All About Cork: Students’ chance to study drama for the Leaving Cert

A Ballyphehane school, one of the only second-level schools offering students the opportunity to study drama for the Leaving Certificate, will throw open its doors this week to prospective students.

Presentation Secondary School Ballyphehane, a co-educational school in the south Cork city suburb, will hold its open night from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Thursday, September 18.

The school, which boasts its own purpose-built Nano Nagle Theatre, is one of just a small number of schools nationwide which is offering the new Drama, Film and Theatre Studies subject to current fifth year students.

Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and Design and Communication Graphics will first be examined for the Leaving Certificate in 2027.

Principal of the school, Barry O’Shea said Presentation Ballyphehane is a school with a “proud history and an exciting future.”

“Our open night is the perfect opportunity for families to see how we combine academic excellence with innovation, creativity and a strong sense of community. We look forward to welcoming everyone.”

The open night will provide future pupils and parents with the opportunity to take a tour of the school, view its specialist classrooms and modern facilities, meet staff and students, and experience the warm and inclusive atmosphere that has long defined ‘Pres Ballyphehane.’

Visitors on the night will be able to see the wide range of extracurricular opportunities available at the school, ranging from sport and music to debating, art, leadership, and community projects.

The school runs a large number of clubs for students, from coding, gardening, indoor hurling, basketball and Art Club, to the Science Club and the choir.

Cloud security engineer at Dell, and past pupil Eva Wallace will be the keynote speaker on the night, while University College Cork student and past pupil Aishling O’Neill will also speak at the event.

Students will perform tunes from hit musicals including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Waitress and Grease which featured in their bi-annual school show in December, A Night at the Musicals, while members of the Barrack St Band will also perform.

Founded in 1966, Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane, offers a wide range of subject choices and has introduced a number of new subjects including Wood Technology for the Junior Cycle and Design and Communication Graphics for the Leaving Cert.

As well as the core subjects, students can study French, history, geography, business studies, home economics, music and woodwork for the Junior cycle. Senior cycle subject options on offer include business studies, biology, and chemistry. Agricultural science is available as an additional subject.

Over the course of this academic year the school will run a number of ‘School in Action’ days during which fifth and sixth class pupils from schools all over Cork will have the opportunity to attend the school to sample a wide range of subjects and to meet staff at the school.

Academic excellence remains central to life at Presentation Ballyphehane. Each year, more than 80% of students progress to third-level education at universities and colleges such as MTU and UCC, while many others pursue apprenticeships and training programmes, or enter directly into the workforce.

The school is proud of the consistently strong results achieved in state examinations and the determination and ambition shown by its students, supported at every step by a dedicated and caring teaching team.

Lough water fountain

Cork City Council has announced the successful installation of a water fountain at the Lough. This comes following an ongoing campaign by councillor Paudie Dineen, supported by other local councillors, to provide clean drinking water to those using the Lough Park facilities.

Following the installationof the fountain at the Lough, a Cork TD has called for similar fountains to be introduced across Cork city.

Cork South-Central Social Democrats TD Padraig Rice is calling on the city council to provide more free access to drinking water.

“Hopefully, the drinking water fountain at the Lough is the first of many. We need to see water fountains installed across Cork city. It’s a no brainer,” he said.

Light up the Lough

To mark World Mental Health Day, Shine A Light Suicide and Mental Health Awareness is to hold an event at the Lough.

The ‘Light up the Lough’ event will be held on Friday, October 10, at 7pm, with candles being provided to all participants.

The mental health charity hopes that the candles will symbolise a remembrance of someone lost to suicide, and support for a loved one who is struggling.

Volunteers will be available on the night for anyone in need of mental health referrals.

Community Association cook

The Ballyphehane Community Association is seeking an assistant chef/cook to join their team.

Through the partnerships with the HSE Community Work Department, local nurses, the HSE, and the Ballyphehane-Togher Community Development Project, the association provides vital services including day care, accessible transport, and a growing Meals on Wheels programme.

The purpose of the role is to assist in the preparation and delivery of nutritious meals as part of the Ballyphehane Community Association’s Meals on Wheels service, supporting kitchen operations and ensuring high standards of food safety and hygiene.

Key Responsibilities will include, assisting in the preparation, cooking, and portioning of meals in line with menu plans and dietary requirements; and supporting the lead cook in maintaining a clean, organised, and safe kitchen environment while following food safety and hygiene standards at all times.

The new hire will also be required to package meals for delivery and ensure presentation meets service standards, work with volunteers to support efficient meal service and delivery, maintain stock levels by monitoring ingredients, and assist with ordering and storage.

The ideal candidate will have an enthusiasm for cooking and supporting older or vulnerable people through food; an ability to work as part of a small, dedicated kitchen team; good communication and interpersonal skills; strong awareness of hygiene and safety standards; flexibility and willingness to assist across different kitchen task, and have fluent English.

This is a part time role with expected hours of 19.5 a week at the rate of €13.86 per hour.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and cover letter detailing their catering experience and passion for helping others.

Please send your application to info@ballyphehanecc.com.