The new St. Kevin’s College, Lisnaskea held their first prize giving evening on Tuesday October 2. With the school’s motto of ‘Believe, Achieve, Succeed’ inspiring pupils to be whatever they want to be, the evening highlighted and celebrated their accomplishments in many different areas.

In his opening speech on the evening, principal Gary Kelly noted that it is due to the success and support from all the pupils, staff, governors and parents that St. Kevin’s College is “such a beacon of educational and pastoral excellence.”

Talking about the school, which was established only last year from the amalgamation of St. Eugene's College, Rosslea and St. Comhghall’s College, Lisnaskea, Mr. Kelly said: “We understand that building a school is more of a marathon than a sprint, but the start of this journey has been extremely successful.”

He continued by highlighting some of the “outstanding results” achieved in the school’s first year, such as the school’s population increase and the “country and sector leading” GCSE results

where 96 per cent of pupils achieved five or more GCSE grades A*to C. Appraising the former A-Level students of 2018, Mr. Kelly said: "We have students going to study Pharmacy in Queen's University Belfast (QUB), Accounts in QUB and the University of Ulster Jordanstown, Social Work, Radiography to name but a few and three students away to St. Mary’s Teaching College in Belfast."

Mr. Kelly extended a warm welcome to the guest speaker of the evening, Father Jimmy McPhillips, a native of Galloon and Newtownbutler and former pupil of the college when it was St. Comghall's.

During his speech Mr. Kelly shared a quote from George Bernard Shaw which set the theme for the evening. He quoted:

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man."

Addressing his pupils, he said: “What that means, is to change the future, we have to think a little bit differently – in other words to be a bit ‘unreasonable’. Personally, I think we need to welcome this unreasonable person into our schools and thank him.”

Mr. Kelly continued: “The skills we teach therefore need to equip children with the skills to unravel their own destiny – whatever that may be. Problem-solving, resilience, planning, the ability to adapt – these skills need to take their place alongside reading, writing and maths.”

“We have to prepare our pupils for a shifting reality and to do this we need to create a certain mindset – a term we frequently use at St. Kevin’s College – a 'growth mindset.' A growth mindset is one always open to new ideas, to change and the understanding that learning is a life long and contiguous journey; the status quo is always shifting, and no single truth exists.”

Speaking with pride, Mr. Kelly noted the respectful nature of his pupils and their hardworking ethos. He said: “Pope Francis, for whom I have a great deal of respect, recently spoke in Dublin about the importance of the words “please and thank you.” When working with pupils in St Kevin’s, these are words I hear everyday between you, your friends and teachers.”

He commented on the achievements and continuing success of the school mentioning the “wonderful” production of ‘The Sound of Music’ which will take place in December, the charity events such as the 'Darkness into Light Walk' and the fantastic GCSE and A Level Results.

Acknowledging sport at the school he said: “We’ve enjoyed sporting success at all levels and in all disciplines – Including the U20 Girls GAA getting into the N Ireland Final Last Year.”

Talking about the extensive opportunities provided to the pupils through after school clubs and initiatives, which were requested by the student council, Mr. Kelly said: “We’ve listened, we’ve challenged ourselves, we’ve grown, we’ve evolved.”

Concluding his speech, Mr. Kelly said: “Every term we’ve added more and more members to our St Kevin’s Family. And do you know what? Next year, we’ll be doing it all again - and keep being Shaw’s unreasonable man – and woman, girl and boy.”

Guest speaker Fr. McPhillips encouraged the pupils to “become something great for God” and for them to “use their enormous potential to influence their peers with solid lasting values.”