Celebrating excellence at Loreto College Senior Prizegiving Ceremony 2026

Awards recognised academic excellence and progress, personal development, positive relationships, individual subject accomplishments and involvement in the wider life of the College.

Principal Mr Gallagher took the opportunity to recognise the contribution of the entire Loreto community. He praised students for their commitment and perseverance and acknowledged the dedication of teachers and all members of staff who work tirelessly to support and encourage the young people in their care.

He also expressed his appreciation to parents and families for their continued encouragement and partnership throughout the school year.

The presentation of prizes was a particularly special part of the ceremony, with students receiving recognition for their hard work, commitment and achievements.

Among the highlights of the evening were the College’s Special Awards, including the Principal’s Awards for Top Performance at GCSE and A Level. At A Level, the awards were presented to Dubhla Mullan, who achieved four A* grades, and Dzuljeta Ozolina, who achieved three A* grades. At GCSE, the award was presented to Shea Mullan, who achieved nine A* grades.

Another feature of the College’s Special Awards was the Loreto Ethos Awards which recognise students who have demonstrated leadership in promoting the College’s vision of ‘Spirituality and Excellence’. The GCSE and A Level awards were presented to Aoife Mullan and Dubhla Mullan respectively.

The ceremony also provided an opportunity to recognise the outstanding commitment and leadership of the Heads of School for 2025–2026: Deputy Head Boy Joe McLaughlin, Deputy Head Girl Anna Donaghy, Head Boy Cahir Boorman and Head Girl Tess Mullan.

A special highlight of the Senior Prizegiving was an address by guest speaker Maria Dougan, Coroner for Northern Ireland, and a past pupil of Loreto College. Maria spoke warmly about her own journey, sharing her experiences of academic success and the determination and hard work that helped her achieve her ambitions.

Reflecting on her career, she spoke about the importance of recognising and embracing opportunities. Her message encouraged students to work hard, remain open to new experiences and make the most of the opportunities presented to them.