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Message 2025 -26 ISSUE 43 BCC WEEKLY NEWSFriday 29 AugustthFROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESKAs we begin a new academic year here at Blessington Community College, I would like toextend a very warm welcome back to all of our 740 students. A special welcome goes toour 126 new First Year students who are joining our school community for the first time –we are delighted to have you with us and look forward to supporting you on youreducational journey.I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Leaving Certificate Class of2025 on their outstanding results in the State Examinations. Your hard work anddedication have truly paid off, and we are immensely proud of all you have achieved. Wewish each of you the very best in the next chapter of your lives, whether that be in furthereducation, training, or the world of work.To all our parents and guardians, thank you for your continued support and partnership.Together, we look forward to a positive, engaging, and productive year ahead.Wishing everyone a successful and fulfilling school year.Warm regards,Kieran Burke
2We would like to offer a warm welcome back to all of our staff & students as we beginanother academic year.A special welcome to our new cohort of first years - the class of 2025/26.All 126 new first years met with Year Head Ms Ball & their tutors Mr Byrne, Mr Coogan,Ms Reen, Ms Turley and Ms Vesey this week. The students had a busy first day with various activties planned as part of a fun filledinduction day getting to meet their new classmates & teachers. Best of luck to all.WELCOME TO OUR 1 YEARS ST
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5CONGRATULATIONS RYANCongratulations to our past student Ryan Farrell on winning Gold in the National MMAchampionships in Dublin on Sunday last. Ryan received his leaving cert results onFriday 22nd August and celebrations were put on hold until the competition was over.Ryan can now celebrate his results and being the national champion. Well done Ryan.
6Congratulations to our Graduates of 2025Congratulations to all our 6th Years on their results. It was lovely to catch up with themen route to their debs on Wednesday. They are taking up a wide range of courses,apprenticeships and jobs, e.g. Mechanic Apprenticeships; Nursing; Engineering; Film &Broadcasting; Teaching; Medicine; Law, Landscaping and more. We wish them everysuccess, and look forward to them sharing their success and knowledge in our schoolsfuture career events. CAT 4 Testing for First Year StudentsTesting is coming up for 1st years next week Wednesday and parents have already beensent details. Senior Students Higher Options and the World Skills Exhibition These events are coming up for senior students on Friday 19th September. Parents willreceive an online permission form and an email with full details in the next week. 6th Year Parents and StudentsA date for your diaries! Tuesday 14th October from 7.30-9pm. This is an informationevening on careers issues, e.g. college applications, access programmes, grants etc.More information closer to the event. We look forward to working with everyone this year. Rónat Lillis & Edel Cummins. CAREERS NEWS
7We have an ongoing consultation process in place with students, parents and teachersto monitor compliance of our uniform policy and to analyse any issues as they arise. Over the past two years we have made some adjustments to acknowledge student andparent voice, but also to ensure consistency and fairness in monitoring in school. We depend on families to support us in making sure students are coming to schoolwearing the correct school uniform. The link to our school uniform list can be found HERE on our website and must befollowed by all studentsWe want to remind parents and students of the following:Students must wear the items on our uniform listPE uniform is only for days when students have PETracksuit bottoms can be black or navy, but must be plain without stripes or logosSchool shoes must be plain blackPiercings are restricted to single ear studs only. No long earrings and no facialpiercings are allowed. Piercings that are not permitted will be confiscated for 7daysIf you have missing any uniform items or have concerns, please contact your YearHeadUNIFORM
8We are working on a comprehensive guide for parentson all our communication channels and will be sendingit out in the coming months. Clear and effective communication is important, weare working hard in the background to constantlyimprove and develop. COMMUNICATIONThese are the main channels of information and communication that will help you keepin touch and on top of school information. Homework and Subject ExpectationsHomework will be recorded on Google Classroom (GC). Each subject and class has its ownGC page. Students are given an access code to each classroom on the first day for eachsubject. Parents are invited to join GC to monitor homework, and to receive a weekly emailsummarising their students work.We have compiled a document for each subject that details the books required and theteacher’s expectations within each class. Click here for detailsWe have discontinued a BCC school journal this year, as students are now using GC forhomework and organisation. Students have the option to use their own choice of journal ifthey would like to, but it is not compulsory. VSwareAll parents should download the VSware app on their mobile device. You will have a uniquelogin and code to access your student’s timetable, attendance and reports. You can createlate or attendance requests on the app, and leave notes for the year head. BCC sends out letters, notifications, information and permission slips via VSware only. It isour main method of communicating directly with parents on the above so it is crucial youhave the app. School Notices and NewsOur weekly newsletter reports on all aspects of school news and events. Our facebook pageposts regularly alsoWe have a GC page set up that is available to all students and teachers for important schoolnews, policies and information. Student Centred Wellbeing (SCW) is at 8.48 every morning. This time is dedicated to allaspects of student wellbeing, but also to keep students informed of what is happening inschool. We have a new digital noticeboard that is displayed at SCW every morning with up todate information. Click here to accessWe welcome ongoing feedback. We have a digital comment board for parents to makesuggestions and to let us know how we are doing. Click here if you have feedback for us
9TRANSITION YEAR Transition Year has started back with students completing their induction day with ournewly appointed TY coordinator Ms King. On Monday, they are taking part in a “BondingDay” which promises to be a wonderful way to start an important year.
1 0BCC STUDENT ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCILBCC Student Environmental Council would like tothank the Parents’ Council for running the SchoolUniform Swap event at the end of June. Inconjunction with Change Clothes, we gathereduniform items that were no longer needed andoffered them for free. We hope to run this event again, so please keep aneye out for the next one. If you have any items of uniform to donate, pleasedrop them to the school office for the attention ofMs Troy, Ms Healion or the Student EnvironmentalCouncil. They will collect them in preparation for thenext event. The team have big plans for this year, building on their hard work over the past couple ofyears. The focus has been on building a team, raising awareness of issues among students andteachers, providing courses and training, and making community and local connections. This year, they plan to meet with other West Wicklow student groups to form a strongvoice for our youth environmentalists. They also have a new recycling and waste management plan for classrooms and thewider school, as well as working on a plan to encourage less dependance on cars to getto school.
1 1OTHER NEWSWe were delighted to welcome Paul Crone, Director of the National Association ofPrincipal’s and Deputy Principal’s Association to Blessington Community College. Paulchatted with the staff and offered his assistance and support as we begin a newacademic year. We would like to thank Paul for taking time out of his busy schedule tovisit us here in Blessington. Photo. Paul Crone with Mr Burke, Mr Kelly and Mr Swan