Senior Prize Giving 2015

The Leaving Certificate class of 2015, their parents and Coolmine staff came together in Westmanstown Golf Club on the 10th September to celebrate their achievements.

The guest speaker, Niall O’Loughlin,is a past pupil of the school. He graduated from the Senior Technical College Ballyfermot and went on to work at Sullivan Bluth Studios (on films such as ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’, ‘All Dogs Go to Heaven’ and ‘Help I’m A Fish’). It was while working as chief animator at the Irish animation company Brown Bag Films that Niall drew the delightful characters in ‘Give Up Yer Aul Sins’.

Niall is regarded as one of the top caricaturist in Ireland. He enjoys sell-out exhibition, has appeared on many popular  Radio and TV shows, completed commissions for well-known celebrities. His work has been published in newspapers and magazines where he combines a wicked sense of humour with his artistic skills. He couldn’t hide his blushes when Tánaiste Joan Burton arrived at the Prize-Giving event as she has on occasion been one of his subjects!

Niall’s positive outlook and determination to achieve his dreams provided an inspirational start to proceedings. Prizes for overall academic excellence were awarded to:Julija Paulauskaite, Sarah O’Gara and Elizabeth Hannigan. Students attaining the highest leaving certificate score in each subject also received awards. Faculty Prizes awarded by teachers to students who exemplified high standards of commitment to their work and contributed to the learning in their subject area were also presented.

The students’ choice for ‘Students of the Year’ for 2015 were Antoinette Rosillo & Juel Unto. Whilst the teacher vote went to Sarah O’Gara and Alex Fitzpatrick. All agreed that these students enriched everyone’s experience in Coolmine.

Juel Unto and Darragh Kenny received special awards for exceptional attendance throughout their time at Coolmine.  These students are true role models for others, showing a real work ethic and commitment to school participation

The ‘Declan and Anne White Prize’ went to Naoimh Mallon for the most improved student in English during her time at Coolmine.

click here to see highlights from the night.