The school community of Royal and Prior Comprehensive Raphoe gathered on Friday evening to celebrate students’ achievements.
Pupils were presented with an array of awards by Bishop Andrew Forster at the special event.
Principal Howard Welch commended the Leaving Certificate class of 2023 on their gratifying set of results. With an average point score was 357, the pass rate was 98% for all subjects taken at both honours and ordinary levels. 12 students achieved over 500 points of which one secured 602 points. Students have progressed to apprenticeships, employment, third level educational establishments on the island of Ireland and beyond.
The Royal and Prior school roll now stands at 613, the largest it has been since the last century of whom 39 reside in the Royal School House. The staff of the school now numbers 85 – the highest it has been for many years.
The increase of the school roll to over 600 triggered the appointment of an additional Deputy Principal, Mrs Jacqueline Carson, who was welcomed to her first Prize Giving in her new capacity, alongside fellow Deputy Mrs Tara Cowan.
Special guests included members of the new Board of Management, Very Rev Liz Fitzgerald the new Dean of Raphoe, the Rev Dr Brian Brown, Vice President of the Past Pupils, Mr Alan Macbeth, who presented the Past Pupils Association Cup on behalf of the Association President Mrs Geraldine Robinson.
Clive Wasson was there to capture the memorable moments of the evening. See the full gallery below:
Special Prize winners at the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on Friday last seated from left are Matthew Gibson, Raffan Memorial Cup, Elliot Cup & Parents Associaton Senior Cup, Mrs. Jacqueline Carson, Deputy Principal, Rev. Canon John Merrick, Chairperson Board of Education, The Rt. Revd Andrew Forster, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Dr. Howard Welch, Principal, Mrs. Tara Cowan, Deputy Principal and Beth Tregaskis, Catriona Clle- Hamilton Cup. . Back from left Sam Alcorn, McNamara Award, Lyndsey Thompson, Starritt Memorial Cup, Matthew Peoples, Past Pupils Award, Hanna Sanni, Leaving Cert Prize, David Roulston, Devenney Cup, Leah Dalton, McNamara Award, Ryan Browne, Pinkerton Cup & 1975 Re-Union Cup and Abi McKean, Parents Association Cup & Devenney Cup . Photo- Clive Wasson
Matthew Gibson, Raffan Memorial Cup, Elliot Cup & Parents Association Senior Cup at the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on Friday last. Photo- Clive Wasson
The Devenney Cup for Agriculture shared between Abi McKean, David Roulston, Megan Doherty and Lyndsey Thomson at the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on Friday last with back from left Mrs. Jacqueline Carson, Deputy Principal, Rev. Canon John Merrick, Chairperson Board of Education, The Rt. Revd Andrew Forster, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Dr. Howard Welch, Principal and Mrs. Tara Cowan, Deputy Principal. Photo- Clive Wasson
At the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on Friday last seated from left are The Rt. Revd Andrew Forster, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Ace Rodrigues, Crawford Trophy, Elsa Moore, Crawford Trophy and Dr. Howard Welch, Principal. Back from left are Mrs. Tara Cowan, Deputy Principal, Rev Canon John Merrick, Chairperson Board of Education and Mrs. Jacqueline Carson, Deputy Principal. Photo- Clive Wasson
At the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on Friday last seated from left are The Rt. Revd Andrew Forster, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Harry McIlwaine, Gardiner, Cup, Hannah Gibson, Gardiner Cup and Dr. Howard Welch, Principal. Back from left are Mrs. Tara Cowan, Deputy Principal, Rev Canon John Merrick, Chairperson Board of Education and Mrs. Jacqueline Carson, Deputy Principal. Photo- Clive Wasson
Dr. Howard Welch, presenting the principals report at the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on last week. Photo- Clive Wasson
The Rt. Revd Andrew Forster, The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe speaking at the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on last week. Photo- Clive Wasson
Mrs Tara Cowan, Deputy Principal, Mrs. Jacqueline Carson, Deputy Principal and Dr. Howard Welch, principal at the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on last week. Photo- Clive Wasson
alan Macbeth, Vice Chairman Past Pupils Association at the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on last week. Photo- Clive Wasson
Rev. Brian Brown, Vice President School Patron Body speaking at the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on last week. Photo- Clive Wasson
At the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on last week are 2nd Year Prize Winners seated from left Zac Nesbitt, Amelia Cossk- Szablowska, Dr. Howard Welch, Principal, Mrs. Jacquelin Carson, Deputy Principal, Allysa Malapad and Aaron Kerrigan. Back from left Sophie Meean, Shenna Rodgers, Jude Anderson, Caoimher Kelly, Cahrlie Martin, Emily Mahon, Ben Duncan, Hannah Goudie, Lisa Robinson, Zhe Yu Xue and Bella Connolly. Photo- Clive Wasson
At the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on last week are second year prizewinners. Seated from left are Megan Gillespie, Dr. Howard Welch, Principal, Mrs. Jacqueline Carson, Deputy Principal and Jack Goudie. Back from left are Aaron Kearons, Lewis Bonar, Matthew Reid and Jennifer Neely. Photo- Clive Wasson
At the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on last week are 3rd year prizewinners. Seated from left are Jposhua Harris, Megan Acheson, Dr. Howard Welch, Principal, Mrs. Jacqueline Carson, Deputy Principal, Ava Rodgers and Kevin Chan. Middle from left are Hannah Gibson, Karen McKean, Katie McIlwaine, Kate McCrudeen, Lyida Middelton, Kaite Heatherinton and Daisy Leaper. Back from left Jonathan Russell, Scott Robb, James Hunter, Thomas Gibson, Andrena roulston and Zoe Loughridege. Photo Clie Wasson
Fifth Year Prize winners at the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on last week. Seated from left are Erin Heatherington, Cara Eaton, Dr. Howard Welch, Principal, Mrs. Jacqueline Carson, Deputy Principal, Alyssa Kelly, and Rachel Wilson. Middle from left are Emily Rowlands, Abbie Alcorn, Ella Carr, Julia Laha, Anna Boal, Rebecca Foy, Jody Lochard and Dana Reece. BAck from left are Kirsten Stewart, Olicia Maxwell, Dillion Catterson, Thomas O’Sullivan, James Bell, Alan Magee, Michael Bonnar and Bend Anderson. Photo- Clive Wasson
6th Year Prize Winners at the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on last week. Seated from left Leona Cole, Vicky Wauchope, Dr. Howard Welch, Principal, Jacqueline Carson, Deputy Principal, Rea Glenn and Megan Heatherington. Middle from left Kodi Connelly, Shannon Black, Keela McKinney, Cara Loughridee and Eimear Rodgers. Back from left Jake Dobbins, Keisha Omoh, Kyle Stewart, Curtis Black Erin Matthew and Olivia Kerr. Photo- Clive Wasson
Fourth year prize winners at the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on last week. Seated From left are Ruby Speer, Aoibhe Merrick, Dr. Howard Welch, Principal, Mrs Jacqueline Carson, Deputy Principal, Sarah Macbeth and Samia Gallagher. Back from left Hannah Magee, Camron Murphy, Jason Salnis, Eamon Coyle, Photo- Clive Wasson
Vicky Wauchope, Head Girl speaking at the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on last week. Photo- Clive Wasson
The Rt. Revd Andrew Forster, The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe speaking at the Royal & Prior Comprehensive School Prize Distribution on last week. Photo- Clive Wasson