Our TY, 5th and 6th Year Agricultural Science students attended Darrara’s “Open Day” last Friday October 11th.
Many thanks to Mr. Cormac O’Brien, Guidance Counsellor for organizing.
Skibbereen Community School was represented at the recent Cork U20 Football GAA Golf Classic. We were represented by Ms. Marie O’Mahony, Daniel Griffin and Matthew Mulcahy.
Skibbereen Community School celebrates Maths Week this week with many maths activities planned for the week ahead.
Report by Niall Sweetnam
The Senior Girls Team had a rugby blitz in CIT last Wednesday. They played a total of four games against Fermoy, Schull, Bantry and Youghal.
In their first game against Fermoy they ran in three early tries within the first two minutes. After this Fermoy dropped their heads and Skibbereen’s confidence was boosted. After a period of good defence by Skibb the ball popped out of a ruck and Jasmine was quick to scoop it up and was over the opposition's try line in no time. Again, Emily turned the ball over and this time it was Ciarnad who scored off the counterattack. Ciarnad scored quickly from the kickoff as Fermoy were caught too narrow on the wings. After a period of strong attack, Skibb won a penalty and it was taken quickly by Emma who barged over the line to score from short range. In the final play of the game, Emily made a break and delivered a perfect offload to Emma who walked over the try line uncontested.
Final score 40-0 (eight tries to none).
Their next game was a tough one. A hard-fought loss to Schull.
After some hard work by Emily off the kickoff to keep Schull contained inside their own half, Schull caught Skibb narrow in defence on the outside and ran along the touch line to score in the corner. After a long period of stalemate between the two teams Skibb won a penalty close to Schull’s line and after some forwards play Emma picks and went from the back of a ruck and managed to make it over the line. Schull managed to sneak in another try with about two minutes left after a long period of possession to make it 10-5. The girls refused to give up and fought back down the pitch to Schull’s try line for one last effort. Unfortunately, the ball came loose and the game finished. A very entertaining game to watch all the way to the end.
Final score 10-5 to Schull (two tries to one try).
The third game was against a spirited Bantry side but in the end Skibb’s girls proved too strong for them.
Straight off the kickoff Emily turned the ball over and won a penalty. From this, quick hands and a nice step from Emma left a hole in the defence for the opening try. Bantry regained possession off their kickoff but couldn't hold it for long. Emily intercepted a pass to score to make it 10-0.
Again, a turnover by Emily lead to possession in Bantry’s half and after a few passes and strong carries Emma crossed the line to score. Bantry heads began to drop , Skibb kept playing good rugby and Abbey soon went over the try line after ripping the ball in the tackle. The mistakes started to pile up by Bantry as a knock on lead to Ciarnad’s fourth try of the tournament. Another knock on by Bantry lead to another try, this time from Chloe. Two more tries in the final minute sealed the game with Ciarnad getting her fifth of the day.
Final score 40-0 (eight tries to none).
The girls final game of the day was against Youghal.
From the kickoff Skibb started strongly. Skibb had all the possession but found it difficult to finish against Youghal’s defence until Niamh scored from a strong carry from the base of a ruck. Youghal gathered their own kickoff and after a period of great defensive play by Skibb on their own line the ball came loose in a strong tackle by Skibb. Jasmine was there to make the most of it and ran in uncontested to score their second try. Again, Youghal put together a long stretch of strong carries but it ended when a great counter ruck led to a turnover on Skibb’s line. Youghal’s defence got tired towards the end and Ciarnad ran in two tries. Unfortunately, Youghal got past Skibb’s defensive line towards the end of the game and scored a consolation try.
Final score 20-5 (four tries to one).
Report by Darragh Coombes
The Junior Girls Rugby Team took part in a blitz in C.I.T on Wednesday the 9th of October. As they had so many turning out, they were able to form two teams. The Skibbereen Junior B’s were made up of rugby girls from 2nd and 3rd year.
They played their first game of the tournament against Fermoy. Fermoy kicked off and the ball landed in Ciara Dennehy’s hands who took it up at full speed and broke the line of the Fermoy defence, toppling over the line for the first try of the game.
Skibb kick back to Fermoy. Fermoy hit hard and nearly scored only for a heroic tackle from Cayetana McCarthy. Skibb turn over the ball and after going through some phases Ciara broke the line again and scored her second try. Fermoy then hit hard, putting pressure on the Skibbereen defence. However, Skibb held tough and forced a knock by Fermoy. Ruby then picked up the ball and tip-toed her way around the defence and made a dash for the line, scoring Skibbs third try of the match. However, despite Skibbs efforts, the game ended in a draw.
The final score was 15-15.
They played their second game against Skibbereen A, the other team that Skibb sent up. There was a lot of friendly competition here and the game was free flowing. There were a whopping eight scores in the game, Skibb B edging the game 5-3. The game was back and forth and was an absolute thriller. Emma McCarthy scored for Skibb A after some clever play. Then Ruby returns with a try from kick off for Skibb B. Skibb A played the ball out to Abby Kelleher, who used her pace to out-manouvre the B’s defence, scoring a try. The ball landed in Ali O’Shea’s hands who stepped around the defence, scoring for the B’s. Some clever play followed by the A’s, as Kelly burst the defence and slotted home Aisling McCarthy for the fifth try of the game. The B’s came from behind to win by two tries as a world class performance by Ciara Dennehy followed, scoring three tries in quick succession.
The final score was 25-15.
They played their third game against Bantry. Skibb were anxious to keep up their performance from the win against Skibb A. They knew Bantry would be a huge challenge, and Bantry came out all guns blazing. Skibb held firm and a quick counterattack from Orla led to Skibbs first try of the game. Many tries were to come from Skibb. Cayetana drove past the ‘Blue Wall’ of Bantry and scored a try. Natalie Dempsey ran along the wing and scored a sweet try. Then Amy O’Driscoll dodged the defence with some elegant footwork and scored the fourth try for Skibb. Ruby decided to get in on the action, scoring two carbon copy tries, running from kick off straight through the ‘Blue Wall’, sealing the win for Skibb.
The final score was 30-20.
Skibb played their final game of the tournament against Youghal. Skibb were flowing excellently now and looked like a professional team out on the field. Skibb beat Youghal with an absolute try-fest. First Cayetana made a dash up the pitch and touched the ball down across the line. Orla dodged the defence and scored for Skibb. Skibb looked to play it wide but a sneaky pick around the ruck from Cayetana led to her toppling over the line for the third try of the game. Natalie breaks the defence and offloads to Orla who is almost tackled at the line, but a sneaky pass to Ruby led to another try. Ciara Dennehy decides she wants to join and bowls the Youghal defence out of the way and scores another try. There was some amazing teamwork shown in the duration of the tournament, as Ciara slots Natalie a beautiful pass, leading to yet another try. Finally, Natalie picks the ball out the back of the ruck and mauls her way to the line.
The finally score was 35-15.
The coaches were very pleased with the performance of the players during the tournament. The players left proud of what they accomplished and excited for the next time they would step onto a rugby pitch.
Many thanks to those students and their Green Schools teacher, Ms. Una McNulty who travelled to Cork last Thursday to attend UCC’s Climate Change Lecture. Alicia O Sullivan, 6th Year gave a talk on the evening and took questions from the audience.
Skibbereen Community School entered the Munster Schools Swim Gala yesterday for the very first time. Well done to our Junior Swim team; Ailise, Chloe, Ava and Eleanor. Many thanks to Ms. O Sullivan for coaching and organizing.
Today a group of 2nd year students attended the Scala Retreat Centre in Cork. They got the opportunity to take some time out from the business of school life and engage in some meditation and self reflection.
Today a group of our TY students attended the Annual Mental Health Seminar in Silversprings Hotel in Cork.
This is an event organised by the Cork Mental Health Foundation in celebration of World Mental Health Day.
This years speakers included Rory O’Connor from Rory’s Stories, GMC Beats, Graham Craig Ruth and Mr. Liam Doocey.
Match Reports to follow!
A group of 5th and 6th year students attended a whole day retreat in Dzogchen Beara today. They had the opportunity to focus on themselves, the art of meditation, gratitude and mindfulness in the beautiful setting of Beara.
A big thank you to Anne and Derek of Dzogchen for facilitating the day.
The Parents' Association will hold an AGM on Tuesday the 8th October at 7.30pm at the school. Parent representatives will be elected on to the Board of Management also at this meeting. All parents / guardians are encouraged to attend please.
The School Community would like to congratulate our students and their parents/guardians on their fantastic Junior Cert/JCSP Profiles of Achievement today. Their state examination results, their C.B.A’s (Classroom Based Assessments/Projects) and their Other Areas of Learning ( skills achieved over the last three years in sports, school clubs, school events and community involvement etc. ) were outstanding.
Mr. Anton O Mahony opened proceedings with words of praise and a poem of wisdom. He thanked all those who made the day possible. He thanked and acknowledged the contribution of all staff in helping and supporting the students achieve their best. Ms. Majella Ni Charthaigh (JC Co-Ordinator) was Master of Ceremonies and Mr. Tom Foley (Deputy Principal), Ms. Anne Hayes (Year Head), Mr. Patrick Hayes (JCSP Co-ordinator), Ms. Colette Dullea (SEN Co-ordinator) and Mr. Diarmuid O Donnabháin (Deputy Principal) presented the Profiles of Achievement.
Special thanks to Ms. Majella Ni Charthaigh, Junior Cert Co-ordinator and the Junior Cert Task Group of Ms. Jennifer O Donoghue, Ms. Ella Ryan, Mr. Cathal McCarthy and Ms. Niamh Lordan for organising today’s special ceremony. Thanks also to Ms. Hannah Phelan and Mr. Patrick Hayes our JCSP Co-Ordinators. Many thanks also to Ms. Mary Kelleher Fowler and all the office staff for their efforts.
Many thanks to our school musicians and our 5th Year Student volunteers who helped with the music, refreshments and stage decoration.
We had a very informative talk yesterday, on safety systems to use when out on the water and protocols to do before going out on a trip on the water.
Trevor Whelan from the RNLI services gave a comprehensive talk that demonstrated the importance of knowing about rip currents and what to do if you get stuck in one.
Trevor explained why everyone needs to know emergency numbers and the information to give during an emergency call and what to do in the event of an emergency.
6th Years are running a Charity Bake Sale tomorrow at small break and at lunchtime. There will be cakes and biscuits at reasonable prices. We would ask all 6th years to donate baking and ask all students to bring in some money to support the sale. There will also be a raffle for a special cake.
The School Community were delighted to welcome past pupil and All-Ireland winning Captain, Peter O Driscoll today. Peter captained the victorious U20 Football Team that defeated Dublin. Mr. O Mahony, Principal congratulated Peter, the team and our teacher Mr. Moore, U20 selector on their amazing year. He also acknowledged the fanatsic success of the Minor All-Ireland winning team and one of their players, Sean Bohane, 5th Year. Mr. James McCarthy was also acknowledged for his role with the Minor team and his work with our school.
Well done to Niall Sweetnam and Darragh Coombes, TY who organized a Rugby Fundraiser in the school today. Rugby fans were charged €2 to watch today’s win over Russia. The lads are part of the TY Sports Administration Module where students learn the administration skills of running a sport. The two lads are doing Rugby Administration and hope to use today’s proceeds to bring in Rugby Tutors to teach and certify students in Rugby coaching.
Well done to our SCS students who participated in the Art category of the Carbery Show 2019.
We had a very informative talk yesterday on killer driving behaviour and on the importance of using Hi-vis when out on the road.
Mr. Tim O'Connor and Ms. Ciara Sloyan from the Road Safety Authority Educational Services gave a comprehensive talk that demonstrated the importance of knowing how different driving environments and speed affects the braking distances on your car.
Students got to enjoy a fully interactive road safety educational experience, practice their driving and hazard perception skills on the RSA simulators (car, motorbike, bicycle), experience simulated virtual situations in the RSA virtual reality pods and experience first-hand the dangers of driving and texting. Students also got to practice the driver theory test on board.
