Hundreds attend Open Nights at Laois school

Portlaoise College opened its doors to parents and prospective students for its annual Open Nights during the week.

This year’s event featured a notable innovation: a new LED screen that debuted a video about the school, providing visitors with a visual insight into the school with voiceover delivered by its own PE and Maths teacher, Emmet Scully. 

The evenings began with a welcome address by Principal Noel Daly, who emphasised the importance of relationships within the school community. He highlighted how Portlaoise College strives to be inclusive and supportive, and the significance of its mission statement in shaping the school’s vision. Mr. Daly noted that building strong connections between students, staff, and parents remains a cornerstone of the school’s success.

Head Prefects Yeonjae and Kayla along with Prefect, Vaselesa, took the opportunity to share their personal experiences at Portlaoise College. They spoke about how the school has supported their academic and personal growth, praising the nurturing environment that allows students to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. 

Parents Paul Grundy and Breda Doyle also spoke during the event. Both expressed how important it is that their children are happy at school, with Paul noting that this has been key to their overall positive experience at Portlaoise College, while Breda spoke about the positive impact extra-curricular activities and the tablet have made for her son.

Following the presentations, visitors were invited to tour the school, guided by a team of prefects, teachers, and current parents. Classrooms were open, and each subject area was staffed by students and teachers, providing a comprehensive overview of the academic and extra-curricular offerings of the school. This allowed parents and prospective pupils to gain a deeper understanding of the wide and varied curriculum and the extensive extra-curricular options available. The journey around the school was fuelled by delicious protein balls from the home economics department, while the canteen showcased the excellent cuisine available at the end of the tour.