Bord Iascaigh Mhara Schools Cookery Competition

Congratulations to Oisín Daly, on winning second place in the Bord Iascaigh Mhara Schools Cookery Competition which was held at BIM’s Seafood Innovation Centre in Clonakilty.

Oisín’s starter course was crab claws in a garlic & chilli butter on a bed of lettuce & seaweed. His main course consisted of pan-fried lemon sole served with crushed potatoes and roast root vegetables accompanied by a white wine sauce.

The judges praised his excellent cooking skills as well as his broad knowledge of fish. Of particular note were the sublime sauces which accompanied each course. The judges also applauded the portfolio Oisín prepared to support his presentation. It outlined his family’s history and the part they played in the local fishing industry.

Great credit is due to Oisín. He was the youngest competitor on the day and there was only one mark separating him and the winning team.

Well done Oisín, you have done your school proud!

Apprentice Chef TY Programme

The Apprentice Chef TY programme is run by a professional team of chefs and nutritionists.

TY students get to create their own dish, using local ingredients. The challenge is to create a dish using locally sourced ingredients to ensure "Good Mood Food", where each participant is mentored by a chef.

They choose local fresh foods and cook them in professional kitchens (IT Tralee), especially good mood food, that is food that supports good mental health for life.

Grace Hendy & Áine Geoghegan were very successful in the semi-final round in February, as they were selected to progress to the final.

They endured long tiring days in the back of G77 & G78, trying out different cooking methods and combinations of flavours, e.g. cooking Lamb on a bed of hay, celeriac fondant & gin and mint sauce etc.

Last Thursday Áine & Grace participated in the Final, they were fantastic and their dishes were sublime, one judge stated that “their dishes could be served in a 5 Star restaurant!”.

Great credit is due to both Áine & Grace. They should be extremely proud of themselves. Áine came 2nd and Grace 3rd in the competition (from 57 entrants). It is the first time since the competition began, that two students from the same school were worthy prize winners!

They were each presented with a certificate, a hand carved chopping board, a professional set of knives. They will also travel to Dublin and attend a day’s training course on food photography, and have their dishes published in Easy Food magazine.

CONGRATULATIONS & WELL DONE GIRLS, SUPER RESULT!

Áine’s dish comprises of;

· Pan seared Skeaghanore duck breast. Confit of duck leg bon bon with ginger, spring onion, soya sauce and a panko breadcrumb coating. Carrot, spring onion pepper and chinese 5 spice wonton. Celeriac puree. Toasted crushed hazelnuts. Celeriac fondant. Carrot mash. Creamed Spinach. Honey roasted baby carrots. Port sauce. Celeriac crisp topping.

Grace’s dish comprises of;

· *Lamb baked in lavender salt, *Green beans in a mustard shallot and lemon juice sauce, *Green pesto and buffalo ricotta ravioli, *Sweet Potato puree, Beet, Sweet Potato crisps, *Pomegranate Molasses & Gin and Mint sauce.

Congratulations and every success in your future years.

A huge thank you to all the staff in SCS for their support & co-operation.

SCS has just won its first environmental "Green Flag", May 13th

Well done everyone in helping us achieve An Taisce's "Green Schools" Flag. Thank you for reducing, reusing and recycling! Thanks to all the members of the Green Schools Committee; Students, Teachers, Canteen Staf, Office Staff and BAM staff.. Thanks to all the daily litter pickers. Thanks to Greta, Mollie, Margaret and Mr. John McGowan for accepting the award on our behalf at the awards ceremony in Cork today.

School Showjumping Achievement, May 10th.

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SCS came 4th at this year’s Inter-Schools Competition which was held in Santry’s Equestrian Centre in Kilbrittain last Friday. It was a fantastic achievement for the school. Well done Muireann!!!

Scenes form Kolkata.

Three of our TY students, Grace, Mark and Shane recently returned from Kolkata, India where they did charity work with the Hope Foundation. They experienced the very difficult life of the street children, the pollution, overcrowding and poverty of this massive sprawling city. The fundraising from the school ice cream fundraiser was put to very good use. Good work folks!

Planetarium Dome, May 11th.

Blackrock Castle Observatory brought their travelling roadshow to our school today. Classes were able to view the night sky spectacular in the especially designed dark dome. Pictured is Mr. Liam Shanahan, Science teacher and some of his students. Many thanks to Francis and her team from CIT/Blackrock Castle.

First Year and TY Mentors Trip to Cork, May 9th and 10th.

All of First Years and their TY Mentors went to “Airtastic” Indoor Adventure Centre in Little Island today and yesterday. They had an absolute Ball. It was a great way for First Years to end their first year in secondary school. Many thanks to their TY Mentors who supported them throughout the year. Many thanks to Ms. Rosie O Brien, School Chaplain for organizing the trip. Many thanks to Ms. Karen Sheane, First Year Year Head, Ms. Deirdre Hennigan, Ms. Karin O Shea, Mr.Peter Lynch and Mr. Chris o Brien for accompanying the students.

SCHOOL CONCERT, MAY 10TH.

The school held its first end of year Musical Concert last night. It was an incredible occasion where some our our music students displayed their incredible talents. St. Fachtnas’ Brass Band opened the proceedings with a medley of popular tunes. They were followed by our musicians, singers and dancers who performed for nearly two hours. The variety was fantastic. Many thanks to the Brass Band, our students, Eric Wickens our MC, members of the Parents Council, the many parents and grandparents who attended, those who baked for the bake sale, the many staff who helped out on the night and above all Ms. Tara Gallagher, Music Teacher. She pulled out all the stops to make it a memorable night.

Athletics

Congratulations to Transition Year student Emily Sweeney on winning a silver medal in the U18 girls 400m in CIT. Emily will now go on to represent our school and South Munster in the Munster Schools Championship.

Apprentice Chef Competition

Best of luck to our students in the Final of the Appentice Chef cooking competition.

Waterford Greenway Trip

Pictured here are our students who completed the Waterford Greenway. The greenway is a cycleway that has been created on an old railway line.  

An amazing day was had by all, where 25 fourth year students completed the 46km journey and other students walked 11km. Weather was fabulous and the scenery was breath-taking. The students are already looking forward to their next trip.

The school wishes to say a sincere thank you to Mr. Richie Keating, Ms. Carla Nugent, Ms. Orla Kelly, Ms. Gretta Burchill, Mr. Pat Joe Whooley and Ms. Orla O’Sullivan for organising.

'Darkness into Light' Walk

Skibbereen Community School is supporting the annual “Darkness into Light” Walk in aid of Pieta House next weekend. Students are invited to walk with the school on Saturday morning.

Pictured are our 5th Year Students volunteering at the registration table in Fields last Friday.

Many thanks to Ms. Orla O’Sullivan, RE Department for organising the school’s involvement. 

4th Year Food & Hospitality Trip

Flying through treetops and walking with buffalos…………………….just an average Tuesday for some lucky 4th yr Food & Hospitality students from SCS.

The sun shone in Farran Woods during a glorious morning spent at the Zip It Forest Outdoor Forest Adventure Centre where students tested their nerves and physical endurance as they completed the high wire course. Very challenging but hugely enjoyable for all.

Back on the bus and the next stop was at Johnny Lynch’s award winning Buffalo Farm near Macroom (yes he is the guy from the Aldi Ad!) where students were treated to a super tour from Dorothy of Lee Valley Taste Trails as well as a personal tour of his own milking parlour and some wise words from Johnny himself.

Students were introduced to the farm’s latest arrivals… twin calves, before tasting the delicious produce from the on site cheese plant, including two new products which won’t be on the market for another two weeks. The empty plates said it all. It was a big thumbs up for all the delicious cheeses.

A super day out! Thanks to Sarah McCarthy, Norma Roberts and Liz Leonard for organising and accompanying.

Congrats to Skibbereen RFC.

The School Community would like to congratulate 5th Years Abbie Salter Townshend, Emma Connolly and Vivienne O Donovan who lined out for Munster in last weekend’s inter pro event.

Well done also to the lads from our school who won the U14 Boys Munster Cup last weekend.

U17 Boys Football Team in the Lord Mayor's Cup, April 30th.

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Well done to the U17 Boys Football Team and their coaches, Mr. Dara Crowley, Mr. Maurice Moore and Mr. Colman O Driscoll on their performance in today’s Lord Mayor’s Blitz Cup which was held in Ballinhassig. The lads beat Colaiste Sproid Naoimh (Bishopstown), drew with Colaiste Choilm (Ballincollig) before losing to De La Salle Macroom and Chriost Ri Douglas.

TY Dessert "Bake Off", April 29th

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Well done to all the TY Chefs who took part in the Home Ec. Department’s annual TY Dessert '‘Bake Off”. Many thanks to Ms. Roberts, Ms. McCarthy and Ms. Ni Charthaigh. Many thanks to the judges, Ms. Quirke, Ms. Burchill, Ms. Hoskins and Mr. O Shea who had the very difficult task of choosing a winner.

Ms. Majella O Neill Talk, Wellness Week, April 12th.

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The school sincerely appreciates the time and effort that nutritional therapist Majella O’ Neill has given to the school. She gave a presentation for an hour and a half to our Third and Sixth years in preparation for their upcoming exams. She told the students that what they eat can have a huge impact on their lives. She gave a detailed presentation on healthy eating, exercise, sleep and positive kindest to maximise their performance in the exams. The students were reminded that deep breathing works and what to buy when they are food shopping. Majella’s talk was amazing and inspiring to all. Thanks to Ms. Orla O’ Sullivan and the Wellness Team for organizing.

Skibbereen Hospital Visit, Wellness Week, April 12th.

Our Wellbeing Week finished off on a high note this week with a visit to Skibbereen Community Hospital. Our second years spent  a few weeks planning the trip. The hospital staff were presented with a cake. The students spoke to the residents and played music for them. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The school would like to say a huge thank you to Longs coaches who provided transport free of charge. We'd like to say a huge thank you to the Staff and Residents of Skibbereen Hospital for hosting us and to our students who we are very proud of. Many thanks to Ms. Orla O’ Sullivan, Ms. Deirdre Hennigan and Ms. Avril Cooke for organising.