Highlighting the importance of community at St Benildus

It has been a busy few weeks for staff and students at St Benildus College Dublin as they continue to live the Five Core Principles. Stand Up Week and supporting the Team Hope Shoebox Appeal are among the many events taking place in the school recently.

Stand Up Week

Students and staff at St Benildus College Dublin highlighted the importance of community this year and ensuring that all members of our community feel included with a number of initiatives to celebrate Stand Up Week. We had fantastic speakers from the inclusive GAA team, Na Gaeil Aeracha and rugby team The Emerald Warriors. Students also showed their colours with a non-uniform day.

Team Hope Shoeboxes Appeal

As a school, we try and get involved with as many charities as possible, and each year, 1st year students participate in the Team Hope Shoeboxes Appeal. This involves taking a shoebox, wrapping it as a present with gifts for children between 3-14 years old. This year, we sent 47 shoeboxes to children in need. Well done.

6th Year Chemistry Trip to Berlin

From November 6th to 9th, a group of 6th year Chemistry students visited Berlin to advance their subject knowledge and enjoy their learning. Along with a walking tour of the city and a trip to the “Palace of Tears”, they visited the Berlin Life Sciences laboratory to extract caffeine from coffee and the Futurism Science Museum. The students had a fantastic time and learned so much.

Transition Year

TY students had one week of Work Experience at the start of term. Reflecting on their week away, students discussed how much they learned and how much their attitude to school has changed! They have also been busy completing a Barista Course, visiting Mountjoy Jail and playing padel! We are excited to see their decorated classrooms for Christmas.

Culture Week

Culture week centres on Languages Connect Think Languages day. This year, Transition Year students completed workshops on Capoeira Martial Arts, French Singing, Danish Design, College Opportunities, Italian Cuisine and Chinese Art. The students also watched movies in their target languages. School-wide language classes focused on promoting the culture of their target languages and educating students that they learn a living language. Kahoots and treasure hunts also added to the fun.

College Awareness Week

The week of November 25th was College Awareness Week nationally, and it is one that St Benildus fully embraces. The highlight of this week is the careers fair, where 4th, 5th and 6th year students have an opportunity to talk to universities, PLCs, An Garda Siochana, the armed forces and also network with past pupils and parents to discuss their futures.

It is an amazing opportunity to promote further education and help students find their way. It’s not just for seniors though, all years are involved in activities, with a junior highlight being the Careers Treasure Hunt for 2nd years.

Association of Spanish Teachers in Ireland Debate

For the second year in a row, St Benildus hosted the annual Spanish debate of the ASTI. This year, 14 schools travelled to Ireland to debate the motion “Mass Tourism has converted into a serious problem.”. St Benildus debated for the motion against Blackrock College, and were awarded best speaker in the debate.

1st Year Maths Competition

On Thursday November 21st, St Benildus welcomed Oatlands College, St Raphaela’s Secondary School and Mount Anville Secondary School to compete in a first year maths competition. With multiple teams from each school involved, it was fantastic to see so many students working together and demonstrating their knowledge. Each school had a top team, but in the end, the home team won.

Voter Registration

In the lead up to the national election, Ms Downey organised for 5th and 6th year students who had turned 18 or are approaching their 18th birthday to register to vote. This was offered both in SPHE class and after school and created a great enthusiasm in 6th year particularly. We are delighted to see so many of them eager to participate in the democratic process.

Individual Student Success

Gymnastics: Well done to James Hickey (6th), Matthew Hickey and Evan Kinsella (3rd) who recently competed in the 2024 Austrian Future Cup as part of the Irish team. James and Matthew both won gold on the pommel horse, and Evan Kinsella came 4th in the Rings final.

Cyclo-Cross: Well done to Ryan Daly (4th) who will compete for Ireland in upcoming cyclo-cross international events. We are excited to see you on Ireland AM on Friday 30th!

Comhairle na nÓg (Dun Laoighaire/Rathdown: Congrats to Joshua Gordon (2nd) who acted as MC for the recent conference and got to meet former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson as part of the experience.

Rugby: Well done to our students on the De La Salle Palmerston U17 team who won their plate final vs MU Barnhall.

Gaelic Football: Well done to our U16 players who won their county finals with their clubs Kilmacud Crokes and Ballinteer St Johns.

Other events from this term so far:

· Creation of November Remembrance Dislay

· First edition of our Library newsletter, “Shelf Awareness”

· First Year Cookery Club cooked Croque Monsieur and Churros

· 6th Year English Cinema Trip to “Small Things Like This”

· 5th and 6th Year History/Classics Cinema Trip to “Gladiator II”

We are looking forward to:

· Christmas Exams

· Benildus Got Talent

· TY Trip to the Criminal Courts