Ardscoil Rís, Dublin
Ardscoil Rís is a boys' secondary school on Griffith Avenue, Dublin, Ireland. The school caters for approximately 530 students every year.
However, they withdrew from Education in Ireland in September 2006 and the school passed into the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust upon the Brothers' withdrawal.
History and expansion
Ardscoil Ris originated in the O'Brien Institute, which functioned as a private school, in 1969. The new school incorporated the existing second-level students from the old school and day pupils from the surrounding area. Old dormitories were converted into classrooms and an old reception room became the staff room.- In 1970 and 1971 six prefab classrooms were constructed.
- On 21 November 1973 the new school building was officially opened by the Irish president, Éamon de Valera.
- In 1979 the school won the Hogan Cup, winning the All-Ireland Colleges football title for the only time. No Dublin school has won it since.
- In 1984 a new wing was added with dressing rooms, showers, a Library and Audio-Visual Room. The school continued to excel on the sports field and most students went on to third level education at this point.
- In 1998 a state-of-the-art sports hall was completed and officially opened by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Diarmuid Martin, the Archbishop of Dublin.
- In 1999 six new classrooms were built, a new wing for the library was constructed, and some much needed office space has eased the pressure on space in the school.
- In 2001 the science labs were refurbished.
- In 2003 the new computer room was completed. In later years, the computers have been upgraded.
- In 2005 the school designated a permanent art room.
- In 2013/2014 the library was renovated. New book shelves, tables, better cushioned chairs and new blackout blinds. Chairs and blinds sponsored by the Students Council.
- In 2015, all the computers in the Technical Graphics room have been replaced with state-of-the-art, high-end computers which are required for projects such as Computer Aided Design.
- In 2015/2016 the GP Area has been refurnished by the Students Council.
- During 2016-2018 major changes have been planned for the sports ground. Changes include ground levelling, new ground equipment and other major changes which are estimated by the Board of Management, Parents Council, Sports Dept. and Students Council to cost over €250,000. The project has begun
Subjects
- Work experience is a fundamental part of 4th year, three weeks of work experience will take place during the school year, with another week optional
- Optional subjects at Leaving Cert level are subject to demand.
- Religion is not an exam subject at Leaving Certificate and is taught as part of the school's Catholic ethos.
- Social, Personal and Health Education is not an exam subject.
- Construction Studies is a continuation of Woodwork
Recent achievements
In sport, ardscoil's most recent successes included the Under-18 football team being crowned Dublin Senior Football Champions for 2008. A man of the match performance from centre back Aidan Collopy saw the trophy brought back to Ard Scoil. The team was beaten in the Leinster Final by Colaiste Iosagainn, Laois. The Under-19 Basketball team reached the 2008 All Ireland Cup Final, which was screened on Setanta TV. However, they lost by three points to St. Malachy's, Belfast. In the 2008/2009 Academic Year the school reached the Under-18 "B" Dublin Colleges final but was beaten by Oatlands College. Ard Scoil's Under-14 footballers defeated Castleknock in the 2008 U/14"A" Dublin Colleges Football Semi Final before going on to capture the title for the first time since 2002, beating Colaiste Eoin in the Final.
Ardscoil also reached the Semi-Final stage of the 2009, 2012 and 2013 National Senior Concern Debating Competition.
In 2010/2011 the school's Under-16s won the Dublin football/hurling double for the first time in 20 years while the 1st Year Basketballers won the school's first ever Division 1 East Region title. They later finished runners up in the All Ireland First Year tournament. The title was subsequently stripped from the winners, St. Malachy's, Belfast, for playing illegal players but was not awarded to Ardscoil due to Basketball Ireland regulations. Ris repeated as U/16 hurling champions in 2011 and won both the Dublin and Leinster Senior B Football titles in early 2012.
Student continuation to third level education
Percentage of students who continues to third level education
Numbers attending each third level institution
ITC (Information, Communication, Technology) facilities in Ardscoil Rís
A strict Internet usage policy was introduced in 2004 and all pupils wishing to use the internet must sign the policy along with their parents. The policy can be viewed on the school's official website. WiFi is in use for teachers.The school has a total of 48 student-usable computers and there is a computer in every classroom. Printing facilities are also available for teaching staff.
Past pupils
Ardscoil Ris has a number of past pupils who have become household names in Ireland and further afield. Current Dublin GAA senior football players Ciarán Whelan, Tomas Quinn, Cormac Costello and Diarmuid Connolly and also former Dublin senior football manager Pat Gilroy are former pupils, as is Dublin senior hurling player Ronan Fallon. Blackburn Rovers and Republic of Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews was also a pupil, as is current Shelbourne F.C. player Conan Byrne. International Airlines Group chief executive Willie Walsh graduated in the late 70's while Labour Party senator Derek McDowell is also a past pupil. The current Moscow correspondent of the Irish Times Conor Sweeney also attended Ardscoil Ris. Another past pupil is comedian Paddy Courtney. Boyzone's Keith Duffy is also a former pupil.Students Council
The school has an active Students Council with about 20 members. The Students Council organises and sponsors many events in the school including:- The Annual School Walk
- First Year Quiz & First Year Bonding Day
- Awareness Week
- Small renovations throughout the school
- St. Vincent DePaul hampers
- Grants for students to go to Gaeltachts
- Careers Day
- The School Library
Principal
Pat Reilly retired as principal in 2009 after eleven years - the longest serving principal to date. The current principal is Mark Neville.Activities
The school offers after school activities such as a History Club, Drama Club and Debating Club. The school boasts one of the top Debating teams in the Concern Debating competition.Some of the athletic activities in the school are Gaelic football, hurling and basketball. The school also offers athletics, golf and badminton.