ST. COLMCILLE’S COMMUNITY SCHOOL NEWS

County Enterprise Boards Awards
Another year has begun and the students in St. Colmcille’s Community school are again coming up with great ideas of new enterprises to start in our school. This year all of our Transition Year students are participating by setting up and running their own business or event in the school
Previously known as the Young Entrepreneurs Scheme, this competition is now supported by the County Enterprise Boards around the country. The South County Enterprise Board is running the competition in our area and are a great help to all the teachers involved in promoting enterprise to our students. All students will display their businesses in the school from Monday 13th to Friday 17th of December 2004 and all is welcome to come to the school and support them.

Web-site www.knocklyoncs.ie
The school’s web site is fully operational now with many links such as Adult Education, Evening Study, Extra Curricular activities, student council and general school information. Parents and students can now access information re dates and times for meetings, times and venues for extra curricular activities as well as match results and fixture lists.

Adult Education Programme
The adult education programme is up and running again this term. Life-long learners are currently at the half way mark of their 10-week term. Courses include European languages such as French, Spanish with Italian beginning in the January term. Both these languages are offered at beginners and intermediate levels. Other areas of interest offered include acrylic painting, yoga classes, salsa and meringue dancing, where people take time from their busy schedules to enjoy these hobbies/relaxation courses. Popular choices also are computers at beginners and more advanced levels. Enrolment will take place in early January for the next block of courses. Brochures will be distributed during December. If you are interested in any aspect of adult education at St. Colmcille’s Community School in a teaching or student role, please contact Aoife O’ Dwyer at 01 4952888

The French Exchange
On the 5th of October, 40 Second Year students accompanied by their teachers left Knocklyon on the second French Exchange Programme in our school. They arrived the same day at College Saint Joseph, Wattrelos, France.
When they arrived to the school their corresponding students and French teachers had organised a beautifully decorated room full of surprises to greet them. A number of activities were arranged for the students that made their stay an enjoyable one.
They took part in a 3-mile cycle in which they made several stops at important monuments and sights. The cycle ended up at Estaimbourg Park where they enjoyed a relaxing picnic. They also experienced a sample of what school is like in France, singing traditional French songs and watching French films, which they admitted were hard to understand at first. They also enjoyed a Halloween Fancy Dress Party where everyone had spectacular costumes. Once again, it proved to be a very successful trip that was thoroughly enjoyed by teachers and students and we look forward to strengthening this link with our French students over the coming years.

Extra Curricular Sports Reports
Yesterday, the St. Colmcille's Community School under 16 Hurling Team reached the final of the Coca Cola Hurling league. It’s the second time in three years that a Hurling team from the school has made it through to the final, which is an outstanding achievement. The team was unbeaten in all of the group games. There is a strong family connection on the panel with three sets of brothers, Stephen and Michael Howard, David and Alan O’Connor and Killian and Oisin Cannon. Alan who plays U21 for Ballyboden is in 1st year. He is competing for 5 years and has not missed one training session. This type of spirit and commitment can be seen throughout the panel. All of the school is now looking forward to the big day out in Parnell Park. All the match reports can be seen on the school website. www.knocklyoncs.ie

Girls Basketball
The two Girls’ Basketball teams have started their season very positively with impressive victories. We are waiting for more positive results as the season progresses.

Boys Soccer
The U14 Soccer team had an excellent victory in their first league game with Keith Gills and Brian Coughlan excelling. The U18 team was very unfortunate to drop quickly in their first league matches.

U14 Gaelic Football
Mr O’Malley and Mr Coolahan have been working very hard with the team in training. Unfortunately we were beaten in the first game but players like Cathal O’Connor, Stephen O’Connor preformed extremely well.
We are anxiously waiting the start of the camogie, girls’ Gaelic football, badminton, athletics and table tennis seasons.

A Student’s account of the trip to Lourdes
I really enjoyed our trip to Lourdes. At times I found it very emotional. Although there was a holy aspect to the place, we still had time to have fun and enjoy ourselves.
There were services put on by the Carmelites, but we also had our own personal services, which were very moving.
I personally found the trip very interesting as we saw everything we had heard about. The Basilica and underground Basilica, the high stations, the candlelight procession and last but not least the amazing Grotto.
Another thing I found interesting was the Architecture especially the two Basilicas and the Cote de Carmel church. I also have an interest in animals and so, was satisfied when I saw an eagle and many lizards, a little off the point I know, but still something I remember.
We also visited the City of the Poor, which caters for and accommodates people who are less fortunate than us on the financial side of things.
All in all, the trip to Lourdes was an enlightening experience and if given the chance I would definitely go again.

School Musical
Our School musical Grease is up and running. We are rehearsing morning, noon and night and things are beginning to come together. Between the sounds of our Greasers giving us their rendition of Greased Lightning and some of our other students who are so hopelessly devoted to the whole thing, we are well underway. The scenery has been taken out of the shed and is going to be painted with a variety of colour. Tickets will be on sale after the mid-term and we hope to go on stage on 29th November. It is a very popular musical and is shaping up very well.