It has almost become a new year tradition that St. Colman's College students are chosen to be among the finalists of the BT Young Scientist Exhibition and 2012 was no exception. Following on the success of the last few years, sixth year students Jack Geary & Wayne Coleman took part this year as did TY students Luke Coffey, Eoin Walsh and Cian Buckley. Students and teachers travelled to the exhibition in Dublin including a coach load of second year supporters on the Thursday.

BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, RDS Arena, Dublin.

January 10 - 14, 2012. Full details here

The annual St. Colman's College Awards Night presentations took place on Thursday evening December 8th. These awards celebrated excellence in all faculties as well as recognising outstanding achievements. The theme for this year's awards was persistence and the importance of hard work. The guest speaker was Irish international rugby star Mike Ross , himself a past pupil and also a past recipient of a St. Colman's Award.

At a glittering ceremony in a packed College Hall, over sixty awards were presented to honour students, past and present as well as to others who have made outstanding achievements in the community or in their chosen field.

Full listing of award winners for 2011:

Academic Awards -Darragh Magner, Eoin Donnellan & Cormac Mulcahy;

Technology - Seán Linehan;

Construction -Conor Fenton;

Design & Communication Graphics -Francis John O’Flynn;

Credit Union Bursaries to Shane Walsh, Darragh O’Carroll & Matthew Condon;

Gaisce Awards to Adam Forde, Ronan O’Regan, Kieran Wilson, Conor O’Keefe, Cian Howard, Seán Connolly and Padraig de Roiste.

Transition Year Award - Seán Connolly;

Endeavour - Martin Purcell;

Physics - Owen O’Keefe;

Biology -Michael Spillane;

Chemistry - Darragh Magner;

Agricultural Science - Tom Murphy;

ASTI Science - Paul Mannix;

Business - Rory O’Connor;

Economics - Conor Kearney;

Accounting - Matthew Condon;

History - Darragh O’Carroll;

Geography - Ed Lonergan;

Applied Maths - Darragh Magner;

Maths Award & PJ Doherty Medal - Darragh Magner;

Art - Adam O’Keefe;

Gradam na Gaeilge - Eoghan O’Caoimh;

French (JC) - Cormac Mulcahy;

German (JC) - Peter O’Callaghan;

English - Darragh O’Carroll;

Public Speaking Award - John Mullins;

Poetry - Barry Pierce.

The 2011 Munster Secondary Schools Pitch & Putt title winners Daniel O’Regan, Ryan Sexton and Colin Scott won the Pitch & Putt award;

 Special Achievement in Sport - Colm Spillane.

Other Sports Awards were presented to Michael Spillane, Cian O’Leary, Anthony Spillane, Kevin O’Neill, Shane Moroney and Oisín Hickey.
Outstanding Achievements were recognised with Academic Awards presented to - Aidan O’Regan, Micheal Howard and Joseph Sheehan;

Culinary Arts - Patrick O’Grady;

Photography - Mark Condren;

Irish Music - Jimmy Morrison;

Horse Racing - Martin Lane;

GAA (Hurling) - Fermoy Minors and St. Catherine’s U21;

 Peil na mBan - Colette Hogan.

St. Colman’s Award for 2011 was presented to Dr. Tom Cavanagh while the Contribution to St. Colman’s Award went to Dr. Peter McCarthy

Retirement presentations were made to Marian Ryan and Ann O’Sullivan.

Past Pupil Award - Mike Ross (Guest of Honour)
 

The evening also featured musical interludes from students as well as refreshments

Photo Gallery from the evening can be viewed HERE

Last month 3 boys in our school were notified as being the “top scorers in our school” in their Junior Certificate Higher Level Mathematics Exam. As a result they have been invited to attend Mathematics Enrichment classes that are being offered in UCC and other universities around the country. These classes lead into the Olympiad training classes. The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is a prestigious annual team competition for mathematically talented second level students representing their countries. Ireland has participated in the competition since 1988, and Irish students have won 8 medals in eight of those competitions. The Mathematics enrichment classes will help students to get ready for this challenging contest. The Final Round will be held at the Mathematics Enrichment centres at the beginning of May 2012, where the best performers will be invited to represent Ireland at the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) in July 2012 in Argentina.

Best of luck to all involved/taking part from the Mathematics Department at St. Colman's College.

_____________

25th Irish Mathematical Olympiad – Round 1

These top mathematical students took part in Round 1 of the 25th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). The students with the highest scores on this first round will be invited to Mathematics Enrichment classes which will in turn lead into the Olympiad training classes.

_______________

High Achiever in Maths & Science in 2011 Junior Certificate Examination
Edwin Kent has been identified by the Irish EU Science Olympiad (IrEUSO) as a high achiever in Maths and Science in his Junior Certificate Exam. Subsequently he has been invited to participate in the National Olympiad on Saturday 28th January 2012 in DCU, where six students will be selected to represent Ireland at the European Union Science Olympiad (EUSO) in Vilnius, Lithuania in April 2012. Well done Edwin and best of luck from the Mathematics Department at St. Colman's College, Fermoy.

Science Week 2011 in St. Colman's

The teams

The winners

The full programme of events that took place during Science Week 2011

can be downloaded in pdf here  or flipbook here

Thursday, 17th November, 2011 all day.

St. Colman’s College Open Day and Information Evening took place on Thursday 17th November and was an opportunity for prospective students and their parents to introduce themselves to all that St. Colman's has to offer.

During the day, invited groups of primary school students visited the College and got the guided tour from Colman's students and also got a feel for the facilities.

Thursday, 17th November, 2011 at 7.00p.m.

 In the evening, parents and other interested visitors took an opportunity to view the facilities of the College, meet the teachers and gather what information they required. There was a very large crowd in attendance and they took in all departments again with the help of the Prefect and Student Council 'tour guides'. The Principal's address and special presentation in the Assembly Hall during the evening was attended by a capacity crowd.
 

Information available included:
First Year Entry.
First Year Subjects and Activities.
Learning Support.
Special Tuition.
Career Choices.
Computer Studies.
Technology and Construction Studies.
Supervised Study.
Sport.
Extra Curricular Activities.
Transition Year Programme.

With the assistance of the school prefects and members of the student council, visitors got to see the following centres:

College Chapel, Art Rooms, Physics Laboratory, Croke Library, Canteen, Computer Rooms, Seismograph, Technology and Construction Studies Building, Biology Laboratory, Assembly Hall.

There is a gallery of photographs of the evening here.

St. Colman's Team wins debating competition

St. Colman's student has blog article published by National Library of Ireland

Transition year student, Barry Pierce wrote a piece for the Poetry Aloud 2010 competition which was selected to be published on the National Library of Ireland website in October 2011.

Barry, who describes himself as  a video-blogger,  was a semi-finalist in the Poetry Aloud competition for 2010 and relates his memories and experiences of the event and judging. A well written and incisive piece, the full blog can be read here: http://www.nli.ie:80/blog/index.php/2011/10/14/poetry-aloud/
 Well done Barry!

Renowned Educationalist visits St. Colman’s

The Parents’ Association arranged for the renowned educationalist, Joseph Driessen to present a seminar in St. Colman’s College, Fermoy on the subject of ‘Managing Challenging Behaviour & Motivating Teenagers’ on Wednesday evening October 12th, 2011.

The Croke Library was the venue for this very enlightening and in-depth workshop by one of New Zealand’s leading specialists in boys’ education.  The seminar was very well attended and got a very positive response by parents. Joseph Driessen is recognised internationally as a leading thinker in this area and is a frequent speaker at national and international teacher conferences. In 2008 he presented a seminar in the St. Colman's titled ‘7 Ways to Improve Boys’ Education’.

“We are delighted that the Parents’ Association are organising this visit of Joseph. His talks are thought provoking but also practical and empowering, “said Dermot Coakley, Principal. ‘As teachers and carers of boys we are keen to look at the issue of boys’ achievements and to benefit from the insights of people such as Joseph who have done so much work in this field”

Paul Mullins, Chairperson of the Parents’ Association said, “The Parents’ Association is happy to organise this seminar. We are committed to supporting the School and Parents in whatever way we can. We are particularly pleased to have a speaker of the calibre of Joseph Driessen visit us and share his expertise with us”

For further information on Joseph Driessen’s research and expertise click this link http://www.educationanswers.com/html/index.htm

Joseph also wishes to make the slides of his presentation available to any interested parent. These can be obtained by telephoning the school or by emailing news@stcolmanscollege.com

Class visits to Fermoy Library

Photos & report by Elaine Cronin

Just a week previously, on Wednesday 5th October 2011, First year pupils visited the Library  to hear renowned author Sarah Rees Brennan speak about her books.  They were delighted that Sarah entertained them with colourful stories of her life as a writer as well as supplying them with sweets. The boys have tucked into the first book of her trilogy "The Demon's Lexicon" with relish!!

Seismometer for St. Colman's

St. Colman's College receives a seismometer and becomes part of the Seismographs in Schools network which monitors and tracks earthquakes and seismic movement. The College is very grateful to Prof. Gerry Wrixon of UCC who so generously sponsored the equipment.

Pictured at the handover of the equipment were Prof. Gerry Wrixon UCC, Dermot Coakley Principal SCC, Tom Blake, Irish National Seismic Network, Jimmy Condon, Garvan Queeney, Claire McCarthy and Patrick Donnelly, Geography teachers SCC as well as participating students.

Tenth Anniversary of European Day of Languages

At the initiative of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, the European Day of Languages has been celebrated every year since 2001 on 26 September.

Throughout Europe, 800 million Europeans represented in the Council of Europe's 47 member states are encouraged to learn more languages, at any age, in and out of school. Being convinced that linguistic diversity is a tool for achieving greater intercultural understanding and a key element in the rich cultural heritage of our continent, the Council of Europe promotes plurilingualism in the whole of Europe.

St. Colman's College annual First Year hike this year saw our intrepid and hardy groups of hikers tackle the Ballyhouras. Mixed terrain and weather conditions greeted the groups who nonetheless enjoyed the trip immensely ( even those who looked a little different by the end of it!).

 A full photo gallery of the 2011 Hike can be seen by clicking HERE

or download a souvenir POSTER of the day HERE

Everyone at St. Colman's College extends their best wishes to Mike Ross and say very well done for a great performance and achievement in the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Mike, a native of Ballyhooly, Co Cork, is a past pupil of St. Colman's and has had a very successful sporting career beginning with Cork Constitution, Munster and also at the highest level in England playing in the Guinness Premiership for Harlequins.

The changing face of St. Colman's

A 'new look' St. Colman's College has greeted returning students, teachers and visitors this year. During the summer holidays, the College classroom block has benefited from all new double glazed windows, new access doors, a complete new insulation skin and a complete re-rendering in fresh new colours.

The works were carried out thanks to the receipt of Summer Works Scheme funding by the Dept. of Education and Skills and the successful tender was awarded to Cork based contractor Insulex Ltd.

The works should see a huge improvement in the insulative qualities of the classrooms resulting in a much warmer and quieter learning environment. The school heating system should also run much more efficiently and economically.

The new colour scheme of the classroom block is aesthetically very pleasing and compliments the architectural features of the old College building.

School book lists for year 2011 - 2012 are available for download (pdf format)

First Year Book List here

Second Year Book List here

Pre-Leaving Booklist here

St. Colman's Transition Year Programme 2010/11 culminated in the usual Transition Year Presentations held in the College Hall on Thursday May 26. Distinctions and merits were awarded to the students who completed the course and the night was a showcase for the achievements of the year. Mayor of Fermoy and past pupil of St. Colman's, Cllr. Pa O'Driscoll was guest of honour and made the presentations while Ms Gertie Murphy of the AIB gave the Junior Achievement presentation. Well done to all.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Aidan O'Regan, Joseph Sheehan and Micheal Howard, St. Colman's scholarship winners for 2010/2011.  Aidan won the Trinity College Scholarship, Joseph won the UCC scholarship and the U.L. Scholarship went to Micheal. Very well done all.

International Olympiad
Congratulations to Shane Walsh (LC) for winning a Silver medal in computer science at the 2011 Irish Science Olympiad. Shane will now represent Ireland in the International “Olympiad Of Informatics” in Thailand over the summer

Road Safety Week 2011 in St. Colman's College was the main event the week before Easter break. The theme of the week was the "Has it clicked with you yet?" seat belt awareness campaign. Following a recent student survey it emerged that some 56% of students who use school buses don't wear or are never asked to wear seat belts. With this in mind, a letter has gone out from the school to all bus drivers/ operators asking for their assistance in the matter.

Events in Road Safety Week include

• Seat belt awareness campaign

• Student Art Competition to reflect the theme "Drive Slow or Die Fast"

• Garda Road Safety Roadshow given by Garda Catherine Canty to Senior students

• Road safety presentation to Junior students given by TYO Class 711 on safe road use including walking, cycling, crossing the street etc.

St. Colman's 3rd Annual Film Festival was held during lunchtimes Monday to Friday from April 11 - 15, 2011.

The festival featured an eclectic mix of films with something for everyone.

St. Colman's Annual talent Show took place in the school on Friday afternoon, April 8th. As usual there was a high standard of finalists with varied acts including Rap, Dance, Singers,  Musicians, Drama etc. 

Report by Anthony Spillane ( Inkwell Newsletter)

On Friday 8th April 2011 the students of St. Colman’s College had the chance to show off their wide variety of talents in the annual unique show Colman’s Got Talent. From singing to poetry, dancing to rapping we had it all in two hours of fun-filled entertainment.

The presenters were no strangers to the stage with two of last year’s contestants Steven Forde and Rory O’ Connor taking over the microphones this year. This year was a resounding success for everyone in the school, teachers and students alike, had a fantastic time and were highly entertained.

Congratulations to the fifth year band who won the coveted first prize with their spine tingling rendition of 36 songs in one rock song. Well done also to Cian O’ Leary who won second prize for his wonderful arrangement of “Fire Work” by Katie Perry and well done to first year James Comerford who earned third prize for his harmonica and guitar rendition of “Good Riddance”.

The show is run by the student council, prefects, Mr. Leahy and Ms. Gumbleton who are chief organisers.
 

Bee for Battens Fundraiser

St. Colman's College & Loreto Convent Fermoy raised €2,135 on Friday 1st April for the Saoirse Foundation. Well done to all involved!!!

Tony Heffernan founder of the Foundation said "He was delighted to have had the oppourtunity to meet the staff and the pupils of St Colmans & Loreto College Fermoy, who held a non uniform day and coffee morning in aid of Bee For Battens, thanks to Claire for organising the day and for everyone who helped out!"

David Coleman in Fermoy

Clinical psychologist and presenter of RTE’s critically acclaimed series ‘Families in Trouble’, David Coleman  presented a special talk about teenagers at the Cork Marts premises in Corrin, Fermoy on Thursday, March 31 at 8pm.

 The parents' associations of Loreto Secondary School, St.Colman’s College and Colaiste an Chraoibhin came together in a joint venture to organise the talk and the event was sponsored by Mellerick’s Pharmacy Fermoy.

 All funds raised was distributed equally amongst the three schools.

Coleman gives lectures and workshops to groups all around the country on topics ranging from parenting to communication. Speaking in person to thousands over the last year, David enjoys the engagement with a live audience and his entertaining style is always acknowledged. He is also a bestselling author of Parenting is Child’s Play, a guide to raising young children.

His latest book published in January 2010, is a guide for parents of teenagers called Parenting is Childs play -The Teenage Years.

David gave a 60 minute talk at the Fermoy event followed by further 30 minutes of questions and answers.

Seachtain na Geilige 2011

Clár na nImeachtaí

An chéad bhliain - Tráth na gCeist
                            - Comórtas Ealaíne

An dara bliain - Seisiún Ceoil & Comórtas Talainne

An triú & an seú bliain - Cic Fada, Poc Fada agus Thar an Trasnán !

An idirbhliain - Céilí

An cuigiu bliain - Tóraíocht Taisce

AGUS:

Beidh Maidhe Dainín Ó Sé ag teacht ar chuairt ar an 14ú Márta.

Beidh dhá fhoireann ón scoil seo ag glacadh pairt i dtráth na gceist san Óstán in mBaile an Róistigh, Corcaigh ar an 22ú Márta.

Subject Choice Information Night at St. Colman's

A Subject Choice Information Night took place on Thursday March 10, 2010

in the College Library for parents of First Years and also for parents of Transition Year students and third year students who intend going straight to 5th year.

Owen O'Keefe wins Young Person of the Year Award 2010

St. Colman's Students

Take A Voyage of Discovery

St. Colman's students Gavin O Brien, PJ O Donoghue, Eolann Sheehan and David O’Sullivan, picked up an award at the prestigious Discover Cork schools history project for 2010. Under the guidance of history teacher Jimmy Condon the boys managed to scoop second place in the leaving certificate category, despite stiff competition from schools from all corners of Co. Cork.

The project was titled, “Archbishop Croke and St. Colmans.”  In it the boys focused on the life of Archbishop Thomas William Croke during his time as president of St. Colman’s College (1858-1866). The project took five months to complete & the research took the students on a journey through the College’s archives as well as the National Library of Ireland's photographic collection. Interviews were conducted with past and present college staff, and also the present Archbishop of Cashel and Emly – Dr. Dermot Clifford.

 Meeting Dr. Clifford proved to be a particularly enlightening experience as he made available to the students many artefacts from Arcdhbishop Croke’s life, including his ring, chair, and a book of addresses given to him by the people of Clonmel in the 1890’s.

Aptly enough, the finished project has been put on display in the College Croke Llibrary and it consists of
movie detailing Archbishop Croke’s time in St. Colman’s; a research document on his life;
a picture slide show outlining the differences between 1858 and the present in St Colman’s and the town of Fermoy; and a personal response DVD, to the making of the project by the students.

Overall the journey was a rewarding one for the boys. Not only did they achieve success in the competition but they also discovered a little of the rich history and heritage of their school.

Discover Cork Schools' History Award winners  2010 pictured with their teacher Mr. Condon.