"Pathways to the Future" was the theme of this year's Leaving Certificate Graduation ceremony in Colaiste Ide agus Iosef. Joined by their parents, friends and members of the wider school community the Leaving Cert students marked their final day in the community college with a special ceremony. The ceremony commenced with previous Ceannaire from the school speaking and this was followed by a mass.
Principal Liam Murphy, in his address to the Leaving Certificate students wished them the best of luck in their exams. He said it was important for students to retain a sense of perspective and to do their best.
He invoked the words of tennis legend Arthur Ashe when he addressed the students,
‘Start where you are
Use what you have
Do what you can’
Mr. Murphy complimented the students on the theme of their graduation which was “Pathways to the future”
He remarked that it was a thoughtful and memorable theme. He wished the students well on their new paths quoting John F Kennedy whose 100th birthday anniversary is on May 29th of this week.
‘Change is the natural law of life and
those who look only to the past or
present are certain to Miss the future’
He concluded by thanking the parents and teachers for their support of the students over the course of their time in Coláiste Íde agus Iosef as he wished the students every success in their exams and future career choices.
Each student was then presented with their graduation certificate before the final awards were presented. This year for the first time, four Peer awards were given for students who their peers had recognised for special contribution. A special guest of honour at the ceremony was Ms Sadie McGarry who presented the Award named after her daughter, The Sarah McGarry Memorial Award to sportsperson of the year Rowanna McNulty.
