The 6th Year Guidance Talk is on Monday, November 12th from 7:30pm – 9:00pm in the school Assembly Hall. All parents / guardians are advised to attend.

Action Ireland Lesotho has two specific appeals for Baby clothes (details here) and Musical Instruments (details here). The collection date is Saturday 10th November at the school P.E. Hall.

TWELFTH NIGHT: Tickets for the play will cost €5 (Students and O.A.P.’s), €10 Adults and €25 (Family – 2 adults, 2 children). The play runs for three nights from Wednesday 21st November. Please support. The Twelfth Night blog is here.

Students are encouraged to use the latter part of this term well by starting studying now for their forthcoming Christmas examinations.

Thanks to the students, teachers and others involved in various activities over the mid-term break, in particular the school tour to Italy and the drama Twelfth Night. Students are pictured in Pompeii, Italy.

There was much comment over the mid-term break regarding the mis-use of social-media. The advice from Spun-out got a lot of coverage and is much in line with what we have already said at assemblies in school (here). Mr. Clarke also recommends the following infographic (here).

We ask all members of the school community to read the following article on Ask.fm (here). Parents and guardians in particular should talk to their children about use of the site and advise them to avoid it. Your child can also remove Ask.fm their Facebook news-feeds (“how to” details here). Blocking sites is not the answer to cyber-bullying. Respect and dialogue are central to dealing with all issues of bullying.

Fifth-year, Govan Joliffe-Byrne is representing Ireland at the World Chess Championships in Maribor, Slovenia from 7th until 19th November. Govan is looking forward to playing a representative from a different country for up to four hours a match at Under 18 level. We will be following Govan’s progress (here). Best of luck.

The North County Leader recently had two pieces regarding  the school, one about the awards night (here), the other about Action Ireland (here).

Following another tragedy partly involving cyber-bullying in Co. Donegal (here), we ask all members of the school community to read the following article on Ask.fm (here). Parents and guardians in particular should talk to their children about use of the site and advise them to avoid it. Ask.fm can also be removed from your child’s Facebook news-feeds (“how to” details here). Our condolences are with the family and friends of Erin Gallagher.

Blocking sites is not the answer to cyber-bullying. Respect and dialogue are central to dealing with all issues of bullying.

Action Ireland Lesotho has two specific appeals for

1. Baby clothes (details here)
   
2. Musical Instruments (details here)

The collection date is Saturday 10th November at the school P.E. hall

Fourth-year Play: Back-stage crew – meet on Tuesday at 10AM (not Monday!) – use your social networks to spread the news please.

The header is from the recent surf-trip to Mayo. Thanks to the students and teachers involved. More photos here.

Buon viaggio to all the students and teachers on the annual school-tour. This year its off to Italy! Mr. Maynes will be updating the photo-stream on the right!

Mrs Archer and Ash visited the school recently to alert students about Halloween fireworks and the fear they cause to guide-dogs. We wish all students a happy and a safe Halloween. Unfortunately this can be a challenging time for families, as many teenagers come under peer-pressure to engage in underage drinking. This typically happens when large groups of unsupervised young people gather in public places and where our local community Gardaí have to deal with underage drunkenness and public disorder. Sharing Experiences And Suggestions Around Alcohol & Substance Abuse – A Collaborative Guide For Parents is one of the best publications we can recommend to you (here 36 pages). It was written by parents, Gardaí, teachers, guidance-counsellors and medical professionals.

The First-year word of the week and maths challenge is below!

Mrs Archer and Ash visited the school recently to alert students about fireworks and the fear they cause to guide-dogs.Some important TY announcements are here.

Bon voyage to all on the school tour to Italy!

We have nearly arrived at Mid-term break and teachers are now giving varied types of assessment. Parents and guardians are asked to support their children as they prepare for these.

Photos from the recent surf-trip will be online soon. All recent photographs including the Academic Achievement Awards and Friendship Week are available here.

Two fund-raisers for the Action Ireland Lesotho Project were help last week. A bake-sale that sold out in minutes and a visit to the cine-mobile. Thanks for the support. The Twelfth Night Blog (above in menu) has an interview from Chris Lapitan who is Fabian, a jester in the play.

Our school’s Music Group meets and practices every Thursday lunchtime. New members are always welcome.

Mr. Farrell recommends a presentation on Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Trinity College for parents and guardians. Details are here, there is no charge.

Mrs Archer and Ash visited the school recently to alert students about fireworks and the fear they cause to guide-dogs.

The North County Leader has this report about the recent Parents Association organised visit of John Lonergan to PCS (here).

Photos from the Friendship Week concert may be viewed here on in the photostream on the right. Thanks to all the students and teachers involved, in particular Ms. O’ Driscoll.

There was a great atmosphere in the school helped by this teacher quartet. Who was the shy one?

The Code of Behaviour was revised at the recent Board of Management Meeting. It can be read here or on the policies section of the website.

Friendship week takes place in PCS all this week. Teachers and students will take the opportunity to include the theme of friendship in their teaching and learning.

Mr. Farrell recommends a presentation on Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Trinity College for parents and guardians. Details are here, there is no charge.

Congratulations to Mark Kelly and Ion Rusu who recently received their Academic Achievement Award.

Our school’s Music Group meets and practices every Thursday lunchtime. New members are always welcome.

Thanks to the students and teachers involved.

Mr. Clarke writes about the video below: A great documentary by Ultain O’Morain and Ryan Kelly from a presentation in English class on the novel ‘Mr Pip’. An insight into the Bougainville Revolutionary Army and its link with the novel Mr. Pip by Lloyd Jones. This topic was chosen because we believe the rebels that featured in the novel Mr. Pip were at the core of the Bougainville civil war which the novel is based around.

The Academic Achievement Awards for 2012 were presented to students on Thursday 11th October.

These students represent the individual 2011/2012 Students of the Year from First through Fifth Year and the students from Third and Sixth-year who achieved outstanding success in their State-examinations.

Portmarnock Community School has many awards ceremonies and this is the one which represents what is best about teaching and learning within the school.

We are delighted with our student’s success, in particular the Sixth-years who have achieved challenging courses in Ireland’s and indeed the United Kingdom’s best Universities and Colleges of Higher Education.

They are wonderful role-models for the younger students at the awards ceremony and indeed to all the school community.

Leaving Certificate Gold Medal Award       Conor Keogh

Junior Certificate Gold Medal Award          Daniel Burke

Principal’s Award for Class of 2012          Orlagh Geoghegan

Geraldine Kenny Award for Mathematics  Aisling Drumgoole

The 2011 / 2012 Students of the Year are

1st Year Orla Burke

2nd Year Alicja Roslaniec

3rd Year Ailbhe Twomey

4th Year Cassie Hackett

5th Year Sam Earlwood

The twelve Leaving Certificate honoured are

Conor Keogh          Medicine   Trinity College Dublin

Sarah Hawkshaw  Pharmacy     Trinity College Dublin

Sean Healy              Computer Science (with French and Linguistics)   Trinity College Dublin

Nathan Supple        Mechanical Engineering    Dublin Institute of Technology

Denis Ryan              History and English    NUI Maynooth

Ciarán Mulryan       Philosophy    Trinity College Dublin

Niall Conlon             Biotechnology    Dublin City University

Stephen Ducray      Science    Trinity College Dublin

Daniel Oso                Business    University of London

Cathy Lane                Animal Science (Equine)    University College Dublin

Aisling Drumgoole   Engineeering    University College Dublin

Willian Hickey            Architecture    University College Dublin

A list of the students who received their award is here.

Click on any photo below to start a slideshow.

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Mr. Farrell recommends a presentation on Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Trinity College for parents and guardians. Details are here, there is no charge.

The Parents’ Association annual school walk involving First and Second Year students took place on Wednesday 10th. Thanks for all the sponsorship!

Thanks to the parents and students involved in the PCS Equestrian Club which meets at Killossery Lodge Stud. Details are regularly announced on the Intercom.

Thanks to the Parents’ Association for organising a successful evening with Mr. John Lonergan.

Ask.fm advice sheet for parents and teachers is here ( one webpage). Facebook reporting advice is here (one webpage). A Guide to Cyberbullying is here  (22 pages). Mr. Dempsey’s Presentation to First Year Parents and The Social-media for Teaching and Learning presentation are at the bottom of this posting.

Well done to First-year students Aliza Alias and Morgan Moore for representing the school at the launch of the revised Junior Cycle programme at the Department of Education and Skills. They are pictured with the Minister, Mr. Ruairi Quinn T.D. and two girls from Coláiste Bríde. PCS is a Pilot-school in the programme.

Congratulations to the U 16 Hurling team on avery convincing win over St. David’s, Artane today. They will play Coláiste Cholim, Swords next week and with success in this game the team will qualify for the playoffs.

Well done to Diarmuid Keevey, Shane Nangle, Shane Warren and Chris Farrelly who all delivered outstanding skills on the field of play and helped secure a very successful win.

Mr. Clarke writes: Sixth Year Student in Theatre Premiere. Laura O’Leary of Sixth-year is appearing on stage in a one woman play ‘Butterflies’ by Jonathon Bailie. This is part of a Halloween Showcase on 31st October in ‘Doyles in Town‘ at 9 College Street. The title may prove deceptive as according to Laura there will be blood and tears! If you follow ‘Wolfticket’ on Facebook and Twitter or go to Wolfticket.ie you can pick up tickets and more details. Break a leg Laura!

First Years: The word of the week is panada. The mad maths section is:  “What number is the only positive number that is twice the sum of the digits.”

Ask.fm advice sheet for parents and teachers is here ( one webpage).

Facebook reporting advice is here (one webpage)

Guide to Cyberbullying is here  (22 pages)

The Social-media for Teaching and Learning presentation to First-year parents is at the bottom of this posting or click here

The Parents Association AGM is at 7.30PM on Thursday followed with a presentation from John Lonergan at 8.00PM. All are welcome – there is no entrance fee! John was acclaimed for his recent RTÉ programme: Back to School: John Lonergan’s School Principles. The clip below has John speaking about children’s rights.

Next weekend sees the second Scrap Saturday with scrap-metal being collected for the Lesotho Project. More Information(Scrap_Saturday).

Transition-Year students had a busy Law-day. They also sat an examination for which certificates will be awarded to successful candidates.

We are delighted to announce the Head Boy, Evan Davis, Head Girl, Christina Fitzsimons, Deputy Head Boy, Ian Briody and Deputy Head Girl, Rachel Conroy. Pictures of all the prefects are on the right. Their Mission Statement can be read here.

Next week is a busy week in the life of the school! Transition Year notices are under the TY tab above.

1. The evening for First-year Parents / Guardians is on Tuesday 2nd October at 7.30PM.
2. The Parents Association AGM is at 7.30PM on Thursday followed with a presentation from John Lonergan at 8.00PM. All are welcome – there is no entrance fee! John was acclaimed for his recent RTÉ programme: Back to School: John Lonergan’s School Principles. The clip below has John speaking about children’s rights.
3. Next weekend sees the second Scrap Saturday with scrap-metal being collected for the Lesotho Project. More Information(Scrap_Saturday).

History students remember the 100th. Anniversary of the Solemn League and Covenant.

Webwise, from the Department of Education and Skills have posted an article What Happens When I Report a Post on Facebook (here)? It explains how parents and students can make a report to Facebook, whether they have a Facebook account or not.

The First-year word of the week is pabulum.

Some quick links: Booklists here, 2012 – 2013 Calendar here, The list of “Text Books, Schedule of Relevant Dates and General Information for 2012 / 2013″ can be found here (June 1st Update, PDF 30 pages).

This weekend sees Scrap Saturday with scrap metal being collected for the Lesotho Project. More Information (Scrap_Saturday).

TY students has a very successful Law-day including an Examination for which certificates are awarded.

The First-year word of the week is pabulum.

Webwise, from the Department of Education and Skills have posted an article What Happens When I Report a Post on Facebook (here)? It explains how parents and students can make a report to Facebook, whether they have a Facebook account or not.

Congratulations to PCS student Shane Carthy who was part of the Dublin Panel that beat Meath in the All Ireland Minor Football Final. Shane scored three points in Dublin’s 0.14 to Meath’s 1.05. The team won the GAA’s Tom Markham  Cup.

There is a rumour that schools in Donegal may not open for a day or two after the All-Ireland Football Final. All Donegal members of staff are expected in PCS as normal!

PCS begins its new community garden where we hope to encourage students to appreciate the importance of good fresh food in their diet. The first planting started this week with TY students planting lettuce, this will be followed by the planting of spring onions and fruits for the summer. Watch this space –  inch by inch our garden will grow.

The TY announcements for week beginning Monday 24th September are to be found under the TY tab above.

The revised Admissions Policy for 2013 / 2014 is on the Policies section of the Website. It can also be read here.

PCS has added a new Playlist to its YouTube Channel. There are seven videos in total. Thanks to the students and teachers involved. Animation has come on a long way in the school from a club (new members always welcome) to a full module in the Transition Year Programme.

The Transition Year notices are up to date in the TY section of this website.

Book Amnesty: PCS has bought many sets of books for use in English classes over the last few years. Some students have forgotten to return them. Any book found at home may be returned to the box in the F Compound – No Questions Asked!

The Parents’ Association has organised a visit and talk from John Lonergan, former Governor of Mountjoy Prison on Thursday 4th October at 8.00PM. Their AGM will be held on the same night at 7.30PM. A letter issued to all families regarding this talk and meeting.

John Lonergan was acclaimed for his recent RTÉ programme: Back to School: John Lonergan’s School Principles. The clip below has John speaking about children’s rights.

Some quick links: Booklists here, 2012 – 2013 Calendar here, The list of “Text Books, Schedule of Relevant Dates and General Information for 2012 / 2013″ can be found here (June 1st Update, PDF 30 pages).

The First-year word of the week is obfuscate.

Donegal members of staff wait confidently for Sam next Sunday!

The sole Mayoman waits quietly…

Thanks to the Fifth and Sixth class students and their parents / guardians who attended our Open Night in such large numbers!

The revised Admissions Policy for 2013 / 2014 is on the Policies section of the Website. It can also be read here.

PCS has added a new Playlist to its YouTube Channel. There are seven videos in total. Thanks to the students and teachers involved. Animation has come on a long way in the school from a club (new members always welcome) to a full module in the Transition Year Programme.

The Transition Year notices are up to date in the TY section of this website.

Book Amnesty: PCS has bought many sets of books for use in English classes over the last few years. Some students have forgotten to return them. Any book found at home may be returned to the box in the F Compound – No Questions Asked!

The Parents’ Association has organised a visit and talk from John Lonergan, former Governor of Mountjoy Prison on Thursday 4th October at 8.00PM. Their AGM will be held on the same night at 7.30PM. A letter issued to all families regarding this talk and meeting.

John Lonergan was acclaimed for his recent RTÉ programme: Back to School: John Lonergan’s School Principles. The clip below has John speaking about children’s rights.

Some quick links: Booklists here, 2012 – 2013 Calendar here, The list of “Text Books, Schedule of Relevant Dates and General Information for 2012 / 2013″ can be found here (June 1st Update, PDF 30 pages). Adult education here.