GOVERNMENT FREE SCHOOL BOOK SCHEME 2025/2056

Minister McEntee confirms that from September students will benefit from free school books:

This Free Book Scheme scheme means that:

  • schoolbooks/ebooks, workbooks and copybooks will be provided directly to all pupils by schools

  • there is no need parents or guardians to buy or rent these items

  • schoolbooks are the property of the school and must be returned at the end of the school year.

Tips for before, during and after a Leaving Cert or Junior Cycle State Exam

What to do the night before an exam 

  • Check the times of exams the next day - don’t assume or guess! 

  • Pack your bag and pencil case carefully; gather your pens, pencils, eraser, maths sets, calculator, coloured pencils, and markers. 

  • Don’t forget you can’t ask for these during the exam. 

  • Make sure to write in blue and black pens only: make sure you have these and spare pens packed. 

  • Go back over what your teachers told you with regards to layout of the paper and timing. When you go in the next day, you should know how many questions you must do on each paper and allow time for each one. 
     

What to do on the day of the exam 

  • Be organised: get up on time, give yourself plenty of time to eat breakfast, and get to school before 9am 

  • Wear your uniform, clothing should not be a distraction! 

  • Calm yourself before you begin - breathe! 

  • Focus: try to see the exam as a chance for you to prove what you know. 

  • Be smart: remember your exam paper has thousands of words on it which can give you clues, such as the right spellings to use for answers throughout the exam: use it to your advantage! 
     

What to do during the exam 

At the start of the exam: 

  • Read the questions with your pen in your hand and underline key things you must answer 

  • Present information well to maximise your grades - presentation is key. 
     

 

 

When answering questions: 

  • Read and check back over the question again to make sure you are answering exactly what is asked 

  • Remember to use diagrams in subjects where they are either required (such as on the Geography paper) or to add context to your answer 

  • Read back over your answers when you finish a section 

  • Stay the distance: each exam is timed for a reason, so don’t leave early. 

If you have spare time: 

  • Do an extra question; remember, all material must be corrected by the examiner 

  • Keep writing; you are permitted to extend and develop your answers by indicating on the paper what the extra information relates to (such as by writing “extra information for question 2”). 
     

 

If you are running out of time: 

  • Make a list of the remainder points you would include in an answer if you don’t have time to finish it in full 

  • List the points you would make if you are short an answer to a question: a few points are better than nothing. 

 

What to do after the exam:  

  • Stay on track. Try to not to discuss the exam paper with your fellow students: you are all different and comparing could lead to upset and could distract you from your next paper. 

  • Get something to eat and enjoy some fresh air. 

 

Photos from our School musical "Grease", March 2025

New Updated Mobile Phone Policy, March 24th 2025

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope this letter finds you well. At Skibbereen Community School we are committed to providing the best possible learning environment for our students. In this regard, we are updating our mobile phone policy to further support student focus, wellbeing, and academic success.

At the start of this school year the then Minister for Education, Ms. Norma Foley instructed schools to implement a ban on the use of mobile phones during the school day as part of a push to ensure that schools become mobile phone free learning environments in the interest of student wellbeing.

Our existing mobile phone policy already limits the use of mobile phones during the school day with phone usage only permitted for learning purposes under the supervision of teachers. Students in breach of this policy currently have their phones confiscated and returned to them at the end of the school day.

However, in recent months it is becoming more and more apparent that the use of mobile phones outside of this policy is increasing as are all the associated negative effects on student wellbeing. Indeed in a recent survey on bullying behaviours undertaken by the school very large numbers of students and parents state that phone usage is a contributory factor in relation to bullying behaviour and that the school should do more to limit their use during the school day.

For these reasons, the following changes to the school's mobile phone policy will come into effect from the 24th of March 2025.

•       Students should only bring a phone to school where it is absolutely necessary to contact parents after school.

•       Mobile phones will now be collected at the start of each class by teachers and returned at the end of the lesson.

•       Students who use their phone at any time during the school day outside of teacher­ directed use will have it confiscated.

•       A parent/guardian will now be required to collect the phone from the school office.

•       Failure to hand over a phone on request or the use of second or multiple phones will result in immediate sanction ranging from a red card and associated sanctions to suspension in accordance with the nature of the incident.

•      The school canteen will no longer accept payment by phone. Cash or card will be the only methods of payment accepted.


•       Students will continue to be able to contact home through the school office. Please refrain from texting or phoning your son/daughter during school hours. Urgent messages for students can be left at the school office.

We appreciate your support in reinforcing this policy at home and discussing the benefits of reduced phone use with your child.

These benefits include:

•       Reduced distraction from learning: A report from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) found that frequent mobile phone use and always on notifications negatively impacts student concentration and academic outcomes, often taking up to 20 minutes to refocus from a phone notification.

•       Reduced impact on mental health: The Ombudsman for Children's Office has raised concerns about phone use contributing to anxiety, peer pressure, and sleep deprivation among teenagers.

•       Improved social development: Limiting phone use encourages face-to-face interactions and cultivates conversation both of which are crucial for communication skills and emotional well-being.

•       Reduced access to harmful content such as violence, inappropriate sexual content and gambling.

•       Reduced risk of bullying and harassment.

Thank you for working with us to ensure that Skibbereen Community School continues to provide a focused and positive learning space for all students. If you have any questions,• please do not hesitate to contact us.

Regards,

Mr. Anton O Mahony,

Principal.

Senior A Boys and Senior A Ladies Football Championship Fixture Dates 24/25

SEPTEMBER

September 23rd Senior A Ladies V Mercy Mounthawk in Ballyvourney (Munster Championship)

OCTOBER

October 8th Senior A Ladies V ISK (Munster Championship)

October 11th Senior A Boys v Clonakilty Community College (Simcox Round 1)

October 14th Senior A Ladies V St.Brigids of Killarney (Munster Championship)

October 23rd Senior A Boys V St.Pat’s Castleisland (Munster Championship)

NOVEMBER

Nov 13th Senior A Boys V Mercy Mounthawk Tralee(Munster Championship)

Nov 27th Senior A Boys V Abbey CBS (Munster Championship)

Supervised Study for 6th and 3rd Years starts Sept 9th 2024

SCS is offering Supervised Study to Leaving and Junior Cert Students, every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4pm to 6pm. Block 1 starts on Monday, Sept 9th in Room F01. Light refreshments will be provided. The cost is €20 per block, refundable if the student has 75%attendance. Application Forms can be got from the main office.

Back to School August 2024

THE PROGRAMME FOR RE-OPENING IS AS FOLLOWS:

2024/2025 OPENING PROGRAMME

 

Tuesday 27th  August, 2024

1st Years only

9.00 a.m. – 12 noon

Wednesday 28th  August, 2024

1st & 4th  Years only

9.00 a.m. – 1.10 p.m.

Thursday  29th August, 2024

3rd & 6th  Years only

9.00 a.m. – 12 noon

Friday 30th August, 2024

All Students

9.00 a.m. – 3:50p.m.

PLEASE NOTE:  School Buses will run in accordance with these times.

 

2024/2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR

 

October 2024 mid-term break:

28th October to 1st  November, 2024. (inclusive)

 Christmas 2024 holidays:  

School closes on 20th  December 2024 and re-opens on 6th January, 2024

 February 2025 mid-term break:

17th February – 21st  February 2025. (inclusive)

 Easter 2025 holidays:                      

School closes on 14th April 2025 and re-opens on 28th April, 2025

 

Other Closures:                                 

  • 3rd February 2025 – St Brigid’s Day

  • 17th March 2025  - St. Patrick’s Day 

  • 5th May 2025 - May Bank Holiday

Staff Training Days                         

  • 23rd January 2025 – Cluster Day

  • 8th May 2025 - Whole School Planning

 

SCS to Host a Career Options Fair

Skibbereen Community School will host a Career Options Fair on Tuesday 12th March from 2.00-4.30pm. 

TY, 5th & 6th year students, parents/guardians are very welcome to attend.  

We would encourage all students to be proactive and become informed about their options after school - Further study at Third level, a Further Education course, an apprenticeship, a traineeship there is so much to consider.....

Come and speak to representatives of  Third level providers to get answers to your questions.

UCC, MTU,UL, SETU, SOLAS, Defence Forces, NMCI, West Cork Campus, Cork College of Commerce and more will be attending the event.   

Internet Safety Webinar for Parents, Wed Jan 31st at 7pm

Dear Parent/ Guardian,

You are invited to an Online Safety Webinar next Wednesday, Jan 31st at 7pm. The event is being hosted by the School’s Management Team and Parent’s Association. The  main speakers will be Ms. Jane McGarrigle from Webwise which is the State's Internet Awareness Centre to promote the safer use of the internet by younger people.

Webwise: Supporting Teens Online 

  • Identify the key opportunities and challenges facing children and young people online 

  • Explore and discuss key topics including online bullying, image-sharing, social media and time online  

  • Examine resources and supports for schools and parents/guardians 

Garda Liam Ryan from the West Cork Division will also be in attendance to give the Gardaí's perspective. 

 

Please join this meeting by using your own Teams App or use your child's School's Microsoft Teams Account to log on.

The link to join the meeting is:

 http://tinyurl.com/y39k5y4a