Errigal College’s annual QQI PLC Level 5 & 6 Graduation Ceremony was held on Friday (September 7) in the Mount Errigal Hotel.
The Errigal College Principal, Mr Charlie Cannon opened this year’s Graduation by welcoming the graduates, their families and friends, Donegal ETB’s Chief Executive Ms. Anne McHugh, Charles Gorney, Adult Education Officer and special guest Ms. Cróna Gallagher, Director of Further Education & Training Donegal ETB.
Donegal ETB CE, Ms. Anne McHugh was the first speaker. She began by outlining and celebrating the wide range of services and courses that Donegal ETB provides all over the county, and the great opportunities that are available to the people of the north-west. Donegal ETB manages 15 out of 27 post-primary schools in Co Donegal, and there are 14 training centres located throughout the county.
These centres specialise in the provision of adult and further education and training.
Ms McHugh went on to thank Errigal College’s dedicated PLC staff and congratulated all the QQI learners graduating that evening.
Mr Cannon then introduced the special guest, Ms Cróna Gallagher, Director of Further Education & Training with Co Donegal ETB.
There are currently 11,000 students in Co Donegal doing QQI courses, Levels one to six, coordinated and managed by Ms Gallagher.
Ms Cróna Gallagher congratulated the graduating Post Leaving Certs, she said: “You all took up the challenge of going back into education, and you rose to it and conquered it. Congratulations.”
Ms Gallagher then congratulated and thanked Errigal College’s PLC teaching team.
Mr Cannon thanked PLC Coordinator, Michelle O’Reilly, for her tremendous dedication to the PLC sector in Errigal College, he said: “The results of her work show in the quality of the courses that Errigal College provides.”
The principle also thanked the great coordinators of each course and the staff who gave their all. He stressed the commitment of Errigal College’s Q.Q.I. secretary, Ms Elaine McGettigan.
Following the speeches, Mr Cannon & special guests presented the awards to each class including, QQI Level Art, Craft & Design, QQI Level Health Service Skills, QQI Early Childhood Care and Education Level 5 & 6, QQI Level 5 Business Studies, QQI Sports, Recreation & Exercise and QQI Level 5 Youth Work.
The ‘Best in Class’ awards followed and were chosen based on each learner’s contributions, attendance, work ethic, results and participation with peers and staff:
QQI Art, Craft & Design – Christina Pavel, progressing to Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Design L.Y.I.T.
QQI Business Studies – Amy Gallagher, progressing to Bachelor of Science in Agriculture L.Y.I.T.
QQI Early Childhood Care & Education – Paul Doherty – working in Childcare
QQI Level 5 Youth Work – Josephine Cain – continuing with Level 6 IT Carlow
QQI Health Service Skills 1 – Amy McGee, progressing to Bangor University General Nursing, Wales
QQI Health Service Skills 2 – Allanah Coyle, working in Health Services
QQI Sports, Exercise & Recreation – Conor Dale progressing to complete a BA in Media Studies, Maynooth
Finally the PLC ‘QQI Learner of the Year Award’ a prestigious award based on academic achievement was awarded to Caoimhe Little, QQI Health Service Skills.
The award winner is now progressing to Manchester Metropolitan University, to undertake a Bsc (Hons) Adult Nursing Degree.
Deputy Principal Ms Deirdre Markham closed the ceremony and spoke of her pride in the learners’ achievements. She wished all the graduates best wishes in their future studies and careers.
