Welcome from Gerry Bennett |
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This final edition of Síol for 2021 closes out another challenging year for us all, in and out of school. On a positive note, however, it also marks the end of a year in which we have learnt to live with greater knowledge, safety and protection against the continuing presence of Covid-19.
While Covid has impacted on people of all ages, it has had a tough impact on you, our students. It has robbed you of many of your freedoms and spontaneity, your sports, your hobbies and entertainment choices over the past two years. But, I know from your teachers and Principals that you’ve all largely handled it with amazing humour, patience, co-operation and understanding. It is a real credit to you, and to your teachers and Principals, that there has been a relatively low incidence of Covid outbreaks in our schools over the past few months.
The important thing now is to keep things going, to keep up our guard and not to grow complacent in adhering to health and safety guidelines. We’ve just come too far to allow that to happen.
It is also important that we continue to keep an eye out for one another’s mental health, that we check in on our friends by phone, social media, zoom, or whatever way you like to keep in touch, and that we continue to be just a little more patient and kinder to one another. These are stressful times and we know that more of us are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and worry.
This final Síol of 2021 also, of course, signals the beginning of Christmas, which is, as the song goes, a “most wonderful time of the year”. Wonderful because we get to relax a little, we receive gifts, but also importantly, we give gifts, including the gift of kindness and generosity to people we don’t necessarily know. It has been heartening to hear about all the community, charity and fundraising activities you have been involved in over the past few months. This ‘wonderful’ kindness to strangers is the very embodiment of Edmund Rice caring education.
I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thanks to all of you - our teachers, staff and students – for everything you have done to help us get through 2021, safer, kinder, wiser and more able to take on whatever 2022 brings our way.
Nollaig Shona Daoibh Go Léir,
Gerry Bennett
Edmund Rice Schools Trust
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Prepared |
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Forgive me father for I have sinned,
Forgive my sins I want them pinned,
Hasten to remove the clutter,
Words of sorrow help me utter,
Clean the slate, remove the grime,
Prepare the way this Advent time.
Light the candles, light my heart,
Four together, one apart,
O come, O come Emmanuel,
Come sweet Lord and make me well.
Hark the herald angels sing
Give me new life, give me new spring.
Led by star of Bethlehem
Wise men, let me follow them.
Led by shepherds hearing call
Destination stable stall,
Content to sit away in manger
No longer feeling like a stranger.
©Brendan O’Regan 2014
Submitted by Sinéad Culen, St. Mary's Academy, Carlow. |
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Inclusivity Week
We are one of the schools in the Edmund Rice network that has signed up to be a School of Sanctuary. To promote this initiative, Oatlands College ran an Inclusivity Week.
The initiative ran between the 15th
and 18th of November and was very successful. A wide range of activities was organised by students and teachers with an emphasis on inclusion and care for each other.
All students and staff committed to our mission against bullying by signing an Anti-bullying Charter which listed ten principles that the school community supports. This Charter is proudly displayed in our school and is further support and promotion of the key elements of the Edmund Rice Charter.
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Kindness Tree
First Years were enthusiastically involved in creating a “kindness tree” which was positioned in the front hall of the school for the week.
The students also made Anti-Bullying posters which were displayed throughout the school. They developed and deepened their friendships and social skills while working on the posters, in groups.
Well done to our students.
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Monica Rowe from the ISPCC gave talks to first years on the topic of change and building relationships. She also covered topics around bullying and cyberbullying.
To finish off the week all students and teachers took part in an odd sock day to celebrate diversity and inclusion in the school, proceeds for the odd sock day were donated to childline.
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Senior Debating
Senior debating at Oatlands College got off to a busy start this academic year. Thankfully, Coronavirus has not managed to cast a shadow over the keen debating competition and our teams. Just like last year, all the debating leagues have adapted their competitions to facilitate online debates.
Our four teams of senior debaters have been challenged in the Leinster League with a multitude of topical issues, such as parental authority and college admissions processes. The four teams have all progressed to the next round of the league and look forward to new challenges in January.
We are very proud to have such a bunch of stellar debaters at Oatlands College, who understand the power that words wield!
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Junior Debating
Students from first and second year have been busy participating in the UCD Schools Leinster Junior debating competition.
Matthew Jaison, Kian Humpreys, Alessandro Milena and Senan Canny are the representatives from Oatlands College and have been challenged with Zoom evenings debating topics such as banning private schools and holding politicians responsible for climate change.
Three rounds were completed and well done to Oatlands team B, Matthew and Kian, who made it through to the next round.
The next round of the competition will be held on UCD campus after Christmas.
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Maths Week
Junior students participated in problem-solving challenges during Maths classes, including a Crystal Maze and Enrich puzzles.
Senior students worked on their problem-solving skills during class.
TY students took part in a Maths Quiz against a local girls school, Rockford Manor. The quiz was hosted by Oatlands college.
Well done to the winners.
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Gael Linn Senior Irish Debating
D’éirigh le foireann bhuacach Choláiste Fhearann an Choirce an ceann is fearr a fháil ar ár n-iomaitheoirí, Coláiste na Carraige Duibhe, Coláiste San Benildus agus Coláiste Wesley sa chéad bhabhta de Chomórtas an Phiarsaigh i Mí na Samhna seo caite. B’iad na scoláirí léannta a chloígh ár n-iomaitheoirí; Fionn Boyd (an captaen), Louis McCarthy, Ruairí Myers agus Aman Manoj faoi stiúir Mháistir Uí Leidhin. Gach rath orthu san athbhiain sa chéad bhabhta eile.
Gael Linn’s Senior Irish Debating competition took place in November among Oatlands College, Blackrock College, Wesley College and St Benildus College. Fortunately, Oatlands College prevailed along with Wesley College to compete in the next round. The victorious men who competed were as follows; Fionn Boyd (captain), Louis McCarthy, Ruairí Myers and Aman Manoj under the tutelage of Mr Ó Leidhin.
Well done and best of luck in the next round.
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Gaelic Football
Oatlands College Senior Gaelic team have made a terrific start to their football campaign in Dublin 2021/2022. They played Old Bawn Community school, Tallaght, at home on the hollow turf of Oatlands in November. This game had all the ingredients of being a titanic encounter. It certainly delivered everything for the hard-core audience who could attend, and for those who caught narrow angled glances through their classroom windows. The lads showed great character and energy as they dominated most of the game and won by 8 points.
The lads from Oatlands now face local rivals Clonkeen College in their next game in Cornels Court. Make no mistake of the rivalry that exists between these two Gaelic teams. Everything hangs on a knife edge for local bragging rights regarding this game!
In the Under 14 Gaelic Football. Our teams have been successful in getting into the knockout second round fixture which will be played in the new year. Two games were played to get them there, one of which was a winning game against Clonkeen College.
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Rubix Cube challenge
Transition Years are deriving great fun and benefits for their 8-week modular course on solving the Rubix Cube puzzle. it is evident from the sightings of Rubix cubes in the hands of TY students around the school that the challenge is one that all of them enjoy.
Apart from enjoying the class, the students are subconsciously learning hand eye coordination skills, spatial awareness, problem solving skills and, importantly, are engaging in a task that is taking them away from ever encroaching screens at home.
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Skiing and rock climbing
The Transition Years have been challenging their adventurous sides with two alternative sports this term, They have hit the slopes in Kilternan for some skiing and have also attempted rock climbing at The Wall in Sandyford. Students enjoyed both activities and also enjoyed the opportunity to take on new experiences together, outside the classroom.
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Science Week
Science Week was a busy time for the Science dept this year. Many students enjoyed Dave's Jungle Reptile Show and workshops facilitated by the Rediscovery Centre, a creative movement connecting people, ideas and resources to support greener low-carbon living.
Along with other fun activities during science week the 2nd year students were very creative, making wonderful models of our solar system while 1st years made some very interesting models of plants and animal cells. The daily quizzes were highly contested within all year groups and prize-giving at the end of week was a great celebration for all.
Huge congratulations to Conor Quigley, a First Year student who beat all to win the Accenture Maths in Science Award at Scifest @college 2021 at TU Dublin, Grangegorman.
We wish Conor the very best of luck with his project that is also competing in the BTYSE 2022 !
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Chinese cultural workshop
Students took part in a Chinese cultural workshop which included several activities.
Students made dumplings, practiced mandarin calligraphy including painting pandas, and learned to speak some of the language.
Students felt that they gained an appreciation for Chinese culture by participating in this immersion into Chinese culture.
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Gambling Talk Transition Years
Tony O’Reilly was a former gambling addict who lost €10 million of An Post money due to his addiction. Tony talked to our Transition Years about the dangers of gambling and described his descent into misery and loss of his family. He gave us a very honest account of his experiences and how easy it was to change from being a successful citizen with a job and loving family to a prison inmate.
The students reported that they were shocked and surprised as they didn’t realise how something they perceived to be a small hobby could progressively grow into something so serious.
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Shane McCarthy talk about Mental Health
Shane McCarthy is a midfielder for the Dublin football team. He described how pressures from his sporting career resulted in depression, This was further compounded by people's perception of his success. He told the students about how he combatted poor mental health and gave advice about how to deal with similar issues. The students gained a better awareness around mental health and learned tactics about how to help themselves and each other.
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Green Schools
The goal for this years Green School group is to educate the school community about conserving water. So far, the committee has designed and created posters reminding students and teachers about conserving water. The posters also highlight the different ways we waste water and how we can conserve it.
The committee has identified the ways that water is used in the school including the numerous sinks and toilets located throughout the grounds. Members have visited classes, informing students about water wastage and educating them on different ways to save water. The group has also surveyed groups of students in the school regarding their family's use of water at home.
On top of their work around water conservation, the group has also taken part in litter pickups throughout the school grounds. Photographed is a small group of students on one of their litter picking rounds.
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Christmas Jumper fundraiser for Make a Wish Foundation
On the Friday before exam week, the school became a hub of festive cheer. Students and teachers were decked out in all their Christmas finery, from Christmas jumpers, Santa hats, twinkling lights, festive earrings and hair accessories. Everyone made a donation to the make a wish foundation. The day was finished off with Christmas treats for all, Christmas music and a seasonally appropriate film. It was a welcome break before the Christmas exams start the following week.
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25th Anniversary of Beatification of Blessed Edmund Rice
At Ardscoil na Mara we marked the beatification Anniversary by a Prayer Service in our school, highlighting how we live out our Charter. We also took part in a Celebration to mark the occasion in The Edmund Rice Centre in Waterford, where through word and song we joined with other schools in the network, to walk in the footsteps of Blessed Edmund. |
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International Day of the Girl
As part of the International Day of the Girl our very own past pupil and former Edmund Rice Ambassador Mairead Butler took over the Office of An Taoiseach and became the first woman to occupy that chair. We wish Mairead continued success. |
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Positive Behaviour
To highlight our continued work to promote positive behaviour among our students, over fifty of our First Years received their compliment cards and customary hot chocolate in the Foyer.
Well done to all the students who were recipients of these cards and we would encourage all students to put themselves among the winners.
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Maths Week |
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Everyone in the school community got behind our Maths Week. We had some exceptional results in this years Maths Olympiad Quiz. Well done to our winners pictured here with maths teacher Mr. Ivan Cilffe and our Principal Mr. Padraig Cawley.
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Transition Year News |
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Our TY’s were busy making Scarecrows for Halloween and getting behind the Tramore Tidy Towns Initiative. We certainly had some spooky results!
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Creative Clusters Exhibition
It was amazing to see the fabulous creative work of our students on display at the launch of the Creative Clusters Exhibition in the Theatre Royal Exhibition Waterford.
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Global Classroom
As part of our global outreach to Edmund Rice Schools beyond our shores some of our Second Year students with their teacher Ms Hally connected with students from St Ambrose College Australia. The Global Classroom initiative is proving a big hit and students are sharing experiences each time they meet.
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Pen Pal Letters
Ms. Hally’s 6th Year Religion class have started Pen Pal Letters with residents in Killure nursing home! Students' first letters have been sent off today! They are also in the process of planning a care package for Christmas time. |
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First Year Christmas Door Competition
Our First Years got into the Festive Spirit here at Ardscoil na Mara with our Christmas door competition. Well done to everyone involved in creating a sense of fun and positive wellbeing among our students.
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Young Entrepreneurs
Our TY entrepreneurs displayed their products to the school community recently. Well done to all the students who are trying to start their mini business in this difficult time. We are very proud of them.
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Peace & Justice Group School of Sanctuary Visit to Mt Sion Secondary School Waterford.
Our Peace and Justice and School of Sanctuary Group, led by Mr. Mc Laughlin and Ms. Hally, were welcomed to Mt Sion. There they had a tour of the Edmund Rice Centre, a visit to the tomb of Blessed Edmund and heard some very interesting talks on the work of School of Sanctuary.
We concluded our tour with a visit to the Ship Room in where we heard the story of how the Christian Brothers inspired by Edmund brought the message of the Gospel to far flung regions. We also saw the beautiful Rose Window. A great day out was had and our group hope to welcome Mt Sion to Ardscoil in the second term. |
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Tramore Eco Group Visit |
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Our sustainability team met with the Tramore Eco Group to talk about joint initiatives. We have a campaign for the New Year to get 10% of the school planting trees at home for Climate & Nature.
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Action-Packed Term
The boys in Scoil Íosagáin have had a jam packed term.
From the 7th to the 14th
of November we had science week. 6th class organised a fantastic Science week exhibition for us. They did science experiments in the hall for all the other classes . These included making a volcano,magic milk and dancing raisins.
The boys all worked hand in hand to make our Diversity tree. We have used the hands of all the boys in the school to show how unique we all are. This is in conjunction with our Amber Flag work.
We also had the Izac 9 blocks back in the school which our senior classes used.They are fabulous to develop problem solving, working together and mathematical language.
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Clubs
Some of our clubs returned this term with Homework club, lego club, sports club and guitar club. It was very exciting for our second and third classes as it was their first experience of our clubs
Third class took part in the World Children's Day school event in conjunction with TUSLA and Dublin South City partnership. As a reward for taking part in this the entire school got access to an interactive show via Zoom with magician - Joe Daly.
We have also continued with our Accelerated Reading Programme this year and the boys who reached their target now have their AR party to look forward to.
We are also taking part in the One Million Trees campaign to combat climate change. We are awaiting our delivery of 2 Rowan, 1 Hazel, 1 Hawthorn, 1 Birch, & 1 Alder sapling.
Barnardo’s online safety programme
Sue Cullen came into our school to teach us about how to be safe when on the internet. We learned that we should always set our profiles to private on apps like TikTok, Instagram and on the Playstation. We also learned about Cyberbullying and what to do if we or someone else is being bullied. We should always tell an adult and also block and report the person that is bullying. This talk was fun and I learned loads about being safe online.
Interview with Author- Natasha Mac A’ Bháird
We had a zoom call with the author Natasha Mac A’ Bháird about her book “Shay Given”. Shay Given was a footballer famous for his amazing saves with the Irish team. He also played with Newcastle and many other teams. We got to watch a video of Shay Given’s greatest football moments and then got to ask her loads of questions about being an author and a huge football fan. It was fun.
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SARI Workshop- Sports Against Racism Ireland
On the 5th of November, three members of SARI came in to talk to 4th, 5th and 6th
class about Racism. Firstly, we talked about different reasons people were discriminated against (race, disability, homophobia, sexuality and gender). Then we played some games to show what discrimination feels like. We learned about discrimination and how it affects our lives and we also really loved the games we played.
Dog’s Trust Workshop
The workshop we had with Dog’s Trust was one of my favourite things we have done this year. We watched videos that showed us how to take care of and treat dogs. We took quizzes on what we learned after the videos. The videos were animated and gave us examples of scenarios we might be in with dogs. It gave us advice on different problems and questions people might have about dogs.
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Bike Doctor- Cycling with 6th class
Every week Eoin comes in to help us learn how to cycle our bikes. He gives us an obstacle course and different exercises to do on our bikes. He teaches us how to break correctly and how to read different road signs. At the end of the workshops we will get to cycle together on the road and use what we have learned about road safety. |
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Fundraising
As part of the extensive well-being programme in Coláiste Phadraig, a number of our Transition Year students organised a soccer tournament for 1st yrs on Thursday 25th November to raise funds for a number of good causes. Spearheaded by Calum Conway, the students did a lot of planning, promotion and organisation in the run up to the tournament, displaying tremendous initiative, leadership and team work, key components of the Transition Year Programme. They chose to raise money for St. Vincent De Paul as they do incredible work with those most in need, especially in the run-up to Christmas. They also accepted donations to Pieta House, a local charity that provides invaluable professional support for those struggling with their mental health. In total, 250euro was raised for St. Vincent de Paul and a donation of 100euro was forwarded to Pieta House so two extremely worthwhile causes benefitted from this event.
In total, 12 teams took part and each team played a minimum of 6 matches each. There were three pitches being used simultaneously, the sports hall, the junior yard and the senior yard. Despite some stubborn early morning ground frost delaying the start of the tournament by an hour, the 1st yrs got playing at 10:30am and the matches were all extremely competitive and high quality. Each 1st
yr team were assigned a Transition Year student who stayed with them for the entire tournament, coaching, managing and supporting them throughout. They ensured that their teams were at the designated pitch at the correct time, ready for kick-off, and this ensured a smooth transition (pardon the pun!) from one match to the next. Each game was refereed by a TY student while Shane Wallace did a great job updating the scores and fixtures.
At the end of the group matches, the teams split into a Shield and Cup tournament with a series of play-off matches based on their final position in the groups. Well done to Callum Finn, Madrid Tammar, Jack Horan, Liam O’ Donoghue, Jose Mannuel Garcia, Jack Henry and Lukas Harte whose team Capri Son FC beat IFTA Cars 1-0 in the Shield Final.
Chelsea, comprising of Henry Greene, Derry Ware, Brian Whelan, Ibrahim Saquib, Conor McHugh and Calum Costigan won the 3rd
place play-off defeating Carpo the Carpet
1-0 with Brian Whelan scoring the winner with a clinical finish.
The Marty Party won the main tournament in dramatic fashion after a thrilling and tense penalty shoo- out. The team comprised of Seán McGillycuddy, Ciarán O’ Sullivan, Seán Connell, George Craven, Paidí Murphy, James Duffy and Bilal Khan. The winning team received gold medals and selection boxes for their fine achievement while the Shield winners received bronze medals and selection boxes.
Those students that didn’t want to take part in the soccer tournament got to play a variety of computer games organised by Transition Year students so there was something for everyone throughout the day.
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School Canteen
The new school canteen has been a wonderful addition to Coláiste Phádraig and it has proved to be extremely popular with the students. The kitchen was built in the school canteen over the summer by a company called Get Fresh Catering. The canteen menu is designed to cater for all tastes and the food and drinks on offer are very reasonably priced. Students and staff must pre-order and pre-pay from an app the day before to ensure that their order is ready for collection in various designated socially distanced spaces the following day.
The canteen is an entirely cash free environment but there is a tap a pay back-up option in cases where students forgot to pre-order. Lost/stolen cards (which are valid for two years) can instantly be blocked online and support is always available to ensure that no-one goes without a meal for financial reasons.
The canteen is run by four staff, Miriam, Jennifer, Mags and head chef Pat. Food can be ordered for breakfast, small break and lunchtime. Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, the students are not yet allowed to sit down in the canteen with their friends to eat their meals. They are allowed to bring their food back to their base class rooms or spacious designated areas in the school where they can relax with some friends and enjoy their meals together.
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Scrambled eggs, pancakes, homemade scones and beans on toast, all washed down with a selection of fruit juices, have proven very popular for Breakfast before school every morning.
Filled Baguettes, especially chicken tikka, cheese and ham and egg mayonnaise, specially prepared noodle boxes and oven baked potato wedges are popular at mid-morning break time.
For lunch, lasagne with garlic bread, macaroni and cheese, chicken stir fries, chicken rolls, wraps, sandwiches and paninis are all very popular with the students. All the food is cooked fresh in the kitchen each day. The canteen also offers vegan and gluten free food which also sell well, as well as a variety of snacks such as muffins, iced doughnuts, rice cakes and nutri grain bars. It also offers numerous refreshments such as still water, fruit water, juices, vitamin drinks, tea and coffee.
Get Fresh Catering have a three-year contract with the school so the canteen will continue to enhance the school experience for our staff and students in the years ahead.
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Tráth na gCeist
Coláiste Phádraig continued our strong recent tradition of success in the Tráth na gCeist Boird Feachtas with our 3rd yr team advancing to the National Final after the Dublin regional round, held in the school on Tuesday 12th October. All participating schools in this regional round held the quiz in their own schools due to ongoing social distancing concerns.
Our senior team, consisting of 5th yrs James Qin, Harry Thekkan Davis, Marshel Thomas and Jasper Nolan scored a respectable 35/60.
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Our Junior team, consisting of Cillian Lawlor, Eoin McGarty, Alex D'Alba and Tom Doran scored a very impressive 49/60 which was enough to claim 2nd spot overall. (The winners, with a score of 52/60, were from an Irish speaking school that won the National Final last year so the standard was very high). This is the second year in a row that the team has made it through to the Craobh so they are serious, competitive and experienced quizzers at this stage.
Our Junior team will now represent Dublin in the National Final in March 2022, which will be held either in person in a Dublin Hotel or virtually via Youtube, depending on the health regulations in place at the time.
Táimid go léir sa scoil an-bhródúil as na daltaí ar fad. Coimeád suas an sár obair agus ádh mór sa Chraobh.
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Talent Show
Coláiste Phádraig’s Virtual Talent Show was held on Friday, October 22nd. As always there was great excitement and a brilliant atmosphere around the school on the day of the show which was streamed simultaneously into every classroom from 9:15am. Seventeen acts competed in this year’s show in total having recorded themselves at home and there was an impressive range of talents displayed from singers, rappers, musicians, saxophone players, rubik’s cube battles, football skills and a video game edit. There was also a very funny and well edited Lip Sync performance of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” starring the Coláiste Phádraig staff which all went down a treat with the students!
After the votes were counted, in third place was 1st yr Jeremiah Pulle with a brilliant saxophone performance of “Amazing Grace”, which he chose as a tribute to God and Christianity. His skill on his alto saxophone was hugely impressive as he added some appregios (a series of broken chords/notes) to jazz up his crowd pleasing rendition of this popular Christian hymn. Jeremiah received 50euro for finishing 3rd.
In 2nd place was 2nd
yr Dominic Ogbiemwan with his original rap performance of his own song entitled “Somebody Else”, about the importance of friendship in his life. Dominic was happy with 2nd place and his reward of 100euro but no doubt he will be back again next year, determined to go one better!
This year’s Talent Show winner was 2nd
yr Luke Melinn with his dazzling editing of the computer game “Splitgate” (a fast-paced multiplayer shooter game) adding a funny and unique montage of TikTok memes, video clips and tricks. His impressive skills and talent were particularly appreciated and enjoyed by the younger students in the school who nearly all voted for him! Luke was presented with 150euro and a framed certificate by Ms. Bonner in recognition of his fantastic achievement.
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The TY students were a huge help throughout the Talent Show. Calvin Flood in particular did a phenomenal job editing the entire show which ran for 80 mins. Calvin committed an enormous amount of time into ensuring that every act was given the required time to display their talents and that each performance flowed seamlessly into the next one. Everyone was greatly impressed by Calvin’s professional standard final edit which greatly added to the sense of occasion.
Luke Carmody did a brilliant job editing the Bohemian Rhapsody Lip Sync while Oisín Beggan created the montage of pictures of all of the contestants. Ross Murray created the excellent introduction animation while Shane Wallace headed up the team of TYs that recorded the different groups for the Lip Sync. So many other TY students carried out important tasks to ensure that the Talent Show ran so smoothly.
Finally, a word of appreciation to Ms. Bonner who once again took on the enormous responsibility for this year’s Talent Show. She was busy basically every free class period that she had over the space of a number of weeks chasing up students (and staff!) for their contributions to the Talent Show. Without her dedication, perseverance and patience (which was stretched to the limit on occasion!), the Talent Show would simply not have happened.
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Visual Art
In Visual Art class our 1st yrs completed self-portraits based on work by the renowned artist Andy Warhol, a leading figure in a visual art movement in the early 1960s known as Pop Art. The students used a photograph taken by their art teacher Ms. Ryan to aid the drawing process and their finished portraits were of a very high standard. They displayed vibrant colours and tone and were so realistic that it was hard to distinguish them from their photographs! The students got the opportunity to sample a variety of mediums such as watercolours, fine liners and pastels which they thoroughly enjoyed. There is certainly plenty of talented artists in 1st yr and Ms. Ryan is enjoying working with them and nurturing their creativity and artistic skills.
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Woodwork:
Mr. Flynn’s 2nd
yr woodwork students were tasked with designing clocks with positive quotes on them as part of the well-being aspect of the new subject specification. The students set about their projects with zeal and enthusiasm, producing a wonderful collection of high standard clocks with uplifting and inspiring messages such as “You’ll Never Walk Alone” “Be yourself” “Be the hero of your story” and “Believe in yourself”. Many of these clocks are now hanging proudly in the students’ sitting rooms and bedrooms, boosting the mood of everyone who reads the messages. Well done to the students on their creativity and skill.
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Pictured: L- R: Mr. Danny Reilly (St. Vincent's Primary School Principal)
Eamonn Dowling (Past Pupil 1939-1945), Ms. Máire Quinn (St. Vincent's Secondary School Principal)
Connecting to our Past:
In these uncertain times, many of us have taken the opportunity to rekindle old friendships, awaken memories and re-connect with our past. St. Vincent's Secondary School, Glasnevin has done just that, by engaging online with their past pupils and reaching out to decades of alumni to share stories and photos from their time at the school. It's been a great success!
From 1863 to 1973, the Christian Brothers ran an orphanage and farm in Glasnevin, meeting the needs of their community. These boys were referred to as 'boarders' by the school and the locals and in 1927, day pupils also began to enrol. The current primary school opened in 1939 and the secondary school officially opened in 1965.
One of the most uplifting stories to come from the school's engagement with their past, is that of Eamonn Dowling. Eamonn attended St. Vincent's from 1939 to 1945, and was known by his classmates as 'Magic' Dowling. He left school in September 1945 to become a boy messenger in the G.P.O. He has fond memories of his time at St. Vincent's and although he confesses to not being very sporty; academically, he was a scholar. Eamonn expressed an interest in returning to the school to walk the corridors again, and St. Vincent's were delighted to oblige.
On the 15th November, Eamonn arrived at St. Vincent's to a Guard of Honour from the Student Council and was greeted by the principals from both the primary and secondary schools. He was given a tour of school by the primary school principal, Mr. Reilly, regaling those present with his memories as he perused the many photographs from that era which the school still displays on its walls.
In recent months, St. Vincent's has established its first Past Pupils Committee in several decades and as the cloud of Covid slowly passes, there are plans for reunions and events in the near future.
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Edmund Rice College Carrigaline |
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Stand Up Week
In November we had a busy time preparing for Stand Up week. We would like to thank everyone for their commitment to Stand Up Week. Stand Up Week is all about standing up against bullying in our LGBTQI+ Community.
Our school wants to ensure that all students feel safe, welcome and Included. Part of our charter is to foster a caring school and community and Stand Up Week gives us the opportunity to show our support and care for everyone in our school.
A flag has been raised outside the school and we celebrated our LGBTQI+ community in the atrium by selling rainbow cupcakes.
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Charity Work
In the spirit of Edmund Rice we here at Edmund Rice Carrigaline like to help and support others especially at Christmas time . Our Annual Fancy Dress Fundraiser this year helped raise funds for the Tir na Nog orphanage in Tanzania. A local lady Leonore Good was raising money in order to give kids a Christmas. Overall, we raised over four hundred euro. Well done to everyone involved. There were prizes for the best individuals, best class and best teacher. I think it’s fair to say that everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves while supporting a good cause. We were also busy with our Shoe Box Appeal collecting nearly one hundred and fifty shoeboxes.
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Sporting Activities
We have had some fantastic results from our Ladies football, camogie and basketball over the last couple of months. We are also delighted to announce that we now have an equestrian team who competed in their first event this year.
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Scoil Íosagáin Primary Limerick |
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Brother James Dormer, chairperson Board of Management Scoil Iosagain C.B.S. Primary School, Sexton St., Limerick makes a presentation to David Neill on the occasion of his retirement from the school Board of Management after eight years.
Pictured, left to right, Denis Barry, School Principal, David Neill, Bro. James Dormer, chairperson B.o.M. and Nancy Kelly, B.o.M.
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North Monastery Primary Cork |
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Our two secretaries retire after 63 years’ combined service
November marked our secretaries’, Cáit Linehan (40 years) and Ellen Mc Carthy’s, retirement. Both women had been the face of the school and will be long remembered for their warmth, professionalism and dedication. Many a Mon boy remembers the joy of being sent down on a job to the office, only to be met with a smile by Cáit and Ellen. Their retirement marks the end of an era, and their long years of service to the school was marked with a half-day. We wish them all the best
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Junior Infants Shoebox Appeal
Our Junior Infants showed us how to give back and support those less fortunate than themselves. They took part in the Christmas Shoebox Appeal. The Shoebox Appeal delivers presents into the hands of children in need. All of their hard work will mean that a lot of children have a much brighter Christmas.
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It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
In preparation for the Late, Late Toy Show some staff decorated the school for Christmas to ensure the children got into the festive spirit. The looks of wonderment and joy on their faces when they arrived to their Christmas wonderland were a joy to behold.
But it got even better, as students were given a specially designed Toy Show treat box with sweets and popcorn. Students were also offered the opportunity to create their own Christmas cards, which were then printed and can be sent to family and loved ones. There was a huge amount of preparation that went into getting the school Christmas ready, so well done to all involved.
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School of Sanctuary
Our already impressive mural at the Fair Hill entrance was augmented in October. The addition of students’ handprints was a way of signifying the school’s pledge to be a warm, safe and welcoming place for people all cultures, views and ethnicities. It was Vice Principal Colin Daly’s idea and he was ‘on hand’ to ensure all went smoothly on the day. Fionnuala Mac curtain, grand-daughter of past pupil and patriot, Tomás, and Conál Creedon, recent recipient of Past Pupil of the Year, have also signed the mural in the past few weeks.
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Fou Fou Fares: Ultra-marathoner and MMA fighter
Past pupil Fou Fou is an incredibly impressive young man. A past student of the primary, and current secondary school student, he ran an ultra-marathon to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society last May. He ran the 200 km from the Mon campus to Galway, and in doing so became the youngest Irish male to complete such a distance. He is also a very successful MMA fighter and recorded his first victory in Norwich in November, in his opponent’s hometown. The 18- year old, fighting out of SBG in Blackpool, is currently preparing for his Leaving Cert. A true credit to his family, school, and city.
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Multicultural Week
Starting on the 8th of November our school celebrated multicultural week. As a school we sought to embrace, and celebrate, the school’s ethnically diverse student population. With pupils’ families coming from twenty-five different countries we have a culturally rich school and we used the week to learn about the different places that our students, and their families come from. Some students learned some words of their parents’ native tongue, dressed up in traditional dress. We even had a mini world cup. Ireland beat Romania on penalties in the 2nd class final. In the 3rd class final Ireland took on Nigeria in the final, with neighbours and best friends Jermaine and Caine facing off against each other, Ireland just about winning a very tight game.
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“Please Anne, can we have some more?”
We are very lucky in our school to have hot lunches served up to us every day. This is a new initiative this year, and has been very warmly welcomed by the whole school community.
Anne prepares hearty, nutritious and delicious food for our students every day of the week. Students get a choice of food, with vegetarian and halal options included every week.
We would like to thank Anne for her warmth, friendliness and endless patience.
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Táimíd i gColáiste Mhuire Cabrach, tar éis níos mó na €1,500 a bhailiú do dhá charthanacht ar na mallaibh, Ospidéal na leanaí i Sráid an Teampaill agus Cumann Naomh Uinseann de Pól, dóibh siúd inár gceantar atá ar an ngannchuid an Nollaig seo.
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Edmund Rice Secondary School Carrick-on-Suir Comeback to Win Inaugural Noel Russell Memorial Cup
ERSS 1-19
High School CBS 1-17
Thursday October 21st saw a great match played out in the superbly maintained Páirc na nEalaí in Carrick on Suir. The match was organised to remember Noel Russell, who inspired many young hurlers in both areas with his work as a Gaelic Development Officer. The teams were aware of his influence on the two schools and the game was a tight contest throughout with great intensity brought by both sides.
ERSS started brightly taking the lead by two points before Emmet Butler got the High School off the mark. Both schools then traded scores up to the first water break which saw the score 0-5 each. The High School upped the tempo after the water break and with great points from Chris Ryan and Anthony Keeley, led 10 points to 8 at half time.
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ERSS never let their workrate and effort drop and were rewarded with a number of great scores that saw the teams level again shortly after half time. The teams traded scores in what was a tense contest. The effort of the players on both sides was wonderful to see, no more than when Ruairí Leahy ran through the ERSS defence to provide a wonderful assist for a Dean English goal.
This saw the High School go 4 points up coming down the home stretch. However ERSS fought back from this point onwards scoring a hard earned goal to lead by 3 as the full time whistle approached. Both teams battled on but the ERSS players drove home to win by 2 points.
Credit to all involved who produced a great game of hurling that Noel Russell would have been proud of. The captain of the ERSS team Ger Hahessy was delighted to accept the cup from Noel's wife Rita. We all look forward to next year's rematch in ensuring that the memory and legacy that Noel left in both school communities will live on forever.
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Mass for the 25th Anniversary of the Beatification of Edmund Rice
On the 6th of October we marked the 25th anniversary of the beatification of Edmund Rice by celebrating a mass in St Peter & Pauls church in Clonmel. It was a wonderful opportunity to remember the work of Edmund Rice and for our first years to celebrate the founder of their new school. The mass was led by our school chaplain Fr. Michael Twoomey with readings from the student body from first year. We also had a wonderful first performance of our first year Music group on the day. Thanks to Mr Sheehan, Mr Guilfoyle, Mr O Gorman, Ms Hickey, Mr Ryan, Fr. Twoomey, Fr. Treacy & our Principal Ms Steenson for helping to organise such a wonderful occasion.
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Maths Week October 2021
We had a wonderful week of activities and challenges this year for Maths week. We started the week with a maths challenge read out over the intercom by the principal Ms Steenson. Each day there was a senior and junior quiz with answers submitted to the maths week google classroom. We had a speaker each day that delivered an online workshop for various students. We received great talks from Dr Aoife Hunt - The shape of escape, the maths of crowd behaviour. Living Maths with Bobby Seagull Curious Maths with Rob Eastaway Maths v Sport with Tom Crawford Maths Careers Panel with Dr Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain
On the Wednesday of Maths week we had a quiz for TY students which students really enjoyed while there were various activities organised during the week to help make Maths week 2021 very enjoyable for the whole school community. Well done to some of our competition winners pictured below.Thanks to all the Maths department for all their hard work in organising a great week.
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Senior Cup Qualifier Final
Our U19 rugby team has advanced to the final of the Munster Schools Senior Cup qualifier. We had a comprehensive win against Colaiste Choilm Ballincollig in the semi final and will now play Pobalscoil Bantry in the final on Thursday 9th December in Irish Independent Park, Cork. The winner of this match will play in the first round of the Munster Schools Senior Cup after Christmas. The High School has made huge strides in its rugby programme over the past number of years, having previously qualified in 2018 and 2019 for the Senior Cup. The team will also play in the semi final of the Mungret Cup in January so a busy few weeks lay in store for the team and coaches.
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Junior Cup Qualifier Final
Not to be overshadowed by the senior team, our U16 rugby team will play Villiers School in the Munster Schools Junior Cup qualifier final in Clanwilliam Park, Tipperary on Wednesday 15th December. The team is unbeaten so far this year in the Mungret Shield, which the High School won for the first time in 2019. The boys have resumed their rugby after the prolonged break due to Covid and their enthusiasm and commitment are commendable. The next few weeks are going to be very exciting indeed!
U15 Rugby
Our U15 team participated in the Munster Schools McCarthy Cup and had some fantastic games since September. They have shown great promise in their efforts and will play in the Munster Schools Cleary Cup after Christmas.
U14 Rugby
Our First Year students have embraced the sport with admirable enthusiasm. Many have never played before but they have learned so much at our weekly training sessions. They show great potential and have performed well in local blitzes and in matches against Glenstal Abbey, Castletroy College and Bandon Grammar School. The future is bright for High School Rugby!
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Junior Rugby
Junior rugby team took part in the 1B junior rugby league in preparation for the Fr. Godfrey cup which takes place in the new year.
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€2000 raised for St. Vincent De Paul
Thank you to everyone who contributed to SVP RAG Day collection. Naas CBS has raised €2000 for SVP who will assisst families in need this Christmas. Well done to all our staff and students for wearing their Christmas jumpers and adding some festive cheer to our school environment! Thanks to Ms. K. Phibbs and the prefects for organising the Rag Day.
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Advent
Principal BenTravers highlighted the importance of the season of Advent at a recent assembly. He reminded us to have hope, faith, peace and joy as we approached the Christmas season.
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Christmas Carol Service
On December 8th 2021, we held our annual Christmas Carol Service in ‘The Church of the Irish Martyr’s, Ballycane.
This is our first time having a live Christmas Carol service in Ballycane Church since the Covid pandemic. Here, we celebrated the season of Advent and looked ahead to the brighter days to come. We prayed for all those who have suffered due to the Covid 19 pandemic and wished our staff, students and families a very Happy Christmas.
We were very fortunate to hear Naas CBS’s Choir sing for us. Thank you to Ms. O’Donovan, Ms. McCabe and Ms. Ward for organising the music. Thank you to Mr. Kelly for organising the Christmas Carol Service 2021.
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Naas CBS Canal Clean-Up
Class 4F with the help of Elaine, from Naas Adventure Centre, got into kayaks armed with nets and litter pickers and began picking rubbish out of the canal. They managed to fill five refuse bags with rubbish.
While the students in kayaks fished out the rubbish, 10 other students walked along aside them along the canal and also picked up rubbish from the bank or the canal.
Thank you to Mr. Noone and Mr. Coy for organising this. It is a wonderful example of community work and many more Canal Clean Ups are planned in the future.
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Stand Up Awareness Week
The CBS Roscommon recently marked Stand Up Awareness Week, an event where schools across the country joined in supporting of the LGBTI+ community. In class, students engaged in some lessons which provided greater knowledge and understanding on this topic. We looked at the importance of our core values: respect, tolerance, acceptance and equality. To mark Stand Up Awareness Week, and to celebrate UNESCO Anti-Bullying in Schools' day which took place on 4th November, students created a number of posters and visual images (in a number of different languages) which were displayed around the school. We reiterated the following message to all of our school community: Regardless of creed, culture, race or sexuality, it is important to treat others as you yourself would like to be treated. Thank-you to Ms Reale for co-ordinating, and to the entire school community for great support.
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BT Young Scientist Covid Project
CBS Roscommon Transition Year students Brian O’Connor, Adam Murphy and TJ Smyth have been selected to compete in the Virtual Finals of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in January 2022. Their research project is ‘Investigating the Student Experience of Learning during a Pandemic’. This project was one of 550 selected projects out of a total of 1400 applications - a testament to both their unique concept and their dedication as young scientists.
As part of their project, the TYs surveyed a large number students from various year groups about their experience of learning during a pandemic. They are in the process of compiling and investigating all data, but so far the key findings have indicated some students found the process more difficult because of the social aspect of school. Others found it quite easy and had no problem keeping up with the work. Of the students surveyed, all students surveyed had access to a smart phone. A much smaller cohort had access to laptops. Only half of the surveyed students had access to reliable broadband. They found thhis was a major factor in their experience of learning during the pandemic, as it made live classes much more difficult, however they were able to access work and documents posted on Teams. We wish Brian, Adam and TJ the very best in the competition we look forward to reading the finished report. Many thanks to their teacher Ms Ann Marie O’Callaghan for her work with the students.
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CBS Celebrate Language Diversity
At the CBS Roscommon, we are lucky enough to have a great diversity in language and cultures in our school community. In September, we recognised and celebrated all languages in our school with the European Day of Languages. EDL is a day of celebration across Europe. It is the day that all member states promote awareness among citizens of the importance of learning other languages and understanding other cultures.
The European Day of Languages has been celebrated every year since 2001 on the 26th September so this year we are celebrating 20 years of linguistic diversity.
800 million Europeans are encouraged to learn more languages, at any age - at school or out of school - because learning a different language is understanding a different culture. From surveys across the school, the following were recognised as languages spoken by the students themselves or within their homes: Irish, English, French, Spanish, Polish, Croatian, Cant, Lithuanian, Latvian, Czech, German, Slovak, Portuguese, Hindi, Thai and Malayalam.
Students are worked in groups to research fun facts and basic phrases in each language and presented them to the rest of the school community in daily announcements and posters around the school. A quiz was also held to celebrate the day. Many thanks to all students for participating, and to the Modern Foreign Languages Department for organising.
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Fundraiser
Well done to our First Year students who organised a number of fundraising events. One group organised Care Packages for patients in a local nursing home while others use a Christmas Jumper day to raise funds for Pieta House and Join Our Boys.
Your caring community spirit will benefit others in our community. |
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Mr Aaron Hynes, Mr Kevin Scollan and Ms Rosie Reale accepting the One Good School award from Yvonne Lowry of Jigsaw
CBS Roscommon Presented with One Good School Award
CBS Roscommon was recently awarded a wall plaque in recognition of its participation in Jigsaw’s ‘One Good School’ initiative which supports the mental health and wellbeing of young people by developing a shared responsibility across the whole school community.
Yvonne Lowry of Jigsaw presented Principal Kevin Scollan with a wall plaque highlighting the school’s commitment to the initiative. Jigsaw was set up in recognition of the vital role school’s play in promoting and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people and all those within the school community. The programme works towards ensuring that schools can provide safe and supportive environments for building life skills, resilience and a strong sense of connectedness. Fostering healthy relationships among peers, school staff and parents is critical to a young person’s overall experience of school and their social, emotional and cognitive development.
Within schools, there has been a growing emphasis on the importance of promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing. This has been reflected in a number of key national policy documents which identify schools as critical settings for contributing to student health and wellbeing.
In developing ‘One Good School’, Jigsaw’s new approach to supporting mental health and wellbeing in post primary schools, we consulted widely and again and again, we heard that there is an urgent need for a more structured, systematic and programmatic approach at a local level; an approach that supports all areas of the school setting and creates capacity to be reflective and responsive to the needs of the school and the individuals who are part of the school community.
The Jigsaw programme offers a broad range of activities for the whole school community, including school leadership teams, teachers, parents, and students. The initiative will be delivered through interactive workshops, webinars, online tools and resources, peer education programmes and more. It is aligned to national policies and supports the School Self-Evaluation process (SSE). This is particularly valuable in view of the target which has been set by the Department of Education and Skills that all schools will have ‘an embedded self-evaluation wellbeing promotion process by 2023.’
Recognition of your school’s participation, One Good School awards are offered at the end of a two-year cycle to acknowledge the efforts and commitments that all members of the school community have demonstrated towards promoting and supporting youth mental health and wellbeing.
Yvonne also presented the Senior Football Team and their coaches Damien Tiernan and Aaron Hynes with a set of jerseys to show the organisation’s dedication and commitment to promoting wellbeing within the school. Many thanks also to Ms Reale for her commitment to championing the One Good School initiative within the CBS. |
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St Joseph's Primary School Drogheda |
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Statue of St Joseph
On Thursday 25th November the priests of the parish kindly donated to us a statue of St. Joseph. The statue had been in the garden of St. Peter's presbytery, Fair Street, Drogheda and hidden from the view of the public.
Before the statue arrived here at St. Joseph's a local painter freshly painted the statue and brought it back to its former glory.
It now takes pride of place at the front of the school.
Thank you to the priests of the parish for your kind gift to the community of St. Joseph's school.
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Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC)
In September 2020, the first ASC (formerly ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorder) class was established within Charleville CBS Secondary school. Our ASC class reflects the inclusive ethos of Charleville CBS which is based on the belief that students with special needs should receive their education within the most supportive environment. This focus on realising the full potential of each individual student will endeavour to develop the students’ life skills and prepare them for life after school.
The new educational space comprises a state-of-the-art classroom, purposely designed to support children with ASC, who are experiencing or would experience difficulty in a mainstream class setting, to access the curriculum and maximise their potential for learning and personal development. It will cater for a maximum of six students. It includes a fully fitted kitchen, individual workstations, a quiet area with beanbags, interactive whiteboard and general work space.
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Horticulture
As part of the new Junior Cycle, schools can provide Level 2 Learning Programmes (L2LPs) suited for students with general learning disabilities in the higher functioning moderate and low functioning mild categories. L2LPs are designed only for students who are not accessing some or all of curriculum specifications aligned with Level 3 National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). In collaboration with Mr Reidy, we developed a Junior Cycle Level 2 short course that promotes the development of personal, social and practical skills in the context of learning about Horticulture and Environmental Sustainability.
Our vision is that horticulture will inspire children; encouraging them to be inquisitive about the world; working outdoors on the school grounds nurtures their innate curiosity and enables them to develop a range of skills that are useful across their learning both now and in their future lives.
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School Sensory Garden
We are embarking on an ambitious project to build a school sensory garden that will be located beside our polytunnel. There is a range of evidence that supports the idea that regular contact with nature can benefit a wide range of children including those on the autistic spectrum, those with emotional and behavioural difficulties and those with learning problems.
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Our sensory garden will include a number of zoned areas which will address a number of sensory needs.
- Seedling plants & herbs to create colourful sensory zones in the new play space. This will appeal to the student’s sense of sight, taste, touch & smell.
- Water features and chimes.
- New pathways connecting the sensory garden to existing pathways.
- Hexagon timber sensory surface that will include: play sand, washed pebbles, corrugated piping and barch mulch.
- Decorative gold stone/gravel.
We started the groundwork on the sensory garden in early November. We were able to do so, thanks to the generosity and expertise of the local community who helped us begin this work. Due to the constraints of a limited budget we have adopted a Meitheal approach, inviting people in our local and school community to donate their time, expertise, funds etc to get this project completed.
"It takes a village to raise a child" is an African proverb that means that an entire community of people must provide for and interact positively with children for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment.
We are extremely grateful to all those who have supported this project to date. We would not be able to embark on this project without their help. We are enjoying the work on the garden, students and teachers are scheduled to work weekly on the project. We cannot wait to see the completion of this much needed space in our school.
Proposed Zones in the Garden |
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Well done to the Charleville school community who have worked together in the true spirit of Edmund Rice to ensure our school promotes Gospel values, promotes caring partnerships and provides high quality educational experiences for all our students. |
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St. Mary's Academy Carlow |
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Art Teacher
Adam Bohanna, our Art teacher, has scooped the prestigious Royal Ulster Academy prize for best portrait. His work was selected from over 2700 entries in this competition.
Adam has won prestigious awards before, locally at the Visual Arts Centre and also from the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin.
Though the Royal Ulster Academy prize will no doubt open doors for Adam to galleries, art dealers and buyers around the world, he will not be churning out work through technical means and remains resolutely a classic painter.
It is such a delight to celebrate this talent within our school community.
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In November, We Remember |
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Students and teachers created a Remembrance Tree and set it up in the school foyer. On this tree hang name tags of our loved ones who have gone before us. These names include students, teachers and family members from our school community.
May they rest in peace. Fr. Gaspar, our school chaplain, remembered these souls in the last Tuesday morning Mass of November.
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Advent Wreath in St Mary’s Academy
Advent is a time to celebrate light in the midst of darkness. Some students made kindness calendars and committed to acts of kindness that would brighten up families and friends in the weeks leading up to Christmas day. Small steps to prepare well and live intentionally for Christmas.
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Peace & Justice Group
The Peace and Justice group comprises students who feel the need to respond to the requirement for peace and justice in their lives during their school experience. One student shared the following thoughts on what the Peace and Justice group means to him in his experience in our school
Peace and Justice means so much to me here in CBS Carlow. Ever since I had joined the group in First Year, I feel that I am an active and proud member of the advocacy group. The meetings and actions that represent Peace and Justice are incredibly significant to my school experience.
Meeting with this group has been an opportunity during the school year, where students could share ideas and have active, respectable communication with each other. The group represents young individuals, all with the same goals.
To be an active citizen of our CBS Carlow community and be an advocate for the voiceless is important to me. Students and teachers alike work together to volunteer for our local community and for other groups, such as SVP, the Lions Club, Shoebox appeal alongside many more.
As a Muslim, I feel proud to be part of this group. I believe a group like this should be everywhere, not just in schools. In the Quran it says, “Help one another in acts of piety and righteousness” (Quran 5:2). It is a chance where people can give back to our community and I am proud and honored to say that here at Peace and Justice we do just that.
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Shoebox Appeal |
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Team Hope’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal is an annual campaign that delivers gifts straight into the hands of children affected by poverty. Often these shoebox gifts are the only gift that a child will receive at Christmas and the joy that they bring is incredible.
We are very grateful for the support we received for our Shoebox appeal from the school community and from the people of Carlow.
All of the boxes went to children in Albania in plenty of time for Christmas.
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Backpack Appeal |
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BackPack Appeal for Christmas with Merchants Quay Ireland
These backpacks will join the 100 BackPack Appeal and will be gifted to people who use the hostel on Christmas Eve. The money raised for the backpacks bought useful and essential items that would be appreciated by those who use the facilities at MQI. It is with great humility the Peace and Justice group received such generous support from kind students and staff in our school community who gave with such a generous spirit.
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St. Vincent de Paul
Funds raised from a Christmas Jumper day in school went to Carlow SVP. We were delighted to have Debbie Donohoe from our local SVP to visit our school and explain how SVP operate in the local area. We presented the cheque to Debbie for use this Christmas
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Calm Club
Calm Club is about promoting skills to deal with difficult emotions we may experience. Our trained staff promote ways to develop self-management skills among interested students and therefore tap into wellbeing of our student body. It provides a calm space for peacefulness during a busy school day.
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Doon U21’s visit Doon CBS!! |
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Some of the victorious Doon U21 panel who completed a terrific three in a row on Sunday December 5th, 2021. 22 members of this squad went to school here in Doon CBS. Not bad for a small rural school of less than 60!! |
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Doon star Adam English pictured with his 5 cousins. From left to right Padóg O’ Brien, Fionn O’ Brien, Harry Butt, Paddy O’ Brien & Charlie Hyman. All very proud cousins!!
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Sibling adoration! |
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Aidan Purcell who played corner back on this successful team pictured with his brother Ned, who is in second class.
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Active Schools
This year in Doon CBS we are looking to achieve our third active flag. We have been working very hard recently, running daily laps, completing the Active Everyday challenge as well as our 12 Days of Fitmas.
Well done to Padraig Hanley & Oliver Bosek (6th class) who came up with our Active School slogan and design ‘Don’t Just Sit, Get Fit’. These boys were thrilled with their active prizes.
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Writing Competition |
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Our budding novelist Leo Armstrong who entered a writing competition organised by novelist Anthony Garvey. Leo’s story was chosen from over a hundred entries. Well done Leo!!!
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Kindness Day |
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Members of 5th
& 6th class who recently celebrated World Kindness Day.
Tony Arthurs, Bashir Owolabi, Thomas O’ Dwyer, Michael Dillon, Cian Murphy & Nathan Kernan O’ Connor.
‘In a world where you can be anything, BE KIND!’
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Student Council 2021/22
Back Row: Dominic Ryan, Oliver Bosek, Aaron Morris, Cian Murphy, Billy Murphy & Noah O’ Kelly
Front Row: Lee McSweeney, Ned Purcell, PJ Cusack & Jack Butler
Our student council have been working very hard recently to help promote our school and come up with some new initiatives for the school to participate in as we look to gain an Amber Flag for Doon CBS. We recently had a movie day where pupils brought in a small donation for Pieta house. We raised €230 which Pieta House were delighted to receive. We also sent Christmas cards along with handwritten letters and a scratch card to the people of The Brothers of Charity. We are trying to spread some Christmas joy to those less fortunate than us.
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Victorious Spikeball Captain |
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Victorious Spikeball Captain Liam Dore Barry pictured with Mr. Donal O’ Connell
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Victorious Spikeball Team |
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Back Row: Dominic Ryan, Diarmuid Crowe & Tony Arthurs
Front Row: Michael Dillon, Liam Dore Barry & Patrick Ronan
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Christmas Cards
Doon CBS student council delivering the schools Christmas cards to the Brothers of Charity in Doon
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Waterpark College Waterford |
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“You missed a Spot”
Even Santa himself has been helping out in the college getting the place looking super for Christmas! Advent is well and truly underway in our school as we start the wind down (or should that be wind up) for Christmas. Exams have finished as we head into the final strait, but while junior classes are still busy with CBA’S and course work, we look forward to our Christmas Wellbeing Week to get us in the mood for the holidays. Students are invited to enter the annual Christmas competitions in art, poetry and short story, closing date is Friday 17th December and prizes galore are promised. There’s a surprise coffee morning for 6th years to kick the week off. First year students and Ms. Rankine’s singers and musicians are busying themselves for a Christmas liturgy in St. Benildus for Thursday 16th. We have a talk on teams with Dr, Mark Rowe, Leading Wellbeing Practitioner for Leaving Certs and a grúpa ceoil performing Amhráin na Nollaig in the foyer thanks to Ms. Corcoran.
U19 Ladies Basketball
Waterpark’s U19 Ladies Basketball team beat Our Lady of Lourdes, New Ross in their fifth and final group game on Friday 10th
December and they now top the group and move on to quarter finals! Best of luck to this team who have been battling it out to win. Well done to team mates Amy Caulfield, Annie Nugent, Caoimhe Power, Erin Medina-O’Connor, Janine Lopes-Silva, Jillian Curtin, Lana Hogan-Dowling, Maeve Sheridan, Niamh Power, Orna O’ Reilly, Rachel Butler, Robyn Foley, Ruby O’ Neill, Sarah Heery, Sophie Monahan, Veronica O’ Farrell-Lamadrid and Nina Molloy
Ceol Tradisiúnta na Nollag
Beidh an grúpa ceoil tradisiúnta ag seinnt a gcuid amhránaí an seachtain seo chugainn dona scoláirí I rith am lón ar an Aoine. Bhí siad ag teacht le chéile chomh minic is ab fhéidir leo chun teaspántas ceoil a chur ar fáil, go mór mhór don Nollag. Táimíd an-bhuíoch astu.
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Fill a Bus
Students collect for Waterford Food Bank with Bus Eireann
Waterford Food Bank, in collaboration with Bus Eireann, organised a Christmas collection of non-perishable foods with schools around the city and county.
This food will be used to make up hampers for local Waterford families. A bus called to the school Thursday, December 2nd. Their aim was to fill the bus with food!
Thanks to all who donated into our trolley in the lobby, and a big thank you to Ms. Fitzgerald and her students for organising it!
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Ceramic workshop with local artist Ann Marsh
Our TY students benefitted hugely from the talents of local artist Ann Marsh. Together with Ms. Kenneally, our Art teacher, students were shown how to work clay and get their piece to the potter’s wheel. Most found the skill quite a strenuous but fulfilling exercise and really threw themselves into it. The pieces are ready to be fired up in the kiln and may make for some nice Christmas presents if the students can be parted from them!
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Advent Mindfulness Calendar
Well done to TY students, Rebecca Kennedy and Kristina Doherty for their work on producing a college calendar for Advent. This is there now for every year and many of us have taken on the daily challenges. The targets were anything from smiling at someone in school who we wouldn’t normally chat with to helping to organise a family meal. Well done to Ms. Murphy for setting this up and it certainly has given us a grounded focus to each day.
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Oatlands Primary School Dublin |
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Advent
There has been great excitement since the beginning of Advent this year. Bright colours, lights and great festive cheer, have dominated the Oatlands corridors.
Advent Calendar Fun
Miss Finglas has been doing an amazing Advent Calendar, with surprises every day for the whole school, which has really given a positive feeling to everyone! We have all enjoyed the activities, and look forward to more festive excitement this week!
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Art and Project Work
Christmas projects are taking place all over Oatlands, and centre stage, is the green school ethos of caring for our planet. Ms. Beirne's class have been making a display using only recycled materials. Lots of children have been designing Winter landscapes, bringing in all areas of the curriculum. Winter art has focused on snowmen, reindeer, and candy canes,vas well as scenes of 'ice skating' long ago, by artist Hendrick Avercamp, which can be seen in the National Gallery of Ireland.
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Christmas Bingo
There has been a 'Festive Bingo Evening', organised by the very dedicated parents council. We thank them for all their hard work and dedication.
Nativity Play
Our annual Nativity Play has brought great joy and much anticipation to the infant corridor in the last month. Despite the current restrictions, we had wonderful shows for our infant classes, where children brought the true meaning of Christmas to us, and to their parents, via video link. The boys and girls worked so hard to get everything just right for their performances. The bright and cheerful faces, and the beautiful heartfelt singing almost lifted the roof of the assembly hall!
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Green Schools and Dublin City Council
There has been great work going in various classes, for our Christmas decoration competition, hosted by Dublin City Council. We look forward to seeing who the winner is in the coming days ! No doubt the winner will have put in a great deal of work, as have all participants.
Merry Christmas 🎄
We wish everyone a very Happy Christmas, from all the staff and students at Oatlands Primary. May it be a peaceful and joyful one for all. Happy New Year!
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CBS Primary School Tralee |
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Official Opening 18th October 2021
CBS
Primary Tralee has undergone a major transformation with a new two-storey
extension, appropriately named the Edmund Rice Building, which was officially
opened by Norma Foley TD, Minister for Education on Monday 18th
October 2021. At the opening, the building was blessed by Bishop of Kerry, Ray
Browne.
The
Edmund Rice Building contains four new classrooms on the first floor and a
modern special educational needs facility on the ground floor. A new school
entrance is also now in place which includes a reception area and secretary’s
office at the front of the school. The project was completed in September 2020
but due to restrictions associated with Covid-19, the school waited until
Monday 18th October 2021 to celebrate the completion of all the work
with an official opening.
During the building
project we were also granted extra funding to upgrade our heating system, to
replace all of the water pipes within the school grounds and install a new fire
alarm. Department of Education grant-aid has also enabled the school to install
a new wi-fi system throughout the school, which facilitates the use of over 100
laptops by children throughout the school.
The building has greatly
enhanced the local streetscape and we have received very positive feedback from
within the school community and from the general public. The original building
is a landmark building in the town that has always been associated with the
Christian Brothers who have been educating children here in Tralee since 1855.
They moved to the present site in Clounalour in 1959.
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From the outset, the safety of the children and staff in our school has been a key priority of the building project. Our school is located in the heart of the town beside some very busy roads and previously was easily accessible to the general public. Every morning over 400 children and in excess of 50 staff come in the gates to begin their day in the CBS. Our main priority is to ensure, as best we can, the safety of all of these people until it is time to return home again at the end of the day. One year after the building works have been completed, we have now seen how these works have greatly enhanced the safety of all.
The special needs facility is a unique one. The latest data from the National Council for Special Education informs us that this facility is a one of a kind – a special needs facility attached to a mainstream school for children with Emotional Behavioural Disorder. We are delighted with the facility as it enables the children in these two classes a great opportunity to return over time to a full day in a mainstream class. In this context, we must acknowledge the staff in CBS Primary Tralee, the teachers and special needs assistants who are the most important resource in this building. Their courage, patience, kindness and professionalism makes a huge difference in these children’s lives.
With the arrival of a new building, we took the opportunity to launch a new school crest. We have drawn inspiration from the Edmund Rice Schools Charter for our new school crest – our very special Tree. At the root of the Tree is a book – at the root of everything we do in our school is teaching and learning. We strive to have the highest quality of teaching and learning for everyone in our school. The trunk of the tree is formed from two hands which represents the caring Christian community of our school – today we continue the age-old practice in CBS schools of feeding, clothing and providing books and uniforms for children – all of this is done discreetly and ensures that our school can be a place of opportunity for all of our pupils. The leaves on the tree represent our inclusive approach to enrolment. In our school, you will find children from all sectors of society, from many faiths and none, children with many different levels of ability and children from the many different cultures that make up the Tralee of today – we are ‘A school where everybody is a somebody’.
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Official Opening of Astroturf Tuesday 30th November
A new all-weather playing
facility in CBS Primary, Tralee, was officially opened at 12.00 on Tuesday 30th
November by Ciara Griffin, recently-retired, Irish Ladies Rugby Captain and a
member of the teaching staff in CBS Primary. Also present on the day were the
fundraising committee from within the staff, the Chairperson of the Board of
Management, Noel Burke, and Kieran Donaghy representing PST who installed the
All-weather playing facility.
The new secure all-weather
facility serves as a school playground for the junior classes at break time and
is available to all of the children for their PE classes. It has been a
tremendous addition to the playing facilities in the school.
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The school began
fundraising for this facility two years ago in late 2019. The pinnacle of the
fundraising efforts was to hold a “Who wants to be a Thousandaire?” night in
the Ballyroe Hotel, Tralee. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, the event was
cancelled on a number of occasions, most recently on Friday last 26th
November. However, the fundraising committee within the school staff decided to
stream the event from the new school building instead and this turned out to be
a tremendous success with over 500 households tuned in last Friday night.
We are deeply indebted to
the business community of Tralee and beyond for supporting our fundraising
efforts. Nearly 100 local business made generous donation to our event and we
were delighted to advertise their business on our school Facebook page during
the last two years. We also produced special video pieces featuring these
businesses which were streamed during our live event on Friday last. We are
also delighted that The Irish American Partnership made a generous donation to
our fundraising efforts. The children will benefit greatly from having such a
fabulous facility in the school.”
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Unexpected positive impact of Morning Training
As many teachers know, getting to school early is easier than getting to school on time. Many teachers commuting from outside the city travel early to avoid traffic congestion. This is true at the other end with those commuting getting out of the city ‘before the traffic’. Early starts and quick getaways coupled with the availability of a local AstroTurf pitch led to early morning training sessions beginning in Synge Street CBS.
Close to the school and beside Meath Street hospital in Portobello there is a hidden park known locally as “The Cabbage Patch”. In the 1600’s the field was rented out to soldiers, billeting in the area under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell. The soldiers grew vegetables on the land and as the name suggests, mostly cabbages.
The Cabbage Patch became a very small park in the middle of apartment blocks and flats and a few years ago Dublin City Council developed a corner of the park into an Astro Turf pitch for the local community sports groups.
If the weather in November was more seasonal it would be more exciting, thankfully it has been mild, and we haven’t had to cancel any sessions. Training early has shown all the boys that they are capable of making sacrifices and it has shown those who are habitually late to school that they can get to school early. Twice per week for four weeks they have shown up at 7.55am trying to get the chance to represent the school, play soccer and maybe even a couple of half days.
We set out with some goals for the competition.
- Make the correct pass (not just to your friend).
- No talking back to the referee.
- Stay positive (trying to give encouragement)
We played 1 match so far which didn’t go our way on the scoreboard but I’m proud of the lads for keeping to our goals.
I suppose it’s up to the school community to challenge students to live the rest of school life as if it is at least as important as schoolboy soccer. The former Manchester United and Norwich player turned priest, Fr Phillip Mulryne OP, once told me that sport is a great avenue to talk to these boys about some of the principles and values of our faith. We in ERST schools can use it as a platform to promote our charter. I even got a sneaky prayer in during the huddle before kick-off.
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From left to right, Adam Lohan, Ben Ryan, Kellie Harrington, Olympic Gold Medallist, Darragh O’ Brien and Mr. Conor Hayes (Project Coordinator at The Abbey. Missing from photo, Sean Kingston
National Garda Youth Award
Congratulations to students, Adam Lohan, Darragh O’ Brien, Ben Ryan and Sean Kingston all current 5th Year students, in collaboration with students from St. Anne’s Secondary School and St. Ailbe’s Secondary School for their success at The National Garda Youth Awards which took place in Portloaise on Saturday,13th
November. Their efforts with the “Inside Out” project in TY 2020-2021 were recognised at a national level.
A unique community-based initiative facilitated and led by Anne Bradshaw (HSE) and Inspector Des Bell (An Garda Síochána) which encouraged the students to focus and reflect on the impact of crime for people with disabilities in the Tipperary area. They also explored what led the perpetrators to engage in criminal activity.
Sincere thanks to Anne, Des, their colleagues from the HSE and An Garda Síochána and students and staff from the three schools involved. Kellie Harrington and Marty Morrissey were inspirational keynote speakers on the day of the awards who really engaged with the students. Some very worthy students and young people were awarded in various categories, and it was hugely inspirational for our students to see other major successes beyond their own which also has encouraged them for future projects. The event was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
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From left to right, Ben Ryan, Darragh O’ Brien, Sean Kingston and Adam Lohan
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EREBB Global Schools Programme
We are very fortunate to be part of a pilot of 40 Edmund Rice Schools worldwide collaborating on the Global Schools Programme through the Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders (EREBB) network. The Global Classroom Partners Program links young people from around the world to learn from, with and about each other, while exploring some of the world’s most important issues. 12 of our TY students together with Mr. Hayes undertook two lessons surrounding the EREBB mission and Sustainable Development Goals, and subsequently had two video conferences with our global classroom partner, Aquinas College, Perth, Western Australia. These connections are facilitated to ensure valuable and deep dialogue can occur. Global Classroom Partners is an initiative of EREBB The first online meeting involved both schools, students and teachers learning a little about one another, their place and their school. Planning for meeting two also took place and the topic for discussion for the dialogue was decided to be on “Sport Moves the World” as it is an area and part of life that is important to both schools. Sharing different experiences about how sport locally and globally brings people and communities together and helps to build a better world for all. This meeting took place on November 24th
and while it is the last official meeting, we have plans to further engage with Aquinas College in February 2022, when they return from their summer holiday break. Currently, the team at The Abbey are putting together a video piece together to share with all in Australia, a flavour of what life is like in The Abbey and Tipperary and extend this valuable learning piece beyond the environs of the zoom meetings. All in all, it has been a very worthwhile project, even if it meant early mornings and 7.30am meetings considering the time difference between both places. Dialogue will continue over the coming months. Student feedback has been very positive on the process to date also:
“I thought the global schools programme was a positive experience because it let us see other people’s culture, but it also showed us that sport can unite people” (Peter Comerford – TY)
“I thought the global school programme was good, mainly because I found it interesting, and I learnt a lot about what it’s like to go to school in Australia. I also learnt about the sports and other activities they do after school” (Shane Quigley TY)
“I found the programme very enlightening and interesting as I got an insight into the lives of my peers in Australia” (Seán Lewis – TY)
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TY students leading the EREBB Global Schools Programme at The Abbey
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From left to right Darragh Barlow (Vice Captain), Cillian Crowe, Brian Marnane (Captain), Mr.Gary Gray (Australian Ambassador to Ireland), Peter Comerford, Darragh Quirke and Joe O’ Callaghan.
Australian Ambassador to Ireland Visits Tipperary
Our school Captain Brian Marnane and Vice Captain Darragh Barlow along with members of the Student Leadership Team, Peter Comerford, Cillian Crowe, Joe O’ Callaghan and Darragh Quirke were delighted to meet Australian Ambassador to Ireland, Gary Gray at Tipperary Remembrance Arch in the grounds of St. Vincent's Hospital on Monday 15th November. The Remembrance Arch is the last remaining section of the Tipperary Military Barracks. The Arch is dedicated to the memory of all those who died in the Great Wars and to those whose remains were never recovered. The Ambassador was invited to lay a wreath at the Arch and we were delighted to be present and represent the school, furthering developing our links with Australia this year, having recently engaged in the Edmund Rice Global Classroom Programme with Aquinas College, Western Australia
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Abbey Art
The Art Department in the Abbey School has recently been hosting Ceramic Workshops with Transition Year Pupils. Wedging, Slab-Rolling, Applying Texture and Glazing are some of the skills learned while exploring this new medium. Pupils decided to get into the festive spirit in the lead up to Christmas by creating Ceramic Christmas Tree Decorations to be displayed on the school tree. The art room has been making great use of its new school Kiln which was funded via our participation in The Arts Council Creative Schools Programme over the past two years. In March 2021 we welcomed artist Thomas Wollen who demonstrated the Raku Firing Technique and discussed the professional nature of art with pupils. As a continuation of this we look forward to welcoming Clonmel based ceramic artist Tanya Creed as our artist in residence in March 2022 who will work with pupils to teach slab-building techniques. Also this term, Transition Year Art pupils have been working in collaboration with the Woodwork Department to create a number of wooden Christmas decorations for display in our school corridors. The aim is to re-purpose old wooden pallets and discarded pieces of wood to create re-usable displays for the next number of years in our school. Art students have been busy painting these designs to brighten the school corridors. Thanks to Art Teacher, Ms, Jolene Carey and Materials Technology Wood Teachers, Mr. Jim Ryan and Mr, Eoin Halligan for all of their efforts in leading various festive projects with the student groups.
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Intercultural Awareness Week – November 08th
- 12th 2021
As part of Cultural Awareness Week which was running in ERST schools across the country during the second week of November, our 2nd, TY and 5th Year students from Spain, France, Denmark and Germany gave presentations on their experience of school, sport, food and tourism in their respective countries and how it differs from life here in The Abbey and Tipperary. The students who from our neighbouring European countries are part of our school community here in Tipperary for between two months and the full academic year. The project was hugely beneficial to the students creating the presentations and sharing their stories but even more important for the local students and staff to become aware of where these students come from. Local knowledge and expertise around tourism and places to visit was well received by all who are looking forward to travelling to some of our European cities and resorts in the near future.
Thanks to Antoine Jacheet – 2nd Year student from France who gives his perspective below on his experience in Ireland to date,
Je m’appelle Antoine Jacheet et aujourd’hui je vais vous raconter mon expérience en Irlande. En effet depuis plus de 3 mois, j’ai intégré de l’abbey school et je m’y plaît énormément. Dès le début à la rentrée tout le monde m’a accueilli chaleureusement. Il est vrai que si en début d’année mon anglais n’était pas parfait, avec le temps il s’est amélioré. Au début les cours étaient assez compliqué mais grâce à l’aide de mes professeurs et de mes camarades j’ai réussi à obtenir de bonnes notes. L’abbey school est une école où j’ai pu m’épanouir grâce aux options et au choix des sports ; en effet pour mon plus grand plaisir l´abbey est une école très sportive. En conclusion je me plais beaucoup en Irlande et dans cette école.
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Abbey Angus Project Update
A huge well done and congratulations to our Abbey Angus team who on November 24th
brought their 5 Angus cattle to factory. A huge step in their project to date - the team have worked hard to learn and engage in sustainable farming here in Ireland. Well done to all and the best of luck in the remainder of your journey.
From left to right, Liam Hayes, Sean Gubbins, Conor Farrell and Darragh Barlow. Missing from photo, Michael Coman
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U15 Hennessy Cup Hurling Final
The Abbey School 1-15 Presentation Ballingarry 0-14
The Abbey School, Tipperary Town retained the U15 Hennessy Cup County hurling title with a hard fought win over Presentation Secondary School Ballingarry played in Boherlahan on Tuesday November 23rd after both teams came out on top of their respective blitz played in early November. In conditions ideal for hurling, it was the Tipperary Town side which were first out of the blocks with a points from Ciaran Kelly, Tom Bradshaw and an impressive total of four points from Cappawhites’ Sean O’Shea. Ballingarry responded with scores of their own to leave the half time score 11 points to 7 in favour of the men from West Tipperary and East Limerick. In the 3rd quarter the ever impressive Darragh O’Hora added to his 5 point haul in the 1st half by adding a further 1-02 from play to stretch the Abbeys lead to 1-15 to 0-09 points at the 2nd water break. O’Hora was ably assisted in the middle of the field by Arravale Rovers’ David Ryan as they played in front of a defence well marshalled by the likes of Adam Ryan, Alan Delaney and Cathal Martin. If the Abbey thought the game was won they were greatly mistaken. On the resumption of the water break, Ballingarry roared back into contention and this resulted in a tight finish but excellent team work and resolute defending by the Abbey saw them maintain their vital 4 point cushion which helped them claim the title It was an exciting game played in an honest manner by both sides. The Abbey can now look forward to a tilt at the Munster Championship after Christmas with a round of 16 tie with the winners of Rice College, Ennis and St Josephs Secondary School, Tulla in store.
Abbey CBS: Morgan O’Connor (Cappawhite), Sean Cleary (Kickhams), Alan Delaney (Arravale Rovers), Eoghan Ryan (Cappawhite), Tom Bradshaw (Lattin- Cullen), Adam Ryan (Arravale Rovers), Cathal Martin (Cappawhite), Darragh O’Hora (Solohead), David Ryan (Arravale Rovers), Matthew Kinnane (Arravale Rovers), Cathal O’Mara (Kickhams), Shane O’Brien (Lattin-Cullen), Ciaran Kelly (Arravale Rovers), Sean O’Shea (Cappawhite), Ciaran Molloy (Cappawhite)
Presentation Ballingarry: Cormac Duggan, Tadgh O’Brien, Bill Cahill, Davis Stanley, Rory O’Brien, Tommy Blackmore, Tommy McGrath, Darragh Pollard, Sean Fitzgerald, Tom Ryan, Charlie Noonan, Alex Britton, Thomas Treacy, Oran Gahan, Michael Cuddihy.
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Retirement of Ms Maura Smyth – India Immersion Organiser
Maura Smyth has retired from Midleton CBS after 33 years of service. Maura joined the school in 1988 and has taught her subjects, Religion and English, with distinction ever since.
Maura has worked as coordinator of Religious Education, chair of the Pastoral Care Committee and was Chaplain in the school since 2006. She tended to the spiritual and emotional needs of our entire school community, ensuring compassion, care and community were at the heart of our daily school life. She organised liturgies throughout the school year and worked closely with the Leaving Cert students each year in preparing for their Graduation Mass. Maura has been a Year Head in our school since 2010 and is currently year head to our third years.
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Maura has also been involved in a number of notable projects in the school, including starting the Midleton CBS - India Immersion Project in 2004. While visiting Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) she was taken by the work of the Christian Brothers and many others in India who care for those on the margins of society. It was agreed that Midleton CBS would become part of the programme and strive to make a difference to the lives of those they encountered in India. Students and teachers from Midleton CBS have travelled with Maura to Kolkata and Asansol on six occasions. In preparation for every visit her team spent a year organising and fundraising and upon arrival in India they worked with and supported the Christian Brothers in their school for street children.
Maura is a highly regarded and much respected member of our staff and everyone in the school would like to wish Maura the best on her well-deserved retirement.
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Homeroom Horticulture
Our Homeroom students have planted lettuce, rocket, spring onions, garlic and wild sea spinach in our polytunnel.
The students also potted winter flowering cyclamen plants outside the Homeroom. Last week the Second Years cooked chicken fajitas at their cookery class and used the rocket to season them.
Every week the produce is watered and fed with sea weed food and all the vegetables grown are organic.
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LGBTI+ Support – Colours Week
Midleton CBS was proud to display the Rainbow Flag as part of National Stand Up Awareness Week. Also, thank you to our staff for wearing Rainbow Colours in a show of support for the LGBTI+ members of our school community.
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Cake sale and 5km run in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness.
Thanks to all our fabulous teachers who baked for our cake sale and took part in our 5km run in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness.
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Our Green Schools' Committee was awarded its fifth flag for biodiversity.
The group has worked extremely hard promoting this cause over the last two years. There has been wild flowers sown, insect hotels made, earth hours, selling a reusable school bottle, upgrading the drinking fountains filtration system and awareness created among the student body through posters and a new notice board. Congratulations to the Green Schools' Committee.
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Presentation to players involved in Minor and U20 All -Ireland Hurling victories.
A presentation was made to all our past and present pupils who represented Cork in the Minor and U20 All - Ireland Hurling victories. They were presented with a framed photograph of the CBS players involved in each final to mark the occasion and they spoke to our first years about the importance of extracurricular activity.
In total Midleton CBS had 19 present and past students involved as players and mentors in All – Ireland Minor Hurling victory, the All – Ireland U20 Hurling victory 2020 (played 2021) and the All – Ireland Hurling victory 2021. Congratulations to all involved.
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Student Council
The newly formed Student Council of CBS James's Street, with the help of their liaison teacher Ms Hill, held its first event on Friday 3rd December.
All staff and students enjoyed the treats of the bake sale, including brownies, cupcakes and rice krispie treats made by the council themselves.
The Parent council sent in lovely baked treats too. A raffle was held, and the Student Council donated €100 of the funds raised to Barnardos.
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Mount Sion Secondary Waterford |
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Climate and Nature Summit
We had a hugely important and busy week here upon our return to school.
We were one of hundreds of other schools participating in the Climate and Nature Summit, which ran concurrently with COP21 in Glasgow. Each morning and evening class the boys were learning about climate related issues and sustainability. We ran 2 competitions during this event - an essay and poster competition. We also did a big clean up of our pollinator and biodiversity area on the Bunkers Hill side of the school with Student Council and Green Schools members Aaron Barry, Kingsley Ekedozie and Rokas Skunsmanas all giving up their free time so the area would be looking clean for the winter. We have big plans for this area next year and we'll be sure to keep you posted. Aleksander Jakubiec was victorious in the essay competition while Samy Alem came out on top for the poster competition (many thanks to renowned artist Maeve Doherty for judging the poster competition.)
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Science Week
Science was at its peak this month in Mount Sion as Ms. Moloney and Ms. O'Brien organised many fun activities for the students such as robotics, poster and riddle competitions. There were many prizes on offer for the winners. A host of new things where learned as daily facts were announced to the school for example “one bolt of lighting could toast 100,000 pieces of bread". Countless experiments took place during science week such as an explosion that they say would be felt as far away as Ballybricken. All you have to do is add sodium to water (DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME). Even Mr. Doherty joined in on the fun and allowed Ms. Moloney to set his hands ablaze for our second year’s amusement. All in all science week was a great success and good fun for all involved and we hope it will be just as enjoyable next year.
Congratulations to the winners who are as follows:
Quinn Shanahan(1B) ,Erin Jennedy(2D), Kristod Katai (3A) and Sean Flynn(3A).
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Stand Up Week
This month our school stood up for equality. We celebrated National Stand Up Week; with the aim of making our school a place where every student feels equal, safe and valued in identity diversity and experiences.
We took time to educate our school community on LGBTQI+ and highlighted the supports available within our school.
Our students and staff came together to create a #StandUp video to show our support for every member of the LGBTQI+ community.
No one would have to come out if we all chose to stand together.
Students and staff represented the LGBT+ community on Friday by wearing the colours of the pride flag .
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Erasmus+
We are proud to announce that our school has come 1st place in the national Erasmus + schools competition.
We are now the face of Eramus+. We are leading the way and inspiring other schools to get involved and share experiences of collaborative education.
We travelled to Madrid in 2020 as part of an exchange program. Our students were able to learn on an individual level and on a team level. It was an amazing experience for all involved.
Our students have worked extremely hard to create a video which represents all that Erasmus plus has given them and our school.
Big thank you to Ms. Leen, Ms. Byrne, Ms. Heffernan and our incredible students Jack Cashman, Pedro Lopez, Angelo Kalimindi & David Power. We would also like to thank David Bjelac & Billy Shanahan for their expertise with recording the promotional video. The future is bright for Mount Sion. As ever, we embrace who we are and we strive for the best for our young people.
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Mount Sion Motivation
Our TYs had an interesting and insightful 'Brilliant Mondays - How Ordinary People Achieve Extraordinary Things' talk with Stephen Kiernan. Through the vehicle of storytelling, Stephen gives powerful examples that compel the students to believe in themselves and their ability to grow and succeed if they just try.
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College Awareness Week
This month in the school was very helpful and insightful for our students as College Awareness Week took place. To start off the week Rebecca O’Halloran from the University of Limerick came down to speak with our 6th
year students and after that Jess and Conor came in from W.I.T. and launched the “Possibility For All” initiative for our second years.
Susan Sheehan gave our TY students a presentation on apprenticeships - giving an insight into a different option after school.
Many other fun activities took place like a first year essay writing contest and a signpost project in collaboration with the woodwork department.
All and in we would like to thank all of our guests who came to the school during college awareness week and to Mr. J Dunne and Mr. Maher for all they did in organising it.
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UPDATE on Astro Pi Mission Space Lab
Great News!
The_Blaa team is making progress! (The_Blaa team are David Bjelac, Sebastien Jazmin, Nikodem Wisniewski, & Adam Raher) The team has passed Phase 1 and is now through to Phase 2 of Astro Pi Mission Space Lab.
In Phase 2, the team will have to design, code, and test their experiment program (and then submit it on Thursday 24 February 2022). Then the team is one step closer to having the experiment run in space!
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Fundraising for Clare Care and the Capuchins
Second year Religion Class 2B organized a Bake Sale in November to raise money for the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin and a local charity Clare Care. While learning about the Gospel values, the studied the work of Brother Kevin Crowley and all he does at the Capuchin Day Centre. The class were so inspired by how people live out the Gospel values in their everyday lives that they wanted to do something to contribute. The baked some delicious treats and with careful planning and preparation they were able to sell their baked goods to first years at lunchtime. As they also wanted to support a local charity it was decided the funds raised would be shared between Dublin and Clare. Well done to all involved. A great effort made.
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Rice College Christmas Card
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…Its that time of year again when our students are invited to create a festive image for the school Christmas card.
We are fortunate to have so much talent to choose from here at Rice College. This seasonal image comes from 5th year student Brian Coughlan.
Just another reason to enjoy receiving Christmas cards.
We wish all of you a very happy Christmas and look forward to a new year free from Covid.
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Rice College u15 Hurling
Clare GAA has started a new initiative, developing the young hurlers of the county. The Clare post primary school u15 championship was the first step in this process. The tournament spanned over 6 weeks allowing students to display their talents and abilities at a competitive level. All Clare Secondary schools are involved from Kilkee to Gort and including Ardscoil RIS Limerick.
Rice College went straight into preparation after the school year had begun. Training twice a week under the guidance of Mr. Cleary and Matt Shanahan, Rice u15s looked to be in great shape. The team consists of second year and third years boys. A great turnout at every session allowed training to take place at a high intensity and of the utmost quality.
The first game was a local derby between St. Flannans and Rice College. A wet day making conditions tough, the Rice College men fought courageously. A proud day, in what was our biggest victory over the opposition finishing on a score line of Rice 10-19/Flannans 1-4. Scott Kelly shining scoring a brilliant 4-8 from full forward.
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Over the next 4 weeks, we played Flannans 2, Gort, Ardscoil Ris and Tulla. Fierce encounters going down to the wire repeatedly. Brilliant exhibitions of hurling given by the Rice College men on interplay that is seen at the highest-level. Heads-up hurling, unselfish play showing signs of a quality team along with the tracking back, communication and sheer determination showed week in week out. All teams’ efforts did not go unnoticed, brilliant scores and spectacular play being recorded by each school's media team. This gives the young hurlers an insight into the life of an adult hurler playing at an Inter County standard.
They look forward to a Munster u15B championship beginning after Christmas with a promising lineup and dreams of going far. Strength and conditioning training is underway every week at 7:30am before school. Rob Mulcahy gives the lads a fantastic opportunity to learn about elements of plyometrics and gym that can benefit them on the field over the coming years. This alone shows signs of a dedicated team with enormous potential for the future.
By Jack O’Neill
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Coláiste Mhichíl Sexton St. Limerick |
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Deivids, Roberts, James, Egor and Eoghan wrapping the Toy Appeal presents!
Toy Appeal in aid of Novas and for families living in Direct Provision Centres
Coláiste Mhichíl’s staff and pupils have been very busy this month collecting and wrapping donations for the Toy Appeal in aid of Novas and for families living in Direct Provision Centres in Limerick and all across Ireland. Novas supports more than 1,000 children, to help ensure they wake up happy on Christmas morning. Well done to all our staff, pupils and the wider school community who have generously supported this cause.
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(Right to left) Deputy Principal Rob Williams, Mr Rowan, Mr Shanahan, Mr McNamara, Ms Bourke, Mr Naughton, Mr Healy, Mr Nestor and Ms Mullins.
Christmas Jumper Day in aid of Focus Ireland and Children’s Health Ireland
Coláiste Mhichíl organised a Christmas jumper day for all staff and pupils in aid of Focus Ireland and CHI (Children's Health Ireland) at Crumlin, Temple Street and Connolly. Christmas jumper day took place around the country on Friday 10th of December. The funds raised will help make a difference to the lives of children from all over Ireland like helping with the purchase of vital life saving equipment for those children who need it most and bringing hope to so many families. Thank you to Ms Bourke and the religion department for organising this fundraising event. Thank you to all staff and pupils for all their generous donations. |
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JP McManus Scholarship Award Winners
Each year, the top eight leaving certificate students from Coláiste Mhichíl receive a J.P. McManus Scholarship award to the value of €27,000 and a luxury watch. This week, Coláiste Mhichíl were delighted to welcome back the JP McManus Scholarships award winners of 2021 to collect their luxury Longines watches. Congratulations to Prabuddha Hans, Jan Nagi, Alex Bourke, Samir Atanda, Alan Bennett, Sean Clohessy, Garry Barrett, and Ben Dillion who will receive €27,000 over the four years they attend third level. The J.P. McManus Scholarships have been in place since 1997. Over the last 24 years 193 students has benefitted from the J.P. McManus Scholarships. Thank you to the J.P. McManus Foundation for their continues support of students in Coláiste Mhichíl.
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Coláiste Mhuire Mullingar |
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Official Opening of New Building
On a momentous occasion for the school, we had the official opening of our new building. After a huge amount of work, by a large number of people in planning and building, we now have a new, state of the art, Home Economics room, Construction room and two new classrooms.
We welcomed Bishop Tom Deenihan to the school to officially open the building. Pictured also, Niall O'Brien, Ahmed Galander, Joe O'Meara, Keith Quinn, Matthew Evans, Peter Burke TD, Malachy Flanagan and Robert Troy TD.
We would like to thank all involved in the project and wish our whole school community a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.
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Transition Year
Our Transition Year students have been working with Mullingar Tidy Towns on a weekly basis, litter picking, weeding and planting flowers in the local community. This acts as a chance for the boys to give back to the community in a small way, and teaches them to look after their local environment.
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Fundraiser
A number of our students also cut their hair, in support of one of their classmates, currently undergoing treatment. This was a very thoughtful act by our young men, showing the care and support we have for one another, through both the good and the bad times in our lives. Well done to all involved and we wish him a speedy recovery.
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Well done to our Transition years who organised the Team Hope Ireland, Shoebox appeal. As seen in the picture a huge number of shoeboxes were donated, recognising the need to give to those less fortunate during the Christmas season.
Study Skills
Over the past number of weeks some of our teachers have held study skills workshops for our 5th year group. The workshops were met with huge enthusiasm and high engagement level
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Rotary Youth Leadership
Thomas Smith, Transition Year student in E.R.S.S. has been selected as the winner of the Tipperary area Rotary Youth Leadership competition.
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience organised by Rotary clubs and districts where you develop your skills as a leader while having fun and making connections.
The programme aims to facilitate our youth leaders to develop communication skills, discover new strategies for becoming a dynamic leader in your school or community and provides the opportunity learn from community leaders, inspirational speakers, and peer mentors.
This is a fantastic achievement for Thomas, who throughout the years has displayed exceptional diligence, strong work ethic and kindness.
Thomas will now represent Tipperary in the All-Ireland stage in the new year.
Lions Club Young Ambassador
Well done to Oscar Geoghegan, 6th Year student in E.R.S.S. on his nomination for the Lions Club Young Ambassador of the 21st Century Award.
This programme is a competition that recognises young people (between the ages of 15 and 19) for their outstanding community service involvement, leadership accomplishments and communication skills.
Oscar was nominated by his school for his involvement with Young S.V.P. over the last three years in projects including the annual SVP Christmas Food Appeal , Cultural Evening for residents of Bridgewater House, and Direct Provision Rally in Mount Sion in 2020. |
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Student Prefect Team
Student Prefect Team in E.R.S.S. kindly donated some money raised at Non-Uniform Days to buy some Christmas gifts for children living in direct provision in Bridgewater House, Carrick-on-Suir.
Members of Young SVP in the Edmund Rice Secondary School presented 150 euro, proceeds of a copper coin collection in the school to sponsor a deserving family residing in Bridgewater House, Carrick-on-Suir.
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Poem inspired by Storm Barra – 2nd
Year student
“The Storm”
Leaves batter belligerently off the windowpane
Plastering the glass with brown, red and orange
Wind howls noisily like a pack of wolves tightly packed gazing at the moon.
Dilapidated trees bend and curve from the vast forces
Branches that previously stood tall
Are now scraping the grassy ground
A place that was once beautiful and harmonious now only to be described as gloomy.
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Christmas Shoe Box Appeal
Students gave generously to the Hope Christmas Shoe Box Appeal, an annual campaign that delivers gifts straight into the hands of children affected by poverty. Often these shoe box gifts are the only gift that a child will receive at Christmas and the joy that they bring is incredible.
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Christmas in Ardscoil Rís
The Christmas spirit is well and truly alive in Ardscoil Rís this year! The students, parents and teachers were involved in many initiatives during this Christmas period and there was a real sense of community around the school this year. |
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The whole school is participating in our annual Christmas appeal for Novas, a charity organisation here in Limerick.
This collection is given to families all around Limerick in need of help during the Christmas period. The generosity of the students and teachers is truly fantastic, and there is a real sense of giving and empathy from the students.
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2nd Year Students Write Cards to Local Nursing Homes
Last year, students from Ardscoil Ris wrote cards to various nursing homes in Limerick for Christmas. The residents of the nursing homes were absolutely thrilled to receive cards from our students, and they talked about how it important it was for them during a difficult Christmas last year. It was such a success that Ardscoil Ris decided to do it again this year. These cards will be given to the nursing homes on the last week of school before the Christmas Holidays.
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World Day of the Poor
On November the 15th, we highlighted World Day of the Poor in the school. This was done by a reflection and prayer said over the intercom in the morning by a student part of the E.R.I Peace and Justice group within the school. A display was put up in the main canteen area for students to see. This is an important day that features every year in Ardscoil Ris.
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TY and 5th Year Students Trip to Hell and Back
Throughout the start of the year, our 5th
and TY students embarked on a challenging course ‘Hell and Back’. This is the setting for the tv series on RTE Ireland’s Fittest Family. A series of obstacles, climbing walls, plastic tunnels and mud-runs saw the students put through their paces. These were two fantastic trips and important for student well-being.
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TY Horticulture
For the last number of years, one the most enjoyed subject for students in TY is our horticulture module. The students learn how to plant and grow flowers, herbs and vegetables, and continue to maintain this throughout the year. This is a valuable skill and the students are really progressing the garden this year, even making smoothies with greens grown from the garden!
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TY Trips- Moylussa, The Four Peaks and Surfing in Lahinch
It has been a jam packed first term and second term for our transition year students. We have had a number of successful trips that have taken place, including 30 students reaching the top of Connacht’s highest peak as part of our 4 Peaks Challenge. Students enjoyed a day of surfing in Lahinch, as well as a hike in the hills of Killaloe.
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Dean Ryan Final
Excitement filled the school on the 17th
November, when Ardscoil Ris was playing in the Dean Ryan Final. Over 500 students attended the game supporting the team. While it was not our day, the students, staff and parents really supported the players on a tough match against St. Finnans. The lead up to the match saw many students making headbands, and dressing up in the Ardscoil Ris colours.
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Coláiste Íosagáin Baile Átha Cliath |
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An Gairdín Cuimhneacháin
Tá gairdín álainn síochánta tógtha ag an ngarraíodóir Paul Flynn do Choláiste Íosagáin agus do Choláiste Eoin mar chuid de chomóradh 50 bliain Choláiste Íosagáin. Tá dearadh spéisiúil ag baint leis an ngairdín – is dearadh ciorclach é a bhfuil ceithre chuid ann, a léiríonn na ceithre shéasúr. Tá siombalachas tábhachtach ag baint leis seo. Beidh bláthanna agus plandaí difriúla faoi bhláth i rith na ceithre shéasúr. Cuimhneachán síoraí a bheidh sa ghairdín. Spreagfaidh sé muid i rith na bliana chun smaoineamh ar na daoine atá imithe ar shlí na fírinne, go háirithe dóibh siúd a raibh baint acu le Coláiste Íosagáin agus le Coláiste Eoin. An aidhm atá againn ná go mbeidh an gairdín mar áit chiúin shíochánta go bhféadfadh daltaí agus múinteoirí dul ann agus a bheith ag cuimhneamh ar na daoine seo atá imithe romhainn. Is comhartha ómóis é an gairdín dóibh siúd.
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Díolachán Éadaí
Mar scoil Éamonn Rís, déanaimid iarracht luachanna an tsoiscéil a chur i bhfeidhm. Thugamar aghaidh ar fhadhb an mhearfhaisin le linn na ranganna teagasc creideamh. Dhíríomar ar an dochar atá á dhéanamh ag an mearfhaisean do thimpeallacht an domhain agus d’athrú aeráide. Phléamar an tábhacht a bhaineann le maoirseacht agus an fhreagracht atá orainn ar fad. Dhear na daltaí póstaeir le tionchair an mhearfhaisin ar dhaoine leochaileacha an domhain a léiriú. D’eagraigh na daltaí díolachán éadaí mar fheachtas scoile – thug daltaí na scoile seanéadaí isteach agus díoladh iad mar éadaí athláimhe. Bhailíomar €500 agus roghnaigh na daltaí Oxfam mar charthanacht toisc an obair a dhéantar do thíortha i mbéal forbartha, tíortha a bhfuil na himpleachtaí is mó orthu ó thaobh éifeachtaí athraithe aeráide de.
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Showjumping
An exciting new venture is underway this year in Nagle Rice as we have set up our first ever Showjumping team. Accompanied by Ms O Donovan, Tilly, Vicky, Rachel and Maeve visited Glenaire riding school in Mallow on Monday evenings during the months of September & October to prepare for an inter schools competition that was held in November. Our team won Bronze, an incredible achievement for these young ladies.
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Public Speaking
Two of our TY students, Emma and Marta successfully participated in The Patrician Academy Public Speaking Competition in Mallow mid November, exploring the topic of Sustainable Development Global Goals.
Both speakers spoke passionately & with confidence, Emma and Marta were effective in their communication, they showed their ability to form and support opinions and illustrated their knowledge of the subject.
Thank you to Ms Linehan & Ms Butler who contributed to the preparation of this event.
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Student Council
Well done to the Student Council in Westland Row on initiating the Multicultural Week that so many other Edmund Rice schools took on. There were many interesting events in schools that promoted inclusivity - many of them highlighted in this edition of Síol - and the Student Council can be very proud of its role in this initiative.
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Edmund Rice College Dublin |
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Amber Flag
The Amber Flag Committee in Nagle Rice has been re-established this year with a fantastic group of our students who are looking forward to seeing what creative ideas they come up with for the promotion of positive mental health within the school community under the guidance of our Guidance Counsellor Ms McCarthy .
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Student Council.
On the 6th of October the Student Council, our principal Mr Harrington, Ms Kenny, a few teachers, our local Councillors, BOM and our Parents’ Council went to the Phoenix Park racecourse to see the building site for our new school and officially turn the sod for an exciting new chapter in our school’s early history. Our new school building will be located by the Navan Road beside St. Brigids GAA where there is a wide range of bus stops and a train station directly across from the site which provides easy access for all students.
On the day, we also got a chance to meet the Ministers - Norma Foley, Jack Chambers, Roderic O’ Gorman and our Tánaiste Leo Varadkar. They asked us questions and showed great interest in our thoughts. It was an experience none of us would forget!
On behalf of the entire school, we would like to say a massive thank you to the people who made this possible! The idea of having a new, state of the art school excites us all and will greatly help student learning. It will allow more children to attend our school and grow our community further.
It was incredible to see the massive site and mind-blowing to imagine that in 2022, we will be in our new school! There are endless possibilities, just waiting to be explored!
(By Farida)
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Basketball
Our first sports finals take place in the coming week.
The under 16 basketball teams are in their regional finals and we are very excited about this..
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Santa Dash
The Christmas festivities were in full swing at ERC this week.
The Transition Years hosted a Santa Dash that generated a great atmosphere as we approach the holiday season. Along our route, we spontaneously stopped in a local park and enjoyed ourselves a lot!
Huge well done to all students involved as they managed to raise a much needed funds through their sponsored walk and hot chocolates. This will help the funding of the school musical.
The group is extremely grateful and we would like to show our appreciation to our entire school community for showing their generosity for what we hope will be a great occasion.
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Penny Dinners
“The future is safe when you realise the next generation has decency like that flowing through their veins”. Those were the words of Ryan Tubridy as he discussed the latest project by TY students of Coláiste Éamann Rís, Cork City, on RTE Radio 1.
As part of the school’s Edmund Rice Leadership programme, Transition Year students spent hours cooking a Christmas feast for the charity Cork Penny Dinners.
The students also handed over a cheque for €430 to the charity, raised during a recent Christmas jumper day in the school. Ó Crualaoí Butchers in Wilton very generously donated the turkeys and hams for the Christmas dinner.
Kristian Vukorepa, who is head of our Student Council, explains how the initiative came about.
“My team and I were assigned an action project through The Edmund Rice Student Leadership Project that involved helping disadvantaged members in my local community. I immediately thought of Cork Penny Dinners and how their work helps those who are unable to provide food for themselves. I thought we could prepare Christmas dinner as a class, and also teach fellow students about solidarity, social action as well as compassion,” he said.
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TY students and teachers from Coláiste Eamann Rís pictured presenting a cheque for 430 euro and school made Christmas dinners and trimmings to Caitriona Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners in Cork recently. Picture: Howard Crowdy
“We all worked together to cook the turkey and ham dinners and make Christmas a happier holiday for those in need. I think it was a perfect way of letting these people know there are others who care about them and want to help.”
Ms Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners said the food was ‘top quality’.
“Our chef was full of praise for the food and the way it was presented. The food was top quality. It was a lovely gesture. The financial donation will be put to good use as well. The students are a credit to their school and their families. The teachers are also a credit to the school.”
RE teacher, Anne Leahy, said the pupils wanted to give back to the local Cork community.
“Penny Dinners are doing great work in Cork. It was nice to help out. The pupils wanted to give back to the community and to those who are less fortunate. We decided to cook the dinners and bring them down. It is nice to give something back to such a good cause. We had money left over from the fundraiser which we also donated to Penny Dinners. Catriona and the staff were delighted and so appreciative.”
Ms Leahy added: “The students are so lovely and fantastic. It was a great idea....They worked so well as a team and they deserve great credit. The food was lovely. Three home economics teachers also provided great help. It took a lot of coordination but it worked out so well. It was a great initiative. They are great ambassadors for the school and the Edmund Rice Trust.”
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Welcome to Blarney Street!
Here is a little tour for our Edmund Rice friends who have not been to Blarney Street in a while. There have been a lot of changes since you last visited.
This is our new Junior Infant entrance which we hope you find bright, colourful and inviting. |
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Here is our new welcome sign just inside the entrance which we put up in November as part of the ERST Multicultural Awareness Week inspired by our fellow ERST Students in CBS Westland Row. Now we can welcome families to Blarney Street in 15 different language which reflects the multicultural community in our school. |
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When you come into the school you will see our new 3 classroom extension. For those of you planning to visit Cork next Easter, it should be finished by then. If you look up from the city centre, you will see the new roof covered with solar panels.
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On the school grounds you will see the smiles of the girls and boys of Blarney Street. We are now a proud coeducational school which inspires every child to achieve more.
You might also see our new principal, Mr Kieran Murphy and our Deputy Principal Miss Noreen Guiney and Jack Durkan who is the Chairperson of our Board of Management.
We are very lucky to have a dynamic, progressive Board of Management that creates a happy, caring community in Blarney Street.
Welcome to Blarney Street, we hope you enjoyed this little (virtual) tour!
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Edmund Rice International Network |
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Starting with this edition of ESíol, we hope to include an article from an Edmund Rice centre/school outside of the ERST network of schools.
We begin with the Edmund Rice Centre in Nairobi. This centre is a Community Based Organisation which is situated at Raila Village in Langata. |
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International Day of Persons with Disabilities at Edmund Rice Centre Kenya
The Edmund Rice Centre Nairobi is home to three distinct projects: an advocacy and community outreach programme, socio-economic empowerment programme for women and youth and a special needs programme for children with disabilities. All these projects work towards serving the people of Kibera slum and its surroundings. Kibera is an informal settlement that houses approximately 500,000 people.
Edmund Rice Centre’s special school for children with disabilities recently celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event took place on 3rd December 2021 under the theme of leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible, and sustainable post- Covid 19 world.
There are a total of 81 children with different forms of disabilities which include autism spectrum condition and intellectual and neurological disability. The focus was to create awareness and reduce stigma for residents of Kibera and encourage their children with special needs to attend school at the centre. There were great performances from the students, most notably one being conducted in Kenyan sign language. |
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The great celebration was attended by parents, partners from the local community and the wider Edmund Rice Community. Several Irish Christian Brothers have worked at the centre, such as Br. Denis Vaughan. The centre has also played host to immersion visits from Edmund Rice Schools in Ireland.
“Disability is not inability. People with special needs have performed and continue to achieve great things. Therefore, let’s support our friends who are abled differently to realise their God-given potential. They deserve to be treated with equality and the children given access to quality education.” said Sammy Muga who is the Community Engagement Officer.
Samuel Karanja – (Relationship Officer Edmund Rice Foundation Australia)
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EREBB Pre-Congress
Thanks to everyone who contributed to a very successful online gathering of the Edmund Rice international community at the beginning of December. It was lovely to meet you all.
As a member of the Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders Global Community, you are invited to join the EREBB Congress Journey over the next 18 months and connect with colleagues from across the world. This Congress Journey enables our global community to come together at significant events and explore our theme: Educating with Hope in Our Hearts and Hands. The pre-Congress was the first step in the process and will be followed by:
- EREBB Student Leadership Gathering (Virtual): April 2022. An online gathering of student leaders from Edmund Rice schools.
- EREBB Congress Part 1 (Virtual): May 2022. An online gathering open to all members of Edmund Rice schools and our supporters.
- EREBB Congress Part 2 (In person): April 2023. An in-person gathering of delegates from each of the EREBB regions from around the world. Venue to be determined. An online experience will also be offered.
Contributors from Ireland included:
- Margaret Rowe, teacher in New Ross CBS
- Sarah Barry, principal at ST. Kevin's CBS, Dublin
- Billy Lynch, staff member on leave from his role as principal of Blarney Street Primary School
- Nicola Cunningham, Pat Walshe and students from Ardscoil Rís in Limerick (Global Prayer)
An outline of their contributions is given below. |
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Margaret Rowe |
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Margaret teaches Irish and French in CBS New Ross and has a great interest in cooking.
She very kindly agreed to cook a Beef & Guinness stew for an international audience that included participants from Australia, North & South America, Africa and India.
In her presentation she outlined her reasons for picking this dish, how to source the ingredients and how to cook it.
This was followed by Q&A and sharing of culinary experiences. |
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Resilience
Billy Lynch spoke at the Opening Ritual and Fireside Chat about his experience of the pandemic while principal of Blarney Street CBS in Cork. Billy told a powerful story about a young family which revealed the resilience shown by our schools, educators and students during the pandemic.
Billy’s personal story recounted the tragedy and suffering of one family but spoke too of the care, love and support offered by the whole school community.
He emphasised the importance of educators and schools in society and argued that the pandemic has shown us that a holistic education based on care, love and relationships is the type of education that really matters.
Finally, he spoke of the learning and insights he obtained by watching the children play, share and eat together. He felt that leadership in a school does not come from one person but from everyone in the community and often, if we can see and hear it, from the children.
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Reimagining education
Sarah spoke about the importance of cultivating hope. She acknowledged the difficulties the world and education have experienced over the last two years but did not focus on this. As Billie Jean King said, “Pressure is a privilege – it only comes to those who earn it.” She spoke of the privileged position of being a leader during difficult times and our unique ability to help and encourage others. She focused on the areas central to the pre congress – Resilience, Recovery and Reimagining and added another three “re”s of her own – reviewing, reminding and reframing. Reviewing what is essential and considering this covid time as our Advent “through a chink too wide comes in no wonder.” She spoke about the importance of reminding ourselves that what is valuable is often formed under pressure and over time. Her diamonds and pearls were the boys of St Kevin’s who shared the importance of school in their lives. Reframing our experience as having positive possibilities; it has taught us resilience and the importance of friendship, communication and self care. Reimagining education involves returning to blue sky thinking, teaching the lessons of learned resilience to future generations and valuing the “in person” piece in education. She thanked those who have supported her on the journey including her family and colleagues and suggested we bring our own “diamond and pearl” lessons with us on the next stage of recovery.
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Network Meetings
It was great to meet our Principals and Deputy Principals at our Network meetings throughout November. These meetings always provide great opportunities for sharing and support and contribute in a significant way towards building a strong network. They are also occasion for us in the ERST office to hear at first- hand about the current issues in our schools and to thank our school leaders for the work they are doing leading our schools through this most challenging time. We wish to thank the various Principals who made a presentations to their group on an initiative that worked well in their schools.
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Leadership Course
Well done to all who recently completed the Leading the Edmund Rice School leadership course. This course has been designed to grow our own leaders of the future and was offered online during November. 61 participants enrolled and attended each of the 5 sessions. The trust will award certificates to those who have completed the course.
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Introduction of New Teacher to ERST Network
An introduction to the Edmund Rice School course was provided in October for teachers who are new to our network. This course was offered over 3 online sessions and was facilitated by the ERST team. The sessions focussed on the values in the ERST Charter and the distinctiveness of the Edmund Rice school. Participants were made aware of the ethos based initiatives that are supported in our schools and encouraged to become involved in these. The sense of belonging to a strong network of school both locally and globally promoting a vision of education in the spirit of Edmund Rice was emphasised. 94 new teachers in total attended these sessions.
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Student Council Training
The ERST team has delivered student council training to schools during the first term. Further schools have also requested training for later in the year. Please contact the ERST office or Billy Lynch at blynch@erst.ie
if you wish to organise a similar event for your student council.
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Guidance Counsellors Meeting
Our new ERST Network of Guidance Counsellors is going from strength to strength. Máire Quinn, Principal of St Vincent’s CBS, Glasnevin and the ERST team invited a Post Primary Inspector, Esther Doyle, to speak to our network about ‘Guidance in an Edmund Rice School’. The session on the 1st of December lasted for two hours and involved opportunities for feedback and discussion.It was wonderful to see rewarding professional engagements such as this taking place, notwithstanding the exceptionally busy and challenging school context at present. We are especially delighted that Esther Doyle was available to speak to us. We hope that people left feeling more empowered to deal with the increasingly complex issues of the day because of this session.
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The Global Classroom Partnership
Would you like your school to link with an Edmund Rice school in another country?
This year Blarney Street CBS, Cork, The Abbey School, Tipperary and Ardscoil Na Mara Tramore had engaging and deep dialogue with partner schools through The Global Classroom Partnership. This programme links young people from around the world to learn from, with and about each other, while exploring some of the world’s most important issues. Groups of students (with their teacher) undertake two lessons than have two video conferences with a global classroom partner.
Global Classroom Partners is an initiative of EREBB and coordinated through EREA and the Edmund Rice England. A new programme of partnership is now being developed so schools can register their interest here:
https://www.erea.edu.au/global-classrooms-partners/
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