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# phenomenal
"A fantastic reward" - here are the six students who got 12 As in their Junior Cert today
Six students nationwide were awarded the maximum 12 A grades possible at Higher / Common Level.
Updated 17.22
STUDENTS ACROSS THE country were celebrating this morning and this afternoon with the release of the 2015 Junior Certificate results.
Of the 59,522 students to sit the exams in total, six young people managed a clean sweep of 12 Higher Level As, which by anyone’s standards is a phenomenal achievement.
The six students from across the country are:
Miranda Faul – Colaiste Lorcain, Castledermot, Co Kildare
“Miranda is absolutely thrilled,” her principal Eric Gaughran told TheJournal.ie.
12 As is a very singular achievement, you have to commend her for it. With the new cap coming in on the amount of subjects a student can take it’s an achievement that isn’t likely to be repeated also.
We’re a small, pastoral school of 400 students so I’m delighted for us. It’s brilliant for the teachers, and just a great day for everybody.
Arron O’Connor, Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon, Co Longford
“It’s such a fantastic achievement,” Arron’s principal Josephine Donoghue told us earlier.
He’s always been an excellent student, though very modest, this is a great reward for all his hard work. For him maths is a hobby really. I want to congratulate Arron’s parents Colm and Jaclyn on his great achievement.
Arron’s results represent the fourth time in five years that Mercy Secondary has had a student earn 12 As in the junior cycle.
It’s amazing for the school, and just a lovely surprise to hear this morning. I have to thank Arron’s teachers for all their hard work.
Ciara Kenny, St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart, Ennis, Co Clare
“An absolutely super girl,” is how Ciara’s principal Liam O’Mahony describes her.
Thrilled and delighted for her, she’s a real all-rounder. She’s the eldest in her family and I’m delighted for her parents Michael and Catherine as well.
Together with her studies Ciara also plays basketball and is heavily involved with environmental projects in her school.
She’s a lovely, hard-working girl, and an example to others. This should be a great stepping stone into her Leaving Cert for her.
Niamh Clarke, St Kevin’s Community College, Dunlavin, Co Wicklow
Niamh, who scored 12 As, was celebrating her wonderful news today with Auguste Zaveckyte, another student from St Kevin’s who finished with 11 top grades, one of 98 students in the country to do so.
“It’s great news, both students are very hard-workers,” principal Catherine Burke told TheJournal.ie.
They’re dedicated, committed steady workers, and they’re both quietly pleased I think, delighted but in a very dignified way.
I’m proud of them, but I’m proud of all our students, it’s a very happy day, not least for the staff. All the hard work has paid off.
Anne O’Farrell, Mount Mercy College, Co Cork
Anne didn’t see her phenomenal result coming according to her principal Padraigín Ui Riordáin.
“Well she didn’t expect the absolutely wonderful result she got, but she was expecting to do quite well – she’s a very good student,” says Ui Riordáin.
I must say that when I saw 12 As this morning I had to look again, and take my glasses off and put them on again because it’s unbelievable.
Mount Mercy also had two students score 8 A1s in the recent Leaving Cert results.
Anne plays hockey and she’s very much into music as well. She’s an all-rounder, but she has a life outside also. She’s a great girl.
Cian Deasy, Douglas Community School, Co Cork
“Cian knew he would do well but he would say himself that there were two or three subjects that he hadn’t expected to excel in so he would say he’s surprised,”Cian’s principal Jim Long told TheJournal.ie.
He’s a very good lad and we’re thrilled for him.
Douglas Community School has a recent history of doing exceptionally well. The school scored the highest maths grades in the country last year at Leaving Cert level.
We’re very proud of Cian, and of all the students in general, they all did very well with some other really fantastic achievements also.
A huge congratulations from TheJournal.ie to all students who received their results today.
Less As being awarded
One of the most noteworthy statistics to be seen in today’s results is the reduction in the number of students getting A grades at Higher/Common level overall.
97,109 A grades were awarded to the class of 2015 across the country, a drop of 7.1% since 2014 when 104,552 such grades were awarded.
Granted there has been a slight reduction in the number of students taking the exam, from 60,327 to 59,522 according to the State Examinations Commission (SEC), but not logically to such an extent that the level of A grades received should be so affected.
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With a possible 12 subjects to be taken, a decline in the number of As being awarded can be seen in every level of achievement, aside from those who received 12 Higher Level As – six students managing the feat in both 2014 and 2015.
21,731 students, or just over one in three, received at least one A at Higher Level.
Along with the six students to receive straight As in every possible subject, 98 students received 11 As, and 242 received 10.
Appeals
Those students hoping to appeal their results must do so through their schools, with the applications to be received by the SEC no later than 5pm on Friday 25 September.
A fee of €32 is charged per subject, which is subject to a refund if the result is upgraded.
Originally published 07.00
Read: All-rounders with a thirst for knowledge: Ireland’s highest achievers in the 2015 Leaving Cert
Read: Organiser of Junior Cert party apologises after hundreds of teens denied entry
