St. Columb’s said the school was delighted to host Dr. McKeown as he prepares to retire from his role as Bishop of Derry.
As a small expression of the school’s gratitude, Head Boy Ben had the honour of presenting Bishop Dónal with a token of appreciation on behalf of the College.
Mr. McGurk attended St. Columb’s between 1988 and 1995 then went on to study Law at Cambridge University. He graduated with a Doctorate in Legal Philosophy at Oxford University. He was appointed appointed King’s Council in 2024 and has numerous legal publications to his name.
He was described as an inspiration to all College boys and the school said it was delighted to welcome him back.
A particularly meaningful moment during the ceremony was the presentation of the Paula McGurk Scholarship Award, established by the McGurk family in loving memory of their mother, Paula.
5. Ms. Maeve McGurk (award sponsor0, presenting the Paula McGurk Scholarship Award to Ben Crawley on Thursday evening. On left at front is Mr Brendan McGurk (Guest Speaker / Award Sponsor), and back from left are Mrs Caroline McLaughlin (Principal), Mr Martin Crawley, Mrs Donna Crawley (parents), and Mr Tony McGonigle (Senior Teacher).
Ms. Maeve McGurk (award sponsor0, presenting the Paula McGurk Scholarship Award to Ben Crawley on Thursday evening. On left at front is Mr Brendan McGurk (Guest Speaker / Award Sponsor), and back from left are Mrs Caroline McLaughlin (Principal), Mr Martin Crawley, Mrs Donna Crawley (parents), and Mr Tony McGonigle (Senior Teacher). : . Photo: Jim McCafferty
6. The Niall O’Kane Memorial Prize for Social Concern / The McCann Family Prize award winners - Ramez Abdelsayed, Mrs Caroline McLaughlin (Principal), Ms Karen Simpson, Parent Governor), and Fionn Johnson. Back from left, Mrs Patrice McConnell (Senior Teacher), Mr Donal Chambers (Head of Year 14), Mr Ryan Horner (Senior Teacher) and Mrs. Ursula Grimley, (Vice Princpal).
The Niall O’Kane Memorial Prize for Social Concern / The McCann Family Prize award winners - Ramez Abdelsayed, Mrs Caroline McLaughlin (Principal), Ms Karen Simpson, Parent Governor), and Fionn Johnson. Back from left, Mrs Patrice McConnell (Senior Teacher), Mr Donal Chambers (Head of Year 14), Mr Ryan Horner (Senior Teacher) and Mrs. Ursula Grimley, (Vice Princpal). : . Photo: Jim McCafferty
7. Ryan Nagurski, winner of the Bishop Farren Memorial Prize for Best GCSE Results pictured on Thursday with his parents, Natasha and Ryan. At back are Bishop Donal McKeown, Mrs Caroline McLaughlin (Principal), Mr Brendan McGurk KC (Guest Speaker and Past Pupil), and Fr Stephen Ward (School Chaplain). (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)
Ryan Nagurski, winner of the Bishop Farren Memorial Prize for Best GCSE Results pictured on Thursday with his parents, Natasha and Ryan. At back are Bishop Donal McKeown, Mrs Caroline McLaughlin (Principal), Mr Brendan McGurk KC (Guest Speaker and Past Pupil), and Fr Stephen Ward (School Chaplain). (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography) : . Photo: Jim McCafferty
8. The BTEC National Extended Certificate in Business Prize / The BTEC National Diploma in Business Prize/ Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT Prize and the National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching Prize award winners - Matthew James, Conal McLaughlin, Luca Duffy and Logan Davis-Moran pictured at Thursday's prizegiving. At back from left are Mr Donal Chambers (Head of Year 14), Mrs Sinéad McGonigle (Teacher Governor), Mrs Leanne Toner (Head of ICT / Digital technology) and Mr Tony McGonigle (Senior Teacher).
The BTEC National Extended Certificate in Business Prize / The BTEC National Diploma in Business Prize/ Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT Prize and the National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching Prize award winners - Matthew James, Conal McLaughlin, Luca Duffy and Logan Davis-Moran pictured at Thursday's prizegiving. At back from left are Mr Donal Chambers (Head of Year 14), Mrs Sinéad McGonigle (Teacher Governor), Mrs Leanne Toner (Head of ICT / Digital technology) and Mr Tony McGonigle (Senior Teacher). : . Photo: Jim McCafferty