Congratulations to the 6th year students in St. Mary’s Secondary School, Mallow who graduated last Thursday 28th May. The virtual graduation was streamed for all 6th year students, parents and teachers, to celebrate this special milestone in the girls lives. This was most definitely not the send-off our Leaving Certificate students had envisioned only three short months ago, however the celebration was every bit as special albeit while our school community was apart.
Our Principal Ms Bane, reminded the Class of 2020 that they are always in our thoughts, especially over the last three months. She praised their resilience and proudly noted the group’s willingness and ability to engage with remote teaching and learning this year. This was reiterated by 6th Year Head Ms Ann Cronin as she reflected on the past six years and the girls’ eagerness to grasp every opportunity and their contributions to the academic, social and spiritual elements of St. Mary’s.
The Prayer Service was an integral part of the graduation with three key themes; courage, faith and friendship introduced by Ms. Luttrell and echoed in the Gospel reading by our Chaplin Fr. Carvill. The entrance hymn sung by the senior choir was ‘With You By My Side’ and the Responsorial Psalm sung by 6th year students Katie Gallagher and Gemma Lane, ‘Without Seeing You, I Love You’ was especially apt this year. Prayers of the Faithful were read by eight students, and Queensly Erabor read the Gratitude Prayer. Fr. Carvill’s gospel and final blessing remotely from St. Mary’s Church made this a very special occasion for the LC Class of 2020.
Another highlight of our virtual graduation was the 6th Year Awards Ceremony. Ms Cronin presented the Catherine McAuley Award to Laura Horgan, Nicola Flynn and Leanne O’Flynn, and reminded us of the qualities of each award winner. She spoke of the students as having “great strength of character and leadership skills. They work hard and always strive to help other students. They are courageous, kind and generous of spirit. Very mature and capable young ladies. Very worthy recipients of their awards”. Deputy Principal Ms. Luttrell presented the Spirit of CEIST Award to Ellen Murphy whom she described as “having a positive and kind disposition and a student who worked extremely hard at her school work. Ellen created a sense of community in her year group and demonstrated her leadership capacity on the Student Council.”
Principal Ms. Bane presented the 6th Year Student of the Year to Queensly Erhabor as a student who distinguished herself academically, in public speaking, as a role model mentoring younger students, and on the Student Council. Queensly Erhabor truly embodies the qualities of a student whom St. Mary’s could be proud of, and is a worthy recipient of the accolade Student of the Year as voted by both students and staff.
The teachers of St. Mary’s put together a video of heartfelt teacher messages, passing a lighting candle from one clip to the next. Each teacher spoke of the fond memories of this year group and wished them well in the next stages of their journey.
Congratulations to Ellen Murphy, Queensly Erhabor, Nicola Flynn, Laura Horgan and Leanne O’Flynn who received awards. The Virtual Graduation concluded with the 6th Year Music Class singing an emotional farewell song ‘The Parting Glass’. Our entire school community wishes the Class of 2020 health, happiness and every success in their futures.