert students while simultaneously opening its doors to 120 first-year students. This influx marked a historic milestone, pushing the school's population past the 600 mark for the first time in its history.
Many students opted for the convenience of accessing their exam results through an online portal, Principal Aine Moran had a warm welcome prepared for those who chose to return to the campus to receive hard copies of their results. Tea, biscuits, and cakes set the scene for a memorable day of reflection and celebration.
A notable trend emerged amongst this year's cohort, as a growing number of students decided to take a year off from formal studies. Whether it was to earn money, carefully consider their academic paths, or simply take a break, the class of 2023 appeared to approach higher education with a more measured perspective. High costs associated with university education in Ireland, the most expensive in Europe, played a significant role in these decisions as well as accommodation concerns.
Principal Áine Moran expressed her delight with the 2023 results, highlighting that nearly 10% of students achieved over 600 points. Among the popular choices for further education were Physics, Medicine, and English Literature.
Sancta Maria College boasts a diverse student body, encompassing the children of island farmers and families of working professionals who relocated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A notable initiative the school undertook last October was a careers fair featuring local individuals who shared their work experiences and personal journeys with the students. This event provided valuable insights and guidance, offering a more intimate alternative to the larger career fairs found in bigger cities and universities.
Principal Moran believes this holistic approach to education is instrumental in the school's academic success, and the recent developments exemplify Sancta Maria College's commitment to nurturing well-rounded students as they embark on their educational journeys.