Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

"A fantastic reward" - here are the six students who got 12 As in their Junior Cert today

Six students nationwide were awarded the maximum 12 A grades possible at Higher / Common Level.

Updated 17.22

STUDENTS ACROSS THE country were celebrating this morning and this afternoon with the release of the 2015 Junior Certificate results.

Of the 59,522 students to sit the exams in total, six young people managed a clean sweep of 12 Higher Level As, which by anyone’s standards is a phenomenal achievement.

The six students from across the country are:

Miranda Faul – Colaiste Lorcain, Castledermot, Co Kildare

“Miranda is absolutely thrilled,” her principal Eric Gaughran told TheJournal.ie.

12 As is a very singular achievement, you have to commend her for it. With the new cap coming in on the amount of subjects a student can take it’s an achievement that isn’t likely to be repeated also.
We’re a small, pastoral school of 400 students so I’m delighted for us. It’s brilliant for the teachers, and just a great day for everybody.

Arron O’Connor, Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon, Co Longford

aaron Arron O'Connor

“It’s such a fantastic achievement,” Arron’s principal Josephine Donoghue told us earlier.

He’s always been an excellent student, though very modest, this is a great reward for all his hard work. For him maths is a hobby really. I want to congratulate Arron’s parents Colm and Jaclyn on his great achievement.

Arron’s results represent the fourth time in five years that Mercy Secondary has had a student earn 12 As in the junior cycle.

It’s amazing for the school, and just a lovely surprise to hear this morning. I have to thank Arron’s teachers for all their hard work.

Ciara Kenny, St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart, Ennis, Co Clare

DSC_0120 Ciara Kenny

“An absolutely super girl,” is how Ciara’s principal Liam O’Mahony describes her.

Thrilled and delighted for her, she’s a real all-rounder. She’s the eldest in her family and I’m delighted for her parents Michael and Catherine as well.

Together with her studies Ciara also plays basketball and is heavily involved with environmental projects in her school.

She’s a lovely, hard-working girl, and an example to others. This should be a great stepping stone into her Leaving Cert for her.

Niamh Clarke, St Kevin’s Community College, Dunlavin, Co Wicklow

image2 Niamh Clarke (left) and Auguste Zaveckyte

Niamh, who scored 12 As, was celebrating her wonderful news today with Auguste Zaveckyte, another student from St Kevin’s who finished with 11 top grades, one of 98 students in the country to do so.

“It’s great news, both students are very hard-workers,” principal Catherine Burke told TheJournal.ie.

They’re dedicated, committed steady workers, and they’re both quietly pleased I think, delighted but in a very dignified way.
I’m proud of them, but I’m proud of all our students, it’s a very happy day, not least for the staff. All the hard work has paid off.

Anne O’Farrell, Mount Mercy College, Co Cork

Anne O'Farrell , 12 A Grades in JC Examination. Anne O'Farrell and Mount Mercy's principal Padraigín Ui Riordáin

Anne didn’t see her phenomenal result coming according to her principal Padraigín Ui Riordáin.

“Well she didn’t expect the absolutely wonderful result she got, but she was expecting to do quite well – she’s a very good student,” says Ui Riordáin.

I must say that when I saw 12 As this morning I had to look again, and take my glasses off and put them on again because it’s unbelievable.

Mount Mercy also had two students score 8 A1s in the recent Leaving Cert results.

Anne plays hockey and she’s very much into music as well. She’s an all-rounder, but she has a life outside also. She’s a great girl.

Aislinn Keane-McCarthy with Principal Padraigín Uí Riordáin Aislinn Keane McCarthy, also from Mount Mercy, who scored a phenomenal 11 As in her Junior Cert

Cian Deasy, Douglas Community School, Co Cork

FullSizeRender Cian Deasy

“Cian knew he would do well but he would say himself that there were two or three subjects that he hadn’t expected to excel in so he would say he’s surprised,”Cian’s principal Jim Long told TheJournal.ie.

He’s a very good lad and we’re thrilled for him.

Douglas Community School has a recent history of doing exceptionally well. The school scored the highest maths grades in the country last year at Leaving Cert level.

We’re very proud of Cian, and of all the students in general, they all did very well with some other really fantastic achievements also.

A huge congratulations from TheJournal.ie to all students who received their results today.

Less As being awarded

One of the most noteworthy statistics to be seen in today’s results is the reduction in the number of students getting A grades at Higher/Common level overall.

97,109 A grades were awarded to the class of 2015 across the country, a drop of 7.1% since 2014 when 104,552 such grades were awarded.

Granted there has been a slight reduction in the number of students taking the exam, from 60,327 to 59,522 according to the State Examinations Commission (SEC), but not logically to such an extent that the level of A grades received should be so affected.

A's Decline in number of Higher Level A grades received by Junior Cert students 2015 SEC SEC

Click here to view a larger image

With a possible 12 subjects to be taken, a decline in the number of As being awarded can be seen in every level of achievement, aside from those who received 12 Higher Level As – six students managing the feat in both 2014 and 2015.

21,731 students, or just over one in three, received at least one A at Higher Level.

Along with the six students to receive straight As in every possible subject, 98 students received 11 As, and 242 received 10.

Appeals

Those students hoping to appeal their results must do so through their schools, with the applications to be received by the SEC no later than 5pm on Friday 25 September.

A fee of €32 is charged per subject, which is subject to a refund if the result is upgraded.

Originally published 07.00

Read: All-rounders with a thirst for knowledge: Ireland’s highest achievers in the 2015 Leaving Cert

Read: Organiser of Junior Cert party apologises after hundreds of teens denied entry

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
28 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John McCarthy
    Favourite John McCarthy
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 7:41 AM

    By reducing the number of A grades now, they will be able to increase them back when the new Junior Cycle programme comes in. Thus ‘proving’ that the new course is much better. Shameful.

    478
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Veronika Hladová
    Favourite Veronika Hladová
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 7:15 PM

    Wow I’m so sorry for these kids, if the world ended tomorrow they would only believe it if they read it in a book

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute rsdowney
    Favourite rsdowney
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 7:13 AM

    How exactly does the numbers taking the exam impact the percentage getting a particular grade.
    That is why it is called a percentage.

    215
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran Whyte
    Favourite Ciaran Whyte
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 7:20 AM

    Maybe the author wasn’t one of those people who got an A In maths?

    241
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daragh8008
    Favourite Daragh8008
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 8:04 AM

    Oh dear! The percentage in this article is the difference between the number of A grades this year and last year divided by the number last year. If less people take the JC this year then the percentage will be larger.

    55
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anton Friendo
    Favourite Anton Friendo
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 5:53 PM

    Do they have maths in the Junior Cert ?

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Walsh
    Favourite David Walsh
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 7:31 AM

    And you had to post this before students receive their results? Are they not apprehensive enough? This article could have waited till this evening.

    137
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Murphy
    Favourite Chris Murphy
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 8:02 AM

    Don’t think many 15 year olds will be reading the journal at this hour. I’d say it’s the standard of teaching that’s the issue. do you know any teachers yourself? ;)

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jean Mc Connell
    Favourite Jean Mc Connell
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 7:19 AM

    A drop in the number of As is the logical conclusion to all the media hype of “the JC is a waste of time” etc. If there is no sense of importance or value attached to it then why would students try to do their best?

    93
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Bowden
    Favourite Jack Bowden
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 8:42 AM

    They’re right not to stress about it. They’re not worth the paper they’re written on. If someone over 18 talked about their junior cert results at a job interview they probably won’t get the job. The interviewer would probably roll their eyes.

    99
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute andrew
    Favourite andrew
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 5:36 PM

    Good point. When you go for the old age pension do they ask you how many As you got in your examinations?

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kim Prylowski
    Favourite Kim Prylowski
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 7:23 AM

    don’t say that when readers like me get their JC results today

    90
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute twit
    Favourite twit
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 9:37 AM

    These exams are a joke anyway! When I was in school a lot that did very well in the Junior cert but quite poorly in the Leaving cert. I personally think it was not down to their ability giving that a lot of them are now quite successful.. I believe they just generally got sick of the pressure by the time it came around.. I think the school system should grade a student on each year! This gives a fair judgement of a person’s consistent abilities.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anne Marie Devlin
    Favourite Anne Marie Devlin
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 8:33 AM

    The massive drop off in A grades is a fall from 1.73 A’s per student to 1.63 A’s per student. A fall of 0.1%. Don’t know if statistically that would be considered massive.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Arthur
    Favourite Joe Arthur
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 4:10 PM

    I hate to be “that guy”, but your figures show a drop of over 5%…
    (1.73 – 1.63) / 1.73 = 0.057 = 5.7%

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Supernova
    Favourite Supernova
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 5:33 PM

    Congratulations to them and I’m sure it will benefit them hugely come leaving cert. But isn’t the junior cert pointless and a unnecessary stress on students? Who asks for you’re junior cert at a job interview

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anton Friendo
    Favourite Anton Friendo
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 5:51 PM

    You cant even buy drink with it to celebrate

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keelan O'neill
    Favourite Keelan O'neill
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 5:53 PM

    While it can be stressful I wouldn’t agree that they are pointless. Students have to be shown what exams are like before 5th and 6th year.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan O'connor
    Favourite Alan O'connor
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 7:57 AM

    One hundred per cent correct john. So transparent it’s sickening. An absolute disgrace.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan O'connor
    Favourite Alan O'connor
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 7:57 AM

    One hundred per cent correct john. So transparent it’s sickening. An absolute disgrace.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Padraig Stapleton
    Favourite Padraig Stapleton
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 8:08 PM

    Sharon Curley did extremely well in her Leaving Cert so I heard.

    That was A1 Sharon.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Johnson (KCCO)
    Favourite John Johnson (KCCO)
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 5:45 PM

    Congratulations to all evolved.

    Nice to see some good news about the whippersnappers of today for once!

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diogenes
    Favourite Diogenes
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 7:50 PM

    Congratulations – there’s no jobs!

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gf
    Favourite gf
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 7:19 PM

    I believe these children are the future of the country…unless we stop them now

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Bernard
    Favourite Stephen Bernard
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 3:09 PM

    Do you not have any other photos you can use?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trish Loughman
    Favourite Trish Loughman
    Report
    Sep 10th 2015, 10:14 AM

    Where are all the private schools?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maire Ui Riain
    Favourite Maire Ui Riain
    Report
    Sep 10th 2015, 12:08 AM

    Bring back the intermediate certificate, no that was a proper exam

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Sadlier
    Favourite John Sadlier
    Report
    Sep 9th 2015, 11:42 PM

    Pointless stress to put on kids and parents! Abolish the bloody thing. Sure my exams in 4th year were much more important in knowing what classes I would get into for beginning of the leaving cert.! Another ridiculous exam and system. I got an A2 in music, aced the entrance exam for music put didn’t have enough points to study it. I needed a C in Home Ec or French to get into the subject I was best at and wanted most. JOKE

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds