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Divine Mercy Senior National School
Part-time Cleaners Wanted
Divine Mercy Senior National School is seeking two dedicated reliable part-time cleaners to join our team at our school in Lucan, Co Dublin. We are in search of proactive and responsible professionals who excel in teamwork, possess a keen eye for detail, and easily adapt to work routines.
Job start date: ASAP
Details:
Monday to Friday work schedule.
Term time only.
19 hours per week.
Weekly payments
Competitive Pay Rate
Work Location: In person
We invite you to submit your application to office@dmbalgaddysns.ie
or contact Cronan on 0861967962
St Joseph's College Lucan
Happy New Year:
Everyone in St Josephs, Lucan would like to wish every parish member and our wider school community and healthy and prosperous 2026.
Senior Soccer:
Hard luck to our senior soccer team who put up a great fight against a tough Colaiste Phobail Fola. This is the senior soccer teams third game in the group stages of the competition and unfortunately, they won't progress to the next round of the competition.
Stripe Young Scientist:
Best of luck to Jodie Byrne who is exhibiting at the Young Scientists Exhibition over the next 4 days, with Ms Cannon. Jodie's project called Dyslexic Lens explores how pupils with severe dyslexia visually experience text during reading. Through a series of animations Jodie hopes to have a better understanding of dyslexia, how it affects pupils, and how to help them by understanding what they are experiencing. She also hopes to support teachers, families, and support staff to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and to provide more meaningful help to pupils with Dyslexia.
Upcoming events:
Thursday 8th January - TY ice skating
Friday 9th January - 2nd year science trip to Stripe Young Scientist
Tuesday January 13th - 6th year Politics Trip to Brussels and All Ireland Camogie quarter final vs St Killians, College in Cushendall, Co. Antrim
Follow Us on Twitter: @StJosephsLucan
Follow Us on Instagram: @stjosephscollegelucan
Find us on our Website: www.stjosephslucan.com
Colaiste Phadraig
Science:
We would like to wish the very best of luck to our 17 students who will represent the school at the Stripe Young Scientists Exhibition 2026 that takes place over 4 days this week. Their projects showcase an impressive range of curiosity, creativity and scientific thinking across the areas of science, technology, engineering and social research.
Several projects explore decision-making and behaviour under pressure, examining how time limits, competition, cooperation and digital testing environments influence stress, risk-taking and ethical choices among adolescents. These studies have clear relevance for schools, sport and assessment design.
A strong environmental science theme is also evident, with investigations into the effects of micro-plastics on freshwater ecosystems and comparisons between biodegradable and conventional plastics under challenging conditions. These projects address urgent global concerns around pollution, sustainability and environmental protection.
In the area of health, sport and biomechanics, students are analysing hand grip strength, training methods for teenagers, and how anatomy and exercise types influence physical performance. This practical research has potential applications in PE, coaching and youth fitness.
Finally, innovative energy and engineering research is represented through the construction and testing of a fuel cell, exploring how chemical variables affect electrical output and efficiency.
We are incredibly proud of the dedication, teamwork and scientific rigour shown by all participants. We wish them every success at the exhibition and look forward to seeing their hard work recognised on the national stage.
Football:
Our senior football team had a convincing 4-15 to 1-02 win against St. McDara's Templeogue before Christmas in their final group game of their Dublin League campaign. Killian Costello, Michael O' Brien, Ciarán Deegan and Rory Clarke scored the Lucan goals.
Having also won their opening game against St. David's College, the team topped the three-team group and secured a home draw in the semi-finals.
They then played St. Paul's College, Raheny on Tuesday for a place in the League Final. Extra-time was ultimately needed to separate two evenly-matches sides, with Raheny winning by 3 points at the end of an energy-sapping and highly competitive match on a score-line of 3-10 to 0-16. Ciaran O' Sullivan had an excellent game for Lucan as he scored 0-8, with Michael O' Brien (0-3), Killian Costello (0-3) and Dara Garrigan (0-2) also getting scores. A few too many wides and some missed goal chances unfortunately cost the team in the end.
PE:
Our 6th year PE students completed one of the most important elements of the Leaving Certificate PE course just before the Christmas Break: The Physical Activity Project (PAP). Worth 20% of the final grade, the PAP requires students to apply theoretical knowledge to a practical performance setting and demands careful planning, analysis and reflection.
Students selected a competitive activity of their choice and completed the project as a performer, coach or choreographer. Activities ranged from athletics events such as sprinting and throwing to martial arts, agility and flexibility-based tasks. All students were assessed on their performance of key skills and their ability to analyse and improve these over time.
A central feature of the PAP is identifying three key components of performance relevant to the chosen activity, such as strength, speed, power, agility, technique or coordination. Based on these, students set four performance goals that guided their training and analysis. The final submission consisted of a 1,500-word handwritten report and three annotated video clips demonstrating progress toward these goals.
Many students completed gym-based projects, resulting in a busy PE department after school, while others used recognised fitness or psychological assessments to support their analysis. Despite some last-minute pressure, all projects were submitted on time, and students expressed great relief and pride in their work.
Students will next complete their performance assessment in March 2026 (30%), followed by the written examination in summer (50%).
Economics:
6th year Economics students also reached a major milestone with the submission of their Economics Research Study, worth 20% of the Leaving Certificate grade, on the same date. Submitted digitally, the project marked the culmination of months of independent research and analysis.
This year's study focused on the impact of a recent external economic shock occurring since 2020. Students selected one of two SEC-set topics. The first examined how an external shock affected Ireland’s economic resilience, focusing on a specific firm within sectors such as agri-food, energy, ICT or pharmaceuticals, and evaluating government policy responses.
The second explored the impact of economic shocks on consumer behaviour in areas such as energy, food or housing, alongside an assessment of government supports and their implications for fiscal sustainability.
Students demonstrated strong analytical and research skills, drawing on data, surveys and official reports while applying economic theory to real-world issues. Teachers praised the originality, maturity and independence shown throughout the process. With the Research Study complete, students can now fully focus on preparation for the June examination.
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