Denis North, from New Ross, is sitting his Leaving Certificate at the age of 73
NEW ROSS man, Denis North, who left school after completing his ‘Inter Cert’, 57 year ago, when he was 16, is proving you’re never too old to learn and is sitting his Leaving Certificate this year aged 73.
Mr. North, who is a student in Kennedy College, first embarked on his path back into education over two years ago, as highlighted by the Echo at the time, when he set about up-skilling and finishing his secondary education.
This year he is continuing that journey and is sitting the English and Geography exams and is hopeful of replicating the success he had in 2015, when he received an A1 in History when he was 71.
Two years ago Mr. North told this newspaper that he planned to sit the English and Geography exams but would complete the programme over two years and he has fulfilled that promise.
When he left school as a teenager it was to “begin working and earn money”. He ended up working in the finance sector for almost 50 years and received his pension when he was 63.
When he retired he got involved with VTOS and was then told about options available in Kennedy College [still known at the time as New Ross Vocational College].
Spurred on by the full support and encouragement of the school’s Principal, Suzanne Barrett, and the school staff he has been an inspiration for his fellow students – as Ms. Barrett pointed out: “He proves that you’re never too old to get back into education if you’re determined enough.”
Mr. North said young people are under a lot of pressure nowadays, especially with regard to exams, but for him it’s different because he is doing it all for himself.
“I enjoy learning but young people’s lives are dominated by what they get,” he said.
With regard to advising other people in his situation who might be considering getting back into education he said: “It’s never too late but I would also say that if you want to get into education you have to commit to it.”
“At the end of the day you will only get out of it what you put into it,” he said.
“It’s easy if you like it but you do have to work hard.”
