Congratulations to Chelsea Nolan who won the  heat. Chelsea goes on to the final of the event scheduled for late May where she will compete
against eleven other junior and senior acts.  Chelsea sang the Gary Jules number ‘Mad World’ in winning her heat.  Congratulations to all those who took part and best of luck to the finalists who take to the stage on Monday 21st May next.  Tickets cost €5 and will be available at the door.

The winner of the Junior Heat of Athboy CS Has Talent Chelsea Nolan

The participants enjoyed a guided visit to the historical megalithic burial chamber at Newgrange  on Friday 23rd March before taking in some bowling and paddling at Bettystown.  Everyone enjoyed themselves at the ball organised by the Transiton Year class that night.  On Saturday the group visited the Causey Farm where they tried their hands at baking, bodhrán playing, traditional Irish dancing, hurling and a close up view of the animals on the farm.  In the afternoon they visited a nearby bog where they “bonded”.

Bonding on the bog

Maintenant pour les douches

On Sunday the Athboy Archery Club hosted a special session for the group in the Convent Community Centre.

The Exchange group visited sun-drenched Dublin on Monday 25th.  The day started with a leisurely cruise along the river Liffey where various buildings such as the Customs House and the Woolen Exchange were pointed out, as well as the various bridges which were constructed over the river down the years.  On disembarking the students were given a chance to experience what it was like to face the prospect of a one-way transatlantic voyage aboard an emigrant ship when they boarded the Jeanie Johnston.  After some shopping everyone hopped aboard a Dublin Bus Tour which took them around the many other places of interest in the capital city, enjoying onboard entertainment as they journeyed.

On board the Jeanie Johnston

Group at Papal Cross

On Tuesday the French students had an opportunity to attend classes in Athboy Community School, try their hand at Gaelic Football and learn some Irish songs.  The day ended with a very successful Disco in the school.  The host families bade a very early morning goodbye to their visitors on Wednesday.

The group were-united on Sunday 1st April when the students from Athboy Community School will travelled to Crepy-en-Valois with Mr. Leavy and Mr.Magner.  Following a late night arrival the group attended Lycée Jean Monnet on Monday whee they were given First Aid training by the local Red Cross.  In the afternoon they visited the local Fire and Rescue station where they wee given a tour and a demonstration on how to use the equipment.  On Tuesday they attended class with their French .  They also were given a guided tour of the Medieval part of Crepy-en-Valois.

Some of the Irish and French students in Crépy-en-Valoi

On Wednesday the exchange froup visited the Royal Abbey of Chaalis which was founded by Louis VI le Gros in 1136. the site alos contains a XVI Century chapel decorated in frescos by Primatrice and an XVIII Century Museum which houses an art collection including busts of Voltaire and Rousseau.

A full day trip to Paris on Thursday allowed the students the opportunity to visit famous landmarks such as the Cathedral of Sacre Coeur,  the Louvre, the Tuillierie Gardens and the Eifel Tower before getting in some shopping on the way back to Crepy-en-Valois.

Athboy C.S. and Lycée Jean Monnet Students at the Louvre

After working on some projects together on Friday morning the group tried their hand at tree-climbing near the picturesque town of Pierrefonds.  That evening a party was held in the town hall of Feigneux which is one of the villages involved with the Athboy Autonne Villages Twinning Association.

Parc Asterix was the destination on Saturday when the exchange participants spend a full day in the famous Theme Park which is located just outside Paris.  The Athboy CS students spent the last day relaxing with their host families and taking part in the “Chasse des Oeufs” (Egg Hunt) as is the custom in French homes.  They finally bade their new friends “adieu” at the Lycée before making their way back to the airplane at Beauvais Airport by bus.

The two week exchange was an outstanding success with many of the participants hoping to do it all again during next year’s exchange for which planning has already begun.

Pupils, staff and guests await the arrival of the podium party prior to the Official Opening Ceremony

Following a brief tour of some of the new practical rooms President Higgins made his way to the Sports Hall where the remainder of staff, pupils and guests were seated.   The audience had been entertained by musicians and singers drawn from existing and past pupils of the school.  The Trustees of the school were represented on the podium by of the Sr. Columba Gargan (Sisters of Mercy Northern Province), Mr. Peter Kierans (CEO, County Meath VEC) and Bishop of Meath Dr. Michael Smith.

After the Presidential Salutewas was played the School Choir, conducted by Ms. Jacqui Mc Gowan performed a short piece from Mozart.  Mr. Tom O’Dowd (Deputy Principal) then introduced the various speakers.  Mr. Anthony Leavy welcomed everyone and thanked President Higgins in particular for accepting the invitation to officially open the new building.  He thanked all the staff, pupils and parents for their co-operation and support during the initial years of the school when it was  ecessary to use the two previous school buildings.  He also paid tribute to those who had worked in the two previous schools and looked forward to the school establishing a new identity which had already begun to evolve in the new building.  Mr. Leavy also thanked those who had been involved in the design, construction and delivery of the new school and looked forward to working with the Facility Management Company SODEXO.

 School Choir is conducted by Ms. Mc Gowan at Official Opening on 16th March

After Bishop Michael Smith blessed the school President Higgins spoke.  Speaking in Irish at first, he noted that Seachtain na Gaeilge was in full swing and that the area had close connections with Fr. Eugene O’Growney and the foundation of the Gaelic League.   He stressed the importance of using the Irish language at every available opportunity and not just at formal occasions.  President Higgins paid tribute to those who had been involved in bringing the project to fruition and praised the facilities that were available.  He commented in particular on the use of light and the availability of ICT throughout the building.  The President commended the talent of the pupils and the dedication of teachers in developing these talents inside and outside of the classroom.  He was particularly impressed by the musical talents of the pupils and advocated the refurbishment of all old instruments in order to bring them back to life for the enjoyment of learners and listeners alike.

Fr. Patrick O’Connor replied to President Higgins.  He traced the origins of formal education in Athboy and noted the involvement of the Sisters of Mercy and County Meath Vocational Educational Committee in establishing second level schools in the area.  He pointed out that the new facility now allowed for the provision of high quality education on the one campus in much superior conditions than those previously available to staff and pupils.  Fr. O’Connor paid particular tribute to Sr. Josephine Berry and Mr. Sean Shiels two former principals of St. Joseph’s and St. James’ schools respectively who were now deceased.   A poem entitled “The Minister’s Black Car” which had been written by the President was then read by Fr. O’Connor, with the “Minister” being replaced by the “President”, much to the amusement of all those listening.

After unveiling a commemorative plaque to mark the official opening, President Higgins was presented with a painting of the statue of Eugene O’Growney which was unveiled in Athboy in 1956 by former President Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh.  This was presented by Parent Representatives on the Board of Management Ms. Jane Thomas and her son Ryan, and Mr. Camillus Perry and his son Phillip.

Principal Mr. Anthony Leavy and President Michael D. Higgins who unveiled the commemorative plaque at the Official Opening of Athboy Community School on 16th March 2012

By this stage the Presidential Visit had long passed the time allotted.  However, President Higgins still found time to meet with more of the guests as he left the hall and made his way back to the his car.  Prior to his departure the President planted a tree to mark the occasion of his visit and the official opening of the school.  He then made his way to his car and the pupils clapped as the President and his entourage made their way out of the school grounds.

More pictures ………

Photographs of the Official Opening taken by photographer Barry Cronin can now be viewed at

http://www.barrycronin.com and click on Galleries

Should you wish to purchase a print a 20% coupon is available. The coupon code is athboycs1717 and is applied after adding an image to the cart and just before checkout.

A group of students from Athboy Community School had been so impressed by a visit to the SOSAD premises that they decided to help out in a practical way.  Assisted by Programme Co-Ordinator Miss Emma Mooney and other staff members they raised a total of €1262.92 for the group.  Many members of the local community attended the Coffee Morning and it proved to be highly enjoyable for all.

Members of the Leaving Certificate Applied Year 2 Class in Athboy Community School present a cheque to SOSAD.  Also included are Miss Emma Mooney, Mr. Anthony Leavy (Principal) and Mr. Tom O’Dowd (Deputy Principal)

Athboy Community School qualified for the North Leinster School Division 2 final by defeating Scoil Ui Mhuiri of Dunleer in their semi final in Dundalk last week.  In an entertaining game played in near perfect conditions, the Athboy lads withstood a spirited fight back from the County Louth  opponents to continue their defence of a title they won last year.

The Meath side hit the ground running and were two goals up inside the first quarter of an hour. First, winger Aaron Ryan curled a free kick over the Dunleer wall after seven minutes and five minutes later, then livewire striker Chris Lynch had raced on to Ryan’s long crossfield pass to round the Dunleer keeper and slide the ball into the net.  Athboy spurned a few great chances to end the game as a contest in the following twenty minutes and the rampant Ryan was unlucky to see a 25 yard shot come back off the underside of the bar.  Ten minutes before half time, Athboy were made to pay for this profligacy when Dunleer scrambled the ball over the line from close range to pull the score back to 2-1.

After the break Athboy were very solid and professional. The defence, led by captain, Glenn Darcy, withstood some pressure from the Dunleer attack but after an hour Athboy put the game beyond doubt when striker Keith Molloy cut in from the left to hit a stinging shot across goal.  The ball was parried by the keeper but landed at the feet of the inrushing  Athboy substitute Ben Rogers who crashed the ball home. A minute later Chris Lynch notched his second from close range and the game was over as a contest.

Athboy comfortably saw the remainder of the game out to qualify for the final against O’Fiach College Dundalk, to be played in Oriel Park in the coming weeks.

Athboy Team: Adam Uzzell, Gary Daly (sub Brendan Roe) , Glenn Darcy, Caoimhin Griffin, Ryan Hopkins (sub Daragh Griffin), Connor Hynes (sub Karl Larkin), John Murray, Gareth Corrigan (sub Ben Rogers), Aaron Ryan (sub Mark Chesser), Keith Mlloy, Chris Lynch.

On Thursday December 22nd, the Senior Heat of the ‘Athboy Community School’s Got Talent’ show organised by Transition Year class took place in the General Purpose Area was full with a packed audience of students, parents, staff and members of the Athboy public. The arena was awash with colour and excitement as 16 acts battled it out for a place in the finals later this Spring.

The M.C. on the day was TY student Josh Reid. The whole TY class had backstage roles ranging from sound, lighting and filming to make up and running a shop on the day.

First on stage on the night was student Rut Ni Theimhnean who got things going with a rousing rendition of Katie Perry’s ‘Last Friday Night.’ She was followed by third year Emma Reilly with a beautiful rendition of a Garth Brooks song, and Sean Raymond and Jesse Mooney who performed Tenacious D’s ‘The Greatest Song in the World.’ Next up was 5th Year student Claire Murphy who sang Adele’s ‘Chasing Pavements’ followed on stage by Roy Quinn, Meghan Ennis and Louise Smith. Third Year student Leanne Weir completed the first half of the programme.

Leaving Cert student Patrick Conlon started the second half on a high with a beautiful piano piece. He was followed by Aoiffe Flynn’s powerful rendition of the Christina Perry anthem ‘Jar of Hearts.’ Next up was Shauna Murphy who brought the auditorium to a standstill with a stunning performance of Andrea Boccelli’s ‘Con Te Partiro (Time To Say Goodbye)’. Melissa Cooke was next on stage, followed by Aine Mooney’s contemporary dance routine. Kasey Corrigan sang a beautiful version of Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ and Riona Fox produced a fantastic rendition of some of the songs from the musical ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ The final act on stage was the TY class who had organised the event so magnificently. They did a brilliant version of the Beyonce classic ‘Put a Ring on It’ complete with lively dance moves.

As the audience submitted their voting papers there were two more acts on stage. First up was the Junior Choir conducted by music teacher Jacqui McGowan who sang a selection of carols with soloists including second years Saidhb Farrelly and Chelsea Nolan. But the final act was the biggest surprise of all with the teaching staff taking to the stage to perform a few carols of their own much to the delight and amusement of the watching students.

The programme of events finished on a real high with the announcement of the acts to carry on to the finals. After the cheering died down the voting commenced and amidst scenes of much tension and excitement Claire Murphy, Aoiffe Flynn, Shauna Murphy, Kasey Corrigan, Riona Fox, Louise Smith and the TY Class were the lucky ones to scoop finals slots.

All the students in the show would like to record their thanks to the TY class and musical director Ms Jacqui McGowan for all their help in preparing for the show. Meanwhile, the students are busily looking forward to the Junior Heats which promise to be just as entertaining.

]]> http://athboycs.ie/575/feed/ 0 http://athboycs.ie/hello-world/ http://athboycs.ie/hello-world/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 03:52:53 +0000 Admin http://scoiltech.net/athboycs/?p=1 The Parent Association Executive Committee for 2011/12 is as follows:

Sandra Mc Donnell (Chairperson)

Colum Doyle (Vice Chairperson)

Heather Reilly (Secretary)

Ann Murray (Assistant Secretary)

Elizabeth Kennedy (Treasurer)

Jane Thomas (Assistant Treasurer)

Leo Corrigan (Public Relations Officer)

Peter Garry

Ellen Garry

Isobel Maisto

Martina Sheridan

Gillian Foy

Theresa Newman

Bridget Swaine

Sheila Monaghan

Camillus Perry

Ann Marie Walker

Caroline Goodman

Noreen Whelehan

Colm Brown

Mary Finnegan

A Parent To Parent Programme on supporting parents in coping with challenges which may arise for parents and teenagers over the Summer School Holiday runs on Wednesday Nights for four weeks starting on Wednesday 25th April.  The course starts at 7.00 p.m. each night and is facilitated by the school and the Meath Community Drug and Alcohol Response.  Contact Mr. Leavy for further details.