As 2011 draws to a close it is always helpful to look back and evaluate life at Monaghan Collegiate School. It is hard to believe it is almost a year since we had to close the school due to the heavy fall of snow that arrived last November. I remember it as a very low point of the school year. It was just about this time that Brendan had an accident as we were trying to fix the heaters in the sports hall in preparation for the Christmas examinations. It was typical of Brendan that he was thinking of the students and making sure they would be comfortable and warm during the examinations. All at the school wish Brendan a full recovery and look forward to him coming back to work.
When you are the Deputy Principal you have to rely on the support of the caretaker an awful lot whether you are setting up the exam hall or opening the school on a Saturday. With Brendan out of action Monaghan Collegiate School was very fortunate to be able to call on Eric Clarke to help us out. Eric has been a tremendous help to us over the last year as we try to keep the show on the road. One thing we don’t have to worry about this year is fixing the heaters in the sports hall as we have installed a brand new state-of-the-art system over the summer. It should ensure that the students can do their Christmas examinations in comfort. All they have to worry about is revision, revision and more revision.
As the weather improved early in 2011 so too did the buzz about the school with our table tennis team becoming all Ireland champions. It was a fantastic achievement and well done to all involved. Meanwhile Mr Reid was settling into his new position as Principal and continued to introduce some fresh ideas into the way we ran the school. One such idea which I feel was a major plus was the way students got a much bigger say in their options for fifth year. In the end 97% of students got the subject choices they wanted.
In June the state examinations were held in the sports hall for the first time, this was a big success with all students happy with the new venue.
September brought with it the news of a M.L.L. which is basically a whole school inspection. This was the first time Monaghan Collegiate School had such an inspection and although it was a bit of a worry and nerve wrecking I feel it was a good experience overall and one that will stand us in good stead in the future.
2011 is almost at an end and it just remains for me to wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and I hope you have a prosperous new year.


Yours in Education

Martin Killoran

Deputy Principal

See below: photos of Second Year students at work