Congratulations to Birds Centra Athboy on being awarded the tender for provision of Lunch Food in the school.

Students who wish to avail of the lunch food provided may order their lunch from the menu below before 8.55 a.m each morning in the GPA (8.45 a.m. on Assembly days).  Lunches must be paid for when ordering and a ticket must be retained for presentation at lunch time at the school shop.  Any special dietary requirements can be highlighted when placing your order.  The menu below complies with the school’s Healthy Eating Policy.  Additional items may also be added subject to demand and complying with the policy.

Birds Centra, Main Street Athboy, Co. Meath

Lunch Food Menu and Pricelist

Freshly Made Deli Baguettes Rolls or Sandwiches

On White/ Triple Grain or Brown

Meat Only, (Ham /Turkey etc.)                                                                  €3.00

Tuna Salad (Lettuce, tomato, onion & coleslaw)                                          €3.00

Egg Salad                                                                                                €3.00

Salad Only                                                                                               €3.00

Hot Chicken Fillet                                                                                      €4.00

Salad Box (Chicken or Ham)                                                            €5.00

Chicken Curry & Rice                                                                       €4.00

Chilli Con Carne & Rice                                                                    €4.00

Roast Beef, Potatoes & Veg.                                                             €5.00

Turkey & Ham, Potatoes & Veg.                                                        €5.00

Beef Stew with Veg & Potatoes                                                         €5.00

Other Options

Soup of the day bread roll/brown bread and butter portion.  €2.00

Baked Potato topped with beans                                                   €2.00

Baked Potato with Bacon & Cheese                                              €2.00

Salads/Fruit

Fruit salad                                                                                        €2.00

Selection of fresh fruits available                                          €0.50 each

Drinks

Bottled Water 500ml                                                                       €1.00

Milk 500ml                                                                                       €0.70

Bread/Pastries

Buttered large roll                                                                            €0.60

Scone with butter & jam                                                                  €1.00

Welcome back to all our staff and pupils.  Welcome on board to our new staff and pupils who join our school community this year.  Some small changes remain to be made to some timetables, but overall the transition to the new year has gone smoothly thanks to the co-operation of pupils, parents and staff.

There has been a certain degree of traffic congestion in the car park and the main road at the end of the school day.  Parents/guardians or those collecting pupils are asked to consider waiting outside the school grounds if possible, or driving in five or ten minutes after 3.30 p.m.  This will avoid cars being parked in the pick-up zone for up to 20 minutes and causing a tailback onto the main road and blocking buses from entering.  It is vital that school buses are able to enter the school at this time as they may not all be at the bus bays before 3.30 p.m.   Please give way for buses entering or leaving the grounds as they may need to swing out over the median line in order to turn.   In addition to the pick -up lane, there are usually parking spaces available as staff and visitors vacate the grounds where drivers can wait for the pupils.  Cars should not turn left after the pick up lane towards the school building as this is reserved for buses only at this time of the day.  With everyone’s co-operation this congestion problem should be resolved soon.

If pupils wish to order lunch in school they must do so each morning before 8.55 a.m. (8.45 a.m. if they have assembly).

ePortal is now open to Parents/Guardians.  Please click on the ePortal Tab at the top right hand side of this page and enter your login details (available from the school office if you have forgotten them).  You can use this to track students’ attendance and attainment.

The following are the arrangements for the issue of Junior Certificate Results which are due to be released on Wednesday 14^th September:

All Fifth Year/Transition Year students should report for class as normal at 9.00 a.m. As soon as the results have been compiled those students receiving results will be brought to the School Sports Hall where they will be distributed.  The Lecture Room will remain at their disposal for the rest of the morning until lunch time.  During this time, their families and friends are welcome to come and see them. Pupils may use mobile phones to contact parents/guardians or relatives if they wish.

Should a parent wish to take a pupil out of the school they must sign a form stating that they are doing so.  In so doing they will be asked to ensure that such pupils will not be allowed to return to Athboy during the school day.  Please do not ask another parent/guardian to collect your son/daughter without contacting the school in writing.   Any pupil who leaves the school grounds without permission will be breaching the school rules.

Classes will resume as normal in the afternoon at 1.40 p.m. Your co-operation in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Each student has been given a PIN number which they may use to access their results on the internet after 4.00 p.m. if they are unable to attend school or have their results collected on Wednesday 14^th.  All students are expected to be in class as normal on Thursday 15^th September.

All parents/guardians should have now received a pack provided by Meath Community Drug and Alcohol Response Group with details of services and programmes to support parents/guardians of teenagers.

We wish all the students the best of luck with their results.

’Community Education

Promoting Life Long Learning’’

ATHBOY COMMUNITY SCHOOL

EVENING CLASSES

COMMENCING MONDAY 7TH NOVEMBER 2016

(7 P.M. – 9 P.M.) for 6 weeks

Bridge Classes (8 weeks) (Monday 7- 9 p.m. from 10th October 2016)

ENROLMENT DAILY AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE 0469487894

Any further information please contact school office or emooney@athboycs.ie

BOOK EARLY TO SECURE A PLACE

C01: Bridge Classes (8 weeks) (Monday 7- 9 p.m. from 10th October 2016

Learn how to play bridge or brush up on the skills you already have.

Fee: €80 Tutor: Kathleen Mc Sharry

C02: Computers for Beginners

Course aimed at those who require the first steps of computer knowledge and those who wish to improve basic skills learned already – learn the basics of Microsoft Word, Excel, managing files, internet & email.                                                                                                                                                               Fee: €70      Tutor: Emma Mooney

C03: Introduction to Photography

Classes are practical based and take place in an enjoyable informal atmosphere.  Students will learn how to use their camera, improve their compositional skills and understand more fully how to take the images they are looking for. Students are encouraged to develop their ideas through a series of practical projects and illustrated talks exploring photography.

Fee: €70      Tutor: David Gilroy, Firepan Photography

C04: Sign Language for Beginners

Learn how to communicate with your hands in a fun and friendly atmosphere

Fee: €70               Tutor: Marie Smith

C05: Flower Arranging- Christmas Delight with new trends and techniques

This course covers all aspects of flower arranging including modern and traditional arrangements for this time of the year.  New ideas and techniques this year to be shared.

Fee: €70      Tutor: Roseanne Heaney

C06: Conversational Spanish

Brush up on your Spanish for holidays in sunny Spain ! Fee: €70Tutor: Joe Tynan

C07: Italian Classes

The course offers Italian Language and Culture classes for beginners.

Fee: €70               Tutor: Gianluca Tuzi

C08:  Beginner’s Chinese language & Culture course

This course provides you with insights into the rich fabric of the cultures of China. It is designed for complete beginners of Chinese language (Mandarin).

It provides participants with basic skills in Chinese language including speaking, listening, reading and writing, as well as to have a basic knowledge about Chinese festival, food, music, tourism, history, social media etc.

Fee: €70               Tutor: Jing Farrelly

C09: Kundalini Yoga Class! Ohh what’s this…..

Kundalini Yoga is a technology which provides us with a way of connecting to our soul through the body, the breath and the sound current that moves this universe we all share. Kundalini Yoga is a comprehensive tradition of meditation, mantra, physical exercises and breathing techniques.

In class we will focus on awakening our ten bodies. Yes…. you read this right! I bet many of you thought we just had this one body to contend with! BUT there’s more! The thoughts created by these bodies are not visible either but our lives revolve around them. The purpose of the series of classes will be to identify, awaken and balance our ten bodies in order to connect to our quiet voice of intuition, our truth.

The class is open to ALL levels of ability. It will run for approx. 1hr and 30mins- 1hr 50mins. Please bring a yoga mat, a blanket if you like to feel snug during relaxation and some water to keep hydrated.

Fee: €70               Tutor: Susan Moran

C10:  Understanding Ancient History

This short course is designed to introduce the learner to new concepts in the study of the ancient world, focusing particularly on civilisations around the ancient Mediterranean. Using a number of case studies relating to historical people and events, this course will make you think about why we care about the ancient world, and why it still fascinates us thousands of years after these civilisations have fallen to ruin.

Fee: €70                         Tutor : Dr. Ronald A. Geobey, Ph.D.

C11: Name: Nutrition and Health

This course is for anyone who would like to explore their interest in nutrition and the role it plays in building and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Learn the basics of nutrition principles, the importance of diet in a variety of areas, and how you can use nutrition to reach your personal health goals. Learn how to apply all your knowledge from the course and use the opportunity to examine and assess your own dietary intake.

Fee: €70      Tutor: Grainne Whelehan

Application Forms are available in the school or can be downloaded from our Website www.athboycs.ie

Cheques payable to Athboy Community School

The school WILL NOT contact you unless the class has been cancelled.  So once enrolled please come on the first night of the class.

General Information

• Fees for course must be paid in full before the last day of enrolment.
• Fees are non-refundable, unless a course does not run due to insufficient numbers or a tutor being unavailable.
• Property: Responsibility cannot be taken for loss/damage to students’ property.
• Tea/ Coffee Break- some classes take a 10 minute break where tea & coffee will be provided.
• Smoking is strictly forbidden in any part of the school building and grounds.
• Classrooms are expected to be left ready for class the next morning.

Geography Field Trip

A group of 54 Sixth Year Geography students from Athboy Community School with teachers Ms Shanley, Ms McQuaid and Mr. Magner went to Kippure House Estate near Blessington in Co. Wicklow for a river field study last Wednesday September 28^th.

The purpose of the field trip was to investigate the impact of the processes of transportation and deposition on the formation of a meander on the Upper River Liffey.

In beautiful weather the group had an enjoyable, action-packed day gathering data in the Liffey. With the aid of the park rangers each student measured River Velocity and classed the river flow using Berg’s Classification. Next the students did a River Channel Cross Section to see the effects of deposition on the shape of the river. They recorded the gradient of the river itself and used clinometers to carry out a valley profile.

The group also did a bedload analysis to see the impact of the processes of transportation on the material being carried and deposited by the river, in particular, the effect of attritional processes on the load.

The final task was a Sinuosity test to determine if the bend in the river had yet reached the stage where it would be classed as a meander.

They also observed features of deposition such as a point bar, flood plain and the meander itself and features of erosion like rapids and river cliffs. The students also did field sketches at both sites to take note of the features, conditions and processes evident.

The students are now producing a report on the field trip which is worth 20% of their Leaving Certificate Geography examination.

Athboy CS Geography students pictured on a Field Trip to Kippure House Estate and the River Liffey. From left: Jake Newman-Murphy, Aaron Byas, Esmee MacPherson, Leona Doherty, Callum O’Sullivan, Megan Walsh, Thomas Grant, Ruth Caffrey, Gabriele Dobrynina, Olivia O’Shea, J.P. Holmes, Cian Browne.

ATHBOY COMMUNITY SCHOOL

TUESDAY 15^th NOVEMBER 2016

6.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Information Sessions for Pupils and Parents at 6.00 p.m. 7.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m.

The Open Night is for the purpose of providing information on subjects and policies.

Subjects on offer include:

Junior Cycle:

Art, Business Studies, Civic, Social and Political Education, English, French, Geography, German, History, Home Economics, Information Communication Technology, Irish, Materials Technology (Wood), Mathematics, Metalwork (Materials and Technology), Music, Physical Education, Religious Education, Science, Social and Personal Health Education and Technical Graphics.

Senior Cycle:

Accounting, Agricultural Science, Art, Biology, Business, Career Guidance, Chemistry, Construction Studies, Design and Communication Graphics, Economics, Engineering, English, French, Geography, German, History, Home Economics, Information Technology, Irish, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Education and Social and Personal Health Education.

The school currently offers Transition Year, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, Leaving Cert Applied and Leaving Certificate Established Programmes.

• Career Guidance and Counselling.
• Extra Curricular Activities.
• Pastoral Care.
• Learning Support.
• Peer Mentoring Programme.

Application Forms available from the Secretary at (046) 9487894/e-mail athboycs@eircom.net or can be downloaded from the school website www.athboycs.ie

Completed Application Forms for First Year 2017/18 must be returned to this school on/before Friday 16^th December 2016.  Enrolment/Assessment day will be held on Saturday 28^th January 2016.

In the event of a strike by members of the ASTI on Thursday 27th October, parents/guardians are requested not to send pupils to school on that date.  Classes will resume on Friday 28th October.

INDOOR MARKET

Athboy Community School Gym

Sunday 27^th November 2016, from 2. 00 p.m – 4.00 p.m.

Book a Stall for €20, clear your attic, make some cash.

An enjoyable family afternoon, support your local school.

Unwanted Gifts, Comics, Books, Plants, Clothes, DVDs, Console Games, Children’s Toys, Prams, Jewellery, Sports Equipment, Paintings, Photos, Cakes, Knitwear, Cards, Craftwork, Christmas Gifts etc.

Phone the School Office – 046 9487894 – to reserve your stall and get further details. Stalls limited so book today.

Organised by the Transition Year class.

The Board of Management of the school met on Friday 28th October to discuss the implications of the proposed withdrawal from Supervision and Substitution Scheme by ASTI members from November 7th.

While the Board is anxious to provide for continuity of tuition for all students it is also committed to the Health and Safety of each member of the school community during this period of industrial action.  It was decided to re-open the school provisionally on Monday 7th November.  The Board considered the implications of the proposed action on the supervision and substitution needs of the school.

In order to minimise the use of substitution from S&S, all games and trips have been cancelled.    In order to prioritise the use of available paid substitutes for certified illness all CPD for staff has also been cancelled.

School management will continue to monitor the situation and report immediately to the Chairperson of the Board of Management if there are concerns about the Health and Safety of the school community.  A review will take place at a meeting of the Board on 14th November at the latest.

It may prove necessary to close the school until a contingency plan, to include the recruitment of additional external supervisors, can be put place.  The Board has ratified the commencement of such a contingency plan.

Timetables for Summative Assessment 1 examinations are available in our Downloads section under Exam Documents.  These are subject to change due to proposed industrial action on Wednesday 16th November in which case exams scheduled for Wednesday 16th will be held on Monday 21st November.

TABLE QUIZ

in

ATHBOY COMMUNITY SCHOOL

FRIDAY 25^th NOVEMBER

FIRST QUESTION AT 8.00 p.m.

RAFFLE AND REFRESHMENTS ON THE NIGHT

PLEASE SUPPORT

Comhghairdeas leis na foirne díopóireachta a ghlac páirt i gcomótas díospóireachta Gael Linn le gairid faoi stiúir Iníon Uí Shúilleabháin.

Foireann Soisearach Diospóireachta na scoile Danielle de Brún, Darra de Barra agus Millie Osman.

Foireann Díospóireachta Shinsireach na scoile le Príomhoide Antaine Ó Duinnshléibhe agus múinteoir Orla Ní Shuilleabháin: – Sam Black, Katie Smith agus Cian Harmon.

As part of a School Self Evaluation project, the school is currently seeking the views of parents on student attainment.

Please click on the link below to complete a quick online survey for parents/guardians before Wednesday 20th December.

Take the Parent Survey here

Thank you.

Athboy Students go to Infinity and Beyond in 2016

To Travel – To be Educated and to be Inspired

When did we go?  Thursday 27^th to Sunday 30^th of October 2016.

Where to? Belgium’s European Space Centre (ESC) just outside Brussels.

Who all went on the trip? Teachers:- Mr. L. Mc Hugh and Ms. Siún Ní  Raghallaigh.

Students: Marcus Tynan,    Dylan Williams,  Millie Osman,  Aishling Devine, Michael Garry,  Jack Dowling, Rory Finucane,  Rory Lynch, Liam Garry,  Emily Smith, Ava Gavagan,  Constance Peelman- Moens,        Julia Brechelke, Rebecca Walker,  Kay-Linn Mooney, Ciaran  Fenlon, Danny Henry, Charlie Mc Clair,       Liam Carolan,  Darragh Cunningham Keith Lynch.

Why did we go?  To experience the educational benefits associated with travel in general.  We went also  to improve our knowledge of Space Travel and Science in general. The students of Athboy Community School were provided with an opportunity to experience the theoretical and practical skills associated with space travel at the European space centre in Belgium. We were allowed to utilize the technologies provided by the centre in the fields of Engineering and Physics.

Students in Second Year interested in taking part in the 2017 Trip should contact Mr. Mc Hugh.

We wish all members of our school community a peaceful Christmas and happy New Year.  Classes will resume on Monday 9th January.

Athboy Community School Christmas Talent Show

Athboy Community School held a Christmas Talent Show in the school’s General Purpose and Stage area on Wednesday December 21^st.  The school choir and sixteen acts took to the stage to showcase their talents in front of a packed audience of students and staff in an event organised by the L.C.A class and music teacher Ms Jacqui McGowan.  The M.C.’s on the day were LCA student Kerry Halpin, assisted by teacher Mr. Magner. The audience were treated to a real variety of acts as singers, dancers and musicians belted out the hits and the choir got everyone in the mood with Christmas songs and carols.

To open the show, the First, Second and Third year Music classes performed the classic, ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day,’ followed by ‘Silent Night’ accompanied by sign language taught to the classes by the Transition Years in the school.  The opening act followed as first year students Mia Vilkauskaite and Emilija Slankauskaite who sang Adele’s ‘Rolling In The Deep’ to rapturous applause.  They were followed by second year pupil Sophie Rusk who played piano and sang a beautiful rendition of ‘Lost Boy’ by Ruth B.Sophie was followed by another first year student, Michelle Mostert who gave a magnificent performance of ‘All Of Me’ by John Legend. Next up were Transition Year student Arson Martina and Fifth Year Jack Kelly-McLoughlin who played an instrumental version on guitars of Foo Fighters ‘Pretender.’Sulihaty Okunola was next to tread the boards with a lovely rendition of the Bruno mars classic, ‘Count On Me.’

A very novel act followed as a mother and son combination to took to the stage, French teacher Ms Kane and her son, second year student Eoin regaled the audience with a selection of Christmas tunes of the cornet which really got everyone into the festive spirit. The first half of the show was brought to a close by first year girls Sinead Murphy and Sophia O’Reilly who rang ‘Let It Go’, from the movie ‘Frozen.’

Half time was marked by something a little bit different – a school wide mannequin challenge. Staff and students alike were called to strike a pose as music teacher Ms McGowan became the camerawoman of the moment.

The second half of the show got off to an energetic start as first year Erin Williams took to the stage to perform some Irish dancing with a difference – a dance set to Cheryl Cole’s ‘Crazy Stupid Love’ which got a deserved huge round of applause.  Following Erin were Fifth Year boys Jack Kelly-McLaughlin on guitar and Josh Gilbride on vocals performing ‘Love Yourself’ by Justin Bieber.  Another Fifth Year, Alisha Mostert was next up singing ‘Let It Go’ by James Bay with Arson Martin back on stage again to accompany on guitar.

Sarah Healy-O’Doherty from LCA1 was next up performing a lovely version of ‘Wherever You Will Go,’ by The Calling.  She was followed by Third year Ally Johnston singing ‘Yours’ by Ella Henderson with Sean Leavy from LCA accompanying her on guitar.  Another duo followed on stage, two Third Years, Hazel Tully on vocals and Kerri-Ann Rusk on guitar performing Ed Sheerin’s ‘Thinking Out Loud.’  The penultimate act was Katelyn Kennedy on ukulele and Rebecca Mc Carthy singing ‘I See The Light’ from the movie ‘Tangled’.  Arson Martina was back on stage for the fourth time as the last act playing his own arrangement of the theme tune to ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’

The students of Athboy CS would like to thank all those involved in what was a hugely successful and enjoyable show especially Ms McGowan and the LCA students who organised the event and all the staff.

Lauren Murtagh, Annie Ryan, teacher Ms Mc Gowan and Casey Farrelly at the ACS Christmas Concert

Emilija Sankauskaite and Mia Vilkauskaite at the Athboy CS Christmas Concert

Sinead Murphy at the Athboy CS Christmas Concert.

Eoin and Colette Kane performing at the Athboy CS Christmas Talent Show

Emma Leavy, Arson Martina, Kevin Cooke, Kitty Hamilton and Niamh Reddington signing Silent Night with Choir at ACS Christmas Talent Show

A Table Quiz in aid of the production costs of the forthcoming Transition Year musical “Little Shop of Horrors” will be held in Flood’s Bar on Thursday 16th January at 9.00 p.m. sharp.  Tables of 4 cost €40.00.  All welcome.

Congratulations to Kitty Hamilton who received an Excellence Award from N.U.I. Maynooth based on her result in Junior Certificate Business Studies last year.

Kitty is pictured below with Vice-President Prof. Aidan Mulkeen, Ms Emma Mooney (Business teacher in Athboy CS) and Dean of the Faculty of Social Science Prof. Maurice Devlin.

An Information Night on next year’s Transition Year will take place on Thursday 2nd February next at 7.00 p.m.   Parent/guardians of the current Third Year classes are welcome to attend.