Principal’s Welcome

Welcome to Douglas Community School

As principal, I welcome you to our website. I hope you find it informative. This website is regularly updated and contains all current policies and details about the school.  

We are an all-boys Community School located on the south side of the city. Founded in 1926 as Colaiste Muire, the Presentation Order passed the management of the school to the local community in 1974, creating one of the country’s first Community Schools.

Here, we pride ourselves on the care we give to our students. Students that are safe and content are able to optimise their learning. We challenge our students to reach their full potential and strive to develop them as individuals in an atmosphere of co-operation, respect and mutual trust.

The school is comprised of a very modern building with state-of-the-art I.T. facilities, science labs, art room, technology labs and a newly refurbished PE hall which allows the school to offer an extremely broad range of subject choice at both Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate.

Students study the exam subjects of Irish, English Maths, Science, History, Geography, the choice of either French or German and two option subjects at Junior Certificate level.  They choose from Art, Business Studies, Materials Technology (wood), Metalwork and Technical Graphics.  Their timetables are completed by an extensive range of Wellbeing subjects and Religion.

Leaving Cert students study the core subjects of Irish, English and Maths and an unrivalled choice to study four subjects from fifteen.  They choose from Accounting, Art, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Construction Studies Design Communication Graphics, Economics, Engineering, French, German, History, Geography, Leaving Certificate PE, and Physics.  This diverse range of subject choice means that the boys will find subjects which appeal to them.  Hence their outstanding results.  Most of our Leaving Certificate subject’s results surpass the national averages.

We work very closely with our students and our Career Guidance teacher encourages all students to progress in life.  Over the past five years we have had a staggering 97% and 96% progressing to third level education.  Annually we have students progressing to study Medicine and very recently have had five students form the one cohort progress to University College Cork to study Medicine. Each year we outperform the national averages of those achieving over 600, 500 and 400 points in the Leaving Certificate.

We listen to our students and student voice is clearly audible in Douglas Community School.  Three years ago, responding to student’s voice, we introduced the use of iPads to first years to support their learning. Students and parents can now decide whether to use the medium of the traditional textbooks or iPads as their learning medium. Last year we introduced Leaving Certificate exam PE as a response to student interest.  In 2020 we set up a rowing club, following student interest and even have National record holders in our school community.   We listen to our students and where possible develop our school to enhance the experience for all.

Sports and extra-curricular activities are wide and varied and are offered by ultra-dedicated teachers. From GAA to cricket, robotics to book club and Chess to Basketball are weekly activities in school.  As recently as  2020 we reached the all-Ireland final in U18 soccer (final not played due to covid 19) and in 2019 we were county football champions.  Currently our students are on National teams.  

In Douglas Community School we aim to produce students that leave school as well educated, self-confident, articulate men. We also endeavour to equip them with life skills and values that will enable them to live fulfilling lives and contribute to the wellbeing of society.

Mr. Pat Barry, Principal