DCS Gradam na Scoile 2024 was a very memorable celebration held to acknowledge and reward the wonderful achievements of our students. A very fine group of students, who represent what is best here in DCS, were singled out from their peers and invited to an awards ceremony where they were presented with bespoke glassware.

Principal Mr Barry fittingly described our Gradam winners as our Oscar winners. This year there is a very strong Cork City, Ballintemple and local connection to the Oscars with Cillian Murphy receiving an Oscar for the Best Actor. In the words of Mr Barry, “the teachers are the industry experts who have nominated you and you have been singled out from your peers as worthy recipients. ….You deserve this. …….You should be proud; you should be proud of yourselves but most importantly you should retain this standard. Like an elite sports person – you are operating at an elite level. Please maintain this standard and allow this determination that you have to filter into other areas of your school and life.”

The awards reflected the vast variety of talents our students have; from academic to sporting, from musical to humanitarian, the list is endless. The citations read by the teachers were very personal, gratifying and uplifting.

The Blue Riband award of the evening was “Gradam an Phríomhoide” with this prestigious award going to Kaushik Akash. Akash is an excellent student but also incredibly respectful, loyal, supportive and encouraging of others.

The 2024 DCS Gradams would not have happened without the organisational skills of Mr. Cian Finn. Wishing our DCS students and families a very restful and enjoyable summer holidays.