With a packed audience gathered in celebration, it was a night that reflected the success, determination and spirit of this outstanding year group. Their record-breaking A Level pass rate of 84% is the highest in our school’s history and a testament to their dedication, resilience and hard work.

The evening opened with a welcome from Student Leadership Team members Conor Sands and Jessica Dike, followed by Mr Dáithí Murray who greeted families, friends and invited guests and delivered his Principal’s Address.

Entertainment was provided by members of the St Paul’s Traditional Group, all of whom also perform with the Traditional Arts Partnership. Two of our musicians recently qualified for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, setting a joyful tone for the evening.

Pupils from the school’s Traditional Group who welcomed parents on their arrival.

A special mention was reserved for the Reidy family, who joined us to present the inaugural Tommy Reidy Spirit of Science Award, a fitting tribute to a much-missed colleague whose legacy continues to inspire pupils and staff.

We were honoured to welcome past pupil Kate Fearon as our Guest Speaker. Based in Vienna, Kate has served as Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre since January 2024, having previously been the Centre’s Deputy Director from June 2022. She led the Policy Support Service overseeing the South-Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, Central Asia and Eastern Europe desks.

Kate’s career includes work with EU CSDP missions in Kosovo (EULEX) and Georgia (EUMM). As Special Adviser to the Civilian Operations Commander in Brussels, she contributed to missions in Ukraine, Ramallah, Rafah, Somalia, Niger, Iraq and Libya, and has worked on rule of law issues in Afghanistan and Sudan. Earlier in her career she served as Deputy Head of the Political Department in the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, contributing to the implementation of the Dayton Accords, and later headed the Mitrovica Office of the International Civilian Office in Kosovo, implementing the Ahtisaari Plan. Prior to her international work, Kate was a founding member of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition and participated in the negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement.

Educated at Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Sarajevo and Huddersfield University, Kate is the author of Women’s Work: The Story of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition (1999) and City of Soldiers: A Year of Life and Death in Afghanistan (2012), along with numerous peer-reviewed articles on conflict resolution, the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and on rule of law and democratisation.

Guest Speaker and past pupil, Kate Fearon, Director, Conflict Prevention Centre at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, addressing pupils and parents

Kate Fearon

Kate shared memories of her school days at St Paul’s, mixing humour with reflection. She recalled attending school in a time of conflict and how that experience built resilience across generations. With humility, she also noted the scale of today’s challenges for young people, including information overload. She credited St Paul’s with nurturing her critical thinking, a skill she has relied on throughout her international career.

Junior Prize Giving: Effort, Excellence and Contribution

Year Head Mrs Laura McEvoy began the awards segment by presenting the main Junior Prize Giving awards:

• Overall Endeavour at KS3: Rowan Bannon (St Michael’s Primary School) and Orlaith Mackin (St Monnina’s, Cloughoge)
• Overall Academic Performance at KS3: Dáithí Hoey (Jonesborough Primary School) and Conor Cranney (Bunscoil an Iúir)
• Contribution to School Life: Méabh Martin (Dromintee Primary School) and Hollie Bradley (St Malachy’s Primary School, Camlough)
• Inaugural Tiarnan Trainor Spirit of St Paul’s Award (truth, integrity, compassion, kindness): Ryan Richardson and Joseph McParland
• Victors Ludorum, Sports Day 2025: Molly O’Neill, Elijus Andriuska, Caoimhe Trainor, Daniel Casey, Éabha Loughran, Setanta McDonald, Dáithí Hoey

GCSE Awards: Best in Subject, Commitment and Outstanding Achievement

The GCSE segment opened with Best in Subject awards, recognising pupils who achieved A* or A grades in their respective subjects.

We then celebrated our Commitment and Endeavour Award recipients. These pupils exemplify dedication, reliability and a positive contribution to classroom life. They embody our ethos of striving to become the best version of oneself.

The section concluded with Outstanding Achievement at GCSE, recognising 18 pupils who achieved nine or ten A*/A grades across all subjects:

• Sophie Bolger
• Fergal Boylan
• Tiarnan Brown
• Leah Byrne
• David Crilly
• Cian Hanratty
• Aoibhe Hoey
• Elizabeth Kennon
• Elen McCabe
• Cara Rose McClatchey
• Erin McCrink
• Erin McCullough
• Caitlin McParland
• Kian Rigley
• Aidan Sands
• Abigail Savage
• Annie Stanfield
• Kym Ward

Post-16 Honours: Record A Level Success

Post-16 awards were introduced by Year Head Mrs Catriona McCartan, who paid warm tribute to pupils, parents, Form Teachers and subject staff. As with GCSE, endeavour was praised and Form Class Awards were presented, selected personally by Form Teachers for conduct and commitment across all aspects of school life.

We also celebrated special achievements in sport and music:

• Netballer of the Year: Erin McCullough
• Senior Boys’ GAA Players of the Year: Adam Reavey and Kian Rigley (St Killian’s GFC, Whitecross)
• Shauna McCann Senior Ladies’ Footballer of the Year: Annie Stanfield
• Chorister of the Year: Aoibhe Hoey

In a record-breaking year, 16 pupils achieved three or four A*/A/Distinction grades at A Level. Each received a £250 cheque, kindly sponsored by local businesses:

• Fergal Boylan — St Joseph’s PS, Meigh
• Tiarnan Brown — St Peter’s PS, Cloughreagh
• Jack Carragher — St Michael’s PS, Newtownhamilton
• Jennifer Collins — St Monnina’s PS, Cloughoge
• Sienna Fearon — St Malachy’s PS, Camlough
• Aoibhe Hoey — Jonesborough Primary School
• Rebecca Keenan — St Monnina’s PS, Cloughoge
• Katie McAleavey — St Malachy’s PS, Camlough
• Elen McCabe — St Peter’s PS, Cloughreagh
• Eoin McDonnell — St Laurence O’Toole PS, Belleek
• Rachel McEnteggart — St Monnina’s PS, Cloughoge
• Aidan Sands — St Peter’s PS, Cloughreagh
• Abigail Savage — St Joseph’s PS, Bessbrook
• Kym Ward — St Teresa’s PS, Tullyherron

Celebrating Excellence at St Paul’s

Principal, Mr Murray, concluded by recognising pupils whose dedication, character and achievements exemplify our values:

• Endeavour Award: Gerard McNally — begins a Higher Level Apprenticeship in Digital Construction
• Overall Academic Achievement: Erin McCullough — 4 A* grades in Maths, Chemistry, Biology and History; will study Actuarial Science at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
• Tommy Reidy Spirit of Science Award: Sophie Hughes — Biology and Chemistry; will study Marine Science at Ulster University
• Peter Hughes Ambassador Award: Ryan McKeown — recognised for leadership and integrity; will study Civil Engineering at Ulster University
• Spirit of St Paul’s Award: Lucy Thorne — kindness, compassion and integrity; will study Communication and Counselling Studies at Ulster University
• Spirit of St Paul’s Award: Kian Rigley — dedication to academics, sport and Irish language promotion; will pursue a Higher Level Apprenticeship in Construction Management
• St Paul’s Caritas Award (In Radicate Caritate): Lucy Kelly — consistent compassion, integrity and selflessness; will study Communication Management and Public Relations at Ulster University
• Eve Keenan Hope Award: Jack Delargy — cheerful spirit and optimism despite health challenges; will study Software and Cloud Management
• Eve Keenan Hope Award: Oonagh Crossan — gifted artist whose courage and creativity have inspired many

Brian Conlon Foundation Academic Scholarship

The final presentation of the evening was the prestigious Brian Conlon Foundation Academic Scholarship, awarded to a pupil whose resilience and determination are truly inspiring. Overcoming significant challenges during KS3 and KS4, she secured the grades needed for Post-16, promised not to waste the opportunity and delivered outstanding GCE results: Distinction*, B, B. Now preparing to study Marketing at Ulster University, the recipient of the £1,500 scholarship is Sara McKernan.

Thank You and Farewell

Senior pupil, Niall O’Hagan and Mr Murray brought proceedings to a close, thanking Ms Alana McCrink for organising this cornerstone event in our school calendar and the Class of 2025 for their outstanding attendance.

As they leave the Camlough Road for new horizons, we know they will carry with them the values of St Paul’s – truth, integrity, compassion and kindness.