Students encouraged to believe in themselves

Students encouraged to believe in themselves

30 September 2015

THE new principal at St. Malachy’s High School in Castlewellan has told pupils “never let anyone change your mind about what you feel you can achieve.”

Speaking at her first junior prize giving last week, Orla O’Neill said was delighted to be addressing pupils, parents and friends for the first time as the new school principal. 

Mrs O’Neill praised year 11 students for their achievements to date and described the junior prize giving as a “significant occasion in the school calendar.”

The new principal said last week’s ceremony was the “perfect opportunity” to showcase and celebrate the outstanding successes of a special group of young people, for both academic and extra-curricular accomplishments. She said she was proud of the “fine array of talent that was shining through on this special occasion.”

Mrs O’Neill told students: “Be true to your dreams and keep them alive. Never let anyone change your mind about what you feel you can achieve. Always believe in yourself.”

She said: “This school is a magical place. You have to follow your dreams and believe with all of your heart that you can achieve them.”

The evening began with a variety of musical treats courtesy of the school choir accompanied by students from the music department, while the guest speaker was past pupil Sarah McAuley who joined St Malachy’s in 1995.

Throughout her seven years she excelled at all subjects and in her final year in 2002, left with three A-levels in art, religious studies and business studies. 

Initially, Sarah secured a place at art college at the University of Ulster’s Belfast campus, but instead of taking up this place, made a rewarding decision to complete a HND in Belfast in Care Practice during which time she completed placements in schools for students with special educational needs. 

Sarah has worked in Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick which led to her current career path in teaching. She has dedicated the past seven years of her working life to teaching at St. Malachy’s  Primary School in Castlewellan of which she is also a past pupil.

The guest speaker recalled her school days at St Malachy’s, of the teachers who had influenced her, the subjects she enjoyed and the life skills she acquired as a result.