ST. COLMCILLE’S COMMUNITY SCHOOL NEWS

Tsunami Appeal
For the past few weeks the fund-raising committee in our school have being working hard organising events to raise money for the victims of South East Asia Tsunami. Some of the events include a sponsored walk, a sponsored silence, soccer and sponsored singing. The students in our school have been fantastic and have raised a total of E17,000. Approximately 400 students took part in the different events that took place on Tuesday the 1st of February. These events were on for two hours that afternoon in a variety of different areas ranging from the school to Ballyboden GAA Club. Well done to everyone that was involved in the sponsored events and a special thanks to everyone who so generously supported this worthy cause and to those who put a lot of hard work into organising it.

An Introduction to the New Guidance Department
St. Colmcille’s Community School is proud to announce that the first group of sixth years have just completed their C.A.O. applications.
Each sixth year individually filled out their application on line with the support of Ms Kenny after researching their options carefully. Speakers from C.A.O. Colleges like University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Maynooth University, Dublin Institute of Technology, Tallaght IT and Blanchardstown IT came to give lectures to both fifth and sixth years. We also had admissions officers from Private Colleges and Post Leaving Certificate Colleges such as Ballyfermot Senior College and Crumlin College too. This provided students with an overview of the course options available to them.
Higher Options is held every September and all sixth years get the chance to collect brochures and talk to University students and admission officers. All fourth and fifth years are attending U.C.D. open day. All sixth years attend T.C.D. open day in December. Other open days are not compulsory and students get a calendar of events. Many of these events take place on the weekends so it is the perfect opportunity to collect extra information, talk to lecturers and get an insight into College facilities without missing classes!

Transition years are doing two blocks of work experience this year. Employers have provided the school with outstanding feedback on their work, punctuality and interest. I feel that this experience has really benefited each individual as a whole. Lectures, open day visits, classes and work experience provide the solid foundations needed for students entering their senior cycle.
I realise that career decisions are often difficult and sometimes students need support in other areas of their school life too. My role is to provide educational, career and personal support. If any parents would like to visit or contact Ms Kenny, my doors is always open and I will do my best to help.        – Dinah Kenny

Transition Year
TY Students from the school went to Delphi Adventure Centre in Co. Mayo from the 7th-10th of February. Students participated in the following activities: surfing, rock climbing, high ropes, low ropes and archery. They also enjoyed the scenery from the top of Croagh Patrick. This trip is the highlight of the year for many TY students.

County Enterprise Board Awards
The South County Dublin Enterprise Board Awards took place on February 27th. Students from 1st, 2nd and Transition Year competed in this competition. Schools from all over South County Dublin displayed their enterprises and members from the County Enterprise Board adjudicated the awards. A variety of different businesses displayed services and products that the students have made. Students had to set up and run their own business and wrote up a business plan to enter this competition. It was a very successful event for encouraging entrepreneurial activities in the school. Best of luck to all those who were involved.

Extra Curricular
Debating: Both the Irish and English departments have been working hard with selected students in preparation for different competitions. Most recently the Irish debating group performed extremely well in their first ever outing.
Athletics: The girls’ athletics team performed remarkably in their most recent outing. Under the guidance of Mr Egan they achieved first place in a Leinster competition bringing home more silverware to Knocklyon.

Soccer: The Boy’s Under 13 soccer team reached the quarter final of their league last week but were unfortunately beaten. Brian Coughlan, Alex Fletcher, Andrew Barry and Keith Gillis all produced excellent displays.

Basketball: The first year girls have had two great wins in their league. The team, coached by Miss Beirne, beat St. Tiernan’s C.S. at home and Mount Argos away.

Hurling: The Under 14 hurling team are preparing for the coming season. It will be our first time competing in the highest division in Dublin. After winning Division Two titles twice we are now promoted to Division One to compete at the highest level. The team recorded a great victory over St. David’s of Greystones last week. Ciaran Brennan, Oisin Cannon, Stephen O’Connor and Michael Keenan all performed extremely well. Five of the team have also been selected for Dublin schools trials.

Indoor Hurling: There was great excitement and atmosphere in our school gym over the past three weeks. Lunchtime leagues took place with nearly 70 first and second year students participating in the competition. Clare ended up winning the championship and Waterford won the shield. Ciaran Brennan, Oisin Cannon, Darragh Geoghan, Neil McAlistair, Kane O’Doherty and Eoin Horgan all excelled.

Table Tennis: The leagues are ongoing with both Miss Walsh and Mr. Murphy working hard in training all teams. Most notably a great victory was gained over St. Tiernan’s C.S. where we won five games to one.

Gaelic Football: The girl’s team have received a walk-over in their first fixed league game. Our Westmeath footballer Mr. Davit (pictured recently in the Irish Times) is training the team after school every Wednesday. The first year boy’s season commences in March under the guidance of Mr. Coolahan. This team has been training since before Christmas for this competition.

Badminton: The girl’s under 14 team performed extremely well last week in their home fixture against Sancta Maria under the guidance of Miss Callaghan.

Official Opening
Minister Séamus Brennan T.D. will officially open our school on Monday March 7th. Members of the public are welcome to visit the school from 2.30 p.m.-4.30 p.m. and from 7.00 p.m.-9.00 p.m. All are welcome.

Comórtas Díospóireachta Gael Linn
Comhghairdeas d’fhoireann Díospóireachta Sóisear na Gaeilge, Amanda Keegan, Caitriona Pennycook agus Daniel Mathews ón dara bliain, a ghlac páirt ar son na scoile sa dara babhta de Chomórtas Díospóireachta Gael Linn i gColáiste Choill Chluana Gabhann ar an 18ú lá d’Eanáir. Bhí síad ag argóint i gcoinne an rúin “Ní thuigeann tuismitheoirí an lae inniú fadhbanna na hóige”. Ba iad na fóirne freasúra ná Coláiste Choill Chluana Gabhann agus larbhunscoil Mhaigh Nuad.
Tar éis cur i láthair den chéad scoth agus breith chuimsitheach óna moltóirí, níor eirigh leo leanúint ar aghaidh don chéad babhta eile.
Caithfear a rá gur thús iontach dearfach ab ea é seo ón bhfoireann fíor óg agus molaimid a n-iarract.
Múinteoirí i bhfeighil: Miss Bermingham agus Miss Kehoe.

Junior Irish Debating
Congratulations and well done to the Junior Irish Debating team, Amanda Keegan, Caitriona Pennycook and Daniel Mathews from 2nd year who represented the school in the 2nd round of the Gael Linn debates on January 18th in Clongowes Wood College. They were arguing against the motion “Ní thuigeann tuismitheoirí an lae inniú fadhbanna na hóige”. Opposing them were Clongowes Wood College and Maynooth Secondary School.
Unfortunately, after an excellent performance and lengthy deliberation from the adjudicators, they were unsuccessful in progressing to the next round.
However, it was an excellent start from such a young team and we commend them on their efforts.
Irish Debating Co-ordinators: Miss Bermingham and Miss Kehoe.