A day to remember indeed. An eager and hungry selection of our finest students, sporting warriors, young men and women in their prime, awaited the arrival of the teachers, secure in the certainty that victory was finally within reach.  Practice shots, unerringly on goal greeted this writer as he wondered whether his colleagues and friends would finally meet their match, the baying crowd lifting the hearts and spirits of the student army. 

In dribs and drabs the teachers, somewhat drained from a morning of dedicated teaching, arrived unassumingly to the PE hall.  On paper at least, this band of fussy intellectuals, dedicated educationalists, whose main muscle resided in the head, could not surely be a match for the pride of Carrigaline? 

The game opened as predicated, with a cleverly worked goal. The teachers were torn asunder. A sense of impending defeat settled on their pedagogical shoulders. But the worm turned. With a decisive flick from the inside of his right leg, TikTok sensation Teacher Tadgh placed a perfectly weighted ball dead centre of the field and with precision and presence of mind, Mr Mackey launched the equalizer. 

The crowd, angered by this turn of events spurred on their hopefuls, which prompted unsportsman-like behaviour from the student team.  But with some measured and calm reffing the hooliganism was soon stamped out. It was at this juncture that the man of the match, stepped up to be counted. Mr Nyhan, defeated two defenders and just when it seemed impossible that he could score, he engaged in some footwork chicanery that saw the ball fly past the keeper and into the net.  Seconds later he appeared at the other end of the field defending the counter attack. 

The entire teacher team rallied to his banner and it was his 'never say die' attitude that ultimately insured another victory.  Other honourable mentions amongst the teachers were Mr. Buckley, regal in defence, fending a barrage of would be goals. He was machine like in his precise interceptions of even the most challenging passes across the face of his goal. Under his tenure the line was breached only twice. Once when  Adam Strzabala scored a memorable penalty (returning some much needed hope to his team) and on a second occasion where this writer feels that it was a 'pity goal' only allowed to pass to save on the blushes of the students. 

The final score was a resounding 6 - 3.   (To the teachers) 

The annual Awards Ceremony took place on Thursday evening the 23rd of October. The school welcomed Margo Noonan past pupil, PhD student and Trauma Nurse back to the building to address parents, students and staff. She spoke of the importance of kindness and humanity in an uncertain world. She referenced the goodness innate in our young people today and remembered her time in school as being very different to today's world. Her message was one of speaking out, being heard and being compassionate to those around you. 

We celebrated all the highlights of the school year that was, including our many sporting achievements, or talented young people in the fields of the arts, music and drama. We celebrated the students from every year group who have used their unique gifts and personalities to make a real and lasting difference within the school. Ben O' Meara took the overall top prize as 6th Year Student of the Year. 

Other notable prize winners were Isaac Bosonnet for outstanding scholarship in Irish and for the highest results in the Leaving Certificate, Kienan Kearney for the highest results in the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme and Breanna Murphy and Donal Herlihy for the highest results in the Junior Cycle. 

Over the course of the year we acknowledge the positive behaviours of students in school. Certificates are awarded in four categories; Positive Role Model, Acts of Kindness, Marked Improvement and Contribution/Commitment to ECA/Charity/School Events. As the first term comes to a close we look back on the huge number of positive comments on vsware. We also encourage parents/guardians to read the behaviour tab on vsware. 

We are very fortunate to have some many students in CCS that are fantastic role models. Well done. Remember there are numerous opportunities to get a certificate throughout the year so keep up the positive behaviour. It is seen and appreciated by the staff and students in CCS.

Some of our fabulous second year students enjoying their GEOMETRY assignment at the playground today to study shapes in the real world  

The final week of term in October sees the annual American Exchange depart once more for our sister school in Rochester New York. The American Exchange has been an integral part of life in CCS since it began in 1997. Irish students are paired with students from Fairport High School in Rochester. The exchange allows students to gain a unique opportunity to attend American High School and gain an understanding of American culture.  

We wish safe travel and wonderful memories to staff and students on this exchange. A special thank you to Mr. McGrath, Ms. Keohane and Ms. Coughlan for giving of their time and making this exchange possible. 

As part of Health Week we held an exciting Masterchef competition, judged by talented chefs from the MTU Culinary Arts Course, including past pupil Ava O'Leary.

Students were challenged to prepare a healthy, budget-friendly main course, showcasing creativity and skill.

The standard of cooking was outstanding, making it a very tough decision for our guest judges. You should all be very proud of your achievements.

In the first year category in first place we had  Aoife O Brien and in second place we had Reuben Bennett 

In the senior category in second place we had Aisling Neville (Year 4) and in first place Billy Tucholski and Aaron Dorgan (Year 3), cooking duck with a plum sauce and a sweet potato puree. 

A huge thank you to Ms. Bailey for organising such a fantastic event. 

The "new building" was completed in 2014. Prior to this the original school building ( the "old building" ) had approximately 900 students.

There was a PE hall where the three storey building is now and this was knocked and the PE hall was built along with the "new building". The old PE hall was famous for making strange and spooky noises when the wind would blow outside and these would echo throughout the building. 

You can see the old footprint of the PE hall in this photo. This was taken just before work began on the new building.  

Updates and information pertaining to the running of the school 

We have been asked to bring to the attention of parents/guardians and students:

Following the 2026 Budget announcements, the SEC has been advised that the temporary measures that appliedfor the past number of years, under which examination entry fees were waived, are not in place for 2026.

Accordingly, examination entry fees will apply in 2026 at the same level as when they were last charged in 2019; that is €116 per entry for a Senior Cycle/Leaving Certificate candidate and €109 per entry for a Junior Cycle candidate. Full details of the fee collection arrangements will be notified to school authorities by the SEC in due course and the examination entry arrangements will proceed independently of the fee collection arrangements.

It should be noted that the rate of examination fees which will apply for the 2026 examinations has not been increased since 2012. In line with the arrangements which applied when fees were last charged, candidates who hold a full medical card, or who are covered for all services on a parent or guardian’s full medical card, are exempt from examination fees. You are asked at this stage to ensure that candidates and their families are made aware that fees will apply for entry to the 2026 State examinations and of the longstanding fee alleviation arrangements for full medical card holders or their dependents 

5th November: Classes will finish at 12.20 to facilitate the annual mass of remembrance in the library, all students are welcome to attend.

11th November: Classes will finish at 15.20 to facilitate the second year parent teacher meeting from 16.00-18.30

17th-21st November: Assessments for Year 3, 4 and 6. Regular classes for remaining year groups.

21st November: Classes will finish at 13.00 to facilitate staff training

5th December: CCS Christmas Markets

9th December: No school as per the school calendar, for Child Protection Training for staff

12th-19th December: Christmas assessments for Years 1, 2 and 5. Block teaching for Years 3 and 6. 

15th-19th December: Transition Year Work Experience

We are very fortunate to have Ms Elaine Fitzgerald working in school to assist with supervision, particularly supervision of the toilets. Before school, at small break and at lunch time all toilet blocks are open for use.  In the 15mins after the start of school, after break and after lunch students should not be asking to use the toilet as they have just had an opportunity to do so.  During class time, only the toilets in the B area are open. Students ask for permission from the teacher to use the toilet. Teachers where possible permit a maximum of one student out to the toilet at a time. The student fills in their journal indicating that permission has been granted to use the toilet and Elaine checks the journal for the teachers permission. 

We would ask parents to please check your son/daughters school journal (page 36) to see how often they are leaving class to use the toilet facilities. It is a delicate balance for teachers, as it disrupts teaching and learning when students are in and out of the class, yet we do not want any student that urgently needs to use the toilet to be prevented from doing so.  Invariably when asked if it is urgent the vast majority of students say yes.

We ask for parents support with this, please monitor the journal pages and discuss this with your son/daughter.  In a 40mins class in the middle of the day Elaine can have over 100 students using the toilet facilities.

Wearing the correct school uniform is important as it creates equality amongst students. It also creates a sense of unity and belonging. A uniform review and consultation, led by the students, took place last year. 

The uniform in general is being worn to a high standard. Thank you to students and parents for their cooperation and assistance with the wearing of the school uniform.

We have however noted two trends or infringements of the uniform policy;

1. Wearing non uniform tshirts underneath the PE top. Students have two options of top to wear underneath the PE top - a CCS jersey top or a CCS polo shirt. This should accomodate the preferences of all students. 

2. Wearing no tshirt underneath the school fleece. The school fleece was introduced as an optional extra layer for students in the cold weather. It is very popular with students. However, students need to wear school uniform underneath it. 

If a student is seen to be wearing an incorrect tshirt/top, or no top/tshirt/shirt under the fleece, a text will be sent home. Futher infringements without a communication from home, will result in detention.

We appreciate your support in maintaining high standard of uniform in CCS.