We are very lucky here in CPC to have such strong links with our local Gardaí and so it was an absolute pleasure to welcome Garda Sergeant Tom O'Donohoe and Community Garda Jon Brien to our school today. 

Over the course of the day each yeargroup had the opportunity to attend a talk in the assembly hall and hear not just about how best to stay safe over the halloween period but how to continue developing as young people who make a positive contribution to their community. There was a strong and important message about respect, how we treat others, the standards we set for ourselves along with the connections and support that exist for us within our local community. 

Dear students, parents and guardians,

please see attached details of two exciting new clubs which will start the week we return after mid term break. Please click on the PDF for details of each.

Congratulations to all of our students who received Junior Cycle results yesterday. We are very proud of their achievements and on early analysis the results appear very strong. 

Many people are still getting to grips with the grading system used in Junior Cycle. To remind, the grades are awarded at Higher, Ordinary or Common level as follows:

JUNIOR CYCLE GRADING SYSTEM

≥ 90 to 100 Distinction

≥ 75 and < 90 Higher Merit

≥ 55 and < 75 Merit

≥ 40 and < 55 Achieved

≥ 20 and < 40 Partially Achieved

≥ 0 and < 20 Not Graded (NG)

Distinctions are hard to come by and in some subjects can be as low 2% of the student body nationally who achieve this, with 4% being the highest in any subject. I was delighted to see so many students in CPC achieve Distinctions in a variety of subjects.

The bands are quite large as you can see - the student who might score 55% gets the same grade as a student who might score 74%. This can sometimes lead to some students being a little disappointed with one or two of their grades. The SEC does accept applications for review of results (appeals). The details are set out below, but it is worth noting that appeals at Junior Cycle are rare and changes to grades are not common.

APPLICATIONS FOR REVIEW OF RESULTS (APPEALS)

The following conditions apply to applications for a review of Junior Cycle results (appeals):

(i) Applications will be accepted only from the School Authority.

(ii) The SEC does not accept appeal applications directly from candidates, parents or individual teachers.

(iii) With the reintroduction of appeal fees, each appeal review carries a fee of €32 per subject.

(iv) To raise an appeal, the Principal (or authorised representative), must attest that the examination result attained by the candidate is significantly at variance with the school’s considered judgement of the performance of the candidate concerned at the examination in question.

(v) For the reason set out in (iv), the SEC will not accept School or Class based appeal applications.

(vi) A valid appeal consists of both the appeal application form, duly authorised by the Principal, and the payment. School authorities should complete the procedures.

The deadline for submission of appeals is no later than 5pm on Tuesday 24 October.

Please contact me immediately on joeleonard@cpckilcullen.com if you wish to appeal a result, outlining clearly the evidential reasons for the appeal. I will then contact your son/daughter's teacher for their views and arrange payment should the appeal proceed.

Kind regards

Joe Leonard

Principal

Second years receive empty shoeboxes kindly donated by Clarks Kildare Village. Anyone who needs an empty shoebox to fill for the Shoebox Appeal can get one from Ms. Flanagan, Ms. Bucke or Ms. Palmer. 

Well done to our 5A HCT class who are working so hard each week improving their cookery skills. So far they have made scones, jam, cookies, brown bread and breakfasts. 

4D St Vincent de Paul class are running the SVP Food drive, in school, in the lead up to Christmas.

The collection of non-perishable food is taking place now until Friday 15th December. All collected food will be dropped to SVP shop in Kilcullen and food will be distributed to local families ahead of Christmas. 

The collection point is in front of reception.

A suggested list of non perishables are:

Canned soup

Canned vegetables

Jars of sauce

Cereal Pasta/rice

Canned fish

Nuts/seeds Crackers etc.

All donations are very much appreciated.

Thank you.

4D SVP class.

There were shrieks of joy, hugs, and laughter in our Assembly Hall as our Junior Cycle class of 2023 received their outstanding results. Students took a break from their work experience placements to collect their results at midday. Our principal, Mr Leonard, complimented the students on their hard work which earned the wonderful results they received today. Ms Mills, Year Head was also complimentary and asked the students to enjoy celebrating their achievements safely. Well done everyone! We are very proud of you all.

After extensive application process and some very close decisions, the 1st Year Class Captains and Vice Captains have been chosen and awarded their badges today at assembly:

The Captains role in CPC includes:
- Act as a role model to all students.
- Act as a Class Representative on school trips, at guest speakers, workshops etc.
- Act a link between their class and the Year Head assisting in distributing information.

Congratulations to the successful applicants and best of luck in your roles:
1A - (C) Molly O'Toole (VC) Adam Byrne
1B - (C) Emily Deane (VC) TBC
1C - (C) Sophia Dempsey (VC) Kitmarie Hunter
1D - (C) Austeja Kundrotaite (VC) Ryan Smith
1E - (C) Rachel O'Neill (VC) Aidan Harney
1F - (C) Emily O'Reilly (VC) Calum Reddy

The CPC Parents Association are delighted to have raised €448.40 from their recent clothes collection. Thank you all for your support.