Happy World Teachers’ Day which will be celebrated on Sunday 5th October.
The Theme of World Teachers’ Day 2025 is “The transformation of education begins with teachers”.
Today’s pictures from Cara House clearly show that Cara House is a firm favourite with our 4th years.
Students came fully equipped and prepared with their reflective waterproof gear for braving the elements of Storm Amy.
Pictured here are our students chatting to all of the clients, washing dishes and serving tea and coffee with scones butter and jam.
Thanks to Ms. Aine Minihane, Ms. Orla O’Sullivan, Mr. Conor Uhl, Mr. Tom Foley and Ms. Gretta Burchill for organising.
As part of language and culture week, students re-enacted “La Tomatina” - a famous festival in Spain.
The School will be closed to Students next Monday, October 6th to facilitate Department of Education Oide Staff Training in the New Senior Cycle.
The green schools committee celebrate their Biodiversity flag and Dylan's 18th birthday,
Dylan is a long-term member of the green schools committee.
Happy birthday Dylan and congratulations to the green schools committee!
Dear Parents/Guardians of TY Students,
On Wednesday 8th October, your daughter/son will be presented with their Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA).
During your daughter/son’s journey through Junior Cycle, you will be aware of their achievements in their Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs), and Other Areas of Learning (OALs). They will also be receiving their Junior Cycle state examination results. The JCPA will contain a record of each of these areas of achievement.
We are delighted to invite you to a school celebration of this wonderful achievement commencing at 12.40pm. We kindly request that you take your seats by 12.30pm. Light refreshments will be served after the presentation. We anticipate the event will take approximately an hour or so.
We are very much looking forward to this special occasion and to celebrate your daughter/son’s success with you. Thank you for your continued support.
Every good wish,
Patrick Hayes
Junior Cycle Co-Ordinator
Well done to our TY students who volunteered their time and energy to clean up the local graveyard beside the parish church.
Their hard work has made a real difference to the appearance of this important community space, and their respectful care for the area is a wonderful example of civic pride and teamwork.
We’re incredibly proud of their initiative and the positive impact they’ve made.
👏 Thank you, TYs! 👏
Pictured are our transition year students helping out in Cara House today.
The students spent time speaking to the clients, serving coffee and shopping.
We look forward to supporting Cara House for the year.
Thanks to Ms. Aine Minihane, Ms. Orla O’Sullivan, Mr. Conor Uhl and Ms. Gretta Burchill for organising.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
On Wednesday 8th October, your daughter/son will be presented with their Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA).
During your daughter/son’s journey through Junior Cycle, you will be aware of their achievements in their Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs), and Other Areas of Learning (OALs). They will also be receiving their Junior Cycle state examination results. The JCPA will contain a record of each of these areas of achievement.
We are delighted to invite you to a school celebration of this wonderful achievement commencing at 12.40pm. We kindly request that you take your seats by 12.30pm. Light refreshments will be served after the presentation. We anticipate the event will take approximately an hour or so.
We are very much looking forward to this special occasion and to celebrate your daughter/son’s success with you. Thank you for your continued support.
Every good wish,
Patrick Hayes
Junior Cycle Co-Ordinator
Pictures of our 2nd year students at West Cork Secret Adventure Centre today.
Excellent cell models created by our 1A first year science students.
Well done to all.
We are circulating for your information, a webinar the HSE are holding for parent and guardians on Vaping & Psychoactive Substances.
Webinar Title: Vaping Products & Psychoactive Substances: What You Should Know as a Parent
Date: Tuesday, 7th October
Time: 11:30am – 13:00pm
Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AFEddt9URiWlel1oOOs0pw#/registration
This free online event will focus on HHC, a new psychoactive substance chemically related to cannabis, which was recently controlled after being widely available in shops and online. The webinar is designed to support parents concerned about vaping and emerging drug trends among young people.
Key Topics Include:
Emerging drug trends and what parents need to know
The role of parents in guiding healthy decision-making
Risks associated with cannabis-related substances, including HHC
Prevention strategies and practical steps for families
Support services available locally
We believe this session will be of great value to families in your community.
More information on our work and past webinars can be found here: https://www.drugs.ie/parents/
Kind regards,
Drugs Policy, Refugee and Inclusion Health Unit
An Roinn Slainte
Department of Health
Well done to our golfers who represented Skibbereen Community School in the recent Munster Schools Golf competition in Mallow.
¡Hola! Bonjour! Dia duit! Привіт,
SCS will celebrate World Languages and Culture Week from 29th September until 3rd October.
The aim is to promote and celebrate different languages and cultures within our school community, to learn about new traditions and to practise a second language in a fun and meaningful way.
Culture can be viewed through various lenses: values and belief systems; languages; sport; music; art; food; dance; way of life; entertainment, traditions, folklore etc.
This year’s slogan is, “Languages open hearts and minds”.
We would like to invite the whole school community to get involved and speak as much of any language (other than English!) during the week.
Our TYs have been busy organising different activities throughout the week, particularly for our 1st year students.
A few of the week’s highlights are outlined below:
· Music and games: Breaktime playlists and requests in the canteen
· Film: Screening of MFL series and shorts
· Art - First year poster competition. Theme: ‘Languages open hearts and mind’s. A3, deadline for entry 02/10/25.
· 1st year Just Dance! with Flavie
· Sport: 1st year basketball and TY “Champions League” soccer tournaments
· Food – Tapas and Tacos, 6th Year churros, TY Cross-curricular ‘Feast’.
· Festival – a TY mini-Tomatina
· Language and linguistics – Debate in Spanish, ‘Change is good’, All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad puzzles
Everyone smiles in the same language.
MFL and EAL Departments
Over the past week, six of our 5th year students had the privilege of travelling to Lourdes on pilgrimage.
For six days, they gave their time and energy in service to assisted pilgrims, offering kindness, support, and companionship. They also played an active role in the many liturgies and processions, fully embracing the spiritual and communal life of Lourdes.
This unique experience was only made possible by the generosity of our school and parish community who helped fundraise to get them there.
It allowed them not only to deepen their own faith and understanding but also to witness firsthand the power of compassion, service, and empathy.
As a school, we are extremely proud of these students and the way they represented both themselves and our wider community. Their commitment, maturity, and willingness to serve others is an inspiration to us all, and we commend them for the wonderful contribution they made throughout the pilgrimage.
On SNA Appreciation Day , the School Community extends our deepest gratitude to all our SNA’s who go above and beyond every day in supporting students with special educational needs. Your work is vital, and you make a real difference.
You support students in many practical ways: with learning support, feeding, mobility, hygiene, administering medicine, orientation, and managing fragile health or sensory needs; you assist with equipment, with lifting or withdrawal from class when required and working with teachers, you facilitate the participation and safety of students in all parts of school life.
Your compassion, patience, and dedication do not go unnoticed. On this day, we honour your invaluable work, not just for the care you provide, but for the dignity, independence, and confidence you help our students build.
Thank you for being such an essential part of our school community! From all in SCS!
We were delighted to welcome Ms. Meaghan McCarthy back to Skibbereen Community School for an anti-bullying presentation to all 2nd years.
Our Principal Mr. Anton O’Mahony warmly welcomed her at the entrance with SPHE teachers Ms. Orla O’Sullivan and Ms. Norma Roberts. Ms. Meaghan McCarthy also met with our Anti Bullying Coordinator Mr. Peter Lynch, Year Head Ms. Karen Sheane and the 2nd year Deputy Principal Mr. Tom Foley.
It was a whole school effort to send out a clear message to everyone that bullying is absolutely unacceptable in Skibbereen Community School and as a school it will not be tolerated.
All students were informed about bullying and encouraged to be responsible for their actions. They were also reminded to do something today that their future self will thank them for and to be the person they want to be. They were told about the horrific consequences of bullying and what they can do if they are bullied. Importantly students were encouraged to stand up and report bullying.
We look forward to inviting Bully 4U back next year.
We are very proud as a school to have a strong reputation for being proactive and strong in our stance for a bully free zone.
Congratulations to Sam Kingston and Allie Tobin on winning awards for their super sporting achievements at the recent West Cork Sports Star Awards held on Monday evening in The Celtic Ross Hotel. The Celtic Ross Hotel were sponsors of the Sports Awards event, along with Cork 103 and The Southern Star.
Sam won his award for Athletics (Javelin) and Allie won hers for Gaelic Football.
Many of West Cork's finest young athletes received awards on the night for various disciplines and it was great to see so many of Sam and Allie's family members and friends, along with Ms. Ní Charthaigh, Mr. O'Donnabháin and Ms. Belton from SCS in attendance.
Congrats again from everyone in SCS and well done!
Our TY students kicked off the year with an unforgettable adventure in Killarney National Park.
Battling the elements with determination and good humour, they hiked from the iconic Ladies View, climbed Torc Mountain, descended past the roaring Torc Waterfall, and finished strong at the historic Muckross House.
Over 4.5 hours of hiking tested their endurance, but the group’s energy and spirit never wavered. Rain jackets were zipped, boots were muddied, and friendships were strengthened with every step.
This was more than just a hike—it was a celebration of resilience, teamwork, and the start of what promises to be a fantastic year of TY activities.
Here’s to many more adventures ahead!
