An insightful College Awareness week at CVS

Carrigallen Vocation School held their College Awareness Week 2025 in the Corn Mill Theatre last week.

Opened by Leitrim author Seamus O’Rourke, the theatre was packed Transition Year, fifth and sixth year students, all of whom will soon embark upon their own career journeys.

On Thursday, the stage was given to eight Carrigallen Vocational School alumni’s who spoke about their time in the school.

During this time current students heard how many were inspired by different classes or various extra curricular activities which benefitted them later in life.

For many, it was the motivational teachers in the school who planted the seed for the careers they went on to succeed in.

St Clare’s National School Principal Karl McCartin was one of the first to speak about his time in school, mentioning in particular his dedicated geography teacher Geraldine O’Brien and his student enterprise initiative spurred by former Deputy Principal Fionnuala McMorrow. While Karl was stuck for an enterprise initiative, with no interest in creating seasonal Christmas logs, Ms McMorrow suggested that he take his love of dancing to the local primary school and run a block of six-week classes.

Twenty five years later, McCartin School of Irish Dancing is going strong; while he continues to bring energy and enthusiasm as principal to the children of St Clare’s National School in Ballyjamesduff.

The event gave students the opportunity to speak with people who were once in their shoes, sitting in a classroom wondering what their next steps would be.

Fears and worries were shared, while universities, course names and words of advice were given.

The event, organised by the school’s Guidance Committee, was an excellent opportunity for students to plan for the future and an insightful way to mark College Awareness Week 2025.