Coláiste Éamann Rís is a Christian Brothers secondary school for boys located in Callan, County Kilkenny, in the South-East of Ireland. The college is built in the hometown of Edmund Ignatius Rice, the founder of the Irish Christian Brothers, the Presentation Brothers and the Edmund Rice Family. The motto of the school appears on the school coat of arms, incorporating the Latin 'Facere Et Docere'. Also, just below on a scroll, appears the motto of the Christian Brothers, 'Nihil Alienum'. The Community of the Christian Brothers was established in Callan on 12 September 1868, however, the present school itself was not founded until one-hundred and fifteen years later, in 1983.
Edmund Rice Schools Trust
Coláiste Éamann Rís in partnership with the ERST is the trust body that owns the former Christian Brother Schools in the Republic of Ireland.
Academics
The school's rural status leads to enrolment at the horticultural and agricultural college, Kildalton College. During the school year, the school also offers a supervised study programme. Students have access to internet and office studies on computers in the school library.
Curricular studies
Boys at Coláiste Éamann Rís will sit the Junior Certificate syllabus for their first three years at the school, and the Leaving Certificate syllabus for their final two. In between the first three years and the final two is an optional extra, Transition Year, affording students the opportunity to study subjects and topics not present on the immediate exam syllabi - self-defence and cookery, for example. Subjects studied include a number of options in both the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate cycles. The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme is a voluntary programme offered in the college.
Co-curricular studies
The college's many co-curricular facilities include the school's sports clubs, Debating Club and music classes, and the school has a long tradition of competing in school quizzes and various enterprise competitions across Ireland.
Transition Year Programme
The Transition Year Programme is a voluntary outlet for students attending the college. During this school period, students study self-defense, take individual cooking lessons, play a rugby league, take a work experience placement and engage in various other activities. Students are recommended to partake in the Gaisce - The President's Award programme. Boys represent the college in a local 'Build A Bank' competition, partake in a Peer education programme and join a motor safety course. Often, the transition year group travels abroad. At the end of the year, selected students are given awards for their Transition Year performances, including a Student of the Year award, Endeavour award, Maturity award and individual activity awards such as Cookery and Rugby.
Sports
The college has 11 acres of playing fields located in the school grounds, including two grass pitches and the basketball and "tennis court" located adjacent to the main complex. The school places emphasis on rugby union and hurling, but also encourages other sports including athletics, golf, handball, and equestrian sports. The college's many teams and clubs include the hurling team, the rugby team, an equestrian club, golf club, basketball team, and football team.
Activism
The college is recognised by Irish international charity, Bóthar, for its annual contribution to the organisation, usually connected with the work committed by students during the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, which is a highly emphasised and encouraged outlet in the college. The school has had numerous visits from local politicians as part of its Civic, Social and Political EducationOireachtasEducation Programme. John McGuinness, TD, Phil Hogan, TD, Mary White, TD, Bobby Aylward, TD and Senator John Paul Phelan engaged in discussion and debate with the students on political and citizenship issues. An Adult Education programme is held in the school building.
Facilities
The extension and rebuilding of three classrooms was completed in early May 2011. The present art room was refurbished during the 2006-2007 school year and this room was dedicated to past pupil and famous Irish artist, Tony O'Malley.
