Academic & Curriculum

A comprehensive window into the classroom frameworks at Davitt College. This category spans our Junior, Senior, and Transition Year programmes, highlighting academic excellence, departmental clusters, and student subject showcases.

Academic & Curriculum, Awards, Core News & Information, Extra-Curricular, Humanities & Language, Religion, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News

Fifth Year Students Achieve John Paul II and Peer 4 Peer Awards

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🌟 Student Leadership • Community & Faith Fifth Year Students Achieve John Paul II and Peer 4 Peer Awards 28 January 2025 We extend our warmest congratulations to our exceptional Fifth Year students who were recently presented with their official Peer 4 Peer certification and the prestigious Pope John Paul II Awards. The John Paul II medals are awarded to young people who demonstrate an enduring commitment to their faith, proactive community service, and personal development. Running parallel to this faith journey, the Peer 4 Peer programme specifically honours senior students for their leadership, kindness, and active willingness to mentor and guide younger pupils within our local national schools. Our award recipients have shown outstanding resilience, compassion, and dedication, beautifully embodying the spirit of community partnership that defines our school. Well done to all involved! 🏅🤝✨ ×

Academic & Curriculum, Awards, Core News & Information, DCG, Engineering, Latest News, Maths, School Life, Culture & Achievements, Senior Cycle, STEM

Fifty Senior Graphics Students Awarded University Level 6 Certificates in 21st Century STEM Skills

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🎓 Academic Excellence • STEM & University Certification Fifty Senior Graphics Students Awarded University Level 6 Certificates in 21st Century STEM Skills 5 November 2024 The entire Davitt College community is incredibly proud of fifty of our Senior students who were officially awarded their Certificate in 21st Century STEM Skills from the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo. Our students successfully completed three intensive “STEM Passport for Inclusion” workshops facilitated by industry experts and academic mentors during their Transition Year cycle. Having submitted their high-level technical assignments, they have now officially qualified with an NFQ Level 6 Certificate in STEM Skills, fully recognised by the National Framework of Qualifications. Pioneering STEM Inclusion & Industry Pathways This national initiative, led by Dr Katriona O’Sullivan at Maynooth University and jointly backed by Microsoft Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland, directly addresses gender inequalities in technical fields. By combining a formal university qualification with structured mentoring from industry role models, the programme provides an elite pathway for students to progress to third-level education and secure high-value STEM qualifications. We wish to extend our sincere thanks to Mr David Nevin (TY Co-ordinator) and our Career Guidance Department for supporting and encouraging our engineering and graphics students on this prestigious academic journey. Comhghairdeas le gach duine! 🎓📐💻✨ ×

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, Engineering, Extra-Curricular, Gallery, Media, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, STEM

Robotics Workshop Sparks New After-School Engineering Initiatives

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🤖 STEM Innovation • Robotics & Engineering Robotics Workshop Sparks New After-School Engineering Initiatives 21 October 2024 A sincere thank you to Mr Hassan Dabbagh from ATU MakerSpace and the ATU Innovation Hubs team for facilitating an outstanding Robotics Workshop with a group of our enthusiastic Junior Cycle students this week. The interactive, hands-on session focused on mechatronics, circuit assembly, and basic automation logic, giving students an authentic taste of real-world design engineering. Armed with their new skills, our students and department mentors Mr Moylette and Mr Newcombe are officially ready to kick off the new Davitt College Robotics Club, which will begin running immediately after the midterm break. Thank you again to ATU for opening up new STEM pathways for our junior students! 🤖🔧💡✨ ×

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, Creative Schools, Creative Schools, Extra-Curricular, Practical & Creative Arts, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News

Davitt College Selected for Arts Council Creative Schools Initiative

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🎨 Arts & Culture • Creative Ireland Davitt College Selected for Arts Council Creative Schools Initiative 17 October 2024 Davitt College is thrilled to officially announce our selection for the Arts Council Creative Schools Initiative! Led by Creative Schools Coordinator Ms. Veronica Morley, this two-year flagship program puts student voice and creative design thinking at the heart of school life. Over the course of the initiative, students will collaborate with creative practitioners and staff to design innovative learning environments, lead whole-school artistic installations, and explore creative career paths across all subject areas. We look forward to an exciting journey ahead as we empower our students to shape the cultural and aesthetic landscape of Davitt College! 🎨✨🎭 ×

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, Extra-Curricular, Golf, Recreational Sports, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Sports, Transition Year

Swing Academy: TYs Take to the Driving Range

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⛳ Transition Year Sport • Golf Academy Swing Academy: TYs Take to the Driving Range 3 October 2024 Our Transition Year sports blocks went mobile this week with dedicated golf tuition sessions out at the Castlebar Driving Range. Students picked up foundational tips on grip, posture, and swing mechanics. The session offered plenty of fun, great camaraderie, and saw a few hidden talents emerging with some seriously clean strikes down the range as students tried their hand at matching the pros. A fantastic afternoon of skill-building and fresh air for our TYs! ⛳🏌️‍♂️🏌️‍♀️✨ ×

Academic & Curriculum, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, Sports, Transition Year, Volleyball

TY Students Earn Official Volleyball Coaching Credentials

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🏐 Sports Leadership • Volleyball Ireland Coaching TY Students Earn Official Volleyball Coaching Credentials 26 September 2024 Davitt College’s sports leadership program continues to thrive. A new group of our Transition Year students stepped up today to complete the intensive Volleyball Ireland Spikeball Coaching Course. The practical workshop equipped our students with the tactical knowledge, refereeing rules, and session-planning skills required to lead active training blocks. These newly certified coaches are now fully prepared to develop the next generation of players within our school community. Well done to all involved! 🏐📋👏 ×

Awards, Core News & Information, CSPE, Erasmus+, Global Programmes & Initiatives, Humanities & Language, Politics & Society, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Wellbeing

Davitt College Celebrates Prestigious Erasmus+ School Accreditation and Flag-Raising Ceremony

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🇪🇺 Global Outlook • Erasmus+ Accreditation Davitt College Celebrates Prestigious Erasmus+ School Accreditation and Flag-Raising Ceremony 4 September 2024 Davitt College, Castlebar, has officially been recognised as an Erasmus+ Accredited School, marking a major milestone in the school’s commitment to internationalised education. This prestigious status, awarded as part of the European Union Erasmus+ Programme (2021–2027), secures long-term funding for the school to participate in cross-border educational mobility and collaborative European projects. To celebrate this achievement, students and staff gathered for an official flag-raising ceremony. The Erasmus+ flag was hoisted at the front of the school building, where it now flies proudly as a symbol of the school’s global outlook and interconnected learning environment. Driving Educational Excellence Across Europe This formal accreditation opens up incredible pathways for the entire Davitt College community, including: Student Exchange Programmes: Giving students the unique opportunity to experience European cultures, practice modern languages, and collaborate on shared academic initiatives with partner schools across the EU. Professional Development: Enabling teaching staff to engage in international training and job-shadowing, bringing innovative European pedagogical methodologies straight back into Castlebar classrooms. Inclusive Initiatives: Securing dedicated resources to support diverse learners and ensure equitable access to international experiences for all students. The flying flag stands as a daily reminder of the school’s dedication to broadening horizons, fostering European citizenship, and preparing students to thrive in a globalised world. 🇪🇺🌍✨ Pictured: Mr. Conor O’Reilly (Principal), Ms. Anita Gallagher (Deputy Principal), Ms. Stephanie Kelly & Mrs. Maria Carey (Erasmus+ Coordinators), Ms. Annette Newell (Erasmus+ Committee / MFL Dept), accompanied by Ms. Stephanie Kelly’s First Year CSPE class. ×

Academic & Curriculum, Awards, Core News & Information, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Transition Year, TY-Awards

Inspiring Leadership: Andy Moran Guest of Honour at Davitt College Transition Year Awards 2024

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🏆 Student Excellence & Performing Arts Davitt College Specialist & Performing Arts Awards Annual Awards Presentation Davitt College is immensely proud to honour our students who have demonstrated extraordinary passion, leadership, and stagecraft across communication, community contribution, and the performing arts. From inspiring oratory and active citizenship to standout theatrical excellence on stage, these awards recognise students who bring our school community to life through exceptional dedication and talent. Youth Leadership & Public Speaking Honouring outstanding character, citizenship, and articulate advocacy within the school and wider community. 🌟 Character & Leadership Outstanding Young Person Award Recipient: Byron Cleary Davitt College Annual Presentation Awarded in recognition of exceptional positive influence, initiative, and proactive leadership within the student body. 🎙️ Oratory Excellence Debating & Public Speaking Award Recipient: Gabrielle Kilcourse Davitt College Annual Presentation Recognising formidable forensic argumentation, articulate discourse, and confident presentation on the competitive speaking stage. School Musical & Performing Arts Accolades Celebrating outstanding artistic execution, stage presence, and tireless commitment to the annual production. 🎭✨ Stagecraft & Artistry Musical: Best Performance Award Recipient: Lucy O’Brien Recognition: Stellar theatrical delivery, vocal skill, and commanding stage presence throughout the production. 👏⭐ Commitment & Ensemble Musical: Most Dedicated Award Recipient: Ellen Shaw Recognition: Relentless rehearsal work ethic, team leadership, and unwavering commitment to whole-cast success. A massive congratulations to Byron, Gabrielle, Lucy, and Ellen on their richly deserved honours! 🏆🎭🎙️👏 ×

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, Recreational Sports, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Sports, Transition Year

Home Runs and Ice Creams: TYs Shine in the Sun

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☀️ Senior Cycle • Transition Year Sports Day Home Runs and Ice Creams: TYs Shine in the Sun 16 May 2024 Glorious sunshine and high energy swept across the school pitches today for our Transition Year Rounders Tournament. The event delivered perfect conditions for some massive hitting, clean fielding, and a brilliant competitive buzz across the entire year group. After a series of tight knockout rounds, the grand final came right down to the wire, showcasing tremendous teamwork, athletic grit, and great sportsmanship from all involved. The victorious champions wrapped up a classic TY summer day out in style—celebrating with well-deserved ice creams in the sun! ⚾🍦☀️🏆👏 ×

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, DCG, Engineering, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, STEM

SDS Design Engineers Outline Civil and Structural Engineering Pathways for DCG Students

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📐 STEM & Careers • DCG Industry Pathways SDS Design Engineers Outline Civil and Structural Engineering Pathways for DCG Students 28 February 2024 We wish to extend our sincere thanks to Mr Brian Hope of SDS Design Engineers, who delivered a highly informative technical presentation to our Leaving Certificate Design & Communication Graphics (DCG) students this week. Mr Hope demonstrated how the exact geometric principles studied in class—specifically descriptive line coordinates, plane intersections, and geologic map contours—are applied directly to map out major national infrastructure projects. He also briefed our classes on the exciting structural engineering apprenticeship pathways available through ATU Sligo, showing how spatial reasoning on the drawing board translates straight into a professional career. A fantastic, eye-opening session that brought Leaving Certificate theory straight into real-world industry practice. Sincere thanks again to Brian and SDS Design Engineers! 📐🏗️✏️💡 ×

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