All Go With Water Explorers, Anniversary Celebrations and Fashion Show

Castleisland Community College students during their clean-up along the River Maine. Included are from left:  Conor O'Sullivan, Mark O'Donoghue, Greg Curran, Aisling O Connell, Matthew Broderick,  Shauna Ahern, James McDonnell, Eamon Nolan, Danni Reidy, Siobhan Collins and D.J Fealey. Inset is a sample of the creativity of the team.
Castleisland Community College students during their clean-up along the River Maine. Included are from left: Conor O’Sullivan, Mark O’Donoghue, Greg Curran, Aisling O Connell, Matthew Broderick, Shauna Ahern, James McDonnell, Eamon Nolan, Danni Reidy, Siobhan Collins and D.J Fealey. Inset is a sample of the creativity of the team.

Right in the middle of last week, on Wednesday, a team of Transition Year students from Castleisland Community College won the national Water Explorer competition in Dublin.

They will now represent Ireland in the international finals in London in October.

A fact that Principal Carmel Kelly announced at the opening of the college’s annual fashion show at the River Island Hotel last night.

Biggest in 30 Years

The last couple of weeks have been some of the biggest in the 30 year history of college. The chain of celebrations to mark three decades of existence at its present location at Tonbwee may have ended on Friday night.

However, the news of the Water Explorer’s win in Dublin and the team’s selection to represent Ireland has yet to be fully celebrated as it was then full tilt into the transition year’s annual fashion show at the River Island Hotel last night.

Distinction and Honour

The win by Transition Year students and their teacher, Doreen Killington means that they have earned the distinction and honour of representing Ireland in the international finals in London in October.

Environmentalist Duncan Stewart was one of three judges assessing the students during their presentation.

It was followed by a questions and answering session where the students’ initiative and presentation styles were judged.

Throughout the course of the year they completed 24 challenges relating to water. They made water pumps, tested the water quality of the River Maine and learned about the connection of climate change with water scarcity in the developing world.

Ways of Saving Water 

“The students learned practical ways of saving water both at home and in school which may come in handy if water charges are introduced,” said teacher Doreen Killington.

“The award honours the pupils for their outstanding efforts in taking action to protect and conserve our fresh water and for excelling in the area of awareness raising and community outreach.

“The programme is cross-curricular and involves all subject areas. It is a balance of project based learning, practical challenges, competition and fun. “The students have developed the skills of teamwork, public speaking, IT and report writing. We would highly recommend it to other schools,” said Ms. Killington.

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