Platform for Future Success at St. Louis

The recent Junior Prize-giving ceremony at St. Louis Grammar School Kilkeel offered an opportunity for staff and students to celebrate the performance of Key Stage 3 students as they prepare to follow in the footsteps of those whose have just experienced great successes at GCSE, AS and A2 level. The celebrations however, were not just of an academic nature as other aspects of school life namely pastoral and extra-curricular achievements were also acknowledged. Head of Junior School and Pastoral Care at St. Louis, Mr Francis Loye welcomed students to the ceremony, “This afternoon is an opportunity to recognise the hard work and determination of the students in the Junior School who have excelled in terms of academic excellence and through their sporting endeavours over the course of the past academic year”

Addressing the students, Principal Mr Kevin Martin congratulated the students of Years 9, 10 and 11 on their achievements over the past academic year. Mr Martin highlighted the key contribution of application to such successes, “this does not just happen on the day of the exam. It requires hard work throughout the year, it requires dedication, perseverance, self-discipline and a will to learn and succeed”.

Mr Martin then introduced the guest speaker for the ceremony, past student Ms Kerry O’Flaherty. Kerry, a past pupil at St. Louis, “exemplifies all we endeavour to promote in our students and is an excellent role model for us all”, said Mr Martin as he welcomed the Olympian to the stage.

Kerry from Newcastle Co Down, started St Louis in 1993 and was a hard working a committed student. During her time here she won numerous County Down and Ulster Schools Titles in track and field. Kerry graduated in 2003 with a 2:1 BSc in Sports Science and Leisure and then in 2004 completed a PGCE teaching certification in P.E.

However, Kerry’s successes in sport were just beginning. She is the Northern Ireland record holder in the 3000m Steeplechase and has competed in many major sporting events including the Commonwealth Games, European Championships (track & Cross Country), World Championships and of course the recent Olympic Games in Rio.

Kerry told students about her days at St. Louis and emphasised the role the school had played in making her into the athlete and the person she is today. “I discovered cross-country as a first year here at school and within a short space of time my P.E teacher Mrs Colgan, recognised that I had a talent for it.” Soon Kerry was wearing the International vest for Irish schools.
She progressed onto winning County Down and Ulster Schools Titles over the country in the winter and on the track in the summer. “I gained my first International Vest in my second year of running, competing for the Irish Schools team at the International Schools cross country, but I had to balance this with my work in the classroom” said Kerry. However, Kerry was in no doubt about her goals, “I found the sporting outlet to be a fantastic balance to the studying - there are always sacrifices to be made but they should be worth it in the end.” She reminisced about her ‘record of achievement’ folder at St. Louis where she had written of her ambition to compete in the Commonwealth Games one day. However, in order for Kerry reach a level to compete in the Women’s 3000 metres Steeplechase in Rio she paid tribute to skills nurtured at St. Louis, “the interpersonal skills that I first developed here in school helped me to build a team around me. It was vital that I interacted positively with the coaches, the medical team, the sponsors and many others who have contributed in helping me to reach my potential.”

Kerry has proved to be a fine ambassador for St. Louis and indeed for Ireland, “I don’t only run for Ireland but I can talk for Ireland too.” However, she concluded by imparting some key words of advice for the young St. Louis students in front of her, “these are the most important days of your life for not only discovering and building your own life goals but also gaining the confidence and determination to go out and make them happen. Believe in yourself and in your own ability to achieve your dreams - whatever they may be.”

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