
See photos as Killarney school holds their annual end of year awards night
The awards day at Killarney Community College has now become an annual tradition in the college and it gives the whole school community an opportunity to reflect on some of the achievements of the students. Awards were presented across a range of categories: academia, technology, culture, languages, leadership, ethos, sports, attendance and extra-curricular activities amongst others.
Awards Coordinator Selma Dineen said of the day:
'The Annual Awards Ceremony is a cherished tradition that acknowledges the dedication, perseverance, and talent exhibited by individuals within the school community. It serves as a platform to honour remarkable accomplishments across a wide range of categories.'
Throughout the afternoon, a series of prestigious awards were presented to deserving recipients who had excelled in various domains. Each award displayed the unique talents, achievements, and contributions of individuals who have made a significant impact within the school community.
The LCA Student of the Year award went to Brian O' Connell. LCA Year Head Mr John Keane stated 'Throughout LCA, he excelled in every task, credit, and interview, showing dedication and excellence at every turn. His wit and good humour were a tonic for both classmates and teachers alike.'
Dylan Tucker was voted by the teachers as the Student of the Year. Dylan was commended for his 'respectful nature, maturity, and down-to-earth spirit, he stands as a shining example to all. Always ready with a kind word and a warm smile, he lifts the spirits of everyone he meets.'
The prestigious Principal's Award went to Laura Bradley. In Ms Loughnane's speech she stated 'Killarney Community College sees your resilience, your kindness, your steady presence. We see the way you navigate the world with grace and assurance. It is an honour to recognise and celebrate the incredible young person you are and the leader you will become.'
Victoria Pierog and Grace Foley were presented with the award for Senior Living the Ethos. They were awarded this as they have been constantly involved in promoting the school ethos of 'Respect, Responsibility and Inclusion' throughout their years studying in the college.
Other awards on the day included Sports Awards which went to Clodagh Moriarty who was awarded the Senior Sports Award for her excellent contribution to sports and sporting achievements. The Junior Sports Awards meanwhile went to Emer O Connell and Jake Coffey.
There were a number of new awards this year including the Year Head award which was presented to Kerri Breen Riordan and Mateusz Pfister. Kerri was described as 'a vibrant, positive presence in our school community, known for her ever-present smile, bubbly personality, and boundless enthusiasm'. Mateusz was the second recipient of the Year Head award as 'Over his five years at Killarney Community College, he has demonstrated exceptional growth, both personally and academically.
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On presenting the Awards, Principal Stella Loughnane commended all award recipients and the wonderful teamwork of the teachers and staff for the awards event.
"We firmly believe that recognizing and celebrating achievements is crucial to fostering a culture of excellence and inspiring future generations," said School Principal Stella Loughnane.
"Our Annual Awards Ceremony is a momentous occasion that not only acknowledges outstanding achievements but also motivates students to strive for their personal best. We are immensely proud of the winners and the entire school community for their dedication and commitment,' she added.
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Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Record 140,457 sit Leaving, Junior and other state exams starting today
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) said the record number of candidates was 'linked to demographic increases, with the numbers entered passing 140,000 for the first time'. The number entered to take the 2025 certificate examinations has increased by 3pc (up 4,297) compared with last year's entry figure of 136,160 candidates, with the most significant increases in the numbers entered for the Leaving Cert programme (5pc) and Leaving Cert Applied programme (up 11pc). Of those sitting state exams, 61,632 are Leaving Cert candidates, 4,512 are final-year Leaving Cert Applied (LCA) candidates and 74,313 are Junior Cycle candidates. Education Minister Helen McEntee said: 'I want to send the very best wishes to all the students around the country who are starting their Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Applied and Junior Cycle examinations today. 'I know the amount of work and effort you have put in to reach this point. It is the culmination of many years of effort. 'This can be a very stressful time, so I would remind everyone that when it comes to examinations, all we can do is our best. An extensive logistical exercise involving the secure distribution of about four million exam papers to the examination superintendents 'We are all very much behind you over the next few weeks and I know that, regardless of the outcome of these examinations, there will be many great opportunities ahead for you all.' Students are set to sit exams in more than 800 centres nationwide, including post-primary schools and other locations. Delivery of the state examinations is an extensive logistical exercise involving the secure distribution of about four million exam papers to the examination superintendents responsible for overseeing written exams. The exams will run from today until June 24 for Leaving Cert (Established and Vocational); June 12 for Leaving Cert Applied; and June 16 for Junior Cycle exams. The SEC will apply a post-marking adjustment for the 2025 Leaving Cert examinations, once tests are completed, 'in order to bring the overall Leaving Certificate results in the aggregate on average to a point broadly midway between the 2020 and 2021 levels'. The SEC said it aimed to issue the 2025 Leaving Cert and Leaving Cert Applied examination results to candidates on August 22.


Irish Independent
24-05-2025
- Irish Independent
See photos as Killarney school holds their annual end of year awards night
The awards day at Killarney Community College has now become an annual tradition in the college and it gives the whole school community an opportunity to reflect on some of the achievements of the students. Awards were presented across a range of categories: academia, technology, culture, languages, leadership, ethos, sports, attendance and extra-curricular activities amongst others. Awards Coordinator Selma Dineen said of the day: 'The Annual Awards Ceremony is a cherished tradition that acknowledges the dedication, perseverance, and talent exhibited by individuals within the school community. It serves as a platform to honour remarkable accomplishments across a wide range of categories.' Throughout the afternoon, a series of prestigious awards were presented to deserving recipients who had excelled in various domains. Each award displayed the unique talents, achievements, and contributions of individuals who have made a significant impact within the school community. The LCA Student of the Year award went to Brian O' Connell. LCA Year Head Mr John Keane stated 'Throughout LCA, he excelled in every task, credit, and interview, showing dedication and excellence at every turn. His wit and good humour were a tonic for both classmates and teachers alike.' Dylan Tucker was voted by the teachers as the Student of the Year. Dylan was commended for his 'respectful nature, maturity, and down-to-earth spirit, he stands as a shining example to all. Always ready with a kind word and a warm smile, he lifts the spirits of everyone he meets.' The prestigious Principal's Award went to Laura Bradley. In Ms Loughnane's speech she stated 'Killarney Community College sees your resilience, your kindness, your steady presence. We see the way you navigate the world with grace and assurance. It is an honour to recognise and celebrate the incredible young person you are and the leader you will become.' Victoria Pierog and Grace Foley were presented with the award for Senior Living the Ethos. They were awarded this as they have been constantly involved in promoting the school ethos of 'Respect, Responsibility and Inclusion' throughout their years studying in the college. Other awards on the day included Sports Awards which went to Clodagh Moriarty who was awarded the Senior Sports Award for her excellent contribution to sports and sporting achievements. The Junior Sports Awards meanwhile went to Emer O Connell and Jake Coffey. There were a number of new awards this year including the Year Head award which was presented to Kerri Breen Riordan and Mateusz Pfister. Kerri was described as 'a vibrant, positive presence in our school community, known for her ever-present smile, bubbly personality, and boundless enthusiasm'. Mateusz was the second recipient of the Year Head award as 'Over his five years at Killarney Community College, he has demonstrated exceptional growth, both personally and academically. ADVERTISEMENT On presenting the Awards, Principal Stella Loughnane commended all award recipients and the wonderful teamwork of the teachers and staff for the awards event. "We firmly believe that recognizing and celebrating achievements is crucial to fostering a culture of excellence and inspiring future generations," said School Principal Stella Loughnane. "Our Annual Awards Ceremony is a momentous occasion that not only acknowledges outstanding achievements but also motivates students to strive for their personal best. We are immensely proud of the winners and the entire school community for their dedication and commitment,' she added.


The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
I risked jail by writing illegal WW2 diary – now at age 99 I want to share my secrets after hiding it for 80-years
FORCES fighting in World War Two knew the rules: Anyone who kept a diary risked being be jailed. But now, at the age of 99½, ex- Advertisement 7 At the age of 99½, ex-Royal Marine Tom Hill has finally decided to reveal his secret wartime journal Credit: Paul Tonge 7 Tom showed The Sun the tiny booklet that he has kept hidden for 80 years, pictured in military uniform Credit: Paul Tonge 7 Tom in a New York bar in August 1944 before heading out to the Pacific Credit: Paul Tonge Father-of-two Tom showed The Sun the tiny booklet that he has kept hidden for 80 years. It records the horrors and hilarity of war. As the anniversary of 'But I went to so many places and I knew if I didn't write them all down I'd forget where I'd been. Advertisement READ MORE ON WW2 'I kept it hidden with my medical kit in a front leg pocket. Thankfully, the medical kit wasn't ever inspected so I got away with it.' But what a tale the notebook, only slightly bigger than a credit card, has to tell. It goes from the beaches of Normandy, where Tom spent 16 days under fire before his landing craft was sunk, to the Far East and Australia. He was in the Panama Canal when VE Day was declared on May 8, 1945. His delighted last entry on May 30 says simply: 'UK — Here I come!' Advertisement Most read in The Sun Despite working as a tool setter — a protected job that meant he would never have to fight — Tom volunteered to join the Royal Marines, the only regiment that would take 17-year-olds, and he became a landing craft Coxswain. I went to so many places and knew if I didn't write them down I'd forget. I hid the diary in my medical kit and thankfully I got away with it Tom At his home in Birmingham, he says: 'I wanted to do my bit for my country, especially after witnessing Coventry Road being bombed and seeing first-hand how we were being targeted by the Germans.' WW2 Pilot Joe Peterburs who survived being shot down returns to skies Here, he reflects on some of the entries from his first-hand account of history . . . JUNE 1943: After six weeks training in Portsmouth, Tom travels to Scotland to join the former merchant ship Empire Battleaxe, which was home to 90 marines. Advertisement JUNE 4, 1944: Back in Portsmouth, Tom ferries troops out to the Battleaxe at anchor in the Solent. He says: 'We didn't know of the plan for the D-Day landings in France. 'The first we knew of it was seeing troops playing with foreign money on board the ship. We hadn't been told a thing!' JUNE 6, 1944: After being held back 24 hours due to bad weather, Tom arrives off Normandy. Advertisement He was in the four-man crew of an LCA landing craft, navigating eight miles through choppy waters, taking 35 troops at a time across from the ship to Sword Beach. 7 Tom's badge to signify he was part of combined operations Credit: Paul Tonge He says: 'The sights we saw going back and forth were terrible, just awful, ships being sunk and injured troops in the water, but we had to keep going. 'Shells were going over our heads, troops were being shot at. By night all hell seemed to break loose and we were in the crossfire. Advertisement 'Either side of us I could see LCAs with their doors blown off. The sergeant on another LCA signalled to me that he had one engine and couldn't fire the other. 'He asked me to move around and take a look. 'I could see a body of one of our troops was wrapped round the propeller shaft rendering it unusable.' For 16 days Tom and his crew ferried in hundreds of troops and supplies to the beaches before being used to deliver mail. Advertisement On one mail run they came across a ship where a shell had gone through a hatch, killing every soldier onboard. Tom recalls: 'There were two lads sharing a flagon of rum while they filled bags with body parts from down below.' JUNE 22, 1944: On day 16, the landing craft is hit by a storm and sunk. Tom says: 'We abandoned ship and swam together to the nearest boat, which was an American tugboat. Advertisement 'The captain told us they were returning to the USA and asked if we wanted to go with them. If I drank one rum I must have had two or three pints of it. I've never ever been drunk since then. After grot time, where we spent time with pals, I was tied in my hammock from 11 o'clock until 4 o'clock. The lads thought it was hilarious Tom 'While the idea of a new life far from the noise of D-Day was an attractive thought, we got aboard a British ship and were given five days survivor's leave.' He then rejoined HMS Battleaxe on an 11-month mission, attached to the American 7th Fleet, all over the Pacific, from Samoa to Sydney. NOVEMBER 25, 1944: My 19th birthday, in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. A day I will never forget. Advertisement Tom says: 'If I drank one rum I must have had two or three pints of it. I've never ever been drunk since then. After grot time, where we spent time with pals, I was tied in my hammock from 11 o'clock until 4 o'clock. 'The lads thought it was hilarious.' Later, a prisoner of war became seriously ill and Tom had to ferry a doctor from an American ship to treat him. He says: 'I got alongside and shouted for them to throw a line down. I was greeted with the response, 'Sorry pal, I haven't got a pen or paper'. Advertisement 'It made me really cross that I had to sit in the water for a long time waiting for a rope while we had a really sick POW.' 7 Tom serving in Australia in 1944 Credit: Paul Tonge MARCH 19, 1945: Sydney. Tom says: 'Water was always in short supply so we'd strip off and shower in the rain. We had a detachment arrive of six nurses who were all on deck when it started raining. 'A Tannoy announcement reminded us there were females on board and not to strip off and shower. Advertisement 'One of the nurses piped up, 'Don't worry, lads. We've seen it all before'. MAY 8, 1945: Panama Canal. Tom says: 'VE Day didn't matter much to me. By then, D-Day and France felt like it was far away. 'But despite the end of it all in Europe, the campaign in the Pacific and Japan was still going on.' MAY 30, 1945: New York. UK here we come. Advertisement Tom says: 'We got back into Portsmouth and were given ten days leave. Our commanding officer told us to make the most of it as afterwards we would be heading back to the Philippines. I remember feeling like it was really unfair. We'd been everywhere.' Eighty years later, retired school caretaker Tom carries survivor's guilt that he made it home when he watched so many others perish. On Thursday, Tom will be attending a Royal British Legion VE Day party with dozens of World War Two veterans at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffs. He says: 'I'm one of the lucky ones, I'm still here. What I saw on D-Day and in the Pacific will always stay with me. Advertisement 'So many good men I served with didn't get to see the world in peace. 'I think of them all often and will do so again on VE Day.' 7 Tom helped British troops land on Sword Beach for D-Day Credit: IWM 7 Veterans and volunteers celebrate new walkway at therapy garden Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun Advertisement Lotto love at garden WHEN a therapy garden wanted to build a new path for veterans in wheelchairs, a group of Lottery winners worth £115million stepped in to help. Veterans' Growth, near Battle, East Sussex, is a seven-acre site set up by injured Afghan and Iraq veteran Staff Sergeant Jason Stevens, 44. Backed by National Lottery funding, it is a place where ex-servicemen and women can tend plants as therapy. Jason planned the path in honour of VE Day 80 – and among those who offered to help were Neil Trotter, who won £108million on the Lottery in 2014. He found the work relatively easy – as he now manages his own estate of 500 acres, which includes woods, lakes and wild flower meadows. Sharon Hall, 58, of Havant, Hants, was a Royal Navy master-at-arms when she won £1million on a Bullion scratchcard in 2004. She and husband John, 61, collected their cheque onboard HMS Victory. Sharon spent the morning working in the potting shed, while John helped put hardcore on to the path. Mum-of-two Sharon says: 'Being a veteran, coming here means a huge amount. 'I've served with people who've been injured and have suffered PTSD. 'Some of them are floundering, so to come to somewhere like this where you can feel the peace around is so restful. I spent the morning in the potting shed and it's just so therapeutic. 'It's so nice to give something back and to know that people can come here and get some relief from the torment that they might be suffering.'