Welcome to the new and updated website of St. Colmans College, a Catholic secondary school under the patronage of the Archdiocese of Tuam. I hope you take a few minutes to browse the site and to bring yourself up to date on the many academic, cultural and extra-curricular activities, achievements and developments of the school and its students.
We are proud of our achievements, since the schools foundation in 1945, in providing an all-round education to the young men of the Claremorris area. Management and staff work closely with parents, students and the local community in pursuit of excellence.
Our students regularly perform at the highest academic level and many have gone on to be leaders in their chosen professions. In addition, our students have represented themselves, the College, their county, and indeed the country in a wide variety of sporting and cultural pursuits. This is in no small way thanks to the contributions of our talented and highly motivated staff members, who go above and beyond the call of duty in the interests of their students. You will see evidence of their work and dedication throughout this site, on our Facebook Page, and on our moodle site, www.stcolmansmoodle.ie.
We also promote a culture of inclusion and respect for diversity in line with our Catholic ethos. Students with special educational needs and with language difficulties are welcomed to the school. We encourage students to strive to achieve their potentials irrespective of their academic or other abilities.
We are also fortunate to have a vibrant Parents Association and Students Council which enthusiastically support the Board of Management and the staff in their educational endeavours. These partners are central to our work in policy development and school planning.
Finally, I wish to acknowledge the work of our Marketing Committee members in promoting and directing the website rejuvenation and past pupil student Eoghan Ó Braonáin for contributing his technical expertise to its design.
We thank you for taking the time to visit our website and welcome you to visit us in person.
Jimmy Finn
Principal
Go mbeannaí Dia daoibh go léir. Seo fáilte Uí Cheallaigh chuig suíomh Choláiste Cholmáin. Déanann scéal agus stair ár gcoláiste macall deas le scéal agus stair na hÉireann agus muid araon ar thuras o chríoch an Dara Chogadh Domhanda go tús rathúil mílaoise nua.
Anseo i gColáiste Cholmáin caitheadh na blianta tosaigh ag stracadh leis an saol. Bfhíseoirí áfach an chéad cupla glún idir teagascóirí, tuismitheoirí agus daltaí. Chuaigh na sagairt go dti an portach sa tóir ar bhreosla soar. DEagraigh tuismitheoirí agus daltaí comortaisí cartaí chun ciste airgid a chur le cheile agus chun fiachaí a ghlanadh.
Le himeacht ama bhláthaigh an fhéinmhuinín a sholáthair ceannairí na hÉireann nua. Tá iarscoláirí de chuid Choláiste Cholmáin lonnaithe i strataim uile sochaí na hÉireann faoi láthair. Ina measc tá ceannródaithe léinn, gnó, polaitíochta, fiontair, eaglaise, eolaíochta agus ealaíona.
Cothaíodh an lion mór saoránach seo ag Coláiste Cholmáin. Molaimid a gcur chuige ar son na tire. Leanaimid fós leis an éiteas rathúil céanna a fhógraionn manna an choláiste, Mol an Óige.
Dé bhur mbeathasa,
Pat Keane
Príomhoide Tánaisteach
"St Colman's College aims to be a Christian Community which respects all members of staff and nurtures each and every student to achieve maximum potential and to develop the whole person within a caring and respectful school"
I ntroduction
St. Colmans College, Claremorris is an all boys Catholic secondary school. It was founded in 1945 by Fr. John Colleran at the request of the local community. It is situated in its own grounds a mile from Claremorris. From its foundation, it has grown and developed to fulfil the changing needs and be a school for our time, a school for all our students and a school for all our community.
St. Colmans is an all-ability school with the vision of giving a life-chance to every student. Teaching is arranged to suit students of different ages and abilities. Our care is for the development of the whole person, spiritually, academically, practically, physically, socially and culturally. To fulfil that aim we provide a wide choice of subjects and encourage every-one to participate in extra curricular activities.
Quality of teaching and learning is emphasised. High standards are expected and achieved. We are conscious that the future belongs to those who prepare for it. We attempt to nurture and develop the vision, the capacities and the enthusiasm of our students to take possession of their future and confidence.
Time in school is not just preparing for life; it is life for five or six years. School time is a time of living and growth. We start with the boy and finish with the young man. A good school should offer opportunities to enjoy life, to work, to play, to pray, to discover ones self-worth. A good school should be like a good home, where everyone belongs, everyone is accepted, encouraged, helped and given the chance of success and the space to grow. St. Colmans strives to be such an institution and is committed to the ideal of equality in all aspects of school life.
St. Colmans aim is to value every boy for himself and to help, encourage and challenge every boy to realise his self worth, experience success and achieve his full potential.
Status
St. Colmans College was established in 1945 as a diocesan secondary school. The Archbishop of Tuam as the trustee is the guarantor that the school will be run in accordance with Catholic ideals and philosophy.
Ethos
Since its foundation the school has endeavoured to maintain a Catholic ethos and promote the Christian values of the community it serves. It recognises the need to develop the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical, social and cultural potential of all pupils. The curriculum includes formal religious instruction.
Education
The purpose of the school is to help pupils to develop their personality and skills and to prepare them for living, for further education and for working life. The school aims to provide as wide a curriculum as possible, within the resources available, in order to cater for the aptitudes, interests and needs of the pupils.
Parents
Parents play a vital role in the progress of each student in the school. We expect that students are given the time and suitable environment for homework. Parents should ensure that students wear the correct uniform. They should also ensure that the necessary books are available, check that the homework given is attempted and sign the homework diary/notebook where necessary. The school recognises the need for parental involvement and support if it is to achieve its aims. This partnership policy is encouraged through the parents committee, regular parent teacher meetings and contact with individual parents. Parents and school are able to communicate regularly about a pupils progress by using the school diary/notebook. A Newsletter is produced and issued to parents intermittently. Progress reports are sent home at the end of October, January, Easter and in June. This school has an active and supportive Parents Council, elected every two years.
Students
Students are ultimately responsible for their doing their homework, being on time for class and activities, having the necessary books and equipment and being of good behaviour. In addition to students having the right to a high quality education in an environment free from harassment and bullying, they also have the responsibility to treat each other, the teachers and ancillary staff with respect. They should also respect the school facilities and equipment. Senior students must accept more responsibility for their work and behaviour.
Student Council
As recommended by the Education Act, St. Colmans elects a Student Council, which represents the views of students and facilitates communication and activities within the school. It also adds to the feeling of belonging and ownership of the student body. See the Student Council Policy for further details.
Teachers
Teachers see their role as being that of providing students with a professional and high quality educational service. Their role is to cover the relevant curricula, to ensure that all students are given and complete their homework and to foster a studious, caring and Christian atmosphere.
Community Links
The school has always benefited from the strong support of the local community. It welcomes community involvement. The involvement of staff and students with local communities and community participation in the life of the school has been enriching, beneficial for both sides. Programmes such as LCVP, LCAP and Transition Year encourage interaction with the community, businesses, other schools and local and state agencies.
St Colman's College was founded in 1945. This date is commemorated by the inscription on one of the gables of the school. It would be very easy to make mental note of the date and consider it no more. This would be unfortunate as the story of the founding of St Colman's College is, indeed a fascinating one. More to follow.
Famous past students of St Colman's College include:
Brigadier General Michael Finn
Brigadier General Finn holds the appointment of Assistant Chief of Staff (Support) of the Defence Forces having assumed this post in April 2010 on his return from a 3-year secondment to the EU Council General Secretariat in Brussels. He is a native of Claremorris, Co.Mayo and a past-pupil of St Colmans College, Claremorris. He currently lives in the Navan Road, Dublin. He is married to Helen and they have one daughter and 2 sons. He enlisted as a cadet in the Defence Forces in 1970 and was appointed an officer of the Infantry Corps in 1972. He is a graduate of University College Galway and subsequently graduated with distinction from the Command and Staff Course in the Military College.
In the course of his career, Brigadier General Finn has filled a range of command and staff appointments mainly in the Eastern Brigade and Defence Forces Headquarters. These appointments include, having command of the 2nd Infantry Battalion & Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin in 2002/03 as well as holding key appointments in both the Operations and Support Branches of Defence Forces Headquarters, including periods in Operations, Administration and C&A Sections. On promotion to Colonel in 2005, he was appointed Director of the Strategic Planning Office within the Chief of Staffs Branch with responsibility for researching and providing strategic advice and plans to senior management of the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence.
