Photos of an Historic Event for SCS! March 27th 2025!

West Cork Campus Coffee Morning and Information Day

A big thank you to the West Cork Campus for hosting our senior students this week.

It was a fantastic morning where students had the opportunity to explore Level 5 and Tertiary degree options available in skibbereen, meet the friendly staff, and connect with current students.

The visit provided valuable insights into the many benefits of pursuing Further Education including employment and progression opportunities.

We truly appreciate the warm welcome we received - a great learning experience for all involved.

Know Your Worth Presentation to Senior Students

A huge thank you to Andy Carr for visiting SCS this week and speaking to some of our senior students about the power of mindset! 🙌

They learned how to break free from limiting beliefs, embrace their emotions, and develop the self-belief needed to reach their full potential. 

Thanks again Andy, for empowering our students!  

SCS Ladies are the All Ireland Senior A Football Champions

Congratulations to our Senior Ladies Footballers & their coaches Ms. Ella Ryan, Ms. Anna Ward & Mr. Ger Carey on being crowned All Ireland Senior ‘A’ football champions this afternoon in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny.

They beat Loreto Convent Cavan on a scoreline of 3-06 to 2-10.

The entire school community are so proud of your achievements. Well done to all!

SCS abú!

1 Sleep to Go to the All Ireland Football Final!

The Whole School Community wish our Senior Ladies Football Team and their coaches the very best of luck in tomorrow’s All Ireland “A” Football Final in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny. We are extremely proud of all their achievements to date. They are a fantastic group!

SCS Abú!!

TY Artisan Food Fair

Last Tuesday March 20th, our TY Food and Hospitality classes showcased their artisan food products at our inaugural Artisan Food Fair.

The students had been working in groups over the last few months developing and testing their ideas. They were given the brief to create an artisan food product using local ingredients and with sustainability in mind.  Students displayed their prototypes, along with their company profile outlining product development, costing, branding etc.   

We were delighted to welcome guest judges, Ms.Ruth Field from Field's Supervalu, Skibbereen and Mr. Ciaran Woods from The Dock Wall Restaurant, Union Hall, as well as in house judges Ms. Mary Belton and Ms. Fiona Ronan. 

The judges were very generous with their time, interacting with each student group, learning  the story of their product, tasting and giving insightful feedback.  We very much appreciate their time and the industry expertise that the judges brought to the event. Thanks to Lily Rees who sketched two drawings for our two guest judges. We have very talented students! 

There was a fantastic atmosphere at the event and everyone who visited was blown away by the student’s work.  It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to work as part of a team and develop their communication, culinary and creative skills. We are so proud of all their hard work and to see their creations come to life. 

The following groups exhibited at the Food Fair:  

Company Name Product Description  Students Involved 

 1. Eprotein  Energy Bars  Eabha Collins 

Ellen Connolly 

Eve Minihane 

2. Buzzgum  Chewing Gum  Leo Farrell 

Conor Worboys 

Darragh McCarthy 

Keegan Evans 

Leona Evans 

3. Honey Haven  Flavoured Honey  Mary Bushe 

Mimi Jacobs 

Eimear O Driscoll 

Ava Collins 

4. Choctastic Creations  Chocolate Brownies  Chloe McCarthy 

Niamh Reilly 

Grace O Donoghue 

5. Banana Babes  Banana Bread  Tara O Sullivan 

Lilyanna Rees 

Laura O Neill 

6. Pistachio Bliss Bars  Dubai Chocolate Bar  Maeve O Sullivan 

Donna Woods 

Kate O Brien 

Sophie Minehane 

7. Popilicious  Cake Pops  Clodagh Deasy 

Emma O Leary 

Izzy McCarthy 

Maddis McCarthy 

8. Truffle Trouble  Chocolate Truffles  Caitlyn Lomasney 

Heidi Harnedy 

Victoria Haffner 

Kai Madajczak, Pamuya 

Saoirse McDonagh 

9. Tasty Tarts  Sweet & Savoury Mini Tarts  Saorla Carey 

Megan Hurley 

Doireann Rayner 

Annabel O Connell 

Alice Collins  

10. Brownie Flakes  Brownies with a crispie caramel topping  Aoife O Driscoll 

Dawn Whooley 

Helena Bohane 

Elaine O Sullivan 

Margaret Collins 

Nadine Hourihane 

11. Pizza Muffins  Savoury Muffin  Julie O Donovan 

Ella O Driscoll 

Justine Sufeleka 

Everyone agreed that the standard was extremely high amongst all the exhibitors, who are all winners in our eyes.  Congratulations to the following prize-winners: 

First Prize: Honey Haven 

Second Prize: Truffle Trouble 

Third Prize: Popilicious 

 Best Stand: Buzz Gum 

Most Likely to Survive in A Supermarket:   E Protein & Pistachio Bliss Bars 

Highly Commended: Choctastic Creations  

 Teachers Laura Corkery and Sarah McCarthy have been promised shares in these food companies if they make it on to the supermarket shelves in the future…….. we’ll hold them to that!! 

West Cork Campus Open Day

Looking forward to visiting our lovely neighbours in the West Cork Campus this Tuesday 25th March for their Coffee morning and Information Day to learn all about Further Education Opportunities in our town.

The event is on from 9.00am until 4.40pm.

All welcome!

World Down Syndrome Day - Rock Your Socks

Today, March 21st marks 'World Down Syndrome Day'.

Both staff and students showed their support by donning their most colourful beloved pairs of socks and "Rocking your Socks" with pride and gusto. 

All funds raised will go towards our local 'West Cork Down Syndrome Group'. 

Thanks to everyone who took part. 

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.

1st Year Football Skills Testing Session

Our TY Future Leaders Group organised a 1st year skills testing session yesterday.

This player development program is a pilot program run by Cork Football with the possibility of a county and national roll out.

Many thanks to James McCarthy (Cork GAA development officer) for his continued guidance and support within our TY programme.

4th Years Litter Picking

Pictured are our 4th years litter picking this week.

Many thanks to Skibbereen Tidy Towns, Cork County Council and Ms. Orla O’Sullivan, Mr. Conor Uhl and Ms. Liz Leonard for organising.

Seachtain Na Gaeilge - Seisiún Ceoil san LRC agus Céilí Dé hAoine 14ú Márta

Grianghraif ó Imeachtaí Sheachtain na Gaeilge - Seisiún Ceoil san LRC agus Céilí Dé hAoine 14ú Márta.

First Year Girls Basketball

Well done to our first year girls basketball team who beat Schull Community College today.

LGFA All Ireland Senior A Final Photoshoot in Croke Park, March 18th

Schools from five counties bidding for 2025 Lidl All-Ireland Senior Post-Primary Schools glory

REPRESENTATIVES from the six competing teams, and representing five counties, gathered at Croke Park today (Tuesday) ahead of the 2025 Lidl All-Ireland Senior Post Primary Schools Finals.

Schools from Cavan, Clare, Cork, Mayo and Meath will go in search of the silverware on offer in the Senior Finals, scheduled for Wednesday March 26th and Thursday March 27th.

The LGFA and competition sponsors, Lidl Ireland, are also delighted to confirm that all three Senior Finals will be live-streamed, with further details to follow.

Cavan have the chance to claim trophies in two grades, with Loreto lining out in the Senior A decider, while Bailieborough Community School will contest the C Final.

All four provinces are represented in the Senior Finals, with two schools each from Munster and Ulster, and one each from Connacht and Leinster, all in the hunt for glory.

The Final action gets underway on Wednesday March 26th, with the Senior C Final between Coláiste Muire from Clare and Cavan opponents Bailieborough Community School.

Coláiste Muire got the better of Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown (Roscommon) at the semi-final stage, as Bailieborough Community School, who will contest a Junior C Final tomorrow (WEDS) got past the challenge of Wicklow’s Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew.

The Senior B and Senior A Finals will be played on Thursday March 27th.

The Senior B showpiece is a clash between schools from Meath and Mayo, as Meath’s Eureka Secondary School prepare for a tie with Mayo’s Mount St. Michael, Claremorris.

Eureka SS overcame a stern semi-final challenge from Donegal opponents St Columba’s Comprehensive School, Glenties, as Mount Saint Michael defeated Clare’s St Joseph’s Secondary School, Spanish Point.

The Senior A Final will see Skibbereen Community School aim to become the first Cork school since St Mary’s High School from Midleton in 2022 to win this competition.

Standing in their way are formidable opponents in the form of Loreto, Cavan, who won the title in 2018.

Present at Croke Park today were Lidl All-Ireland Senior Post-Primary Schools Finals captains, namely Ellie Brady (Loreto), Leah Carey (Skibbereen CS), Ella Morgan (Eureka SS), Síomha McNulty (Mount St Michael), Ella Sheridan (Bailieborough CS) and Lucy Power (Coláiste Muire).

The players were joined by Trina Murray, President of the LGFA, and Robert Ryan, CEO Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Lidl PPS All-Ireland Senior Championship Finals

Wednesday March 26th, 2025

Senior C:

Bailieborough Community School (Cavan) v Coláiste Muire, Ennis (Clare)

Thursday March 27th, 2025

Senior B

Eureka Secondary School, Kells (Meath) v Mount St Michael, Claremorris (Mayo); St Brigid’s GAA, Kiltoom, Roscommon, 2pm

Ticket link: https://www.universe.com/events/lidl-pps-all-ireland-senior-b-final-eureka-kells-v-mount-st-michaels-tickets-Z5S9X0

Senior A

Loreto (Cavan) v Skibbereen Community School (Cork).

Ms. Ryan, Leah and Tara travelled up to Croke Park yesterday to have their photos taken and do a press release in preparation for next week’s final. Only 8 Sleeps to go!

Listen to our Captain Leah’s speech in Croke Park yesterday:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1YVpLKwcQY/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18mgsqHyc3/

U15 Boys Basketball - County Final

Hard luck to our U15 Boys Basketball team and their coach Ms. Marie O’Mahony on losing to Coláiste Choilm in the County "A" Final in Neptune today.

Well done to all involved on a great campaign.

SCS Ladies Footballers through to the All-Ireland Senior A Championship Final

Congratulations to our Senior Ladies Football Team and their coaches, Ms. Ella Ryan, Ms. Anna Ward, Ms. Kate O’Donovan and Mr. Ger Carey on beating Mercy College Roscommon in the All Ireland "A" Semi Final  in Fethard yesterday.

It was an incredible performance by all and many thanks to all those supporters who travelled up.

We have reached the All-Ireland "A" Final for the first time, after the last two years of disappointment.

SCS abú!