A prizegiving event for Enniskillen Royal Grammar School (ERGS) took place last week (Thursday, November 30), where the successes of ERGS’ students were celebrated.

Principal Elizabeth Armstrong said that the school's seven-year milestone was a "timely moment to reflect on the development and growth of our school and of its ethos”.

Ms. Armstrong said: "Last June the first cohort of pupils who joined us in September, 2016, at the establishment of our new school came to the end of their seven-year journey with us.

“Today, we mark this seven-year milestone as a timely moment to reflect on the development and growth of our school and of its ethos, which underpins all that we do and inspires us as a school community.

"The class of 2023 were very much in the vanguard of our development, and we are very proud of their individual and collective achievements which set the bar high and established the tone as one of resounding success.

“Their many achievements along the way culminated in their impressive A-Level results, which saw the majority of students placed in their first-choice pathway across the UK and Ireland – pathways as diverse as Actuarial Science at Heriot Watt, International Relations with Chinese at Exeter, Mathematics at Edinburgh, Psychology at Cardiff, Veterinary Science at Glasgow and University College Dublin, and Business Management, Computer Science, Law, Music and Audio Production and Medicine at Queen’s University, Belfast.

“Overall, 84 per cent of students recorded at least three grades at A*-,C and more than a quarter of our students had at least one A* in their portfolio.”

Miss Armstrong also paid tribute to some of those associated with the school who have since passed away.

She said: "We are very grateful to all the donors of our prizes, many of which go back to our legacy schools.

“Over the past year, we have sadly noted the passing of several of those gracious donors, all of whom played a highly significant part in the lives of our schools and in the wider spheres of education and civic responsibility in our local and regional communities.

“Our thoughts and sympathy are with the families of Detta Lynam, a much-loved Domestic Science teacher; of Rosemary Forster, a much-respected parent and grandparent; of Sue Hogg, a highly-esteemed Chair of Governors, and member of the Western Education and Library Board; and of Mrs. Joan Wilson, a gifted violin teacher and musician, whose place at the piano at many school musicals is treasured by all who were privileged to know her.

“We value their memory, kept alive in our school through the prizes which bear their name. Their example is a worthy one for us all.”

Reflecting on exciting developments for the school, she said: "In January, 2023, we reached a significant milestone in this new-build project when the plans for our new school were revealed to the public in a community consultation event prior to the submission of a planning application.

"These plans demonstrate the care the Design Team, working with the Governors, have taken to blend the heritage of our listed elements, the original school house, the Steele Hall, and the Reay Memorial Gates, with the opportunities of the modern school estate.

“The Design Team see this as a unique opportunity to maximise the resources of one of the finest historic sites in Ireland as the site of a 21st Century state-of-the-art school build.

“Their progress will continue apace this year as we move into the next stage and more detailed consultation in school regarding the layout of classrooms and teaching spaces.”

Concluding, she said: "May the achievements of these young people, whom it is a privilege to serve, inspire us all as a school community to step out with confidence, hope and faith in the future.

“May God continue to bless us richly as we walk forward with confidence into the next exciting chapter of the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School story. Perstare et Praestare."

The guest speaker for the prize day was David Young, Ireland Editor for PA Media. Mr. Young has very strong family links to ERGS’s legacy schools.

His late father, George, was a longstanding principal of the Collegiate. Mr. Young was a student at Portora from 1990 to 1997. His older brother, Ian, also attended Portora, while his older sister, Helen, was a student at the Collegiate.

Having completed a History degree at Edinburgh University, and a Master’s degree in Journalism in Napier, his first job as a reporter was at the News Letter in Belfast, where he held several positions over the course of four years, including Deputy Political Correspondent.

In 2007, he joined the staff of the Press Association (also known as PA Media) whose journalists provide many of the stories which people see in newspapers, or pictures and videos that appear on the news, and even the words read out by news presenters.

The company’s 400 customers include every national broadcaster or print outlet in the UK and Ireland.

Mr. Young served as Chief Reporter on the island of Ireland before being promoted to his current role as Editor – PA’s most senior role on the island.

In his lively and thought-provoking speech, interwove stories from his varied experience of reporting at home and abroad, from Belfast to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s headquarters in Ukraine, to share three key points with the appreciative audience: "Never assume, always check”, “always expect the unexpected”, and “always be prepared to challenge your own opinions”.