Renewed emphasis on the importance of second level education was clearly in evidence on Tuesday, 24th January as Sixth Class pupils and their parents filled the Áras for Open Night 2012. Ms. Elaine Meenan led the introduction to CCS alongside school Management and Student Council representatives, Blaine McCarron and Paula Coyle. An impressive array of stands and stalls decked the New Technology Building, promoting the wide range of subjects and programmes available at CCS. A number of Departments left nothing to chance, offering irresistible treats to prospective pupils and their parents. Even some members of staff expressed interest in languages and Home Economics, while insisting that crêpes, cakes and omelette did not influence their enquiries. Technical demonstrations, scientific gadgetry, artistic displays and delicacies kept those in attendance circulating for well over an hour. More than one parent suggested that they'd go back to school, given the chance. That might be how best to sum up Open Night 2012...

Open Night photo album

Download complete Mocks exams 2012 timetable (PDF)

January's residential was the third time Transition Year students attended the KEY Programme, but the first time they were accompanied by Mr. Sam Bogan. The pupils took part in interviews - being dived into groups and put into three different rooms with students from North Coast and Our Lady of Mercy. At the end of the interviews there was one winner choosen from each of the three rooms. Carndonagh CS girls swept the board, getting all the jobs! The girls were Aoife Ferguson, Aideen Monagle and Kate McCreanor. The TY troop also set up a campsite, made soda bread and went on a ghost walk. The Transition Year students would like to thank Mr. Sam Bogan for accompaning them to KEY.

KEY Residential (Janurary) Photo Album

A DEIS Initiative for Carndonagh Community School...

The DEAR program at CCS began 16th January 2012.

Why?
There is a wealth of literature (for example, PISA Reports) that supports the contentions that reading can be enjoyable; it is a life-skill; young people need to be motivated to read; attitudes to reading and educational attainment are most successful when there is involvement by parents and teachers as well as the young people – boys are more likely to become engaged and girls are more likely to stay on board! Our literacy focus for the past few years has seen an improvement in spelling and the wide use of subject keywords. We want to expand literacy to include reading for pleasure.

What can parents do?
We ask you to find 10 minutes, once-a-week that you will dedicate to DEAR in your home. Your son/daughter will show you how it works. Please let us know how it is going after it has been practised for a few weeks in your family!

On Wednesday, 11th January, Transition Years were treated to their second residential at SHARE Activity Centre on the banks of picturesque Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh. The photo album tells the story of three days of kayaking, combat games, hill climbing, wall climbing, human foosball, archery and insomnia...

Transition Year SHARE (Part II) Photo Album

U16 GAA - Aaron Friel scored a goal within five minutes after charging up the right wing.Kevin McLaughlin scored a point from a free as C.C.S. enjoyed a lot of possession even though they were playing into the breeze. Glenties hit back with a goal and two points after Patrick McGilloway in goals was deceived by a free kick hit in from 50m. out.

Read more: U16 Boys see off Glenties in County Semi-final