Guten Tag!
After a very early start and with great excitement 72 TYs landed in Düsseldorf, Germany this morning! After meeting our tour guide Sissi we headed to Efteling Theme Park in Holland for a fun packed afternoon. We then had a yummy all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet dinner in Loon op Sand before going to our hotel In Köln. After a busy day 1 we are looking forward to what day 2 will have in store for us!
Tschüß

Yesterday, our Transition Year students had the opportunity to experience an extract from Is Mise Éire Eile: I Am Another Ireland, a live performance presented by  Crooked House Theatre Company. The play, conceived and directed by Emily B. Ditkovski and written in collaboration with Yassine Barkaoui and Serena Giordanengo, explores the real-life story of a community responding to the arrival of 100 international protection applicants in Newbridge in 2023.

Through powerful performances and text drawn from real interviews with asylum seekers, local residents, and community leaders, the play challenges us to reflect on identity, belonging, and the impact of protest and prejudice. Our students listened attentively to these deeply personal stories and engaged with the message of empathy and understanding that ran through the performance.

Following the play, students participated in interactive workshops designed to promote community building through open conversation, active listening and collaboration. Our students reflected on how communities can move beyond division toward shared understanding.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Crooked House Theatre Company, the facilitators, and director Emily B. Ditkovski for bringing this vital piece of theatre to our school and for leading such thoughtful, engaging workshops. A special thank you also to Ms. Groome who facilitated the pre-workshops with our TY students which prepared them to participate with openness, maturity, and compassion. The students willingness to listen to the  experiences of others and engage with such challenging topics is a testament to the values we endeavour to uphold in our school community.

This performance was a preview extract from the full production, which will begin a national tour in June. We are proud to have hosted part of this important journey, reminding us that theatre can be more than entertainment—it can be a catalyst for change.

Dear students, parents and guardians,

please see attached the guidance from the SEC around the provision of a scheme of Deferred Examinations for Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied candidates unable to sit one or more papers in the main sitting in June. Please read it carefully - the circumstances in which an exam can be deferred are VERY limited. 

As part of their ongoing commitment to our community, the TY Community Care Class worked closely today with Noel Clare (Kilcullen tidy towns/KCA) in washing the railings of one side of the bridge. Armed with buckets and cloths, they took this task in their stride. 

Their efforts not only helped beautify a frequently used public space but also served as a strong example of civic responsibility and youth engagement.

Thank you to the the class for continuing to make a difference in their school and wider community. 

Report from teacher, Stephen Flack

This Easter, I had the opportunity to attend an Erasmus course for teachers on Outdoor Learning and ICT Integration in the vibrant city of Valencia, Spain. Set among sunny skies and inspiring surroundings, the course brought together educators from across Europe, and gave us fresh tools to bring learning to life beyond the classroom walls.

During the 6 day course, we explored how to improve our digital skills and use ICT outdoors.
We discovered how outdoor-friendly apps and digital tools can be useful for designing cross-curricular, creative, and student-centered tasks and we looked at the value of using our natural surroundings as powerful learning environments

From group discussions, hands-on activities and cultural exchanges, the course reminded me how much learning thrives when students move, explore, and engage with the world around them.

I am looking forward to returning to school to introduce outdoor learning activities that integrate technology and spark creativity. I am also looking forward to sharing these ideas with colleagues as part of our Erasmus+ journey.

Report from teachers , Frances Palmer and Ava Healy

During the Easter break, we embarked on an Erasmus course in the heart of Florence, delving into the dynamic world of artificial intelligence. We explored innovative AI tools through dynamic workshops, active learning methodologies, and peer assessment. 

We met educators from a range of countries such as Latvia, Canary Islands and Germany. It was interesting to hear about their schools and exchange teaching styles and experiences. This collaborative environment fostered a deeper understanding of the positive and ethical use of AI in the classroom, and has inspired us to look at new approaches to teaching and learning.

We are truly grateful for the enriching opportunities provided by the Erasmus+ programme, which continues to inspire innovation, collaboration, and lifelong learning in our school community.

Make sure to get your copy of this month's The Bridge for fantastic coverage of our recent musical Grease. Sincere thanks to journalist Brian Byrne @TheKilcullenDiary for his coverage of the wonderful performance by our TY students.

We had the lovely opportunity to meet the extraordinary dogs, Archie and Murphy, who work hard to monitor our ports and airports with their handlers John and Ian from Revenue Customs and Excise this week. We saw the dogs working as they discovered cash and drugs in the demonstration bags. We learned about the training both the dogs and their handlers receive and the very close bond they develop over the dog’s career and retirement. It was a fantastic experience and we are very appreciative to John and Ian for taking time out of their busy schedule to visit us. 

Saturday study takes a break while the oral exams begin this weekend and will return on May 10th after the Easter holidays and the bank holiday weekend. 

The very best of luck to all students over the coming week in their oral exams. 

Good Afternoon,

This evenings meeting is for the students and parents of our current 3rd year group. During the webinar you will hear important information about next year's TY programme. The meeting begins @ 7pm. 

The zoom meeting link was sent via email earlier today and is also attached here:

https://zoom.us/j/99036853882?pwd=bcr3Y6zlUDLUClqaoLiagwsqvfzb4G.1