Awards Day at Ashton

Head Girl Annie Walsh, Hall of Fame Recipient Dr. Brian Appelbe, Head Boy P. J. Meaney at Awards Day.

Ashton School, Blackrock Road, held their Annual Awards Day recently, attended by students, staff, Board of Management, Co-Patrons of the school, and invited guests. Prizes were awarded across the curriculum both academically and for sporting and extra-curricular success, generating positive affirmation for everyone involved.

Guest of Honour on the day was Dr. Brian Appelbe, a past pupil of Ashton who has gone on to achieve outstanding success in the world of physics.
Brian completed his Leaving Certificate in Ashton in 2002, and a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering at U.C.C., being awarded a 1st class honours degree, followed by a Master of Science, studied also at U.C.C. In 2007 Brian was awarded the O’Reilly Scholarship for the academic year commencing 2008, ( founded by Sir Anthony O’Reilly in 1998), to study for a PhD focusing on nuclear fusion at Imperial College, London.

His current research is theoretical and computational, covering topics in high energy physics including Dense Plasma Focus, and Neutron Energy Spectra. He is part of the Plasma Physics Research Group, a world leading university group in plasma physics research, based at Imperial College, London.
As Guest of Honour, Brian reminisced on his inspiring experiences as a student at Ashton, and he encouraged students to achieve their best in everything they undertake in life.

Dr. Appelbe presented the award winners with their prizes, ably assisted by Mr. Landen Pricipal, Ms. Hewison Deputy Principal, and Mr. Geaney, Awards Day Co-Ordinator. The Rochelle Trophy for Junior Certificate results was presented to Alison Warren-Perry, the Pfizer Perpetual Trophy for Leaving Cert. results was awarded to Eoin Meikle. The Des Deasy Memorial Trophy for Engineering was presented to Shaun Stanley and the Hipwell trophy for Business Subjects was awarded to Sophie Cunningham. The Cox Perpetual Trophy for European Languages was presented to Karen Marshall, and the Burke Trophy for Technical subjects was presented to Annie Walsh.

The Corn Mhic Uistin was won by Thibault Loughrey, and the Corn Amhairginigh was awarded to Diarmuid O’Donoghue. The Shereen Gokul Memorial for Girl’s Hockey was awarded to Sarah Egan,
The Andew Chambers Memorial Trophy for Boy’s Hockey was presented to Simon Dring.
Ashton School Players Award for contribution to Performing Arts was awarded to Philip Krause.
The Victor Bond Memorial Cup for Ashton School Junior Student of the year was awarded to Ellie O’Meara, and the Ashton School Cup for Ashton Senior Student of the year was presented to Peter Lahiff.

The Ashton Hall of Fame award was presented to Dr. Brian Appelbe, and was greeted with warm spirited applause. Worthy recipients all.