Over 200 people attended the Kerry Education and Training Board Annual Student Awards event which was held in the Institute of Technology Tralee, North Campus, Dromtacker, Tralee, on Friday 20th January 2017. The guest of honour, Garda Yohan Hunt.
Colm McEvoy CEO Kerry ETB emphasised that “The success of the students that we are celebrating this evening is underpinned by the work of excellent staff in our schools and
centres. This ceremony provides an opportunity to publically acknowledge the dedication and commitment of all members of Staff right across the scheme. I congratulate the School Principals, Deputy Principals, Youthreach Coordinators, Resource Workers, the Teachers and Staff in our Schools and Centres for their hard work and dedication which is the cornerstone of the students’ success.
Colm stressed that “Kerry ETB has earned a proud record nationally as a leader in adopting and implementing new strategies and developments aimed at enriching teaching and
learning in our Schools and Centres. Great credit is due to our Director of Schools Ms. Ann O’Dwyer for her vision and leadership in working with our schools in ensuring that we have a “model of best practice” in our Developing Schools Enriching Learning Programme. I wish to thank Ann for her sterling work in ensuring that our School Management and staff are fully supported as providers of a quality post primary education in all of our schools.” This is the first year that the awards have been sponsored by Lee Strand Dairies and Colm wished to express his thanks to Lee Strand for their very generous sponsorship and support for this very important event.
3,241 students attend Kerry ETB post primary schools and 120 participants attend Youthreach centres. Kerry ETB is very proud of their schools and centres which provide a comprehensive education for all their students. Over the last 8 years through the Kerry ETB Developing Schools Enriching Learning initiative Kerry ETB schools have put huge additional efforts into improving the quality of teaching and learning and pastoral care.
According to Education Officer Ann O’Dwyer “This awards event celebrates both academic achievement and also awards personal growth and leadership development which is strongly emphasised in each school and Youthreach centre.”
Paul Lucey husband and the family of the late Kathleen Lucey a former Irish Teacher of Tralee Community College have kindly commissioned a special award for Oral Irish in Kathleen’s memory. This is now an annual award for the student who achieves the highest results in the Optional Oral Irish in the Junior Certificate. This year Kerry ETB had two
students who achieved the top marks.
Jim Finucane Cathaoirleach Kerry ETB highlighted “It is very important that we have an annual occasion to appreciate the remarkable achievements and commitment of our
students. All of the students receiving awards at tonight’s ceremony are very worthy
recipients of this recognition by Kerry Education and Training Board.”
Jim Finucane as Cathaoirleach of Kerry ETB presented the Gold Medal Awards for Best Overall Academic Achievement to Laura Ni ChonChuiradn Ciara Ni Dhalaigh both from Colaiste na Sceilge and Eamonn O Braoin from Gaelcholaiste Chiarrai.
Kerry ETB wishes to warmly congratulate and thank all the students who received awards for their courage and commitment. School and Youthreach centre management, teachers, resource workers and parents/guardians also deserve our appreciation for their enormous contribution to education.
Pictured: Award winners and dignitaries of the 2016 Kerry ETB Student Awards Night. Bennettsphotos.com
