School News

Stay up to date with the latest official announcements, weekly updates, and stories from the Davitt College community.

Basketball, Core News & Information, Extra-Curricular, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Sports

Mixed Fortunes in Easkey Clash: First-Years Secure Season Open Win

🏀 School Sport • Boys Basketball Mixed Fortunes in Easkey Clash: First-Years Secure Season Open Win 13 February 2025 It was a day of high drama and mixed results on the hardwood as Davitt College went head-to-head with Coláiste Iascaigh. The First-Year boys kicked off their campaign in spectacular fashion, grinding out a hard-fought 19-13 victory to claim their first win of the season. The squad showed brilliant defensive structure and composure under the rim to close out the game and get their league run off to the perfect start. Second-Years Fall Just Short in Nail-Biter Immediately after, the Second-Year boys took to the court in what turned out to be an absolute thriller. In a classic, end-to-end battle where every single possession counted, the Davitt side unfortunately ended up on the wrong side of a narrow 19-23 scoreline. Despite the sting of the close defeat, the performance showcased a massive work ethic and plenty of tactical promise for the upcoming fixtures. A huge thank you to Mr. McTavish and Mr. O’Connor for coaching the boys and driving the basketball program forward! 🏀🔴🟢👏 ×

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

🌟 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! 🏅🤝✨ ×

Basketball, Core News & Information, Extra-Curricular, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Sports

Brilliant Performance: Second-Year Girls Secure Comprehensive Win Over Charlestown

🏀 School Sport • Girls Basketball Brilliant Performance: Second-Year Girls Secure Comprehensive Win Over Charlestown 20 January 2025 A massive congratulations to our Second-Year Girls Basketball team, who put in a superb performance today to claim a fantastic victory against Charlestown. The squad showcased exceptional teamwork, clinical finishing under the basket, and immense defensive energy right up to the final buzzer to secure the win. Continuing a Strong Campaign This latest result is another brilliant milestone for the girls as they navigate their highly competitive league calendar. The victory is a well-deserved reward for the high work rate and dedication the group continues to show in every training session. Huge well done to all the players involved—keep up the fantastic work for the rest of the season! 🏀🔴🟢👏 ×

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

🤖 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

🎨 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! 🎨✨🎭 ×

Basketball, Core News & Information, Extra-Curricular, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Sports

League Campaign Continues: Girls Face Charlestown in Second Round

🏀 School Sport • Girls Basketball League Campaign Continues: Girls Face Charlestown in Second Round 15 October 2024 Well done to our Girls U16 and Senior Basketball teams who put in a massive effort today as they went head-to-head with Charlestown in the second round of the league. Both panels showed great competitive spirit and teamwork on the court as they continue to build their momentum and sharpness in the regional league structure. Dedicated Coaching Team Driving the Sport Forward Programs like this simply cannot run without outstanding volunteer support and leadership from our staff. A sincere thank you to Ms. Doherty and Ms. Quinn for their brilliant coaching, dedication, and for looking after both teams so professionally on the day. We look forward to seeing the squads back in action for the next round of fixtures! 🏀🔴🟢👏 ×

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

⛳ 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! ⛳🏌️‍♂️🏌️‍♀️✨ ×

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

🇪🇺 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

🏆 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! 🏆🎭🎙️👏 ×

Awards, Core News & Information, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Soccer, Sports

CONNACHT CHAMPIONS! First Year Girls Seal Provincial Glory in Milebush Thriller

🏆 FAI Schools Connacht Final • Division Two Glory 🏆 CONNACHT CHAMPIONS! First Year Girls Seal Provincial Glory in Milebush Thriller 22 May 2024 • Umbro Park, Milebush History was made at Umbro Park, Milebush yesterday as our First Year Division Two Girls’ Soccer team captured the Connacht Provincial Title after an unforgettable, heart-stopping penalty shootout victory over a formidable Gortnor Abbey side. From the first whistle to the absolute final kick, this match was a spectacular showcase of post-primary football. Both sides brought an incredible level of intensity, leaving everything on the pitch in front of a captivated crowd of travelling supporters, families, and friends. The Match: Drama from Start to Finish The game itself was a masterclass in determination. After a fierce, end-to-end battle during regular time, the scoreboard sat locked at a nail-biting 2-2 draw. With neither side willing to back down, the match pushed into extra time. The tension in Milebush was palpable. Both teams fought valiantly through tired legs, but with defenses holding rock-solid under immense pressure, the deadlock couldn’t be broken. It meant the ultimate test of soccer nerves and skill: a penalty shootout. ⚽ Elite Composure Under Pressure Amidst a wave of cheers and gasps from the sidelines, our girls showed world-class composure. Player after player stepped up with massive bravery. When the final winning penalty was expertly buried into the back of the net, it sparked pure, joyous celebration on the pitch and across the stands. Davitt College were Connacht Champions! A Word From the Coaches Coaches Ms. Kearns and Ms. Donoghue expressed just how immensely proud they are of this historic group of players: “ From the very beginning of the season, your skill and determination shone through. Each goal, tackle, and pass was a testament to the hard work and dedication you have put into training and previous games. The way you supported and encouraged each other, both on and off the field, exemplifies the true spirit of teamwork. You have made your school, your coaches, and yourselves very proud. — Ms. Kearns & Ms. Donoghue, Team Management Transition Year Leadership A massive share of credit for this provincial success goes to our outstanding Transition Year student mentors: Alannagh Keaveney, Caitlin Loftus, Katie Heaney, and Rachel Heneghan. These TY leaders have been an invaluable asset to the management team all season. From running structured training drills and organizing match-day warm-ups to providing crucial motivation, tactical advice, and positive energy from the dugout, the First Year squad and their coaches are incredibly grateful for their dedicated assistance. Thank You to the Davitt Community Finally, the team and coaches would like to extend a huge thank you to all the supporters, families, and friends who traveled to Milebush yesterday and cheered the girls on throughout the campaign. Your vocal encouragement all year has been our twelfth player on the pitch! Once again, a massive congratulations to our First Year Connacht Champions. We look forward to celebrating many more successes with this incredibly talented group in the future! 🏆🔴🟢⚽✨ ×

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