CASTLEPOLLARDCommunity College

FIRELightingPAILFillingEDUCATION

is notthe

but the

of a

of a

- William Butler Yeats2

Principal’s AddressThank you for taking time to consider our college as the ideal

place to nurture your child’s education. We are very proud of the

continuous, yet dynamic developments our college has undergone

in the past five years. Castlepollard Community College is a small

co-educational school with a multi-denominational ethos.

The campus which was opened in 2005 and recently developed with

two more state of the art classrooms added boasts the most modern

of facilities. The college provides a fusion of impressive IT facilities

all the while incorporating the traditional positives of education.

The relationship between old and new is something which we see

as central to the success of Castlepollard Community College.

We are proud of the strong relationship with our local community and parents.

Being regarded as a “small” college, we are very much aware of our role as a pillar of

the local community. This important role is fulfilled by providing a personal touch with

outstanding pastoral care for our students. We feel that fostering close relationships

between teachers and students compliments 21st century teaching and learning.

Ultimately, the personal and caring nature of our small classes gives learners

the support and high expectations to match the aspirations of our students.

Mary Coyle, PRINCIPAL

TeacherJoy

ARTSupreme

knowledge

It is the

of the

and

in CREATIVE

EXPRESSION

toAWAKEN

- Albert Einstein3

Teaching Staff TEACHERS SUBJECTSMaeve Bourke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Maths, Science, Biology, Ag Science, PhysicsAoife Brady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PE, Biology, ScienceStephen Melody . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Science, MathsRedmond Burke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TG, Woodwork, Construction St, DCGAnn Marie Casey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Science, Biology, Chemistry, MathsSharon Carberry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .English, GeographyAoife Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Geography, IrishBrian Caffrey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Metalwork, Engineering, TG, DCGSerena Dillon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Irish, FrenchPatrick Gilsenan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Business Studies, Accounting, LCVPLaura Harrison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PE, SENNicola Hayes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Maths, PE, ITFinbar Jordan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .English, HistoryTherese Kenefick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Business Studies, AccountingTara Kiernan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Religion, HistoryCatriona Kilbride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .French, Music, LCVPJoan Leonard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .English, MusicAnne Marie Lohan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Home Economics, Economics, SENJames McGrath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Science, BiologyLaura McLoughlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Social StudiesOrla McManus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .English, History, SENLorraine Mimnagh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Art, ITMichael Murphy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Woodwork, TG, Construction St, DCGZara Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Irish, FrenchBreege Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Guidance and Counselling, SEN, LCVPMiriam Mac Elroy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Home-School Liason Co-Ordinator

Along with providing small class groups, the college also

provides an extensivesubject choice.

4

21st CenturyLearning

“Using the iPad Iwas able to create myown autobiography inEnglish using the app,

Book Creator.”– John Connolly

“I enjoyworking with

other students inEnglish to createpresentations.”

- Ian Dobson

“I love beingcreative and working with other students

on projects.” - Orla Smith

What is 21st Century Learning?

Our school motto is at the forefront of everything we do as a college.21st Century Learning is much more than a technologically savvy student.

At Castlepollard Community College, we believe in nourishing an education which promotes the well rounded, 21st Century pupil. Through cross-curricular activities,

focus on academic achievement and the promotion of extra-curricular fulfilment our students are educated with the learning, literacy and life skills at the heart of modern education.*

Our focus as an educational institute is to provide students with an educational structure which encourages collaboration, creative initiative and critical thinking.* These skills and focuses,

which are central to the teaching methods of our staff, form the core elements of not only 21st century learning but also the new Junior Cycle currently being implemented.**

Here at Castlepollard Community College, we feel strongly that our pupils are sufficiently prepared to address the

range of interpersonal, creative and technologically centred skills at the heart of the modern Irish educational system.**

The college’s focus on IT as an access point to these skills for all students, along with the endless creative possibilities enhanced by the use of IT

allows our students to approach their lessons, their work and their learning with the key skills necessary for the

new Junior Cert Cycle and ultimately the workplace

* k12.thoughtfullearning.com** http://www.juniorcycle.ie/NCCA_JuniorCycle

“The iPads reallyhelp with researchand project work.”

- Francis Murphy-Cassen

“The iPads help uswith homework as I

can even communicatewith my classmates and

teachers from home when I need help throughthe Showbie app.”- Shauna Cribbon

Principal:Mary Coyle

Deputy Principal: James McGrath

HSCL: Miriam McElroy

Career Guidance andStudent Counsellor:

Breege Smith

First Year Tutors 2016/2017: Tara Kiernan andMichael Murphy

Breakfast Club:8:00 - 8:45

Complimentarylunch for all

students(2016/17)

CARE TEAM

5

“I really enjoyedusing Keynote to

make a slideshowabout my favourite

TV programmein Irish.”

- Evan Farrelly

“I have enjoyedbeing creative here

at Castlepollard CommunityCollege. In Woodwork I used

the iPad to come up withnew ideas and research

for a project.” - Ciaran Moran

“In Mathswe made a

presentationon Keynote to

help us rememberHCFs and LCFs.”

- Lauren Fitzsimons

“The new apps help usto explore and investigate

in a lot of our subjects,especially History.” - Eleanor Masterson

“Since westarted to use

iPads, I have beenreading more.”

- Rachel Gorman

The caring and nurturing atmosphere hereat Castlepollard Community College has been

supported by our pastoral and pupil care system.

This structure acts as a perfect scaffold to aid ourstudents on their social and academic journey.

Along with the overall care of our Principaland Deputy Principal and Guidance Counsellor, the college offers support from Miriam McElroy, Home School Community Liason Officer and

Martina Smith (Counsellor and Psychotherapist).On a day to day basis, each student ispart of a tutor group with whom theyare guided from first year to final year.

Have a look at our pastoral structure (right).

“It’s easy to rememberthe homework as

teachers can send usour homework on GoogleClassroom and Showbie.”

– Breffni Moore

Pastoral Care and Student Support

Music and Drama

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Music plays a large part in the life of the school. Apart from mainstream music classes, there are many

extracurricular activities for the students to get involved in.

The school choir has been very successful, having performed at:

MASSESGRADUATIONSOPEN NIGHTS

VARIOUS COMMUNITY EVENTSAWARDS NIGHT

The school instrumental group caters for any instrument and any ability.The group plays an array of genres from traditional to popularto classical. Two years ago, the college hosted the first ever full

scale musical, Voulez Vous. The majority of the student bodywere involved in some capacity and the show was a hugesuccess, especially in the local community. The show was

followed last year by a production of Oklahoma, whichtook place to large crowds in the Mullingar Arts Centre.

This year, Transition Year will take to the stage of theArts Centre once again as the college is currently

preparing a production of John B. Keane's,Big Maggie, due to be staged in late November.

For students who are interested in threading the

boards, there are a variety of theatrical activities

on offer at Castlepollard Community College.

Transition years enter the Briery Gap competition

each year. This year they will be partaking in

the Gaiety School of Acting Playwriting Workshop

and will write and produce their own play.

There is also an improvisation group that meets

regularly which is open to any students.

We have also attended many national productions,

including Oklahoma, The Field, An Trial and To Kill

a Mockingbird along with various productions in

Mullingar Arts Centre.

Music and Drama

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Castlepollard Community College provides a range of

sporting outlets for our pupils. Involvement in sport and

access to a variety of activities for all is key to the ethos of

the college. Students can utilise the essential 21st Century

skills on the field of play as they are encouraged to develop

leadership, display flexibility and demonstrate initiative.

As the school has grown rapidly over the last few years, our involvement

in sport has also. The picturesque setting in which our college sits also provides

us with first-class sporting facilities including a full size GAA pitch, soccer pitch and tennis

courts. The school also has a fully equipped sports hall to host indoor games and activities.

The college coaches students in girls' football and camogie, whilst the boys'

hurling team has gone from strength to strength. The annual "C'mon Caman"

celebration of local hurling with our neighbouring primary schools,

perfectly illustrates the sporting pillar that is Castlepollard

Community College in the community.

The school also provides training from

professionally trained coaches in both soccer

and tennis. This year, the school has also made

the venture into competing in girls' hockey.8

Sporting Activities

North Leinster Champions2016 (U16)

REVEALCharacterSPORTSdo notBUILD

they it

- John Wooden

• Physical Education

• Hurling & Camogie

• Gaelic Football

• Soccer

• Hockey

• Lacrosse

• Tennis & Table Tennis

• Badminton

• Athletics & Cross Country Running

• Gymnastics

• Equestrian team

• Basketball

• Volleyball

Sports Available at Castlepollard Community College

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Student LeadersLuke Roddy and Killian Hogan:Scifest Award Winners 2015

Emma Walsh: Camogie Captain

Nicole Gallegos: Editor of the Student Newspaper, Cionn Talk

Megan D’arcy: Sports Editor of the Student Newspaper, Cionn Talk

Dean Gibbons: Senior Hurling Captain

Jenny Kelly: Associate Director of the School Musical 2015

Roger Butler: Athletics Captain

Allysha Moore: Girls’ Hockey Captain

Jamie McGuigan: Boys’ Football Captain

Michael Carroll: Boys’ Soccer Captain

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Past Pupils and Student Leaders

Kelly Dobson (Year 1, BA, Irish and French)

– Sports scholarship from NUI, Maynooth

My time in Castlepollard Community College was truly unforgettable.

I honestly enjoyed every aspect of coming to school, especially my

sporting life. I was very proud to receive a Sports Scholarship for

NUI Maynooth. I completely immersed myself in the language that

I love which influenced my decision to pursue a career in French

and Irish. My time in Castlepollard Community College gave

me the skills I needed to pursue my college course.

Daragh Qamar (Year 1, BSc, NUI, Maynooth)

– Student of the year 2015)

Castlepollard Community College played a big role

in the development of my academic, sporting and

social life. Whilst attending Castepollard Community

College I achieved a Leaving Cert that I am proud to have obtained,

a North Leinster C title and most importantly I made friends for life.

ScifestAward

Winners

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Class Prefects and Student Council

StudentCouncil

PREFECTS Left to right: Stephen Carroll, Ciaran Moran, Anthony Fagan, Patrick D'arcy, Ryan McCauley Caoimhe Dermody, Ronan Manley, Sian McLaffertyJemma Williams, Ruth Kelly, Josh DohertyMolly Keating, Rebecca Smyth, Naoise McCabe.

Not pictured: Sinead Clarke

For information on carpoolingor private bus transport

contact the college.

Phone: (044) 966 1163Fax: (044) 966 1047

Email: admin.ccc@lwetb.iewww.castlepollardcc.ie

Follow us on Twitter: @Castlepollardcc

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