School Life, Culture & Achievements

A look inside the daily spirit of Davitt College, capturing student experiences, assemblies, themed weeks, and community spirit.

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, Practical & Creative Arts, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News

Soroptimist International Castlebar Supports Music Programme at Davitt College

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🎵 Creative Arts • Community Partnership Soroptimist International Castlebar Supports Music Programme at Davitt College 9 May 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar Davitt College, Castlebar, was delighted to welcome representatives from Soroptimist International Castlebar alongside the National President of Soroptimist Ireland to celebrate a fantastic community-sponsored music initiative on campus. Soroptimist International Castlebar has generously sponsored a targeted Music Programme at the school, providing vital funds to support specialized tuition over an immersive six-week module. In addition to expert instruction, the club’s generous financial contribution went directly toward purchasing brand-new musical instruments, substantially expanding creative and performance pathways for our student body. 🎼 6-Week Module Targeted, specialized musical tuition 🎸 New Instruments Direct funding for school music equipment 🤝 Local Investment Supported by Soroptimist International During the visit, the National President of Soroptimist Ireland, Ms. Ann O’Driscoll, toured the school facilities and was treated to a wonderful live performance by the talented students currently participating in the programme. The entire school community extends its sincere gratitude to Soroptimist International Castlebar for their generous investment in our students’ creative futures. 📸 Presentation Showcase (Pictured L–R): Back Row: Mr. Ger King (Deputy Principal), Ms. S. Sheridan (School Completion Programme), Mrs. Ann Collins (Soroptimist Club President), Ms. Ann O’Driscoll (National President, Soroptimist Ireland), Ms. Therese O’Grady (Soroptimist PRO), Ms. Kate McKeown (Music Generation Mayo), Jamie Ralph, Mr. Paul Kelly, Mr. Mike Cannon, Mr. Eamonn Mulderrig (Music Teacher), and Ms. Bernie Rowland (Principal). Front Row: Jack McEllin, Niamh Tobin, Neill Tropman, Francis Kelly, Neill Kilkenny, Aoife Halligan, and Ethan Carey.

Academic & Curriculum, Awards, Core News & Information, Practical & Creative Arts, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Transition Year

Double Gold and Overall Victory for Davitt College at Connacht Gold Junior Chef Competition

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🧑‍🍳 Culinary Arts • Double Gold Champions Double Gold and Overall Victory for Davitt College at Connacht Gold Junior Chef Competition 9 May 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar Davitt College, Castlebar, is immensely proud to celebrate a phenomenal double-victory on the culinary stage, as our students captured the top honors at the prestigious Connacht Gold Junior Chef Final. The competitive live cook-off took place at St. Angela’s College, Sligo, as a flagship event of the Só Sligo Food and Culture Festival in conjunction with Connacht Gold. Out of hundreds of entries from across the province, just 18 secondary school students were selected to compete in the live final—with Davitt College proudly standing as the only school to secure two finalist places. 🏆 Overall Champion & Gold Medal Laura Ivers (Transition Year) Sautéed her way into first place to be officially named The 2013 Connacht Gold Junior Chef, winning a commissioned trophy, iPad mini, and a masterclass scholarship with TV3 resident chef Joe Shannon. Winning Menu: • Main: Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni with salad and garlic crostini. • Dessert: White chocolate and almond tray bake with homemade vanilla custard and strawberry coulis. 🥇 Senior Category Gold Medal Amy Mulchrone (5th Year) Delivered a masterclass in culinary expertise and exceptional kitchen professionalism, securing a Senior Gold Medal from the panel of professional judges. Gourmet Menu: • Main: Bacon-wrapped chicken stuffed with cream cheese & sun-dried tomatoes, with creamed mash and celeriac. • Dessert: Classic vanilla panna cotta with raspberry compote and almond biscotti. 🔬 State-of-the-Art Practical Education “In Davitt College, Home Economics has become increasingly popular in recent years. We are very fortunate to have two fully equipped, state-of-the-art Home Economics rooms, and the subject has become almost as popular with boys as it is with girls. There has been a notable increase in the number of students taking the subject at Higher Level for both the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate, and our examination results continue to far exceed the national average.” — Ms. Bernie Rowland, Principal Ms. Fiona Murtagh (Home Economics Teacher): “The subject aims to equip students with core life skills. The department constantly strives to encourage creativity in the kitchen, and this competition was a fantastic opportunity for our students to display their genuine passion for cooking. We are incredibly proud of both Laura and Amy.” 📸 Culinary Triumph Showcase: Laura Ivers (Overall Junior Chef Champion & Senior Gold Medalist) and Amy Mulchrone (Senior Category Gold Medalist) celebrating their double victory at St. Angela’s College, Sligo.

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

Davitt College First Year Boys Advance to All-Ireland Basketball Semi-Finals

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🏀 Basketball • All-Ireland Semi-Finals Davitt College First Year Boys Advance to All-Ireland Basketball Semi-Finals 25 April 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar The First Year boys’ basketball team from Davitt College, Castlebar, are setting their sights on national glory as they prepare to capture their first-ever All-Ireland basketball title. The talented squad secured their place in the All-Ireland Semi-Final at the prestigious University of Limerick Sports Arena on May 10th, 2013, following a masterful series of playoff performances at Boyne Community School in Trim, County Meath. 🏀 The Road to Limerick Match 1 • Dominant Opening Davitt College 33 – 10 Pres Athenry An emphatic opening victory to set the tone for the playoff weekend. Match 2 • Group Decider Davitt College 24 – 21 Pipers Hill A thrilling, high-intensity encounter against the tournament favourites to top the group. Across an intensive seven-match campaign, the Mayo side showcased immense resilience, discipline, and tactical composure to earn their place among the top four post-primary teams in Ireland. 🌟 Commendation for Team and Coach School Principal Ms. Bernie Rowland praised the squad’s outstanding commitment, stamina, and dedication throughout their rigorous campaign. The entire Davitt College community extends its warmest congratulations to the panel and their dedicated coach, Mr. P.J. McTavish, wishing them the absolute best in Limerick! 📸 Team Presentation Showcase: Back Row (L–R): Mr. P.J. McTavish (Coach), Liam McEllin, Ciarán Costello, Bartek Zalewski (Captain), Emil Samko, Eoin O’Malley, and Joshua Awodibu. Front Row (L–R): James Kennedy, Bah So, Noel Geraghty, James Finnerty, Ler Lah, and Dónal Parkinson.

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

Connacht Silver Medals for Under-13 Girls’ Table Tennis Team

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🏓 Table Tennis • Connacht Championship Connacht Silver Medals for Under-13 Girls’ Table Tennis Team 22 March 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar Davitt College extends its warmest congratulations to our Under-13 Girls’ Table Tennis team, who put on a superb performance to capture Silver Medals at the recent Connacht Schools Table Tennis Championship. The talented young squad demonstrated fantastic skill, agility, and competitive spirit throughout the tournament, battling through a highly competitive field of schools from across the province to secure their rightful place on the podium. The entire school community is incredibly proud of the girls’ dedication and teamwork. Congratulations to all the players and their coaching staff on bringing provincial silverware back to Davitt College! 🥈 Connacht Finalists Securing Silver Medals at the Connacht Schools Championship. 🌟 Under-13 Development Showcasing agility, precision, and rising athletic talent across the junior ranks. Comhghairdeas cailíní – a wonderful sporting milestone for Davitt College! 📸 Provincial Medal Showcase: The Davitt College Under-13 Girls’ Table Tennis team proudly displaying their Connacht Silver Medals following an exceptional campaign at the provincial schools championships.

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

Senior Boys Gaelic Football Team Crowned Connacht Champions 2013

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🏆 Gaelic Games • Connacht Champions Senior Boys Gaelic Football Team Crowned Connacht Champions 2013 22 March 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar Davitt College, Castlebar, is immensely proud to commemorate a historic achievement in our sporting archives: our Senior Boys Gaelic Football team capturing the prestigious 2013 Connacht Title! Securing a provincial victory at the senior level is a massive milestone that requires exceptional dedication, tactical discipline, and relentless teamwork from the entire panel and coaching staff. The squad was expertly guided on the pitch by a stellar leadership group who drove the team to regional glory and ensured the Connacht silverware returned to Castlebar. The entire school community remains incredibly proud of this panel’s outstanding contribution to Davitt College’s rich GAA heritage. 🥇 Senior Connacht Champions Provincial silverware captured following an outstanding championship campaign. 🟢🔴 Sporting Tradition Adding another historic senior football chapter to the Davitt College roll of honour. Maith sibh a bhuachaillí – provincial champions of Connacht! 📸 Team Leadership Showcase (Pictured L–R): Senior Boys Gaelic Football Captains and Vice-Captains celebrating the 2013 Connacht Title: Joe Geraghty, Conor Finnerty, Liam Irwin, and Diarmuid O’Connor.

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

Davitt College First Year Boys Crowned North West Basketball Champions!

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🏀 Basketball • Regional Champions Davitt College First Year Boys Crowned North West Basketball Champions! 22 March 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar The First Year boys’ basketball team from Davitt College, Castlebar, have captured the North West Regional Championship title following an absolutely dominant campaign that sees them advance directly to the All-Ireland playoffs. The Castlebar students safely topped their group after an emphatic performance in their final league fixture, defeating St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton, by a resounding scoreline of 31 points to 4. Sligo Regional Sports Centre 🏆 Regional Final: Davitt College 45 – 8 Sligo Grammar Full Time Result Q1: 15 – 1 Davitt College locked down defensively from the tip-off. A spectacular buzzer-beating three-pointer from Emil Samko capped off a flawless opening frame. Q2: 25 – 1 (Half Time) Superb defense from Eoin O’Malley shut out Sligo completely, while a 4-basket scoring surge from Bartek Zalewski established dominant control. Q3: 33 – 6 Sligo Grammar rallied in a closer quarter, but clinical transition baskets from James Finnerty and Kiarán Costello kept the scoreboard ticking over. Q4: 45 – 8 Davitt College ran out comprehensive victors, with insurance scores from Bah So and Noel Geraghty sealing the regional title in style. ☘️ Onwards to the All-Ireland Series This landmark championship victory qualifies the squad for the All-Ireland Playoffs on Sunday, 21st April. Massive congratulations to the entire panel and coach Mr. McTavish! 📸 Regional Champions Showcase: The Davitt College First Year Boys’ Basketball Team celebrating their 2013 North West Championship triumph with coach Mr. P.J. McTavish.

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

National Business Success: Davitt College Transition Year Student Wins BT Bootcamp

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💡 Enterprise & Science • National Winners National Business Success: Davitt College Transition Year Student Wins BT Bootcamp 20 March 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar Davitt College, Castlebar, is incredibly proud to celebrate national entrepreneurial success, as Transition Year student Sean Murphy was named a member of the winning team at the prestigious 2013 BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp. The intensive commercialisation skills programme, held at NovaUCD, wrapped up on Friday, 8th March 2013. Devised by BT and delivered in partnership with UCD Innovation, the elite bootcamp aims to bridge the gap between business and education by equipping young innovators with the tools to transform scientific concepts into market-ready commercial ventures. 📱 Best Overall Team Award Award-Winning Project: “I.C.E. Scan Me” Sean Murphy, working alongside teammates Anna Fitzpatrick (Scol Chonglais, Wicklow), Sean Reilly (Coláiste na Coiribe, Galway), Emer Hickey (Kinsale Community College, Cork), and Aaron Hoffmann (Luttrellstown Community College, Dublin), captured the coveted Best Overall Team Award. About the Innovation: I.C.E. Scan Me is a groundbreaking medical database designed to be rapidly and securely accessed by first responders during a medical emergency using a personalized QR code. Evaluated by a highly selective judging panel from across corporate business and academia, Sean’s team was chosen for their exceptional progress, viable model, and commercial insight throughout the week. 🎓 Summer Research Placements Winners receive research and innovation scholarships across NUI Galway, UL, UCD, and Ulster University. 🚀 NovaUCD Partnership Delivered in collaboration with UCD Innovation to accelerate commercialization skills. 💡 Shaping the Leaders of Tomorrow “A key innovation output of Ireland is a new cohort of creative, innovative, and skilled students, formed in an environment of research, discovery, and entrepreneurship, who will go on to be the leaders of tomorrow. I trust that the week has challenged the participants’ thinking and will assist them in understanding the key steps they must implement in order to transform their innovative ideas into commercially viable products and services.” — Professor Peter Clinch, UCD Vice-President for Innovation 📸 Presentation Showcase: Mr. Jim Higgins MEP presenting Davitt College students Jack McEllin, Sean Murphy, and Conor Reilly with their Young Scientist accolades. Photo Credit: © Ken Wright Photography 2013

Core News & Information, Extra-Curricular, Green Schools, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News

LCA Students Honoured by Coillte for National Tree Week

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🌲 Environment • National Tree Week LCA Students Honoured by Coillte for National Tree Week 11 March 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar To mark National Tree Week, our Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) students were visited by representatives from Coillte to celebrate their fantastic environmental and horticulture work on campus. Since September, these dedicated students have been hard at work planting trees, landscaping, and developing green spaces across our school grounds. In recognition of their brilliant efforts and ongoing dedication, Coillte generously presented the group with brand-new outdoor workwear to support their future practical projects. The visiting representatives spent time viewing the students’ horticultural achievements first-hand. A massive well done to the entire LCA class for their exceptional commitment to enhancing the Davitt College environment! 🌱 Campus Horticulture Hands-on tree planting and biodiversity development led by our LCA classes. 🧥 Coillte Partnership Generous provision of outdoor clothing and gear to facilitate practical coursework. Maith sibh – practical environmental learning making a lasting difference on our campus! 📸 Presentation Showcase: Davitt College Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) students pictured on campus alongside representatives from Coillte during National Tree Week celebrations.

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

Davitt College Innovators at SciFest 2013

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🔬 STEM • Scientific Discovery Davitt College Innovators at SciFest 2013 7 March 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar A talented cohort of Davitt College students proudly presented their scientific investigations at the regional SciFest 2013 exhibition this week. Encouraging active, collaborative, and enquiry-based learning, SciFest provides a fantastic platform for our students to showcase their hard work in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) and represent the school on a broader competitive stage. Take a look at our young scientists in action and explore some of their brilliant project displays in the photo showcase below! 💡 Enquiry-Based Learning Fostering critical thinking, hypothesis testing, and rigorous scientific research methods. 🧪 STEM Exhibition Showcasing student-led innovations to academic and industrial judges across the region. Maith sibh to all our participating students – inspiring the next generation of scientific minds!

Core News & Information, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Wellbeing

Students Launch ‘Health Equals Happiness’ Initiative for Young Social Innovators

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🌟 Student Wellbeing • Young Social Innovators Students Launch ‘Health Equals Happiness’ Initiative for Young Social Innovators 6 February 2013 • Davitt College Castlebar As part of the Young Social Innovators (YSI) programme, students at Davitt College launched a major school-wide initiative to raise awareness about the vital importance of leading a healthy and balanced life. Operating under the core belief that “health equals happiness”—and recognizing that a healthy mind is every bit as important as a healthy body—the student team developed fun, positive, and accessible ways to help their peers and school families adopt long-term healthy lifestyle choices. The YSI group organised a vibrant series of active events across the school, introduced nutritious alternatives in the dining areas, and created brand-new facilities to foster mindfulness and student welfare on campus. 🥊 Zumba & Kickboxing High-energy fitness workshops promoting fun physical activity. 🥤 Weekly Smoothie Bar Fresh, student-run nutritious options in the school canteen. 🧘 Meditation Space A quiet relaxation hub for students during break and lunchtimes. Maith sibh to our YSI innovators – championing positive mental and physical health at Davitt College!

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