PHOTO: The 2023 Clontarf Academy, graduates of the 2023 program: Kane Wiggins, Jacob Manson and Braydon Dodd can be seen pictured at the back.
The 2023 Clontarf Awards were the perfect opportunity to celebrate the work of the young men at Coonamble High School participating in the program this year.
Held at the Coonamble Bowling Club on Thursday 9 November, the night was filled with memories of another great year, and a few laughs here and there – mostly at the expense of Coonamble’s Clontarf staff, Adam Cohen, Damien Lee, and Jake Fernando!
“It’s getting bigger and better every year in Coonamble, we had 60 young men in the program for 2023 and we’re here to celebrate their achievements,” said Adam Cohen.
“A shout out to the teachers at Coonamble High School for the support you give to help out the boys, we feel like we’re part of the fabric of the school so thank you.”
“To the parents, without your support this program wouldn’t run as well as it does.”
“As for the young men here, I can’t say a bad thing about them, seeing the growth this year and the goals you’ve all achieved has been great.”
The night was also a chance to celebrate the graduating class of 2023: Kane Wiggins, Jacob Manson, and Braydon Dodd who received their Clontarf portfolio and a watch to celebrate completing the program.
Kane was also recognised on the night for representing Coonamble Clontarf at the 2023 Clontarf State of Origin match in Townsville earlier this year.
10 different awards were handed out over the course of the night, celebrating the different facets of Clontarf.
Caleb Blackhall and Reagan Fernando were awarded with Encouragement awards, Jack Page and Braydon Jones were awarded with the Clontarf Spirit award.
For representing what it means to live by the Clontarf Values (sport, employment, education, discipline, life skills, and self-esteem) Travis Jones and Jarron Welsh were awarded with Values awards.
Archie Finn, David Jones, Andrew Peacock, and Jack Page won Sportsmanship awards.
The Leadership award was awarded to Laiken Robinson-Cooper and Caleb Walker.
Will Peacock, Jarron Welsh, and Andrew Peacock were awarded for their efforts during weekly Clontarf training, and were awarded with Training awards.
A big part of the Clontarf program is encouraging school attendance amongst their students.
For 2023, two students, Patrick Forbes and Braydon Dodd, were congratulated for a 99 per cent attendance rate over the course of the school year.
Twenty three students had attendance rates of over 90 per cent, and twenty-two with attendance rates between 70 and 89 per cent.
For his efforts balancing work and school over the year, and then picking up even more work after school finished, Kane Wiggins was awarded with the employment award.
The final award, presented to the best ‘All Round’ Clontarf student was awarded to Jarron Welsh.
