The Portarlington Further Education and Training Centre have a lot to be proud of – and that was very much evident at their Graduation and Awards Night in The Heritage in Killenard this week.
Almost 300 people were in attendance for an evening of celebration, an evening that touched on many topics, shone a light on the work that the Centre does and also happened to double up as a wonderfully entertaining event, with musical entertainment of the highest quality.
Indeed you could have heard a pin drop during the main musical performances – book-ended by the hugely-talented singer Paula Hennessy, with Jill McNamara on keyboard, who opened with a stunning performance of ‘Dreams’ by the Cranberries and finished with Natasha Bedingfield’s ‘Unwritten’.
In between the Laois Ukranian Choir also had the crowd in the palm of their hands – first with a beautiful rendition of ‘Sé mo laoch, mo Ghile Mear’ and then with ‘Lovely Laois’.
As well as that young brothers, Misha and Illia, who are now students in The Heath NS having moved from Ukraine, entertained the crowd with their musings, in both Irish and English.
And it was an evening that was centred on learning, no matter what your age.
Overseen by the redoubtable Margaret Morrin, the centre manager in Portarlington FETC, it was the first awards night held in four years.
Evelyn Dunne, chairperson of the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), praised Margaret, a long-time friend and colleague, for her role and described it “as an excellent centre with a range of great courses”.
So much can be achieved through education, she told those in attendance. “It’s never too old for education,” she added.
And across the evening we got a small taste of that, with current or former students sharing their personal experiences in heartfelt individual testimonies.
Like William Long, who after retiring from the army after 32 years, undertook the Accounting Technicians course in Portarlington. “It was the best decision I ever made,” he said.
“It gave me the confidence to go and deal with accountants, and start my own book-keeping business. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.”
Or Rachel Louise Byrne, who spoke emotionally about how she returned to education after caring for her mother – and re-entered the workforce with Nua Healthcare.
She initially did the Healthcare Support Level 5 course “and loved that so much” that she followed on with the Social and Vocational Integration Level 6.
“It is so rewarding,” she said of her new role with Nua Healthcare. “The LOETB opened so many doors to me and I have grown immensely.”
And following a fashion show, where students modelled their own designs, there was also a panel discussion on craft sewing, chaired by teacher and fashion designer Heidi Higgins.
Heidi fondly recalled her own time in Abbeyleix Further Education almost 20 years ago as well as speaking passionately about how she enjoys teaching students now too.
Marie Thompson, one of the fashion students who returned to education now that her children had gotten a bit older, had the height of praise for Heidi “dedicated, committed and goes above and beyond for the students – and the LOETB itself.
“I want to thank the LOETB for allowing these types of course to go ahead. The centre in Portarlington really is a relaxing, happy and easy place to learn.”
Majella Leighton, who also did the Accounting Technicians course, praised “the outstanding tutors who behind us every step of the way”.
Joe Cunningham, CEO of the LOETB, signed off by saying how rewarding it was to hear so many positive stories of how Portarlington Education Centre has helped people.
“The staff, the centre and the students make it what it is.”
You can check out the Portarlington Further Education and Training Centre website here.
