The last week of January was a particularly busy one in Carrigaline Community School — it was show week. Since September, students and staff have been rehearsing for our production of Legally Blonde. Producing a school show is a huge undertaking, and many of our Transition Year students were involved in every aspect of the production: front of house, ticket sales, running Nigel's Coffee Dock, hair and make-up, gathering raffle prizes, painting the stage and backdrop, making props, organising visits from local primary schools, and working as stage hands to keep the show running smoothly each night — not to mention our wonderful cast.

Each and every student gave the show their all, and as a school we are incredibly proud of your efforts.

The show could not have happened without the dedication and hard work of our teachers: Mr Sahani, Ms Cooke, Ms Keohane, Ms Morrissey O'Connell, Mr O'Donovan, Ms Johnston, Ms O'Donovan, and in particular Ms Mullaney and Mr McGrath. The cast expressed their gratitude especially to Ms Mullaney and Mr McGrath, whose commitment and guidance made the production possible.

The memories created during this show will last a lifetime. It was wonderful to witness such incredible talent on stage. Thank you also to the many parents, students, and staff who bought tickets and supported the show across all three nights.

Last week, 57 students and 5 teachers travelled to Madonna di Campiglio, Italy for a memorable school ski trip. For the majority, it was their first time on skis and they took to it remarkably quickly. Alongside daily skiing, students enjoyed ice skating, tobogganing, snow walking and a range of après-ski activities in the evenings.

The hotel’s location right on the slopes meant just a short three-minute walk to skiing each morning and evening. While the early starts were initially a struggle, by midweek students were up, ready to go and even developing an appetite for a hearty serving of Italian pasta by 11am!

Overall, the trip proved to be a fantastic experience for all involved, helping students build confidence, resilience and independence while also gaining valuable cultural experiences. A truly character-building week that will be remembered fondly by all.

Thanks to the staff that travelled with the group Mr Herlihy, Ms Higgins, Ms O'Sullivan, Mr Leahy and Mr O'Donovan.

Second year Home Economics students spent a morning in the school library completing a felting project. It was an enjoyable experience for students and they developed artistic skills as the morning progressed. The standard of the final pieces was very high. Well done to all involved and thanks to teachers  Ms O'Donoghue, Ms Quinn and Ms Bailey.

The fifth year Art Trip took place on Tuesday February 3rd.  It was hugely succesful. The students visited "The Domain of the Dinosaurs" in the Glucksman gallery in UCC.  The exhibition was not only artistic but also historic. Students got to see artistic responses to the artifacts on display. 

Afterwards the students visited the museum in FitzGerald's Park to see the reproduction of the Book of Kells. They also delved into Cork's historic past.  A great day was had by all, despite the rain. Many thanks to organising teachers Ms. Stackpoole and Ms Johnston. 

This week we welcome our school exchange partners from Fairport High School. Students are experiencing what it is like to be a student in CCS as well as viewing the sights and culture in Ireland. Thanks to the teachers involved Ms Coughlan, Ms Keohane and Mr McGrath. Thanks also to the many families that are hosting events for the students while they are in Ireland.

Our fifth years were treated to a seminar on the local marine ecosystems that populate our coastline. David from "Oceans of Discovery" brought in an aquariam complete with a giant crab, many shrimp, various fish and other aquatic life-forms. 

He also had the vertebrae and skull of a dolphin. The students learnt about Irish waters and the variety of life within. Also touched upon was the impact that man is having on the sea. 

Many thanks to Mr. T O' Donovan for organising this wonderful experience for the students. 

Every year during Lent students are encouraged to engage in a "digital detox" which amounts to them putting away their mobile phones.  A lot of students who engaged with this have reported that it has been very beneficial in terms of headspace and engaging with the world and people around them. 

If you are interested in this, please click on the link below to see what it is all about! 

Digital Detox

The midterm break became formalised in the month of February, not for any religious reasons but instead through a negotiation with trade unions. It was felt that as Easter could fall as late as the end of April, a break was needed! 

The timing however tends to coincide with a lot of feasts, both pagan and Christian falling as it does around the beginning of spring.  The most obvious feast day is St Brigid's Day bank holiday,  (and the pagan Celtic festival of Imbolc) where to  receive the saint's blessings, people in times past, would make a bed for Brigid, leave her food and drink, and set items of clothing outside for her to bless. 

There is also St Valentine's day (a Saint who performed marriages for Roman soldiers) and the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a spring festival. 

When all is said and done, these few weeks are busy ones! We haven't even mentioned pre-exams! 

Donal (U17) and David (U19) Herlihy captained our victorious gaelic football teams in their recent Munster championship wins. The two brothers are pictured  handing over the silverware to Mr Burke so that they can be proudly displayed in the school's overflowing trophy cabinet !

Congratulations on an excellent performance from Year 2 student Rhian McCarthy at the 123.ie Munster Schools Cross Country in Riverstick. Rhian has now qualified for the All Irelands in Belfast. Thanks to Mr O'Sullivan and Ms O'Reilly for promoting athletics in CCS.

Updates and information pertaining to the running of the school 

Thursday 26th February Year 5 and LCA1 Parent Teacher Meeting. Classes finish for students at 15.20. PTM from 16.00-18.30.

Monday and Tuesday 16th and 17th March - no school St Patricks Weekend

Easter holidays 30th March - 10th April inclusive

Friday 24th April no school for students for staff training on Senior Cycle

Wednesday 13th May Sixth Year Graduation Ceremony (13.00 in school)

Thursday 14th May Fourth Year Graduation Ceremony 

Monday 2nd March Completion date for LCVP Portfolio

Friday 13th March Completion date for Leaving Cert Engineering Project

Thursday 19th March Completion date for Computer Science Project

Monday 23rd March Completion date for Leaving Cert Physical Ed Perfomance

Saturday 28th March - Thursday 2nd April Oral Exams - Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Lithuanian, Portuguese and Polish

Monday 13th April-Friday 24th April Music Practical Exams

Friday 17th April Completion date for Leaving Cert Art Coursework

Friday 17th April Completion date for Leaving Cert History Research Study Report

Friday 17th April Completion date for Leaving Cert Geography Investigation Report

Friday 17th April Completion date for Leaving Cert Agricultural Science study

Tuesday 21st April-Thursday 23rd April Leaving Cert Art Practical exams

Friday 24th April COmpletion date for Leaving Cert Construction Project

Tuesday 28th April - Thursday 30th April Leaving Cert Construction Practicals

Wednesday 29th April - LCVP exam 10.00-12.30

Friday 1st May Completion date for Leaving Cert Politics and Society project

Tuesday 5th - Thursday 7th May Leaving Cert Engineering practicals

Wednesday 20th May Leaving Cert Computer Science Exam

www.examinations.ie/misc-doc/EN-EX-48879748.pdf