Addressing the congregation at the Erne Integrated College Prizegiving, its Principal, Tom Noble said to celebrate was to do something special or enjoyable to show that a day, an event or an achievement was important.
"Celebration can also mean public praise," the Principal stated. "And so, this evening is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge publicly the magnificent achievements and, equally importantly, the outstanding efforts of our pupils over the past twelve months.
"Achievement by our young people depends so much on the support, care and encouragement from our teaching and non-teaching staff; and it depends in equal measure on the support, care and encouragement from parents.
"And', he went on, "the corporate achievements of Erne Integrated College over the past 15 years have also depended on the indispensable dedication, vision, time and commitment of our Governors. And, so this evening we say thank you to everyone whose efforts are central to our success."
Mr Noble welcomed as the guest speaker, Lord Brian Mawhinney 'without whose vision, foresight, drive and determination, he said, 'often in the face of some very determined opposition, integrated schools as we know them might never have happened'.
"I, and others, are very aware of the amount support he gave to the establishment of Enniskillen Integrated Primary School. Within weeks of the school being open, he made a personal visit to signal his approval at a time when founding governors were prepared to provide personal guarantees for bank-loans."
Mr Noble pointed to October 2004 when Lord Mawhinney made some very persuasive and illuminating points in an exchange with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body.
He said: "I quote: 'I doubt that anybody would argue that, of anything that has occurred in Northern Ireland in the past 15 years, the community has come together most effectively for integrated
schools. The community has driven integrated education, not the politicians...'
"Responding to further comments made by The Secretary of State, he added: '...that, if I may say so, was exactly the sort of nonsense that I used to have written for me and that I ignored. I would like him to ignore what is written for him because, in respect of fundamental change in cross-community relations in the future of Northern Ireland, politicians will get more credit for supporting parents who wish their children to be educated in schools that give equal weight to both traditions than they will for probably any other thing...'
Mr Noble went on: "Ladies and Gentlemen, surely, this is compelling evidence that Lord Mawhinney has a deserved reputation a political big hitter, that he is a champion of integration and one to whom we in this school, and the integrated sector as a whole, owe a huge debt of gratitude."
Turning to the challenges, opportunities and deeply held convictions of all those with an interest in education in Northern Ireland at this time, Mr Noble said now was a time for leadership, clear thinking, vision and planning.
"It can be an opportunity', he suggested, " to create the world class system which we owe to young people now and for future generations. And, in the midst of all this, the vital contribution of the integrated sector must be positively supported and developed.
"While accepting the fact that schools may not be the main determinant of all social inter-relations, it cannot be denied that they could, and should create, a safe space wherein pupils can try and understand not only their own tradition but those of the 'other', and increasingly 'the others'.
Mr Noble commended the school's examination performances at GCSE, AS and A2 level which he said enabled young people to progress to the next stages of their careers – whether through vocational training, further education or university.
"Our first class examination results this year, and in past years", he reported, " owes everything to the dedication, experience and professionalism of our teachers as well as the hard work and application of our students and the abundant support and encouragement from home."
Mr Noble then turned to an expansive list of extra curricular achievements, and went on to detail the many successes the school's pupils had achieved throughout the year. He described these as impressive.
Among the achievements he pointed to participation in, and the success of the school choir, fund-raising, the youth orchestra, European Languages Week, a Maths challenge, a careers convention, Stars in our Eyes and X-factor competitions, a Gortatole residential, a trip to the Auschwitz concentration camp, and a huge array of sporting accomplishments.
Concluding, Mr Noble thanked everyone for attending the celebration.
"And, a special thanks to past pupils who have made a very special effort to attend. I hope that you as leavers will all have good and positive memories of your time at Erne Integrated College."
