Inspection: Two inspectors from the Department of Education & Skills visited Borrisokane Community College last week and this week to carry out a whole school evaluation under the headings Management, Leadership and Learning. The inspectors met with the Principal and Deputy Principal and selected members of staff. They also interviewed the Student’s council and met with the Parent’s Association and the Board of Management. All stakeholders are taken into consideration when the report is drawn up on school life and their findings. The management, teachers, parents and students were looking forward to the opportunity to highlight the hard work being done daily by both teachers and students, the huge support of the parents and the importance of considering the student voice continuously in all decisions regarding the school. We look forward to the report which will be published within the next few months.

Science Trips: First year students and a small group of Transition year students travelled to the R.D.S. on Wednesday. They went to view the many exciting projects but also to support the students and their two projects representing the school at the hugely successful BT Young Scientist exhibition.  Two transition year groups from Borrisokane Community had their projects on display at the exhibition.  A group of 6^th year students attended the Experimental Physics workshop on Tuesday on the Leaving Cert experiments at NUIM. It was a great opportunity for students to experience university life for one day whilst revising for the Leaving cert in a practical and ‘hands on’ way.

Evening Study: Evening study has resumed and the numbers of students availing of the facility are increasing with Mock exams approaching. This is an excellent means of establishing a routine in a warm environment reflective of exam conditions. Once students maintain continuous and regular study patterns their attainment levels in exams increase. At Borrisokane Community College all staff continuously encourage all students to achieve their full potential whilst recognising positive emotional wellbeing is of the utmost importance for education to be achieved.

Homework Club: Since Wednesday last the homework club is back up and running. Staff volunteer to stay after school to assist 1^st years with any difficulties they may be encountering with homework. Once again this support is vital in establishing good homework and study practice.

Swimming: Students from the Autism Centre attended swimming lessons last Wednesday. This term will continue to offer many extra-curricular activities for the students to encourage the development of their social and life skills.