The Graduation Mass for our Leaving Cert class of 2023/24 was held on Thursday 23rd of May. The cermony was held in our Sports Hall with parents, family, friends, staff, students and of course the class themselves in attendance. This is an important evening for the students as it marks the ending of thier time in GCS. Fr. Anthaiah along with Fr. Mooney celebrated the last mass for these students in our school as they face into their Leaving Cert exams and then part on their seperate ways in life.
The evening started with the class entering the hall in pairs wearing their graduation gowns to music by our ensemble. Mr. Duignan welcomed all in his opening speech and wished the class well in their future endeavours. He urged them not to take anything for granted, to stay focused in the coming weeks and to try to do your best. Finally, as always, he asked them to look after each other and not to get too distracted in the coming weeks during the exams. During the cermony, members of the class read or sang as well as bringing up gifts to the altar. Rachael Slattery and Joe Cunnane, as valadictorians, spoke on behalf of thier classmates about their time in GCS, highlighting the up and downs, trips and events, the craic and the laughter. They thanked all those who had helped them and thier classmates during their time at the school. They presented their yearhead, Mr. Heavey with a gift as a thank you for his efforts with them over their time in the school.
Mr Heavey then gave a speech of his own. In it he had a few final words of advice for the students; Be careful on the roads, look after your well being (don't be afraid to ask for help). give your studies your best and have no regrets and finally change the "I've got to do xyz" to " I get to do xyz" and therefore think in a positive way! Finally, Mr Heavey called out the names of all students as they were presented with a bookmark from Mr. Duignan and Ms Hardiman.
Many thanks to all involved in making the night such a success; staff, students, parents and Fr. Anthaiah in particular for celebrating his first graduation mass with us.
View a slideshow of photos from our mass by clicking on the photo below
