Calendar News - 2010-2011

A provisional calender for the present academic year is provided here. This includes the dates for parent-teacher meetings and the dates for school planning meetings.

School News Blog

The Transition Year students are maintaining a school news blog as part of their journalism course run by Mr Trevor Connolly. He describes its role in the school:

"It's not just a site for TY news but rather an area to highlight what's going on around the school and keep parents and staff informed. It will replace "Moyler Monthly" and give the TY Journalism students an outlet to publish their writing over the year. It's just been up a few days and already we're getting some activity on the site.

If you have a problem with the link, try copy and paste it straight into the address bar at the top of your browser. As it is such a new site it might not appear on a regular google search just yet but if you type the url straight in you won't have a problem.

If you teach TY, encourage your students to update the blog with an account of whatever they are working on. If you don't teach TY and want to publicise an activity or event in the school email me some details or pass on the information to a TY student to get the notice up."

 

Trevor Connolly

Transition Year Outings

1 : At the Bog (A teacher comments)

Science in TY every year starts with a visit to the bog at Lullymore in Co. Kildare. This gives the students a chance to see a real living bog (most students have NEVER been to a bog before). When there, they get the chance to learn a little bit about bogs, but more importantly, they get the chance to get their hands dirty! And if they are unlucky (or lucky) enough, they may even fall in. Last year, the trip coincided with the wettest day of the year, but undaunted, they stuck it out for the whole day. In contrast, this year's visit was on a beautiful sunny day, with sunscreen and sunblock an absolute necessity.

The students spent a number of hours removing invasive plants from the bog. These plants (mostly birch saplings) prevent the growth of natural bog plants, such as field scabious, which are needed by the Marsh Fritillary butterfly, a rare Irish butterfly which is found at Lullymore.

The bog is maintained by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council, a voluntary organisation dedicated to the preservation of Irish bogs. Every year, the TY class travels to the bog to do physical work which is much appreciated by the IPCC. Long may it last.

Terry Flanagan

At the Bog Paul Farrell and David Wall	At the Bog Mark Kavanagh and Nabil Ghnewa	At the Bog Sofwat Islam in his wellies.
All photographs taken by Terry Flanagan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 : At the Bog (A student comments)

I have already been on two trips with my TY class and one of these was a trip to the Lullymore bog in Co Kildare last week. We learned all about bogs and the difference between raised and blanket bogs. My class was split into different teams to see which could cut the most trees and shrubs down. It was a simple goal, the biggest pile won!

Later we collected berries and looked at another side of the bog where a couple of students got stuck in the mud. To finish off the day we had to cross a field full of cows and they all ran. (The students, not the cows!) All in all class 4.1 had a good time and learned a little too.

Nabil Ghnewa

2 : The Amazing Maze (A teacher comments)

On their first day in TY, class 4.1 travelled to Kennedy's Farm at the foot of the Dublin mountains. Although a working farm, Peter Kennedy has opened it to the public, and has introduced a MAIZE MAZE. This is a 10 acre MAIZE field which he planted last May with 3 million maize seeds. When these germinated, he carefully removed certain plants to create a MAZE. Since then, the maize has grown at a fantastic rate and is now 12 feet tall.

When you arrive, you are given a map showing the details of the maze. Within the maze are hidden signs. The aim is to find all of these to get a prize. In total, it takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete the course. It certainly makes for a great afternoon of teambuilding and bonding for the class. Cost to the general public is €7 per person, €25 for a family of four and for groups of 10 or more, €5 per person. It is definitely worth a visit.

The maze will be open till Oct. 30th., after which the MAIZE will be harvested to be used as cattle fodder.

Terry Flanagan

At the Bog Ryan McManus with Ben Dunne	The Amazing Maze Mark Kearns and Luke Redmond	The Amazing Maze Brad Greene and Alan Davidson
All photographs taken by Terry Flanagan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 : The Amazing Maze (A student comments)

On Monday 30th August the students from TY class 4:1 went to the Maize Maze at Kennedy’s Farm on Kiltipper road. Mrs Murray and Mr Flanagan also went. When we arrived we were split into four groups of four. We started off in the kiddies maze. Here we had to find 5 wild life animal; this was done as a time trial. Then we moved onto what's known as the "adults’ maze".The instructor told us that this was over 7 acres.

We all stayed in the same groups and this time we had to find one word containing 6 letters and 11 counties in Ireland. It took us well over an hour and a half although some groups took up to 2 hours and the winners were group B: Mark, Keith, Brad and Sofwat, who are still waiting for their prize at the end. We all received pepper seeds for ourselves to grow. It was a good day out and the weather was fantastic

Shane Murphy

First Years 2010-2011 visit Moyle Park

Here are some pictures from the primary school 6th class students from St. Josephs, Clonburris, Sruleen, Talbot, Ronans, and St. Peter Apostle National schools. These students spent the day in Moyle Park sampling each of the different practical subjects to help them make their decision about which subjects to choose in September.

Art Room: Art teacher Ms Petrina Shortt with incoming 1st years	Metal work: Metal work teacher Mr John Byrne with incoming student	Incoming Students Practical Awards: Incoming Year Head Ms Cahalane with Ms Gray and award winners	Tech Drawing Room: Incoming students in the Tech Drawing room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report and photographs by Aisling O'Malley

Moyle Park Yearbook 2010

The annual yearbook has been presented to the graduating sixth year students and to the first years on their Sports Day. It has been edited by Ms Behan, Mr Connell and Ms McGowan. Mr Connolly was responsible for the photographs. It contains individual pictures of all the 6th year students who left the school this year and also form group photographs of the 1st year form classes.

To view the 2010 Graduation Book, click on the cover (left).

Copies of the 2010 Yearbook are available from the school secretary.

 

 

Retirement

Over the past five years seven members of the teaching staff retired:

Mr John Byrne has retired in June 2010.

Ms Phil Doherty has retired in June 2010.

Mr John Shortt retired in June 2009.

Mr Ted O'Donovan retired in June 2009.

Mr Jim Tully retired in June 2008.

Mr Frank O'Shaughnessy retired in June 2007.

Mr Pat Kelly announced his retirement from Moyle Park in June 2006.

Mr Sean Cunniffe and Mr Peader O'Farrell retired in June 2005

We wish them every good wish in their retirement.

 

Moyle Park on Twitter

Follow our Tweets which give up to the minute news items. You can get information on school activities delivered to your mobile phone or to your computer. For more information on how to follow the school tweets go to the Twitter Support page,

 

Moyle Park Winners in 5 Categories in Social Inclusion Competition

Moyle Park achieved great success in the Social Inclusion Competition for all second level schools in South County Dublin. We garnered no less than 5 different awards. In second year the CSPE groups from 2.5 class were the overall winners. The project was entitled Heroes in Hoodies and was aired on RTE radio on the Monney Show. The work of the students and their general demeanour was highly commended by the mayor of the council, Mr Michael Duff. The other winners were two 3rd year groups who worked on projects entitled Bullying and Stereotyping. In the individual sections, Stephen Chapman won an award for his poem Racism and Faisal Al-Ani for an essay on the same topic. What a great achievement by all the students involved and by the CSPE teacher, Mr Gary Kenny.

A report on the success of the Heroes in Hoodies project appears in the Irish Times.

(Photograph of Rennee Dussu by Maxwells © Irish Times.)

Mr Michael Nolan

Moyle Park College runs for Pieta House - 'Darkness to Light'

Starting while it was still dark, and finishing as dawn was breaking, the Pieta House annual Darkness into Light event took place on Saturday morning, 8th May in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. Gathering from 3.30 a. m. at the Papal Cross, participants were registered and directed to the starting point. The race began at 5 a.m. The price of registration included a free Darkness into Light t-shirt and race pack, and there was hot food and drinks available at the finish line

Founded by Psychologist Joan Freeman, Pieta House is Ireland’s first community-based centre for the prevention of self-harm or suicide. Based in Lucan, Pieta House, Centre for the prevention of Self-harm or Suicide, opened its doors in January 2006. Their specialist treatment programme offers one to one counselling for people who have already attempted to take their lives, for people with suicidal ideation and also for people who engage in self-harming behaviours. They address the growing problems of hopelessness and despair in our community, which for some may lead to attempting suicide. Their mission is "to help hurting people walk through their times of pain and difficulty; to particularly provide a holistic solution to the ever increasing problems of hopelessness, despair and depression."

Here are some pictures of Moyle Park students and teachers at the Darkness to Light run in the Phoenix Park. For larger images see our Photo Gallery.

Two Moyle Park students Stephen and Nathan in the Phoenix Park in darkness.	Students and teachers in the Phoenix Park at daybreak.	Ms Sandra Murray and Mr Johnny Roebuck in the Phoenix Park.
Photographs by Aisling O'Malley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A 2.5 Report on Social Inclusion Award

We went to a Social Inclusion Ceremony run by South Dublin Council on Thursday 6th May. Our class 2.5 won an award for the best project for our 2nd Year CSPE project entitled Heroes in Hoodies. We were all presented with vouchers for Easons. There were other students from the school who alos won awards. The ceremony was held in the headquarters of South Dublin Council in Tallaght.

Malik Ogungbo

 

Monday Club Photographs

Adrian And Rennee at the Monday Club	Josh talks to one of the members of the club.	Jamie visits the Monday Club.	Eric and Patrick play music for the senior citizens.
Photographs by Eoin Kelly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fame 2010 - A Show stopper by the boys and girls of Moyle Park College and Colaiste Bride

Moyle Park's Transition Year and 5th yr boys together with Colaiste Bride's Transition Year and 2nd yr girls wowed their audiences for three consecutive nights this week Feb 9, 10 11 with their production of the 80's Musical 'FAME'.

The show was the culmination of months of hard work and rehearsal, beginning as far back as October last, with rehearsals taking place even on Sundays.

'FAME' is set during the last years of New York City's celebrated High School for the Performing Arts on 46th Street (1980-1984). Just like their 80's counterparts the Clondalkin students, through the music, song and dance of 'FAME' explored the issues that confront young people everywhere today - prejudice, self-worth, sexuality and substance abuse.

This joint production is a showcase for what can be achieved with co-operation and coordination even in these economically challenging times. This is the second collaborative production between the two schools following their successful production of 'Grease' last year.

Great credit is due to both staff and students of both colleges for their achievement with this production which played to packed houses on all three nights.

Click here for a short YouTube video from the show and click here for a YouTube set of photos of the show.

Pauline Cunningham

Parents' Council

Click here to go to the Parents' Council page which has just been created on the website.

Students' Council

Click here to go to the Students' Council website which has just been created.

"Filming the Poem" wins Eircom Junior Spider Award

A second year English class has filmed a poem by Seamus Heaney called "Mid-Term Break." On the last Thursday before the Hallowen break, despite the rain, the students managed to complete their filming. Their work on the film is part of an E-Twinning project undertaken with two schools from Germany, two schools from Romania and one school from Poland.. Further details on the project and links to all the films are available at its own site called Filming the Poem which has, in December, been awarded a prize for the Best Educational Website in the Junior Spider Competition, sponsored by Eircom. Four of the students and their teacher, Mr Conor Kelly, were presented with their award on Friday, December 18th. Photographs of the occasion are available here. A slideshow of photographs is also available here.

One of the partner schools in Romania has its own website devoted to the project and has posted its film on YouTube. A Polish school has also posted its film on YouTube.

 

Moyle Park on Twitter

Follow our Tweets (see below) which give up to the minute news items. You can get information on school activities delivered to your mobile phone or to your computer. For more information on how to follow the school tweets go to the Twitter Support page,

 

 

 

 

Snow Comes to Moyle Park

The School under Snow	1st Years in Snow	The Staff Snow Man	The Sports Hall Under Snow
All photographs taken by C. Kelly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poem for the late Conor Cruise O'Brien

Former student and member of the SDLP Party, James White, has written a poetic tribute to the former Labour Party Minister and T.D., Conor Cruise O'Brien. Click here to read his poem.

 

Trinity Access Programme

The Trinity Access Programme was set up to increase the participation at third level of those who, for social, economic and educational reasons, have not yet realised their full educational potential.

TAP is closely linked with Moyle Park College and hopes to increase progression to third level and generate attitudinal changes among parents and teachers of what is possible. It does this by offering innovative programmes which must meet the needs of individuals and communities.

Some of these programmes have included Language Revision workshops, Easter Revision Maths courses, Study Skills workshops, Shadowing Days where 5th year students spend a day with a Trinity College undergraduate, Take 5 Summer Programmes where students from the school visit five different universities and E-mentoring programmes where transition year students are linked to mentors in various businesses in Dublin.

All of these programmes are fully funded by TAP. In 6th year, students then have an opportunity to apply for entry for the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR). There are seven participating universities in the HEAR programme: TCD, DCU, UCD, DIT, NUIM, UL, UCC. Each of these universities reserve a small percentage of the CAO quota each year for students from the HEAR programme. HEAR accepts students from non-traditional backgrounds which include socio-economically disadvantaged students, mature students and students with a disability.They then grant the student reduced points for entry into the relevant CAO course.

 

Ms Aisling O'Malley (TAP Liaison Officer)

Advice to Parents of TAP Students

A slide show with information on the Trinity access programme is available here.

Aisling O' Malley

 

 

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Graduation Class 2010

6th Year Graduation - Light a Candle of Hope

On Thursday evening May 27 at the Graduation Mass for Class 2010, the young men of Moyle Park College lit a candle of Hope. These 18/19 year olds , born during the boom of the Celtic Tiger years, now face into a world utterly changed.

In his opening address, celebrant Fr Damien Farnan urged the young school leavers to be courageous as they take their place, in an Ireland with a rich multicultural landscape. Year Head, Ms Niamh Cahalane, first female 6th year Head in the College, spoke warmly of these young men and 'the drive and energy' they displayed during their years in Moyle Park, ranging from academic and sporting achievements through to community involvement and fundraising activities, culminating in the recent Pink Day for Cancer Research when they bravely wore Pink for a worthy cause. Principal Mr Aiden Clarke , while reminding them of Yeats's words 'the world's more full of weeping than you can understand' urged them to be 'caring members of a complex society'.

During the Awards Ceremony students' achievements were acknowledged both in the academic and sporting areas. Staff Member Mr Johnny Roebuck, together with Team Manager Mr Gary Kenny, spoke of the school's delight with the Senior Gaelic Team taking second place in the Championship this year.

Dr Peter Duffy, Chair of BOM awarded a college bursary to Adam Brown.

Deputy Principal, Mr Maurice Hartigan referred to the boys' outstanding 'optimism' in his years dealings with them.

Music during the evening was supplied by student musicians: Adam Brown, Jack Whelan, Philip Hannigan, Neil McDonagh, Stephen Byrne, Graham Coogan, Paddy Tunga, Colm Looney and Daniel Fitzgibbons. Brass Band : John Kerins and Shane Cross.

Student of the Year: Akim Alshami

John Connors Award for Sports Student of the Year: Jack Whelan

Sean Mitchell Memorial Award: Thomas Foy

Marist Brothers Award: Adam Brown

Marcellin Champagnat Award: Darren Field

Report by Pauline Cunningham

Graduation Year 2010 on YouTube

Click here or on the image (left) for a short slide show, available on YouTube, prepared for the Graduation ceremony.

 

 

Photographs from 6th Year Graduation Night 2010

Year Head Niamh Cahalane: Addressing the students and their parents	Glen Weafer: Addressing the students and their parents	Matthew Errity : Addressing the students and their parents.	Marist Brothers' Award Winner: Adam Brown with school principal Mr Aiden Clarke.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student of the Year: Akim Alshami with the principal Mr Clarke	Sports Student of the Year: Jack Whelan won the John Connors Award presented by PE teacher Mr Lee O'Reilly	Sean Mitchell Memorial Award: Thomas Foy presented with his award by Ms Fiona Mitchell	Marcellin Champagnat Award: Darren Field with the principal Mr Clarke
Photographs from the Graduation Night by official school photographer, Nuria Canestro

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graduates

A complete list of graduates from 1964 is available on the site on our Graduates Page. The graduates from 2010 have now been added,

GRADUATES
Recent Graduates - 2010
2009	2008	2007	2006	2005	2004	2003
2002	2001	2000	1999	1998	1997	1996
1995	1994	1993	1992	1991	1990	1989
1988	1987	1986	1985	1984	1983	1982
1981	1980	1979	1978	1977	1976	1975
1974	1973	1972	1971	1970	1969	1968
1967	1966	1965	1964

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graduation Class 2009

6th Year Graduation Night 2009

Year Head Terry Flanagan: Addressing the students and their parents	James White: Addressing the students and their parents	Patrick Kelly : Addressing the students and their parents.	Marist Brothers' Award Winner: Shane Haran with form teacher Ms Christine Kilcoyne.
Photographs from the Graduation Night by Conor Kelly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards and Presentations

Student of the Year: Serhij Semenov with the principal Mr Shortt, Mr Flanagan and Mr Peter Duffy	Sports Student of the Year: Conor Lanigan won the John Connors Award presented by Year Head Mr Terry Flanagan.	Sean Mitchell Memorial Award: Neil Keane Presented with his award by Mr John Shortt	Prefects Presentation: Brother Nicholas Smith being presented with a jersey by Adam Conway
Photographs from the Graduation Night by official school photographer, Anthony Hopkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6th Year Sports Day and Graduation

The 6th years have now graduated after a very successful Sports Day and a graduation ceremony at which the following awards were presented:

Student of the Year: Serhij Semenov

John Connors Award for Sports Student of the Year: Conor Lanigan

Sean Mitchell Memorial Award: Neil Keane

Marist Brothers Award: Shane Haran

Click on the image (right) to view a slide show of the Sports Day. Photos of the Awards Ceremony appear above.

 

 

6th Year Graduation Awards 2008

Student of the Year: Colm Tobin with the principal Mr Shortt	Sports Student of the Year: Christopher Shields won the John Connors Memorial Award.	Sean Mitchell Memorial Award: Aaron Henry with the principal Mr Shortt	Marist Brothers' Award: Christopher Fox won the educational bursary.
Photographs from the Graduation Night by Ms Fiona Quigley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Transition Year 2010-2011

School News Blog

The Transition Year students are maintaining a school news blog as part of their journalism course run by Mr Trevor Connolly. Click here to access the site.

 

Transition Year 2009-2010

Transition Year Awards 2009-2010

Student of the Year: Cillian Nolan

Special Merit: Conor Hickey; Stephen Smith; Liam Flood.

Transition Year Graduation Night

Cillian Nolan With his T. Y. award: Student of the Year	Special Merit Awards Conor Hickey; Stephen Smith; Liam Flood.	T. Y. Artwork Jordan Kiernan and Aaron Kearney
All photographs taken by Trevor Connolly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transition Years go Go-Karting in Kylemore Karting

T Y students kitted out	T.Y student in his go-kart	T Y students looking at the track
Photographs by Trevor Connolly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transition Year 2008-2009

 

Transition Year Awards 2008-2009

Student of the Year: John Kearns (left)

Most Improved: Graham Hanlon

Special Merit: Chris Reid

 

 

 

Transition Year Graduation Night

Chris Reid With his T. Y. award	Shane Cross The Grease star on stage again.	Eric Connolly Performing on the night	Transition Year Certificates Sean Kennedy and William Ngesi
All photographs taken by Conor Kelly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transition Years Get Down and Dirty

 

On the 28th of August T.Y students from Moyle Park College went to the bog of Allen in Lullymore, County Kildare as part of National Heritage Week. The students took part in two activities at the Bog, one being the making of bog dams which interlock to stop the water. The other was to cut down birch trees that grow wild across the Bog that if not cut down would spread across the Bog. The student's were accompanied by Mr. Terry Flanagan, a teacher in Moyle Park College who has made many nature movies one of which was on the bog of Allen. Mr. Flanagan told the students some interesting about bogs.

Did you know?

• -That bogs contain 98 % water and that the water is bacteria free but is acidic.
• - That you can find volcanic ash in some bogs because of a volcanic eruption in Iceland in the sixteenth century.
• - That every time you turn on the lights 15 % of the power comes from peat.

   

  
  Christopher O'Dwyer
  ( Transition Year Student )
  

  
  

  

   

  Transition Year 2007-2008

   

  Transition Year Visit Kairos

  On Wednesday, October 3rd the Transition Year class visited the Kairos radio studio in Maynooth and learned how to make their own radio programme.They began the day by deciding what they would produce. Thedn each of the students present took responsibility for one aspect of the show. After extensive rehersals and few breaks, they recorded the show in one take. To listen to the radio programme they made on the day, click on the radio image on the left or click here. To view a photo of the day, go to the Photo Gallery.

   

  

   

  Transition Year - An Explanation

  When the question first came to me, I wasn't sure whether to do Transition Year. For a start, it's an extra year in school, a place most teenagers hate. As well as that it means the class you've been with since the first day in first year will be a year ahead, meaning you may feel a bit uncomfortable around people that have only been "faces in the corridor" for the last three years. However, after some discussion with my friends who had decided to do it and my family, I decided to do the extra year.

  The main reason I did Transition Year was because I didn't feel ready to pick my subjects for the Leaving Cert, which could shape my future. So I thought TY was a great chance to take the year "off" to contemplate my choices. To help this choice, we also had the chance of two two-week periods of Work Experience, which will ultimately help me in picking my ideal career. So I thought TY was perfect for this.

  There is this belief that TY is a "Doss year",and, because of this, many students consider the whole year a waste of time. This certainly troubled me at the time of decision making, but I decided on trying it for myself.

  Since September, everything about this belief has been destroyed. As well as the usual subjects (Irish, Maths, English) we had the chance to explore many different subjects. New to me this year is Japanese, Enterprise, Journalism, Celtic Arts, Wood Work, Art and Music. All these subjects are completely unique, and thus it has widened my thought on possible subjects for the Leaving Cert as well as possible job opportunities.

  The most unique and best part about TY is all the different tours, competitions and various courses we spend time doing. My favourite is the "European Computer Driving Licence" course or ECDL for short. The ECDL is a course recognised by every country in the European Union. So it's a great certificate to have, particularly for CVs. As well as the ECDL courses, we have also gone on loads of tours. We have gone Bowling, Football, Heiton Buckleys, Dublin Zoo, The Bog of Allen, the Canal with Water Ways Ireland, the Square Tallaght to see the "Inconvenient Truth", the RDS to see an Optical Illusion show, a Trinity debating open day at Trinity College and the Clondalkin Garda Station to learn about juvenile crime. As well as these, we got to do a 3-day computer course in Moresoft, Leeson Street. This was a great chance to try things that you wouldn't normally get a chance to do. We also got to help a 6th class from Sruleen with science. We helped them launch water rockets, which was great fun for both parties.

  Since the start of the school year, I am very happy that I chose to do TY. So if you're considering TY, I would say do. There is homework but it's not much, and most of it is assignments, which can be rewarding to do. There are a lot of tours, many of which really are fun. So when the time comes to choose, at least think of 4th year. After a stressful 3rd year, I believe Transition Year is the best way to wind down and genuinely think about your future.
  

  Dean Flood
  

  

  Transition Year Awards 2007-2008

   

Student of the Year: Thomas Curran with the principal Mr Shortt	Special Merit: Mahmood Abdullah	Champagnat Award: Alan Caul

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transition Year Awards 2006-2007

Student of the Year: Dean Flood

Special Merit: Neil Keane and Patrick Kelly.

 

Transition Year Awards 2005-2006

Student of the Year: Colm Tobin

Most Improved: John Mulroy

Special Merit: Ricardo Deakin (see photo left)

 

 

RoboCup Ireland 2006

On Friday 23rd of February eight Transition Year students went to The National College of Ireland. They were entered into a competition that essentially teaches them to programme a robot. There are three categories that a team can be entered into: rescue, soccer, and dance. The rescue mission, one of the categories chosen by the Transition Year students, is based on programming the robot to follow a black line and make it stop to identify survivors. (Coloured paper shaped as people). The robot has to stop and play a tune for two seconds and continue on. The other category chosen by the students was the dance category. The robot must perform a dance and play music. The programmers have to perform a dance and decorate the robot for the dance. The last category was the soccer category. It is the only one not chosen by the school and also seems to be the least liked category by a majority of the schools. This is the first time that this competition has been run in Ireland and, if successful, will, we hope,expand in the coming years.

Paul Murphy

 

Click on the image (left) to view a video of the robots prepared by Colm Tobin.

 

 

 

Transition Year RoboCup Final 2006

This is the first year ever Ireland held a 'RoboCup Ireland 2006', for Transition Year students in which we battled it out in three competitions involving robots: (1) Soccer (2) Rescue (3) Dance. The challenge was to build and programme robots to compete against each other in one-on-one and group challenges. It was organised by the National College of Ireland (NCI). Moyle Park College participated in both the Rescue and the Dance competitions.

We were introduced to the robots at the Kick Off on Feb 24th. Many weeks were spent preparing the robots. We learned how to build a basic robot and how to programme basic tasks for the robot to carry out. This meant spending a lot of time after school working on the robots in Mr. Flanagan's room. Ann Fogarty, the Robocup Implementation Officer, also made several visits to our school to help us with any problems we encountered. During the Easter holidays we also participated in another workshop, which concentrated on building teamwork skills.

Our hard work was finally put to the test 12th May when we competed against the other teams. Both our rescue and dance robot teams participated well. Although we did not win, we had fun preparing the robot, participating in the workshops and meeting people from other schools.

On the day of the competition, robots from the series Robot Wars were on display. These were accompanied by a host of other robots such as a rope climbing robot and robots that could pick up litter and put it in bins. They opened our minds to the world of robotics.

Colm Tobin

 

Click on the image (left) to view a video of the robotics final prepared by Colm Tobin.

 

 

 

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New School Library - Official Opening

On Monday Dec 8th 2008, Fran and Aine Mitchell formally cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the new school library, 'Eoin Mitchell Library', in Moyle Park College. The library is dedicated to the memory of their deceased son, Eoin.

Blessing the library, school chaplain, Fr Damian Farnan, spoke of the poignancy of the moment, in remembering Eoin, pupil of Moyle Park (2000-2006). Eoin would be one of few, he said, apart from Scottish philantropist, Andrew Carnegie, to have a library named after him. Clondalkin town library was part funded by the Carnegie trust.

College Principal, Mr John Shortt, spoke of Eoin's 'love of learning'. Mr Shortt also outlined the €40,000 Dormant Accounts Fund which financed the project and the great work done by staff member, Mr Seamus Quinn, in completing the project.
In reply Mr Fran Mitchell spoke of how proud they are of their son, Eoin and his achievements and said that he was 'never more proud than today'.

Pauline Cunningham

 

 

New School Library - A Report

Moyle Park College was delighted to officially open their new library in memory of past student Eoin Mitchell on Monday 8th December. Local Priest Fr Damien Farnan wason hand to say a blessing over the library and commented on how Eoin’s memory will live on through the memorial made in his honour. Eoin’s parents together with his sister cut the ribbon to reveal a fabulous addition to the school facilities. Also present on the night were extended family and friends of the Mitchell’s, the Board of Management, Students' Council and staff at the school.

Principal, Mr John Shortt, spoke to welcome the assembled crowds and to thank those involved in the library’s planning and preparation. Special thanks went to Mr Shay Quinn who co-ordinated and led in the setting up of the library. With almost three thousand resources on the shelves, it is hoped that the library will provide support of teaching, learning and of personal development at all ability levels within the school.

Report (above) and photographs (below) by Trevor Connolly

 

Student Reading A Junior Certificate student reading in the new library	Cutting the ribbon Eoin Mitchell's parents and sister open the new school library	Teachers Reading Mr Hogan and Mr Quinn reading in the new Eoin Mitchell library	Blessing the Library Father Damian Farnan blessing the new school Eoin Mitchell library

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Job Vacancies

The Moyle Park College web site has a number of vacancies which it would like filled soon.

Senior Reporter: There is now a vacancy for a senior reporter who will keep the web site abreast of developments among senior students in the college.

Sports Reporters: The school web site requires numerous reporters in Gaelic Football, Hurling, Soccer, Basketball, Boxing, Athletics and Karate.

Photographer: The school has digital cameras which it would like used to record events in the college.

Those interested in applying for these positions are asked to contact Conor Kelly in room 52.

 

 

 

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Sean Mitchell: A Memorial Ceremony 2005

On Thursday 27th of October, 2005, the community of Moyle Park College along with the Mitchell family gathered in the school's junior yard, to place a memorial for the late Sean Mitchell, colleague and friend.

The memorial is an Irish oak, an idea of Mr. Aidan Clarke, deputy principal of the school. He thought it would be a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated three decades of work to the school. Mr. John Shortt, school principal, started the proceedings, describing the tree "as a memorial in memory of Sean Mitchell, our departed colleague and friend." Next Mr. Sean Cunniffe, a former colleague now retired, gave a moving reading from Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8, before Mr. Frank O'Shaughnessy read from one of the Psalms. The ceremony ended with Mrs. Bridie Mitchell placing the final piece of soil on the tree.

"A moving occasion," as described by Ms. Mary Lyons. "A true gentleman with a sense of humour," is how Mr. Ted O' Donavan described Sean. "A marvellous gesture," was Mr. Sean Cunniffe's verdict on the ceremony.

On this moving day, it was a fitting tribute to a man who gave years of loyalty and work to the school.

Photographs of the event are available in our photo gallery.

Sean Mitchell: A Memorial Ceremony 2006

On Friday 15th of September the school teachers held a memorial mass for the late Sean Mitchell who sadly passed away in 2005 after a two year fight with cancer. His wife Bridie and his children were also in attendance.

A poem from past pupil Shane McCarthy is available in our Past Pupils Forum.

Dean Alford

 

 

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If you would like us to include a report on something of interest in the school, please e-mail us with details.