New School: Coláiste Clavin

The construction of this new College is progressing well

and is scheduled to be completed by the end of January

2017. It is envisaged that the building will be ready for

occupation during the spring. At present the interior

painting, floor finishes and furniture fitting are well

underway. The heating was switched on in early

December.

The school is a very modern design and is built around a

central courtyard which may also be used as an outdoor

teaching space. The School has a spacious gymnasium,

general purpose area, fitness suite, three Science

Laboratories, Technology rooms, Home Economics

room, Art room, Music room as well as general

classrooms and office areas. Other facilities include 5

outdoor courts and a playing pitch. There is also a fully

equipped Autism unit attached to the School.

The music room will double as a stage for the hall which in turn may be rented out to community groups and

societies. This is being funded locally through various fundraisers. A substantial grant has been allocated to

create an Art project at the school. Every effort will be made to promote the Irish language as part of the daily

routine of the Coláiste. The Coláiste will be a centre of learning and development for the young people of the

locality. The new junior cycle is currently being embedded and with it the many desirable skills associated

with a 21st Century Society.

New Teachers 2016-17 The School welcomed two new teachers for this Academic Year

Ms Jenny Weir Ms Katie Quaine

(Maths) (Maths)

Congratulations

Congratulations to Ms McKenna (Maths & Geography) on the arrival of her beautiful baby girl during the

Summer; Ms McKenna is now back from Maternity Leave. Also congratulations to Ms Tiernan on the arrival

of her beautiful baby girl in December. Good health and wishes are extended to both families.

Trips

Geographical Investigation: The 6th Year Geography Class along with their teachers Ms. Purcell and Mr

Gorry carried out their Geographical Investigation on the Geomorphic Processes in the coastal environment of

Howth, Co. Dublin on Thursday the 22nd of September. Their Investigation carries 20% of the marks for

Leaving Cert Geography.

Higher Options: Sixth Years along with Ms. Warnock attended the Irish Times Higher Options

Conference in the RDS on Friday 16th September. It’s a forum on Third Level choices for Students. It gives

a valuable insight into Third Level Courses in Ireland and abroad ranging from Art Colleges to Agricultural

Colleges. While there students could go to the relevant college stands and ask any questions they had and take

away booklets etc.

5th Year History Trip: 5th Year History Students went to see "Anthropoid" in Vue Liffey Valley. The

film tells the story of how the Czech Resistance assassinated SS General Reinhard Heydrich. He was regarded

3rd in command in the Nazi hierarchy and he was known as the Butcher of Prague due to his brutality and he

was the brainchild of the Final Solution, the plan to annihilate all Jews.

French Film: As part of the French film festival week, Ms Murray's Third Year French Class went to a

screening of the film 'Miss Impossible'- Jamais Content in the Irish Film Centre on the 23rd November. It was

the winner of this year’s European Young Audience Award, this fresh coming-of-age drama centers on

thirteen-year-old Aurore, trying to find her way between a beautiful older sister and a brainy younger one.

Spanish Film: Ms O'Donnell's 3rd Year Spanish Class went to the Film Institute in Dublin to see "La

Oliva". It tells the story of a young girl who travels with her grandfather in search of an Olive tree.

Tara Mines: Ms. Purcell’s 6th Year Geography Class visited Tara Mines outside Navan on Friday the

18th of November for their study of "Human Interaction with the Rock Cycle" Physical Question. They were

given a guided tour of the site and students enjoyed an informative trip on the operations of Tara Mines and

mining in Ireland. Hopefully the tour will help them if the Question is asked in their Leaving Cert in June.

Night at the Theatre: Mr O'Connell's 6th Year English Students attended the "Plough and the Stars" at

the Solstice Theatre in Navan. Despite being in the front row all agreed it was a wonderful production and

will greatly aid their knowledge of the play for their Leaving Cert Exam.

Careers: Sixth years attended the “Education Open Day” which had been arranged by Meath

Partnership. There were a number of universities and colleges present who were very willing to offer advice

and career guidance to students. The students listened to a HEAR and DARE presentation. Everyone agreed

it was an informative event.

Zoo: Ms Murray’s 3C CSPE class participated in a Conservation Module offered by Dublin Zoo. The

students learned about the different species in danger of extinction such as the Red Panda, the Sumatran Tiger,

the Asian Elephant and the Western lowland Gorilla. These animals are endangered due to a variety of reasons

from deforestation to poaching, the Bushmeat trade and the Ebola Virus. Dublin Zoo are part of the European

Zoo breeding programme for endangered species.

Sport News

Footballers:

U14 Football: Our U14 Footballers (pictured below) are having a fine season and have qualified for the North

Leinster Final. They recorded a comprehensive win away against Beaufort in Navan and followed that up with

a hard fought four point win against Colaiste Na Mí in Longwood. Their final is due to be played in the New

Year.

U16 Football: The U16 football team played in a blitz to decide who would represent Meath in the North Leinster Semi-

final. After recording an excellent win against Colaiste Na Mí in the first game they were beaten by a very

strong Colaiste Na hInse team in the next game by 8 points. The lads played some excellent football on the

day and there were many fine performances throughout the team.

U18 Football: This competition has not started yet. The lads are due to play Colaiste Na hInse in the first round in the New

Year.

Soccer: Our U19 boys soccer team competed in the FAI Leinster Schools 'B' Cup this term. They had a

good start to the competition defeating Columba College, Killucan in the first round. Unfortunately, they were

defeated in the next round by Ard Scoil Chiaran Naofa, Clara by a score of 2-3. Our goalkeeper, Harry Hogan,

gave a man of the match performance while Gavin Griffith scored both of our goals. Hard luck lads!

Hurling:

The schools U-16 hurling team (pictured below) have enjoyed great success so far this year which has seen

them defeat Kells Community School, St. Pats of Navan and Athboy Community School. The team faced

Ratoath College in the Meath hurling final on the 12th of December. They narrowly lost out by the smallest

of margins in a fantastic final on a scoreline of 4-9 to 5-7. Unfortunately, the team just didn't get the bounce of

the ball on the day. Once again this was a very good team performance but there were some fantastic

performances from Cian Brennan, Harry Smyth, Alan Lewis, Kean Flynn and Captain Ross Kerrigan. Looking

back on the year the team can be extremely proud of how they represented themselves and the school on the

hurling pitch, their never say die attitude was fantastic to see, well done to all for their efforts this year!

Basketball

Congratulations to the U16 girls Basketball team (pictured above) competed in a North East Basketball School

League recently. Although they have been knocked out, the girls played well and showed good team spirit and

sportsmanship throughout the league.

The School’s Archery Team under the guidance of Vincent Plant (expert archer) has been training

after School on a Wednesday. Students involved enjoy this opportunity to try a sport that is not so readily

available and become modern day Robin Hoods.

First Years will be attending the Swimming Pool after Christmas, like the previous 1st Years as part of their

P.E Classes.

Art News

Anti-Bullying Poster Winners

The winners of the Anti-Bullying Poster Winners were as follows:

Juniors Winners: 1st Lauren Farrell 1st Year (Far right), 2nd Suzie Pimlott 2nd Year (second from the right)

3rd Orlaith O'Reilly 2nd Year (third from the left) and the Senior Winner Emma Farrell 5th Year (Far left)

Highly recommended: Aoife Nolan 2nd Year, Jordan O'Sullivan 2nd Year and Katya Saultzs 2nd Year

Credit Union Art Competition Tania Ros (3C) was the winner of the 14 -

17 Age Category in the Credit Union Art Poster Competition. Tania will be put forward to next stage called

Chapter.

Green Schools

Green Schools Committee have braved the elements this term by students emptying the recycling bins

during tutor time throughout the term. A “no waste day” was held in October to remind students of the litter

and waste theme and students conduct energy checks to show that teachers and students and trying to keep

doors closed to retain heat and turn off electric appliances when not in use. The results of the energy checks

and the bin rotas are placed on our green schools’ noticeboard.

The Green Schools Committee have started working towards their travel flag. The committee have conducted

surveys and a travel audit with an officer from Green schools Ireland to look at safe travel to our school.

Liam Cullen Moran has been chosen as a water ambassador for Green Schools Ireland. Liam attended a

training day about the water projects Green Schools Ireland work on in Athlone in November where he also

visited a water plant. Well done to everyone on the committee for their work this year and the committee

would like to take the opportunity to ask you to recycle as much as you can over the festive season

5th Year Mentors Eighteen 5th years were trained up as Mentors during the summer. The 5th year are Jayde Courtney, Kyle

Darby, Erin Kenna, Conor Maher, Laura Connolly, Shauna Murphy, Donna Munox, Leah Moloney, Harry

Hogan, Ross Kerrigan, Jamie Boyle, Sophie Flynn, Emma Farrell, Liam Cullen, Máire Corcoran, Robyn

Leech, Alan Lewis, and Ryan Brady. They were involved with the 1st Year Induction Week facilitating games

and activities and have since been linking up with their 1st year Mentees every week. They have facilitated

debates and drama for anti-bullying week and were rewarded for their work so far with a trip to the 2Haunted

Spooktacular” in Causey Farm on the 26th of October.

Christmas Shoebox Appeal

The students and some staff of Coláiste Clavin organised presents for

children in need through the organisation Team Hope. This year

TEAM HOPE shoeboxes from Ireland will go to street children,

orphans, children in hospital, poor families, victims of war or other

needy situations in countries in Eastern Europe and Africa. Thanks to

all who gave so generously.

Gaeilge 24

The 6th year Higher Level Irish Class took part in the campaign Gaeilge 24 organised by Conradh na Gaeilge

this year. They spoke Irish for 24 hours in school and at home. Everyone taking part wore a Gaeilge 24 green

t-shirt. A great effort was made by all including the teachers who made a special effort. The students

involved took part in fun activities trí mhéan na Gaeilge. Bhí an-chraic againn go léir.

Dogs trust Ms O'Donnells 2A CSPE Class completed a sponsored 5km walk in November around Longwood . Students

raised money through the raffle lines to win a coffee machine and also selling dogs trust wrist bands, pins and

Christmas cards. Students will be visiting the dogs trust to present the raised money.

JCSP Maths Initiative/Paired Maths This initiative provided opportunities for Coláiste Clavin over 4 weeks to plan and develop a framework for

linking Fifth Year students with JCSP students in order to support the development and enhancement of

mathematical and numerical competencies among JCSP students. Parents have also been invited in to work

alongside the JCSP students to build a positive partnership in the Students learning.

7th of November: Standardised Maths Test (Accelerated Maths & Progress Maths 14), Preparation of students.

Links with HSL, Parents and Primary School. 14th of November: Senior Students attend 1st, 2nd & 3rd Year

normal Maths classes for the week. 21st of November: JCSP Initiative Class – Parents are invited to attend

class with their son/daughter to participate in some fun Maths activities. 28th of November: JCSP Initiative

Class – Primary School students are invited to attend class with the 1st, 2nd & 3rd year JCSP students to

participate in some fun Maths activities. (postponed till January 2017)

Slyvester Grogan 6B and Nathan O’Neill 1B Robert Quirke 6B and John Daly 1B

Aaron Smyth 1B and Sharika McGee 1B Matthew Murphy 2A Katya Saultzs 2A

Junior Cert Excellence

The Principal presented Liam Cullen Moran 5A with a special plaque in recognition of him achieving the best

Junior Cert Results in his Year Group. Liam sat the Higher Paper in all his subjects and achieved 5As and

4Bs. The whole Junior Certificate group showed an excellent performance overall. The Staff and Principal

were delighted with the 2016 Junior Certificate results.

Wishing the Whole School Community a Happy Christmas

and a Prosperous and Healthy New Year 2017