Leaving Certificate 2009
Rockwell Celebrates Outstanding Leaving Cert. Results
Rockwell College students welcomed the arrival of their Leaving Certificate results on Wednesday morning, August 12th. It seemed to be an age since June Exams, Saturday English Paper 2 and the early summer sunshine which so often befriends Examination Halls. The Deputy Principal Mr. Michael Doyle described the results as ‘an outstanding success and a tribute to the combined efforts of pupils, parents and teachers’.
Twenty four per cent of pupils achieved in excess of 500 points.
Twelve per cent achieved in excess of 550 points, remarkable results when you consider that these students come from five different continents and for many English is not their first language.
College Principal Mr. O’Sullivan stated that it was important at this time to note the relative success of so many students who had worked to achieve to the best of their ability. Our tendency he said is to ‘focus on the high fliers’ who have achieved between five and six hundred points while the real success story may be the academically weaker pupil who has succeeded at his or her own level. These are so often the people who blossom into the kind of visionaries who will one day help to carry society forward towards a brighter future. One of the most appreciative calls came not from the parents of a 600, 590 or 585 points student but from the parents of a relieved student who said, "He’s so proud of his results, he’s walking tall".
The Leaving Certificate class of 2009 must now take on the challenge of College life or enter the fragile arena of the workplace. As educators and parents we encourage them to be positive and honest in their efforts. Recessions and unemployment queues will abate in time. Second level schools and Colleges provide a secure and sheltered environment for young people. The journey ahead for them will be both precarious and enjoyable. The most important thing is that they should travel carefully. It is important also that they be mindful of the concerns of parents and the sacrifices they make for them, emotionally and financially.
A Student’s Farewell
On Thursday, August 13th, the day after the 2009 Leaving Certificate results, one of our former students, Stuart Mangan, returned to Rockwell College. Stuart passed away in London during the previous week. He was a happy member of the class of 2003. A tragic accident in April of 2008 weakened his body, though not his spirit. Enduring memories for the Rockwell College Class of 2009 centre around the various Fundraising activities, communications and visits from his parents Brian and Una throughout the year. While the students of the 2009 class sat their Leaving Certificate Examination during June we were visited by Stuart and his family. Stuart was full of the joys of life. He re-visited the Halls, Classrooms and Refectories which had been a home from home for him just six years previously. Sadly and unknowingly, he was saying farewell. His father Brian explained how important the visit was to Stuart. His spirit endures.
On Thursday August 13th, the Mangan family joined staff and former students for a short funeral ceremony. They then proceeded to Fermoy to complete their journey. Stuart Mangan was laid to rest on Friday August 14th. May he rest in peace.
We wish the class of 2009 well, in body and spirit.