Christmas Greeting 2020

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our students, parents, guardians and staff a very happy and safe Christmas. We also greet the wider Leixlip community and thank them for their continuing support. Our students and staff would normally gather in our local church, The Church of Our Lady’s Nativity,  for our annual carol service where the singing of ‘O Holy Night’ would be the highlight. We didn’t want to disappoint so we recorded one of our 5th Year’s, Elizabeth Kovalchuk, singing a beautiful version of  Adolphe Adam’s weel known carol.

We hope you enjoy!

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BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2021

'Well done to our three students who entered the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2021. Here they are pictured with their certificates of participation. Grace's project focused on the reliability of the five second rule. Anna's project is investigating the effect of Covid-19 and the PPE on the environment. Meghan's project is an extension of her SciFest winning project discussing which material is the best at insulating different temperatures. We are very proud of each participant and their work.'

Pictured (L-R): Grace Barry (2nd year), Anna Evans (4th year) and Meghan Castaneda (3rd year)


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Computational Thinking Challenge

During Technical Graphics and Science classes, students tried out some Computational Thinking Challenges courtesy of Bebras and NUI Maynooth. Pictured here are the top two scorers from each category (Cadet 12-14 years, Juniors 14-16 years & Seniors 16-18 year). Stand out scores from all who entered were Antoni (scoring 117/171) and Fionn (scoring 106/171). These two 2nd years were presented with a Microbit from the school to continually encourage their technological curiosities #STEM #Techweek

Ms.Holohan, Elizabeth Kovalchuk (Senior), Antoni Gorski (Cadet), Kevin Kelly (Junior), Fionn Hayes (Cadet), Nikki Haveron (Junior), Mr.McMahon. Absent from photo- Emma Cullen (Senior)

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Remembering Our Deceased

On Thursday we gathered in the Memorial Garden to remember all those who have passed away in the last year. The service was broadcast on google classroom to the whole school. Joining the chaplain in the garden were the students who had lost a family member since last November. During the liturgy the students placed the names of the deceased on the cross and were then gifted with a memorial candle to take home to their families.

Ms Gallagher also remembered our colleague Packie Hughes who passed away in August. Following the service the cross was moved to the front of the school from where students and staff can continue to remember their loved ones by placing their names on the cross during the month of November.


Pushing the envelope.

First year English students from Ms. Hosey's class and our new principal, Mr. Neville, pose for a photo with the letters they'll be sending to people in local care homes as part of a penpal initiative. Isolation has been a growing concern for older people in our community and our pupils look to play their part in combatting this by reaching out and practicing their letter-writing skills in the process! Please get in touch if you know a care home etc. that might like to participate: eoinenglish@colaistechiarain.com

Does your child's career lie in ruins?

First year history students took part in 'The Big Dig' today on the grounds of CC. This is a hands-on workshop by professional archaeologists where students get to excavate a recreation of a Viking longhouse site of the type that have been found in Ireland. The students have just finished learning about archaeology in class, so what better way to reinforce this than by getting their hands dirty under the guidance of the pros!

History CBAs on display

Who knew our 3rd years had such illustrious ancestors! From Fenian assassins to trail-blazing cross-channel female swimmers! Our history students opened a fascinating door to their past as part of their history CBA1 task. This Classroom Based Assessment requires second year students to produce a display related to local/family history. This excellent work from last year is currently on display in the school library to help inspire students from the years below.

Message from the Board of Management - 14 May 2020



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At the April meeting of the Board of Management and arising from the Principal’s comprehensive report on Covid-19 measures in place by the school to support student learning and welfare, the board expressed its thanks and appreciation to the school’s leadership, teaching staff, SNAs and other staff for their great on-going work and commitment as they work remotely delivering of their best to their students.

The board acknowledged the strains and challenges that the closure of the school and nationwide restrictions and regulations represent for all families. The board expressed its particular support for students and families experiencing illness, bereavement, or worries of any kind.

The board thanked students for the exemplary manner in which they have continued to engage with their teachers since the school closed in mid-March.


The board extended its best wishes to all members of the school community.

Easter History Competition

Easter History Egg Competition

Easter History Egg Competition Results Albert Einstein (x3), Frida Kahlo, Donald Trump, Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Michael D. Higgins and even Osama Bin Laden were some of the historical figures who showed up this Easter to prove again that despite history having some very bad eggs; Leixlip & Coláiste Chiaráin are producing some very good ones indeed!

1st Year’s, Ciara Majoram, romped home with her amazing and felicitous recreation of all 7 of the 1916 Proclamation signatories along with The GPO! Runners Up were the Mooney clan, headed by 3rd Year’s Shauna, with their faithful and apt depiction of DaVinci’s iconic fresco ‘The Last Supper’. Mia Bailey-Chandler from 1A4, produced a ‘relatively’ brilliant tribute to Albert Einstein who proved a popular subject.

Well done to all who took part. A huge thanks to Croí Laighlin Credit Union for their generous sponsorship of the prizes.

Uncovering local history

How many times have you walked by St. Mary's on the main street? Did you know that this church dates from the 12th century? Ever noticed the two gargoyles just above the clock in the tower keeping watch over the village? Ever noticed that the nave roof clearly used to be much higher? Ever seen the plaque in the church's wall facing the ancient graveyard dedicated to a victim of drowning back in 1607? Just some of the pearls history students from 2A3 & 2A4 uncovered on their visit this morning. The students are currently working on CBAs based on local/family history therefore a visit to one of our town's many historical sites was timely. Thank you very much to Reverend Scott Peoples for being such a warm and generous host and for facilitating some really enjoyable hands-on learning.

Ski Trip 2020

This year 37 students and 4 teachers braved the slopes of Lavarone, Italy for the school’s annual ski trip. After a visit to the beautiful city of Verona the group spent 5 days perfecting their technique while taking on the mountain’s bumps and bends. We spent our evenings playing basketball and tubing, and we even had time for some karaoke!

Here are some of the memories we made:

SchoolsGoOrange and Cycle Against Suicide

Colaiste Chiarain is delighted to support #SchoolsGoOrange and Cycle Against Suicide school’s programme. This programme sets out to create a caring, respectful and safe learning environment that supports mental health in schools building hope and resilience and fostering a sense of belonging among students in our school. It is so important for all schools to take a proactive approach to mental health as research highlights that one in three young people in Ireland will experience some form of mental health issue in any given year. Futhermore evidence shows that early intervention is critical if treatment is to have the most positive outcomes for the future life chances of those affected’.

Promotion of Gaelic games within the community

On Friday, Senior students Kerri Thornton, Jack Quinn, Eva Turley, Eimear Harrington, Aisling McCarthy, Darragh Melville, Ciarán Silke, Keith O'Callaghan and Joe Ledwidge, accompanied by Leixlip GAA Club GPO Michael Gillick and teachers Mr Mc Mahon and Mr Farrell, visited Scoil Uí Dailigh, Scoil Eóin Phoil, Scoil Bhríde and Scoil Mhuire. The purpose of the visit was to help promote and inspire Gaelic Games amongst the pupils of the four schools. It was also a chance for our students to link back with their former primary school. 

The group of students are all current Minor club players with Leixlip and many have represented Kildare. Jack Quinn and Ciarán Silke won a Leinster Minor Championship with Kildare last year. Eva Turley, Eimear Harrington, Kerri Thornton and Aisling McCarthy are all current Ladies Football Minor Division 1 Champions. Eva and Eimear also have All-Ireland Ladies Football medals with Kildare. Darragh Melville and Keith O'Callaghan were on the Kildare Minor Hurling team that progressed to the Leinster Semi-Final last year. Joe Ledwidge is a current Kildare Minor Footballer. The students brought with them the Leinster Minor Championship, and the Kildare Ladies Minor Division 1 and Minor Division 6 Cups. 

It was a great day for the youth of our community, and the pupils of the four primary schools enjoyed holding the cups and asking questions of their visitors. Special mention must go to Michael Gillick who organised the event, and whose work in Gaelic Games is much appreciated by all local schools. We would also like to thank each of the schools who made time for our visit.