Ciara O’Connell From Arklow was one of the many students to receive their Leaving Cert Results. (pic Yvette O Beirne)
August 13, 2015
By Cathy Lee
More than 1500 students in Wicklow received Leaving Certificate results on Wednesday at secondary schools across the county. Students, parents, friends and family of the thousands nationwide shared in some mixed emotions as students discovered the results of their work and said goodbye to their time at secondary school.One of those who received her results was 18-year-old Megan Swart who was representing Wicklow at the Rose 2015. The youngest ever Rose, from Colaiste Bridge in Carnew took part in this year’s international competition from August 14th-18th in County Kerry.
Meanwhile at St. Thomas’s Community College in Bray, the last ever Leaving Cert class of received their results. Staff members turned out to join the final 34 students in their celebrations. The secondary school closed down in June after more than 30 years due to dwindling numbers. Other notable scenes on Wednesday included a Presentation College student in Bray achieving 7 A1 grades. He was one of the eight students nationwide that received such outstanding results in achieving the highest possible grades. Speaking to the Wicklow Voice, Emma Lee (19) from Newtownmountkennedy who attended Loreto Convent Bray said, “I’m feeling relieved and I’m just waiting for Monday’s offers”. “I’m 10 points off, but I’m proud and glad that I did it”.
This year we saw that ordinary level maths results went up 7% on last year while the number opting for higher level maths remained the same as last year at 27%, with the failure rates showing higher again also. There was an increase in students sitting the Leaving Cert science subjects of biology, physics and chemistry. While the languages stood at 10% taking Spanish, French falling to 49% and German remaining at 13%.
National and local colleges were live tweeting on Wednesday to give the Leaving Certificate students some tips on the application process as the anxious wait for Monday morning approaches. Encouraging messages also went out nationwide in support of those who may be disappointed assuring that there are always more options if plan A seems out of reach. A high percentage of the students will be thinking ahead to Monday’s CAO offers to see if they’ve made the cut on the first round. The second round of offers will occur on August the 27th.
While helplines opened and education officers spoke out about coping methods for students, President Máire G. Ní Chiarba of the national second level teachers union (ASTI) said online “Regardless of individual grades, all students have reached a significant milestone in their lives. Your teachers are proud of you”.
See also, Opinion: “Is the Leaving Certificate still relevant?”
