date  18th August 2011 – Statement from the Department of Education and Skills

No decisions whatsoever have been taken in relation to changing the school going age of children or abolishing the transition year. Today’s article in the Irish Independent is based on historic documents that were obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.  They relate to options put forward by the Department of Education as part of the Estimates process under the previous Fianna Fail/Green government.

The article is not based on current proposals by the Department of Education and Skills as part of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review.

Work on the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) is currently ongoing across all government departments, including the Department of Education and Skills. Under the CRE all areas of public expenditure are subject to scrutiny.

The CRE will be a critical building block in formulating Government’s budgetary policy for 2012 and beyond and the results of the Comprehensive Review process will be brought before Government for consideration and decision in the Budget and Estimates process later this year.

17th August, 2011
The Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn, T.D., has sent his congratulations to the country’s 57, 532 Leaving Certificate students who are receiving their examination results today.

“All of you should be rightly proud of your achievements.  Today is the culmination of many years of hard work and I hope that your dedication is reflected in the results that you receive today,” said Minister Quinn.

The overall number of students sitting the examinations this year is slightly down on last year.  Two thirds of those who took the exams sat the Established Leaving Cert Programme, with 28.5% opting for the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the remaining 5.5% taking the Leaving Cert Applied Programme.

Of the 57,532 students who sat the exams, 3,616 were external candidates and 2,947 students were repeat candidates.

The Minister also congratulated parents, teachers and the State Exams Commission on the publication of the results today.  He urged students and their families to carefully consider the options now open to them.

“There are a host of opportunities for our young people at university, Institutes of Technology, colleges, post leaving certificate courses and further education and training.  No one needs reminding that the economic conditions are difficult, so it is more important than ever that our school leavers equip themselves with the skills needed for the 21st century,” said Minister Quinn.

The Minister noted that the results in Maths and Science are broadly in line with previous years.  Project Maths is now in its second year as an examination subject for the 24 participating schools.

“The slightly higher number of students taking higher level Project Maths compared to traditional Maths is to be welcomed,” said Minister Quinn. “But I do acknowledge that we have some work to do in order to increase the numbers of our students taking higher level Maths in general.  I am hopeful that the continued roll-out of Project Maths and also the 25 bonus points which will be introduced for next year’s Leaving Cert students will improve these figures.”

The Minister welcomed a significant increase of 3.7% in the number of students taking Biology this year. He also welcomed the increased numbers of students who achieved honours in higher level Irish this year at 84%.

Minister Quinn added, “There are some young people today who will be disappointed with their results. I would appeal to these students and their families to seriously consider repeating their exams.  You are not a failure if you decide to give it a go again and it certainly is not a wasted year.  If this one year gives you the opportunity to attack the exams afresh and achieve the third level course you have your heart set on, then it is certainly worth it.”

Art Exhibition at South Abbey National School, Golf Links Road, Youghal on Thursday 16th June at 7 pm

South Abbey National School are celebrating their move to their new building at the Old CBS in Golf Links Road by putting on an Art Exhibition. The pictures have all been produced by the children at the school and parents, friends and anybody interested in seeing the brand new school are very welcome to come along at 7 pm on Thursday 16th June.
60 children and 7 staff made the move in March from their old building which, after 125 years, had become unsuitable as a place to teach children. They found in the former CBS building a brand new, spacious school which had been extensively refitted out by the owners, Fitzgerald Brothers, well known builders from Killeagh. The building now includes extra insulation, a modern heating system and more importantly plenty of room to expand.

South Abbey is under the patronage of the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. It has over the years developed under the leadership of the Principal, Sinead Solleveld, a very inclusive approach to educating young children. The school now has children of all religions and from all around the world.  Sinead is keen that parents are able to take this opportunity to see her school and confirms that her staff and children are really thrilled with the new building and the wonderful space and light they now have. To commemorate the move they have adopted a new motto for the school – “Is Feidir Linn!”

On Tuesday the 24th of May, the Pobalscoil na Tríonóide School credit union held their summer saving bonanza. Each saver on the day relieved a prize. This promotion was very successful and there was a great turnout. There was also a saver of the year prize which was awarded to Edward O’ Regan. Edward has been a consistent saver with the school credit union all year. This was the last day of the school credit union for the year 2010/2011, and for it’s team members Luke McCarthy, Sorcha Keniry, Becky Fitzgerald, Nicole Hehir and Kelly O’ Sullivan. The school credit union has been a success during the year, and it’s team members would like to thank each person who saved with them during the year.

 

PARK NATIONAL SCHOOL, Park, Youghal, Co. Cork

Tel: 02497282

Email: parkschool.ias@eircom.net

OPEN EVENING – Thursday 7th April At 7p.m.

Park is a 2-teacher school with low pupil teacher ratio, in Killeagh parish, just 4 miles from Youghal.

Now enrolling new pupils for September 2011, you are invited to attend an Open Evening to view the schools’ facilities, meet with pupils, teachers and parents.

‘Capella’, the senior chamber choir from The Wallace High School, Lisburn, Co. Antrim gave an outstanding performance at St Mary’s Collegiate Church on Wednesday (June 30th 2010). The repertoire included works by Vivaldi, Stanford, Weelkes, Britten and McGlynn. The choir has 30 members, and includes students from ages 14 to 18.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Capella has performed far and wide, from concert tours of Belgium, Paris (Notre Dame, La Madelaine) to the Czech Republic.  There were in Boston and New York last June, where they sang at Old North Church, Boston, MA, St Mary the Virgin, Times’ Square, NY, St John Devine Metropolitan Cathedral, NY and also Central station.

The choristers meet 5 mornings a week before school, one day after school and a couple of evenings per half term in order to deal with the extensive repertoire.

Capella is directed by Mr David Falconer, Head of Music and is accompanied by Mr Theo Saunders, Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.

All proceeds from the night went towards the church.

Chamber Choir “Capella” tonight Wednesday June 30th at St Mary’s Collegiate Church at 8pm

Tonight in our beautiful 13th century church of St Mary’s Collegiate we are delighted to welcome Capella, the senior chamber choir from The Wallace High School from Lisburn, Co. Antrim.  The choir has 30 members, and includes students from ages 14 to 18.

Capella has performed far and wide, from concert tours of Belgium, Paris (Notre Dame, La Madelaine) to the Czech Republic.  There were in Boston and New York last June, where they sang at Old North Church, Boston, MA, St Mary the Virgin, Times’ Square, NY, St John Devine Metropolitan Cathedral, NY and also Central station.

The choristers meet 5 mornings a week before school, one day after school and a couple of evenings per half term in order to deal with the extensive repertoire.

Tonight, Wednesday, June 30th the repertoire will include works by Vivaldi, Stanford, Weelkes, Britten and McGlynn.

Capella is directed by Mr David Falconer, Head of Music and is accompanied by Mr Theo Saunders, Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.

Tickets on the door at only €5 with all proceeds going to the church.

Don’t miss it !

–
Oona Colin
Facilities Coordinator
The Mall Arts Centre/St. Mary’s Collegiate Church
Tel: 083 360 6507

Ceiliuradh 25 Bliain to Gaelscoil Chorain who proudly marked the beginning of their 25th anniversary celebrations. Gaelscoil Choráin was established in 1983. It was the first primary gaelscoil to be formed in Cork County, apart from one or two modhscoil that were in existence since the 50′s.

The school name celebrates a local saint, St. Coran, who studied and resided in the Youghal area in 800 A.D. Great credit is due to those involved in setting up the gaelscoil, and those first parents who enrolled their children, taking a great leap of faith into the unknown. The original school building was in Church St. in the premises of the former Vocational School, which was the precursor to Coláiste Eoin. It was an appropriate site historically because within yards of the school was St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, which was an esteemed learning centre in the ninth century, where St. Coran and St. Declan are reputed to have studied. Gaelscoil Chorain were fortunate to have a solid base, albeit basic, and the rooms were warm and well insulated. In hindsight it was an Read more

Sister Bridie Walsh is a Presentation Sister, a native of Ballycotton, and a past Principal of Bun Scoil Mhuire. She taught for many years in Youghal and Fermoy.
To help Sister Bridie in her great work in Pakistan, an evening of music with Cadenza, Classical, Broadway and Contemporary Song will be held in Youghal at the Mall Arts Centre on Wednesday, August 20th next at 8.00pm sharp. Complimentary cheese and wine at the interval.
There are many people in the town of Youghal who will remember Sister Bridie, and your support for her wonderful work will be appreciated. Tickets are €20 each and are available at Crees Card Shop.
In 2005 Sister Bridie retired and went on a Sabbatical visit to Pakistan. So impressed with the Presentation Sisters there and the fantastic work which they do, Sr. Bridie decided to give her time and energy to educational development in that country. Sr. Bridie was assigned to the City of Jhelum in Punjab Province, where the Sisters run a Read more

By Oona Colin | Photo Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Students representatives from each class who participated in the Discovery Primary Science Project: Chloe Cinifeic, Holly Ni Thuama, Michelle Ni Chadhain and teacher Caitriona Ni Riada -Sitting: Sinead Ni Chuane, Kyle O’Laochdha, Aoife Ni Mhurchu and Benjamin Colin

Young Scientists from Gaelscoil Chorain, Youghal’s very own Irish school, has been awarded the Award of Excellence 2008 for their active participation and involvement in a range of age appropriate scientific investigations and experiments. Each class from 1st to 6th performed experiments in the classroom under the guidance of Read more