Science Week 2024 is upon us!

Our TY Biology students attended a DNA Workshop in UCC today which was led by Dr. Sinead Kerins in the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. 

The morning session consisted of a lecture surrounding the theoretical elements of DNA, DNA profiling and an outline of the experiments which would be conducted in the afternoon. 

The afternoon session had our students taking part in practical investigations that centre around isolating and extracting DNA from plant and human cells. These investigations make up part of the current leaving cert curriculum and provide valuable insights to our students on their real world application. In addition to these investigations our students were conducting experiments with the use of agarose gel to separate bands of DNA with the hope of identifying a family sample that contains the genes for Sickle Cell Anaemia. This DNA profiling technique is on the new leaving cert biology syllabus which begins in September 2025 for 5th years. 

Congratulations to Ju Young Lee, 5th Year Chemistry student, for winning bronze in Round 2 of the Irish Olympiad of Experimental Science (IrEOES) 2024-2025, held yesterday at Dublin City University! Ju Young excelled among the 30 top students in chemistry invited to the in-person event following a highly competitive online Round 1. Well done on this incredible achievement!

The PBC Lunchtime Concert Series is really gaining traction and continued to a full house once again on Friday.

An audience spanning all year groups and indeed some teachers and management were treated to a beautiful mid-day interlude with performances by our musically talented students. 

Michael Scott really impressed as he sang and strummed along to his own composition, ‘All of Me’ as well as a plaintiff cover of Zach Bryan’s ‘ A Boy Like Me.’ Darragh Collins of 1st year performed ‘ The Two Grenadiers’ on violin while Marcel Mosiej sang and played another Zach Bryan cover, ‘Something in the Orange.’ 

The TY podcast crew were also on hand to record the musicians and will make the recordings available on upcoming episodes of PBC podcast which is currently in production. 

Well done to the performers and to everybody involved in the PBC Music Society for the organisation and staging, to Librarian Michael McCormack for creating the ambient setting in the Reading Room and to management for their continued support. More concerts to follow very soon! 

To close out Stand Up Awareness Week 2024, the school held a Rainbow Tie Day and the winners pictured were the wearers of the most colourful ties in each year group. Special mention to 6th year student, Ivo Kok, going to great effort and making his own tie!! 

Stand Up Awareness week has been a great success. The week has been filled with bright visuals and inspiring words throughout the corridors, reminding our students that our school is a safe space where all are welcome and a place where everyone is supported and respected.

We look forward to continuing this new tradition in 2025.

Photo shows L – R: Ivo Kok 6th Yr., Sami Flannery 5th Yr., Jack Horgan 4th Yr., Ms. Kayleigh Whelan, Billy Stephens 1st Yr., Daniel O'Mahony 2nd Yr. and John Noonan 3rd Yr. 

Stand Up Awareness Week is a time for post-primary schools, youth services, and Youthreach centres in Ireland to join together and take a stand against homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.

This is the second year our school is marking Stand Up Awareness Week. It is a week when our school shows support for all in the LGBTQ+ community. We want Presentation Brothers College to be a place in which everyone feels a sense of belonging and support.

For the duration of the week there will be pride flags hanging in the school as well as student-created posters on display throughout the corridors. Students can also visit the library where they can find LGBTQ+ inspired books and comics. 

Photo shows some of our 6th Yr. Prefects with Ms. Kayleigh Whelan launching Stand Up Awareness Week 2024

Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Dan Boyle, recently visited Pres. where he met with all our 1st Yr. students. 

As part of his address, the Lord Mayor spoke of the importance of the environment and he presented the school with seeds to plant wild flowers.

The Lord Mayor took questions from some very enthusiastic 1st Yr. students before departing.

Congratulations to all the junior members of the P.B.C. Debating Society who took part in the three weekly rounds of the annual October Leagues debating competition.

The debates were held in C.B.C., P.B.C. and Rochestown College. Our junior debaters performed very well across all of the stages and upheld our high standard. A special congratulations to our first years on their performance over the three events.

Special thanks to our senior debaters who acted as adjudicators for the competitions and to school staff for all their help in organising the event.

New members at junior and senior level are always welcome to join the Friday afternoon sessions.

With such a high standard in the first competition of the year we look forward to a successful year ahead!

Adam Wiezcorek, 4th Yr.

Senior Debater.

Presentation Brothers College Writing Club recently visited Cork City Library to attend the Swerve Showcase.

Swerve is an annual Journal, which publishes the work of emerging writers and artists from Ireland, as well as more established names.

 Our Writing Club group were treated to four readings of short stories by the authors of each - all previously featured in Swerve magazine editions. Our boys enjoyed hearing the four different tales delivered in different styles and contexts.

 The editor of Swerve magazine thanked our Writing Club for attending and commented on their excellent behaviour and level of engagement.

Special thanks to our librarian, Mr. McCormack, for organising this excursion and accompanying the Writing Club to the event.