03/11/2026
Celebrating 40 Years of Community Spirit – Our LCA Students Get Involved!
Today marked the beginning of an exciting new journey for our Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA1) students as they met with Maurice MacCarthy, Secretary of Mahon Community Association, to officially launch a community research project commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Association.
Working in partnership with Mahon Community Association, our students will embark on a fascinating exploration of the Association's history, its contribution to the local community over the past four decades, and the people, events and achievements that have helped shape Mahon into the community it is today.
This project offers a wonderful opportunity for our students to connect classroom learning with the world around them. It is also an excellent example of learning through active participation, collaboration and real-life experiences.
As part of their Leaving Certificate Applied General Education Task, students will develop and apply a range of important skills, including:
- Research and investigation: gathering information, exploring local history and documenting the story of the Association.
- Communication: engaging with community members, conducting interviews and presenting their findings.
- Literacy and digital skills: recording, organising and sharing information through a variety of formats.
- Teamwork and collaboration: working together and building a meaningful partnership with a local organisation.
The project also has particularly strong connections with LCA Social Education, bringing a number of important themes from the subject to life:
- Community and belonging: exploring what makes a community, the importance of shared identity and how organisations such as Mahon Community Association help create a sense of belonging.
- Active citizenship and participation: recognising that everyone has a role to play in their community and discovering how people can get involved, contribute ideas and make a difference.
- Social responsibility: understanding the importance of looking out for others, supporting local initiatives and working together for the common good.
- Community development: investigating how communities grow, change and respond to the needs of their members, and recognising the contribution of voluntary organisations over time.
- Democracy and decision-making: exploring how community organisations operate, how people come together to make decisions and how local voices can influence positive change.
- The contribution of individuals and groups to society: celebrating the dedication, commitment and voluntary work of the many people who have helped Mahon Community Association reach this significant 40-year milestone.
Most importantly, this project gives our students an opportunity to recognise that they are not simply learning about their community – they are actively contributing to preserving its story for future generations.
A huge thank you to Maurice MacCarthy and Mahon Community Association for welcoming our students and giving them the opportunity to be part of such a special milestone.
We look forward to discovering the stories, memories and achievements of the past 40 years and helping celebrate the people who have made it all possible!
