Castlerea Community School

Past Events

On the 25th of September 1995 Castlerea Community School was officially opened and blessed. The honour belonged to Mr. Jim Higgins, the Government Chief Whip.This marked the opening of the first Community school in Co.Roscommon.

Sporting Achievements

BASKETBALL

1995,Cadet Girls reached the All Ireland finals but were defeated in extra time by St.David`s Greystones.
1995,Cadet Girls won the Regional Final.
1995,Cadet Girls won the Lonleitros Final.

1998-99,Cadet B Girls reached the All Ireland finals but were defeated by 1 point.Final score 24-25.
1998-99,Cadet B Girls won the Regional Final.
1998-99,Cadet B Girls won the Lonleitros Final.

1998-99,2nd Year Girls won the Lonleitros Final.
1998-99,2nd Year Girls Were runners up in the Regional Final.

2002, Cadet Boys won Bank Of Ireland All Ireland School Cup.
2002, Senior Boys won Bank Of Ireland All Ireland School Cup.
2005, First Year Boys won All Ireland School Cup Final in Tralee.
2006, Cadet Girls Runners up in Schools Cup Competition after extra time.
2006, Cadet Girls win All Ireland Leage Final Cup.
2006, Second Year girls reach All Ireland Final Play-Offs.
2006, Second Year Boys won All Ireland Final.
2006, First Year Boys reach All Ireland Play-Offs in Kilcock.
2006, First Year Girls reach All Ireland Play-Offs in Dublin.

GAELIC FOOTBALL

1998-99,Senior C Boys defeated Belmullet in the final to become Connaght Champions
Musicals
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SOUND OF MUSIC(RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN)

The Sound of Music was staged in the local cinema in December 94. In total 130 students participated in the production.
Producer:Valerie Rabbitt
Asst.Producer:Sheila O`Leary
Director of Music:Jacqueline Kenny

GREASE

A production of Grease was staged by Castlerea Community School in December 1996.The production ran from Thursday 12th to Sunday 14th. A total of 200 students were involved.
Producers:Valerie Rabbitt & Sheila O`Leary
Music Directors:Ms Kenny & Ms McNulty

Stage Managers:Ms Hanbury & Ms Crowe

Art Work
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EXHIBITION
An exhibition of the Art Craft & Design projects of the Junior Certificate students of 1998 was held in C.C.S.The exhibition was held on Thursday 21st of October 1999 at 8pm. All were welcome and an excellent display of artistic endeavour was to be seen.
FUTURISTIC FASHION SHOW
Fifth and sixth year art students took part in the Coca-Cola Futuristic Fashion competition held in Crossmolina on March 4th. One group reached the All-Irleand Finals held in Cork on March 31st. The outfit was "Pea-Raven-Cock" made of mens ties and peacock feathers. Well done to Mrs Crowe and pupils, Corinna Connelly, Ann-Marie Halligan and Sharon Flynn.

First Year Connacht Final Football Win

Congratulations to the First Year Boys Football team who recently won the Connacht Final. They beat Dunmore Community School's team in Ballinlough on Monday, April 10th 2000. Well done to all involved.

School Year Book

The bi-annual school year book put together by Mrs Rooney and some dedicated fifth year students went on sale in mid-May 2000

All-Ireland Fashion Show

Well done to sixth year pupils Corinna Connelly, Ann-Marie Halligan and Sharon Flynn who represented the school in the Coca-Cola Futuristic Fashion Show Final held in Ballincollig, Cork(March 31st 2000). The outfit called "Pea-Raven-Cock" was designed by Corinna from mens ties and feathers. This outfit also appeared on the "Late Late Show" on Friday 24th March 2000.

Well done to Mrs Crowe, art teacher who entered the group. Five other groups from the school were also in the regional finals in Crossmolina earlier in March.

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Castlerea Student wins a Gold Medal

Brendan Scally, a past pupil of Castlerea Community School won first place in Ireland in his Leaving Cert Construction Studies Higher Level Exam in 2006. He will be awarded a Medal and Certificate in recognition of his achievement. Brendan has been an outstanding student during his 5 years in C.C.S. We wish him well in his studies in University of Limerick in the discipline of Materials Technology (Wood). Heartiest Congratulations from the Principal, Staff and Students of CCS.

Art Student of the Year Award.

Congratulations to Damien Potter for being selected to represented C.C.S in the Bank of Ireland Regional Final of the Student of the Year Award in the Arts Category. He had to produce a piece of Artwork, which took over fifteen hours to complete. Damien’s teacher is Mrs Frances Crowe. Best wishes to Damien for the final from the Principal, Staff and Students of CCS.

Soccer News.

The U 16 Girls soccer team are through to the quarter finals of the Connacht Schools Girls Soccer Competition. They are playing Ballyhaunis Community School in the Quarter Final and this game will take place after midterm. The team put in some excellent performances topping their group in the first round of the competition. The team are Rachel Ryan Capt. Jade Plummer, Siobhan Cryan, Niamh Kelly, Fiona Connelly, Siobhan Taylor, Imelda Scally, Grainne Cribbin, Hannah Creaton, Rebecca Canty, Patricia Barron, Sarah Joyce Josephine Drury, Sinead Staunton, Melanie Gannon, Bernice Mannion, Stephanie Helbert and Sinead Knight. Well done to the girls and their coaches. The under 14 Girls are playing Ballyhaunis C.S. on Tuesday 13th February in the 1st round of the U 14 Competition. Good luck to both teams from all in CCS.

Physics News

The 5th Year Physics class accompanied by their teacher Ms Hanbury attended a Physics Lecture in NUIG. They were also able to avail of a tour of the physics labs and see some of the latest cutting edge research. An educational and enjoyable experience was had by all those intending rocket scientists.

Quiz News

In the Thomas Crosbie Holdings Schools Quiz C.C.S are through to the next round of the competition. The team members are Dermot Greally, Emer Guthrie, Diarmuid Guthrie, Leah Daly, Barry Finnegan and Rachel Finan. Well done to all involved.

Donation to missions in Kenya

C.C.S has donated two chalices to the missions in Kenya to facilitate the celebration of man for priests/missionaries who might have to carry their chalices through the Bush to their church.

Trinity College Bursary Award

Kevin Rabbit, a past pupil of CCS has been awarded a bursary by Trinity College Dublin for outstanding results in the school Leaving Examination which serve as an entrance criteria for Trinity College. Hearty Congratulations to Kevin.

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Youth Forum

Student Prefects attended a special forum of Roscommon Youth service held in Four-mile-house Community Centre on Friday 1st December. The topics discussed were very relevant especially to younger people at this time namely Road Safety, stereotyping of young people, alcohol abuse etc. The forum felt that the post primary Curriculum should include Road Safety and controlled use of alcohol. The young should not be necessarily be targeted on these issues.

ETTA Awards for school

Jonathan Barron was awarded 1st Place in the Regional Final of the Young Engineer Competition for his Leaving Cert. Higher Level Engineering Project. For this he received a specially cast silver medal and a certificate. He also qualified for the national finals of the competition which were held in Mullingar. His brother Shane received a certificate of commendation and silver medal for his engineering project.

At Junior Certificate Level Kevin Conway was awarded a specially caste silver medal and certificate of commendation for his Junior Certificate Technology Project.

Operation Christmas Child

Castlerea Community School organised a major Christmas Appeal, under the aegis of 'Samaritans Ireland', for needy children throughout the world. Almost 200 boxes were collected by both staff and students spanning all year groups. The boxes are a project of "Samaritans Purse" a Christian charity registered in Ireland. The shoe-box idea ties in with the idea of 'Christmas Box' which is a recognised gift giving idea in the Western World. The gifts are designated primarily for the Third World, and poorer East European countries. Together with gifts and money combined, the boxes would have realised a sum approaching €4000, a fantastic achievement for the students and organisers of the C.C.S Appeal. Thanks to the Staff and Students of CCS.
School News- School Year 2004/2005
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Castlerea Community School Staff And Students Launch Charity CD

Members of the staff and a number of students past and present namely Jacqueline Kenny, Michelle McNulty, Laura Kearney, Gillian Coughlan and Seamus Kearney recently launched a charity CD called "From There To Here" to raise funds for Aid for Belarusssian Children (ABC). This is an organisation set up in Ireland to respond to the suffering of the Children of Belarus, who have been affected by the Chernobyl Disaster. Each year, ABC bring children from Balarus to Ireland for one month's respite care. This lowers the radiation in the children's bodies by 33% thereby improving their health. The CD's are available in most outlets in Castlerea for €10 or they can be got by contacting Marian Coughlin at 094 9621362.
School News- School Year 2003/2004
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Castlerea Community School Wins All-Ireland Debating Competition

Castlerea Community School Public Speaking Team won the All Ireland Final in the Mental Health Public Speaking Competition in Trinity College on the 27th March. The team are Breda O'Connor, Brian McTague and Paul Rushe. Their coaches are Mrs Bernice Galvin and Ms Bernie Gormley. Well done to all concerned. They have done the school proud.

Major Wins For Castlerea Community School

Two teams from the school won the Galway Heat of the Form and Fusion Design a Costume Fashion Competition and one of the teams Babylon Zoo won Best Concept at the All Ireland Final in the Point Depot on Wednesday 21st April. Well done to their teacher Mrs Crowe and all the pupils concerned. More details later.

Castlerea Community School Doing Well in Connacht Finals

On Tuesday 18th May the 3rd Year boys GAA team beat Dunmore Community School to win the Connacht Colleges Division C Title. The first year boys are in the the Connacht Colleges Final on Tuesday 25th May. More details later. The girls U-14 Soccer team also reached the Connacht Final but were beaten on the day.

Quiz Team Qualify For All Ireland Final.

A team from the school recently qualified for the All Ireland PTAA Quiz Final on Saturday 24th April. They are Paul Rushe,Patrick Henry, Mark Heater, Eoin Gannon and Connell Muldoon. Well done to all concerned and best of luck in the final.

10th Anniversary Magazine Launched

On Thursday 20th May a magazine commemorating the last ten year of life in Castlerea Community School was launched by John O' Mahoney Galway Senior Manager. Copies are available from the school or in the local shops for €10. Why not buy a copy and take a trip down memory lane.

Donal Ward a third year student won the Youth One All-Ireland boxing title in the National Stadium on Saturday 27th March. Well done to Donal and his coaches from Loughglynn Boxing Club.
School News- August-September 2003
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Spiritual Matters Win

As a Community School we begin the 2003/2004 year conscious that Gospel values permeate our approach to education. Welcome to those students from other religious traditions. On September 24th our school gathered in Eucharistic Celebration – Praying for Gods Support in all aspects of our school community life during 2003/2004. October 1st and 2nd saw the Leaving Cert students experience a retreat, planned with their specific needs in mind. The facilitaling team included members of the Cenacloo Community, Knock, Ms. Liz Weafer director of Youth Ministry Diocess Elphin; Sr, Breege Donoghue- Mercy Sisters Galiee Community Boyle; Ms. Cilla Horan and Ms. Sandy Palmer Spiritual and Emotional Facilators to youth. November 26th/27th saw 3rd years avail of their retreat opportunity in St. Mel’s College Longford guided by Fr. Patsy McDermott – Youth Ministry Team Athlone.

Sprectrum Rainbows

Since October 15th “Spectrum” – the adolescent grief support groups- meet each Wednesday evening in school for one hour. 23 students from 1st years through to leaving certs attend. A sincere thank you to the 5 adult facilitators who give voluntarily of their time and presence to support these young people over the duration of the 12 week programme.

School Tour

The plans for the school tour 2004 are now at an advanced stage. The tour will take place during the first week of the Easter holidays and consist of five day visit to the Rhineland in Germany. 47 students and 6 teachers will partake in the trip. Among the places of interest that students will visit will be the picturesque town of Heidelberg, the cathedral city of Cologne, Koblene, Frankfurt as well as Phantasialand theme park. Each Student will complete a project on some aspect of the places and sites that they will visit during the tour.
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Career Guidance News

Throughout the year many career events have been organised for students in the school. In October the Junior Cert and the Leaving Certificate students had the oportunity to attend a Study Skills Seminar which gave them an insight into effective study habits. The Leaving Certificate students and their parents attended an Information evening on the CAO application process, and other issues related to the Leaving Cert. They have the opportunity to attend the Open Days throughout the year and this year have visited GMIT, Sligo Institute of Technology, NUI Galway and Mountbellow Agriculture College. Later in the year they will also be attending an Information Day in the Garda College in Templemore. The 5th year students have been working diligently in class analysing their interests and abilities. They will have the opportunity of linking their identified interests with courses when they attend an Open Day at the Athlone Institute of Technology and Unversity College Dublin. Junior Certs have been researching the various options available to them in the Senior Cycle and this will be complemented by an Information evening for the students and their parents in March. PLC students will go out on 2 weeks work experience in March to practise, and further develop the skills they have learned in the classroom situation.

Student Council

The following students were elected to the Student Council for the present school year. Kylie Byrne, Aine Flanagan, Fiona Murren, Edel Symth, Margaret Cruise, Roisin Flanagan, Denise McDonagh, Michelle Casserly, John Hester, Enda Kenny, Brendan McDermott, Robert Rogers, Kelly O’Reilly and Edel McDonagh. Recently Denise and Edel McDonagh attended the Union of Secondary Students Seminar in Dublin, where many issues relating to studen and educational affairs were discussed. The Student Council organised the Annual Concern Fast which took place on November 28th.

Prefects for the School Year 2003/2004

Claire Sharkey, Deborah Creighton, Maura O’Connell, Peter O’Connell, Olivia Raftery, Shane Coleman, Eoin Gannon, Colette Keely, Bernadette Egan, Mary Scally, Elaine Filan, Carol Smyth, John Ward, Louise Noone, Carol Farrell, Sarah Heritage, Claire Mullarkey, Brian McTague, Paul Rushe, Robert Rogers, Edel McDonagh and Leona Lyons.
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LCA 2 Projects

The L.C.A. class has recently completed a task in Social Education. Three different topics were researched – The cost of motor insurance, drugs in sport and the smoking ban. Students who researched the smoking ban wrote to the Dept. of Health to get a copy of the legislation, followed the issue in the media, conducted surveys among local people and local publicans and restaurateurs. We found that 60% of the people surveyed support the ban but only 40% believe it will be a success. Some local business people fear that the law will have a bad effect on their business. Many students in the school think that the ban is a good idea but believes that there should be smoking and non smoking areas in pubs.

Geography Field Trip

“It’s a long, long, way from Clare to here”, or so, the song says, but Leaving Cert Geography classes had no problems with this. Two groups of Leaving Cert Geography students embarked on a field trip to the Burren. The field study was conducted at two coastal locations in Lahinch and Doolin. Students had the opportunity to acquire many different skills which included observing, measuring, recording and categorising information.

Readoiri

Congratulations to Paul Rushe and Clodagh Rushe who won the regional finals of the Readoiri Competition and who now represent the school in the Connaught Semi-Finals in their resective age groups. Good luck in the next round.

Operation Christmas Child

A big thank you to parents, students and staff for the response to the above appeal. A total of 170 boxes approximately was collected in C.C.S. being forwarded to needy children in Eastern Europe in time for Christmas. Congratulations to parents of C.C.S who recently graduated in Computer Skills. Well done!
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Sports News

2nd Year Football Results

Although the team still has one game to play, they have now qualified for the Connaught Semi-Final V’s Boyle. They beat Ballinamore, Gortnor Abbey and Swinford on the way.
3rd Year Football Results

This team has also qualified for the Connaught Semi-Final beating Ballinamore, Boyle and Ballymote
3rd Year Football Results

In this new age group we have proved very strong this year winning our opening game against Ballinamore 7-30 to 1-4. We are now through to the Connaught Semi-Final V’s Swinford – date yet to be decided.
Senior Football

In Senior this year our first game in Connaught Colleges was against Swinford. In a hard fought game we went down on a score of 1-12 to 1-11.Our next game was against Balla and with a depleted team we lead at half time by 2 points. In the second half Balla rallied and were eventual winners by 1-10 to 1-8. Our remaining games are Connaught Championship, Castlerea V’s Oughteard and Roscommon Championship, Castlerea V’s Roscommon C.B.S.
Girls Soccer

The U-14 and U-16 girls soccer teams came third in their respective qualify rounds. Unfortnately only the top two teams qualify for the final rounds. Both teams were knocked out by last years All Ireland winners Summer Hill Athlone. However they now qualify for the “Plate” competition. Good luck to all
School News- January-April 2003
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All Ireland Quiz Win

Congratulations to the shool quiz team of Paul Rushe, Patrick Henry, Mark Hester, Eoin Gannon and Clodagh Rushe who recently won the All Ireland PTAA quiz in Carrickmacross.Well done to all involved.

School Tour de France 2003

On Wednesday February 12th-a party of 47 students and six teachers departed from the school in high spirits to visit Paris. Their itinerary was meticulously planned by Ms. Ryan to include a cruise on the River Seine and a guided coach tour of Paris among others. Four magical unforgettable days were made possible by the generosity of parents and the vigilance of their minders-Ms. Ryan, Ms. O' Leary, Ms. Gormally, Ms. Corcoran, Ms.Conway and Mr. Campbell.

Art News

Congratulations to the fifth year students who participated recently in the "Form Fusion and Design Awards". On stage were Louise Noone performing "Positive Attitude" wearing a costume made entirely from negatives and film parts. A special word of congratulations goes to the boys who received certification for their outstanding performance in "Class of 77" with Shane Coleman performing along with William Ryan and Sean Flynn. Well done to Mrs Crowe, art teacher who entered the group.

On Tuesday 29th April the 5th & 6th Year art class travelled to Dublin to visit the Paul Henry art exibition which was held in the new Millenium wing of the National Gallery. They also visited the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Kilmainham.

Fiona Murren 2nd year art student recently won the M.H.I. "Design a Cover, art project".

The school had enormous success in the Co. Roscommon anti-litter poster competition. The overall winner for the county was Heather O' Callaghan 2nd year for her poster and logo "Be a Winner, Be a Binner". 3rd year Roisin Geraghty came 2nd in her category. Well done to all.

Public Speaking

Congratulations to Paul Rushe, Sarah Heritage and Brian McTague who reached the Regional Final of the Mental Health Public Speaking Competition. (Co-ordinated by Mrs. Galvin and Ms. Gormally)

Physics Tour

The fifth and sixth year physics classes attended The Tyndall Physics lecture in NUIG during January. They also had an opportunity to tour the physics labs. in the college. A worthwhile learning experience was had by all.
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