Head ‘incredibly proud’ of pupils

Head ‘incredibly proud’ of pupils

5 November 2025

ST Colmcille’s High School in Crossgar held its annual celebration of achievement last week.

Students, teachers, parents, guests and members of the board of governors were welcomed by the principal, Mr Seamus Hanna.

Mr Hanna said the evening was about recognising the hard work, progress, and positive impact made by Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 students—not just in the classroom, but across the whole school and beyond.

He congratulated the Key Stage 4 students, especially those who completed their GCSEs and modules.

“We know how much effort, late-night revision, and determination went into preparing for those exams. Your results are a reflection of your resilience and commitment, and we are incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved,” he said.

However, he said achievement wasn’t only measured in grades, but was also about the attitude of the students, the challenges they overcame and the contributions they made to the school and the community.

“There are so many wonderful success stories, but we also recognise those little moments where you modelled what being a St Colmcille’s student means and for me personally you lifted my soul with your smiles and kind words and gestures,” he remarked.

Mr Hanna told the Key Stage 3 students that they were laying the foundations for their future success.

“Whether you’ve made progress in a subject, supported a friend, represented the school in sports or the arts, or simply shown kindness and maturity, you are making a difference, and that deserves to be celebrated,” he said.

Mr Hanna also congratulated those students who were receiving awards for 100% attendance.

He said: “Your commitment to being present every single day is a powerful statement. Regular attendance is one of the most important factors in academic success. It builds consistency, strengthens learning, and shows dedication.

“Being here, day in and day out, gives you the best chance to grow, achieve, and be part of everything our school has to offer. Well done to each of you.”

Mr Hanna said he also wanted to recognise students who had taken on roles of responsibility, such as class prefects, peer mentors and members of the senior prefect team.

“These pupils have represented all or our pupils through our school council, co-ordinating charity events, mentoring and supporting fellow pupils, or through their volunteering in the community. You’ve shown that leadership and compassion are just as important as academic success.

“Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the change makers of today. The future is full of unknown possibilities, and it belongs to those who are brave enough to shape it.”

He continued: “To our teachers and staff, thank you for your guidance, encouragement, and belief in every student. And to families and carers, your support behind the scenes is what helps make all of this possible.

“As we celebrate today, let’s remember: success looks different for everyone. Whether you’ve achieved a personal best, helped someone else succeed, or simply kept going when things got tough, you have achieved something worth honouring.”

Mr Hanna ended his speech by paying tribute to the late Mr Terry Murphy, who served as chair of the board of governors.

He said: “Terry was more than a leader; he was a true champion of our pupils and a believer in the power of education. He had the vision to see the potential of our school and the wisdom to understand its importance to the local community.

“He laughed with us, celebrated with us, cheered us on, and empowered our staff to strive for excellence. His presence at events like this was always joyful and encouraging, and though he is no longer with us, his spirit and legacy live on in everything we do.”