'All the hard work has really paid off'

After 28 years, it was the first time students attending Sacred Heart School in Daingean attended the school to collect their results because of new GDPR privacy regulations and there was an air of excitement, achievement and all-round happiness.

That's according to principal Pauline McKenna who says she was "thrilled" for the 100 girls who collected their results on Wednesday morning.

"We had a great group of very high achievers, many of them getting 500 plus points. We are particularly thrilled to see all the hard work has really paid off," said a delighted Ms McKenna.

"What really came to the fore this year was that there was great achievements in the science subjects, as well as history, music, and art. And they always say about girls not gravitating towards maths but many girls here did very well in the high level paper."

Overall, Ms McKenna says there was terrific spread of very good results across all subjects.

"There is a clear divide when it comes to what the girls wish to do at third level, and that's divided between humanities and STEM subjects. Many are looking to do medicine, computer science, while others are veering towards business, education, psychology or primary school teaching," stated Ms McKenna.

A total of 57,000 students across the nation collected their Leaving Cert examination results on Wednesday.

As the clock stuck nine, students lined up  with baited breath, eager with anticipation, while others secured their results online by visiting the State Examinations Commission website from midday.

However, those awaiting a college place will have to bide their time until Monday to know whether they have secured their first-choicess when offers through the CAO are made.

In Killina Presentation Secondary School, a total of 72 students received their Leaving Certificate results in and principal John Cotter said it was "smiles all round".

"People are delighted right across the board. There was excellent results across all different ranges of abilities."

Four students in total achieved in excess of 600 points, but Mr Cotter said a student achieving 320 points is as big an achievement.

"It's important that everyone reaches their own highest potential. What's more important than points is that everyone chooses a career suited to them, whether that be in farming or the various trades, or whether its academic and they go on to study medicine and teaching at third level. 

"The Leaving Cert is only one measure of a student's abilities," continued Mr Cotter. "Our school works hard to ensure that students are well balanced individuals leaving second level and that they are able to go out into the world and achieve greatness in whatever their chosen field," he finished.

In Colaiste na Sionna, Banagher, a total of 73 Leaving Cert, and nine Leaving Cert Applied students collected brown envelopes on Wednesday morning where principal Paddy Scales described the various achievements as "brilliant".

"They are all happy and are now looking forward to Monday. They are all quite confident that they achieved what they wanted to achieve within their range," commented Mr Scales. 

"We had quite a few very good achievements. With so many new courses and colleges, there is plenty out there to suit everyone. We have seen a continued pull towards STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects and that is a pattern that has existed for a number of years."

For now though, Mr Scales says he wants to "wish them all the best" in their third level careers.

Meanwhile, in St Mary's Edenderry, principal Rob Halford extended "heartfelt congratulations" to the graduating class of 2018.

"Almost 150 traditional Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied students have received outstanding results, some the best the school has ever seen. These results are the culmination of years of dedication and hard work on the part of the students who were rewarded for their efforts," he commented.

"Many students who reached or exceeded 500 points deserve special mention, however, we celebrate equally each and all of our students who reached their own potential and are set to advance in their studies or their chosen career."

Mr Halford said education is an individual journey and St Mary’s recognises that each student has a multitude of talents and skills. He thanks the parents, guardians and teaching staff for their support.

"Today is quite an emotional day for everyone, with a great sense of joy and relief, and for a small number, disappointment. It is important to remember that there is a path for everyone; that may be university, college, work, travel or an apprenticeship. There are many other things in life far more important than exams but for today we celebrate our results and congratulate our students and our teachers for their dedication and work," he finished.

Ming Loughnane, principal St Brendan's Community School, Birr, was "delighted" with the exceptional results achieved her students in the Leaving Certificate and LCA exams.

"A number of students achieved their goal of exceeding 600 points or the maximum 625 points. It is particularly gratifying that some students who found academic life challenging achieved personal bests in their examinations. I congratulate each student and wish them luck in their chosen paths in life," Ms Loughnane commented.

Of the 57,000 students who sat their leaving cert nationally, a small number secured stellar results, with seven students hitting top grades ( H1s or 90-100 per cent) across eight subjects. A further 53 students secured H1s in seven subjects, while 189 achieved H1s in six subjects.