Parent Update December 2024.pdf
Overall Attendance rate 90%- which is up 1 % on last year
Target attendance rate 93%
Currently First years are at 94% Well done
GOOD NEWS
Class of 2024
DCU Awards.
A huge congratulations to Eben Abraham, Zach Keenan and Emma Counihan who were awarded DCU scholarships for achieving over 600 points in their Leaving Certificate
Progression to University
In the recent progression to third level tables presented in the media it was encouraging to see that so many of our students who wish to go to third level do so. We were above the national and DEIS school averages with 90% of students progressing to Third level courses. Well done to the students, their families and teachers and best of luck with your studies.
Gaisce
Five students, Eben Abraham, Orla, Doyle, Gabe Morurt, Daniel Soluns and Clare Varwijk, from the class of 2024, received their Gold Gaisce awards at Aras an Uachtaran from the President Micael D Higgins. A huge thanks to Ms Theresa Collins who has done huge work in this area with over 30 students at Bronze , silver or Gold in the pipeline.
Gaeltacht Scholarships
I'm happy to say that we have received a number of scholarships for students who are thinking of going to the Gaeltacht next summer. You will be able to apply for a scholarship of €820- €950 euro for the 2/3 week course. Send an email at coneill@phcol.ie if you have secured a space in a Gaeltacht already or would be interested in going.
School Priorities
High Expectations
Attendance
Absences matter and you can help.
Regular school attendance not only supports students' learning and social development but also ensures they benefit fully from the opportunities provided in the classroom.
When students miss school, arrive late or leave early, they miss important lessons, which can negatively impact their progress. Absences can create gaps in knowledge, disrupt routine, and lead to feelings of isolation, making it harder for students to catch up with their peers.
We believe that by working together, we can promote good attendance and reduce absenteeism. We encourage all parents to ensure their young person attends school regularly and on time. If there are concerns about attendance, we are here to support you and your child in finding solutions. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss any issues or challenges your child may be facing.
Together, we can create an environment where every student has the chance to succeed.
We thank parents / guardians for their support on this. The key ways you can help are
- Use the VSWare app to make us aware of reasons for absences
- Try and organise appointments for holiday periods, after school or the early finish on Friday.
- Minimise students leaving early
- If patterns emerge around your child not wanting to go to school, reach out to the young person's YearHead for support.
- Encourage the importance of getting up every day.
- Not booking holidays during school time- Please look at the calendar at the long weekends etc that occur throughout the year.
We will continue to work to support those whose young people are struggling to attend school. This will include meetings with parents. We are also legally responsible to report absences in certain situations to other statutory bodies.
Uniform
Thanks for the continued support on our school uniform. The recent changes have worked well. We now allow students to wear their own jackets to school. Once here we ask them to put them in a locker or hang up in Locker room(Junior Students). We also remind students that they are to wear a white polo or school sports top.
Belonging
We are really trying to promote a sense of belonging in our school. We are doing our best to try and create a positive atmosphere that encourages our young people to develop in so many different areas. If your young person wants to get involved in activities etc we will do our best to support them. If you want to see what is on offer please look at their Ipad and ask them to open their GOOGLE CLASSROOM APP. Here you will see their subject teachers groups but also a specific one about their year. This will have loads of information about events in the school. You will also see events/ activities/clubs etc posted on social Media.
Extra Curricular/Co Curricular
We have entered more teams in sporting competitions than ever before. You can find updates on our school instagram pages on of which is dedicated to extra curricular only https://www.instagram.com/phcol_sport/?hl=en
You can also get an overview of main events activities on our school website at this link. We try to update it regularly https://www.phcol.ie/page/ExtraCo-Curricular-Timetable-24-25/75320/Index.html
U19 Girls Basketball lost in the Mid Leinster A Final. Now progress to the All Ireland series.
Boys Senior Hurling lost in their Leinster Final.
Senior Girls GAA knocked out in league stages.
Boys Senior GAA in knockout stages.
U17 Boys Soccer into the last 16 of Leinster A Cup. Also through in top position in their League group.
U19s Boys Soccer lost in the knockout stage of the league.
U15 boys soccer through to knockout stages.
Senior Boys and Girls Volleyball through to knockout stages
Indoor Cricket league continues
First and Second year Basketball Boys and Girls in the new year.
First year soccer in the new year.
Musical
A huge thank you to everyone involved in the school musical. With nearly 90 students involved in the production it is the highlight of the school year for many of our students. A huge thanks to the teachers who worked so hard on this production. Also thanks to the parents/guardians who supported this huge undertaking. It really is a huge school community effort.
Awards
We had in school awards last week to celebrate the different core parts of our Ethos. Congratulations to those young people who won awards for Respect, Community effort and also sporting achievement with their clubs, county and even on the international stage. We are so proud of you.
Policy Updates
There were some minor changes made at the recent Board of Management Meeting. You can see updated policies here. In the Mobile Phone policy wireless headphones were added. In the Code of Behaviour clarification was given about the use of Conducts in the school. In the Anti Bullying Policy the new updates in SPHE were added
Anti Bullying Update
Every school in Ireland has been directed by the Department of Education to review their Anti Bullying Policy by the end of May 2025. We are starting this process now and will continue to provide updates as we proceed. One of the first things we have been tasked with is surveying parents about their experiences in dealing with Bullying. We would love it if you could fill in the attached survey. We will have a draw for 6 vouchers for Odeon cinema for those who fill it in.
SURVEY
SCHOOL CLOSURE FEBRUARY 14th
We have also been instructed to close the school for a half day to facilitate training for staff. To minimise disruption to teaching and Learning we will close on Friday 14th of February for students and all staff will be in school for a workshop on Anti Bullying procedures. This date is the last day of Mock exams and TYs were also on work experience so the loss of class time is minimised.
Help Us Help your Young Person
POLICY SURVEY PLEASE COMPLETE
Transport
We will continue to look for a resolution to having a public bus serve our school as there are still people who live in Naas Centre, Monread, Craddockstown, Ballycane areas who do not get Bus Eireann tickets.
We also will continue to work on a separate Cycle/pedestrian entrance to make it easier and safer for our students. We will continue to work with local authorities and other neighbours to try and alleviate traffic in the mornings in particular. We hope that getting most of our students using public transport and cycling /walking will help to this end
Facilities
We hope to continue to work on some key priorities this year.
Upgrade Toilets- Please see the survey attached for some ideas here.
Upgrade our Window and Doors to make building more energy efficient. Add more solar panels also.
Continue our work on creating a pleasant learning environment. Upgrade flooring, furniture and painting.
Upgrade to our Playing Pitches so we can play home GAA games in the school. A huge thank you to local GAA clubs who have facilitated us this year and other years.
Work Experience/ Community Outreach Opportunities
We love to have the opportunity to build links with our local community. If you or your employer might be able to facilitate some of our students on a work placement or if you think there might be an opportunity to work on a community project together please make contact with me.
Specific News to Year Groups
TY
Important dates in relation to Senior Cycle transition and TY Parent Teacher Meeting
Please find below some important dates in relation to 4th years and your transition to 5th year.
Subject Choice webinar for students joining 5th year - Thursday 9th of January 7pm
A registration link will be sent in advance of this online webinar. All TY Students and their Parents are encouraged to attend.
4th year Parent Teacher Meeting - Tuesday 14th of January 2025 4.00pm-6.30pm.
These meetings will take place in the school foyer.
This is an important meeting in assisting you choose your subjects to study for your Leaving Certificate.
The school will be using PTMOrganiser software which is a web-based system that enables parents to request appointment slots with teachers.
4th years will be given a sheet with log-on details for this system on a return after the Christmas break.
Final date for submitting 5th year subject choices - Thursday 16th of January 2025
Third Years
TY Applications have now closed. Those going directly to fifth Year see TY notice above.
The JC Exam Timetable for June is available online
https://www.examinations.ie/?l=en&mc=ex&sc=e25
Sixth Years
Examination Timetables are now available online for June. Please also see deadlines for Coursework.
We will issue Mock Timetables in the new year.
Orals will take place between Saturday 12 April to Thursday 17 April - Leaving Certificate Oral Examinations in Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Lithuanian, Portuguese, and Polish.
We will not know exact details of dates for Orals until much closer to the time. We are not in control of this as a school.
https://www.examinations.ie/?l=en&mc=ex&sc=e25
How we continue to support
Books
All books and classroom materials are free for Junior Cycle students. This scheme is in its first year and we are endeavouring to cover all classroom books and materials. We will do so as long as the funding remains at current levels. We will also support Senior students in the area of Exam Papers and access to StudyClix and purchase of Mock exam papers.
School Meals
All students have access to a free school breakfast. Over 400 students avail of this every morning. You can get two items for free with the toast Egg combination being the most popular. We can also provide a subsidised lunch to your young person if you need support in this area. Just let the Yearhead or me know.
Maths Club/ Club Gaeilge
Every wednesday Maths teachers stay behind between 1550 and 1650 to give extra support to students in Maths. Also during lunchtime on Monday and Thursday Club Gaelige runs to support students with Irish skills.
IXL
All Junior Students and AEN students at both Junior and Senior have access to IXL which is an online support for the study of Maths. It uses a gamified approach to maths problems and students can track their progress on different Maths topics. All Junior students and those in our AEN Support Classes are being given a login by their maths teacher.
In the news
Progression to third level
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/feeder-schools-2024-find-out-which-schools-send-the-most-students-to-college/a734290281.html
We are one of these schools.
https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/home/1671818/394-students-in-kildare-benefit-from-stem-passport-for-inclusion-initiative.html
Thanks once again for your support and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Tom McDonald and all the team in Pipers Hill College.