Leaving Cert. Results 2014
120 students of St. Nathy’s College sat the Leaving Certificate examinations last June. Students were generally pleased with their results, despite having found some of the individual exam papers quite testing in June. The results, however, reflected the overall effort put in by students throughout their time with us.
In most years some single subject or paper proves problematical for students. Apart from some concerns last June over the manner in which a number of questions were phrased in some papers, students found most examination papers to be generally favourable. The final grades gained by students showed that the papers in all subject areas were marked very fairly and favourably. Any initial anxieties held were soon dispelled as the results became available.
St. Nathy’s had some exceptionally fine individual results this year with one student attaining 7 A’s. A significant number of students came very close to attaining maximum CAO points. Students who actively sought such high grades were, by and large, successful in achieving the desired results and corresponding high points. Accordingly, most students should gain their top CAO preferences.
Results in Science subjects and Mathematics were, again, particularly good in St. Nathy’s. The school promotes the importance of these subjects and, while it is good to see A grades in higher level papers in these subject areas, it is even more pleasing to see students do well at ordinary level. There was a rise in the number of students sitting the Honours Maths Paper this year and the vast majority achieved high grades.
Subjects which fared particularly well this year (by way of ‘A’ grades obtained) includedAccounting, Agricultural Science, Applied Maths, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Construction Studies, Design and Communication Graphics, English, French, Gaeilge, Geography, History, Home Economics, Maths, Music, Physics, Physics and Chemistry.
The College is especially pleased with the exceptionally low failure rates in all subject areas. In fact, most subjects had a zero percent failure rate.These subjects included English, Gaeilge, Honours Maths, Construction Studies, Geography, History, Home Economics and Music.
The grades awarded to the Leaving Cert Vocational Programme (LCVP) Link Modules were very encouraging. The additional points obtained from this programme for entry into Third Level Colleges will be a very welcome addition for the majority of Leaving Cert Students who availed of the programme. Most students who sat the exam gained either a Distinction or a Merit. For points purposes, a Distinction in L.C.V.P. Link Modules is worth the equivalent of a C1 on an honours paper. L.C.V.P. continues to be popular with all eligible students who follow the programme each year.
The College is particularly pleased that candidates taking subjects at Ordinary Level did especially well. We sometimes forget that the real test of a fair educational system is how well it prepares students for life and how well it caters for those who may not wish to go directly on to third level education – preferring, instead, to go directly into the work place or pursue an apprenticeship. Results for students who sat subjects mainly at ordinary level were most satisfactory and, if anything, were up on the high standards of recent years.
I would like to take this opportunity to compliment and thank the parents, teachers and ancillary staff who worked so hard to ensure that everything possible was done to facilitate students performing to the best of their abilities and planning wisely for their future lives and careers.
St Nathy’s College would also like to thank all of its Leaving Cert. students for their co-operation over the years. We pray God’s blessing upon them, that in the strength of Nathy (robur Nathaei) they will face the future with confidence and hope as they make their own unique contribution to our society and our world.
Fr Tomás Surlis
President