The Principal of Mount Lourdes Grammar School explained the purpose of the School's annual prizegiving night was to celebrate the past 12 months.

Maureen McKeever told guests: "Looking back over the year gone by, hopefully. will evoke many happy memories and should instill a sense of pride, not only in you, the students and your parents, but also in the whole school community.

"It is good to celebrate your talents and achievements, the dedication and hard work of our staff and the interest and support your parents have given to your daughters."

On the academic front, Mrs McKeever highlighted Mount Lourdes success. She explained: "Our school continues to achieve the highest standards, and our students continue to be successful in achieving the grades needed to move on to the next stage of their education.

"I would like to draw your attention to a few of these results. In the A level examinations, 91% of grades achieved were A, B or C grades. Three of our students achieved an A grade in four subjects, and 33 students achieved an A grade in all three subjects.

"At AS level, 83% of the grades were A, B or C grades.

"At GCSE Level," she continued. "96% of the grades achieved by the students were A, B or C grades , and 57% of the grades achieved were A* or A grades. 20 students achieved a combination of A and A* grades in all nine subjects. Five students gained A*'s in all subjects."

The Principal went on to explain how Mount Lourdes aims to encourage students to take part in a range of activities and experiences, to give them the opportunity to develop all their gifts and talents, to develop fully as people.

She explained: "We have many different clubs, ranging from Martial Arts, Music, Sports, Science, History and Language clubs, homework club for junior students and survival cooker for year 14 students.

"This year, for the first time , a team from Mount Lourdes participated in the Northern Ireland Schools Dance Championships and in the Northern Ireland schools Touch Rugby, a competition which they went on to win.

"In the past year, we have fielded Netball, Athletic and Gaelic football teams at all levels and we have competed in rowing and swimming competitions.

"The U-16 Gaelic Football team were only narrowly beaten in the Northern Ireland final, while the Intermediate Netball team won the Western Area Championships and were runners up in the NI Schools Cup final," she continued.

"A number of players were selected for the Western Area Regional Squads at both U-15 & U-17 level, while Ellen Kelly, a Year 12 student, was selected for the U-17 NI Netball team – a first for any student of the school at this level.

"Our students have certainly been out and about the country, near and far, on a wide range of pursuits, from the junior History Club members who visited Mullylusty Cottage in Belcoo, the Year Nine's annual pilgrimage to Knock, to the Year 10's who travelled to Italy.

"The year ended on a high note, dare I say, when 20 Year Eight and Nine's from the Science club were the lucky winners of a Bombardier aeroplane flight along the Antrim Coast back in May.

"The many musical talents of the girls have been on display on several occasions, most notably in BBC's 'Songs of Praise' last January," Mrs McKeever went on.

"Visiting speakers are another regular feature of the school year, with Richard Moore from the charity 'Children in Crossfire' proving to be most inspirational in his address to Year 14 students.

"A local Youth dance company, informed, entertained and challenged our Year 10 students on the subject of the use and misuse of drugs and alcohol, with their performance of 'Will I, Won't I '.

"As always, fundraising is an important aspect of life in Mount Lourdes and this past year was no exception. Efforts to raise money for the charity, 'Another Pair of Hands' proved very popular as this very hall was transformed into a catwalk for our Year 14 students to model their formal dresses, escorted by none other than some very dapper male teachers!

Highlighting further successes, the Principal continued: "In March, Fionnola Glover, then a Year 13 student, having won the Northern Ireland final of, 'The Great History Debate' Competition, travelled to London and took part in the UK Final.

"Two of our A level students, Caoimhe Morris and Aine Monahan travelled to Germany over the summer, having won scholarships funded by the British Council.

"Recently, a group of Year 13 students, who follow an enrichment course in European Studies, won a trip to Strasburg. The girls designed literature to encourage young people to vote in the European Elections.

"And just this week, we have had great success when Aislinn Adair, a Year 13 student, won the Rotary Youth Leadership Competition. Aislinn will also travel to Strasburg in the New Year. The activities I have just mentioned are just a glimpse of what took place here in school last year. It would be impossible to capture everyone's memories of the year, but I hope this gives you a flavour of the range of experiences and activities that your daughters are involved in."

Addressing the changes facing education in Northern Ireland, Mrs McKeever commented: "It is indeed a challenging time for those involved in Education, with the implementation of the Roman Catholic Entitlement Framework and Post Primary Review.

"Mount Lourdes is committed to working with other Catholic schools and all other schools in the area, to deal with these challenges.

"At this stage, there are certainly more questions than answers," she admitted. "There is as of yet no clear picture of future provision or the mechanism by which pupils will transfer from Primary to Post-Primary School.

"We hope that clarity will soon emerge so that detailed planning for the future can begin.

"Regardless, however, of the final outcome of the current political and educational debates, the Board of Governors of Mount Lourdes are committed to providing quality education within a framework which ensures quality education for all young people in Fermanagh.

"As the educational landscape changes, so too does the physical shape of Mount Lourdes. The building programme which began in 2001 is now complete.

"Last year saw the welcome removal of the mobile classrooms, the former St Fanchea's building became part of Mount Lourdes, and for the first time in the schools history, students have access to two outdoor playing pitches, with the development of a grass pitch under way.

"Covered walkways are now in operation and, so finally, the entire building is linked, allowing students covered access to all learning areas.

"The final part of the building project, the re-development of the school's entrance at Belmore Street and the extension of the canteen facilities is in the planning stage," she reported.

"There is no doubt that the students of Mount Lourdes now enjoy state of the art facilities which are fit for purpose."

In conclusion, Mrs McKeever turned her attention to the pupils of the School.

"I would like to pay tribute to the students who are the main focus of tonight's presentation.

"Your motivation, willingness to accept challenges and participate in school life is what contributes to the continued success of Mount Lourdes. We are very proud of you our students, and we wish you every success and fulfilment in the future."