S.T.E.M carers for women

Twenty four female students attended a talk about STEM careers for women. This talk was specifically aimed at encouraging young girls to think about a career in computer science. The talk was given by four young women each of whom have a background in computer science but all have completely different careers. This was to show the versatility of having a computer science degree and also to show how having a computer science degree can open many different doors for you in the future. At the moment only 16% of computer science entrants are female yet computer science is becoming one of the most important qualifications in today's world.

It is important for all female students to see this and open their eyes to the prospect of doing a computer science degree. Our students found the talk very interesting and enlightening. Hopefully we will have female computer science graduates in the near future. 

Student Leadership

In Coláiste Chiaráin we are very proud of our student leaders. Today we had the honour of announcing some of our 2018-2019 school leaders: Head Girl - Ciara Bracken, Head Boy - Ciaran Connolly, Deputy Head Girl - Ellen Devine, Deputy Head Boy - Ben Travers. We wish them every success and have full confidence that they will be excellent ambassadors for our school.

TY Trip to Larch Hill

On Thursday 13th September the TY students travelled to Larch Hill. The group had to cook for themselves on arrival with varying levels of success (one group of students learnt why not to cook noodles in a kettle!). Afterwards a campfire was lit and many marshmallows burnt! On Friday there were group games, orienteering, archery, obstacle course, survival skills and grass sledging. Apart from not having a constant phone signal the group really enjoyed themselves!

Junior Certificate results

Congratulations to all the students who received their Junior Certificate results today. The results were exceptionally good and reflect the dedicated work of students and teachers over the last three years. We are very proud of each one of you and wish you the very best as you celebrate with friends and families.

Well done in particular to Alannah Hyland, who achieved ten As including a Distinction in English. Outstanding!


LC Results 2018

Well done to an exceptional group of 6th year students who received their Leaving Certificate results today. The management and staff of Colaiste Chiarain are very proud of each student who reached their potential. Congratulations to all.

We are pleased to say that 70% of our students achieved over 300 points. This is a wonderful achievement for the students, staff and school.

In particular we congratulate Saoirse Flattery who obtained the maximum 625 points and to Sorcha Tiernan who also secured over 600 points. Eleven students achieved over 500 points and there were a number of distinctions in Leaving Certificate Applied. We wish all our graduates every success in their future studies and careers.

Graduation evening 2018

We have a most enjoyable evening on Thursday 24th when we gathered to celebrate the passing out of our graduating students of 2018. A special word of thanks to our sponsors and to our 5th year students who helped stage the event. Ben Condell did a superb job with his camera on the night.

Student Awards 2018

Our Award ceremonies got underway in the assembly area on Tuesday morning and continued until Wednesday afternoon. This is an important week in the school calendar as it  provides both students and staff with an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and effort shown through the year.

6th Year male and female student of the year

Sorcha Tiernan, Ms. Mhic Dhonncha, Octavian Stoicescu

6th Subject Excellence Awards

These students were nominated for excellence in 4 or more subjects.

Back Row:  Octavian Stoicescu, Nathan Carney, Justin Flood, Sorcha Tiernan, Ciara Kelly, Conor                       Sunderland, Ben Quinlan, Jacub Agerski
Front Row: Eugenia Hanniffy, Laoise Power, Ms. Mhic Dhonncha, Kyla Dempsey, Ellen Coburn

6th Class Winners

5th Year female and male student of the year

Mr. Sean Cotter, Saoirse Hyland, Eanna Ginnetty, Mr. Dan Broderick

5th Class Awards

Back Row:  Mr.Sean Cotter, Karl O'Rourke, Ben Travers, Mr.Dan Broderick
Front Row: Savannah Seaforth, Hanna Sylvester, Noreen Hussey

5th Year Awards

Back Row: Mr.Sean Cotter, Ciaran Connelly (Male Sports Award) Oisin Scanlan (Arts and            Literature) Daniel Ecock (Male Diagras Award) Mr. Dan Broderick
Front Row: Ben Condell (Spirit of Colaiste Chiarain) Saoirse Hyland (Overall female 6th year student of the year) Ellen Devine ( Female Diagras Award) Ciara Bracken (Female Sports Award) Eanna Ginnetty (Overall male 6th year student of the year)

Transition Year Awards

3rd Year female and male student of the year

Alannah Hyland, Ms.Grainne Heffron, Ruairí Hession

3rd Year Awards

Back Row: Christine Flood (Female sports) Kieran Abejan (Arts and Literature) James Cronnolly (Male Diagras) Ruairi Hession (Male student of the year) Oran Hayes (Male sports) Cara McLaughlin (Female sports)
Front Row: Alannah Hyland (Female student of the year) Julija Bitinaite (Spirit of Colaiste Chiarain) Ms.Grainne Heffron Shauna Rogers (Female Arts and Literature) Caoimhe Masterson (Female Sports)

3rd Year Class Awards

Back Row: Kayla Cleary, Jack Quinn,  Emma Tobin
Front Row: Kila Dunne Ms.Grainne Heffron, Kerri Thornton

2nd Year female and male student of the year

Aoileann Hayes, Ms.Betty O'Hare, Cian Tiernan

2nd Year Awards

Back Row: Harry Farrell (2A2 class award), Lisa Tobin (2A3 class award), Aisling McCarthy (2A1 class award), Cian Tiernan (Male student of the year), Ailbhe Harrington (2A3 class award), Eamma Slowey, Oscar Leahy (Male Arts and Literature)
Front Row: Tara Neville Moynihan (Female Arts and Literature), Katelyn Gallagher (2A5 class award), Ms. Betty O'Hare, Irish Paulo (Female Diagras) , Christella Kanda (Spirit of Colaiste Chiarain)

1st Year female and male student of the year

Anna Evans, Ms.Louise Doran, Cristofer Scanlon

1st Year Awards

Back Row: Niall Hession, Conall Henson, Sharon Alicia Fotso, Mackenzie Pascual, Cristofer Scanlon, Anna Evans, Sophiw Browne, Mia Cassandro
Front Row: James Foster, Shauna Mooney, Sophie Fanning, Emily Smyth, Nikki Haveron, Akira Aingel Flores

Sports Day 2018

All non examination year groups participated in sports activities across the day. We were most fortunate to have the sun on our backs the entire day. Ben Condell was on hand with his camera and managed to capture the spirit of the day with some superb photos which can be viewed from this link.

Click on the image to view photos.

Gaisce Hike

A deserved well done to all students for completing their Gasice hike this weekend. 8 students completed the hike for their Bronze award in Glendalough, Co. Wicklow on Friday while 7 students endured 2 days of hiking for the Silver award on Friday and Saturday. The terrain was challenging and the weather varied but all students persisted with smiles on their faces. 

1st Year local history treasure hunt

Students from 1A2 made the short trip down to St. Mary's church this morning for a treasure hunt. The students have been learning all about medieval churches recently and what better way to enhance their learning than to visit the real deal! Dating for the 12th century, the church really is a fascinating building with mysteries and stories hiding in every nook and cranny which tell the tale of Leixlip and its residents over the centuries.

The pupils had to gather information from ancient gravestones, make rubbings and sketches as well as gather other information. Niki Haveron even got a chance to play the church organ!  Students studied primary sources like the 18th century gravestone of Lancelot Harrison and his infant children and the poignant plaque erected by the heart-broken parents of Frederick Wookey who was killed in action in WWI. 

A fascinating trip in which we really appreciated how lucky we are to live in a town so rich in history. Thank you to Rector Scott Peoples who was an extremely kind and gracious host.  

TY Trip to the Dail

Last week we were fortunate to get a real backstage pass to the offices of An Taoiseach and the Dail. Our TY students were able to visit the Cabinet room as well as the Taoiseach's office. Special advisors and civil servants took time out of their busy day to talk to us in the press room and explain their roles. It was a fabulous experience.

in the Cabinet room

Success for Coláiste Chiaráin at West Leinster Athletics

A large group of Colaiste Chiarain students represented themselves and the school with distinction over two days this week at the West Leinster Schools Athletics Championships in Santry. With over 2700 students from around Leinster taking part, the odds were stacked against them but they surpassed all expectations and brought home 7 medals.

In the very first event, Colaiste Chiarain got off the mark, with both Aoileann Hayes and Daniel Jupe winning bronze medals in the Junior Girls and Senior Boys Walk, qualifying for the Leinster Championships in the process. The star of day one was Ciarán Connolly, who lived up to his favourite tag by taking gold in the Senior Boys High Jump, winning by a whopping 14cm! Ciarán will have high expectations as the Championships progress. We also picked up to more medals on Day 1, with Jamal Akbani in the Junior Boys 80m Hurdles, and Robert Jackson in the Minor Boys Javelin securing bronze medals. Special mention also goes to Keely Hogan who finished 4th in the event with the most competitors of any race, the Junior Boys 100m.

Day 2 saw all of our relay teams take to the track in what are always extremely competitive events. Our Senior Boys 4x400m team were the most successful on the day, narrowly missing out on a medal when finishing 4th after a very good performance. We did, however, manage to win two more individual medals. Ciarán Connolly again showed his class, taking a second gold medal in the Senior Boys 400m Hurdles, while Saoirse Hyland ran a superb race to take bronze in the Senior Girls 200m against a very strong field. Ciarán, Aoileann, Daniel and Robert now progress on to the Leinster Championships early next month, where they have a great chance of more success. Well done to all of our athletes over the two days!

Many thanks to Oisin Scanlon for the superb photos..