St. Catherine’s Vocational School Transition Year student Erin Gallagher is one of three Donegal ETB students chosen for the top science competition.

The Irish Junior Science Olympiad (IrJSO) is a science competition for students under 16 held in Dublin City University on 21 October. Finalists are invited to participate after qualifying through the Junior Certificate Examinations and are identified by the State Examinations Commission (SEC). 

Erin is one of three Donegal ETB students who have been invited, joining Lauren McGinley from Mulroy College and Chloe McBrearty from Coláiste na Carraige.

Erin Gallagher and her teacher Ms Stevenson

St Catherine’s Vocational School Acting Principal, Cathal Campbell, is absolutely delighted with Erin’s success; “We are delighted at St Catherine’s Vocational School to hear of Erin’s invitation to such a prestigious event.

“She has worked extremely hard to achieve this and with the support of the great staff here in St. Catherine’s Vocational School she is excelling in this field. We wish her every success at the Olympiad and we are extremely proud of her.”

St Catherine’s Vocational School is one of fifteen post-primary schools in the county under the direction of Dr Martin Gormley, Donegal ETB Director of Schools.

Speaking after hearing the announcement, Dr Gormley paid tribute to Erin and the school staff, “I would like to congratulate Erin on receiving this prestigious invitation. It is testament to the hard work and dedication of Erin, assisted and supported by the staff and management of St Catherine’s Vocational School.

“It is also further evidence of the exceptional standards of Teaching and Learning being promoted across Donegal ETB’s schools, colleges and centres. On behalf of Donegal ETB, I wish Erin the very best of luck at the Irish Junior Olympiad.”

All participants will receive a certificate at the IrJSO competition. The top three students are awarded gold medals, the next three silver and the next three bronze. The gold and silver medal winners represent Ireland at the annual International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) in December in The Netherlands. The bronze medal winners are on the reserve list.

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