Students jostle for top of the class as 80 get 11 As

MORE than 80 students celebrated top marks with at least 11 As in their Junior Certificate results.

Many of these included 10 higher level As and an A in Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE), but six had 11 top grades in higher level subjects, as well as sitting CSPE.

At Alexandra College in Milltown, Dublin 6, Caitriona Callan from Clon-skeagh was celebrating 11 As in higher level subjects, while Sarah Fitzpatrick was top of the class at St Leo’s College in Carlow with her 11 higher level As.

Stephen O’Brien, 15, of Coláiste Chríost Rí in Cork city said he couldn’t believe he had the same top score.

“I knew I did well in some subjects but some, like English, were a complete surprise to me,” said the youngster from Ballinlough.

Marian Carroll, a student at St Mary’s Secondary School in Charleville, Co Cork, was shocked but delighted with her 11 higher level As and praised her teachers for their help.

Tomás de Paor from Lispole, Co Kerry, also had 11 higher level As and put his success down to the good teachers at Pobalscoil Corca Dhuibhne in Dingle and consistent work.

Also in Kerry, Caoimhe Bonner from Killarney achieved 11 higher level As, as well as an A in CSPE and a B in higher level music. She was joined in her celebrations at Presentation Secondary School in Milltown by principal Cormac Bonner, her father.

“Dad was helpful alright because he’s a maths teacher so I got a few grinds from him over the year,” she said.

For six students, there was disappointment to find that the State Exams Commission (SEC) withheld a result in one subject. This could include candidates found communicating with other students during the written exams in June.

A further nine students did not receive a result in one subject, as the SEC is awaiting further contact with the candidate or their school in relation to suspected cheating.

The Children’s Rights Alliance has called on the Government to support the almost 2,000 children who did not collect results because they had already dropped out of school.

“The numbers leaving school before sitting the Junior Certificate each year are appalling, enough children to fill half a dozen cinema theatres. This is a make-or-break point for the Government and the situation is likely to worsen unless we invest in our children,” said alliance head Jillian van Turnhout.

Fine Gael education spokesman, Brian Hayes, warned of the need for increased investment after an OECD report this week revealed Ireland’s education spend as a proportion of national wealth has fallen in the past decade.