ST. COLMCILLE’S COMMUNITY SCHOOL NEWS

MUSICAL The Sound Of Music 05
This year our musical was a well known classic “ The Sound of Music”. We had not even started back to school one week and an eager Ms Kelly had started auditions and rehearsals. We knew from the start that this musical would be a challenge, as the opening night was only 6 weeks away. The entire cast accepted this challenge and started about their work straight away. Rehearsals took place every spare second, after school, on weekends, lunch times etc..
As the weeks flew past it seemed almost everybody in the school was involved in the musical! Transition year art students had supplied the majority of the costumes and the entire set. The school’s very own orchestra played wonderfully every night. The staff also played their parts brilliantly, helping back stage and front of house, with a special guest appearance by our own Reverend Sister Egan!!
Overall, we achieved the impossible and had a great run of performances. We have the one and only Ms Kelly to thank for making this musical such a success. Fiona Byrne.

Charity Work
St Colmcille’s students are delighted to be donating a considerable sum of money to charity this month. The jersey day run by Keeva Bentham and Karen Agnew in third year and the no-uniform day organised by 6H have benefited a number of local and international charities. These include Goal, the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal, UNICEF, St Michael’s House Ballinteer and Bóthar Christmas Appeal. Well done to all the students and teachers involved!
In the lead up to Christmas, all students will be contributing to the Christmas Hampers for St Vincent de Paul organised by Ms Gilroy and Ms O’Brien. Transition Years will also be selling holly in the city centre for the ISPCC. Last Year St Colmcille’s raised more money for the ISPCC than any other school so we are looking forward to a repeat performance!

IRISH TABLE QUIZ
Congratulations and well done to Thomas Deane, Noel McKiernan, Michael Ward and Darragh Kelly-Murtagh who participated in an Irish Table Quiz organised by Feachtas on Tuesday November 22. In total, twenty-three teams took part in the quiz, which was held in St. Benildus College, Kilmacud. The team came fourth, which was a considerable achievement, particularly as this is the first year a team has represented St. Colmcilles Community School in the quiz. We are very proud of their success.

SCHOOL ENROLMENT POLICY
The Board of Management has updated the Enrolment Policy in respect of brothers and sisters of students who are attending the school. A copy of the updated policy is available on the school website or from the school office.

ALL-WEATHER SPORTS PITCH
On Monday November 21st, the long awaited new All-Weather Sports Pitch was opened. Mr. John McKennedy assisted by Mr. Terrance O’Halloran, of Astro Soccer League, cut the ribbon and an exhibition match between the teachers and pupils of St. Colmcille’s played a similar selection from St. Benildus College with whom Astro Soccer League have a similar contract. It was indeed a great occasion not just because the home team won 2-1 but more especially because it marked the beginning of the use of a most valuable asset in our community.
Many thanks to John Bentham and the Parents Association, the Board of Management of the school, the Department of Education and Astro Soccer League, for their commitment to this project. We look forward to many years of enjoyment on this pitch by both adults and the youth of this community.
Bookings may be made through Astro Soccer League on 086-6179000 for the following hours:
o 7pm – 10pm Monday – Friday
o 12pm – 10 pm Saturday and Sunday
Bookings for the hours 5pm – 7pm Mon-Fri and up to 12pm at weekends maybe made by contacting Mr John Egan at the school on 01-4952888.

ADULT EDUCATION
Enrolment will take place on Monday & Tuesday 16th & 17th of January for the next block of courses. Brochures will be distributed to households in early January. If you are interested in any aspect of adult education at St. Colmcille’s Community School in a teaching or student role or have suggestions of courses you would like to see included in next years programme please contact Fiona Farrell at 4952888.

DEBATING
The Concern Debates have been ongoing since the beginning of October. Congratulations to the Fiona Byrne, Gareth Kavanagh, Cassandra Delaney and Ailbhe Brazel from Transition Year who recently won a debate against Deans Rath, Clondalkin. The motions of the Concern Debates are all related to issues concerning the West and the developing world, child labour and overseas aid. Many thanks to Ms Forde for all her help in preparing the students for these debates.