Friday 28 August 2025 was an uplifting day of celebration at St Paul’s as we held the Junior Prizegiving Ceremony for our incoming Year 11 pupils.

This special occasion allowed us to reflect on the many achievements of our young people during their three years at Key Stage 3, while also encouraging them to look forward with confidence to the opportunities that Key Stage 4 will bring.

We were delighted to welcome back two of our outgoing Head Girls and Boys, Áine Osborne and Fergal Boylan, who spoke powerfully to the year group, offering words of wisdom and encouragement as they begin their GCSE and Level 2 journey. Pupils were also inspired by our guest of honour, Micheál McCloy, who won a bronze medal at the 2025 Futsal SUDS European Championships in Ferrara, Italy recently and shared his international sporting success and proudly displayed his team trophy.

A wide range of awards was presented throughout the ceremony, highlighting the diversity, talents and qualities of this year group.

The morning began with Form Class Awards, presented to one boy and one girl from each class. These pupils were recognised for consistently showing the values of truth, integrity, compassion and kindness over the past three years.

Pupils who received Form Class Awards during the Junior Prizegiving Ceremony in St Paul’s High School on 29 August 2025. Pictured with Mrs Eileen Fearon, Chair of the Board of Governors, Mrs Mary McMahon, Vice-Principal for Care, Welfare & Safeguarding and Mr Stephen Kearney, Head of Year.

Academic Excellence Awards followed, celebrating those pupils who achieved the highest standards in individual subjects across a very large year group of more than 300. To be recognised in this way is an outstanding accomplishment.

English: Conor Cranney 
Mathematics: Lorcan Kirwin and Aimee Rose O’Callaghan 
Science: Daniel McNulty 
LLW: Ciaran Campbell 
Religion: Ava McDonnell 
History: Matty McFerran 
Geography: Setanta McDonald
Irish: Dáithí Hoey and Ethan Mulligan 
Spanish: Dáithí Hoey and Eoin McCarroll
French: Conor Cranney 
Art & Design: Aoife McGenity 
Technology & Design: Dáithí Hoey 
Home Economics: Dáithí Hoey  
Music: Molly Bannon  
Girls’ PE: Éabha Loughran  
Boys’ PE: Brogan Campbell  
Drama: Ruairí O’Hagan  
Specialist Provision: Blake Reed

Pupils who received awards for Academic Excellence at the Junior Prizegiving Ceremony in St Paul’s High School on 29 August 2025. Pictured with Ms Christine Fearon, Vice-Principal for Standards & Improvement and Mr Stephen Kearney, Head of Year.

We then turned to Endeavour and Commitment to Learning, recognising pupils whose effort and dedication stood out and who remind us that perseverance is often the key to success.

English: Cormac Hughes 
Mathematics: Anna McAteer and Brogan Campbell 
Science: Donnchadh Coleman 
LLW: Laila McPolin Shanley 
Religion: Mya Rose Jennings 
History: Maria Quinn 
Geography: Rowan Bannon 
Irish: Erin Loughran 
Spanish: Ava Boyle 
French: Scarlet Doran-Kennedy and Niamh Haughey 
Art & Design: Cathal Hughes 
Technology & Design: Ella McParland 
Home Economics: Rowan Bannon 
Music: Oisin O’Hagan 
Girls’ PE: Caoimhe Cunningham 
Boys’ PE: Noah McArdle 
Drama: Charlie McGovern
Specialist Provision: Ryan Mooney 

Pupils who received awards for Endeavour and Commitment at the Junior Prizegiving Ceremony in St Paul’s High School on 29 August 2025. Pictured with Mr Dáithí Murray, Principal and Mr Stephen Kearney, Head of Year.

Recognition was also given for Extra-Curricular Achievement, highlighting the importance of sport, music, drama and volunteering in the life of the school. The efforts of these pupils enrich our school community and show that learning goes far beyond the classroom.

Netball: Ella McParland
Hurling: Hayden O’Callaghan
Girls’ Football: Eabha Loughran
Boys’ Football: Noah McArdle
Girls’ Soccer: Ava O’Neill
Boys’ Soccer: Kealan McDonnell
Orchestra: Eoin McCarroll
Choir: Jennifer Sands and Eilis Eyres
Traditional Group: Annie McVerry
Drumming:Aoife McGenity
Inclusion Choir: Niamh Haughey
Artistic Flair:Annie McVerry

Pupils who received awards in recognition of achievements in extra-curricular activities, pictured with Head of Year, Mr Stephen Kearney, Principal, Mr Dáithí Murray and special Guest of Honour, Mr Micheál McCloy.

Among the highlights of the day was the recognition of Ava McDonnell, who secured a place at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford. This remarkable achievement reflects both her talent and her dedication to Irish traditional music.

Attendance awards were then presented to 22 pupils who had achieved full attendance. Mr Kearney reminded the year group that being present every day is one of the simplest but most effective ways to ensure success.

The closing stages of the ceremony were reserved for the most prestigious awards.

Pupils of the Year for Endeavour were awarded to Rowan Bannon, a past pupil of St Michael’s Primary School, Killean, and Orlaigh Mackin, a past pupil of St Monnina’s Primary School, Cloughoge. Both are excellent role models, giving 100% to everything they do and bringing energy and positivity to school life.

Pupils of the Year for Endeavour were awarded to Rowan Bannon and Orlaigh Mackin. Pictured with Head of Year, Mr Stephen Kearney and Chair of the Board of Governors, Mrs Eileen Fearon.

Overall Academic Excellence was jointly presented to Dáithí Hoey, who attended Jonesborough Primary School, and Conor Cranney, who attended Bunscoil an Iúir. Both boys combine academic excellence with a love of languages and an active role in school life.

Awards for Overall Academic Excellence were jointly presented to Dáithí Hoey and Conor Cranney. Pictured with former Head Girl, Áine Osborne, Principal, Mr Dáithí Murray, Chair of the Board of Governors, Mrs Eileen Fearon, and former Head Boy, Fergal Boylan.

Contribution to School Life was awarded to Méabh Martin, a past pupil of Dromintee Primary School, and Hollie Bradley, a past pupil of St Malachy’s Primary School, Camlough. Both girls are known and respected across the year group for their involvement in a wide range of school activities, from volunteering to sport and the school musical Oliver!.

Awards for Contribution to School Life were presented to Méabh Martin, and Hollie Bradley. Pictured with Áine Osborne, former Head Girl, Mrs Mary McMahon, Vice-Principal for Care, Welfare & Safeguarding, Mrs Eileen Fearon, Chair of the Board of Governors and Fergal Boylan, former Head Boy.

Our final and most special award was the new Tiarnán Trainor Spirit of St Paul’s Award, introduced in memory of our esteemed pupil Tiarnán Trainor RIP, whose loss we mourn deeply. This year it was jointly presented to Ryan Richardson, a past pupil of Rathore Primary School, and Joseph McParland, a past pupil of St Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School, Forkhill. Both boys stood out during our recent trip to Barcelona and are well known in school for their character, humour and kindness. Each reflects qualities that made Tiarnán so admired.

Recipients of the inaugural Tiarnán Trainor Spirit of St Paul’s Award, Joseph McParland and Ryan Richardson. Pictured with Mr Dáithí Murray, Principal and Mrs Eileen Fearon, Chair of the Board of Governors.

The Prizegiving Ceremony was a fitting celebration of all that our Year 11 pupils have accomplished so far. We look forward to seeing them build on these achievements as they begin their Key Stage 4 journey with the same spirit of determination, kindness and ambition that shone through today.