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A Easpaig, A Chathaoirligh, Baill an Bhoird, pobal na scoile agus a dhaoine uaisle go léir. Is mór an pleisiúr é a bheith bailithe anseo inniu chun gach a bhfuil bainte amach againn i mbliana a chomóradh. Cuirim fíorchaoin fáilte romhat Easpag Michael, ní hamháin mar Ghobharnóir an Choláiste ach mar Cheannaire na nDeoise agus an pobal fairsing a dhéanann Coláiste Chill Chainnigh freastal air. Go raibh míle maith agat as an am agus an misneach a thugann tú dúinn i rith na bliana. Bhí sé iontach tú a fheiceail anseo sa halla céanna i mí na Márta le haghaidh Lá an Fhorógra nuair a cheiliúr pobal na scoile ár saoránacht Éireannach.

Bishop Michael, Chairperson, Board members, ladies and gentlemen it is my pleasure to address you at our Prize Day today. This day and this event holds a special place in the hearts of our College. Prize Day brings together young and old, those who have just moved on, those who have just begun and those who maintain a loyal and permanent affection for Kilkenny College. Our school Ethos is founded on an openness to God’s love as well as being open to the goodness in ourselves, others and all creation.

One of the distinguishing marks of our school is that our students have the space and the time during their education to grow and mature to become the people they were created by God to be. Day-by-day, year-by-year we see this occurring in front of our eyes. Sometimes, as we become used to the daily operation of school, we can become blind to the happiness, fulfilment and growth that is occurring all around us. Prize Day gives us the opportunity to pause for a moment and recognise what is unique, special and important in and among our school community.

Fundamentally that is the lives and the development of each of our students. Those of us who work here are given the responsibility and the privilege of aiding the learning and nurturing the development of each one of our students. It is our students who give us our purpose. There may be moments when we see things differently or have to call you to line, but it is you, our students, who bring to our campus your energy, your enthusiasm and your willingness to try. To each of you I remind you that all of the professional energy of those working here and those who support the College comes from a belief in you: you matter, each one of you and we celebrate today the unique blessing that each one of you gives.

A community such as ours is one, which is touched by the slow, cyclical evolution of seasons ending and new beginnings, reflective of the pastoral history so closely linked to the lives of many of our families.

Our community has been touched by loss over the past year directly and more generally through the loss of family members and former students of the College. I take this moment to express condolences to and support for all those families across the College, which experienced the pain and grief of losing a loved family member in the past year.

As a school the death of Mr. Herbie Sharman in January was an occasion of particular sadness for all who knew him and had worked with or been taught by him. Herbie displayed loyalty, deep commitment and personal and professional interest in Kilkenny College for 33 years following his initial appointment in 1973. Conscious of the many tributes paid to Herbie in January, Prize Day was a day he particularly enjoyed and today it is appropriate we again mourn his loss and express our support to all within his family circle.

Mr. John Joe Hayes worked in the College as a member of the Grounds team and then head Groundsman for 31 years since 1985. John Joe was a meticulous professional for whom Kilkenny College was the centre-point of his working life and to which he gave his full commitment in all he did. The quality of the grounds today is a tribute to John Joe’s abilities. His death in late August was an occasion of loss for all here in the College. Once again I express our collective solidarity and support to his family.

As with endings, so with new beginnings. The conclusion of the 2015-16 school year marked the retirement from the College staff of two outstanding senior teachers: Mrs. Sandra Morrow and Mr. David Milne. Both Mr. Milne and Mrs. Morrow have moved forward into new activities and commitments beyond Kilkenny College. Mrs. Morrow and Mr. Milne

represented the highest standards of professionalism in their careers as teachers at Kilkenny College. They both lead the development and growth of their respective departments of French and Music. They both demonstrated at all times a desire to support learning for their students and showed great personal attention and care for everyone for whom they had professional responsibility.

Mrs. Morrow and Mr. Milne transmitted to generations of students a love and understanding of French and Music. It is evident that many of their former students have carried their learning and love of French or Music forward into their adult lives. Mrs. Morrow and Mr. Milne both stand as role models for the positive impact teachers can have on the lives of their students. Both are wished every success as they move forward into new opportunities and phases of their lives. They left with a deep expression of respect, gratitude and affection for them both from the entire community of Kilkenny College.

Teaching Appointments
Following the retirement of Mrs. Morrow, Ms. Sinead Slater and Ms. Yvonne Hennessy took on additional French teaching responsibilities from the start of the new school year.

The College welcomes Ms. Regina Ryan, Ms. Grace Farrell, and Ms. Sinead Keher and welcomes Mr. Tony Knox back in a full-time capacity. Mr. Knox has been working with the Department of Education Project Maths team.

Mr. Ian Sexton has commenced as Music Director following the retirement of Mr. Milne. Mr. Sexton is leading the Senior and Chamber Choirs, conducting the Orchestra, teaching Music and providing individual tuition in Piano.

Boarding and Extra-curricular appointments
Due to the ongoing increase in boarding enrolments, the College welcomes Mr. Stephen Gray to the Junior Boys House. Mr. Gray is a qualified Strength & Conditioning Coach, Nutritionist and qualified Rugby coach. In addition to his boarding duties Mr. Gray will be providing strength and conditioning coaching to female and male senior hockey and rugby players during the year. Mr. Gray joins the College from Heriot-Watt College in Scotland where he has worked with Edinburgh Youth rugby also. Ms. Catherine Grace, Ms. Susan Shirley and Ms. Jill Acheson have joined the expanded Girls Boarding House team

Mr. Nasir Chaudhry has been appointed as Director of Hockey. Mr. Chaudhry is an ex- Pakistan International with 16-years coaching experience in Ireland. Mr. Chaudhry will coach the senior boy hockey squad and lead the co-ordination of boys’ hockey and coaching development for boys and girls. Four other new coaches join the rugby and hockey departments. Ms. Trish Hayden is leading Yoga for the senior girls on Wednesdays.

As Principal it is my privilege to lead or work with a range of teams across the full span of College activities. I pay tribute to the Board of Directors and the Board of Management for the oversight and leadership they bring on a voluntary basis to our College. Through you Linda and through Mr. Richard Codd, I express my own and our collective gratitude for all that our Boards do to ensure the successful operation of the College.

The other key partners in the life of the College community are the Parents’ Association and the Past Pupils Association. I thank Mr. David Burgess and his hard-working committee members for all the PA does on behalf of students and parents in the College.

It is a pleasure to welcome the new President of the Past Pupils Union, Mrs. Elizabeth Nicholson here today. The PPU is an active body that provides a social link for all past pupils and an active network of support for many dimensions of College activity.

For the past two years it has been my pleasure to work alongside Mr. Aubrey O’Keeffe as partner in the senior management team. Aubrey’s commitment to and understanding of Kilkenny College is absolute. Aubrey’s willingness to go the extra mile for colleagues, students and parents is inspiring. Your commitment to ensuring that in whatever we do as a school, it is done well and that learning is at the centre of our actions is exemplary. I thank you Aubrey for your guidance, advice and support at all times, on my own part but for students, colleagues and parents also.

The past year has seen our Year Head team complete their first full year as the pastoral leaders of each of our 6 year groups. They have each been tireless in the fulfilment of their roles, coordinating and leading pastoral and disciplinary responsibilities for our students. I congratulate and thank them for their contributions to the In-school Management team.

For all of us in the College the recent growth in enrolments has been encouraging and affirming. Enrolment stands now at 850 students, with 362 applications received for entry into 1st Form next September.

This year the number of boarding students has risen to 432, capacity on an overall basis. It remains a central component of the life of our school that families continue to see Kilkenny College as the boarding school of their choice for young women and young men across the diocese and region we seek to serve.

Learning in its fullest sense
Anyone who knows our school knows that we are an active institution. We believe in learning in its fullest sense. Kilkenny College aims to provide an education in the fullest sense for each of our students. Acting within a Christian ethos, part of the full expression of our learning is the willingness to be active citizens in the world in which we live. I cite four examples emblematic of this over the past year.

The celebration and the positive embracing of the Proclamation Day here in the College was one simple but important expression of the common citizenship we hold as Irish people. Sean Gordon Dalton spoke evocatively of the various strands of ancestry which lie within his own family, each of which serve to form part of the cultural and social history of our island and of the person he is today.

In February, 2nd Form students led by Mr. Boyle, held a Mock General Election, which ran to 5 counts and was presided over by our own Returning Office. This expression of the key democratic right of citizenship, choice in deciding by whom you are governed, was taken up enthusiastically with a turnout in excess of 90%.

Our Student Council, elected each September by the full student body, following nominations and hustings, worked through the course of the year on behalf of all students in all years. Their leadership has seen the introduction of a ‘step down’ uniform for boarders after tea this year, the provision of a bicycle shed for day pupils cycling to school and further development in our catering provision for all students.

The College Prefects, Dorm Prefects and Mentors all play a similar role in leading and contributing to the well-being of our College community through their active involvement in the life of their peers and younger year groups.

The Kilkenny College Tractor Run is an established part of the College year at this point. While being an important social event it has an important practical side. A hard-working committee lead preparations for up to 50 participants. This year over €4,000 was raised for the Jack and Jill Foundation.

The willingness of all of these groups of students to give of themselves for the betterment of others and the community at large, stand as positive examples of active citizens expressing themselves within the overall life of the College.

Extra-Curricular Activities
Another dimension of learning in its fullest sense is seen through the broad range of both sporting and non-sporting activities for students to engage in recreation, fitness, socialising and competition each day through the school year. All of these reflect our belief in providing opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. In rugby, hockey, athletics, tennis and badminton our students have once again demonstrated their ability and desire to participate, at all ages through the College.

The annual Sports Assembly saw presentations made across the full range of sporting activities to students reflecting yet another year of high participation and achievement by our students on the sports fields. Two further presentations concluded the ceremony: to Mr. Jeff Carter and to Ms. Lesley Threlfall on the occasions of their retirement as senior rugby coach and girls hockey coordinators. Both Mr. Carter and Ms. Threlfall have exemplified the highest standard of professional commitment to our students and their sports in the time that they have held these respective roles. I thank them once again today for all they have done and thank Mr. Wesley Carter and Ms. Sinead Slater for taking up new positions as senior coach and girls hockey coordinator at the start of this school year.

Today I congratulate Yasmin Pratt, Sophie Thomas and Ellie McLoughlin on their selection for the Irish U16 hockey squads. Likewise to Josh Miller, who played for Leinster U19’s in rugby, to Reuben Pim and Mr. Jeff Carter, team member and Head Coach respectively of the winning Leinster Schools Inter-provincial team. To our Junior A and B girls’ hockey squads which won the Southeast cups in April. Tennis saw record numbers turning out each day last summer. Our U14 girls were victorious in the County Competition. The U14 boys and girls Badminton teams won the county championships this year. Douglas Elmes and Geoff Power finished 1st and 3rd in 420 national sailing championships in July.

We celebrate Anu Awonusi’s retention of the senior Shot Putt title. We recognise and celebrate Ruby Millet’s U16 national Long Jump title. We offer congratulations to Rory MacGabhann on his U16 Leinster High Jump title.

Harry and Richard Louis Duggan represented Leinster U18’s in inter-provincial golf in July.

The continued high level of participation in equestrian sports is a tribute to the energy of Mr. Cuddihy and his band of students and parents who devote so much time to the sport they love. Teams represented the College throughout the year with individual and team success coming in the prestigious Millstreet arena in August.

Away from the sports field other Extra-Curricular Activities engage the creative and artistic talents of students also. Drama made a welcome return to the College in 2016. Under the guidance of Ms. Kenny and Mr. Clarke, the process of auditioning, rehearsing, staging, costuming and performing was worked through in a highly professional and enthusiastic manner. The cast prepared themselves well for the productions. The play, a one-act comedy based on the story of Don Quixote, was brilliantly brought to life and very well received by all audiences. The cast and crew deserve great congratulations for their performances. Sincere thanks are expressed to all especially Ms. Kenny and Mr. Clarke.

Debating, the Young Scientists Club and Tae KwonDo provide varied outlets for student interest. Perhaps you would like to try Chess, perhaps your interest is Art or maybe it is Heritage. Thanks to the commitment of members of staff the opportunity is there to pursue it if you wish.

In the past year numerous colleagues have been generous enough to give hours and days of their time to provide a range of tour opportunities which have been enthusiastically taken up by students in every year in the school.

Buaileann na Cumann le cheile gach Mairt tar eis scoile i Seomra 52 no i gCisitin 1. Tá an Cumann seo ar fáil do gach bliain mar mhodúil a mhaireann sé seachtaine mar sin beidh seans ag gach bliain a bheith páirteach ann. Faoi láthair tá fiche is a trí cláraithe sa chéad bhliain.

The past year has seen students distinguish themselves in many settings beyond the classroom and the College also.

Jack O’Sullivan presented his award winning essay ‘The impact of Direct provision on immigrants to Ireland’ to UCC’s Law Department faculty.

The senior Applied Maths team won the IAMTA inter-schools trophy.

The senior Agricultural Science team won the IASTA Irish School Agricultural Science quiz competition.

Charlotte Cope and Iseult Cahill reached the final of ‘The Phil Speaks: TCD Debating Schools Championship.

Daryl Culbert was awarded ‘Driver of the Year’ in the junior category of Irish Autograss racing, while not forgetting Glenn Dudley’s Reserve Champion success at Dualla Show.

Through all of these examples, and there are so many more that could be given, we see our students learning and developing outside the classroom as a component of their overall development as people. Young people, who are up for a challenge, confident enough to try, thrilled if they succeed but able to derive satisfaction through participating and giving their best.

State Examinations
The central activity of our College however is and must be academic progress and learning for each student relative to their own ability. Learning in its fullest sense must pivot around academic endeavour in our school. It is my pleasure therefore to be able to offer congratulations to each and every member of the class of 2016 who sat the Leaving Certificate last June. Our primary benchmark of achievement is to work hard to ensure that all students who set out in senior cycle, complete senior cycle. The success for each individual student in completing the Leaving Certificate is valued by us all. While today we rightly celebrate the particular achievements of many members of the year, it is right to recognise and celebrate also the achievement of all in moving forward into the next phase of their lives.

It is wonderful to see the obvious delight expressed by so many on the day of issue of the Leaving Certificate results. Smiles and mutual congratulations were on display throughout the morning. One week later, after the CAO offers had been issued, there was again a strong sense of fulfilment among the large gathering at the Debs held in the Keadeen Hotel.

The attainment of the Leaving Certificate class of 2016 bears positive comparison with that of any similar cohort in any school in the Country. We should be proud of what our students achieved. We should acknowledge and give thanks to our teachers who once again went beyond the call of duty to guide and encourage each student to personal success. We should recognise the support team from home and all that was given without question to achieve success.

The average CAO Points score this year was 424 points, an Honours C1 per paper per student. Outstanding. 35 students attained 500 CAO Points and it is tremendous to see so many of you returned to us here today to receive prizes in recognition of this achievement. Nationally 50% of students achieved 330 CAO points. Here the figure was 68%

Project Maths has now been rolled out across the country at senior cycle. Third Level colleges continue to offer 25 bonus Points to students passing Higher Level Maths. The DES objective is for 30% of students to take Higher Level Maths by the year 2020. At Kilkenny College you will see the figure stands at 45% already. I recognise the challenge this presents for our team of Maths teachers and I express my admiration and gratitude to them.

Across all subjects 169 Honours level A’s were recorded with multiple A’s in a range of subjects across all elements of the curriculum. In the Humanities, the Sciences, the Arts, Languages and Practical subjects’ students achieved success at all levels reflecting the importance of offering and maintaining the full breath of the curriculum within the College.

I wish to highlight once again a concern expressed by some at the commencement of the transition to the ‘Free Scheme’. This was that a consequence would be a drop in academic attainment by students over time. It is wonderful to be able to report that the evidence is actually to the contrary: student attainment levels are rising. It is important to recognise the commitment and professional determination of our teachers in ensuring that this has been the case. As our enrolment has increased substantially over the past four years and while there has been an expansion in class size in some areas, our teachers have demonstrated a consistent and

continual commitment to meeting this challenge for the better service of all. I want to express my thanks to each and every colleague who has worked to deliver this success and ask that we join in doing so collectively.

We offer particular congratulation to today to Sarah Morrow and Daire Pryal, each winners of the Parents Association Prize for the achieving 625 CAO points in the State Examinations. Both Sarah and Daire involved themselves fully in school life while maintaining a dedicated and consistent approach to their studies in second level. Sarah and Daire are now both studying Medicine in Trinity College Dublin. Well done to both of you. We congratulate Sophie Cairns and Scott Levie on their awards of a Naughton Scholarship to study Engineering at University College Dublin. We congratulate Mike Healy on the award of an Ad Astra Scholarship from UCD. We congratulate also Katelynn Walsh on her award of a JP McManus Scholarship for the duration of her Third Level study.

Our major senior prize-winners today are each people who carry within themselves not only a tremendous level of application to achieve their best and to fulfil their academic potential. They also, each of them, Sarah, Daire, Zara, Glenn and Alvin embody the attributes of decency, tolerance, loyalty, honesty, hard work and good humour that we would wish for in the best of ourselves. They have each proved themselves worthy of the highest level of recognition our College can award and I congratulate them.

Bishop, in your presence if I might highlight that Zara Beattie, winner of the Bishop’s Prize, showed great personal vision and energy in organising a sleep-out for homeless people, which was supported by many other students. Zara ensured that a visitor from the Aislinn centre came to the College, spoke about the issues of substance misuse and homelessness and received a cheque for the Aislinn centre collected by all the participants in the sleep out.

Glenn Dudley captained the senior rugby team to a Leinster Schools League final on his way to attaining 600 Points and taking up Economics and Finance in UCD. Alvin Stanley was a Prefect and a member of the senior boys hockey squad that reached the League final. Alvin attained 605 Points and has commenced studying veterinary Science in UCD also.

The Junior Certificate candidates of 2016 deserve due recognition for all that they achieved in their first encounter with the State Examinations structure. An overall Pass Rate of 99.1% speaks of hard work, dedication and a willingness to challenge yourself to succeed relative to

your own ability. I congratulate each of the members of last year’s 3rd Form on moving through the first phase of second level school with success. You are now senior students enjoying the variety of learning opportunity offered within and beyond the classroom in 4th Form / Transition Year. Continue to challenge yourselves and continue to enjoy the quality of learning opportunities our school presents you with.

22 students attained 5 Honours Grade A’s or more in the Junior Certificate and are prize recipients today. Particular congratulations go to Matthew McRedmond on his achievement of 10 Honours A’s and to Iseult Cahill who has been awarded the Philip Gray Prize.

Conclusion
By living an ethos of openness to the good in ourselves and others as given to us by God there is a richness to the lives we see lived around us. In pausing for a moment at Prize Day today it is my hope that some small measure of the special uniqueness of our school has been drawn out.

The breadth of learning and development opportunity provided to students in our College remains extraordinary. It is simply not found in the vast majority of schools in Ireland. The commitment of all who work here underpins this. The enthusiasm and energy of our students drives it forward. The dedication of our voluntary boards and associations secures it. We have much to celebrate and a confident future to move forward into together.

Simon Thompson Principal Kilkenny College

October 7th 2016