Start of Michaelmas Term 2017

Wednesday 6th September

  • 2.00-2.30pm: new pupils and their parents arrive. Pupils should be in school uniform. At the roundabout by the Sports Hall you will be directed to the appropriate parking place by Prefects. Unload luggage and books at your House, followed by refreshments in the Dining Hall and Lower Argyle.
  • Note: pupils who were here last year should not arrive until 6.30pm. Boarders should note that all beds are allocated in advance, and you will not be able to select your own.
  • 3.30pm: all new pupils and their parents to the Big Schoolroom (main hall on Chapel Square) for a welcome by the Warden, Mr Boobbyer.
  • 4pm: all new pupils and parents go to House locations for meetings and information sessions with House staff and senior House pupils.
  • 5.30pm: all parents, and day boys/girls, leave.
  • 6pm: Supper for new boarders.
  • 8.30pm: all other boarders to have returned by this time. Roll-call in House.

Thursday 7th September

  • 8.50am: all day boys and day girls report to House.
  • 9am: Warden’s Assembly in BSR, followed by Chapel seating arrangements, followed by first Chapel service.
  • 11.30am: Form administration periods.
  • 2.00-3.30pm: First classes, after which day boys and day girls may go home.

Friday 8th September

  • First full school day.
  • Day boys and girls report by 8.10am.
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Leaving Certificate Results 2017

Congratulations to our candidates who received their Leaving Certificate results yesterday. They achieved an average points score of 444 per candidate across all subjects. This year the grading system has changed completely, which makes comparisons with previous years impossible, but this is certainly a most pleasing result.

As with last year, two pupils gained the maximum 625 points. 82% of papers were taken at Higher Level, with 16% of all papers at all levels being H1s, and half of all papers at all levels being H1, H2 or H3.

Well done to all, and of course to their teachers too. We wish our leavers the very best in their third level applications and in the years ahead.

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Culture Night, Friday 22nd September

The College will again be a venue for the great national event that is Culture Night, which this year is on Friday 22nd September. Last year over 80 visitors came to the College for a talk on its history and an architectural tour of the highlights of the campus, and this year the format will be the same. Visitors are welcome to come from 6.30pm (there will be pupil guides at the entrance), gathering by 7pm in the Chapel. Then the Sub-Warden, Julian Girdham, will give a short talk and lead the tour, which of course includes the Chapel itself, Chapel Square and the Big Schoolroom, the central gardens, the Science Block (recently refurbished) and the 18th century main Hollypark House.

See the College’s entry on the Culture Night website here and check out the Dublin brochure here.

No booking is required for our event.

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CanSat Team Win Silver in Bremen

Congratulations to the St. Columba’s College CANSAT team who took home second place at the European finals in Bremen in July. After winning gold in the Irish finals back in May, the team travelled to Germany full of confidence, despite this being St. Columba’s first time entering the competition. It soon became clear that the competition was fierce, with the Transition Year pupils from St. Columba’s easily the youngest competitors. That did not deter them, however, and despite a parachute failure on their launch they took home the silver medal. Congratulations to all the team and their teacher Ms Hennessey. They did the College proud.

To find out more about their excellent work, throughout the year, watch this video here or visit their website to check on their work here.  They have also created a YouTube channel with a number of videos giving an overview of the project. The more likes on the videos the better!

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New Website

We are delighted to announce the launch of our new and improved website. The new website, designed and built by Head of Biology, Mr. Humphrey Jones, aims to provide a more visual site for our viewers while also improving navigation and ease of use. Within the new site is a new and improved Media Gallery, News section, more detailed Admissions page, dedicated section for the Boarding Houses and much more. There is also a new page for our Development Office with the ability to donate to or gift the College online becoming available shortly. The site is greatly enhanced by the work of photographer Finn Richards, who will shortly release some new video content for the site also.

Along with our new site we are delighted to announce a new Facebook page aimed at current pupils, parents, staff and friends of the College. The new Facebook page will allow those interested in the College engage with our news in a more exciting and interesting way. Click here to like our new page.

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Open Day, September 30th

We are holding our annual major Open Day this year on Saturday 30th September, from 10am to 1pm. All prospective pupils and their parents are welcome to attend without further invitation: just drive into the College and you will be looked after. Senior pupils will take tours around the campus, and you will be able to see our major facilities, including the Chapel, Dining Hall, Big Schoolroom, Library, Science Block and much more.

Staff and current parents will be available to answer queries in the reception area (the Lower Argyle).

If you have any questions about our Open Day, please contact our Admissions Officer, Amanda Morris, by email, or by phoning 01-490 6791.

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