Three of our students took home medals over the weekend at the Kildare Track and Field Championships. 5th year student Ciaran Connolly took gold in the high jump, Aoileann Hayes came home second in the U/15 girls walk and Keeley Hogan took gold in the U/16 200mts. Well done to all.
Ciaran Connolly
Aoileann Hayes
Keeley Hogan
What an amazing group of girls. Our U19 girls basketball team were today crowned National Cup A champions after a typically excellent performance against Christ King Secondary School, Cork. Joint captains Sorcha Tiernan and Niamh Masterson accepted the cup after Ciara Bracken (who scored no less than NINE three pointers!) accepted the MVP award. All the girls played excellently in a very tense game. The game ended with a scoreline of 93-62.
Huge congratulations to the team and their coaches Yvonne and Erin Bracken on their amazing achievements. All in Coláiste Chiaráin are so proud!
The Colaiste Chiarain junior hurling team had a very successful year in reaching the Dublin Colleges junior hurling final. The year started off with a disappointing, narrow loss to neighbours Confey College. However, big wins over Coolmine Community School and Colaiste Mhuire, Cabra saw the team qualify for the quarter finals as group winners. Colaiste Chiarain faced Chanel College, Coolock in a home quarter final and made home comforts count by disposing of Chanel College in clinical fashion.
The team were now into their second successive semi-final at this level after reaching last years semi-final where they were beaten by St. Josephs CBS, Drogheda. Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole were the opposition this year and this was the schools first game to be played outside of Leixlip. However, it turned out to be the teams best performance of the year. Played in heavy underfoot and strong blustery conditions, the players played with determination and passion throughout. It was these qualities that saw them overturn a six point deficit in the second half into a four point victory to reach the final.
Awaiting the team in the final was Colaiste Choilm, Swords. In advance of the final, the players were presented with half zip tops by Principal Joe Sweeney. The final was played in perfect conditions on the astro turf at the GAA Development Centre, Abbotstown on January 18th
The first half was hugely competitive and a brilliant goal from Darragh Melville saw Colaiste Chiarain take an early lead. However, two goals just before half-time were to prove decisive to the outcome. However the players and subs continued to work tirelessly and showed great pride by playing to the end. Indeed a highlight of the whole game was a Ben Travers goal where he soloed through the whole defence before he unleashed an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net. The final scoreline read 5.13 to 2.6 in favour of the Swords school. Great credit must be given to the players for reaching the final and for the excellent attitude they displayed throughout the year. A special mention must go to the four 1st Year students who were part of the panel, Conall Henson, Sean McManus, James Foster and Paul Donnellan. Finally, a massive thank you to the support the team has gotten from St. Marys GAA Club and supporters who attended games, especially on the day of the final, it was heartening to have such a big crowd present.
Colaiste Chiarain Junior Hurling Panel: Karl Burke, James Bowden, Evan Malone, Ciaran Silke, Dara
Mooney, Conall Henson, Jake Casey, Nathan Browne, Darragh Melville, Ben Travers, Rory Noonan,
Michael Ball, Ethan Hearne, Sean McManus, James Foster, Paul Donnellan.
Coláiste Chairáin has been awarded the Health Promoting School flag from the HSE. To achieve the flag the Healthy Living Committee were involved in introducing different initiatives over the past two years to promote healthy eating and exercise in the school. The committee consists of students, parents and teachers. The whole school community have helped to make this possible. Following the presentation the committee members were presented with certificates by representatives from HSE.
Well done to everyone for making Coláiste Chiaráin a Health Promoting School!
What a team! The U16 boys march on to the All Ireland league quarter finals (to be played on January 30th) after topping their group in today’s playoffs. Huge thanks and well done to Pipers Hill Naas, Intermediate School Killorglin and St. Eunans Letterkenny on a great day’s basketball.
This week is Smile Week and we're kicking it off with our 'Wall of Positivity' to remind us to be kind to ourselves. All this week we're focusing on making healthy choices for our mind, body and soul. Check out the timetable below to see what we have planned for the week.
The U 19 Girls Team came from behind to beat Holy Faith Clontarf in the All-Ireland Semi-Final (A League) which was played on Wednesday in the Oblate Hall in Inchicore. They now go on to play in the All-Ireland Final which will take place in the National Basketball Arena at the end of January.
- The U 19 Boys Team also played on Wednesday in the Oblate Hall in the All-Ireland A League Semi-Final but they were beaten by St Malachy's of Belfast. Hard luck to them but we are extremely proud of them and the effort they put in. Well done lads!
- The U 16 Boys will be playing in the All-Ireland Quarter and Semi-Final Playoffs this Sunday. Good luck to them!
- The First Year Girls will play their first match next Monday and we wish them every success in that'
There is reason for great celebration as Colaiste Chiarain's debating team have come top of the league table in the Concern Debates competition. This is a nationwide league and there are well over one hundred schools involved so we are obviously very proud of our amazing team. They are Leaving Certificate students Saoirse Flattery and Ellen Coburn and fifth year students Saoirse Hyland and Oisin Scanlon. The team won each of their debates unanimously and now progress to the Knockout Round. It is an incredible accomplishment and something the team should rightfully be most proud of. We wish them all the very best in the rest of the competition. Well done team!
the league table can be viewd from this link https://www.concern.net/sites/default/files/media/page/league_table_christmas_update.pdf
Colaiste Chiarain Junior Hurling team will play Colaiste Choilm from Swords in the Colleges Junior Hurling Final next Thursday 18th January. The game throws in at 1 pm on the astro pitch at the GAA Development Centre, Abbotstown, Dublin. The team have done superbly to reach this years final after the disappointment of losing at the semi final stage last year. A comprehensive win over Chanel College, Coolock in the quarter final was followed by an epic semi final victory over Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole. At one stage in the second half, Colaiste Chiarain trailed by 6 points but recovered brilliantly to win by 4. Below is a picture of the team in their new tops which were presented by Principal Joe Sweeney. A supporters bus will travel to the final next Thursday and any other support will be greatly appreciated. We wish the panel the very best of luck in the final.
Class 2A1 are to be congratulated on leading the fundraising drive for Simon Community in the school this year.
As part of their CSPE project,the students collected toiletries,clothes and food to be given over for the charities Christmas effort.
Pictured below are the Simon volunteers accepting the school contribution.
Sheila Purcell from Maynooth University made a presentation a number of awards across a range of subject areas to sixth year students. The awards comprised of a Certificate of excellence from the University and much appreciated cheque for each recipient.
Ms. Mhic Dhonncha (Year Head) Adam Power ( Arts) Ellen Coburn (Arts) Saoirse Flattery (Business and Finance) Sorcha Tiernan (Maths and Science) Sean Good (Engineering and Construction) Octavian Stoicescu (Maths and Science) Rehan Ahmad (Engineering and Construction. Ms.Sheila Purcell, Maynooth University.Missing from photo, Nathan Carney (Business and Finance)
Our Christmas Carol service has long been regarded as one of the premier events on the school calendar. We are most fortunate to have such an array of talent available within the school community. We wish to thank all those talent and efforts made the service such a wonderful success.
Representatives from SVP called into the school today and were presented with the funds raised from our Christmas Jumper day on Friday.
Spirits were high in Colaiste Chiaráin on Friday 15th Dec as perfects stepped up in raising money for the local St Vincent De Paul. In preparation for the event the students invited the local conference of SVP to come in and explain about the work they do in supporting the local community. Yvonne McGivern and Paul Carey visited and gave an insight into the work undertaken by SVP in Leixlip. President of the conference, Mrs McGivern pointed out that all funds raised in Leixlip are deployed in Leixlip. This greatly impressed the students and so they set about bring this message to the school community by visiting each class.
The fundraiser was driven by our perfects who’s enthusiasm was infectious and Santa turned up in a number of different classes! The Christmas spirits was alive and well with many students going to great lengths to dress in Christmas attire, while all the time keeping in mind the very worthy local charity they were supporting. SVP representatives will return early next week for the presentation of the funds raised just in time for Christmas.
The TY classes are busy with workshops in Law and Songwriting. The law module includes a mock trial complete with prosecuting and defending council together with witnesses.
In the Songschool workshop the students compose and record their own songs over the course of two days. There's definitely a Christmas number 1 on the cards.
5A5 battled the cold (and some even their fear of heights) as they did the Croke Park Skyline tour on Friday as part of their activity week. The tour takes you up onto the roofline of the stadium from where you are treated to a magnificient view of the city.
Great day of reflection and recovery from their Christmas exams. The 6th year students traveled down to County Laois to Mount St. Anne’s retreat centre. They took part in different workshops and meditation time. All had a great day
Colaiste Chiarain 2.15 HFCS Rathcoole 2.11
The Colaiste Chiarain Junior hurling qualified for this years final after a hard fought victory over Holy Family Community School. The game was played in strong winds and on a heavy pitch at the Commercials Hurling Club in Rathcoole. However both teams served up an exciting game and a game of a really high standard for December. Colaiste Chiarain played against the wind in the first half and went in at the break trailing by a point, 1.7 to 1.6 with the Colaiste Chiarain goal coming from a brilliant Darragh Melville strike.
The second half got off to the worst possible start as HFCS Rathcoole took control and opened up a 6 point lead with 15 mins to go. However, the effort, attitude and motivation of the Colaiste Chiarain lads shone through and points from captain Ben Travers and Darragh Melville plus a vital goal from Jake Casey saw Colaiste Chiarain over the line. This was a great team performance with some excellent individual performances from James Bowden, 1st Year Conall Henson, Jake Casey, Nathan Browne and Ben Travers. A special mention to a heroic defensive display from Dara Mooney and an outstanding attacking performance from Darragh Melville.
Team: Karl Burke, Evan Malone, James Bowden, Conall Henson, Dara Mooney, Ciaran Silke, Jake Casey, Nathan Browne, Rory Noonan, Ben Travers, Darragh Melville, Alex Barrett, Michael Ball.
Subs: Ethan Meehan, Sean McManus, S James Foster, Paul Donnellan.
On Friday 24th November Paddy Lynch, a sixth year student was presented with an award to mark the contribution that he has made to his local community. The award ceremony was organised by the Kildare Garda district and was established to acknowledge young people's organising skills and sense of civic duty.
Paddy is a member of the Leixlip Youth Project and he was instrumental in organising activities that help form positive relationships between local youth and Gardai from the Leixlip area.
Paddy was presented with his award by Supt Gerry Wall from Leixlip Station. We are extremely proud of Paddy's achievement and we wish him well with the project.
