Community School,
Mountmellick,
Co. Laois.
Tel: 057 8624220
Fax: 057 8644136
E-Mail:
NEWSLETTERMAY 2015.
First, Second and Fifth Year:
As previously outlined, Summer Examination details are as follows:
1st Yr:14th > 18th May
2nd Yr:19th > 22nd May
5th Yr:25th > 28th May
As you are aware, performance in these examinations form the starting point for the next academic year and in the case of second and fifth year, contribute significantly to the decision if higher or ordinary level should be taken in the Junior and Leaving Certificate. Reports will be posted mid to late June.
Third and Sixth Year:
Preparations for the Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations have been progressing well particularly in recent weeks. Attendance at the Easter study programme was very good with a significant number of students registered for the programme.
Please ensure that your son / daughter maintain a high level of work rate in the coming weeks and ensure that they avail of all opportunities to maximise results achieved.
Please be aware that school buses run during the period of the Leaving and Junior Certificate Examinations. Service is provided on each morning and after the final state exam on each day.
Please place a copy of your son/daughter’s Leaving/Junior Certificate timetable in a prominent visible position at home to ensure that you and he / she are aware of what examinations he / she has each day. These have already been distributed to the students but if a copy is required by a parent please contact the school office or download from
Please ensure that your son / daughter is suitably equipped with all the materials required to do well in the examinations. A fully stocked pencil case is essential as is a calculator and technical graphics set in some exams.
Leaving Certificate Results:
These will be distributed on Wednesday 12th August from 9.30am until 12 noon. They may also be accessed online as in previous years.
State Exams Commission fees that are overdue since March – please be advised that this may affect receipt of official Leaving Certificate / Junior Certificate.
On-Line Resources:
Please be aware of the following sources of advice and guidance which can be very beneficial at examination time.
- provides valuable information on how to help your son/daughter during examinations.
- includes may useful strategies relating to preparation for and coping with the stress of examinations.
- is a valuable source of information for parents and students. It includes valuable information on study skills, revision techniques and examinations.
Sixth Year Graduation:
This takes place on Thursday 21stMay at 7.30pm in the sports complex. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.
Attendance:
Please ensure your son/daughter is present in school until the end of the academic year. Attendance is essential to doing well in examinations.
Registration for the school year 2015 / 2016
To cater for students who have not already done so, a day is set aside on Friday 21st August for registration, payment of fees and collection of data. This takes place from 9.30 to 12.30 and from 1.30 to 3.30. Appointments will be given at that time for those who qualify for the Book Subsidy Scheme not the Book Rental Scheme.
This may be the final opportunity to register for the coming academic year as places in various subject areas may be re-allocated to others in the demand arises.
Arrangements for the start of the academic year 2015/2016:
Thursday 27th August:School officially opens – 1st Years only
Friday 28th August:1st & 6th Years.
Monday 31st August: 1st, 3rd & 6th Years.
Tuesday 1st September: 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 6th Years.
Wednesday 2nd September:2nd, 3rd, 5th & 6th Years.
Note:Bus Eireann have informed us that their school transport service will commence on 31st August.
PLEASE NOTE:School times are as follows:
Monday and Tuesday:9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. for all students.
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday:9.00 a.m. to 3.20 p.m. for all students.
First break will be from 11am to 11.20am.
Lunch break will be from 12.40pm to 13.20pm.
All students will have twenty eight class contact hours weekly.
Booklists
Year specific lists will be posted in early June.
Book Rental Scheme:
This scheme will operate for 2015/2016 in a similar fashion to previous years. Further details will be included with the booklists in early June.
Please ensure that all 3rd and 6th year students return any book scheme books / other books to the school
- On the day of their final exam
Or
- By Friday 20th June by 3pm
Please note that any books that are no longer of use to a family may be donated to and will be gratefully accepted by the school.
Some parents have given us details of web sites which they found very useful for sourcing both new and second hand books:
/ 1890 223344
/ (01) 8352616
Parking Arrangements:
Car parking facilities on the school grounds are for members of staff and visitors to the school only. Students are not permitted to park in this area. Students must be dropped / collected outside of school grounds.
Road Safety:
Students are required to use the pedestrian traffic lights on all occasions when crossing the road in front of the school.
Sports day:
This event takes place on Wednesday 27th May for all 1st & 2nd year students.
Uniforms:
The school uniform for 2015/2016 consists of a light blue school jumper for Junior students / Navy blue jumper for Senior students. Trousers to be school grey with no turn-ups. Skirt to be school grey “Trevira” and lined. The agreed style is “A” line with an inverted pleat in front. Skirt is to be knee length. School blouse (girls) and school short (boys).
While doing P.E., a school tracksuit and school polo shirt with school crest must be worn. Standard school jacket for all year groups is available.
Footwear:Black shoes only.
P.E.: Runners must have non-marking soles.
Black tights or school grey socks. Senior female students may wear navy blue socks.
The above items of uniform may be purchased from any or all of the following suppliers:
380 Sports, Unit 12B, Bay Road, Mountmellick.Phone 057 8644430.
Cox’s, O’Connell Square, Mountmellick.Phone 057 8624107.
Shaws, Mountmellick.Phone 057 8624215.
Julie’s School Uniforms, Kilbride, Portarlington:Phone 087 9561250.
Please donate any unwanted items of school uniform including school jackets and tracksuits to the school.
Awards Ceremony:
The Awards ceremonies for the academic year 2013/2014 will take place in the Locker Room at the following times:
6th Year awards in the gymnasium on 21st May at 12 noon.
5th Year awards in locker room on 22nd May at 2.40 pm.
3rd Year awards in locker room on 22nd May at 2.00 pm.
2nd Year awards in locker room on 25th May at 10.20 am.
1st Year awards in locker room on 25th May at 11.30 am.
Parents / Guardians are invited to attend these events.
Recent Achievements by Students of Mountmellick Community School
Maths Competitions.
Congratulations to our 3rd year Maths students on finishing 4th in the IMTA (Irish Maths Teachers Association) quiz.
Also congratulations to Emma Comerford (1B) who has qualified for the Final of the IMTA 1st year Maths competition.
Green Schools
Well done Green Schools members attending anTaisce national awards ceremony this Wednesday in the Radisson Blu, Dublin. This is an outstanding achievement as we are the only secondary school receiving an award.
Public Speaking
This was a very successful year for the Debating Club in MCS.
Daniel Williams, 6th Year won the Regional EU Competition and went on to win the National Final. Part of his prize was a trip to Brussels, where he visited the EU institutions.
Tristan Kavanagh, 5th Year won the Best Individual Speaker in the Laois Inter Schools Debate. This is the second year in a row that Mountmellick Community School has won this competition.
Susan Manza, 1st Year won a Russian Public Speaking Competition in the Russian Embassy. Susan will go on to compete in Moscow in June.
Basketball
Congratulations and well done to Senior girls basketball team on their success last week on winning the Midlands Regional Final.
Well done to all concerned.
Communication with School:
Re-enrolment Forms and Booklists will be distributed in early June by post.
Please ensure you contact the school office / send a note to the school to explain any period of absence immediately after the period of absence.
Please contact the school / send a note to the school if your son / daughter needs to leave before the end of any school day.
The school can be contacted on the school telephone (057) 8624220 or via email: .
End of School Year:
School officially closes on Friday 29th May at 3.20pm. Evening study concludes on Thursday 28th May at 5.50pm.
25th Anniversary / Flag Raising Ceremony
As you are aware, our school celebrates its 25th anniversary this year 2015. These celebrations commence on Friday 29th May and will conclude in December 2015.
We will also hold our Green School Flag Raising Ceremony on Friday 29th May. Special Guests on the day will include the current Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh and the 2015 Laois Rose, AilbheCulleton.
State Examinations:
May we take this opportunity to wish the best of luck to all our students in their upcoming State Examinations. Preparations have been excellent in some cases and please remind your sons and daughters of the importance of continuous effort and revision etc right up to the final exam.
L. CurtinF. Kerry La Rosa