KERRY’S EYE 4TH MAY 2017 39 CASTLEISLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Exciting times at Castleisland Community College IT GIVES ME great pleasure to contribute to this wonderful Kerry’s Eye supplement in celebration of Castleisland Community College’s 30 Year Anniver- sary. BY CARMEL KELLY, SCHOOL PRINCIPAL nationally, while more have excelled academically. Stu- Three events have been de- dents regularly achieve 600 veloped to mark the three points in the Leaving Certif- decades of Castleisland icate, and some have repre- Community College. We will sented Ireland internationally access school reports. highlight farm safety and recent- hold the final of these events, at sports. New subjects introduced recent- ly, we achieved a World Record a Celebration Evening in the We have been granted the ly include History, Accountancy, for having ‘The most people to school, on Friday, May 19th, funding for a new Science Physics and Applied Maths. Sig- participate in a Sports Quiz’. We 6pm-9pm. Laboratory that will be built nificantly, we have introduced the invited the other local post prima- The academic achievements this summer. Our reception oral elements of the Junior Cer- ry and primary schools to help us of Castleisland Community area is also being refurbished tificate languages, Gaeilge and achieve this milestone. College are long documented to celebrate our thirtieth year. French, which crucially provides We’re looking forward to our over the decades, with huge The AstroTurf, a joint venture students with the opportunity to Celebration Evening on May 19th achievements in many sub- with the local soccer club, has engage with the oral elements of with music, dance, photographs, ject areas - including in the also moved closer to fruition. the languages to a much greater stories and video links from for- Science and Maths Olympiad We have introduced more degree. mer students around the world. where our students have ex- technology to help with Castleisland Community Col- We live in exciting times here at celled in the areas of Mathe- managing the daily business lege also has a very successful Castleisland Community College, matics and Science. of school life, including an Transition Year programme, as in partnership with Kerry Edu- Past students have achieved online attendance record well as a wealth of co-curricular cation and Training Board, our greatly and are a credit both that also records students’ and extracurricular activities. Board of Management, Parents to their local communities academic progress. We aim to The previous two decades of Association, School Staff and and worldwide. Many have enable parents to access this the school were celebrated by Student’s Council. Follow us on displayed enormous entre- system in the future, to check holding a very successful Trac- Facebook, Twitter or our school Teresa Lonergan, Deputy Principal and preneurial skills locally and on their child’s progress and tor Run on Sunday March 4th to website. Carmel Kelly, Principal, Castleisland Community College PROJECT MATHS SUPPORT JUNIOR CERT PARENTS Magazine STUDENTS captures HAVE BIG PLANS school’s best The many highlights of the year in Castleisland Commu- FOR THEIR TOWN nity College can be seen in the annual school magazine, CASTLEISLAND STUDENTS HAVE big plans to produced by TY students. ensure their town is at its best, including a Students began work on the host of creative and innovative ideas, as part magazine in September and they captured images, gath- of the Architects in Schools initiative with the ered information and collect- help of teacher Aidan Joy and architect Tadgh ed their many highlights and McMullen. memories. Teacher Annette The TY students last year spent four months working on Steinborn says it is a great the project before holding an open evening to showcase experience for the students. their ideas to the public. CASTLEISLAND COMMUNITY COL- their maths homework. past few years,” Teresa said. “The students volunteer for Their practical and simple improvements that could be LEGE doesn’t just support their This year, over twenty parents took part The six-week programme has taken place the editorial team and they implemented to improve the area included a bus shelter, a students - they also ensure that in the Project Maths course at the school in Castleisland Community College for work together from the be- permanent farmers market, an art studio and café, a graffiti parents are best equipped to sup- and coordinator Teresa Lonergan says it is the past few years, and interest in the pro- ginning of the year to collect room and pottery studio and a lighting and cycle path along port their children outside of school a great initiative for all involved. ject has increased every year according items for the magazine,” she the river walk. hours. “This course helps dispel some of the to Teresa. said. Their innovative ideas were displayed to a large crowd The school gives parents the chance to fears that parents have in relation to Pro- “This proved to be a huge success with “It is a really great experience including local TDs, councillors, the local community, par- take part in Project Maths which pro- ject Maths,” she said. large numbers opting for the course. for them - they get to experi- ents and members of Castleisland Chamber Alliance - and vides support for parents of Junior Cycle “It covers the basics with parents and will “The parents who have taken part in the ence the whole process right it is hoped that some of their creative and practical ideas students. The course helps parents gain introduce them to the language of Project past have found it so helpful and they up to the final stages, and confidence to support their children with Maths and we have gotten great feedback all receive certificates at the end of the they have been working so may be implemented in the near future. from parents who have taken part over the course,” she added. hard recently.” Congratulations to Castleisland Community School from Congratulations to Castleisland Community CASTLEISLAND School Celebrating 30 years Putting from Fairtrade Pat Kearney Services first Castleisland Community Col- lege provided the thought of Domestic the day this year for Kerry Ra- dio as part of Fairtrade fort- night last March. Working together to support Appliance Repair Castleisland Communi- ty College is a Fair Trade local communities school, which means that it only buys Fairtrade tea and Bank of Ireland is regulated by the 087 2565569 Central Bank of Ireland coffee. It was awarded the Fairtrade certificate in 2015. All the local supermarkets in Continued success to Castleisland Congratulations to Castleisland Community School from Community School from town supply Fairtrade tea and coffee. Fairtrade doesn’t cost Tim Dineen the consumer any more mon- OLYMATH ey, it just means the money P S paid for the item is more fairly Cleaning distributed. 1/2 Courthouse Lane, . Simple everyday activities like Carpets - Upholstery doing our shopping can have - Wooden Floors - Tiles Tel: 066 712 5035 a profound effect on the lives - Powerwashing Houses, Fax: 066 712 8148 of people thousands of miles Paths & Driveways away. Look out for the Fair Tel: 066 71 47170/066 71 23245 Email: [email protected] trade logo the next time you Mob: shop for tea, coffee, bananas, 087 2620824 IT Support for Education Web: www.polymathbookshop.com chocolate and even cotton Scartaglen, Co Kerry. clothing.

40 KERRY’S EYE 4TH MAY 2017 CASTLEISLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE Best wishes to Castleisland Community College on celebrating their 30th Anniversary from Students’ wellbeing Lawrence Curtin comes first Painter & IN OUR INCREASINGLY fast paced lifestyles and in the midst of more challenging times it is becoming Decorator more important to take stock of our wellbeing. Castleisland Community ferent element of wellness CASTLEISLAND College is very aware that followed up with a lunch- schools play a critical role time activity, guest speakers in the promotion of positive in the classroom and ending mental health for young the day with a five-minute people and with the moti- meditation. tel vation and initiative of the A leading expert in men- 087 2244831 Fifty Year Enterprise class tal health and wellbeing a very successful Think addressed third years and Wellness Week took place fifth years. last October. Art therapy, healthy food, This provided students the physical activity also fea- opportunity to reflect on tured in the event. Continued success to their individual wellbeing, As students learned, ‘Life the cultivation of resilience is 10% what happens to us Castleisland Community and friendship awareness. and 90% how we respond.” Each day began with a dif- School from Labhaoise Walmsley, Marie Fleming, Jason Browne, and Jack O’Connor in the Daisy Room mental health corner GLOBAL PASSPORT AWARD Big celebration planned for 30th anniversary IT IS A very special year for Castleisland Com- munity College as the school marks thirty years since it first opened in Tonbwee - and the school has lined up a special celebratory event to mark their milestone occasion. The celebration evening Past pupils who are now will take place in the school living in various parts of on Friday, May 19th from the world will also be part Castleisland Community College was awarded a Diplomatic 6pm to 9pm which will of the celebrations on May Passport in recognition for its work in the area of development education. see current pupils and staff 19th as they will link in with Castleisland Irish Aid, a branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, join with past pupils, for- the school via video link to Christian Steinborn honoured the school with this award in Thomond Park, mer teachers and members share their fondest memo- in April 2016. The school ranks among the top 30 schools in the of the local community for ries of their time spent in the Tel: 066 712 8166 country and is the only Kerry school to merit this achievement. the special event. Community College. The school was assessed under seven different categories: cur- The celebration will cele- Members of the Student’s Christian ricular, extracurricular, teacher capacity and engagement, stu- brate the past, present and Council will officially open Congratulations to Castleisland Community dent capacity and engagement, school leadership/management, future at the school through the event and former pupil in the School celebrating 30 years from school ethos/policy and finally respectful relationships within and music, dance, photographs Christina Fleming - who beyond the school. and stories of times spent at is now a surgeon in Mercy Castleisland Community College has been actively involved in de- Dragon’s velopment education in all of these areas. the school. University Hospital - will be The Crumb The themes that the school has been engaged with are climate There will be a selection special guest at the event. change, fair trade and inequality. of old photographs on dis- Former principals Anne play on a wall of remem- O’Neill, Pat Tarrant and Den SANDWICH DELI brance ranging from the other staff who have been AN ENTERPRISING CAS- many class photographs to involved with the school TLEISLAND student Upper Main Street, sporting achievements and over the three decades will appeared on RTÉ’s Junior INSPIRING FUTURES extracurricular activities also be in attendance on the Dragons with a product he Castleisland that have taken place at the night as well as members of designed to help people STUDY, school over the years. the Board of Management, deal with tangled wiring. Tel: 087 3549986 LEARNING, Old roll books will also be Kerry ETB representatives and the Parents Association. Christian Steinborn’s Easy Coil STUDENT on display on the night and - a device he came up with while ENGAGEMENT there will also be a memo- The very best musical tal- faced with the annual problem Best wishes to all the staff & students at ry lane which will celebrate ents from the Castleisland AND the past thirty years. students will also be on of disentangling the Christmas Castleisland Community College. WELL-BEING lights - has gained national at- SEMINARS “It is a very special year display during the celebra- tention after coming third in the for us and it is the first time tion as the students perform Student Enterprise Awards in T: 01 808 1494 / F: 01 836 2739 we have had such a big cel- everything from classical E: [email protected] ebration in the school,” said to traditional and modern Croke Park. W: www.thesupergeneration.com Carmel Kelly, principal of music. Christian (16) won the Kerry SERVICES INCLUDE Castleisland Community The organising committee finals of the competition, and Best Wishes to Castleisland Community School from College. are also compiling a book was one of 26 business ideas in • Lighting • CCTV • Intruder Alarms “We are looking forward to of old photographs and ar- the finals. • Access Control • Bell Systems welcoming back past pupils ticles spanning across the Christian’s product is a storage • Intercoms • Data Cabling Castleisland and former staff members three decades which will system for wire products that are • Fire Alarms & Emergency Lighting on the night to celebrate the be available on the night. prone to tangling. Since coming school with us,” she added. up with the idea, he has created • Electrical Maintenance & Installation three different devices for differ- • P.A.T. Testing • Thermal Imaging Printing Works ent types of wiring. One is for Congratulations to Christmas lights, another one, Castleisland Community School from the easy coil agri, can be used for storing electric fencing, and KELLIHERS HARDWARE (Tralee) LTD. the third is for general use. Dragon Peter Casey was very WHOLESALE & RETAIL MERCHANTS impressed with the product and was full of praise for the inven- 109 -112 Rock Street, tive young Kerry entrepreneur. Tralee, Co. Kerry “These sorts of products annoy Eleco Services Ltd is a fully insured company 066 7122555 me because I go ‘why didn’t I All work is 100% guaranteed for a period of 12 months. Tullig, Castleisland Tel: Fax: 066 7123375 think of that?’ It’s so simple. Web: www.elecoservices.com Telephone: 086 7141432 You’re an entrepreneur. You’ve T/F: 066 9793680 M: 087 9352517 rt of a Great Traditio got what it takes to be very suc- E: [email protected] [email protected] Pa n cessful in business,” he said.

KERRY’S EYE 4TH MAY 2017 41 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Congratulations to Castleisland Community School Celebrating 30 years from Long tradition of sporting success THERE IS A big emphasis on sport in Castleisland Commu- nity College and the school has had a number of sporting 72 Main Street, Castleisland. successes over the past few years. T. 066 | 7141356 find The school offers everything from email: [email protected] us on basketball to gaelic football to soc- cer and rugby for all their students, and they have continued to excel in Congratulations to recent years racking up local and national titles. Castleisland Community School Castleisland Community College has a huge tradition of excellence in from basketball and the school is continu- ously competing and winning at the Whytes Centra highest levels of national basketball. Both the boys and girls gaelic foot- ball teams have competed at county and regional level, and the students have also worked with former Kerry senior and current Under 21 Kerry Main Street, Castleisland. coach Jack O’Connor where they Tel: 066-7163800 have picked up valuable skills and improved their techniques. The Castleisland students also got to try their hand at rugby and this year the school worked in conjunc- tion with Munster Rugby to estab- lish an Under 15s boys team. For the past thirty years the school teamed up for the development of an community centre and An Ríocht. Community rugby officer with has worked very closely with Cas- astro turf which will be located be- The school is very thankful to the Munster Rugby, Ray Godsden, tleisland AFC to provide a soccer hind the school and will ensure the Desmonds GAA for allowing its held weekly training sessions and programme in the school. Georgie very best playing platform for the school teams to train on their pitch. Invitation to students also did extra training ses- O’Callaghan, of Castleisland AFC, students and community members. Athletics, orienteering, badminton sions at lunchtime. The school will works alongside the school to ensure Sport plays a huge role in the per- and cricket are just a flavour of the Open Day at Browne’s continue to work in collaboration the students are getting the very best sonal development of students at the sporting opportunities available to with Munster Rugby and they hope programme they can get. school and the school have access to students. on Wednesday May 10th 2017 to establish an Under 17 team. The local club and school have also the very best facilities, including the Meet the experts call to Browne’s on May 10th from 10.30am to 5pm Congratulations to Castleisland Community School Plentyt off valuablel bl iinformationf ti on ChChemicals,i l BlBale WWrapping,i FFencers, FFertilisertili & LiLime. celebrating 30 years from Over 20 Trade Stands Light refreshments & plenty of bargains on the day Collins Coach FOR QUALITY, VALUE & SERVICE THINK BROWNES & Cab Hire CAHEREENS, CASTLEISLAND. tel • fax O A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS O (066) 7141560 (066) 7142270 Coach Hire Bus Hire Private Hire Kerry Education and    Training Board KERRY ETB Bord Oideachais agus Making your trip as enjoyable Oiliúna Chiarraí & comfortable as possible. Call 086 8030601

Congratulations to Castleisland Community School on celebrating 30 years from 10 Towns, 20 Centres, 100s of Courses Skills for Work, Life, Family & Community Training for 1,000 + Jobs Kerry ETB wishes Castleisland Community College Student Council, with teacher Ms Lovett. Roller Blinds Vertical Blinds Castleisland Community Roman Blinds Tá an Ghaeilge tábhachtach! Curtains College the very best on Stephen & Ita O’Brien An Scrúdú Cainte don deireadh na mbliana. I mbliana, rinneamar a lán Canopies Teastas Shóisearach: Trí Seachtain na gníomhaíochtaí spraíúla. Email: tralee @acmeblinds.com their 30th year celebration. bliana ó shin, shocraigh na Gaeilge: Gach bliain, bain- Rinne gach duine an iar- Venetian Blinds 26 Rock St., Tralee, Co. Kerry múinteoirí Gaeilge chun tús eann na scólairí taitneamh racht an Ghaeilge a labhairt Pleated Blinds Kerry ETB is very proud of the school and a chuir leis an scrúdú cainte as Seachtain na Gaeilge. le linn na seachtaine. Tel: 066-7129244 its strong record of exemplary teaching roghnach don Teastas Shói- Eagraíonn na múinteoirí Bhí atmaisféar iontach ar Velux Blinds Fax: 066-7129244 searach. Is búntáiste mór é Gaeilge go leor imeachtaí fud na scoile. Bronnadh Wooden Blinds and learning and pastoral care. gan dabt mar tá 40% ag dul cosúil le amhránaíocht, duaiseanna ar na scólairí don scrúdú cainte seo agus tóraíocht taisce, tráth na a bhuaigh na comórtais & much more! éiríonn go hiontach leis na gceist, agus comórtais. éagsúla. daltaí. An Club Gaelach: Bu- Every success to Castleisland Community School from naíodh an club Gaelach Congratulations to Castleisland Community School from O’Connor Coaches naoi mbliana ó shin don chéad bliain. Tugann an CASTLEISLAND Crag Cave Club Gaelach deis dos na daltaí taitneamh a bhaint Ireland’s most exciting Showcave as labhairt na Gaeilge trí chluichí éagsúla a imirt ag am lóin. I mbliana, d’imir said léigeanna sa leadóg boird agus ceangal 4. Bhí sé ar siúil ag am lóin agus mar is gháth bhí an- tel: 066066 71411357141135 chraic ann! Beidh bronnadh For Bookings Contact: CASTLEISLAND. na nduaiseanna ar siúil ag 127 Main Street, Castleisland Thomas 087 9495699 & Cathleen 087 2615216 Tel: 066 7141244 www.cragcave.com 42 KERRY’S EYE 4TH MAY 2017 CASTLEISLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

The teaching staff at Castleisland Community College Back row: Maurice Casey, Donncha Hickie, Doreen Killington, Justin Bennett, Anne Marie Healy, Juanita Lovett, Máiréad Corridon, Noreen Barrett, Pia Thornton, Anne Buckley, Mary O’Leary and Teresa Lonergan (Deputy Principal). Front row: Susan O’Halloran, Neil Browne, Annette Steinborn, Shelia O’Connor, Cáit McEllistrem, Aidan Joy, Stephen Leen, Jacinta Buckley, Elaine Murphy, Marion O’Sullivan, Edwina Hayes, Mary O’Sullivan, Carmel Kelly (Principal), Anna Buckley and Eileen Maloney. Inset: Maria Moriarty, Siobhan Twomey and Breda O’Shea. Students help improve A TALENTED SCHOOL! Castleisland Community College student Vlad Lica is currently the local community preparing for the Mathematical Olympiad which will see him test his knowledge in a series of challenges. Fifth-year honours maths student Vlad has been preparing for the Irish Mathematics Olympiad final round at the University of Limerick, which is one of the mathematics enrichment centres. The success doesn’t end there in Castleisland Community Col- lege as the five fifth year students also reached the final of the Certified Irish Angus Beef School’s Competition. Kevin Lenihan, Saoirse Murphy, Greg Curran, James McDonnell and Tommy O’Regan travelled to Croke Park in March for the national final after being chosen as one of the top thirty schools nationally. As part of the project, the students worked to bring Irish Angus Beef breed back to life by highlighting the production benefits and superior marketing profitability of this product.

Maths Olympian Vlad Lica with Maths teacher Susan O’Halloran.

TRANSITION YEAR STUDENTS in Castleisland Commu- lighting the potential dan- Appliance of Science nity College are taking steps to help improve the lives gers on farms and working to of those within the local community. spread their safety message. Four groups of students - environment and it is their Girls Talk was set up to em- in the classroom Planet Savers, Fitness Pals, second year working on the power women and has been THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT at Castleisland Commu- Safe Acres and Girls Talk project. spreading positive messages nity College was a hive of activity for Science Week. - are working on separate The Fitness Pals are encour- around the school, and have Wishing Castleisland Community School every success Students engaged with fun core subject to Junior Cert projects and they have or- aging students to get involved raised funds for the women’s science facts while enjoying with a broad choice of science ganised a series of events to in sports and fitness by or- refuge in Tralee. celebrating 30 years from factual, thought-provoking subjects available to study in create awareness around their ganising a variety of activi- “We are really proud of all videos relating to science at the school for Leaving Cert, chosen topics for the Young ties such as obstacle courses, the work they have done over Sports Hall Hire the start of classes. currently comprising of Biol- Social Innovator initiative. fitness tasks and walks. the year as part of the YSI First years enjoyed a pleasant ogy, Chemistry, and Agricul- The Planet Savers are cre- The Safe Acres is a farm project,” said Elaine Murphy, trip to Crag Caves, while TY tural Science. ating awareness around the safety group who are high- the coordinating teacher. Events & Parties students organised a science From the start of the 2017- quiz which turned out to be a 18 academic year, Physics will Wishing Castleisland Community very competitive affair. also form part of the school’s Speaking Meeting & The highlight of the week curriculum. School every success celebrating their Training Facilities was undoubtedly the science The Science Department is 30th Anniversary from magic show performed by also engaging with the New French like Laurie Ryan from UL. Junior Cycle Science speci- Call us on 066 7141506 or 085 2099366 Students have also forged fications which incorporate a native! or email us at [email protected] links with the chemistry de- the use of key skills. In order Billy Sarah le Baron has been partment in UCC and have for our students to best ben- MANGAN working as a French lan- previously benefited from the efit from the keys skills ap- guage assistant in Castleis- “spectroscopy in a suitcase” proach to learning, students land Community College workshop carried out by post- will have access to a second COACH & BUS HIRE since October 2016. Sarah, graduate and masters students science laboratory in which from Nantes in France, has with our own students. to engage with the practical Fevara, , Co. Kerry been a valuable addition to Castleisland Community components of Science from the French department. College offers science as a September 2017. Tel: 087 9568382 Our students are fortunate to be able to work every week with Sarah, along with their Best wishes from Congratulations to Castleisland Community School Celebrating 30 years from French teacher, Ms Moloney. Sarah has brought real life French experience to the Castleisland Jackie Reidy classroom and our students have enjoyed learning about various aspects of French FASHION culture. Junior and Leaving Cert stu- Co-Op Mart SCHOOLWEAR, MENSWEAR dents have also worked with LADIESWEAR, FOOTWEAR, Sarah for their oral examina- tions. Tel (066) 714 1247 NEWSAGENTS Sarah says that she is en- joying her time here and she PSRA Licence No 002537 59 Main Street, Castleisland, enjoys getting to know our Telephone: 066 7141440 students during a lunchtime www.castleislandmart.com French club.