Dear Parent/Guardian,
It is with deep sadness that I inform you that the school has experienced the sudden death of Craig Rodrigues, one of our 3rd year students. Craig sadly passed away yesterday evening in the care of the hospital medical staff in CUH having fallen ill in school. We are deeply saddened by his passing, and our thoughts are with the Rodrigues family at this time.
We have support structures in place to help your child cope with this tragedy. These include full access to our student support team consisting of Guidance Counsellors, Chaplain, Year Heads, Learning Support staff, teachers, SNA’s and Management. NEPS (National Educational Psychological Service) are present in the school and are guiding the team with their work.
It is possible that your child may have some feelings and questions she/he may like to discuss with you. It is important to give factual information that is age appropriate.
You can help your child by taking time to listen and by encouraging him/her to express feelings. All children are different and will express their feelings in different ways. It is not uncommon for children to have difficulties concentrating or be fearful, anxious, or irritable. They may become withdrawn, cry, complain of physical aches and pains, have difficulty sleeping or have nightmares. Some may not want to eat. These are generally short-term reactions. Over the course of the coming days, please keep an eye on your child and allow him/her to express their feelings without criticism.
Please also click on the buttons below for two information leaflets on how best to support your son/daughter at this time.
Although classes will continue as usual, I anticipate that the next few days will be difficult for everyone.
Most of all we need to respect the privacy of the Rodrigues family at this time. Young people frequently turn to social media to see what others are saying, or to find out more. At these times it is important that you monitor their use and engage with them about what they read. We urge you to emphasise and reinforce the need to be extremely sensitive and careful about what they post. If you would like further advice please contact the school office who will endeavour to direct you to an appropriate staff member. Please be patient with us at this very difficult and sad time for our school community.
Anton O Mahony Principal,
Skibbereen Community School
HOW TO COPE WHEN SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS
WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME
The School’s Farming Club is hoping to run a Charity Tractor Run on Sunday December 5th at 12noon from the school. All proceeds are in aid of Crumlin Children’s Hospital’s Cancer Unit.
The cost of entry is 20 euro and all monies and evidence of licence and insurance certification must be presented to the event organizers before the date.
Due to covid restrictions, only students and their parents/guardians can participate and unfortunately refreshments cannot be served in the school.
We would ask those who are participating to decorate their tractors with Christmas decorations etc.
The event is fully insured but each driver must have their own licence and insurance. The Gardai , Civil Defence and Road Marshalls will provide safety support on the day. It should take one to two hours approx. Please support this worthy cause if you can.
Well done to our Junior Ladies Football Team and their coaches, Ms. Ella Ryan and Ms. Anna Ward on beating Sacred Heart Clonakilty in the first round of the Munster Championship.
Best of luck to:
Monday
Our Junior Ladies Football Team and their coaches Ms. Ella Ryan and Ms. Anna Ward who play Sacred Heart Clonakilty in their opening Munster Championship First Round Match.
Our U14 Boys Football team and their coach Mr. Moore who play Egans Macroom in a challenge match.
Tuesday
Our Senior Girls Soccer Team who play Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai in the Munster Schools League.
Our Junior and Senior Girls Basketball Teams and their coach Ms. Maria Wilson who also play Bantry.
Wednesday
Our Senior Boys Football Team and their coach Mr. David Whelton who play Colaiste Choilm Ballincollig in the second round of the Corn Ni Mhuiri (Munster Colleges) in Rossa Park at 1.30pm.
Thursday
Our Senior Ladies Football Team who play their opening Munster Football Championship opening round match agianst Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai at home at 11.30am.
Our Senior Boys Basketball Team and their coach Ms. Marie O Mahony who play Mount St. Michael in their opening League match at home.
Friday
Our Senior Boys Basketball Team and their coach, Ms. Marie O Mahony who play Colaiste Pobail bheanntrai away in the league.
Our Senior and Junior Girls Basketball Team and their coach Ms. Maria Wilson who play Carrigaline at home in the league.
Our U16 Boys Football Team and their coach Mr. Eoghan Daly who play Bantry away.
There is a Book of Remembrance in the sacred space outside the chaplain's office for the month of November.
Please feel free to add the names of those ones you wish to be prayed for and remembered.
Lighting a candle is a timeless act of faith, holding another's wellbeing in our hearts and minds, surrounding them with light and love.
Stand Up Awareness Week is taking place from November 15th to 19th 2021.
This week is an opportunity for 2nd level schools to continue their efforts to make spaces safe and supportive for LGBTI+ young people.
Second years attended retreats in Scala this week. They focused on the themes of friendship and identity and enjoyed some free time outside of the normal school routine.
Congratulations to SCS students on winning the U16 County Football Final with Ilen Rovers at the weekend. They defeated Kilshannig in the final in Kilmichael. Well done to all!
Science Week is taking place in SCS from the 7th to 14th November.
Pictured below are Ms. O’Donovan’s 2nd year Science class launching a rocket on the football field to demonstrate how rockets operate and how force plays its part.
First years were busy today gathering up donations and preparing shoeboxes for the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal. Many thanks to all those who have donated.
Our Senior Ladies Football Panel and their coaches, Ms. Ella Ryan and Ms. Anna Ward fell short against Sacred Heart Clonakilty Convent today in their opening Munster Championship home game but had a very good second half. There is huge potential going forward.
Our Senior Boys Football Panel and their coach, Mr. David Whelton , beat Colaiste Na Sceilge, Caherciveen in their opening Corn Ni Mhuiri Munster Championship match in Kenmare today on a scoreline of 1-19 to 1 -05. This was a fantastic team performance and they now play Colaiste Choilm Ballincollig in the next round.
Well done to everyone involved with today's football games; players, coaches, selectors, mentors and local clubs..
CAO WEBINAR NOW AVAILABLE - UNTIL THE 10TH OF NOVEMBER
The CAO have forwarded the link to download and review the webinar recorded during the information evening for students and parents on the 19th of October. Please be advised, this will only be on the CAO website for a limited period - until the 10th of November, after which time the link will no longer be active.
To view the webinar:
Well done to the Senior Boys Football Panel and their coaching staff on their win over Clonakilty Community College this afternoon in Ardfield. This was a trial game for both teams as they prepare for their respective Corn Ni Mhuiri openers after mid term. SCS are away to Colaiste Na Sceilge, Caherciveen on Wednesday, November 3rd.
A CANDLE IN THE WIND
MEMORIAL EVENT
SKIBBEREEN
THURSDAY 28TH OCTOBER
Skibbereen Arts Festival are organising a memorial event to commemorate all those who passed away locally during the pandemic and were unable to receive a proper traditional funeral.
The focus of the event will be the reading of the names of those who have left us during this difficult time. Beginning at 7pm, it will consist of a candlelit procession through the town and culminate with readings, songs & music with local & national artists in the Fairfield.
This will be a simple, respectful way to honour those who have passed, while commiserating with the families who were unable to have a traditional wake for their departed.
The event will commemorate anyone from Skibbereen and the surrounding hinterland so anyone within a 10 mile radius of town. If you would like to have someone included in the commemoration, or know of someone who might like to have their loved one included, then please email skibbereenmemorial@gmail.com with their name & address, the date they passed away, and a photograph. We’d really appreciate it if you could spread the word so people know this event is happening.
Updates will appear over the coming days in local media and on Skibbereen Arts Festival’s Facebook page and website www.skibbereenartsfestival.com
Please click on the buttons below for the relevant Exam Timetable.
3rd YEAR
6TH YEAR
Congratulations to the School’s Green Schools Committee members and their teacher Ms. Una McNulty on winning a second environmental Green Flag for water conservation at An Taisce’s National Online Presentation ceremony. Jack and Rachel, 5th Year were also named Water Conservation Ambassadors for the Southern Region for all their work with the Ocean Plastics Project and the installation of the water bottle fillers in the school. Also pictured is Mr. Tom Vaughan, Facilities Manager, BAM
Congratulations to Isabel, 4th Year on her recent Texaco Art win. She is pictured receiving her prize from Principal Mr. Anton O Mahony and her Art teacher, Ms. Susan O Regan.
We at SCS pledge to Walk More and Connect with Nature for Climate Action Week.
Before hopping in the car for short journeys, consider the health benefits of walking, as well as the lower costs, financial and environmental.
As you are out walking, you can use the time to connect with nature. Even better if you can do so with others. @ClimateAmbassador #ClimateActionWeek #ClimatePledge.
5th & 6th year Agricultural Science students went on a farm walk today on Michael & Marguerite Crowley’s farm in Caheragh.
The students learned a lot about grassland management on this trip and how to farm but yet, maintain a work-life balance.
A special thanks to the Crowley family for giving of their time & knowledge for the benefit of our students.
