As the 2025 State Examinations approach, we ask all Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle candidates to watch the official Candidate Information Video.

This short video outlines key requirements to help ensure exam scripts are processed accurately.

Please take a few minutes to watch it here:
Watch the Candidate Information Video
(Also found under "Information for Candidates" on www.examinations.ie)

We encourage students and parents to view and discuss this video together to ensure a clear understanding of the expectations.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Dear Principal

Please see below information of FREE parent webinars taking place in May/June, we would appreciate if you would share this information with relevant parents.

1. Supporting Transitions from Primary School to Post-Primary School Webinar for Parents 13.5.25 – NEW

National Parents Council, in collaboration with Laois Education Centre would like to offer the parents of children in 5th and 6th class an opportunity to take part in one of our virtual training sessions on how to support your Child`s move from Primary to Post Primary School.

This session will look at:

• Choosing a school for your child-
• Preparing your child for post primary school
• Subject choice
• School Policies
• Home school communication-
• People you might meet in post primary school- Parent/Teacher meetings

Date:               Tuesday 13th May 2025

Time:               7.30 – 8.45pm

Facilitator:      National Parents Council

Registration link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Laois_ED_Centre_May_2025

1. Transition to Post Primary for Students with Additional Needs Parent Webinar 9.6.25

This webinar for parents will explore the difficulties and challenges the transition to Post Primary school may bring for students with additional needs and will look at strategies that may help ease this transition. It will also examine resources available to assist with the transition and will look at practical ways parents can help ease the transition as much as possible.

Date:               Monday 9th June 2025

Time:              7-8 pm

Facilitator:     Annette Ormond, Grad Dip. SEN, M.Ed AS

Registration:  https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wJj2ONVaTGaiMPRVyjmuMw

Yvonne Nolan

Local Course Administrator

Laois Education Centre

Block Road

Portlaoise

Co  Laois

Tel: +353 578672400

Email: yvonne@laoisedcentre.ie

www.laoisedcentre.ie

For the second year in a row, we’ve taken the top spot at the Microsoft Office Specialist Irish Championships!

A massive congrats to Sean Ryan, who scored a perfect result in the PowerPoint category — following in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Andrew Coyne!

Jack Brosnan and Reuben Plunkett also placed highly and are now awaiting news on qualification for the British & Irish Championships in June — while Sean has already secured his place!

If they win there, they’ll earn the chance to represent Ireland at the World Championships in Orlando, Florida! Huge congratulations guys, we are so proud of you! 

Best of luck to Conor & Ross Dunne and @Mooving.ie in the Student Enterprise Programme Finals today @studententerpriseprogramme.
The finals take place in the Mullingar Park Hotel and we’re wishing the boys and their teachers Ms. Lynch and Ms. Moore every success!
You’ve got this lads — time to shine! 

Welcome to Transition Year 2025/2026 at St. Mary’s CBS!
We're delighted to welcome you to what promises to be a dynamic, rewarding, and unforgettable Transition Year experience here at St. Mary’s CBS. TY is your chance to step outside the usual classroom setting, try new things, and grow both personally and socially — make the most of every opportunity!

Here are a few important updates and reminders to help you get ready for the year ahead:

Final TY Payment – €400
The final TY fee is due by Thursday, May 16th, and should be paid via the school app. This payment helps cover the wide range of TY activities and opportunities coming your way!

Work Experience – Get Planning!
You’ll complete four separate one-week blocks of work experience during the year. The dates are:
October 20th, December 15th, March 23rd, and May 4th
Work experience forms will be handed out when you return in September, but we strongly recommend starting to organise your placements now — many employers fill spots early!

Not involved in the school musical? You’ll have the option to complete an extra week of work experience during that time too!

CBS School Musical – March 2nd–5th
Our TY musical is one of the highlights of the year! Whether you're on stage, helping behind the scenes, or choosing to take on an additional work experience week, it’s a fantastic experience for all involved.

Carlingford Adventure Trip – September 8th–10th
We're kicking off TY with an action-packed adventure in Carlingford! This is a great chance to bond with your classmates and make memories from day one.
A €100 deposit is due by May 23rd to secure your place. The total cost is €260, with the balance due in September.

European Tour – Easter 2026
Yes, it’s happening! We’re planning an exciting European trip during the Easter break in 2026. Full details will be confirmed in October 2025 — stay tuned!

We’re really looking forward to an incredible year ahead with you all. TY is what you make of it — so get involved, take every opportunity, and enjoy the journey!
If you have any questions before the summer, feel free to contact me via Teams messenger or email. See you in September!

Mr Cahillane
2025/26 Transition Year