2020 is a year that we will never forget – and we have all been impacted by Coronavirus in one way or another.
Leaving Cert students are a group of people who have been hit more than most.
In their final year of school, they saw it cut short in March and then the exams they had been preparing for for the last six years were cancelled and replaced by ‘predicted grades’.
While they won’t get to return to spend some time with their classmates again, there are also fears that milestones like Graduations and Debs may not take place either.
What it all means is that morale may well be low among sixth year students and, recognising this, the staff of Clonaslee College have come together to produce an uplifting video.
Principal Suzanne McMahon explained how it all came about.
She said: “The staff of Clonaslee College decided in April to create a video message of support for the 6th year class of 2020.
“They recognised that the proposed postponement of the Leaving certificate to July/August was impacting negatively on student’s well being.
“In an attempt to keep them motivated and bring a little smile to their faces, the staff, present and retired, put together a short video with their own positive messages of support.
“It transpired that it was ready for release shortly after the announcement of the possibility of students opting for predicted grades and/or Leaving certificate in Autumn.
“The students and parents response has been extremely positive to the staff’s efforts to show their support and understanding of their disappointments.
“Not only the deferral of the leaving certificate but the cancellation of many of the traditional events that takes place for these students at the end of their post primary educational journey.
“The school hopes to hold a graduation in 2021 to celebrate their achievements when gatherings may be permitted again.”
Check it out below:
SEE ALSO – Reopening schools and childcare facilities ‘among the safest things we can do’ says Taoiseach
