ABBEY CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' GRAMMAR SCHOOL - The Abbey ...

ABBEY 

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ 

GRAMMAR SCHOOL 

ABBEY 

LEAVING CEREMONY 

10th MAY 2006

Dear Students, 

Some years ago we embarked on an initiative to mark the ‘coming of age’ of our Seventh 

Year students. And the general consensus among Staff, Students and Parents alike is that the 

‘graduation’ ceremony has proven to be tremendously worthwhile on so many levels. In large 

part, for students, of course, it is a joyous occasion, marking the completion of your formal 

education at second level. For many too, no doubt, there is a great sense of anticipation as 

you relish the opportunities that await you in life. But it is also a poignant moment. At the 

parting of the ways there is often a sense of sadness as friendships and bonds cultivated 

over seven years come to an end. Indeed, for some, there will be a feeling of trepidation as 

you make the transition from the homely environment of the Abbey to your next destination 

in life. Rest assured, however, of our continued interest in your welfare. 

Today’s graduation ceremony is a celebration in many respects. As a school, we want to 

record our appreciation of your achievements, individually and collectively. You have brought 

great credit on yourselves, both in the academic sphere and in your extracurricular pursuits. 

This year’s MacRory and Hogan Cup successes will live long in Abbey folklore, and deservedly 

so. 

As students educated in the ethos of the Christian Brothers, we hope to have imbued in 

you the sense of community, self sacrifice and care for the less well off that characterises 

an Edmund Rice school. The manner in which this year group embraced the ‘Social Outreach’ 

programme with a generosity of spirit, helping the disadvantaged, has been a great source 

of inspiration, embodying ‘care, compassion and community’. Thanks to your efforts as a role 

model in this respect, we hope to broaden the opportunities for future generations of Abbey 

students to make a contribution to the society that has served them so well. 

To conclude, it is my great honour on behalf of the Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar 

School to bid you a fond farewell. May you utilise your God-given talents to the full and take 

your place as leaders in a society where human dignity is cherished and social justice 

prevails. 

Slán agus beannacht libh, 

Mr Dermot McGovern 

Headmaster 

ABBEY Christian Brothers’ Grammar School 

GRADUATION 2006

Student Reflection 

Order of Events 

Introduction and Welcome from the 

President of the ASA 

Reflection from Sister Anne Lyng 

Student Reflections 

Reflective Music 

Retrospective from Mr. Killian Higgins 

Multimedia Presentation 

I remember… 

Seeing Courtenay Hill 

for the first time 

through a student’s eyes. 

I remember… 

Our second September, 

growing and learning 

in a place that felt now like home. 

I remember… 

The jolt of nerves 

in this big empty hall 

as we – third years – we sat 

our first of many public exams. 

I remember… 

The leap of faith 

into our biggest challenge yet; 

plunging into ten subjects 

that we’d follow for two years. 

I remember… 

Sitting here, day after day, 

for GCSE exam after GCSE exam, 

ground down with work, 

but knowing that a summer’s freedom 

was just one last push away. 

I remember… 

Being back here in a new uniform; 

jumpered sixth-years 

sharing laughs and jokes, 

not knowing quite what to expect, 

staggered by the choices 

lying in front of us. 

I remember… 

Our last year. 

The final stretch. 

The home straight. 

Friendships, learning, 

laughter, tears, 

good times, bad times – 

it’s all led here, 

to this time 

and this place. 

The last day 

of our last year 

at the Abbey. 

I remember. 

Mr McGovern’s Address 

Refreshments 

Looking back: Philadelphia, Here I come! 

‘No-one will ever know or understand the 

fun there was; for there was fun and there 

was laughing—foolish, silly fun and 

foolish, silly laughing; but what it was all 

about you cant remember, can you Just 

the memory of it—that’s all you have 

now—just the memory; and even now, 

even so soon, it is being distilled of all its 

coarseness; and what’s left is going to be 

precious, precious gold…’ 


GRADUATION 2006 


GRADUATION 2006

Form Teachers 

Comments 

Form Teachers 

Comments 

62A 

Mr Mooney 

62D 

Dr Fee 

62F 

Mr Smyth 

Mrs C Mc Grath 

Year Tutor 

A really good bunch of lads who caused 

no problems over the two years at A- 

level. 62A gave readily of their time; 

both in school and on an extracurricular 

capacity. The roll in the 

morning was pretty quick, which I give 

many thanks to Enda, Austin and 

Ruairi! Whatever their chosen path I’m 

sure they’ll do well. I hope they achieve 

the results they need and that life is 

good to them. 

62B 

Mrs Lane 

I enjoyed my time as the form teacher 

of a friendly and dedicated group of 

young gentlemen. Best of luck for the 

future. Don’t forget – once an Abbey 

boy, always an Abbey boy. 

62C 

Miss Friel 

Great form class to work with. Some of 

the most helpful people you could 

meet, willing to help with any task. 

With continued hard work and luck, 

everyone will hopefully achieve what 

they want in life. Some of this group 

will reach the top in their professions. 

62E 

Mrs. McGinley 

Wishing all 7th year pupils of 2006 the 

very best of luck in their forth coming 

A-Level exams and in the future. 

It is hard to believe how quick your 

time in the Abbey Grammar has passed. 

I can remember well your first day in 

the school, as it was my first day as a 

teacher in the Abbey! I had the fortune 

of taking Slemish 1 as a form class and 

a delightful class you were too!. 

Good luck to you all in your future 

careers and enjoy the success you have 

worked hard for over these past seven 

years. 

A tremendous group of young men who 

conducted themselves with respect for 

themselves and their school. Many of 

you basked in the glory of the Hogan, 

the magic of Zambia, the critical 

acclaim of Esat and the power of drama. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed your 

company throughout the year and I 

hope your memories of the Abbey are a 

great foundation for the next stage of 

your journey. 

I would like to convey sincere best 

wishes to each and every student in the 

Class of 2006. You have worked 

exceptionally hard to achieve your 

unique and personal achievements and 

I hope that your past seven years in the 

Abbey have been memorable ones. As 

a year group I have a special bond as 

your first day seven years ago was also 

my first day in the Abbey Grammar 

school. I have thoroughly enjoyed 

working with you as a year group both 

in preparing you for life after the Abbey 

and in pursuing your individual 

academic targets. Best of luck to you 

all in the next stage of your education 

and life’s journey. 

Wishing you all great success in your 

upcoming exams and future career 

paths. I hope that you all get the 

grades you need and the places in 

university you desire. 

Ádh mór oraibh go léir. 




GRADUATION 2006

Zambian Immersion Project, March 2005 

Newry - Lusaka - Livingstone, Zambia 

Abbey seventh-years – the Zambian Immersion Project, March 2005 




GRADUATION 2006



Front row (l to r): Mrs. McGrath (Year Head), Mr. Smyth (Form Teacher), Dr. Fee (Form Teacher), Philip Knox 

(SRC), Mark Rodgers (SRC), Steven Love (SRC), Mr. McGovern (Headmaster), Christopher Woods (SRC), 

Richard Gilmore (SRC), Mrs. Lane (Form Teacher), Mrs. McGinley (Form Teacher), Miss Friel (Form Teacher), 

Mr. Wadsworth (SRC liaison officer) 

Row 2 (l to r): David Barron, Ruairi Cunningham, Mark Digney, Austin Donnelly, Kevin Dunne, Donal Kane, 

Patrick Malone, Neil Marley, Shane Marron, Conan McAteer, Mark McDowell, Enda O’Brien, Michael Mallon, 

Row 3 (l to r): Stephen Begley, Thomas Best, David Boyle, Patrick Brogan, Daniel Carroll, John Clarke, John 

Corless, Thomas Courtney, Christopher Donnelly, Rory Grant, Marc Kerrin, Kenneth McConnell,Conor McKevitt, 

Michael Stanyer 

Row 4 (l to r): Francis Boyle, Michael Brady, Darren Byrne, Eugene Campbell, Steven Corcoran, Gerald 

Dickson, Darren Fegan, Ruairi Gillen, Seamus Grant, Colum Grogan, Caolan Hollywood, Stephen Hudson, 

Declan Lennon, Christopher McAllister 

Row 5 (l to r): Shone Bradley, John McAteer, Daryl McShane, Andrew Mullan, Ian Murphy, Ryan O’Hare, 

Damien O’Rourke, David Patterson, Francis Quinn, Brendan Rooney, Aidan Rush, Joseph Sweeney, Turlough 

Trainor 

Row 6 (l to r): Rhian Ellison, Daniel McAlinden, Shone McClory, Cathal McAnuff, Ryan McGivern, Conor 

Jackson, Mark McGuigan, Kevin McKernan, Kevin McManus, Gareth McPolin, Ronan McStay, Patrick McVeigh, 

Paul Moran, Darren Rowland 

Row 7 (l to r): Andrew Boyle, Ali Chaudhry, Niall Devlin, Kevin Dyas, Cathal Magee, Andrew Marshall, Edward 

McCullough 

Row 8 (l to r): John McEvoy, Matthew McPolin, Declan Morgan, Colm Murney, Michael O’Hare, Cailam Quinn, 

Aodhan Rafferty 

Inset: Enda Hughes, Paul Byrne, Shane Kerr, Daniel Guiney, Shaun Cinnamond, Rodney Conway, Ciaran 

Dinsmore, Eoin Duffy.

MacRORY AND HOGAN CUP CHAMPIONS 

The successful MacRory and Hogan Cup winners, 2005/2006. 

Cathal Magee winning the ball 

in the MacRory cup final. 

Mark Digney at the final in Casement Park 

Joyful celebrations in Casement Park, 17th March 2006. Abbey CBS MacRory Cup winners. 


GRADUATION 2006

Special Memories 


Year 10 Geography field-trip to Switzerland – 2001. 

Patrick Malone, Ciaran Dinsmore, Barry Fegan, Gary Clarke. 

Edmund Rice Games – 2003. 

Pictures showing the year 10 geography 

field trip to Switzerland. 

Seán Mac Labhraí representing the Technology 

Department in the prestigious National ESAT 

Technology & Science competition. 

Victory for the Abbey in the Radio na Gaeltachta Senior Quiz. 

Mr McGovern, Danny McAlinden, Mr Tennyson, Sean McClory, Mr McKevit, Steven Corcoran, Brother O’Mahoney. 

Kevin Dyas (left) and Kevin McKernan (right) collecting their All-Star awards at the Europa Hotel, Belfast 

Mark Rodger’s, pictured below, seems to be having 

a great time on his school trip. Mark, who is the 

treasurer of the SRC, deserves many thanks for his 

input into the making of this booklet. 




GRADUATION 2006


A Message from the SRC 

At this point we, the Senior Representative Council, would like to take a moment just to 

thank you all – students, staff and parents – for attending our year-group’s leaving 

ceremony. We hope that it has been a fitting testament to the magnificent seven years we 

have enjoyed together. We will be left with precious memories that will last a lifetime. 

Particular thanks are due to Mr Wadsworth, the staff representative of the SRC, whose 

kindness, support and wisdom helped us, and all the year group, through our final months. 

We must also thank Mrs O’Hare, our year-tutor, who provided us with great help in organising 

this ceremony. For her help in establishing the common room facilities, we must thank Mrs. 

Rafferty. All the catering staff, particularly Mrs Rice must be thanked for their work today 

and throughout the year, and the hard work of the caretaking staff, Mr. Daly and Mr. 

McCullough must also be acknowledged. Our special thanks must go to Mrs. Dunne for her 

wonderful work on our student booklet. 

Finally, we would like to thank, on behalf of the year-group, Mr McGovern, our teachers 

and our parents for their endless support through these often trying seven years. And, to 

conclude, we must wish our friends and fellow-students good luck with their exams and 

everything in the future. Thank you. 

- The SRC 




GRADUATION 2006

Life is a journey 

For each of us 

life is a journey. 

Birth is the beginning of 

this journey, 

and death is not the end 

but the destination. 

It is a journey 

that takes us 

from youth to age, 

from innocence to awareness, 

from foolishness to wisdom, 

from weakness to strength 

and often back again. 

From offence to forgiveness, 

from pain to compassion, 

from fear to faith, 

from defeat, 

until, 

looking backward or ahead, 

we see 

that victory does not lie 

at some high point along the way, 

but 

in having made the journey, 

stage by stage. 

(Adapted from an old Hebrew Prayer) 


GRADUATION 2006

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