This June we will run our first School Summer Programme for students with complex special educational needs and for those at risk of educational disadvantage.

The theme of this programme 'Building Confidence and Connections' and intends to be an enjoyable experience for all. 

The programme will begin on Monday June 19th and run until Friday June 30th, Monday to Friday, from 10am to 3pm.

If your son already receives school transport under the SEN Scheme, this will continue to be the case for him.

All parents who wish their sons to be included in our School Summer Programme this June should email Maura Murphy, Principal, on mmurphy@portlaoisecbs.com. We need to know how many students will be interested as soon as possible, in order to recruit teachers, SNA's and plan our programme of activities.

The Garda Youth Awards, at Divisional and National level, celebrates outstanding young people between 13 and 21 years, and recognises the good work they do throughout their communities. 

Last evening, Thursday 23rd March, we had the pleasure of attending the Laois Offaly Division Awards which took place in the Killeshin Hotel. Young people who have worked for their community, supported their families in times of difficulty, come through extremely difficult circumstances themselves, gone beyond the expected for the good of others - the winners of those nominated were awarded last night.

There were 4 Individual Awards. One of these went to our 2nd year student Sean Ryan, who supports his twin brother who attends Kolbe Special School and has helped to fundraise for their needs. We were very proud of Sean last night who, like many who work selflessly for others, doesn't seek praise or attention, he just gets on with it.

There were 4 Group Awards. Again we had a winner in this section - 3 students from our school Odhran Phelan, Callum Conroy and Dylan Browne (all TY students) along with  Ciara Kennedy from Scoil Chriost Ri, were called up to accept their Group Award for volunteering weekly with the All Inclusive Sports Group. These young people make it possible for young people their own age to participate in sports and activities which they would not be able to do without their support. 

Finally, in the Special Award Category, a young man, Ashraf Suleiman Muhumed, who arrived in the Montague Hotel in January 2022 and enrolled in the CBS, was recognised for the amazing resilience which he had shown since he left his home in Somalia when he was just 15 years old. Ashraf and his classmates were first kidnapped from their school by the Al-Shabab militia, and taken to a camp where they were tied, beaten and denied water. After 3 weeks he escaped and made it to his home. But his parents feared for his safety as the militia came looking for him so he fled to Mogadishu where he got the necessary papers to travel and left Somalia alone, on his way to safety. When he reached Turkey he walked for 10 days into Greece and lived off his wits there for a year and 3 months. He was then sent to Germany and under the EU Refugee Policy was sent to Ireland with Refugee Status - still alone. From what we have heard from news reports of the dangerous crossings, the dangers of those preying on vulnerable young people and the conditions of camps, Ashraf's ability to survive and still keep his head together at the young age of 17, is a tribute to his resilience. To meet him is to meet a very shy, humble and gentle young man. We are very proud to be associated with Ashraf's transition into Ireland and wish him the best of luck in a life he deserves. 

As part of Parent Internet Safety week, we have purchased access to Cyber School Direct for all our parents using this App. It will be available for the remainder of this school year, up to June 2nd. All interested parents should click into the pdf icon here, use the parents enrolment key as below and access to "Parents Cyber Safety". If you wish, google cyberschool.ie/secondary-schools/ 

There is no charge to you for this access. You will be offered the option to purchase courses, however you shouldn't click on or pay for anything unless you decide that you want what is on offer. The school has paid the fee and our parents simply access it for free.

The enrolment key for parents to sign up is as follows:

The next Parents' Council Meeting will take place on Thursday May 18th at 7.30pm. This meeting will be the last of the current school year and final planning for the Annual CBS Church Gate Collection will be discussed. This is the main fundraiser for our school each year. Collectors are needed for church gates at the Masses in Portlaoise, Stradbally, Rathineska and The Heath on the evening of Saturday 20th May and on the morning of Sunday 21st May.

Anyone who wishes to cover the gate at one of the Masses at these churches can ring Liam Delaney on 08709611058.

Thank you.