St Kilian’s Community School
SERVICE OF CELEBRATION
Our school community came together on Tuesday, September 19, at St Fergal’s Church to celebrate the beginning of our new school year. Parish priest Fr Larry Behan presided. The school choir led the singing, under the direction of Ms Louise O’Sullivan and boasted many talented and impressive musicians and singers.
As usual a very warm welcome was extended to all. St Kilian’s prides itself on being an inclusive school recognising the uniqueness of all who belong to the school community.
In keeping with this, our head boy, Arif Ogunseye led a representative from each new first year class up to the alter where they placed their class crest around the alter. These representatives included Aaron Griffith, Oisin Cole, Amelia Byrne and Nadine O’Toole. After a formal blessing by Fr Larry, our head girl, Niamh Murray officially welcomed them to our school on behalf of the student body. She imparted a few wise words of wisdom to ponder on for their year ahead.
The homily was given by Ms Roseanne Sinnott, Chaplain, reflecting on the importance of treating ourselves and others with respect recognising that we are all unique, precious, and good individuals.
The readings were read by Graham Kane, deputy head boy and Lauryn O’Daly. Prayers were read by Shane Buta, Brian Currums, Arif Ogunseye, Wiktoria Zgrzebnicka, Aadhan Murray and Kelly Waters (deputy head girl). The psalm was sung beautifully by Zach Fisher and accompanied by Ms O’Sullivan.
Best wishes to all for a safe, enjoyable, and fruitful year ahead.
Many thanks to Ms Sinnott the School Chaplain for her kind and caring nature towards all in St Kilian’s community, and to Ms O’Sullivan and her wonderful choir, and to Fr Behan, who is always staunchly supportive of St Kilian’ s.
Retreats for the students from St Kilian’s Community School.
The retreat is an important feature of the academic year in St Kilian’ s, one which students look forward to and enjoy. In the past we have travelled by bus to a retreat centre, with transition year students having an overnight experience.
This year, we hired Conexus Retreat Team and the hall at the Taylor Centre, Sunbeam House, Vevay Road, Bray. Choosing this location meant that students could walk to the venue, appreciating a fine facility in the heart of the community. The management were open and communicative, making our use of their hall very enjoyable. The facility is excellent, providing modern audio-visual equipment and screens.
We chose to have a faith based retreat, rooted in the Christian tradition, and using the lessons and expertise from modern psy- chology in a fun and engaging way, to guide students in better understanding of communication, respect, love and relationships. The retreat facilitators from Conexus are trained in faith and psychology, comfortable with leading young people through paired work, group work, using video clips and TED talks.
Our retreats were for all students from first, fourth and sixth Years, accounting for over almost 250 young people from Bray and the local areas. The feedback has been very positive with many students wondering if there was a possibility of them having a second retreat day this year. Faith and action are alive and well, with many strong green shoots in evidence in St Kilian’s Community School.
Many thanks to Ms Murtagh for organising.
HIGHER OPTIONS 2017
All our sixth years and six LCA students attended the Higher Options conference in the RDS on Friday, September 15.
This was a unique opportunity for students to meet representatives from colleges in Ireland, the UK and Europe. They also made contact with representatives from such areas as SOLAS, Apprenticeship Ireland and National Guidance Networks.
A most informative day was had by all.
Thank you to Ms Fitzpatrick, our ever industrious career guidance councellor for organising.
BOYS’ FOOTBALL 2017-2018
The minor (under-15) Boys will kick off the football season in St Kilian’s this year with their opening game v Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach, Carlow. Their League fixtures will be against Dublin Oak Academy, Temple Carrig School, Greystones and St David’s HFSS, Greystones. Training has commenced and anyone born on/ after 1/1/2003 interested in playing needs to talk to Mr Donohoe as soon as possible. Registrations for all squads have to be completed shortly so get involved.
Mr Forde’s First Year team is for all first year students and they must be born on/after 1/1/2004. Their group will also pit them against Temple Carrig. Greystones followed by Dublin Oak Academy and finally a game against St David’ s, Greystones.
Mr Jenkins will be hoping to repeat the success of last year and retain the Junior (under-17) league. Any students born on/after 1/1/2001 are eligible and fixtures v St David’s and Temple Carrig both of Greystones await.
The Senior (under-19-born on/ after 1/1/1999) with Mr Duggan will be hoping to go one step further than last year when they were defeated by Gaelcholáiste na Mara, Arklow in the delayed final. This year they face St David’ s, Greystones and East Glendalough School, Wicklow Town with both games due to be played before mid term break. All students are encouraged to get involved in these teams and to represent the school.
Mr Duggan, Mr Donohoe, Mr Forde and Mr Jenkins deserve huge praise and thanks for their years of enthusiastic encouragement, and their ongoing training of our lads in all weathers and against all comers. Well done all of you, and good luck to St Kilian’s this year.