Ramsgrange Community School held their annual Awards Ceremony last Friday May 24th. Due to the growing numbers within the student body, the ceremony was held in the very fitting backdrop of St. James’ Church, Ramsgrange. As always, this marks a high point in the school year. Ms. Tracey Edwards, School Principal, opened proceedings with a welcome speech where she spoke of her great pride each year at Awards Day. She also spoke about the respect all students show towards each other and towards staff.
Awards were given across 89 categories, and increase from the 74 categories last year, a testament to the many and varied activities which take place throughout the year. Certificates of Achievement were awarded across a variety of areas, such as Student Enterprise, Maths Teams & Fundraising to name just a few. The student council of 2023/24 were recognised and thanked for their great work throughout the year as were the outgoing Meitheal Leaders. The first buzz of excitement ripped through the school as the new Meitheal Team, 2024 was announced with 24 incoming 6th Year and LCA2 students about to take up the mentoring role as they progress into the next academic year. Awards were also given across many subjects for best projects in LCVP, Art, Metalwork, Engineering, Wood Technology, DCG, TG, Construction, Needlework, Science as well as German, French and Gaeilge.
The much anticipated Sports Awards were up next. Trophies were awarded to best Basketball players, male and female at 1st, 2nd, U16 and Senior, as were trophies for best players in Ladies Football, Camogie Hurling and Football. The Junior Sports Person Cup was awarded to Éanna Grennan, 3rd Year for his excellence in sport across many disciplines but most especially for his brilliant approach and attitude to competing in particular in his specialist field of orienteering where he will soon be representing Ireland at international level. The brilliant all-rounder Sarah Bennett, 6th Year, was awarded the prestigious Senior Sports Persons Cup. Sarah has represented the school for soccer, ladies football and camogie and was most recently a part of the Wexford Ladies Football minor team who contested the Leinster Final.
Following on from this, Seán Power, past pupil, was presented with the Best Leaving Certificate Results Shield for 2023. This shield was presented to Stephen by the principal Ms. Tracey Edwards. Seán also gave a rousing and inspiring speach to the school community with the simple message of “whatever you do, make sure it is something you love”. Outgoing Head boy Kevin Voinea and Head Girl Aoife O’Connor both spoke in an emotional, heartfelt speech to the staff and students on their memories of RCS and gave some great parting wisdom to the student cohort. This was followed by one of the highlights of the afternoon, the announcement of the new Head Boy and Head girl for the upcoming year. Dan Nolan and Sarah Assinder were popular choices after a hotly contested selection process. They will be ably assisted by Assistant Head Boy and Girl, Cillian Browne and Keira Roche.
Year Heads then stepped forward to announce the winners of each year’s ‘Student of the Year’, also presenting the runners up with certificates. But the highlight of the afternoon was the announcement of the overall Student of the Year. The winner being selected following a student and staff vote. The very popular winner this year was outgoing Head Girl, Aoife O’Connor, a brilliant all-rounder and a perfect example of the best of Ramsgrange Community School. She was wished the very best of luck in the upcoming State Exams, as were all the Third & Sixth Year students.
All in all, it was an outstanding day where the many successes and accomplishments of the school community were celebrated
