BREIFNE COLLEGE EXTRA-CURRICULAR AND CO-CURRICULAR CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES.
The Breifne College Mission Statement sets out our expectations very clearly:
- Ensuring for its students a safe, nurturing and positive environment where all have the opportunity to succeed;
- Providing for the educational needs of all students;
- Promoting the moral, spiritual, social and personal development of students;
- Achieving and maintaining academic excellence;
- Challenging students to develop academic, technical and critical thinking skills for lifelong learning;
- Preparing students for advancement to third-level Colleges and the world of work;
- Preparing students to be contributing members of society;
- Developing a healthy approach to leisure time.
Keeping in line with this, Breifne College has a very comprehensive and varied co- curricular and extra curricular programme, encompassing a diverse range of sporting, cultural, artistic and social activities.
There is a comprehensive Extra - Curricular Clubs and Activities Policy in place, and guidelines to help staff who volunteer to help out with all of the activities offered in Breifne College.
SCHOOL NEWS LETTER. “THE ORACLE”
The Oracle is the Breifne College newsletter, and it carrys reports on educational, cultural and sporting events and achievements within the school. It is now available online, and is constantly updated to reflect the most up to date events happening in Breifne College.
Co-curricular activities include:
BT Young Scientist exhibition.
Breifne College were honoured to have two projects shortlisted for the BT young scientist exhibition finals held in the RDS in Dublin in January 2008. With over 3,514 students represented in the 1,416 projects from 31 of the 32 counties across the whole of Ireland, having two entries shortlisted is a considerable achievement for Breifne College, and one we are very proud of!
SCHOOL TOURS.
School’s tours are organized an annual basis, visiting other European countries and cities giving students the opportunity to experience at first hand different cultures in cities such as Paris and Barcelona,
COMPUTER CLUB
Breifne College run a computer club every Wednesday when the student are supervised and offered help developing essential ICT skills. Breifne College is also an accredited European Computer Drivers License centre, and students have the opportunity to take this award when they achieve the required standard.
HOMEWORK CLUB
Breifne College run a successful Homework club each evening during the term, where students are supervised and offered help and support. SEE ATTACHED LISTS.
STUDY SKILLS SEMINARS
Breifne College guidance department also organise study skills seminars for junior and leaving cert students. There are also visits to 3rd level institutions, colleges of further study, training centres, FAS Opportunities & Higher Options conferences for all Senior Cycle Students.
HEALTHY EATING WEEK
A new initiative in the school is a Healthy eating week. Breifne College is committed to promoting the health and well being of its students, and believe it is essential that students are taught and encouraged to develop good eating habits to enable them to become confident and healthy members of our society. See the full Breifne College Healthy eating policy for details.
1ST YEAR MAGAZINE
First year students produce a school magazine depicting life at Breifne College.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Fourth year LCAP students organise the annual Christmas concert
Careers Fair – raising students expectations and attainment.
At the Careers Fair organised by Breifne College and held in October 2007 in the Cavan Crystal hotel the school brought back over 90 past pupils representing the full A to Z of career opportunities. The Guidance department’s main objective was to be student-focused and take a fresh approach to career guidance by offering students personal insights, with students getting first-hand information from people who are working in the chosen area every day. See the comprehensive careers handbook produced for the event.
Key-Camp
BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY
Fourth Year students take part in a ‘Business in the Community’ programme, which involves training days both on and off the school site in conjunction with the Cavan Crystal to help students understand the Hotel & Catering Industry, this includes mock interviews etc.
Social and Personal development Activites:
School mentors.
The mentor / buddy system is designed to help the induction process for first year students and to make the transition from primary school to Breifne College as smooth as possible. Fifth year students volunteer to mentor a first year student, who can then approach them and talk about any difficulties they may be having as a first point of contact. This has been particularly useful in supporting the Breifne College Anti-Bullying Programme
Fund raising and charity work.
Breifne College is renowned for its work in fundraising and supporting charities and causes which help the less fortunate than ourselves.
In 2006 Breifne College students raised over 150,000 Euro for a charity to help build wells and housing for a village in Zambia. Fifteen students were fortunate to be picked to go on the trip, and described it as a life changing experience.
This year 4th year students are embarking on a trip to Santaniago in Spain where they will participate in a 150 km sponsored walk.
CAROL SINGING
Every Christmas a group of leave certificate students go Carol singing in Cavan to raise money for local charities.
Students also participate in a sponsored fast in aid of Trocaire every year.
LOURDES TRIP
At Easter a number of Breifne College students volunteer as helpers and assist people with mental and physical disabilities in their trip to Lourdes.
RETREAT
Every year and a retreat is organised for fourth and fifth year students to go to Ballintubber Abbey in Co. Mayo.
STUDENT COUNCIL EVENTS
The Student Council organise events such as a non-uniform day to raise money for a worthy cause.
BREIFNE COLLEGE FASHION SHOW
The fashion show, which is now a well established event that takes place in the hotel Kilmore, helps develop and strengthen the schools community and business and enterprise links, with local business such as Dunnes Stores, Daisy Dukes, Pretty Patterns, Sally West, DT One and J.E.S. all providing outfits for the extravaganza.
GAISCE
Breifne College’s Involvement in the President’s award contributes greatly to building up students’ self-esteem and confidence for life both during and after school. It also contributes to the social fabric by encouraging young people to realise their potential as individuals, active citizens and future leaders.
A number of students from Breifne college are currently undertaking their bronze award.
Arts and cultural activities
DRAMA PRODUCTION
The latest production from the drama department was “Philadelphia here I come” held in the Ramor theatre Virginia, march 2007.
ARTS- LINK PROGRAMME
Breifne College also participate in an Arts-link programme, which is a North/South schools exchange project, funded by the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation
The Arts-link project incorporates partner groups from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland engaging in a reciprocal exchange model and using the medium of the arts to explore issues of cultural identity and reconciliation. Breifne College joined a school from Strabane in Co. Tyrone, and our students gained valuable skills, friendships, knowledge, understanding and experience from the programme. As a school in a Border region it is important that we foster these links with our northern counterparts as we look to the future.
ST. PATRICKS DAY CONCERT
Every year there is also a St Patrick’s Day concert, which raises awareness of our national saint.
MUSIC
Music club- a music teacher comes into Breifne College and teaches music to interested students
PILGRIMMAGE TO CROAGH PATRICK
Breifne College students from fifth year tradditionally take part in an annual pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick on the last day of term.
EXTRA- CURRICULAR SPORTING ACTIVITIES.
Extra-Curricular Sporting activities available to all students include:
Breifne College students all have the opportunity to participate in all of the following activities, with competitive tournaments at different levels to ensure success for all:
SPORTS COACHED:
- Boys Gaelic football – all age groups
- Girls Gaelic football – all age groups
- Boys Hurling – 1st yr, u-14 and u-16
- Girls Camogie – all age groups
- Indoor Camogie and Hurling
- Badminton for boys and girls
- Volleyball for boys and girls
- Basketball for boys and girls
- Tag-Rugby for boys and girls
- Table tennis for boys and girls
- Boys Soccer – all age groups
- Circuit training for boys and girls
- Athletics
SCHOOL SPORTS DAY
A very successful and competitive school sports day is an annual event.
COACHING AWARD COURSES
LCAP also get to complete coaching awards, such as the GAA foundation Coach award.
There is also the opportunity to obtain a Young Referees qualification.
INTER-SCHOOL COMPETITIONS
There are also a large number of inter school tournaments which have been very successful, such as
4th + 5th year street soccer league
2 + 3rd year street soccer league
1st and 2nd yr Gaelic football league
Badminton tournaments.