History was made by teams and coaches with Castleisland Community College winning two All Ireland A Division basketball school finals.
The school, along with coach Maurice Casey, has won a staggering 15 All Ireland titles. Máire McLoughlin who joined the school this year as guidance counsellor has, in one year alone,amassed two All Ireland A Division wins.
It was a busy two weeks in Castleisland Community College where basketball took centre stage. The second year boys beat Portlaoise CBS in the All-Ireland A Junior final in the National Basketball Arena and the minor or first year boys followed suit to beat Coláiste Éinde of Galway in the All-Ireland A Minor competition in the University of Limerick.
“Great credit is due to the teams and their coaches,” said Principal Teresa Lonergan.
Young Social Innovators
There was more good news for the college in field of Young Social Innovators when a team from the school won the overall ‘National Gold Award.’
The competition empowers young people to use their talents, insights, passion and creativity to come up with innovative solutions to various challenges.
Hundreds of project teams enter the YSI awards each year and shortlisted teams are invited to the national finals.
The Sun Smarties project consisting of Transition year and fifth year students, mentored by teacher Elaine Murphy is based on the school becoming Ireland’s first ever sun smart school and to run an awareness campaign about the prevention of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with over 13,000 new cases diagnosed every year.
Sun Smart Schools
This number is expected to double by 2040. Schools in the UK and Australia can register to become sun smart schools where the health authorities support schools in creating sun safe environments and promote sun protection behaviours.
The Sun Smarties in Castleisland Community College hope to introduce this into Irish schools. The
team designed a four step programme for schools to follow to become a sun safe school and are working with the HSE to become Ireland’s pilot school for their Sun Safe Programme.
Four Step Programme
Step 1: Create a Sun Smart Charter; Step 2: Run an awareness campaign e.g. lessons and sun screen dispensers; Step 3: Consult with Parents; Step 4: Liaise with the wider community.
Principal Teresa Lonergan said that the school has won three category awards in previous years in the Young Social Innovators programme.
“This is a fantastic achievement but to win overall is just outstanding. Well done to their mentor Elaine Murphy and the Sun Smarties group,” said Ms. Lonergan.
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