Sixth Year Graduation Day, Wednesday, 21 May
The Ursuline said goodbye to the class of 2025 on Wednesday, 21 May. They have been a fabulous year group who immersed themselves in all aspects of school life. The day began with Assembly and a talk by past pupil and invited guest speaker, Mary Cooney. Mary, of the class of 2005, is a now a partner with the William Fry Law Firm. She specialises in Medical Law, working on complex cases in the healthcare sector. She gave a very thoughtful speech, reminding the Leaving Certs that it’s okay not to have it all figured out yet and that there are many paths in life that lead where they might like to go.
Mary Cooney was on hand to present the Helen Larkin Fitzgerald award to Sixth Year student Orla Ryan for her positive contribution to the school over six years. Sr Bernadette presented the Jubilee 250 Award to joint winners Clodagh Ryan and MaryKate Cahill, who it was deemed embody the spirit of the Ursuline and founder St Angela Merici’s inclusivity and kindness towards others. Senior County stars in Football and Camogie, Isabelle Carr and Lucy Purcell, shared the Sports Award for 2025. The Elite Sports Award was presented to two students who have represented Ireland in different disciplines. Ciara Fitzpatrick, who has lined out in the green jersey on the international soccer stage and Irish boxing talent Jasmine McCarthy, who has represented her country in the ring. The Hyland Trophy, given to music students who have shared their talent generously over their time in the Ursuline, was awarded jointly to Mairéad O’Brien and Róisín Duffy, both of whom have been members of Senior Orchestra since First Year. Genevieve Keane won the Dwan Salver for excellence in RIAM violin exams taken in St Angela’s Academy of Music. The David Molony Medal, for talented performance, was also shared between three Sixth Years, singer and actress, Hannah Murphy, dancer, singer and actress, Sheena Wright and public speaker and actress, Rosa Ryan. Fifth Year student, Lily Murphy, submitted a painting which won the Sr Ursula Memorial Medal for an original, creative piece and Antonia Ryan, Third Year, won the Junior Category in the Sr Ursula Memorial Award. Isabel Ehmann, from Germany, who joined the Ursuline for Fifth Year, won the Senior International Student of the Year and Aitana Fernandez in Third Year, who is from Spain, was recognised as the Junior International Student of the Year. The full attendance of twin sisters Maeve and Eimear McCormack, never missing a day in their six years of secondary school was acknowledged with a special award. Also Aoibheann Fogarty and Eve Blackwell who had full attendance in Sixth Year was praised, with all four girls receiving a gift in appreciation of their commitment to school and their studies.
Ursuline Sixth Year Child of Mary, Graduation Mass
The final day of secondary school for the Ursuline Sixth Year class of 2025 concluded with mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption celebrated by School Chaplain Fr Jim Purcell. The theme, voted for by the Leaving Certs was ‘A million dreams for the world we’re going to make’. This hopeful idea was expressed in word, song, music and dance throughout the mass. It reflected the truth that every student leaving the school this year carries in their heart hopes, goals and visions for the future. The girls thanked everyone in the Ursuline for nurturing their dreams and giving them the tools and the confidence to pursue and realise them. Fr Jim, in his homily, encouraged them to keep showing up and not to leave before the miracle happens. He also finished by reminding them to be thankful for where they have been, to be okay with where they are and to be excited about where they are going. It was a gorgeous conclusion to their time in school marked in the presence of their families, teachers and fellow students. Included in this year’s liturgy was the awarding of John Paul 11 gold medals to Sixth Years Muireann Meade, Gillian Aherne, Maeve and Eimear McCormack, Emma Ely and Millie Ryan, in respect of all the valuable work they have contributed to their parishes. The John Paul 11 Award was presented to the six Leaving Certs by Fr Vincent Stapleton after communion. Thanks to everyone in the Religion, Music, Art and Technology Departments who were involved in the preparation of the Graduation Mass. Thanks to the Home Economics teachers and the care-taker and grounds staff for preparing the Sr Ursula Memorial Hall both for Assembly and for catering and hosting parents and families after the mass. Thanks to Leaving Cert Year Head, Ms Frend for helping to co-ordinate the day and Fifth Year, Year Head, Ms Molony and the Fifth Year students who helped out serving refreshments and tidying up the Cathedral and the hall. Such events do not happen without the enthusiasm and co-operation of everyone in the school community.
Ursuline TY Night
On Monday, 19 May the Ursuline TYs hosted a night for their parents to showcase all the amazing things they have accomplished and been involved in throughout the year. There were displays from the many subjects they sampled, modules they completed and workshops they enjoyed. Their project work was exhibited and they presented a PowerPoint presentation of all the things they learned, enjoyed and experienced since September. Each student had some role to play in the evening from speaking to dancing to doing a turn on the catwalk showing off the Junk Kouture creations. Thanks to TY co-ordinators Ms Flanagan and Ms Bourke and to TY Tutors Ms Purcell, Ms Coffey and Ms Hynes.
Ursuline’s Cáit Browne wins first prize in the Senior Section of Le Concours de la Lecture
On Wednesday, Ursuline Fifth Year Student Cáit Browne was awarded her prize for winning the Senior Section of Le Concours de La Lecture organised by the French Teachers Association. She won for her excellent recitation of a passage from Molière’s Le Misanthrope. Her entry also came second place in a binational competition in Austria and Ireland. Well done Cáit on this super achievement.