School spirit award presented in honour of late Wexford student Lochlann Doyle

Ramsgrange Community School held their annual awards ceremony on Friday, May 15, in St. James’ Church, Ramsgrange, where their many achievements were celebrated in over 80 categories, along with an additional award this year which was created in honour of the late student, Lochlann Doyle. Marking a high point in the school year, Ms. Tracey Edwards, School Principal, opened proceedings with a welcome speech where she spoke of how such days bring great pride.

In particular, this year she highlighted the many ways in which the school’s values of “Respect, Community and Success were encompassed by all members of the school community”. She put a particular emphasis on the many successes achieved by students in the school, not only based on the students’ academic resutls, but across a wide range of areas including sport, enterprise, YSI and computer coding amongst many others. Awards were distributed from over 80 categories, a testament to the many and varied activities which take place throughout the year. Certificates of Achievement were awarded across a variety of areas, such as Student Enterprise, Spelling, Linguistics and Science to name just a few.

The members of the Student Council of 2025/26 were recognised and thanked for their tireless work throughout the year, as were the outgoing Meitheal Leaders who assisted particularly with the younger students in the school. The first buzz of excitement ripped through the school as the new Meitheal team for 2026/27 was announced with 28 incoming 6th Year and LCA2 students about to take up the mentoring role as they progress into the next academic year. Awards were also given across many subjects for best projects in LCVP, Art, Metalwork, Engineering, Wood Technology, DCG, TG, Construction, Needlework, Science as well as German, French and Gaeilge. The much anticipated Sports Awards were up next.

Trophies were awarded to best basketball players, male and female at 1st, 2nd, U16 and Senior categories, as were trophies for best players in soccer, rugby, ladies football, camogie, hurling, Gaelic football and equestrian. The Junior Sports Person Cup was awarded to Dean Sutton McGarry, 3rd Year, for his excellence in sport across many codes but most especially for his involvement with inter-county Gaelic football squads, representing Wexford at all age groups over the past number of years and being a pivotal member on this year’s minor squad. The brilliant all-rounder Rory Sutton, 6th Year, was awarded the prestigious Senior Sports Persons Cup. Rory has represented club and school for soccer, Gaelic football, hurling and basketball and most significantly is a current member of the Wexford u19 hurling development squad.

As well as the sporting awards, excellence in academic was also recognised. Dan Nolan, past pupil, was awarded the Best Leaving Certificate Results Shield for 2025. Current TY student Muireann Barry was presented with a shield for Best Junior Cycle results for 2025. Following on from this, outgoing Head boy Ben Cassidy and Head Girl Aoibhinn Doyle both spoke in an emotional, heartfelt speech to the staff and students on their memories of RCS and gave some parting wisdom to the student cohort.

This was followed by one of the highlights of the afternoon, the announcement of the new Head Boy and Head girl for the upcoming year, Odhran Gleeson and Leah Finn were popular choices after a hotly contested selection process. They will be ably assisted by Assistant Head Boy and Girl, Patrick Rossiter and Alannah Byrne. This year’s award ceremony marked the inclusion of a new award, the Lochlan Doyle Spirit of RCS Award. This award was introduced in memory of 3rd Year student, Lochlan Doyle, who sadly passed away earlier this academic year. “The award is to honour Lochlan’s wonderful spirit, positivity and resilience throughout his time in RCS and it was to be awarded to a 3rd Year student who echoes these qualities,” said Ms Edwards. “This year’s winner was Shannon Nacey who was recognised due to her positive attitude, and as being a student who is always kind, caring and inclusive towards others,” Ms Edwards added.

Year Heads then stepped forward to announce the winners of each year’s Student of the Year, also presenting the runners up with certificates. But the highlight of the afternoon was the announcement of the overall Student of the Year, with the winner being selected following a student and staff vote. “The very popular winner this year was outgoing Head Boy, Ben Cassidy, a brilliant all-rounder and a perfect example of the best of Ramsgrange Community School. We wish Ben and all of our students at the school the very best of luck in the upcoming State Exams. “All in all, it was an outstanding day where the many successes and accomplishments of the school community were celebrated,” concluded Ms Edwards.