ST. COLMCILLE’S COMMUNITY SCHOOL NEWS

OFFICIAL SCHOOL OPENING
More than 20 years of campaigning finally came to fruition with the official opening of St Colmcille’s Community School in Knocklyon.

Monday 7th of March 2005 students, staff, past and present, members of the Board of Management and the Parents Association as well as community leaders and public representatives gathered to mark the occasion; the school has been in operation since 2000.
The Minister of Social and Family Affairs, Séamus Brennan, did the honours, assisted by Bishop Eamonn Walsh who also blessed the school.

Students sang and played instruments during the liturgy and different art work, trophies and achievements were also on display throughout the building.
The crowd was welcomed by deputy principal Ger Hackett, followed by Bishop Walsh who said he saw the school as an expression of “people power and determination”. Head girl Kylie Moynagh was MC on the day, introducing each speaker.

Dr. Vincent Kenny, the chairman of the school’s board of management and who, along with others campaigned and fought tirelessly for the school since the late-1970’s, then spoke and appealed to the community of Knocklyon to stay involved with the school. He said: “The campaign didn’t mean just getting a building and a community school, something lit and took hold because we became a community, what we know today as Knocklyon. Don’t let go of the dream, participate.”
The chairman of the parents association, John Bentham, outlined some of the achievements of the school and association and then announced that the school’s library is to be named the Dr. Vincent Kenny Library and presented Dr. Kenny with the silver name plate which will hang over the door; a standing ovation greeted this announcement.

Minister Brennan then spoke of lessons he learned during the campaign for the school, which was “be wary of the accepted, of the given research”.
He said: “We were told there was no need for a local school, that the other schools in the area could handle the students, but it turned out the research and statistics were inaccurate.”
John McKennedy (Principal) then spoke of the dedication of all the staff and students both in getting the school up and running and in preparing “selflessly” for the official opening.
Addressing the first sixth year and Leaving Certificate class to come through the school, he said, “You led the way and showed strong leadership to the newer students. You are our best asset and we would like to wish you every success in the exams and your lives ahead.”

FRENCH EXCHANGE
All 40 students who participated in the French exchange were really excited, and awaiting the arrival of their French correspondent who they had spent a week with in October 2004. There were many activities lined up for us which both French and Irish took part in.

On the 15th of March, they arrived, greeted by a warm reception with food and drinks which students and parents had prepared. Everyone was excited and looking forward to the fun filled week ahead. Activities organised included a Dublin sight seeing tour, a Céilí lead by Mr Mc Kennedy and an adventurous hike up Larch Hill. On St. Patrick’s Day everyone headed off in different directions, some went to the parade, as it was a lovely day. The Irish families occupied their French visitor making sure they were always kept busy. Over the weekend, each family and their French visitors enjoyed different activities such as swimming, trips to the zoo, shopping and video nights in each other’s houses. Each French visitor got a chance to spend some quality time with his or her families while having fun at the same time.

On Monday all students went to Blanchardstown shopping centre to take part in team bowling and some shopping. On Tuesday morning, there were tears and laughter as students waved goodbye to their French friends. One student said, “It was a very enjoyable experience and we would like to thank Ms Callaghan, Ms Hanlon and Mr. Flynn for making it all possible.”

FORM AND FUSION
Creative Knocklyon students have put their heads together and designed an innovative costume which has put them into the finals of the Form + Fusion Awards.
Local Transition Year students Shane Kenrick, Mark Smith, Barry Sheridan, Ross Maguire Karl Doran and Ciara Lynch will bring their colourful design to the Grande Finale of the competition in May.
The costume, Navajo, represents the struggle for survival of native minority cultures against the onslaught of Western capitalism.
According to teacher Lorna Burke, who supervised the project, the idea behind the costume arose from a brainstorming session. The concept for the costume is based on the totem pole, a pole or pillar carved and painted with symbols representing family lineage and mythical or historical incidents and traditionally erected before the homes of native Indians in America.
But the Navajo Indians represent just one of the almost extinct minority cultures that the students wanted to draw attention to in their project.
Lorna explained: "It's about the destruction of native minority cultures against the on-slaught of Western capi-talism.".

" From (the students') point of view, it's basically looking at identity and individuality within a group or community so, they made their own totem pole, and so they weren't following one specific design. They looked at different totem poles and Indian masks and created their own."
The Form and Fusion Awards, which are open to all 14-18 year old secondary school students, were established to em-power teens to unleash their creativity in a supportive environment. An incredible 2,441 costumes were received for this year’s awards, and this is also the first year that the Knocklyon school has entered the contest.
Ms Burke explained “that is why we are so delighted
to reach the final, we have being working on this since October and they were in every day after school and on Saturdays”.

The Competition is based around the idea that the “fusion of ideas, materials, techniques and talent variably produces inspiring and memorable costumes from recycled
materials”.

Tickets for the Coca Cola Form and Fusion Design Awards final, which is held in the point on May 13th are available at a cost of €16.50 at www.ticketmaster.ie

COUNTY ENTERPRISE BOARD AWARDS
This year in our school, a group of 1st, 2nd and TY students were involved in the County Enterprise Board Awards. This scheme is a national programme designed to encourage entrepreneurial activity and develop enterprise skills amongst second-level students in Ireland.
The Scheme involves giving young people the opportunity to set up and run a real business. This encouraged initiative, creativity and the ability to see a business opportunity as it arises.
In early January we held our school competition, which awarded each student for participating in the CEB Awards in the school. We also gave trophies to those businesses that achieved the highest sales, the best business plan, display etc. . . . Finally, we selected our representatives from 1st, 2nd and Transition Year to go on to the County Final, which was held in February.

It was a fabulous achievement for all students involved to represent our school in the County Final. The students learned a lot about the competition they were up against and the interview skills they needed to win. We were delighted and very proud of Conor Power and Karl Dunne, both TY students, who won “Most Innovative Product” in the senior category. All students gained great confidence in themselves and in their ability and practical knowledge of the business subjects.

SCHOOL YEARBOOK
This year St. Colmcille’s are publishing, for the first time, a school yearbook “A day in the life of St.Colmcille’s” from September 2000 to June 2005. Highlights and achievements of the school as it grows from year to year. Copies of the book will be on sale in the school in May.