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College Record 2014

A walk through the famed Glasshall of St Kieran’s College brings into sharp relief the impact of so many students and staff, clerical and lay, who down through the years have become part of the history of this hallowed institution and whose presence even still reverberates in every aspect of college life. Now, as in the past, students are offered an excellent academic education and also a formation for living which enables them to realise their full potential and bring the values which are esteemed in St Kieran’s to bear on their community, chosen career, and ultimately on society.

While past and present achievements of St Kieran’s and its students are viewed with pride, there is an awareness of the need to continually build on what has already been realised in a two hundred and thirty one year history of forming leaders for Ireland and beyond. The challenges faced by today’s young people, our leaders of tomorrow, demand a certain vision that encourages excellence, rewards ability and creativity, and inspires qualities of leadership, commitment and maturity.

This current edition of the College Record detailing life in St Kieran’s during the past year bears testimony to the response of students and staff to the ideals and vision outlined above. 2013/14 was a year of remarkable accomplishments in every field. In the Leaving Certificate more than one in four students achieved over 500 points, eight more than 580, and two the maximum 600. In hurling we won a 19th Senior Colleges’  Hurling All-Ireland and a Leinster Juvenile Hurling title. We were Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in the National Athletics Championship in the 200m, high-jump and 3k walk respectively and moreover many of our students continue to represent Ireland in areas such as snooker, pool, walking, running, basketball, high-jump, boxing, tretrathalon and  many other pursuits. Two further All-Irelands were also brought to St Kieran’s this year with excellent wins in the All-Ireland Agricultural Science Quiz and the All-Ireland Business Quiz. Celebrating academic and sporting honours is an important part of recognising the gifts and talents of our students which are evident in so many other areas too. Exemplifying the ethos of the College some students this year raised over €6000, prompted by the experience of a friend and fellow student who has successfully battled serious illness this past 12 months, and furthermore we have seen another launch his CD, again in support of others in charity. In my role as Chairperson of the Board of Management it is wonderful to see our students exemplify an ethos we cherish so greatly.

With regard to the wider college campus the continuation of St Kieran’s relationship with the NUIM was deepened by presence of forty-nine full time students beginning their Maynooth First Arts Degree here on campus and the ongoing presence of over 320 part-time students continuing their education is indeed a positive for us all.

Educational outreach facilities also extend to the Diocese with twenty-three students participating in the Certificate in Theology which prepares them to return to their parishes better equipped to engage with the needs of the Church at that level today. The mission of St Kieran’s has always extended beyond its gates to a community that continually faces the challenge of growing in faith. The work of the Adult Faith Development Office ensures that the requirements of parish communities are identified and met through constant reflection and a proactive response to the need for resources and support at many different levels. Providing office space for the diocesan vocations’ office and the diocesan forum also ties us, St Kieran’s, to the heart of the life and potential of the local church in Ossory as it seeks to implement pastoral structures and plans going forward. We are also happy to host the diocesan and Kilkenny archives both of which continue to catalogue and build a collection of items of historical significance.

As President of St Kieran’s it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the considerable financial investment that enables so much to happen here and provides badly needed resources for our students in these tightened economic times.  This year, thanks to the Department of Education and Skills and the support of the College Trustees €248,580 has been invested to preserve, upgrade and develop our campus and to ensure that it is ready to best serve our future.

All of this, the wonderful past, the lively present and the promising future, is possible thanks only to those who give of their time and energy to St Kieran’s. I am obviously grateful for the immense contribution of my predecessor, Kieron, in his long years of work here.  His tireless dedication to and passion for the College and its grounds has further enriched this already wonderful place. I am also especially conscious of, and want to sincerely thank, Mr John Curtis, Principal and Mr Adrian Finan, Deputy Principal, for their commitment to St Kieran’s which is to be experienced on a daily basis.  Their wisdom and counsel has, on so many occasions, helped me to settle smoothly into a new role here this past year. I am both professionally, and more importantly personally, grateful to them for all they do for St Kieran’s and its family.  And what a family it is… the staff, the students and their Council, the parents and their Association, my colleagues on the Board of Management, fellow Trustees and Bishop Séamus Freeman our Patron, all of whom by their dedication to the place, show that St Kieran’s is not simply a College like any other, but that it is truly something special. May we continue to work together building, in light of the Gospel, on our past to serve an ever brighter future…

Rev. Dr Dermot Ryan

President

St Kieran’s College

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Key Dates

Key Dates Academic Year 2024-2025

Please note: It may be necessary to reschedule some of the below times and dates. Please check the school website throughout the year for confirmation of the most up to date information.

August
Wednesday 21st
Staff Day (No school for students)
Thursday 22nd
6th Years return at 8:50
Friday 23rd
3rd Year students return 8:50am / 1st Year Induction at 11am
Monday 26th
2nd / 5th Years and TY students return to school at 8:50am
September
Monday 16th
Open Evening
Friday 20th
Sports Day
Monday 23rd
Free Day (No school for students)
October
Monday 7th - Friday 11th
October Exams (Provisional)
Monday 14th - Friday 25th
TY Work Experience (TBC)
Thursday 17th (4:15-6:45pm)
6th Year P/T Meeting (Provisional)
Friday 25th (1pm)
Midterm Break Begins
November
Monday 4th (8.50 am)
School Reopens after Mid-Term Break
Thursday 7th
Dept of Education Staff Training Day (No school for students)
Thursday 14th (4.15pm - 6.45pm)
3rd Year P/T Meeting (Provisional)
Thursday 21st (4.15pm - 6.45pm)
5th Year P/T Meeting (Provisional)
Friday 22nd
Staff Training Day (No school for students)
December
Monday 2nd - Friday 6th
Christmas Exams (6th Years / 3rd Years - provisional)
Monday 16th - Friday 20th
Christmas Exams (1st / 2nd & 5th Years)
Friday 20th (1pm)
Christmas Holidays Begin
January
Monday 6th (8:50am)
School Reopens after Christmas Holidays
Monday 20th
Oide Staff Training Day (No school for students)
Thursday 23rd (4.15pm - 6.45pm)
1st Year P/T Meeting
Thursday 30th (4.15pm - 6.45pm)
2nd Year P/T Meeting
February
Monday 3rd
St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday - No School
Tuesday 4th - Friday 14th
TY Work Experience (TBC)
Tuesday 4th - Friday 14th
Mock Examinations for JC & LC
Friday 14th February (1pm)
Midterm Break Begins
Monday 24th (8.50 am)
School Reopens after Midterm Break
Thursday 27th (4:15-6:45pm)
TY P/T Meeting
March
Saturday 1st
Entrance Assessment Test
Friday 7th
St Kieran’s Day Activities
Monday 17th
School Closed (St Patrick’s Day Bank Holiday)
Tuesday 18th
Free Day (No school for students)
April
Monday 31st (March) - Friday 4th
Easter Exams (1st & 5th Years)
Friday 11th (1pm)
Easter Holidays Begin
Monday 28th
School Reopens after Easter Holidays
May
Monday 5th
School Closed (Bank Holiday)
Monday 26th
Summer Examinations Begin (Provisional)
Friday 30th (1pm)
Summer Holidays Begin
June
Wednesday 4th
Junior & Leaving cert exams start

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Summer Holidays 2024

We wish all our students an enjoyable summer break and look forward to welcoming you back in August. Please refer to the key dates for return days

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