2010 press releases
Posted 3 March 2010
Midlands Junior Cert High Achievers Recognised at AIT Awards
Nearly 200 students who sat the Junior Certificate exam in 2009 at 40 secondary schools throughout the Midlands were recognised at a special award ceremony at Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) today.
The students have the distinction of achieving an “A” in the Business Studies examination last summer. Each student was presented with a parchment at the ceremony recording their excellent performance.
Guest speaker at the ceremony was Brenda Shanahan, winner of the first series of The Apprentice on TV3. Drawing on her business experience, Ms Shanahan spoke about the importance of motivation and taking the initiative in order to be successful. Originally from Portumna, Co Galway, she studied front office management in Athlone in the early nineties, before entering the world of employment with a Galway hotel. Having won the popular business skills competition in 2008, Ms Shanahan is now Chief Operations Director with Bill Cullen’s Glencullen Group.
Head of the Department of Business and Management Studies, Peter Melinn, said that “in congratulating the award recipients, AIT also wishes to acknowledge the part played in their success by parents and guardians, other family members and the teachers who guided their learning and helped to motivate the students towards their achievement in the business studies exam.” He hoped the excellent result which the students gained in the Junior Certificate would, he added, “inspire them to continue to do their best and fulfil their potential in the years ahead”.
The President of the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland, Mary O’Sullivan, also commended the students on their achievements. She spoke about the value and importance of studying business at second level and how it offered the potential for exciting and rewarding careers.
The award ceremony was supported by Athlone Credit Union. Musical entertainment on the evening was provided by students of the Higher Certificate in Business with Music and Instrument Technology.
Some 21,870 students sat the Business Studies (Higher) exam paper in the Junior Certificate 2009. Ten per cent of this cohort received an A grade.
The full listing of schools participating is:
Cavan: Bailieborough Community College; Royal School, Cavan; and Loreto College, Cavan.
Galway: Árdscoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe; Gort Community School; Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew; Mercy College, Woodford; Portumna Community School; Presentation College, Athenry; Presentation College, Tuam; St Brigid’s Vocational School, Loughrea; St Brigid’s, Convent of Mercy, Tuam; St Jarlath’s College, Tuam and St Killian’s, New Inn, Ballinasloe.
Longford: Cnoc Mhuire Secondary School, Granard; Lanesboro Community College; Meánscoil Mhuire, Longford; and St Mel’s College, Longford.
Offaly: Árd Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara; Banagher College/Coláiste na Sionna; Coláiste Naomh Cormac, Kilcormac; Gallen Community School, Ferbane; Killina Presentation Secondary School, Rahan; Sacred Heart School, Tullamore; and St Brendan’s Community School, Birr.
Roscommon: Abbey Community College, Boyle; Castlerea Community School; CBS, Roscommon; Convent of Mercy, Roscommon and Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown.
Westmeath: Athlone Community College; Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar; Loreto College, Mullingar; Marist College, Athlone; Moate Community School; Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone; St Aloysius College, Athlone; St Joseph’s College, Summerhill; St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge; and Wilson’s Hospital School, Multyfarnham.
