Inspiring Message for Students at St Louis Junior Prizegiving

The Junior Prizegiving ceremony was held recently at St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel, with past pupil, entrepreneur Declan Clarke, attending as Guest Speaker.

After a musical introduction from the school’s traditional group, Vice Principal Mr Eamonn McGlue, Head Boy and Head Girl, Shay Burden and Jane Sloan opened the event. Principal, Mr Kevin Martin addressed the staff and students and congratulated all the award winners on their achievements. He reminded the young people assembled that, “As students growing up in today’s world, you face challenges and opportunities that previous generations could scarcely have imagined.” He highlighted the wide ranging extra-curricular offerings that are available in the school and encouraged the students to embrace those opportunities, embodying the values of the school by being respectful, responsible and ready to learn. Mr Martin also encouraged children to keep learning always by “understanding mistakes are not failures but opportunities to grow.” 

Guest speaker, Declan, then came to the stage talked through his journey. He informed the pupils how much he enjoyed extra-curricular opportunities in the school, especially taking to the stage to perform in Dramas, Musicals and school concerts. Declan, an entrepreneur who runs his own gym – Conquer Fitness – along with his partner Megan, encouraged the students to believe in themselves and to take opportunities. He said, “You’re rarely going to feel ready before you start something. If you feel like you’re out of your depth, if it feels like you don’t know what you’re doing, it doesn’t mean you’re in the wrong place, it just means you’re learning. Things often take longer than you think they will but stick with it and you’ll get there.” Declan’s words were certainly absorbed by an attentive audience, and he concluded with three punchy pieces of advice; “1. Start before you feel ready. 2. Education doesn’t finish at school – always be coachable and listen as if you might be wrong. 3. Don’t measure yourself against other people, keep focussed on what YOU’RE doing.”

Many students received awards and presentations across a wide array of subjects and disciplines, recognising some of their outstanding achievements over the past 12 months.

The School Choir then concluded proceedings with a beautiful rendition of the St Louis Hymn.