Clearly there is much we can learn from how you have built the success of this school."

Maximising Potential was the theme of the annual prize giving ceremony held recently in Saint Catherine's College at which the guest speaker was Gavin Boyd, Chief Executive (Designate) of the Education and Skills Authority (ESA). Other special guests included Mrs Margaret Martin, former Principal of the school and Willie Healy, husband of fashion designer Miriam Mone, past pupil, both of whom donated trophies for the Awards' ceremony.

In her opening remarks, Principal Deirdre McDonald addressed both Margaret Martin and Gavin Boyd who had worked together in the Examinations board CCEA:

I am very proud to welcome both of you who have made such a mark on the educational landscape of the North. I am confident, Mr Boyd, that you will join me in saluting the exceptionally high standards these young people have achieved, standards which have seen Saint Catherine's College placed top of the non-selective schools ranking for the second year in succession.

Speaking directly to the student body, Mrs. McDonald continued:

Girls and boys of the class of 2009 you have done yourselves proud! A superb 18 of you reached, and in many cases exceeded, the key figure of 300 UCAS points, which represents 3 A grades at A level, and one student, Louise Rice, became the first A level student ever in Saint Catherine's College to accumulate 600 UCAS points. 5 A grades at A level! Furthermore, we count amongst you eight pupils who were placed in the top 3 in Northern Ireland in your A level and GCSE subjects - Health & Social Care, Home Economics, Irish, Spanish and Technology.

Mrs. McDonald added that these students achieved outstanding academic excellence while maintaining an amazing record of involvement in extra-curricular activities. The student body present included the Ulster U20 Gaeilge football Champions 2009 who had also secured the first All Ireland victory for the school as U16 players. Others had contributed to school life as Befrienders and Peer Tutors (working with first year pupils), School Ethos Prefects and Peer Mediators. A Sixth form group had worked on the HUG Project in Uganda as tilers, painters and decorators. Another group had been youth volunteers in Lourdes whilst a third group had participated in the cross-community Roehampton Venture. Yet another group of students had modelled creations of the late Miriam Mone in an exhibition of the designs of the top Irish fashion designer, donated to Saint Catherine's by President McAleese.

In his address, Gavin Boyd commended the students on their excellent results:

"St Catherine's College is testament to what is possible when school leaders, teachers, pupils and parents work together with shared goals and high expectations for all. Your achievement is a credit to everyone who has been involved in the academic and pastoral success of this school."

Referring to his new role, he added:

"I am charged with creating a single organisation with a clear and unambiguous remit to support all schools in achieving better educational outcomes. The Education and Skills Authority will work to support the Minister's aim of ensuring every young person has access to an excellent education. Clearly there is much we can learn from how you have built the success of this school."

In summing up Mrs. McDonald thanked the staff of the school for the significant part they played in the success of their students. She also paid tribute to the parents present for their role in supporting their children and the school. She left the Sixth formers with the message:

As you have moved on to university life, to further training, the challenge for you now is to keep setting your goals high, to sustain your passion for life and to inspire others to join with you as you pursue your goals.

The vote of thanks was given by head girls, Kate Caldwell and Clare Oliver, who presented Gavin Boyd with a ceramic Saint Catherine's bowl, a creation by Stephen Farnan.