Clonkeen Chronicle

Parents’
Clonkeen Chronicle
Without a panto this year it
seemed everything was quiet
until the whispers of a school
jacket to be introduced in September were overheard! Image
seems to be very important to our
boys in Clonkeen. After much
discussion with Parent Council
Student Council and Class Representatives we have come to a
decision (sorry about the lack of
mirrors when trying on boys and
I have been assured they will
wash well!).
Spring 2006
Principal’s Foreword,
March 2006.
The year seems to be gathering pace, in particular for our
examination students, who have just finished their mocks.
All of the teachers have commented on how focussed both
the Leaving and Junior Certificate students were during the
exams and I’m sure this bodes well for the future. No
doubt they will use the experience gained to great effect as
they put the finishing touches to their preparation for the
“real thing”. For the Leaving Certificate students this is
just a few weeks away when they have their oral exams in
French and Irish!
Meanwhile the new Student Council has just begun its
term in office. As ever it is very encouraging to see the
level of interest amongst the students in the elections.
Thank you to all those who put their names forward for
election to the Council and congratulations to the successful candidates. They are in the process of developing their projects for their year in office, in
some of which they will be working with the Parent Council again. The relationship between
the two Councils is one of the key elements in the life of the school and one of the most enjoyable aspects of my job is in facilitating their enthusiasm to the best of my ability.
As you know, some of our non-exam students have had some extra free time in recent
weeks due to the involvement of the teaching staff in subject planning. We are very appreciative of the work of Mr Mark Fennell of the School Development Planning Initiative who
facilitated the process. This is the latest phase in the development of an overall school plan.
We feel that a tremendous amount of progress was achieved in the meetings and I would like
to thank all of the teachers for their commitment and enthusiasm, and the parents for their
support. It is an ongoing process and will be developed further in the next school year.
I’m sure most of the school community is aware that we were included in the list of schools
which have been given permission to go to the Design Stage of the building process by the
Department of Education and Science. As only eight post-primary schools were included this
is a major milestone for the school. Following consultation with the Department we will appoint the team of architects, quantity surveyors and engineers in the near future and go to
work in earnest on the project to extend the school and build a new gymnasium.
New
Prefects
for
2006!
The beginning of the year introduced a new student council to
the school; consisting of the
fifth years: Alex Brock, Conor
Brennan, John Burke,
Christopher Carroll, Eoin Comiskey, William Doherty, Oisin
Gough, Mark Keenan, Andrew
Kennedy, Mark Lavelle, Simon
Lehane, Brian McCarthy, Kevin
Nolan, Neil O’Reilly, Michael
O’Sullivan, Conor Regan, Niall
Swan and Daniel Wolfe. Over
the year these students have the
responsibility of representing
Council
the student body, and have an
incentive to improve the school
for the better . With the organisation of a first year social, the
possible introduction of a school
jacket, and the thought of bringing back
a
school
basketball team the council are
already hard at work, and plan
to work on behalf of students
and school interests throughout
the year.
Co n or
B re n n a n ,
(chairman of prefect council)
tion year are hoping to achieve
the Bronze President’s Award.
The students are participating in
four areas: sport, a personal
skill, community involvement
and an adventure activity over
the period of 9 months. Good
luck to them!
Also this year a past pupil Michael O’Connor has returned to
achieve the Gold Gaisce Award.
He will participate in the same 4
areas over the period of 2 years.
Good luck in his endeavour.
Gaisce
This year 15 students in transi-
E Gibson
teacher)
(co-ordinating
The Clonkeen Website has been
given a makeover and the Parent
Council will enjoy an updated
page of their own. Any suggestions from parents are more than
welcome.
We have been in negotiation
with the Student Council in relation to their SC Project. We were
delighted to be in a position once
again to help out financially with
the expansion of filtered water
systems in the school. Chris Corrigan and his team are tough
negotiators and are an inspiration
to all. Well done lads. The new
Student Council have recently
been voted in and are settling in
well. Relations have always been
good with Parent and Student
Councils and we forward to more
challenging recommendations.
The Parents’ Council’s involvement with the school charity The
Ethiopia Fund has always been
an enjoyable one. Knowing the
funds go directly to the schools
in Ethiopia which Clonkeen has
pledged to support has always
been encouraging. The annual
Table Quiz in aid of the Ethiopia
Fund was held on Thursday 23rd
March in the Rochestown Lodge.
Over €1,700.00 was raised. As
on previous occasions the night
was a great success and for once
the teachers had to settle for
second place. They can be beaten
so there should be no need to feel
intimidated.
Many thanks to the 30% of parents who contributed their €10 to
the Parents’ Council.
As always, many thanks to my
co-workers on the PC, Theresa
and Sandra in office and Sean
our caretaker. You are all superb
and make my life much easier.
Paula McCarthy
(Chairperson)
Ethiopia 2006 -Clonkeen College Third
World Fund
After almost missing our connecting flight in
Heathrow, we (Mr. D, Michael O’Sullivan
and myself Simon Leane) set off on our life
changing trip.
Ethiopia is quite possibly the most amazing
place I have visited. The people may not
have a lot, but they are so hospitable that
they would gladly give what little they have.
The welcomed us into their society with no
hesitation, it was amazing that we travelled
almost 5000 miles and yet we felt like we
were at home.
It was incredible to see how much difference
the money raised through the school has
made to the lives of the people over there.
Over the last 10 years we have aided the
building of wells, schools, and clinics. For
each project we could see directly where the
money raised was spent. At a clinic it was to
provide a toilet block, at different schools it
was to provide school furniture and equipment, at a mill Clonkeen funds paid for the
grinding stone, at the water projects we saw
a cattle trough and water point provided
directly by money we had raised.
Being at the official opening of one of these
water projects really opened my eyes to the
lengths people would go for water. It was a
25km walk just to get dirty water. The
money we raised allows these people toi
have fresh clean water at their doorsteps. (a
big occasion, the boys were on national TV,
D Ed.)
The look on the people’s faces when the taps
were turned on for the first time was nothing
but smiles and cheers.
But with the good there is the bad and in
Addis, people our age and younger were
sleeping in cardboard boxes, shacks and shop
doorways.
I know from having been there the more
money we raise the more lives we can
change!!
Simon Lehan. (student)
It was indeed a most amazing experience.
The images we had of the country were completely shattered and rebuilt. The country is
amazing; most of the country is a lush green,
Fundraising
The Third World Support Group were
very busy over the Christmas period.
Two street collections raised €3,500.00
whilst the Christmas fast raised
€5,000.00. many thanks for all your
support.
The €1,700.00 raised at the parents’
Council Quiz night are a welcome addition, and there are still more events in
the pipeline, in particular the mini marathon which this year has more support
than ever.
All monies have been given to the EPEC
charity for the relief of poverty in Ethiopia. C McGauley
there is water, it just needs to get to the people, there are abundant natural resources,
they just need to be harnessed. The people
are welcoming and friendly, eager for education and a better life for their children. They
just need to get the ball rolling after 20 years
of civil war and famine. Providing what we
would consider the most basic necessities,
clean accessible water, the means of improving agriculture and education, can change so
many lives.
The efforts made by Clonkeen College have
made a difference, everywhere we went we
could see where the money raised has been
spent. In one school it was for blackboards
and furniture, in another it was for office
equipment, in a clinic it was to provide toilets, in a grinding mill it paid for the grinding
stone, at a water project it provided a cattle
through and water point ……
None of this would be possible without
Agnes Daly. Agnes was a teacher here in the
school who had worked in Ethiopia in the Lunch time at a school, the children
70’s. she returned for a visit in the 90’s and
get a bowl of beans, a slice of bread
couldn’t get it out of her system she began
fund raising and took leave of absence. and a cup of tea.
When the leave of absence was no longer an
option she took early retirement and moved
permanently to the Gurage region in Ethiopia. There she co-ordinates projects funded
by diverse Irish organisations. Schools, clinics, water projects, libraries etc. current projects include the provision of an ambulance
in the region, digging of wells, and furnishing of a school and library.
I consider myself lucky to have seen all this
at first hand, and having two competent mature and passionate students with me made
the trip all the more worthwhile. Thank you
Michael and Simon, you made it happen
O. Daly (accompanying teacher)
(The trip was not just about changing the
lives of people in Ethiopia, it is also about
changing our lives back here at home and
how we view the third world. We can no
longer continue to exploit the resources of
developing countries to satisfy our needs,
while expecting them to be grateful for our The mill, Clonkeen College provided
handouts of milk lakes, grain and meat the grinding stone. Funding for the
mill was provided by the department
mountains. D. Ed)
of foreign affairs
At the official opening of a water project, Clonkeen college funded a cattle
trough and a distribution point for
the water
All those jerseys, it was great to be able
to leave enough for a team or two at the
schools we visited. Thanks to all those
who brought in a jersey!!
School Tour to Greece
On Wednesday 12th April 25 transition year
students and 5 teachers will travel to Greece
on Lufthansa flights via Frankfurt. The group
will spend 6 nights in Greece. Our first and
second nights will be in a hotel in the costal
resort of Glyfada, a short distance east of
Athens. There will be morning tour of the
Acropolis with its Parthenon and Theatres.
Lunch will be in the historic Plaka district
followed by a journey on the brand new
metro system to the port of Piraens.
On the third day the group goes to Delphi to
view the spectacular hillside location of the
shrine to Apollo. Here, at the “belly button of
the world”, the famous oracles were given.
Overnight will be in this outstanding location.
The fourth morning sees our group move
south to the Pelopponese via the ancient city
of Corinhth. Students will visit Mycenae, the
hilltop citadel, “rich in gold” as Homer says
and home to Agamemmon.
This is followed by a visit to Epiclauros, the
greatest of all extant Greek theatres and still
the location of an annual summer festival of
classical drama. Magnificently built into a
hillside, the theatre still displays its wondrous acoustics. Overnight in this area is at
Tolon.
The fifth day brings us across the Peloponnese to Olympia, home of the original Olympic Games. After a visit to the many monuments of the site, we return to our base at
Gladfada. Our 6th day will be spent relaxing
on the beach or using the hotel pool. While
here we will also play a soccer match against
a local high school.
On the final day our flight home is later in
the afternoon. We will therefore have time
for some final relaxation or shopping. Hopefully by then everyone will have enjoyed a
wonderful stay in and endlessly fascinating
country.
J. Byrne (tour organiser) (having read this
wonderful description of the tour on offer I
feel Mr Byrne is wasting his time in teaching
he should look for a job with the Greek Tourist office. D Ed.)
Ardeche 2006
Once again a group will travel to the south of
France for a week’s activities in the outdoor
pursuits. Activities include; climbing, caving, abseiling, mountain biking, canoeing….
All of the activities take place through the
medium of French, combining language,
culture and activities in one action packed
week.
This year we fly direct to Marseille, a great
improvement on the days where we had a 12
hour drive down from Paris, or 16 hours
from Roscoff.
This year it proved cheaper pay for an extra
days lodgings and activities, than to fly back
early. Sometimes you do win !!!
O Daly (tour organiser)
The CD Project
Since last November students from 1st year
through to 5th year have been actively participating in the CD Project. They have written their own songs which were recorded in
Elektra Studios in Temple Bar last week. The
students had a very creative and hard working day in the studio - being involved in a
t w e l ve h o u r r e c o r d i n g s e s s i o n .
The album is currently being mixed and will
be available for distribution at the concerts
which will take place in the second week of
next term.
Sale of Tickets for The Gigs and CD. Tickets for the concerts will be on sale this week
only. The buying of a ticket gets you two
things; entry to one concert (during school
hours) and one copy of the CD. Tickets may
also be bought for the evening concert for
friends and family. The cost is € 10 per
ticket.
J Clarke ( Project Coordinator )
Careers
Our exam classes have just finished their
mocks. The 6th year students are now getting
ready for their final exam, starting with their
orals in March. During this time they will
need all the support they can get. The 3 rd year
students will now focus a bit more on their
first state exam. They too need support, especially in subjects they are finding difficult.
They also face the decision of doing Transition year or of going straight into 5th year. Mr
Byrne has hosted a TY meeting so parents
and students should be better informed. The
vast majority of third year students avail of
the Transition Year. Those few that don’t
will get advice from the careers office as to
what subjects to select. Please contact Mr.
O’Hora if you have any enquiries.
D O’Hora (careers office)
Art
The students have returned to normal classes
after their mock examinations and are now
busy completing the craft section of their
Junior certificate in Art Craft and design.
The 3D work of Mairc Cambell and Karl
O’Donoghue is particularly noteworthy.
A number of 6th year students are putting the
finishing touches to their college portfolios
and we wish them success with same.
(K O’Donoghue)
(interesting that Clonkeen College provides
more students than any other school to the
Dun Laoire College of Art and Design D
Ed.)
ECDL
Once again a group of students have success-
that every student has the opportunity of
gaining a computer qualification during their
time in the school as part of the normal
school time table. This is a plus not available
to all schools and much credit must go to the
BOM for their foresight and Mr Monnelly for
his commitment to the programme.
Golf
The qualifying round, of the Irish
Schools’ (stroke play) championship 2006, is
under way. The first venue for the event was
in the Clarlesland Golf Club in Greystones,
on Sunday the 14th February.
Clonkeen sent out its strongest team and they
did themselves proud David Greene (score
74), Ross Whelan (score 86) and Eoin Kelly
(score 90) on a par 72.
The Junior/Senior Matchplay (internal competition) is now in progress. All competitors
should hand in their scorecards as soon as
possible. (see noticeboard)
B Noonan
U-18 Soccer
Clonkeen continued their good progress in
the cup after Christmas with a last minute
win over St Vincent’s 3-2. after falling 2-0
behind Clonkeen rallied and made a spirited
comeback. Stephen Flynn scored the first
followed by an equalizer by Kevin Nolan
before Stephen Flynn scored again to give us
a deserved win.
The quarter final was a tighter affair with
only 1 goal in the game. Conor Foley got the
all important goal midway into the second
half to beat a good Portmarnock side.
The semi final against Nass was a strange
game. Clonkeen scored 2 early goals (Craig
Cullen, Conor Foley) but conceded just before the half time whistle. Nass got an equalizer shortly after the second half started and
with the wind at their back pressed for a winner. They got their important 3rd goal with 20
minutes to go. Clonkeen battled on looking
for a goal and with only minutes remaining a
Dean Zambra goal was controversially ruled
offside denying us the chance to fight it out
in extra time. Naas ran out 3-2 winners and
went on to win the final. All the players were
left disappointed as we believed we could go
all the way this year.
Dean Zambra (captain)
J Keogh and A McBride (managers)
U-14 Soccer
Congratulations to a strong spirited bunch of
young men. They made it all the way to the
quarter finals only to be beaten by Salesians
College Cellbridge 3-2, last week, in a
strongly contested match that went to extra
time. The College has had its fair share of
ups and downs against Salesians over the
years and don’t expect to remain long in the
doldrums. We will be back.
(D O’Hora, G Monnelly managers)
fully completed the ECDL course. Here they
are pictured with M. Hedderman (chair of the
B O M) and G Monnelly (ECDL coordinator) In Clonkeen we are fortunate in
Athletics
The cross country season has just ended.
In the under 14, Oran Colhoun ( S1 ) won the East
Leinster in the Phoenix Park. He was in an accident the day before the Leinster final but still ran a
courageous race in his first final. Brian Lavelle (S2
) also ran well in the East Leinster.
Aaron Sweetman and Richard Shiggins ( in only
his 2nd. Race ) ran creditably under 15.
U-17 Abdul Marrar , Chris Campbell and Robert
Farrelly competed in this age group.Abdul qualified for the Leinster finals.
Senior Eoin Healy (5th year ) had a great year.
Won the E.Leinster, 2nd in Leinster, , 4th in an
international club event in Spain and a member of
the 3rd placed DSD team. The highlight was 3rd in
the Irish Junior ( u-20) championship in Feb. He
then finished 8th in All Ireland Schools final.
Track and Field. First official event.CBS champioship , last Wed in April,Santry.
Then the zones. Time for action especially for
relay runners.
Br Kelly
First Year Gaelic Football
We had a quick campaign this year losing to two
local heavyweights Colaiste Eoin and St Benildus
College. However we blooded many new faces
which is the primary aim of this competition for
us. We look forward to the U-14 competition next
September where we will have the basis of a
strong team.
The first year class league is well under way. With
drier weather to come the final matches will be
completed by the end of April. S2 lead the way for
an automatic final place, S3 have the best turnout
of the three classes and could nick the other final
spot from S1. Full results and names of certificate
winners in the summer edition.
J Lynch, P Murray (managers)
Kevin Nolan
A Clonkeen College Football Hero!
Kevin started playing Gaelic football for Kilmacud
Crokes 5 years ago as part of the U-15 development squad, which are now the Dublin Minors.
This is his second year with the Dublin minors. In
January this year he was put forward to go for
trials for the Leinster panel. He made the grade
which meant he was selected for trials for the
Ireland U-17 international rules . the panel was cut
down to 30 and then to a final group of 24, of
which Kevin was one. This meant he goes on to
play 3 matches in Australia in different venues,
Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
Kevin explained that when he found out that 20
players from each of the provinces would be contesting for only 24 places, true to his modest form,
he was not overly optimistic. He went to the trials
feeling no preassure but with determination to give
it his best. He did and became one of the chosen
few. Watch this space!
On two wheels
(down hill pedal power, BMX and motocross)
This year is a vital year for Daniel Wolfe as it will
be his last year as a junior in the downhill mountain biking events. He will be competing in Scotland Wales, England, Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria, Canada and New Zealand. He is a member of
the Irish team and will represent the country at the
European and World championships.
He is currently on a development team for Fox
Suspension systems. They are the leading shock
absorbers on the market. With his brother and
another Clonkeen student Paul Cummins (Paul is
also on the Irish team and the duo have any clashes
on the circuit but share a bond while in school that
is their addiction to what must be one of the most
exciting action sports around), they plan to set up a
jump in which they will be clearing vans on for
publicity. They don’t have dates yet for this stunt
but watch this space. It will be a shock for most
students to see just what can be done on a mountain bike.
Keeping it in the family his cousin Niall Wolfe,
also a Clonkeen student, is one of the top BMX
riders on the international circuit competing
mainly in the UK where he has built up quiet a
reputation for himself.
Motocross racing
with Stuart Edmonds
He has been doing well through the winter just
r e l a x i n g
a n d
d o i n g
a couple of races at weekends to keep fit. Now that
the new season has started he was in Birmingham
getting a fitness test, by a fitness instructor specializing in motocross training. He has made up a 6
week diet and fitness plan to be followed to increase his ability on the bike, as motocross is
known to be a very physically demanding sport
and to race at top level you needto be very fit.
The first round of the southern centre championship is in 2 weeks and things have been looking
good for him so far and he is confident of doing
well. There is also the 1st round of the Irish adult
motocross championship being held up north in 3
weeks time and he is looking forward to it. he will
be half way into his training program and hopes to
finish
in the top 3
positions.
This august he will be competing in a world championship round in a place called Desertmartin in
Co. Down witch, he entered last year but missed
out in qualifying by 0.05 of a second. This year he
is in better shape as he needs to be because he will
be racing for 40mins around a track that takes 2-3
minutes to complete 1 lap racing against top men
in the world. He has progressed in speed and still
has till August to get a lot faster so hopefully this
year will qualify.
If you would like to see how he gets on during the
year you can do so on his website
www.stuartedmondsracing.com. He will keep it
updated during the year.
Handball with Saran Green
Handball is not to be confused with Olympic
Handball, it is a completely different sport. There
are two sizes of courts in handball, the large court
60x30 and a smaller court 40x20. Saran started to
play in November 2004 on the 40x20 court and in
July 205 he won the Dublin U-15 championship. It
was only in September 2005 that he realized there
was an opportunity to play for his school,not realizing however that he would be moving up to the
60x40 court. After beating the other Dublin
schools in the competition, it was down to Garryhill in Co.Carlow for the leinster Colleges semi
final to play Kilkenny only to be beaten by the
eventual all-Ireland champion.
In December 2005 the 40x20 competition started
and in the first round saran beat the best of Oatlands college, only to lose to St. Aidans in the
second round. Revenge was sweet as in January of
this year he went on to win the Dublin U-16 championship for 2006 by beating the same player from
St. Aidans. Watch that space.
It is good to get news of students achievements
outside the main areas in which our reputation has
been built. They do have a life outside the school
and it is nice to acknowledge their successes, well
done all.
U14 Hurling
Playing at a higher grade than in previous years
our U14 hurling team did themselves and the
school proud. Though we lost to Drimnagh Castle,
Terrenure and a strong Blackrock College team,
Clonkeen College improved with every game and
showed real determination and character. Some of
our players were new to the game and improved
immensely and will certainly have a lot to offer in
the years to come. Of course our stalwarth lead
with passion. Among them were Adam Hudson at
centre back, Conor Hearns at wing forward, Craig
Cullen at midfield and Cillian Casey at full back.
Conor O’Brien in particular proved himself to be
an exceptional talent, tormenting defenders and
getting some brilliant scores. With just Firhouse
left to play, it is clear that this team has a lot to
offer in the year ahead. The panel: Colin Brock,
Niall Carvill, Craig Kelly, Neil Ryan, Jason
Mooney, Adam Hudson, Luke Hedderman, Darragh McGrath, Michael Curtin, Owen Keegan,
Ronan Sheridan, Conor Murray, Cillian Casey,
Barry McGovern, Dara Byrne, Adam Lynch, Craig
Cullen, Greg Clarke, Shane Errity, Conor Hearns,
Darradh Mooney, Dylan Johnston, Stephen Neary,
Conor Quinn, Gareth Murray, Conor O’Brien,
Alan Merriman, Kevin Walsh, Alex Keany, Philip
Nolan.
(Managers: F.Hayes, M. Ryan. C. Collins)
Communications
Clonkeen is entering a new era, technology has
finally caught up on us. “Texting” is now up and
running.
From time to time you may receive reminders of
events; staff meetings, parent teacher meetings etc.
There is no need to reply unless you are specifically requested to. Please contact the school office
if you are not sure if you are listed for the service
or if you have recently changed your mobile number.
The school web site.
Many of you will be aware of the many attempts to
keep the school website maintained and updated;
this has been a difficult task. Originally set up by a
dedicated and talented group of students it has
been difficult to maintain continuity as students
eventually get around to leaving us, and with them
we lose a lot of expertise.
The solution to our problems has been the return
of a past pupil to manage the site. Take a look, the
site is expanding rapidly and is under continuous
construction. There is space for the past pupils, the
parents council, student council, past pupil lists, a
photo gallery, the admissions policy, the school
prospectus, the school calendar e.t.c. there is even
a page for techies with links to useful sites, so go
and take a look around, you will be amazed.
Many thanks to Tom Cowap for all the effort has
has put into it.
Congratulations
The results of the student Investment Challenge
has just been announced and yet again Clonkeen
College students are on the winner’s podium.
David Fitzgerald, a student in Br Kelly’s Economics class has taken second place in the individual
section. He achieved a remarkable 62% return on
his investments over a 6 month period.
Clonkeen college has done well in this competition
over the years. Previously a team from the school
took first place while on another occasion silver
medal went to an individual student from the
school. Well done and many thanks to the staff
who generate such enthusiasm for the subject.