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Coláiste Gleann Lí Newsletter 2020
Please click on image to access this year’s school Newsletter. A big thank you to Ms. Egan and Ms. Doody for their work in compiling the publication. In this issue you will see all of the activities going on in Coláiste Gleann Lí with some fantastic articles from our students. Hope you enjoy reading about our busy year.
Thank you
Thank you to all our Parents, Students and Staff for their work and commitment over the last few weeks of school closures. You all have embraced remote learning with great dedication and commitment and you all deserve a big well done. Enjoy the Easter break and stay well. Above all, continue to co-operate with HSE guidelines especially in relation to social distancing. Please click on image below to read a letter from Director of Schools, youth and Music with Kerry ETB, Ms. Ann O’Dwyer.
Update from Department 24/3/20
Covid-19 Statement from the Department of Education and Skills
All schools, pre-schools and further and higher education settings will remain closed to students until 19 April 2020.
The decision has been taken following advice from the NPHET (National Public Health Emergency Team) as part of efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.
All young people and children are urged to practice social distancing, and to minimise physical contact to keep themselves and others healthy and to limit the spread of infection. This should include minimising social contact, avoiding meeting up and keeping physical space of two metres between each other. Parents and guardians are urged to support young people and children to follow those simple guidelines.
Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD said: “This is an extremely difficult time for everyone, not least students and their parents.
“The decision to keep schools closed until after the Easter break is based on public health advice. It is a hugely important aspect of our continued effort to limit the spread of Covid-19.
“My message to students facing exams is that they should keep focused, keep working and try, as much as possible, to prepare as normal for the state exams. We are doing everything in our power to make sure those exams happen.
“Teachers and students have answered the call to remote learning with exceptional flexibility and adaptability. You are all a credit to the education system.
“I am also deeply conscious of significant work being done to ensure continuity of learning across our higher and further education institutions. The impact of emergency measures has not stopped education, it has inspired innovation and we are indebted to all those continuing to provide education in these trying times.”
Update from Department 19/3/20
19 March, 2020 – Minister McHugh Announces Cancellation of Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle Oral and Practical Performance Tests
Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD has today (Thursday 19 March 2020) announced the cancellation of oral and practical performance tests of the state examinations which were originally scheduled to take place from Monday 23 March to Friday 3 April 2020.
All students who were due to take these tests will be awarded full marks for this portion of the exam.
The decision was taken in light of the closure of schools as a result of the Covid-19 virus and it will be implemented by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).
Minister McHugh said: “This is a difficult time for all. Students are facing a challenging period out of school and our decision on this element of the exams is being taken with their best interests at heart.
“It is the fairest response we could take in the circumstances. It guarantees that no student will score less than they would have if schools had been operating as normal.
“We have seen a new emphasis on remote learning amid the uncertainty about the impact of Covid-19 and the closure of all schools. I hope this decision will ease some of the pressure that students are feeling and allow them to focus more clearly on completing project work and preparing for written exams.”
The change to the 2020 state examinations means all students who were due to take oral and practical performance tests in the following subjects will be given full marks for this part of the examination:
- Oral tests in Leaving Certificate Irish and the Modern Languages of French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Japanese.
- Practical performance tests in Leaving Certificate Music.
- Practical performance tests in Junior Certificate Music and Home Economics.
Minister McHugh also confirmed changes to deadlines for students to complete project work and coursework in a number of subjects.
Students were originally scheduled to complete these elements of the state examinations on a number of dates from Friday 20 March to Friday 24 April 2020, depending on the subject.
Students will now be given until Friday 15 May 2020 to complete this work.
Minister McHugh said: “We know we are asking a lot of people in order to stem the spread of Covid-19. In response to that I want students and their parents or guardians and teachers to be given flexibility as they work towards the exams.
“All of Government is hugely grateful for the effort, commitment and energy that students and teachers are putting in to continue education in difficult circumstances. I urge you all to keep up the momentum and focus on preparing for the exams.”
Minister McHugh also said the Department will continue to work with the State Examinations Commission to monitor the Covid-19 situation in terms of its potential impact on the other later scheduled components of the state examinations.
“We will continue to respond at the right time and in the right way, with the impact on our students at the forefront of our minds,” Minister McHugh said.
The Minister also advised of steps taken by the Department to minimise the impact on teaching and learning of the current school closures. All schools have been asked to continue to plan lessons and, where possible, provide online resources for students or online lessons where schools are equipped to do so. Schools have also been asked to be conscious of students that may not have access to online facilities and to consider this actively in their responses. School buildings are available to staff if they wish to access the facilities in order to provide online delivery, or essential services once this is in line with Health Service Executive (HSE) advice.
The Department of Education and Skills will continue to provide supports to the education sector at this time, particularly schools with students taking State examinations.
The Department of Education and Skills has been liaising closely on a continual basis with the Department of Health in relation to Coronavirus/Covid-19 since early January. This will continue.
Update
Dear Parent,
We wish to advise you that the Department of Education and Skills has advised that all schools will close from this evening 12th March 2020 and remain closed until the 29th March, subject to Department review. https://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2020-press-releases/12-march-2020-statement-from-the-department-of-education-and-skills.html
Please find school letter issued today here
Covid-19 infomation
Click on letter to read important information in relation to Covid-19 Corona Virus.
Student Spaces
This year the JCSP team looked to set-up students spaces around the school to promote student wellbeing and positive behaviour across the whole school. Below are some pictures of the newly developed spaces which includes a reading area.
Office 365 for Parents
A request was made by our Parents Forum, which is comprised of representatives from each of our 8 Post-Primary Schools, to provide parents with an introduction to Office365 and how it is being used in Kerry ETB schools for teaching and learning.
As a result we have organised a short course in Tralee for parents and guardians from Coláiste Gleann Lí and Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí to learn about this technology.
The Course, which is being run in conjunction with the Kerry ETB Community Education Programme, will take place in Kerry College, Clash Campus, Tralee.
There will be two sessions, the first will take place on Tuesday January 14th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm., and the second session will take place the following Tuesday, January 21st from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
Session 1 will cover individual tools and will give an overview of Office365 plus an introduction to Outlook, Calendar, OneDrive, Outlook Mobile, OneDrive Mobile and Office ProPlus.
Session 2 will cover collaborative tools, giving an introduction to Teams, Forms, OneNote, OneNote Class Notebook and Immersive Reader.
Stand-Up Week
BeLonG To‘s Stand Up Awareness Week addresses homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in secondary schools and youth services by encouraging friendship and positive understanding of LGBTI+ young people. This year you can take part in Stand Up Awareness Week from the 12th to the 16th of November.
Study Skills Workshop
‘She Runs’ Paris Trip
Coláiste Gleann Lí students enjoyed a week in Paris last week as part of the ‘She Runs’ Athlethic Programme. Our students represented Ireland at the event and had a great time across the four days. Well done to teacher Mr. Creagh for all his work in organising the trip.
She Runs is a year-long sport and education program, which flagship event took place in Paris from 11-15 March during the week of the International Women’s day 2019. It aims to promote physical activity among young women, using the school sport environment as a levier for girls’ empowerment.
Vex Robotics Finalists
Well done to our 5th Yr Engineering students Gavin Mulvihill, Max Anhalt and Kian Lydon who were finalists in IT Tralee’s Vex Robotics Competition. The students were mentored by their Engineering and Robotics teacher Mr. Michael O’ Sullivan. As part of the competition the students built and coded their own robots. Well done all.
Best of Luck
Best of luck to all our students in their upcoming exams. May you get the results you deserve.
Exam Stress
Click on picture to access a guide for parents on how to help their child manage stress at exam time.
Kerry ETB Awards
Congratulations to all our students that received a Kerry ETB Award. Our Award winners were; Snjezana Herbsts – Exceptional Leadership in the School Council, Clodagh Quirke – School Academic Excellence Award, Donald Walsh – Peer Mentor Award, Gavin Mulvihill – Junior Certificate Academic Award, Aodhán Quirke – Junior Certificate Academic Award, Aleksandra Skotak – Exceptional Involvement in the life of the school at Junior Cycle, Ethan Byrne – Adventure Expedition 2018 Award, Tomás Lynch – Adventure Expedition 2018 Award. The Kerry ETB award ceremony was a great occasion for the students, their Parents and Coláiste Gleann Lí. The awards acknowledge the great success of students across Kerry ETB and the many successes and achievements of Colaiste Gleann Lí students in the last year.
Nightclasses
Check out the exciting new Spring Programme.
Girls Football
Girls FootballWell done to our girls football team that traveled to Listowel today to play Coláiste na Ríochta. The girls played brilliantly. Well done to the management team Of Ms. Reidy, Ms. Lynch and Mr. Barrett.
Science Quiz
Second year students were first to kick off Science Week in Coláiste Gleann Lí taking part in a Science Quiz. Winners of the Quiz will be presented tomorrow with their certificate and voucher. Winners were Gearóid Costello, Michael Rowe, Cody O Brien and Nico Misztal. Well done to the winning team.
Science Week
As part of Science week, we had Catherine Daly a facilitator from SEAI giving our 1st years a workshop on energy and sustainability. The students engaged in a very interesting and informative workshop on energy changes and the students even got an opportunity to make their own device that transforms energy from one form to another which is part of Junior Cycle Science.
This is linked also to our Green Schools Team as we are currently working on our energy flag. Well done to all the students involved and to our Science Department of Ms. Regina Casey and Ms. Aoife Reidy.
Well-being Week
Below is an outline of some of the exciting activities going on in the school next week (12th – 16th Nov) as part of our annual Well-being Week. The focus this year will be on relaxation, mindfulness and maintaining a healthy mind and body. The week will also look at how we can effect others well-being in a positive way.
Green Schools Event
Gavin Harte from Pedal Energy Ireland ran a workshop on energy where students pedalled bikes and powered the projector, microphone and speakers. This was for our Action Day for the energy flag for Green schools. The talk informed the students about renewable energy and the importance of monitoring our energy usage. The workshop was funded by the environmental section of Kerry County Council.
Well done to all the students who worked very hard powering all the equipment and got to benefit from smoothies at lunch that were made from the power created from pedalling!! A big thank you to Ms. Casey for bringing it all together.
Competition Winners
Sport is a big part of life at Coláiste Gleann Lí and an important part of that is our after-school sports clubs. Below our P.E. department of Mr. Creagh and Mr. Barrett are presenting the winners of this years’ sports club competition with their prizes at our Astro Turf pitch. Well done to all our winners.
Open Day
Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow at our Open Day 10a.m. to 1 p.m. Come along to see what the fastest growing school in Tralee is all about. Top quality teaching and learning, innovative teaching practices and cutting edge ICT innovation. A school for all promoting Learning, Caring, Respect and Inclusion……..The school staff and students are all ready to welcome you tomorrow morning!!
Tag Rugby
Well done to Mr. Creagh and all our students that took part in the Tag Rugby Blitz in Tralee last week. Nice write up in The Kerry’s Eye.
Orienteering Event
This week our 2nd year students went orienteering in Ballyseede Woods as part of the Kerry ETB Rich Tasks Events. The day was topped off with a visit to the Bowling Alley.
Futsal
Well done to our 1st year girls Futsal team who played excellently today in Killorglin and were unlucky to lose their their final game. Thanks to team manager Mr. Creagh.
Positive Behaviour Festival
A big thank you to the Students’ Council for organising a wonderful event for all our students to mark the end of a great year. Students spilled into the Basketball courts to sample Ice-cream, Face painting and some great music. It was a great event and one the many Positive behaviour initiatives running in the school. Our new picnic benches also got great use. A big thank you to all that helped out.
A Great Year
It’s been a great year at Coláiste Gleann Lí. This video is just a small glimpse of life at Coláiste Gleann Lí.
School Awards
On the 24th May Coláiste Gleann Lí held its annual awards. This year’s award ceremony celebrated the school’s successes and also celebrate the varied achievements of Coláiste Gleann Lí second level students over the past academic year. The awards reflect school policy which strives for the holistic development of each student and will recognise students’ multiple intelligences with specific awards for attendance, diligence, academic improvement, contribution to school life and sport.
STUDENT OF THE YEAR; Jasmine Griffin
MOST HELPFUL STUDENT/ JUNIOR CYCLE; Kieran Duggan
MOST HELPFUL STUDENT/SENIOR CYCLE; Michaela Lenihan
CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOOL LIFE/ JUNIOR CYCLE; Ola Skotak
CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOOL LIFE/SENIOR CYCLE; Jasmine Griffin
SPORTS AWARD—JUNIOR CYCLE; Conor Commane
SPORTS AWARD—SENIOR CYCLE; Nikita Malovs
DILIGENCE AWARDS:
1st year – Karolina Szlapka & Kelsey O’Mahony
2nd year – Sophie Foran
3rd year – Hannah Mullins & Aodhán Quirke
5th year – Blanka Siekaniec & Tomás Lynch
6th year – Clodagh Quirke
A big thank you as always to Photographer Mr. Dominick Walsh for some great shots.
EA Robotics Ireland
Congratulations to our students that entered the Irish EA Robotics competition on the 9th May in the Galmont Hotel Galway. Two of our students Kacper Mroczek and Alvaro Moqi finished in third place in the National Finals which was a fantastic achievement. There was 176 robots taking part in the competition and to finish in the top three is testament to the excellent Robotics programme we offer here at the school and one of our many STEM initiatives. Well done to Mr. Michael O’ Sullivan teacher over the programme, which is kindly funded by our School Completion Programme (SCP). Coláiste Gleann Lí entered 18 robots and 13 of those ended up in the top 25. Mr. O’ Sullivan and the students have put in great work all year and it was great that this was rewarded on the day.
Sod Turning to mark new Extension and Building works
A large Crowd gathered at Coláiste Gleann Lí this morning 14/5 which included Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport Mr. Brendan Griffin to the ‘turning of the sod’ event which marks the commencement of new extension and building works at the school. The exciting new developments at the school include; An ICT/ Creative Arts Centre, additional classrooms to cater for increasing enrolments, new state of the art ASD Units, lighting and changing facilities for the School Astroturf and refurbishment of the Original school building,
Active Week
Coláiste Gleann Lí’s annual active week took place from the 30th -4th May. The school celebrated the week with numerous events and activities along with guest speakers to promote being active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The week supports all the work we do here in the promotion of wellbeing. Activities included; Swimming, Golf, Tennis, Fruit Trolley, Basketball, Teachers V Students Volleyball Game and much more culminating in a 5k race on Friday. Well done to the PE department here in the school as well as the teachers that helped out all week. Thank you especially to Mr. John Creagh for all his work. Below is a video from the 5K, thanks to Ms. Lowney for putting it together. Please see pics below.
1st Year -Athletics 19th April 2018
The Rich task event was held in An Riocht Athletics track Castleisland on Thursday 19th April 2018. All KETB schools were invited to participate in an event just for 1st year students. It was a fantastic day for all involved. Well done to all the Colaiste Gleann Li students who participated and put in a great effort. All the organisers were very proud of all the students and the weather and track were in fantastic condition. Congratulations to Tom Quilligan who put in a great performance in the 1500m to finish 2nd on the day.
This day and others like it form part of the excellent Physical Education Programme we offer at Coláiste Gleann Lí. With Basketball, Soccer and Football teams at the school as well as an Afterschool activities club there is wonderful opportunities for students to participate and compete in numerous sports and develop their talents.
Coláiste Gleann Lí- leads the way in presenting the new Junior Certificate Profile of Achievement
Coláiste Gleann Lí presented its current fifth year cohort with their Junior Certificate Profile of Achievement earlier this year. This was a historic event for the school and the town as they are the first cohort of students in an English-medium school to receive the certificates. The school organised a BBQ in their student garden to mark the occasion.
The students were very appreciative of the opportunity to celebrate the many cross curricular and extracurricular activities and learning opportunities that they participated in over the 3-year Junior Certificate Cycle at Coláiste Gleann Lí.
Wellbeing
With school closed for the Summer, please find on this page some useful helplines and support services. Click on image to Access.
Covid-19 advice
Dear Parent/ Guardian, We wish to support the health and safety of all the school community and take precautions to prevent spread of COVID-19. Please find link to relevant info on school website at https://bit.ly/3aDBxcp and facebook. Make sure to encourage regular handwashing with your child, you will find a helpful video link above.
Proud to be a Kerry ETB School
Find out about our Student Council
Presentation on IEPs
Well done to sixth year student Yann O’Carroll who presented on the importance of IEPs at a briefing in Leinster House in front of TDs and Senators asking ‘Please don’t leave us behind’ in Down Syndrome Irelands campaign to ensure full inclusion in our nation’s classrooms. Yann told them about his educational journey, outlining why Individual Education Plans are so critical for him to reach his full potential so he can access further education and meaningful employment in the future.
Click here to watch a video of Yann’s presentation
Girls Basketball
Congratulations to our 1st yr Girls Basketball team that took part in a local Blitz in Castleisland on Friday 14/12. Well done to the team and Mr. Creagh the team manager.
2nd in the World
Congratulations to Finn Healy who came second in the World with team Ireland in the World Shore Championships in Portugal. A fantastic achievement and we are all very proud of him here at Colaiste Gleann Li. Well done Finn.
Best of Luck
Best of luck to student Finn Healy representing Ireland at the World Shore Championships in Portugal. Congratulations from all at Colaiste Gleann Li, what a fantastic achievement to represent your country.
Maths Week
First year students enjoying a ‘drop everything and Suduko’ event as part of Maths Week at the school. Well done to the teachers involved; Ms. Hegarty, Ms. Hayes and Mr. Dineen.
Night Classes
Click on image to view some of the exciting opportunities to up-skill with our new Autumn Programme.
Cappanalea Trip
First years enjoying their trip to Cappanlea on Wednesday 30th June as part of our Wellbeing Programme and Junior Cycle PE
Radio Kerry Piece
A great piece from Radio Kerry’s Talkabout programme on our turning of the sod event. Well done to all that took part especially members of the Board of Management, Parents’ Council and Students’ Council. A great event that has launched an exciting new chapter of education provision at Coláiste Gleann Lí.
Sci-Fest
Congratulations also to Sophie Foran and Kieran Duggan and their teacher Ms. Regina Casey on representing the school so well at SCIFEST at IT Tralee on Wednesday 9th May.
Internet Safety
On Thursday 26th April Coláiste Gleann Lí hosted Dr. Maureen Griffin. Dr. Griffin an expert in online and social media safety spoke to all our students on how to protect themselves online. The talk was a great insight into life online and the importance of protecting yourself. It also sparked great discussion with the student and some great debate.
Winners in Robotics
Coláiste Gleann Lí offers modern courses in ICT, Robotics, Programming and Creative Media to prepare students for highly sought after third level courses and careers in these areas. The fruits of the students’ labour in these areas was demonstrated nationally in the 2018 EA Games where two third year students, Kacper Mroczek and Alvaro Moqi scooped the coveted prize for their robotics projects. These and other initiatives driven in the school by our Science and Technology departments offer students excellent opportunities and help make Coláiste Gleann Lí a leader in innovative STEM development
Revision Tips
Click on image to access 41 revision tips.
Skills at Work Programme
Coláiste Gleann Lí hosted the ‘Skills at Work’ programme in April. Eileen Fitzgerald of ‘Business in the Community’ and John Falvey of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority were part of the team that conducted the workshops with our Senior Cycle students. The programme aims to prepare students for the world of work and works in tandem with our LCVP programme. This year students experienced three modules centred on Careers, CV & Interview preparation and participated in a job interview. The SFPA also presented about their work along the coast and brought a variety of fish samples and apparatus for a ‘hands-on’ demonstration. A word of thanks to Ms. Norma Breen, Ms. Myrna Egan and our School Completion Programme Co-ordinator Ms. Norma Thompson.
Adam Harris Visit- Coláiste Gleann Lí
Coláiste Gleann Lí hosted Keynote Speaker Adam Harris on the 27th February to launch Diversity Week at the school. As part of this week numerous events are being hosted to shine a light on difference and to raise an awareness of Diversity. Students and Staff all gathered in the School assembly for what was a wonderful and enlightening session with Adam who spoke about what it is like to live with Autism.
Adam Harris is a 23 year old social entrepreneur, Autism advocate and Founder-CEO of AsIAm.ie, an organisation committed to building a more Autism-friendly society in Ireland. Adam established AsIAm.ie based on his own experiences of growing up with Asperger’s Syndrome, a condition on the Autism Spectrum.
The session led to great questions from our students and lead to wonderful discussions and dialogue on what it means to be different and how no two people are the same. Adam was introduced by our MC and Photographer for the day, student Donald Walsh. The event was funded by the School Completion Programme, and the school wishes to thank Ms. Norma Thompson for her involvement and a special word of thanks to Ms. Margaret Kenny for organising the session and bringing the event all together.
Rap Project
Students in Coláiste Gleann Lí with their song You are recorded as part of a recent music project.
New Junior Cycle
Click on image below to view information on the new Junior Cycle which includes info on the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement Award which will issue for the first time this year.
Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement
Shortly students who sat their Junior Cycle exam in Summer 2017 will receive their Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement Award(JCPA). This certificate will include subject results, Classroom Based Assessment (CBA) results and Other Areas of Learning. The Department of Education has issued a privacy notice which outlines how this data will be stored by the school and the Department. Please click here to view.
Music Project
Students in Coláiste Gleann Lí with their song Heroes recorded as part of a recent music project.
