Collinstown Park Community College Rowlagh, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

Phone:+353(0)1 457 2300, Fax:+353(0)1 457 2303

E-mail: collinstown@codubvec.ie

Web Address: www.collinstownpark.ie

Principal’s Address

As we reach the end of the first term, now is a good time to reflect on the school year so far. In

mid- August, our Leaving Certificate students received their examination results. Since then, those

students have gone to college to study many different courses or have taken up employment. On

behalf of the staff of the College, I wish to congratulate everyone from the class of 2012, on

their achievements to date and wish them continued success. In September, excellent Junior

Certificate examination results were celebrated with a special celebration ceremony for those

students who achieved exceptionally high grades.

Also in September, the College was featured at length on an RTE documentary on education. In

October, a number of fifth year students and their teacher Ms Allen were interviewed about their

e-future programme on Twotube on Network Two. Then in November, Sixth Year students were

interviewed on Liffey Sound FM about a Leaving Certificate project entitled ‘Reeling through the

Years’. On the same radio show, students from the College’s writers group ‘Inklinks’ read from

their own original works. I congratulate the students and staff who participated in any of these

programmes and thank them for their contributions. After each of the programmes, the College

received extremely positive feedback and comments.

Adult and Further Education is a significant part of the education provided by the College. All

adult students in their commitment to continuing in education, provide excellent role models for

our younger students. Their valuable contribution in this regard is recognised and appreciated. In

November, the Further Education and Adult students attended a graduation ceremony where they

were presented with their FETAC certificates by the CEO of Co Dublin VEC, Dr Marie Griffin.

Two new student awards were recently announced to all second level students in the College. The

award for ‘academic excellence’ will recognise the achievement of excellent exam grades. In

January, it will be awarded to the student from each year group who achieved the highest grades

in the Christmas exams. The second award, will be the ‘Student of the Month’ award and will be

awarded at the end of each month to students who has shown extremely high levels of commitment

to learning.

Learning takes place in the classroom and beyond the classroom, in the great outdoors. I wish to

acknowledge the hard work and expertise of the teachers and SNAs who provide high quality,

challenging and interesting learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. I

acknowledge the commitment of our Deputy Principal, Ms Friel, to facilitating all educational

opportunities. I pay tribute to the dedication of the caretaking, cleaning and administration

staffs. I wish to thank the parents of our students for their commitment to the college’s

educational aims.

To our students, to those who have always been conscientious students, I congratulate you on your

achievements to date and to those students who are working hard to achieve success on all levels,

I encourage you to continue in your efforts and remind you that with commitment comes

achievement.

Finally, I thank most sincerely, Ms Coffey, who produced this newsletter.

I wish all students, both past and present, their families and all staff members a very happy

Christmas and every good wish for the New Year.

Pauline Duffy Principal

Important Dates

School re-opens Monday 7th January

2013.

Midterm Break Monday 11th February

to Friday 15th February 2013.

School closed Monday 18th March

2013 for St Patrick’s Bank holiday.

Easter Hoildays Monday 25th March

to Friday 5th April 2012.

School closed Monday 6th May 2013

for May Bank holiday

Last day of school term Friday 31st

May.

An Gaisce

Congratulations to all the 6th Year

students who received their bronze

reward in Athlone on October 23rd.

RTE Two Tube

At the end of October before the mid-term break RTE

came into our school to look at a project we are doing

on the use of Ipads in education. The class is called

eFuture. This is a project aimed at developing new

methods for the use of ICT, Web 2.0 and web learning

which mainstream education and training providers can

adopt to support large numbers of youth at risk to

improve their capacity to enter the labour market and

to progress to further education.

Irish History Live

In November, the students were able to travel back to

the Stone Age and Bronze Age, all from the comfort

of the library. They were able to break flint to make

tools, drank water from a bull's horn, and made beds

from sheepskin.

CPCC Campaign for a Green Schools Flag

CPCC is working hard to obtain our first Green Schools flag.

The committee, consists of teachers, 1st year, 4th year and

5th year students.

So far we have completed our big clean-up which involved

removing chewing gum and graffiti from all classrooms in the

school. We have increased the number of recycling bins in

the school and we are encouraging everyone to use them as

best they can. Our 5th year students, Shane Byrne,

Jennifer Power, Martin Casey, Daniel Donegan and Shauna

Bond empty all recycling bins every week. We have also

obtained a compost bin for all food waste produced in the

school. Over the next week 4th year students, Caitlin

Brown, Nicole Hogan and Jade Chrystal will be involved in

creating a map of litter blackspots on the school grounds.

This, in turn, will help us pinpoint locations that need to be

targeted in our clean up campaign.

Our 1st year member, Nathan Murphy, has designed a poster

targeting the issue of chewing gum on desks. Look out for it

around the school! Please support our committee.

Gluais

This year’s Gluais group have been working very

hard with their first year groups. They have

organised a very enjoyable table quiz, a tidy

classrooms campaign which saw Class 1H the

winners and they were also involved in the

Teamhope Shoe Box appeal.

They have spent time with their groups in the

morning before registration, helping them with

any questions they may have

This year’s Gluais group consists of Chelsey

Russell, Lorna Lovett, Michelle Power, Jennifer

Power, Shauna Bond, Shane Byrne, Amy Rothwell,

Nadine Mc Dade, Gemma Mahon and Kirsty Saul.

Home Economics Craft Exhibitions.

Ms Doherty’s 3rd year classes held a series of craft

exhibitions. On display were their Junior Certificate

projects. Students also baked a range of “goodies” and

provided tea and coffee for their parents and teachers.

Inklinks

On Tuesday 9th October, students from Collinstown Park Community College were proud to unveil a mural they had

created for their local community. The students were from INKLINKS – Collinstown Park Community College’s

Creative Writing group, led by writer-in-residence, Colm Keegan. They created and shortlisted a number of

inspiring statements, and decided upon “Open your heart: the sounds of our streets can soothe your raging soul”.

With funding from CAS (Community Action on Suicide), the students were able to bring these words to life,

together with guidance from renowned graffiti artist Maser. Many representatives from the community attended

the launch, and it was agreed that the mural was truly inspiring and uplifted anyone passing by it. The mural is

located outside Ronanstown Youth Service, Neilstown.

LCVP

On October 17th the 6th Year LCVP class organised

a “Reeling through the Years” event in the Sports

Hall. Staff and students got to experience food,

clothes, music and games of the 60s, 70s and 80s.

It was a trip down memory lane for many teachers.

The Staff of

Collinstown Park

wish everyone a

Merry Christmas

and a Happy

New Year

Agricultural Science Trip to the Ploughing Championships.

Mr. Reilly, Ms Campbell and the Transition Year Agriculture Science class braved the elements to attend

the National Ploughing Championships in New Ross in September. Students had a great day out and the

highlight for many of them was the experience of shearing a sheep and milking cows.

3rd Year Geography Field Trip to Tipperary.

3rd Year Geography students travelled to Co. Tipperary to view the Mitchelstown Caves, the Rock of

Cashel and the Folk Village in Cashel with Mr. Reilly and Ms. Coffey.

Transition Year students attend the Gallery of Photography, Temple Bar.

CAS Film Festival

The Film Festival was organised by the Young Social Innovators of Collinstown Park Community College in association

with CAS (Community Action on Suicide.) The film festival showcased the work of 25 different groups from

Clondalkin, Ballyfermot and Lucan. Over 300 participants attended the evening and the festivities were made even

more extravagant as everyone turned up in their finest suits and ball gowns. During the interval our guests were

kept entertained by the Glee choir and the Band Factory from Clondalkin Youth Service. Entertainment was also

supplied by the Collinstown Park Community College Gospel choir and the finest of footwork was displayed by Irish

dancers from Reelstyle.

Guest speakers on the evening included Rachel Collier CEO of Young Social Innovators, Joan Freeman CEO of Pieta

House and Nuala Smith from Headstrong. Local TDs Derek Keating, Joanna Tuffy and Robert Dowds presented

trophies to three of the participating organisations.

Winter Wonderland