ABBEY CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' GRAMMAR SCHOOL - The Abbey ...
ABBEY CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' GRAMMAR SCHOOL - The Abbey ... ABBEY CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' GRAMMAR SCHOOL - The Abbey ...
ABBEY CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ GRAMMAR SCHOOL ABBEY LEAVING CEREMONY 10th MAY 2006
- Page 2 and 3: Dear Students, Some years ago we em
- Page 4 and 5: Form Teachers Comments Form Teacher
- Page 6 and 7: ABBEY Christian Brothers’ Grammar
- Page 8 and 9: Special Memories Special Memories Y
- Page 10: Life is a journey For each of us li
<strong>ABBEY</strong><br />
<strong>CHRISTIAN</strong> BROTHERS’<br />
<strong>GRAMMAR</strong> <strong>SCHOOL</strong><br />
<strong>ABBEY</strong><br />
LEAVING CEREMONY<br />
10th MAY 2006
Dear Students,<br />
Some years ago we embarked on an initiative to mark the ‘coming of age’ of our Seventh<br />
Year students. And the general consensus among Staff, Students and Parents alike is that the<br />
‘graduation’ ceremony has proven to be tremendously worthwhile on so many levels. In large<br />
part, for students, of course, it is a joyous occasion, marking the completion of your formal<br />
education at second level. For many too, no doubt, there is a great sense of anticipation as<br />
you relish the opportunities that await you in life. But it is also a poignant moment. At the<br />
parting of the ways there is often a sense of sadness as friendships and bonds cultivated<br />
over seven years come to an end. Indeed, for some, there will be a feeling of trepidation as<br />
you make the transition from the homely environment of the <strong>Abbey</strong> to your next destination<br />
in life. Rest assured, however, of our continued interest in your welfare.<br />
Today’s graduation ceremony is a celebration in many respects. As a school, we want to<br />
record our appreciation of your achievements, individually and collectively. You have brought<br />
great credit on yourselves, both in the academic sphere and in your extracurricular pursuits.<br />
This year’s MacRory and Hogan Cup successes will live long in <strong>Abbey</strong> folklore, and deservedly<br />
so.<br />
As students educated in the ethos of the Christian Brothers, we hope to have imbued in<br />
you the sense of community, self sacrifice and care for the less well off that characterises<br />
an Edmund Rice school. <strong>The</strong> manner in which this year group embraced the ‘Social Outreach’<br />
programme with a generosity of spirit, helping the disadvantaged, has been a great source<br />
of inspiration, embodying ‘care, compassion and community’. Thanks to your efforts as a role<br />
model in this respect, we hope to broaden the opportunities for future generations of <strong>Abbey</strong><br />
students to make a contribution to the society that has served them so well.<br />
To conclude, it is my great honour on behalf of the <strong>Abbey</strong> Christian Brothers’ Grammar<br />
School to bid you a fond farewell. May you utilise your God-given talents to the full and take<br />
your place as leaders in a society where human dignity is cherished and social justice<br />
prevails.<br />
Slán agus beannacht libh,<br />
Mr Dermot McGovern<br />
Headmaster<br />
<strong>ABBEY</strong> Christian Brothers’ Grammar School<br />
GRADUATION 2006
Student Reflection<br />
Order of Events<br />
Introduction and Welcome from the<br />
President of the ASA<br />
Reflection from Sister Anne Lyng<br />
Student Reflections<br />
Reflective Music<br />
Retrospective from Mr. Killian Higgins<br />
Multimedia Presentation<br />
I remember…<br />
Seeing Courtenay Hill<br />
for the first time<br />
through a student’s eyes.<br />
I remember…<br />
Our second September,<br />
growing and learning<br />
in a place that felt now like home.<br />
I remember…<br />
<strong>The</strong> jolt of nerves<br />
in this big empty hall<br />
as we – third years – we sat<br />
our first of many public exams.<br />
I remember…<br />
<strong>The</strong> leap of faith<br />
into our biggest challenge yet;<br />
plunging into ten subjects<br />
that we’d follow for two years.<br />
I remember…<br />
Sitting here, day after day,<br />
for GCSE exam after GCSE exam,<br />
ground down with work,<br />
but knowing that a summer’s freedom<br />
was just one last push away.<br />
I remember…<br />
Being back here in a new uniform;<br />
jumpered sixth-years<br />
sharing laughs and jokes,<br />
not knowing quite what to expect,<br />
staggered by the choices<br />
lying in front of us.<br />
I remember…<br />
Our last year.<br />
<strong>The</strong> final stretch.<br />
<strong>The</strong> home straight.<br />
Friendships, learning,<br />
laughter, tears,<br />
good times, bad times –<br />
it’s all led here,<br />
to this time<br />
and this place.<br />
<strong>The</strong> last day<br />
of our last year<br />
at the <strong>Abbey</strong>.<br />
I remember.<br />
Mr McGovern’s Address<br />
Refreshments<br />
Looking back: Philadelphia, Here I come!<br />
‘No-one will ever know or understand the<br />
fun there was; for there was fun and there<br />
was laughing—foolish, silly fun and<br />
foolish, silly laughing; but what it was all<br />
about you cant remember, can you Just<br />
the memory of it—that’s all you have<br />
now—just the memory; and even now,<br />
even so soon, it is being distilled of all its<br />
coarseness; and what’s left is going to be<br />
precious, precious gold…’<br />
<strong>ABBEY</strong> Christian Brothers’ Grammar School<br />
GRADUATION 2006<br />
<strong>ABBEY</strong> Christian Brothers’ Grammar School<br />
GRADUATION 2006
Form Teachers<br />
Comments<br />
Form Teachers<br />
Comments<br />
62A<br />
Mr Mooney<br />
62D<br />
Dr Fee<br />
62F<br />
Mr Smyth<br />
Mrs C Mc Grath<br />
Year Tutor<br />
A really good bunch of lads who caused<br />
no problems over the two years at A-<br />
level. 62A gave readily of their time;<br />
both in school and on an extracurricular<br />
capacity. <strong>The</strong> roll in the<br />
morning was pretty quick, which I give<br />
many thanks to Enda, Austin and<br />
Ruairi! Whatever their chosen path I’m<br />
sure they’ll do well. I hope they achieve<br />
the results they need and that life is<br />
good to them.<br />
62B<br />
Mrs Lane<br />
I enjoyed my time as the form teacher<br />
of a friendly and dedicated group of<br />
young gentlemen. Best of luck for the<br />
future. Don’t forget – once an <strong>Abbey</strong><br />
boy, always an <strong>Abbey</strong> boy.<br />
62C<br />
Miss Friel<br />
Great form class to work with. Some of<br />
the most helpful people you could<br />
meet, willing to help with any task.<br />
With continued hard work and luck,<br />
everyone will hopefully achieve what<br />
they want in life. Some of this group<br />
will reach the top in their professions.<br />
62E<br />
Mrs. McGinley<br />
Wishing all 7th year pupils of 2006 the<br />
very best of luck in their forth coming<br />
A-Level exams and in the future.<br />
It is hard to believe how quick your<br />
time in the <strong>Abbey</strong> Grammar has passed.<br />
I can remember well your first day in<br />
the school, as it was my first day as a<br />
teacher in the <strong>Abbey</strong>! I had the fortune<br />
of taking Slemish 1 as a form class and<br />
a delightful class you were too!.<br />
Good luck to you all in your future<br />
careers and enjoy the success you have<br />
worked hard for over these past seven<br />
years.<br />
A tremendous group of young men who<br />
conducted themselves with respect for<br />
themselves and their school. Many of<br />
you basked in the glory of the Hogan,<br />
the magic of Zambia, the critical<br />
acclaim of Esat and the power of drama.<br />
I have thoroughly enjoyed your<br />
company throughout the year and I<br />
hope your memories of the <strong>Abbey</strong> are a<br />
great foundation for the next stage of<br />
your journey.<br />
I would like to convey sincere best<br />
wishes to each and every student in the<br />
Class of 2006. You have worked<br />
exceptionally hard to achieve your<br />
unique and personal achievements and<br />
I hope that your past seven years in the<br />
<strong>Abbey</strong> have been memorable ones. As<br />
a year group I have a special bond as<br />
your first day seven years ago was also<br />
my first day in the <strong>Abbey</strong> Grammar<br />
school. I have thoroughly enjoyed<br />
working with you as a year group both<br />
in preparing you for life after the <strong>Abbey</strong><br />
and in pursuing your individual<br />
academic targets. Best of luck to you<br />
all in the next stage of your education<br />
and life’s journey.<br />
Wishing you all great success in your<br />
upcoming exams and future career<br />
paths. I hope that you all get the<br />
grades you need and the places in<br />
university you desire.<br />
Ádh mór oraibh go léir.<br />
<strong>ABBEY</strong> Christian Brothers’ Grammar School<br />
GRADUATION 2006<br />
<strong>ABBEY</strong> Christian Brothers’ Grammar School<br />
GRADUATION 2006
Zambian Immersion Project, March 2005<br />
Newry - Lusaka - Livingstone, Zambia<br />
<strong>Abbey</strong> seventh-years – the Zambian Immersion Project, March 2005<br />
<strong>ABBEY</strong> Christian Brothers’ Grammar School<br />
GRADUATION 2006<br />
<strong>ABBEY</strong> Christian Brothers’ Grammar School<br />
GRADUATION 2006
<strong>ABBEY</strong> Christian Brothers’ Grammar School<br />
GRADUATION 2006<br />
Front row (l to r): Mrs. McGrath (Year Head), Mr. Smyth (Form Teacher), Dr. Fee (Form Teacher), Philip Knox<br />
(SRC), Mark Rodgers (SRC), Steven Love (SRC), Mr. McGovern (Headmaster), Christopher Woods (SRC),<br />
Richard Gilmore (SRC), Mrs. Lane (Form Teacher), Mrs. McGinley (Form Teacher), Miss Friel (Form Teacher),<br />
Mr. Wadsworth (SRC liaison officer)<br />
Row 2 (l to r): David Barron, Ruairi Cunningham, Mark Digney, Austin Donnelly, Kevin Dunne, Donal Kane,<br />
Patrick Malone, Neil Marley, Shane Marron, Conan McAteer, Mark McDowell, Enda O’Brien, Michael Mallon,<br />
Row 3 (l to r): Stephen Begley, Thomas Best, David Boyle, Patrick Brogan, Daniel Carroll, John Clarke, John<br />
Corless, Thomas Courtney, Christopher Donnelly, Rory Grant, Marc Kerrin, Kenneth McConnell,Conor McKevitt,<br />
Michael Stanyer<br />
Row 4 (l to r): Francis Boyle, Michael Brady, Darren Byrne, Eugene Campbell, Steven Corcoran, Gerald<br />
Dickson, Darren Fegan, Ruairi Gillen, Seamus Grant, Colum Grogan, Caolan Hollywood, Stephen Hudson,<br />
Declan Lennon, Christopher McAllister<br />
Row 5 (l to r): Shone Bradley, John McAteer, Daryl McShane, Andrew Mullan, Ian Murphy, Ryan O’Hare,<br />
Damien O’Rourke, David Patterson, Francis Quinn, Brendan Rooney, Aidan Rush, Joseph Sweeney, Turlough<br />
Trainor<br />
Row 6 (l to r): Rhian Ellison, Daniel McAlinden, Shone McClory, Cathal McAnuff, Ryan McGivern, Conor<br />
Jackson, Mark McGuigan, Kevin McKernan, Kevin McManus, Gareth McPolin, Ronan McStay, Patrick McVeigh,<br />
Paul Moran, Darren Rowland<br />
Row 7 (l to r): Andrew Boyle, Ali Chaudhry, Niall Devlin, Kevin Dyas, Cathal Magee, Andrew Marshall, Edward<br />
McCullough<br />
Row 8 (l to r): John McEvoy, Matthew McPolin, Declan Morgan, Colm Murney, Michael O’Hare, Cailam Quinn,<br />
Aodhan Rafferty<br />
Inset: Enda Hughes, Paul Byrne, Shane Kerr, Daniel Guiney, Shaun Cinnamond, Rodney Conway, Ciaran<br />
Dinsmore, Eoin Duffy.
MacRORY AND HOGAN CUP CHAMPIONS<br />
<strong>The</strong> successful MacRory and Hogan Cup winners, 2005/2006.<br />
Cathal Magee winning the ball<br />
in the MacRory cup final.<br />
Mark Digney at the final in Casement Park<br />
Joyful celebrations in Casement Park, 17th March 2006. <strong>Abbey</strong> CBS MacRory Cup winners.<br />
<strong>ABBEY</strong> Christian Brothers’ Grammar School<br />
GRADUATION 2006
Special Memories<br />
Special Memories<br />
Year 10 Geography field-trip to Switzerland – 2001.<br />
Patrick Malone, Ciaran Dinsmore, Barry Fegan, Gary Clarke.<br />
Edmund Rice Games – 2003.<br />
Pictures showing the year 10 geography<br />
field trip to Switzerland.<br />
Seán Mac Labhraí representing the Technology<br />
Department in the prestigious National ESAT<br />
Technology & Science competition.<br />
Victory for the <strong>Abbey</strong> in the Radio na Gaeltachta Senior Quiz.<br />
Mr McGovern, Danny McAlinden, Mr Tennyson, Sean McClory, Mr McKevit, Steven Corcoran, Brother O’Mahoney.<br />
Kevin Dyas (left) and Kevin McKernan (right) collecting their All-Star awards at the Europa Hotel, Belfast<br />
Mark Rodger’s, pictured below, seems to be having<br />
a great time on his school trip. Mark, who is the<br />
treasurer of the SRC, deserves many thanks for his<br />
input into the making of this booklet.<br />
<strong>ABBEY</strong> Christian Brothers’ Grammar School<br />
GRADUATION 2006<br />
<strong>ABBEY</strong> Christian Brothers’ Grammar School<br />
GRADUATION 2006
Special Memories<br />
A Message from the SRC<br />
At this point we, the Senior Representative Council, would like to take a moment just to<br />
thank you all – students, staff and parents – for attending our year-group’s leaving<br />
ceremony. We hope that it has been a fitting testament to the magnificent seven years we<br />
have enjoyed together. We will be left with precious memories that will last a lifetime.<br />
Particular thanks are due to Mr Wadsworth, the staff representative of the SRC, whose<br />
kindness, support and wisdom helped us, and all the year group, through our final months.<br />
We must also thank Mrs O’Hare, our year-tutor, who provided us with great help in organising<br />
this ceremony. For her help in establishing the common room facilities, we must thank Mrs.<br />
Rafferty. All the catering staff, particularly Mrs Rice must be thanked for their work today<br />
and throughout the year, and the hard work of the caretaking staff, Mr. Daly and Mr.<br />
McCullough must also be acknowledged. Our special thanks must go to Mrs. Dunne for her<br />
wonderful work on our student booklet.<br />
Finally, we would like to thank, on behalf of the year-group, Mr McGovern, our teachers<br />
and our parents for their endless support through these often trying seven years. And, to<br />
conclude, we must wish our friends and fellow-students good luck with their exams and<br />
everything in the future. Thank you.<br />
- <strong>The</strong> SRC<br />
<strong>ABBEY</strong> Christian Brothers’ Grammar School<br />
GRADUATION 2006<br />
<strong>ABBEY</strong> Christian Brothers’ Grammar School<br />
GRADUATION 2006
Life is a journey<br />
For each of us<br />
life is a journey.<br />
Birth is the beginning of<br />
this journey,<br />
and death is not the end<br />
but the destination.<br />
It is a journey<br />
that takes us<br />
from youth to age,<br />
from innocence to awareness,<br />
from foolishness to wisdom,<br />
from weakness to strength<br />
and often back again.<br />
From offence to forgiveness,<br />
from pain to compassion,<br />
from fear to faith,<br />
from defeat,<br />
until,<br />
looking backward or ahead,<br />
we see<br />
that victory does not lie<br />
at some high point along the way,<br />
but<br />
in having made the journey,<br />
stage by stage.<br />
(Adapted from an old Hebrew Prayer)<br />
<strong>ABBEY</strong> Christian Brothers’ Grammar School<br />
GRADUATION 2006