On June 20th PLC students from both the Nursing Studies & Childcare courses graduated from Coláiste Mhuire in a lovely ceremony attended by family and friends. In her speech, Principal, Norma O’Brien congratulated the Graduates on their outstanding results and paid tribute to the dedication and commitment of the PLC Co-ordinator, Margaret Culhane and the PLC tutors. She also spoke of the contribution of all staff of Coláiste Mhuire, working as a team to ensure that all learners who come to Coláiste Mhuire are nurtured and guided to achieve their full potential. Ms O’Brien encouraged the graduates to value their qualification quoting Nelson Mandela who said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” She spoke of her confidence that the education received by these graduates in Coláiste Mhuire will empower them to be the agents of change, in their own lives, in the community, and in this country.
Guest speaker on the night was Ms Eimear Brophy, Adult Education Officer with County Limerick VEC. Ms Brophy spoke of the long association between the VEC and FETAC courses in Askeaton. She commented on the extremely high standards of both the Childcare & the Nursing Studies courses in Coláiste Mhuire and complimented the graduates on their successes. Eimear reiterated what Ms O’Brien had said about the value of their qualification and its international recognition, allowing our graduates to work in Ireland or abroad. Both Norma O’Brien and Eimear Brophy encouraged the graduates to consider furthering their qualifications, to embrace the concept of life-long learning. Eimear quoted WB Yeats who said that “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire”.
Coláiste Mhuire is now taking applications for the newly revised Childcare course called Early Childhood Care & Education and for Nursing Studies for commencement in September 2012. The closing date for applications has now been extended to Friday 24th August 2012.
