Student successes reflects ethos of schools

Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) officially launched ETB Week 2025 with its annual Excellence Awards Ceremony, held at Ballymahon Vocational School on Friday 21 March. The event recognised the outstanding achievements of students at LWETB schools, highlighting excellence in academics, participation, and ethos.

Brian Higgins, chief executive (acting) of LWETB, praised the recipients: "These awards highlight the incredible dedication and achievements of our students. Their success is a testament to the supportive school communities in the LWETB, where students are encouraged to excel and reach their full potential. We are immensely proud of their accomplishments."

Seamus Mohan, director of Schools, Youth and Music (acting) added: "Education is about more than just academic success; it is about fostering personal growth, resilience, and community spirit. These awards celebrate students who embody these values, and we look forward to seeing their continued success."

At the heart of the LWETB ethos are the core values of care, respect, community, excellence in education, and equality. Those principles underpin all aspects of teaching and learning, ensuring that students not only excel academically but also grow into well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to society.

The Ethos Champion award in particular recognises students who exemplify these values through their actions and engagement in school life.

The winners of the LWETB Excellence Awards 2024 are:

Mullingar Community College

• Highest Achieving Leaving Cert Student: Vanessa Blaszkowska

• Highest Achieving Leaving Cert Applied Student: Elliot Joyce

• Highest Achieving Junior Cycle Student: Maja Gogic

• Principal’s Award: Vanessa Blaszkowska

• Student Participation Award: John Valenzuela

• Ethos Champion: Angel Rowley

• Extra-Curricular Award: World Junior Boxing Champion 7 European Junior Boxing Champion: John Donoghue

Castlepollard Community College

• Highest Achieving Leaving Cert Student: Laura Delaney

• Highest Achieving Leaving Cert Applied Student: Rebecca Murray

• Highest Achieving Junior Cycle Student: Sadhbh Maher

• Principal’s Award: Caoimhe McCormack

• Student Participation Award: Sean Crusit

• Ethos Champion: Darragh Carter

Columba College Killucan

• Highest Achieving Leaving Cert Student: John Horan

• Highest Achieving Junior Cycle Student: Kate Maguire

• Principal’s Award: Amy Pepper

• Student Participation Award: Keeva Franco

• Ethos Champion: Miguel Anciano

• Extra-Curricular Award – Irish Women’s CP Football World Cup

• Bronze Medal: Casey Heaney

Athlone Community College

• Highest Achieving Leaving Cert Student: Jane Hennelly and Aoife Ní Leocháin

• Highest Achieving Leaving Cert Applied Student: Emma Bracken

• Highest Achieving Junior Cycle Student: Eoin Dillon and Shashwat Somesh

• Principal’s Award: Conor Keegan

• Student Participation Award: Bonnie Moylette

• Ethos Champion: Srinidhi Karthik

• Extra-Curricular Award - Rotary Youth Leadership Development: Maeve Murphy

• Extra-Curricular Award - WKO Open World Championships (Kickboxing):

• Bronze Medal: David Kolcze

• Gold and Silver Medal: Igor Gospodarczyk

• Extra-Curricular Award – Milan Fashion Show – walked in four shows representing three brands: Daniel Sierpinski

Ardscoil Phádraig

• Highest Achieving Leaving Cert Student: Grace McEvoy

• Highest Achieving Junior Cycle Student: Saidbh Flynn

• Principal’s Award: Niamh Cunningham

• Student Participation Award: Jack Fagan

• Ethos Champion: Nicole Skujina and Grace McEvoy

Ballymahon Vocational School

• Highest Achieving Leaving Cert Student: Dylan Hennessy

• Highest Achieving Junior Cycle Student: Mindaugus Nemeiktsis

• Principal’s Award: Lauren Finlass

• Student Participation Award: Emma Kenny

• Ethos Champion: Grace Doherty

Lanesboro Community College

• Highest Achieving Leaving Cert Student: Amy O’ Donohue

• Highest Achieving Junior Cycle Student: Eoin Gethins

• Principal’s Award: Mark Yakovenko

• Student Participation Award: Ronan Lyons

• Ethos Champion: Tiegan Smyth

• Extra-Curricular Award - STEM Passport for Inclusion Completion and Outstanding Engagement:

• TY Class of 2023 – 2024

• Extra-Curricular Award – World Handball Championships

• Doubles Bronze Medal: Caitlin Cashin

Templemichael College

• Highest Achieving Leaving Cert Student: Anthoniet Agyemang

• Highest Achieving Leaving Cert Applied Student: Abigail Gibbons

• Highest Achieving Junior Cycle Student: Nikola Skalska

• Principal’s Award: Emma Murray

• Student Participation Award: Kayleigh Woods

• Ethos Champion: Molly Lennon

Cornamaddy Community National School

• Principal’s Award: Harry Flanagan

• Student Participation Award: Sophie Flanagan

• Ethos Champion: Sinead Olszowka-Phiri