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Granard students hopeful of getting preferred course

Thomas Lyons

At Cnoc Mhuire


By the time the first pupil made his way in to pick up his leaving cert results in Cnoc Mhuire in Granard the staff had been on site for quite some time making preparations for the big day. There was no congregation of pupils, but the driving rain may have had something to do with that.
Jonathan Blessing looked calm and relaxed as he went in and his demeanour remaining the same as he exited the office: “Yeah I am happy with what I got. I am going to study sports science in Sligo and I think I got enough,†Jonathan said reflecting the uncertainty regarding points that the new system raises.
Deputy principal Sandra Durkan and retiring principal Moire Mahon were in the hallway, greeting the early arrivals who sashayed in in dribs and drabs. Unusually the first two were boys, with understandable results-anxiety impeding the progress of the female students.
Robert Pakenham (pictured), is intent on studying applied languages in Limerick, and he was helped by Deputy Principal Durkan to put his results into the app to work out what his final tally was. He will have to wait to see how the new marking system will impact on his courses choice.


Proud
Cnoc Mhuire's new principal, Pauline McBrien, chats with her predecessor, Principal Mahon, about the quality of the results in the school: “There really were some fantastic results. We are so proud of all our students. It is a little harder to work out how the new points system will influence course choice,†she said.
The highest achiever in the school is Abbeylara pupil Elizabeth Larenz. She is shaking as she emerges from the office - and for good reason, her results are incredible. She came 14th in Ireland! 

“I can't believe it. I am going to study chemistry in Germany, so I have to get my results in the post. I am really delighted,†Elisabeth says before running up and hugging Natasza Mazurkiewicz.
Meanwhile three girls waiting at the office door for their turn to be handed their envelope have an air of impending doom. As they exit the office the anxiety has disappeared.
The excitement of picking up the envelope is still very much in evidence in Cnoc Mhuire, but there are a few pupils who will access their results online.