A New Approach to EducationTHE LATEST NEWS AND NEXT WEEK AT ETSS WICKLOW
Thursday 28th September
We celebrated European Languages Week this week in the school, with lots of different activities and events for students, hosted by our MFL department of Sheena, Esther, Francisco and Josephine. We had challenges like saying hello in different languages to classmates, cooking overseas food, and creating videos and animations in other languages. On Monday lunchtime we had language games and brain teasers. On Tuesday during tutor time, students read the multilingual joke book! Then on Wednesday, we had the very popular ‘Drop Everything and Salsa’ movement break led by teacher Sheena to finish up the day! Finally on Thursday students explored the “20 things you didn’t know about languages”. Throughout the week students also had many different opportunities to win some tickets to our Tickets to Success initiative, which has some great student-picked prizes such as Apple AirPods, Penny’s Vouchers and many more!
Please see below some other news from the week:
TY Trip to Carlingford
Our TY students set off this week to Carlingford Adventure Centre on Monday with teachers Alicia, Cian, Andrei and SNA Sue. Students had the opportunity to bond with their new classmates through action-packed activities like ziplining, lazer combat and the nightline (blindfold) challenge! Not only did students report that they really enjoyed themselves, but it was also lovely to hear how complimentary Carlingford Adventure Centre were of our students
Some of our TY students preparing for the zipline challenge at Carlingford this week!
Chess Tournament
On Monday Craig and both his Junior and Senior chess teams travelled to St Andrew’s College for a national Inter-School Chess tournament. All of our students won games and while we didn’t win the title this year – we did beat 60 other schools in the competition which Craig and his teams were delighted about! Well done to students Cody, Conor, Prahad, Harris, Jack Katie and Luc!
Students Jack, Harris, Conor and Prahad in action in St. Andrews!
Ladies Football
On Thursday 28th September our Junior Girls made ETSS Wicklow history by being our first Junior Ladies football team to tog out against St. Davids in Greystones! Our girls had a tough match but learned a lot in the process and Coaches Clare and Caitlin are very optimistic now for future games! As always we would encourage our girls to try out new sports like ladies' football and make some new friends in the process!
Model United Nations Bake Sale
We have a delegation of 6 students Katie, Sonny, Eanna, Hannah, Ayah and Lenna travelling to the prestigious Royal Russell International Model United Nations event in London next month with teachers James and Grace. The students have been busy fundraising this month and treated all students to a bake sale this Thursday in aid of their big trip!
Enrolments 2024-2025
With the application window for first year 2024-2025 opening on the 2nd October, we have been busy meeting the local primary school students this week. Please see www.etsswicklow.ie/admissions for future information. Please also note that our Open Evening will be held on Tuesday 17th October.
Some highlights for the upcoming week are as follows:
Guidance Information Evening
On Monday 2nd October at 7 pm we will be hosting an online information evening on Guidance with our Guidance teacher Stacey. Please see email from Fran at reception for further details.
Student Advisory Board
Our school Advisory Board of Studies comprised of teachers and led by teacher Dara is expanding its membership this year to include students in discussions on teaching and learning and the best teaching methodologies to use in class. Student representatives on the Advisory Board will be meeting Deputy Principal Sarah on Monday to give feedback and thoughts on the latest developments in the school on teaching and learning.
Basketball Blitz
Our basketballers will be back in action next Thursday with Coach Lucy in an Educate Together Secondary School Basketball competition. We wish them the best of luck and are sure they will do us all proud!
Some clubs and activities on offer for next week are as follows:
Monday
· Book Club with Grace and Sarah
· Lunch-time sports with Andrei
· After-school Boys (Senior and Junior) Basketball with Lucy
Tuesday
· Lunch-time Board games with Dara
· Lunch-time Sports with Andrei
· LGBTQ+ and Allies Lunch Time Club
· Lunch-time School Press Team
· After school Girls Volleyball with Andrei
· After school Girls Basketball with Francisco
· Evening Study 4 – 6 pm
Wednesday
· After school boys soccer training
· After-school girls GAA training
· After school Mixed Volleyball
· After-school Maths Support Centre - This service is free to students and takes place after school on a Wednesday from 1:15-2:15. Qualified maths teachers and TY tutors will be available to help students who are struggling with certain topics in maths and also to assist those students wishing to further excel in mathematics.
Thursday
· Lunch-time sports with Andrei
· Lunch-time Book club
· Lunch-time Girls Rugby with Saoirse
· Lunch-time Origami Club
· After school Boys Volleyball with Andrei
· Evening Study 4 – 6 pm
Friday
- Lunch-time Sports with Andrei
- Lunch-time Lego Club
- Lunch-time Model United Nations Club with James
- Lunch-time Green Schools with Ali
- After-school Self-defence class with Andrei
Finally, a reminder that school will be closed on Friday 29th September.
Friday 22nd September
There has been a very diverse range of activities and events here in the school this past week! While we started this week with staff in-service on Monday, our first years selected and began their short courses and the first of their two option courses. Our Junior boys basketballers were in action this week, we held an information evening for third-year parents, our 5th years visited the RDS for a Careers Fair, and we also had a visit to the school from Minister Simon Harris!
Please see below some news from the week:
Visit from Minister Simon Harris
Organised by our Politics and Society teacher Robert, Minister Simon Harris visited our 5th Year PolSoc students today for a talk on life in politics and the Irish political system. Following the talk, Minister Harris visited our podcast studio for a good ol’ fashioned political grilling with students Sonny and Hannah! Stay tuned next week for our school’s Press team’s full report!
Minister Simon Harris meeting with ETSS Wicklow 5th year Politics and Society students.
Minister Harris in our podcast studio with interviewers Hannah and Sonny.
Student Advisory Board of Studies
Our school Advisory Board of Studies led by teacher Dara is expanding its membership this year to include students in discussions on teaching and learning and the best teaching methodologies to use in class! This exciting development will place students at the heart of school self-evaluation and really give a platform this year for student voice.
Junior Boys Basketball
Our Junior Boys Basketball team had a great showing against Mercy Secondary School, despite narrowly losing a very close game! There was some fantastic baskets from Callum Hodgkinson Foley and Quirze Garriga, while Naoise O’Dubhslaine and James McGowan defended their team with everything they had. Congratulations to our man of the match – Shaheen Mohammed, the top point scorer in the game!
The ETSS Wicklow Junior Boys Basketball Team in action against Mercy Secondary School.
Third Year Junior Cycle Information Evening
We held an online 3rd Year Parent / Guardian information evening on Thursday 21st September. The information evening focused on CBAs, mocks and of course the June Junior Cycle exams. Please contact Fran at reception if you would like to access a recording of the evening.
Fifth Year Trip to RDS
Friday 22nd September saw our 5th-year students travel to the RDS in Dublin for the Worldskills Ireland and Higher Options Careers fair. The WorldSkills Ireland fair is a unique opportunity for teachers, Guidance Counsellors and students to learn and experience all the different skill-based career options available in Ireland. Additionally, students attended the Higher Options fair to gain further information regarding further and higher study or training in Ireland, Europe and beyond.
Some highlights for the upcoming week are as follows:
TY Trip to Carlingford
There is great excitement amongst our TY students this week as they get ready to set off to Carlingford Adventure Centre on Monday with teachers Alicia, Cian, Andrei and SNA Sue for what promises to be three action-filled and memorable days!
Evening Study
Our after-school study programme is set to start next week. After-school study takes place from 4 – 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and is an excellent place for students to study in a quiet teacher-supervised environment. Please contact Fran at reception for further details.
Chess Tournament
On Monday Craig and both his Junior and Senior chess teams will head to St Andrew’s College for a national Inter-School Chess tournament. We wish both teams the very best of luck in the competition!
Origami Club
A brand new student lunch-time club was launched this week by Harry Tindale in 3rd Year – lunch-time origami is already proving very popular with students and is a great example of student-led initiatives here in the school! If your child is interested in creating their own club please do encourage them to speak to their tutor.
Our new Origami club which started this week!
European Languages Week
Our first themed week of the year starts on Monday 25th September. Students will be given daily language activities during tutorial and additional challenges to try outside of school, while on Wednesday we will be having a special “Drop Everything and Salsa” event!
Girls GAA Match
On Thursday 28th September our Junior Girls football team will be in action against St. Davids in Greystones. Led by teachers and coaches Clare and Caitlin, we are behind them all the way and wishing them the very best of luck!
Some clubs and activities on offer for next week are as follows:
Monday
· Book Club with Grace and Sarah
· Lunch-time sports with Andrei
· After-school Boys (Senior and Junior) Basketball with Lucy
Tuesday
· Lunch-time Board games with Dara
· Lunch-time Sports with Andrei
· LGBTQ+ and Allies Lunch Time Club
· Lunch-time School Press Team
· After school Girls Volleyball with Andrei
· After school Girls Basketball with Francisco
· Evening Study 4 – 6 pm
Wednesday
· After school boys soccer training
· After-school girls GAA training
· After school Mixed Volleyball
· After-school Maths Support Centre - This service is free to students and takes place after school on a Wednesday from 1:15-2:15. Qualified maths teachers and TY tutors will be available to help students who are struggling with certain topics in maths and also to assist those students wishing to further excel in mathematics.
Thursday
· Lunch-time sports with Andrei
· Lunch-time Book club
· Lunch-time Girls Rugby with Saoirse
· Lunch-time Origami Club
· After school Boys Volleyball with Andrei
· Evening Study 4 – 6 pm
Finally just a reminder that school will be closed on Friday 29th September.
Friday 15th September
We have had a diverse range of activities happening in the school this week, from drama workshops and assessments for first year students, to student council elections and our annual Parent Staff Association AGM yesterday evening. A big thanks to all the parents and guardian who turned out for the AGM despite the weather. There are some big plans for future PSA events this year, so stay tuned!
Some highlights for the upcoming week are as follows:
Evening Study
Our after school study programme started this week. After school study takes place from 4 – 6 pm on Tuesday and Thursdays and is an excellent place for students to study in a quiet teacher supervised environment. Please get in touch with Fran at reception if you wish to book your child a place.
Simon Harris Podcast
Our Politics and Society teacher Robert has organised a podcast with students and Minister Simon Harris on Friday in the school. The Wicklow People will be in attendance and Minister Harris is sure to come under a good old fashioned political grilling from our 5th Year Students!
RDS Careers Fair
Organised by our new career guidance teacher Stacey, some of our Senior Cycle students will be attending the RDS careers fair next Friday to research the different jobs and third level opportunities that await them after school.
Girls Sport
Girls sport in the school is off to a really great start this year with a new GAA ladies team led by teachers Clare and Caitlin and now a promising new girls rugby initiative with teacher Saoirse. Our new PE teacher Francisco is also starting a girls basketball team, so do please encourage your daughter to attend some of those great sporting options!
Clubs and activities on offer then next week are as follows:
Tuesday
- Lunch-time Board games with Dara
- Lunch-time Sports with Andrei
- LGBTQ+ and Allies Lunch Time Club
- Lunch-time School Press Team
- After school Girls Volleyball with Andrei
Wednesday
- · After school boys soccer training
- · After school girls GAA training
- · After school Mixed Volleyball
- · After school Maths Support Centre
Thursday
- Lunch-time sports with Andrei
- Lunch-time Book club
- Lunch-time Girls Rugby with Saoirse
- After school Boys Volleyball with Andrei
Friday
- Lunch-time Sports with Andrei
- Lunch-time Lego Club
- Lunch-time Model United Nations Club with James
- Lunch-time Green Schools with Ali
- After-school Self-defence class with Andrei
Finally just a reminder that the school will be closed on Monday 18th September to facilitate a teacher in-service day.
Friday 8th September
It’s been a busy full week back in the school with clubs and activities back in full swing! Some of the clubs and activities on offer this week have been, creative writing club, Model United Nations, Green Schools, Volleyball and Board Games club, but to name a few! We would especially encourage our new first years to find their interest and join a school club – and if a club hasn’t been established yet we will help them to set up their own!
Please see some other news then from the week below:
STEM
Our partnership with the UCD school of Mathematics and Statistics is continuing into this year. We are very proud of being one of only a handful of schools nationwide to have been selected to take part in research on effective teaching and learning within the mathematics classroom. This week maths teachers Lucy, Patrick and Gráinne have been spending some time in UCD and have been linking in with Professor John Sheekey on developing student conceptual understanding of mathematical concepts.
Also a HUGE WELL DONE to our girls Astro Pi team, who all received certificates from the International Space Station for completing the international Astro Pi competition! 15,000 teams entered worldwide and our girls’ Astro Pi team who were led by teacher Ali, were one of only 50 teams internationally who managed to complete the entire challenge, which is an absolutely brilliant result! This week then Ali has been taking part in the Phase 5 implementation of the national Leaving Certificate Computer Science course with a view to establishing Computer Science as a core subject in Transition Year and then in Senior Cycle as a Leaving Certificate optional subject for next year.
Ali's Astro Pi Coding team of Ioanna, Rosie, Lily and Aoife
The Arts
Our 5th year artists went to Kilmarcurragh today to paint ‘en plein air’ as they are currently studying the impressionists. They were very lucky now to get the continental weather for a very authentic experience!
The Greatest Showman – Flashmob
We had some great feedback from our Transition Year students this week who on Thursday engaged in Dance Concepts Flashmob workshop where they learned two of the routines from the Greatest Showman. Great practice for our end of year TY musical!
Tickets to Success Initiative
Back by popular student demand, our ‘Tickets to Success’ initiative was launched this week. This initiative sees students rewarded with tickets for efforts in class, good attendance and punctuality. Students can then enter their tickets into a raffle each term to win some great prizes like Apple Airpods, Apple Pencils and Shopping Vouchers, to name just a few prizes!
Some highlights for the upcoming week are as follows:
Evening Study
Our after school study programme is set to start next week. After school study takes place from 4 – 6 pm on Tuesday and Thursdays and is an excellent place for students to study in a quiet teacher supervised environment. Our deputy principal Sarah will be in touch with further details.
1st Year Cat4 Assessments
First year students will be completing their Cat4 assessments next week. These are assessments that are designed to help students and their teachers understand how they learn and how best they can be supported in class. While we have assured students that no study is necessary for these assessments, further reassurance from home would also be greatly appreciated.
Clubs and activities on offer then this week are as follows:
Monday
- Book Club with Grace and Sarah
- Lunch-time sports with Andrei
- After-school Boys (Senior and Junior) Basketball with Lucy
Tuesday
- Lunch-time Board games with Dara
- Lunch-time Sports with Andrei
- LGBTQ+ and Allies Lunch Time Club
- Lunch-time School Press Team
- After school Girls Volleyball with Andrei
- After school Girls Basketball with Francisco
Wednesday
- After school boys soccer training
- After school girls GAA training
- After school Mixed Volleyball
- After school Maths Support Centre - This service is free to students and takes place after school on a Wednesday from 1:15-2:15. Myself and other qualified maths teachers will be available to help students who are struggling with certain topics in maths and also to assist those students wishing to further excel in mathematics.
Thursday
- Lunch-time sports with Andrei
- Lunch-time Book club
- Lunch-time Girls Rugby with Saoirse
- After school Boys Volleyball with Andrei
Friday
- Lunch-time Sports with Andrei
- Lunch-time Lego Club
- Lunch-time Model United Nations Club with James
- Lunch-time Green Schools with Ali
- After-school Self-defence class with Andrei
We would especially encourage all of our new students to try out the clubs and activities on offer – it is a great way to meet people with similar interests!
MODEL UNITED NATIONS EVENT A HUGE SUCCESS
In loving memory of Colm Kehoe, school principal.
The school community has experienced the sudden death of Colm Kehoe, the founding principal of Educate Together Secondary School Wicklow, who died suddenly at his home in Gorey on Saturday 4th June. As a school community we are deeply saddened by his passing and our thoughts are with the Kehoe family at this time.
Colm was appointed principal of ETSS Wicklow in May 2019, when the new school was announced. He brought a wealth of experience from his work in education in Ireland and abroad and invested huge time, skill and hard work to build a wonderful team of staff and a strong school community.
Educate Together CEO Emer Nowlan said:
“We were all shocked and deeply saddened to hear this terrible news. Colm was an outstanding school leader – his dedication to young people and passion for student-centred learning were clearly visible to all who knew him. In three short years, Colm has built a vibrant, happy school community in ETSS Wicklow, where students are at the centre of everything, and educational innovation and creativity are the norm. And every step of the way, Colm put students first – his quiet modesty was in contrast to his enormous achievements as an educator and school principal.”
Chair of the Board of Management of Wicklow ETSS, Danny Haskins, expressed the profound sadness of the whole school community on the loss of Colm:
“As the leader of our new school community, Colm built strong relationships with students, parents, staff and board members over the past three years, and we are devastated at his loss. He was a committed professional, a highly-valued colleague and a much-loved teacher who brought Educate Together’s student-centred and democratic ethos to life in ETSS Wicklow over the past three years.”
Colm’s achievements during his career as a teacher and school leader were many. Just in the past three years, he established the Wicklow Model United Nations within months of opening a brand new secondary school, inviting students from around the region to ETSS Wicklow to discuss global issues and develop leadership and other important skills. He then successfully moved this initiative online, providing important engagement and connections for students during the pandemic and ensuring continuity of learning. He also created the first all-Ireland Educate Together debating competition and engaged the whole national Educate Together second-level school network in this uplifting and educational online event.
Colm Kehoe returned to Ireland from Belgium in 2019 to take up the role of school principal in ETSS Wicklow, having spent ten years as a teacher of English with the European Schools and two years as coordinator of Model United Nations conferences in Brussels. He had worked in education in five countries – Ireland, England, Spain, Belgium and Guatemala – and held Bachelors Degrees in Arts and Law and Masters Degrees in International Law and Educational Leadership and Management.
Emer Nowlan again:
“Colm’s contribution to education is immeasurable and we will all miss his quiet passion for education, his creative ideas and his commitment to equality and student-centred learning. That he has left us at such a young age is tragic, and all of us in the Educate Together network join with his family and the ETSS Wicklow community in mourning his terrible loss. His impact has been huge in the lives of students, staff and volunteers he worked with, and in setting ETSS Wicklow on the right course, he leaves a lasting and tangible legacy.”
