Twins Peak

BRIGHT sparks Jack and Tom Doran made history last week when they got identical grades in their Junior Certificate exams.

The Clontarf twins, who attend St Paul’s College in Raheny, were on top of the world when they got 11 straight As each.

The 15-year-old brothers were among 108 students nationwide to get 11 As.

They breathed a sigh of relief not just because they got top marks across the board but because neither of them did better or worse than the other.

Speaking to Northside People, Tom said he’d prefer to get the same results as Jack than to do better.

“I’m delighted to have done so well,

? he gushed.

“We usually get the same results so it wasn’t that much of a surprise.

?

Both Tom and Jack were pleasantly surprised with their results as they had expected to fall down in their Irish honours paper, which they described as

“tricky

?.

“I’m really glad that we got the same results so that neither of us were disappointed although we don’t compete with one another,

? added Tom.

The teenage twins celebrated their results with their family and had pizza with friends over the weekend.

Proud mum Jackie Doran said she was absolutely delighted with her sons’ results but wasn’t all too surprised in light of the fact that they also got 11 As each in their mock examinations earlier this year.

“The boys work really well together,

? Ms Doran told Northside People.

“They’re quite alike academically and do their homework together so they’re of great help to one another.

“All I have to do is just feed them and drive them around.

?

Ms Doran said her sons’ success was also down to the

“incredible

? teaching staff at St Paul’s College who encouraged her sons all the way.

Jack and Tom intend to put their heads down and focus on the Leaving Cert after which they both hope to pursue further studies in science and/or medicine.

Principal of St Paul’s College, Ciaran McCormack, extended his congratulations to the twins.

“This is the first time in the history of our college that twin brothers have attained such high results,

? said Mr McCormack.

“Overall our Junior Certificate students did very well in their results.

?

Meanwhile, Dublin North Central TD Aodhán � Ríordáin (Lab) believes the time has come for the Junior Certificate to be updated.

“Recently the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) published some proposals to radically reform this exam,

? he said.

“These included proposals for more short-term courses and for 40 per cent of the final grade to be awarded through continuous assessment.

“These reforms have created a dialogue about modernising our State exams so that they meet the requirements of our changing society.

“Exams should be there to help students maximise their potential so that they enter our workforce as fully rounded individuals.

“As it currently stands, students spend three years working towards a set of exams where the final result for each subject is assessed on the basis of one two or three-hour exam.

?

Deputy � Ríordáin added:

“This can put too much strain on our young people and encourages rote learning instead of engagement.