Core News & Information

The central communication hub for Davitt College. This section handles official announcements, administrative notices, enrollment details, and critical scheduling updates for the whole school community.

Academic & Curriculum, Awards, Core News & Information, Engineering, Extra-Curricular, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, STEM, Transition Year

Davitt College Selected for EA Robot Games Competition 2018

/

🤖 STEM & Robotics • EA Robot Games Davitt College Selected for EA Robot Games Competition 2018 16 May 2018 • Transition Year Technology Davitt College first introduced Sumo Robots to the Transition Year Programme back in 2013, and the initiative has grown from strength to strength ever since! 🤖 Building the Future Sumo Robots is an exciting Engineering and Technology module designed to introduce students to the rapidly emerging fields of robotics and electronics. The students learn an incredible amount during the hands-on process of building their projects—from studying the history of robotics right through to the intricate 3D printing of their very own custom-designed robots. 🏆 The EA Robot Games Following months of preparation, Davitt College was incredibly proud to have seven teams selected to enter the highly competitive EA Robot Games, which were held in Galway on Wednesday, 9th May 2018. “The competition at the end of all this hard work is a great reward for them. They have so much fun on the day of the finals that it feels more like a celebration of their effort than a competition. It’s also satisfying as their teacher to see students having so much fun learning. This competition really shows the students the real-life applications of STEM subjects and how they might enjoy studying them in their future.” — Mr. Padraic McTaibheis, Engineering Teacher ×

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

Davitt College Students Find Success at National SciFest Competition 2018

/

🔬 STEM • National SciFest Awards 2018 Davitt College Students Find Success at National SciFest Competition 2018 15 May 2018 • Science Department It was an outstanding day for the students of Davitt College at this year’s SciFest Competition, held at the Sligo Institute of Technology on Wednesday, 9th May 2018. The school had six brilliant projects entered into the competition and took home three Major Awards on the day, including a Special Award. The aim of SciFest is to encourage a love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths through active, collaborative, and inquiry-based learning. The event is generously funded by the Science Foundation Ireland Discover Programme, Intel Ireland, and Boston Scientific. 🏆 Award-Winning Innovations Our students performed exceptionally well, showcasing their creativity and scientific knowledge under the expert mentorship of Davitt College Science Teacher, Ms. Fiona O’Connor. Transition Year student Michael Fleming attracted much attention from the judges, successfully winning the Intermediate Technology Category with his highly innovative project, “Talking Robots”. Fellow Transition Year students Keith Mulchrone, Shane Dyra, and Olivia Fahey won the coveted SciFest BioPharmaChem Ireland Chemistry Award for their collaborative project, “Water, A Fuel of the Future”. To top it off, the talented trio also took First Place in the Intermediate Physical Science Category. 👩‍🏫 Teacher Recognition The success did not stop with the students. Mrs. O’Connor was officially recognised by the judging panel for her absolute excellence in science education and was proudly awarded the RSC School Chemistry Award by the Royal Society of Chemistry Education Division. Congratulations to all the students and teachers involved! 🧪🤖💡🌟👏 ×

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

EA Robot Games Selection

/

🤖 Engineering • EA Robot Games Selection Davitt College Selected for EA Robot Games Competition 14 May 2018 • Engineering & Technology Department Davitt College, Castlebar first introduced Sumo Robots to the Transition Year Programme in 2013, and the initiative has grown from strength to strength since. Sumo Robots is an Engineering and Technology module designed to introduce students to the emerging field of robotics and electronics. During the process of building their machines, students cover everything from the history of automation to the 3D printing of their very own custom-designed components. Following months of design fabrication, Davitt College achieved a major milestone with seven independent student teams selected to compete at the national EA Robot Games held in Galway. “The competition at the end of all this hard work is a great reward for them. They have so much fun on the day of the finals that it feels more like a celebration of their effort than a competition. It’s also deeply satisfying as their teacher to see students having so much fun learning. This competition really shows the students the real-life applications of STEM subjects and how they might enjoy studying them in their future.” — Mr. Padraic McTaibheis, Engineering Teacher ×

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

Sporting Legend Cora Staunton Guests of Honour at Davitt College Transition Year Awards 2018

/

🏆 Transition Year • Annual Awards 2018 Sporting Legend Cora Staunton Guest of Honour at Davitt College TY Awards 2018 11 May 2018 Davitt College, Castlebar, proudly hosted its annual Transition Year Awards Event on Friday 11th May 2018, celebrating a fantastic year of holistic development, academic progress, and active participation in school life. The school was deeply honoured to welcome eleven-time Ladies Football All-Star winner and professional AFL player Ms. Cora Staunton as Guest of Honour. Ms. Staunton warmly congratulated each of the student recipients, noting that the sheer breadth of successes and awards achieved by Davitt College students continues to astound her and fills her with a great sense of encouragement for the future. Students were commended across various categories, highlighting the unique value of the Transition Year programme in building self-confidence, fostering independent analysis, and encouraging personal growth before entering Senior Cycle. Main Transition Year Honours ⭐ Highest TY Honour TY Outstanding Young Person Ruairi O’Boyle & Sadhbh Reddington Presented by Guest of Honour Ms. Cora Staunton, alongside Ms. Tracy Britton (TY Co-Ordinator) and Ms. Bernie Rowland (Principal). 🎭 Creative Arts Transition Year Musical Awards Ethan Barrett, Enda Harrigan, Annabelle Riona Comer-Halliwell & Shauna Jordan Presented by Musical Producer Mr. Dave MacDon-nacha and Ms. Cora Duffy (DanceWorld). Congratulations to the Transition Year Class of 2018 on a wonderfully inspiring and memorable celebration! ×

An Gaisce, Core News & Information, Extra-Curricular, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News

The Sligo Wilderness & Campfire Songs

/

🌲 Transition Year • Gaisce Expedition 2018 The Sligo Wilderness & Campfire Songs 3 May 2018 • County Sligo Wilderness Our 2018 Transition Year cohort truly embraced the spirit of adventure during their two-day Gaisce expedition in the scenic wilderness of County Sligo. Under shifting Irish skies, the group tackled challenging hillside climbs, navigating rough heather-strewn terrain and narrow wooden footbridges with high spirits and superb teamwork. The rugged landscape provided the perfect backdrop for students to put their navigation and map-reading skills into practice. Once the day’s trekking was complete, camp life began in earnest. To beat the evening chill, our young adventurers took over the camp shelter, firing up a massive indoor barbecue to cook up a well-deserved feast of burgers and sausages. The absolute highlight of the trip, however, came after dark. Gathering in a massive circle around a spectacular, roaring campfire, the students sang the night away, accompanied by live acoustic guitar. It was a classic, tech-free bonding experience that perfectly captured what Gaisce is all about: resilience, community, and friendships that last a lifetime! 🌲🔥🎸⛺🥾🌟

Academic & Curriculum, Awards, Core News & Information, Extra-Curricular, Media, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, STEM, Transition Year, Video Hub

Davitt College Crowned All-Ireland Winners in SFI ReelLIFE SCIENCE Competition 2017

/

🏆 All-Ireland Winners • ReelLIFE SCIENCE Davitt College Crowned All-Ireland Winners in SFI ReelLIFE SCIENCE Competition 2017 13 November 2017 • Science Week National Awards At the beginning of Science Week 2017, the winners of the ReelLIFE SCIENCE Secondary School category were officially announced, and we are incredibly proud to share that Davitt College took home the top prize! The brilliant short science video, produced by our 4C Transition Year class, was selected from almost 200 entries created by over 1,500 participants across 83 schools and community groups nationwide. A Prestigious National Initiative Based in NUI Galway and supported by SFI, the CKI, CÚRAM, and Cell EXPLORERS, ReelLIFE SCIENCE challenges participants to engage with STEM by producing fun and educational short videos. The Winning Production: ‘The Death of Paul Donovan’ Produced under the expert guidance of Ms. Fiona O’Connor, our winning entry secured the CÚRAM-sponsored first prize. High-profile judges, including Prof. Luke O’Neill and Shane Curran, praised the originality and investigative depth of our students’ work. “Very funny and original.” — Prof. Luke O’Neill A massive congratulations to our 4C Transition Year students and Ms. O’Connor on this phenomenal national achievement!

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Senior Cycle

Fantastic Turnout for the Davitt College Career Options Event 2017

/

🎓 Guidance & Careers • Annual Exhibition 2017 Fantastic Turnout for the Davitt College Career Options Event 2017 14 October 2017 • Davitt College Joe Langan Sports Hall To meet the specific needs of post-primary students in Co. Mayo, Davitt College, in partnership with the Education Working Group of Mayo County Council and the Mayo LEADER Partnership Company, held its fifth very successful Career Options Event on Saturday, 14th October 2017. There was certainly something for everyone on the day in the Davitt College Joe Langan Sports Hall. The exhibition provided a fantastic opportunity for second-level students and their parents to access vital information regarding the wide range of education and training courses available at Third Level. Over 1,600 people were present at this free-admission event. 🤝 A Collaborative Success Career Options 2017 was a prime example of partnership and collaboration in action. Over thirty universities and colleges from throughout Ireland, the UK, and Europe were represented. Attendees benefited from highly informative presentations on the day covering the CAO, SUSI Grants, UCAS, HEAR, and DARE. There was also extensive information available regarding Third Level scholarships, bursaries, and grants, as well as new developments in apprenticeship and training programmes. 🎤 Expert Guidance Davitt College was absolutely delighted to welcome guest speaker Mr. Brian Mooney, a renowned Guidance Counsellor and educational expert. Well-known as an educational analyst with a weekly column in The Irish Times, he delivered a highly comprehensive presentation packed with the most relevant, current, and strategic information to help students research and prepare for their future career pathways. “There was a wealth of information available on the day to accommodate every interest – academic, creative, and technical. I feel students’ experience has been enriched and I hope parents and their sons and daughters are now better able to make informed decisions about future careers.” — Ms. Bernie Rowland, Principal A bustling exhibition hall in the Joe Langan Sports Hall Students exploring third-level opportunities Educational analyst Mr. Brian Mooney addressing attendees Organising committee, school management, and guest speakers at Career Options 2017

Awards, Core News & Information, DC-Awards, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News

Inspiring the Next Generation: Special Guests Honoured at Davitt College Awards 2017

/

🏆 Annual School Event • Awards Ceremony 2017 Inspiring the Next Generation: Special Guests Honoured at Davitt College Awards 2017 23 May 2017 • Davitt College Castlebar Davitt College, Castlebar, proudly hosted its Annual Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 23rd May 2017, bringing together students, staff, and families to celebrate an exceptional year of success across academics, sport, music, and extracurricular activities. The school was honoured to welcome a distinguished group of Guests of Honour: Captain Noel Carey (Congo Veteran), Ms. Geraldine Lennon (Lough Lannagh), Ms. Sinead Shaw and Mr. Colm Kelly (Bank of Ireland), Mr. Liam Egan (Public Speaking and Debating Mentor), and Mr. Michael Gallagher (GAA Coach and Journalist). “These awards are a mere stepping stone to greater achievements in the future. I sincerely hoped that the students would go on to achieve their life’s dreams and ambitions.” — Ms. Bernie Rowland, Principal Main Award Winners 2017 ⭐ Highest School Honour Overall Students of the Year Callan Quinn & Simona Fernandes Davitt College Annual Awards 2017 Recognising exceptional academic application, character, and school leadership throughout the year. 🛡️ Special Tribute Joe Langan Perpetual Shield Aishling Hughes Special Community Recognition Presented in recognition of dedicated service, warmth, and contribution shown to the entire Davitt College community. 2017 Awards Roll of Honour Explore the complete breakdown of award winners across special honours, academic subjects, sporting achievements, and class recognitions. 🌟 Special Awards & Highest Honours View Section Fifth Year Students of the Year Dara Kelly & Rachel Kelly Academic Application Award Meabh Murray 📚 Humanities, STEM & Business Awards View Section Engineering & Construction Projects Senior Engineering Project: Eoin O’DohertySenior Construction Project: Louise Mongan Arts & Craft Projects Junior Craft Project: Ruairí O’BoyleJunior Art Project: Annabelle Riona Comer-Halliwell 🏆 Sporting Achievements View Section Overall Sportsperson of the Year Senior Female: Amy Dowling Senior Male: Jordan Keighley 📖 Academic Achievement, Effort & Commitment View Section Effort & Dedication Commendations Second Year: Stephen MooreThird Year: Cathal Derrig Special Student Recognition BOI Student Choice: Ryan Walshe & Emma SheeranMusic Excellence: Aoife Halligan & Ethan Carey

An Gaisce, Core News & Information, Extra-Curricular, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News

Teamwork, Lakeside Trails, and Twilight Cookouts

/

🌲 Transition Year • Gaisce Expedition 2017 Teamwork, Lakeside Trails, and Twilight Cookouts 12 May 2017 • County Sligo Countryside From Tent Pitching and Lake Views to Skillet Cooking and Forest Walks In May 2017, our Transition Year group headed into the beautiful Sligo countryside for an unforgettable two-day Gaisce expedition packed with outdoor challenges and team-building milestones. The adventure started right on the campsite field, where students paired up to pitch their red and navy basecamp tents. The daytime trek treated the group to incredible panoramic views, including a scenic lunch stop right on the rocky shoreline of a sprawling Sligo lake, a few fence-stile crossings out on the hills, and a surprise encounter with an incredibly friendly local black-faced lamb who quickly became the unofficial mascot of the trip. Back at camp, the energy stayed high with a series of classic outdoor team games, including a giant skipping rope challenge that had the whole cohort cheering. As twilight settled over the hills, camp life shifted to the main fire pit. Sitting in a massive circle on log benches, the group watched their dinner cook on a large skillet nestled directly into the glowing embers – a true back-to-basics culinary experience. The real test of trust and communication came just after dark. Students entered the dense forest to tackle a night-line course, navigating the trees by relying entirely on their senses and their peers. The evening concluded in spectacular fashion under a clear full moon, with the triumphant cohort gathering around a roaring campfire for a brilliant lakeside sing-along that capped off an incredible journey! 🌲⛺🔥🥾🌟

Core News & Information, Extra-Curricular, Public Speaking, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News

Best of Luck in the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals!

/

🎙️ Transition Year • Concern Debating Series Best of Luck in the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals! 22 March 2017 • Athlone National Stage The very best of luck to our fantastic Transition Year Debating team as they travel to Athlone this evening to compete in the Concern Debating All-Ireland Quarter-Final! Captained by Chloe Bright and expertly mentored by Mr. Liam Egan, the team has put in countless hours of research, practice, and preparation to reach the final eight in the country. Standing on the national stage tonight is a phenomenal achievement, and the entire Davitt College community is behind you every step of the way. Bring it home, team! 🎤🏆💬🌟👏 ×

Scroll to Top