AT THIS year's Prize Night at St. Fanchea's College, which took the form of a virtual ceremony due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Principal Maurice Collins congratulated students on their achievements, commenting that the teaching staff and wider school community are "immensely proud" of each and every one of them.

Mr. Collins opened the virtual prizegiving ceremony on Thursday, January 21 by warmly welcoming all in attendance from afar.

Noting that 2020 had been "a very different and difficult year" for everyone, he continued: "We have all learned to adapt to challenges that the pandemic has brought to our lives.

"Current restrictions sadly do not allow us to hold our annual prize night in the college as we normally do.

"However, using the power of online technology, I am delighted that we can still celebrate the outstanding achievements of our class of 2020.

"It is a deep privilege for me to share in the celebration of the talents and achievements of all of our pupils who have completed their GCSE, BTEc and A-level studies last year.

"I want you all to know that our teaching staff and wider school community are immensely proud of each and every one of you," he said, addressing the pupils.

Acknowledging how the 2020 school year finished so abruptly due to the pandemic, with no end of year mass, no examinations and "sadly no goodbyes to your classmates, teachers and other staff", Mr. Collins added: "This pandemic has had a significant impact on us all, but especially on you – the young people in our community."

He continued: "Your education has been and continues to be interrupted, and the strain on your social, emotional and mental well-being has been well documented.

"As we near the end of the year, we look forward to the roll-out of the vaccination programme and an eventual return to normality."

Calling the class of 2020 a "very special group of pupils", Mr. Collins said: "From the day you started in St. Fanchea’s College, we all quickly became aware of this potential in each one of you.

"You were highly-motivated, deeply-driven and ambitious to achieve. Watching each of you grow in confidence and maturity over the five and seven years in St. Fanchea’s College has been an inspiration to us all."

Mr. Collins went on to thank the parents of the pupils for their continued support and co-operation over the years, and acknowledged the commitment of the "wonderful team" of teachers and staff at the school.

"I know, girls, that now and in the future, you will look back with appreciation and deep gratitude for the times they willingly gave you that extra pastoral support and guidance when the chips were down; the caring, listening ear when you needed it the most; and the extra-curricular opportunities, be it through sport, music, art, liturgy, drama, ski trips, history trips, and so on," said Mr. Collins, adding: "Our staff have, and always will, quietly go the extra miles to help our pupils be the best they can be."

Speaking directly to the pupils, Mr. Collins talked of the pride he and his fellow staff members felt to have been a part of their development as individuals.

"Girls, each one of you is unique and we have been lucky to witness the development of your faith and strong personal qualities such as tolerance, forgiveness, compassion and inclusion of others over the years," he said.

"We have been impressed by your leadership, decision-making and problem-solving skills and, above all, touched by your generosity and concern for others.

"We feel proud to have played our part in partnership with your parents in preparing you to become caring and considerate members of your local parishes and wider local community."

Congratulating the students on their achievements, Mr. Collins said: "As a school, we always have high expectations for our pupils and we always set challenging targets for achievement.

"This year, once again, we are very proud of the excellent GCSE, BTEc, Essential Skills and A-level grades achieved by our girls."

He continued: "Teachers have worked tirelessly to ensure that the centre-assessed grades awarded reflect the progress made by each one of you over the past number of years in St. Fanchea’s College, and every one of you should be so proud of your own personal achievements."

Mr. Collins closed the virtual prizegiving ceremony by extending the entire school community's best wishes to the class of 2020.

"On behalf of the governors and the staff of St. Fanchea’s College, I wish you every blessing as you journey through life.

"You go with all our hopes, prayers and confidence that each of you is ready now to write, for yourselves, the next important chapter of your life," he said.