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PORTLAOISE COLLEGE |
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Retirements Mick Kehoe and Frank Delaney retired after a long and distinguished career at Portlaoise College. We wish them both well in the future. |
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Portlaoise College Students Gain hands on Experience: Leaving Certificate Biology and Geography students from Portlaoise College recently travelled to Bull Island in North County Dublin as part of their Leaving Certificate Courses. The Biology students undertook a field study of the area where they collected and examined a large variety of plant and animal species. These species were analysed using a variety of laboratory equipment and techniques. Students measured the strength of the tidal currents, temperature, air pressure and the slope of the land. The Geography students examined the coastal landforms and how they were affected by erosion. The trip was organised by Ms. Sweeney and Mr. Hamm. |
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LCVP |
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As part of their Leaving Certificate sixth year students organised to have a representative from a charity organisation come to the school to talk to them. Their aim – to learn more about the workings of a voluntary organisations and specifically the Irish charity organisation Bóthar. |
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FUNDRAISING |
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Students from Portlaoise college have been involved in a number of charity fundraising events this term. Third year CSPE and sixth year students recently had a guest speaker from the charity ALMAS. The students are selling Christmas cards on behalf of this charity which supports projects around the world especially in South Africa, Ethiopia and Cameroon. Thanks to Fr. Brian Kavanagh and Fr. Gobezayehu for giving the students a valuable insight into the work of ALMAS and to Ms. Phelan for organising the event. |
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Music students along with their Music teacher Ms. Spencer and Religion teachers Ms. Bergin and Ms. Costello organised a carol service for all secondary school students. The event was a huge success and a presentation of food hampers was made to St. Vincent de Paul at the end of the carol service. Well done to all students involved. |
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CAROL SERVICE |
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A new Student Council has been elected and nominated this year. Congratulations to all successful candidates. One of their first projects this year was to produce a newsletter with the purpose of telling everyone, fellow students, parents and teachers, what the Student Council has been up to during the passt year. |
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STUDENT COUNCIL |
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Ms. O’ Callaghan ran classes recently for parents from Portlaoise College The classes were a huge success. Well done and thanks to all parents involved in the courses. |
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PARENTS CLASSES |
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Earlier this year Noel Daly was appointed Deputy Principal. Noel who taught for many years at Heywood Community School in Ballinakill is enjoying his new management role at Portlaoise College and is looking forward to the future development of the college. |
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1ST YEAR ENROLMENT EVENING |
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Our 1st year enrolment night will take place on the 21January from 7-9pm. Enquiries and application forms are available from the school office. |
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Dear Students I would just like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very happy Christmas. I also hope that 2010 is a great year for all of us ! It has been a very busy term since October with the ice skating, LCVP trips, Christmas Carol service, and our Open Day which was a great success. Now that the Christmas Exams are in full flight I look forward to seeing every students report in the knowledge that they have done their best! I would also like to thank all the staff who have worked very hard this term in ensuring that our students are making great progress in all areas – curricular and extra curricular. I hope you all have a safe and peaceful Christmas and I look forward to seeing you all next term. Best Wishes, C Dunning. Principal. |
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Students of Portlaoise College take part in Comhairle Na N’Óg Comhairle na nÓg is recognised as an official structure for participation by children and young people in the development of policies and services for Ireland. Comhairle Na N’Óg forum was held in Portlaoise College on Thursday 19th November 2009. A large no of students from schools throughout the county including a number of students from Portlaoise College came together to discuss local and national issues of relevance to them. It is facilitated by the Community & Enterprise section of Laois County Council. Delegates from Comhairle na nÓg are elected to represent their local area at the annual Dáil na nÓg. |
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Portlaoise College student learns life lessons: A sixth year student from Portlaoise College travelled to Vietnam over the summer to work as an aid worker in the orphanages throughout Vietnam. Martin Byrne travelled with the group I-TO-I. His duties included looking after the children, helping the children with their English and encouraging the children to take part in extra curricular activities. Martin found the work both challenging and rewarding and hope to return to Vietnam again next summer. Martin would like to express his thanks to all who donated and helped in the fundraising of this worthy cause. |
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Students pictured above recently received awards for perfect attendance at the end of term awards. Many students received awards for excellent behaviour, attendance and punctuality. Students also received awards for specific subjects in which they displayed excellent standards of work. Congratulations to all students and keep up the good work. |
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Trip to Microsoft 5th year students were invited by Microsoft Ireland to visit one of their main premises here in Ireland on Thursday 26th November. The students were treated to a cup of hot chocolate upon arrival and were then lead on a tour through the different business divisions of Microsoft Ireland. Here they saw firsthand how products such as Xbox 360, Office 12, Windows 7 and one of their latest products, The Round Table are created and tested. Deirdre O’Brien of Microsoft Ireland then gave an interactive presentation to the students followed by a question and answer session. The visit was organised completely by the 5th year students who planned everything from booking the bus to presenting Deirdre with a thank you card from the class. |
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All students have been well catered for this term. Some of the activities available at lunchtime and after school are: Table tennis, basketball, soccer, Gaelic football, badminton, dance and a chess club. Thanks to all the teachers involved. |
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Portlaoise College Open Day a huge Success: The Portlaoise College open day on Wednesday 2nd December saw a big increase in the number of parents visiting the school than in previous years. Parents and their children were greeted at the front door by members of the student council before being brought on guided tours of the building. Parents visited all the classrooms and were particularly impressed by the excellent facilities the school has to offer. The principal gave presentations to the parents where she discussed the many changes that have taken place in the college since her appointment and also her plans for future development of the school. Well done to all our students who helped out to make this event a huge success.Our enrolment night is on the 21st January from 7-9pm. |
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Portlaoise College recently held a coffee morning for the parents/guardians of first year students. Parents were given the opportunity to meet the teachers, chat with other parents and discuss any concerns they may have regarding the transition from primary to secondary school. The event was organised by the Home School Community Liaison coordinator. Emma O’ Callaghan and was a great success. |
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PORTLAOISE COLLEGE BREW UP A SUCCESSFUL MORNING |
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Well done to Ms. O’ Grady’s art students for their beautiful decorating of the foyer. |
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CONGRATULATIONS |
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Ms Boland recently gave birth to a baby boy and Ms. Behan recently got married. We wish them both well. |
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ICE SKATING |
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The annual ice skating trip to the RDS organised by Ms. Bergin proved yet again to be a winner with the 150 students that travelled. Thanks to all teachers who helped out on the day. |
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A new Parents Council has been set up and they held their held their AGM. We wish them well in the year ahead. |
