Tipperary teaching graduates receive top awards at Dublin convention

Two Tipperary teaching graduates had double cause for celebration after achieving ‘top of their class’ status at the annual Hibernia College conferring ceremony which was held at Dublin’s Convention Centre recently.

In addition to receiving her Masters qualification, Thurles Primary Education graduate, Amy Shanahan – a teacher at Scoil Naomh Cualán, Borrisoleigh – was honoured with the Religious Education Award – presented by the College to the student from each cohort who achieves the highest grade in religious education on the Primary programme.

Post-Primary Education graduate, Dr Sarah Louise Melnyk, from Ballina, received the overall Student of the Year Award – presented by the College to the student in each cohort with the highest grade across the Post-Primary programme. In addition, Sarah Louise was honoured with the Research Prize for achieving the highest overall grade in the Research module of her cohort, and also received the award for ‘Outstanding Performance in School Experience and Professional Practice’.

Amy and Sarah Louise were two of over 930 graduates from all 26 counties to qualify with Masters in Primary and Post-Primary teaching, or with a Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive and Special Education.

Congratulating them, Dr Mary Kelly, Academic Dean at Hibernia College, said all graduating will help shape futures, inspire change, and contribute to the betterment of society in ways that extend far beyond the classroom.