News

Our students accompanied by Ms. Prendergast, Mr. O’ Dowd and Ms. Wildy visited the Italian Lakes for four days last week. This trip was a well deserved break for hard work, great success and plenty of  fund raising during the previous Transition Year.

Departing the school at 2.00 am for early check in at Dublin airport, was a signal of the long days and hectic schedule to follow!

After landing at Milan, the group firstly visited the beautiful and historic port town of Sirmione. Following an afternoon of rambling through the narrow cobbled streets and eating delicious ice cream, it was time to depart for Garda on the tourist ferry. Jam packed, it  sailed via a number of picturesque port villages, to finally arrive over one hour later, leaving just a short while to explore before coach pick up for the hotel.

Giuseppe the bus driver, was a big hit with the students, as he kept the entertainment going with plenty of specially chosen music playlists!

The sights and views to, at and from the hotel were spectacular. The weather was pretty fantastic too for the duration of the trip. Excursions to Venice, Gardaland and Verona followed, until final departure on the fourth night. The bus back to school arrived at 3.00 am.

Our thanks and appreciation go to all students who were extremely well behaved throughout. This helped to make the trip so enjoyable and memorable. Also to NST travel group for looking after every detail, to such a high standard. In addition, James Feely (Parent of a student), who transported us to and from  Dublin airport, equally  deserves a big ‘thank you’ , for travelling so early in the morning to get us safely to our destinations. Finally, our appreciation goes to the school principal, parents and staff for support and help in  organising such a worthwhile and successful trip. And if anyone reading this article is thinking about travelling to this part of Italy – GO… you will not be disappointed!

Our Junk Kouture team – HEADSPACE from Elphin Community College: Grace Kielty, Rachel Muldowney and Alan Costello were ‘over the moon’ when they were recently invited to launch the new national competition for 2019, at the Grand Canal, Dublin. As winner of best hair and makeup at last year’s Grand Final in the 3 Arena, they once again ramped up the style along with celebrities Louis Walsh and Doireann Garrihy.

Despite the rain, there was a great buzz of excitement in the air and plenty of attention garnered, when along with fellow winners, they literally brought traffic to a standstill!

The students were also joined by Luke Mc Evoy, a past pupil from Elphin Community College, who won the overall Junk Kouture competition in 2015. He also won The Scholarship Prize to study in Limerick School of Art and Design, where he is now a second year student. Luke has furthermore been

announced, as a Regional Judge for Junk Kouture in the Southern Region at UL Concert Hall in next year’s competition. Many congratulations to him.

Additionally, the students also received their prize of a €400 voucher, which is so richly deserved. Everyone in the school is immensely proud of both our JK teams and would like to also acknowledge the support of teams’ parents, who have been extremely generous with their time, to help make the experience so memorable. We would also like to thank Vanessa Kielty, a very talented young lady in her own right, who was immensely helpful to the team.

Elphin has been nominated in the Bank of Ireland’s National EnterprisingTown Awards which aims to assist in the promotion of enterprise across the country by bringing business and community groups together to showcase to a panel of judges, the spirit of enterprise in their local area.

Judging took place on Thursday last in the Community Hall and there was a huge turnout of local businesses all showcasing their enterprises. Included in the presentation was a stand from Elphin Community College where Pre leaving certificate students showcased some of the various extra curricular work that the school has taken part in recently.

Susie Spratt the Youth and Education officer from ECO-UNESCO delivered workshops to 2nd year and Transition Year students in Elphin Community College. The students learned about sustainable development. They discussed issues such as global warming, climate change, inequality and interdependence. They learnt about how climate change affects developing countries disproportionately. They really enjoyed the interactive workshop and hope to enter the Young Environmentalist Awards.

A big thank you to Susie & Megan from #ecounesco who visited the school recently to encourage students to get involved with the Young Environmentalist Awards Programme.

School opening:

The school will open for 1^st Years only on Tuesday 28^th August 2018 at 9.00am for a half-day. Classes will end at 1.15pm. Students will meet their teachers and will be given their timetable.

Term Dates:

School Reopens:                                         Monday 27^th August. STAFF ONLY

Tuesday 28^th August:                                              1^st Years 9.00-1.15. Staff Meetings 2.00-4.00

Wednesday 29^th August (Full School day):       1^st Years, 3^rd Years and Leaving Cert Students

Thursday 30^th August (Full School day):             1^st Years, 2^nd Years, 3^rd Years, Pre-Leaving and   Leaving Cert Students

Friday 31^st August (Normal Friday 9.00-1.15): All students except TY’s

Monday 3^rd September:                              TY Commence. School as normal for ALL STUDENTS

Tuesday 11^th September:                           TY Parents Induction (7pm)

Tuesday 18^th September:                           1^st Year Parents Induction (7pm)

Week of 22^nd October:                                 Assessments for all Students

9^th  October – 2^nd November Inclusive School Closed for Midterm Break

School Open Night:             22^nd November

1^st year Enrolment opens on 22^nd November (Open Night) 1^st Year Enrolments capped at 40 Students for Sept. 2019

29^th November:        Parent-Teacher Meeting: Junior Cert and Leaving Cert Students

6^th December:         Parent-Teacher Meeting: Pre Leaving Cert and 2^nd Year Students

Junior Cycle English Classroom-Based Assessment 2:

The Collection of the Student’s Texts – Friday 30th November 2018 Window for completion of the Assessment Task Monday 3rd – Friday 7th December 2018

Latest date for completion of Subject Learning and Assessment Review and for award of final descriptors by the teacher Monday 17th December 2018.

Junior Cycle Business Studies Classroom-Based Assessment 2:

Monday 12th November to Friday 7th December 2018

Assessment Task Monday 10th – Friday 14th December 2018

Latest date for completion of Subject Learning and Assessment Review Friday 21^st December.

24^th December- 4^th January Inclusive School Closed for Christmas Holidays

Junior Cycle Science Classroom-Based Assessment 2:

Science in Society: Friday 7th December 2018 to Friday 25th January

Assessment Task Monday 28th January – Friday 1st February 2019

Latest date for completion of Subject Learning and Assessment Review Monday 11th February 2019

JC Visual Art Classroom Based Assessment (CBA) 1: From Process to Realisation Monday 7^th January- Friday 12^th April

Subject Learning and Assessment Review (SLAR) must be completed by 10^th May.

7^th January                                                  JCT Staff Day. Students are not in school

10^th January:                                                    Parent-Teacher Meeting: TY and 1^st Year Students

Week of the 4^th February:                           Assessments for Pre-Leaving Students

11^th– 15^th February:                                                Pre-Leaving Work Experience

Week of 11^th February:                               Assessments for 1^st, 2^nd and TY Students

4^th– 15^th February:                                      Mock Exams for Junior and Leaving Cert Students

18^th– 22^nd February Inclusive School Closed for Mid-term break

JC Business Studies Classroom Based Assessment (CBA) 1:

Business in Action Monday 4^th March – Friday 12^th April

Subject Learning and Assessment Review (SLAR) must be completed by 10^th May

JC Science Classroom Based Assessment (CBA) 1:

Extended Experimental Investigation Monday 4^th March – Friday 12^th April

Subject Learning and Assessment Review (SLAR) must be completed by 10^th May.

Monday 18^th March:                        Bank Holiday

Thursday 21^st March:                      Parent-Teacher Meeting: Junior Cert and Leaving Cert Students

Tuesday 2^nd April:                            In-Coming 1^st Year Induction-Group 1 (9.45-3.30)

Tuesday 9^th April:                             In-Coming 1^st Year Induction-Group 2 (9.45-3.30)

15^th– 26^th April Inclusive School closed for the Easter Holidays

Period for work on JC English Classroom Based Assessment (CBA) 1:

Oral Communication Monday 29^th April-Monday 20^th May.

Subject Learning and Assessment Review (SLAR) must be completed by 27^th May.

Period for work on JC Modern Foreign Languages Classroom Based Assessment (CBA) 1:

Oral Communication Monday 29^th April – Friday 17th May.

Subject Learning and Assessment Review (SLAR) must be completed by 24^th May.

Monday 6^th May:                  Bank Holiday

Monday 20^th May:                TY Graduation

Thursday 23^rd May:              Leaving Cert Graduation

School will close on Friday 31st May for Summer Holidays 2019

Please Note:

Where changes are required as part of contingency arrangements to make up for time lost due to unforeseen school closures.

• The school authority may reduce the length of the February mid-term break by remaining open up to and including Wednesday 20th February 2019.

• The school authority may reduce the length of the Easter breakby remaining open up to and including Wednesday 17th April 2019.  All schools will re-open on Monday 29^th April 2019

• CBA 1 relates only to 2^nd Year Students

• CBA 2 and Assessment Task relates only to 3^rd Year students

On Monday the 15^th of May 1^st 2^nd and Pre-leaving students took a History trip to Dublin as part of well-being week. All the students took part in a Viking splash tour around various historical sites in  Dublin, afterwards the students had a guided tour of  Castletown house in Celbridge. We would like to thank the teachers that accompanied us on the day.

Curlew Mountain Forge were among few a very select crafts people chosen to attend the 2018 Uisneach Bealtaine Festival. Jake Kennedy and Jack Murphy brought their own forge and performed live demonstrations of both blacksmithing and coppersmithing.

TY students from Elphin Community College held their 1^st year SpikeBall Blitz on Tuesday, the 15^th of May 2018 as part of the TY Spike ball coaching course which is run by Volleyball Ireland. The TY students have been coaching the 1^st years for the past six weeks. This day was an oppurtunity to show how much all students had improved over the last few weeks.

The blitz started at 10 am with the first four teams taking to the courts. There were 19 10-minute games in total. By 11 am, it was clear to see that everyone was enjoying themselves. Tension was also rising with each team hoping to make it to the Final. The two semi Final matches were held at 12 o’clock. Teams A, C, E and F had reached the semi Final. Team F had won their match with 15 points to 13 against team A, where team C won their game with 17 points to 14 against Team E. The atmosphere during the final match against teams C and F was tense, but very enjoyable.  These two teams had played each other earlier in the day, with a two point difference in the final score, which guaranteed that the final match was going to be a tight game. Team C won the final with 17 points to 16.

A huge well done to all students who participated on the day. Jessie Carmody from Volleyball Ireland was present at the blitz. She commented on how successful the day had gone and how well the 1^st year and TY students had progressed. She also thanked Mr Noone for running the course. The TY students would also like to thank Glancy’s for donating the refreshements at the end of the day, which helped reward everyone for their participation.

Prizes were also presented by TY students to the players who they felt were the best team player, most improved and most co-operative.

TY Spike ball students that were involved were as follows

Mark Barron, Emily Keane, Ellen Tiernan, Paul Molloy, Lucy Fallon, Kelly Ames, Morgan Kearns, Alanagh Loftus, Jack Murphy, Kieran Beirne, Daniel Toop, Amina Traboue and Shauna Traynor

Elphin Community College lost out to Drumshanbo Vocational school in the semifinal of this years

volleyball, junior boys cup competition held in the University of Limerick last Thursday. Having been beaten by the Leitrim outfit in a previous round Elphin knew they would find it a difficult task to overcome them.

To their credit this was a close match with the outcome in doubt all the way through the contest. The match opened with both teams trading scores. It was obvious early on that Elphin were much more resilient that in previous rounds. When Drumshabo opened up a 5 point lead Elphin responded immediately with a run of fantastic serves from Dedan Main. With  Sam Rodden blocking at the net and the team covering well around the court Elphin kept the scores tight at 15-15, and 17-19. However at 18-20 a run of serves from Drumshanbo without response ended their fight in the first set.

The team came out for the second set in a determined frame of mind. They knew that they had let the first set slip. But with a run of poor serves they allowed Drumshanbo to open up an early lead at 7-4. Despite this they were playing well with Andrew Shanahan and Alan Gormley in particular covering large areas of the court. When D. Main brought the sides level again at 9-9 the game opened up with several great rallies. The sides traded scores with Colin Burke and Henry Dowd setting perfectly for Sam Rodden to try and open up Drumshanbo.. Drumshanbo then went two points up at 19-17 but Elphin responded again to take the game to 20-19 in their favour. The turning point was at 21-21 when after a rally that had nearly forty touches, Drumshanbo forced Elphin into an error. A time out was called to settle the nerves after a classic rally. Elphin through Sam Rodden again responded to leave the sides 22-23 but Drumshanbo just had the edge in a gripping match and closed out the set and match 25-22.

The Leitrim outfit went on to win the final, leaving the Roscommon school with thoughts of how close they came. Their is plenty of hope for the future however and with further improvements on their performance anything is possible.

Team as follows:

Colin Burke, Henry Dowd, Sam Rodden, Alan Gormley, Andrew Shanahan, Declan Main, Evan Gunn.