Meath VEC celebrates academic success

County Meath VEC wound up a very successful 2007/08 school year with its annual presentation of academic awards for the students from each of its schools and centres who had achieved the highest academic grades in this year"s Leaving Certificate. A well attended awards ceremony in Coláiste Pobail Rath Cairn saw students with their parents and family members receive specially engraved cut-glass Cavan Crystal awards marking their special achievements. School principals made short speeches of commendation for each student. At a time when the grind schools are pushing hard to strip away the brightest and the best from the Leaving Certificate cohorts, Meath VEC principals were able to show that their students receive the highest levels possible and yet retain that all round balance which they get in second-level schooling. Principals in turn spoke of the contribution the students had made to the school and how they excelled not only in academics but also on the sports field, in voluntary activity and as colleagues with their fellow students. A particular feature of this year"s presentation were the awards made to students from two Youthreach programmes - John Joe Burke, Ashbourne Youthreach. and Caoimhe Byrne, Youthreach Progression. The Youthreach students follow the parallel Leaving Certificate pathway in the less formal Youthreach setting and their achievements were every bit as remarkable as their formal school colleagues. There was one student from the County Meath VEC, VTOS Programme, James Clinton, having returned to school as a mature adult has now achieved his Leaving Certificate gaining four A1s. Chairman of County Meath VEC, John Fanning, who presided over the ceremony, complimented the parents, teachers, school principals and most of all the students themselves on their outstanding achievement. CEO Peter Kierans said: 'Results of this nature can only be achieved by the combination of hard work by students, exceptional teaching skills by teachers, support from family and active and visionary leadership by the outstanding school principals who now lead the eight schools of County Meath VEC.'