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Welcome to our School Newsletter Welcome from Principal Pat Power May 2013 As another school year ends, it is right and fitting that we gather together and share some of the many achievements and activities undertaken in our school over the past year that include new initiatives in learning and teaching, curricular and extra curricular activities. There were many achievements in all areas of school life, sporting, cultural, scientific, business, charitable and social featured in this newsletter. The stories and the pictures included in this newsletter tell their own story effectively and I trust that you will all take the time to read and enjoy it. There were many highlights through the year, the Transition Year musical “We Will Shock You”, Transition Year fashion show, trip to France and involvement with the mini entrepreneurs to name but a few. Our debating team did very well throughout the year and had some great victories over excellent opponents. Comhghairdeas to all for winning the title of “best new school” in the Concern Debates Competition 2012-2013. Throughout the year there were many fundraising events and many worthy charities benefited from the hard work of the students. We also competed well in camogie, volleyball, football and other activities. Congratulations to Aoife Doyle on her success in the All Ireland hunters trials. The time, commitment and dedication of staff is greatly appreciated and it is this dedication and commitment which allows our students the opportunities to display their many and varied talents. As Principal, I am delighted to have the opportunity to express my gratitude to those staff and students who willingly give their time and energy to organise and participate in so many activities for the development and improvement of the school. It is due to this commitment that St. Brigid’s can achieve its aim to provide the best possible environment for the students to grow and learn and ensure that our students become well-rounded, talented, independent and confident young ladies. Our preparations for the junior cycle reforms that are going to be introduced in all schools in the future are going very well. We as a school are presently concentrating on key skills and English assessment for 1st years. The proposed Junior Cycle Reforms will lead to a major transformation in teaching and learning in Irish Secondary schools. Many of the key ideas have great merit and are to be welcomed. The most important paradigm shift will be to help students to become independent learners. Hence, in the future we should be better supporting and scaffolding student progression through secondary school from dependent to interdependent to independent learners. Students will learn to take more ownership of their own learning and be more responsible for and confident in it. Skills and knowledge should increase incrementally throughout the duration of secondary school. This will better prepare students for third level and for life. Our plans for our new school building and the refurbishment of existing rooms are progressing very well. Agreement has been reached with the Department of Education for the refurbishment of our existing school and the building of specialist rooms. Finally, I would like to thank all those who have contributed articles and those directly responsible for producing this newsletter in particular to Ms Mary McGlynn for her excellent work and Ms Maria Morrissey for her administrative expertise. Ba maith líom mo bhuiochas agus mo chairgairdeas a chur in uíl do phobaíl na scoíle gcointinne ach go mór do na múinterirí a soibrígh chomh díograiseach sin. Go néirí go geal le daltaí, muinteoirí agus túismitheoirí Scoil Bhríde amach anseo. Pat Power Principal

St. Brigid’s College, Callan, Co. Kilkenny

T: 056 7725189 F: 056 7725552 info@stbrigidscollege.com www.stbrigidscollege.com

N E W S L E T T E R

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Dear Parents, As another school year comes to a close I would like to thank all the parents and my committee for all their support throughout the year for the various fund raisers and meetings we have had. The Committee is the strongest I have seen it in my time with St. Brigid’s and may it stay that way. Times are tough but the support was greatly appreciated. This is a sad time for me as it’s time to move on after six years on the Parent’s Council in St. Brigid’s, the last two as Chairperson. I would like to thank Pat Power and all the Staff for all their help with the various events we have run over the last six years. To my committee, we have had some very memorable moments and I won’t forget them. The Graduation Mass that I went to every year and found so emotional, will be personal for me this year so prepare for the avalanche of tears as I say goodbye. To all Parents I would advise you if you have time to come along and experience the joy of being part of your daughter’s school life on our committee. You only have to get as involved as you choose to, no-one will push you into anything and you might find you’ll make some new friends and enjoy yourself into the bargain. So adios to all and thanks once more, Regards, Geraldine Holden

iPads As we come to the end of the academic year, we can reflect on the successful introduction of iPads as a learning resource for St. Brigid's. 16 iPads were purchased last October, along with a charging and syncing crate. The 'Dem Lab' has also been set-up as a Wi-Fi hotspot specifically for their use. The iPads have been put to a number of specific uses to support education and learning. The English Department have been using the App 'Shakespeare in Bits' to revise Macbeth for the Leaving Certificate. In Chemistry, Apps have been used to assist the understanding of elements and the periodic table and also chemical bonding. In Ag. Science the high definition screens of the iPads, which give stunning visual images have been very useful in the Plant and Animal identification parts of the course. Other subjects have used the iPads and their Wi-Fi as internet research tools.

As education support companies becomes more familiar with the 'tablet' as a modern day education tool, better and more extensive resources will become available. The students of St Brigid’s are well placed to benefit from this sweeping change in how we learn.

Mr. Patrick Balfe and his first year science students using the new iPads

PARENTS COUNCIL

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Bhí seachtain iontachagainn. Ghlac beagnach gach duine páirt ins na himeachtaí a bhí ar siúl. Bhí a lán imeachtaí ar siúl sa scoil ar feadh an seachtaine mar shampla bhí céilí,

tráth na gceist, toraíócht taisce, seó tallainne, comórtos postaerí, eolas faoin ngaeltacht faoin staighre agus alán rudaí eile. Bhuaigh na daltaí uibheacha cásca agus milseaín go leor. Comhgairdeachas do gach duine a bhuaigh tráth na gceist, toraíocht taisce agus an comortas postaerí. Bhí an-chraic againn agus d’fhoglaimaíomar rudaí nua. Bhí gach dalta ag caint as gaeilge ar feadh na seachtaine freisin. Beimid ag súil go mór leis an bhlian seo chugainn . Go raibh míle maith agat Iníon Uí Sheachnasaigh.

A bhuí leis anbhfoireann oibre: Cait De Paor, Michaela Ní Rachallaigh,Alsún Ní Bherigín agus Eilís Níc Ghearailt. Beagán a rá agus é rá go maith!

Eilis Fitzgerald, Alison Bergin, Michaela Reilly, Katie Power. Foirme Oibre for

Irish dancing during Seachtain na NGaeilge

Seachtain na nGaeilge

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The Academic Certificate This certificate aims to acknowledge the student who has consistently performed to a high academic standard throughout the school year. (The criteria for this will be the best average over the 3 main exams - Halloween, Christmas and Easter). The Mock results will be the criteria for the 3rd and 6th year awards. This will be done by the person in charge of Awards. The Attendance Award This certificate aims to acknowledge students who have achieved a full attendance record. (If no student has achieved this, the award will not be given).

The Certificate of Excellence This certificate aims to acknowledge students who aim to be the best they can be! (relative to their assessment - constantly works hard in class/attendance/results/motivation/ effort and commitment)

The Participation in Arts Certificate There will be a Junior and a Senior Arts Certificate chosen by the teachers of the Arts.

The Participation in Sports Certificate There will be a Junior and Senior Sports Award chosen by the teachers of sports. (Award will only be given if suitable candidate)

The Catherine McCauley Certificate Mission Statement Our school is a Christian Community of learning and companionship in the Mercy tradition. Students have the opportunity to achieve academic excellence and to grow spiritually, environmentally, socially, creatively and physically. In a positive and supportive environment of mutual respect and justice, students are able to develop the full range of their talents and abilities. In respect of the ethos of St. Brigid's, this certificate aims to acknowledge students who have acted as a positive role model for their fellow students. Such students are recognised for their leadership qualities, their generosity of time and caring attitude. Such characteristics may come to the fore in student's participation in fund raising events or citizenship incentives for example.

St. Brigid’s College Awards Scheme

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St. Brigid’s College Awards Scheme

The Sister Marie-Therese Award (Student of the Year) The student receiving the award should have embodied the following characteristics throughout her six years in St. Brigid’s College: This student should be outstanding in every sphere of her life and in particular embody the Mercy ethos of truth, justice and integrity.

• The student should have acted as a positive role model for her fellow students in terms of the mature attitude she displayed regarding her application to studies and the way in which she conducted herself in her relationships with both her teachers and her peers. • The student should have a special quality of generosity and kindness, with a Christian value system that puts others first at all times. • The student should be recognizable for her positive attitude, perseverance and strength of character. The student is ultimately recognized as having been an asset to her year group and approached all aspects of her life in a responsible, refined and commendable way.

The St. Brigid’s College Award of Excellence Trophy This award will be given to the most academic student and will be decided on results of mock exams, as well as other main exams.

The Cultural Award The Cultural Award aims to acknowledge students who have participated, excelled and achieved competitively in cultural activities both inside and outside the school. They will ultimately be recognised for the promotion and development of their speciality. The areas to be considered are the following: • Playing a musical instrument at school events. • Choir. • Art and Crafts. • Debating and Public Speaking. • Humanities.

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IST YEAR AWARDS 2012-2013 Academic Certificate Mary Mc Carthy

Attendance Certificate Natasha Stanley &

Maeve Moran

The Certificate of Excellence Jade Audoire

The Sports Certificate Lisa Donnelly

The Arts Certificate Kerrianne Power

The Catherine Mc Cauley Certificate Maeve Moran

2nd YEAR AWARDS 2012-1013 Academic Certificate Lisa Hogan

The Certificate of Excellence Áine Dunne

The Catherine Mc Cauley Certificate Elizabeth Lebedova

3rd YEAR AWARDS 2012-2013 Academic Certificate Hannah Quigley

Attendance Certificate Shauna Kenny & Aoife O Brien

The Certificate of Excellence Amyleigh Cahill

The Catherine Mc Cauley Certificate Saoirse Fleming

5th YEAR AWARDS 2012-2013 Academic Certificate Chloe O’ Connor

Attendance Certificate Aoife Broe

The Certificate of Excellence Aoife Broe

The Catherine Mc Cauley Certificate Alison Bergin

The Junior Sports Certificate Áine Lyons

St. Brigid’s College Awards Scheme

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St. Brigid’s College Awards Scheme

Leaving Cert Awards 2013 L-R: Mr Pat Power Principal, (Principal), Brid Lyons (The Cultural Award), Niamh Phelan, (The Sports Trophy), Emma Hogan, (The Sr. Marie Therese Award), Verginiya Hristova, (St. Brigid’s College Award of Excellence), Ms Carmel Broderick, (Deputy Principal)

Certificates L-R: Mr Pat Power, (Principal), Aine Glendon, (Attendance Cert.), Ciara Holden, (Senior Sports Cert), Aimee Duggan, (Academic Cert.), Shauna Power, (Senior Arts Cert.), Catherine Foley, (Senior Sports Cert.), Niamh Joyce, (Certificate of Excellence), Ann Marie Kennedy, (Attendance Cert.), Orla Millea, (Attendance Cert.), Aideen Byrne, (Personal Achievement Cert.), Emma Hogan, (Attendance Cert.), Maria Woodcock, (Catherine McAuley Cert.), Ms Carmel Broderick, (Deputy Principal).

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JUNIOR CYCLE DEVELOPMENTS IN ST. BRIGID’S Over the past two years the Department of Education and Skills have published a new Framework for the Junior Cycle. The orientation of the new junior cycle he rationale for change is to place a greater emphasis on student learning, on the quality of that learning, and on the respective roles of teachers and students in that process.

The proposed Junior Cycle Reforms will lead to a major transformation in teaching and learning in Irish Secondary schools. Many of the key ideas have great merit and are to be welcomed. The most important paradigm shift will be to help s tuden ts to become independent learners. Hence, in the future we should be better supporting and scaffolding student progression through secondary school from dependent to interdependent to independent learners. Students will learn to take more ownership of their own learning and be more responsible for and confident in it. Skills and knowledge should increase incrementally throughout the duration of secondary school. This will better prepare students for third level and for life.

The Junior Cycle programme will be made up of a particular combination of subjects, short courses, key skills or Priority Learning Units with which the student will engage during their Junior Cycle. St. Brigid’s

College, as part of the NCCA pilot initiative, was the first school in the country to introduce a whole school approach to key skills. As a result the school has been to the fore in implementing innovative teaching and learning strategies in the classroom which has been embraced by students and teachers. As a result of our previous involvement in the Senior Cycle Key Skills Initiative from 2006 onwards, St Brigid’s College have been invited to be one of only 40 network schools to pilot the new junior cycle. To begin with we have decided to focus on implementing Key Skills into Junior Cycle classes as part of Junior Cycle Reform and we have also opted to work on the area of assessment in English

Key skills of Junior Cycle In junior cycle, while specific skills are encountered in subjects and short courses, key skills have a role to play in deepening the students’ learning and in making them more self-aware as learners. This will contribute to equipping them to take up the challenges of further study in senior cycle and beyond, be it in 3rd level or in the work place. Key skills of the Junior Cycle 1. Managing Myself 2. Staying Well 3. Communicating 4. Being Creative 5. Working with Others

6. Managing Information and Thinking. St. Brigid’s College took the initiative in 2010 and began what we have titled “The ‘Learning to Learn” initiative, which involves introducing junior years to the key skills. This is being rolled out with first, second and third years on an annual basis. Each class has a Key Skill mentor who is responsible for creating an awareness of key skills and supporting the learners in compiling a ‘Learning to Learn Journal’. This Journal summarises each of the key skills, allows the students to set targets and enables them to be more responsible for their own learning by introducing them to the traffic light system. Students also document their learning experiences of each of the Key Skills by giving examples of what they do in a variety of subjects. In early September each class group were assigned a Key Skills mentor. Subsequently the students were introduced to the key skills framework by their mentoring teachers. The mentoring teachers involved are as follows;

TEACHER GROUP Ms O’Keefe 1C Ms Casey 1D Ms Ivers 2C Ms Costello 2D Ms McCormack 3C Ms Ivers 3D

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Though the use of varied teaching methodologies by all teachers in St. Brigid’s College, students are being taught and exposed to the following aspects of Key

Skills.

JUNIOR CYCLE DEVELOPMENTS IN ST. BRIGID’S

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JUNIOR CYCLE DEVELOPMENTS IN ST. BRIGID’S

With the introduction of the above initiative Junior Cycle s t u d e n t s a re b e i n g encouraged to look more closely at their Learning Styles and Learning Abilities. St Brigid’s College feels that this will not only help students to grow personally but also assist students in taking more control of the own academic and career development. This will help raise the academic standard of all Students side by side with their personal development. Work on Assessment in English English teachers attended three seminars: • Learning and the Junior

Cycle. N.A.P.D. Graham Powell. Feb. 2013. (Ms Maria Costello, Ms Margaret O Keefe, Mr Power)

• Modern Teaching for Modern Learning. Paul Ginnis. Nov. 2012 (Ms

Maria Costello). • Junior Cycle School

Network – Assessment. Cork. April 2013. (Ms Jacqueline Kennedy, Ms Mary McGlynn).

The teachers in the English D e p a r t m e n t c r e a t e d t e m p l a t e s ( p r a c t i c a l e x a m p l e s ) f o r t h e implementation of Key Skills in the classroom. At the end of a topic students were given copies of the Elements and Elements in Action of the six Key Skills and asked to give their response. These answers were collated and the teachers now have a set of hand-outs to give to students to guide them in the use of the Key Skills. With regard to Assessment in Teaching and Learning in the English Department we considered the following five points and put them into practice in the following topics; Poetry, Debating and Essay Writing).

1. Learning Aims/Outcomes 2. Select and Plan Activities 3. Implement in the classroom 4. Formative Assessment 5. Forma l Summat ive

Assessment Sharing Methodologies with regards to Junior Cycle Reform Vice Principal Carmel

Broderick and Teacher Ms Donna Ivers participated in the Joint Managerial Bodies Conference on the 17th of September in Marino Institute, Dublin. The theme of the conference was “A NEW JUNIOR CYCLE –PRACTICALITIES AND POSSIBILITIES – Creating Clarity, Confidence and Creativity”. The aim of the conference was to offer peer delivered workshops on the key aspects of a new Junior Cycle. I n the i r ta l k t i t led “Embedding Key Skills in Teaching and Learning” Carmel and Donna spoke about the six Key Skills of Managing Myself, Staying Well, Being Creative, Communicating, Working With Others and Managing Information and Thinking and then shared good practice on how they are imp lemen ted in t he classrooms of St. Brigid’s College. Having spoken to other schools afterwards on the work they have done on implementing Key Skills, we feel we are very much ahead in the area of Key Skills for Junior Cycle Reform. Working at National Level Key Skills mentor Donna Ivers has also been working

Examples of Learning To Learn Journals from 2C

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with the National Council for C u r r i c u l u m a n d Development in developing Toolkits for the 6 Key Skills which can be used by teachers all over the country to aid them implement Key Skills in the classroom. Ten teachers from various different subject areas are working together to put together a variety of ideas and examples that teachers of all subject could use in their own classrooms to implement the six Key Skills. These ten teachers all have had previous experience of working with the NCCA on the Key Skills. These toolkits will become available on the Junior Cycle Network website in the Autumn of 2 0 1 3 a n d c a n b e downloaded by all teachers to use as a reference guide. Pat Power, Principal also contributed an article to the Joint Managerial Bodies Summer Newsletter outlining the way in which we are implementing the Key Skills Programme and the work our school is doing in relation to the assessment of English in the new Junior Cycle. This good practice is being shared with schools all over the country. Conclusion Changing the what and the how of student learning, as well as really involving them in assessment for learning will help them to think

differently about themselves as learners. With this experience, key skills and competencies, they will be better equipped to tackle learning at senior cycle and beyond. St. Brigid's’ College to get major refurbishment and

building of specialist rooms!!

A major redevelopment of St Brigid’s College is currently proposed. The design team l e a d b y B l u e t t & O’Donoghue Architects of Kilkenny is working with the Board of Management to d e v e l o p t h e m o s t a p p r o p r i a t e s c h e m e development for the school. Currently sketch scheme proposals are being finalised in line with Department of E d u c a t i o n & S k i l l s requirements. The main elements of the proposals include: • Provision of new

classrooms, specialist rooms, new school entrance, staff and office facilities within the old “ Scoil Mhuire” national school building.

• Provision of a new extension at the location of the current general purpose hall. This wil l contain specialist classrooms including two science laboratories.

• Provision of a new general purpose area linking the existing school and the old “ Scoil Mhuire” national school building. Renovation and upgrading of the existing s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l building.

It is expected to complete the initial stage 1 design process by end of May 2013. Subject to Departmental approval, it will then be proposed to proceed to the preparation of developed design for the project with a view to having planning application documentation ready for Department approval later in 2013.Subject to planning permission and all things going well, it is hoped to commence building in 2014. The Principal expressed delight at recent progress; “we have been working hard for the last number of years to get funding to improve facilities for our girls and teachers. We have an excellent design team and the building sub committee composed of John Bambrick (BOM) and Kay Morrissey chairperson (BOM) and myself have worked very closely with the design team to meet our school needs”.

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First Year Blitz St. Brigid’s First Year camogie team was invited to take part in a camogie blitz in Carlow. There were 2 sections in the Competition, and the Callan girls were in the A Section. Our first match was against Borris Vocational School and we got off to a great start with a magnificent goal from a free from Ailish Keogh. A second half point from Lauryn Corcoran helped Callan on their way to victory. Our next match was against Castlecomer Community School and this game was won comfortably with great goals from Charlotte Sealey, Eimear Lanigan and Lisa Donnelly who also scored a super point. These victories resulted in a final place against Coláiste Bríd Enniscorthy. Although Callan worked hard and never gave up, they were defeated by a talented Wexford side. However, each of the 24 Callan girls deserve special praise for making it a most enjoyable day. Eimear Foran had a great game in goals. The defence of Kerrianne Power, Margaret Foley, Kym Ryan, Kate Gleeson, Róisín Tracy, Samira Fitzpatrick and Zoe O Gorman kept the opposition at bay time after time. Emma Denny and Lisa Donnelly kept the ball moving at centre field with superb forwards in Lauryn Corcoran, Eimear

Lanigan, Ailish Keogh, Tanya Stanley, Charlotte Sealey and Natasha Stanley. Super subs were Caoimhe Maher, Nicole Brynes, Jade Audoire, Alannah Dunphy, Sarah Cashin, Caitlin Roche, Ciara Hogan and Mya Travers who were at all times willing and more than able to contribute to a very fruitful day. We all look forward to our next outing!! Kilkenny Minor Championship 2013 It was with great pride that two of St Brigid’s 6th Years Ciara Holden and Catherine Foley represented Kilkenny in the Minor Camogie Championships this year. They took on teams from all over Ireland in their quest for the title of All Ireland Champions. Ciara lined out in the number 14 jersey as full forward and Catherine lined out in the number 3 jersey as full back. On the day they both served their county well and the final score when the whistle blew against Cork was 1-12 to 0-06 to Kilkenny. They both had that coveted Minor medal in the bag and the cup in their hands, congratulations go to both girls.

1st year Camogie Team

Catherine Foley and Ciara Holden

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Equestrian Review The 2012/2013 school year in St. Brigid’s College was a good year all round for the students who took part in e q u e s t r i a n . T h e r e i s Interschool competitions all year round for people who compete in show jumping or cross-country. The Equestrian Interschool’s Ireland hold competitions for secondary schools all around the country for students to compete in. Students in St. Brigid’s College normally head to the local s h o w s i n W a r r i n g t o n Equestr ian Centre, Co. Kilkenny. On the 7th of October, St. Brigid’s College competed in the novice competition in Warrington. The team of four included Linda Byrne, Katelyn Brett, Grace Foley and Ciara Byrne. The team jumped brilliant only landing on four faults at the end of the day. On the 13th of October, I, Aoife Doyle competed in the open singles competition held in Barnadown, Gorey, Co. Wexford. It was a successful day as I had jumped two clear rounds, which had qualified me for the jump off. I had a good round against the clock but

unfortunately had the last fence down which had knocked me out of the prizes. On the 18th of November, St. Brigid’s College had three t e a m s c o m p e t i n g i n Warrington, two teams which were novice and one open team. The first novice team included Linda Byrne, Erin Kennedy, Alana Dunphy and Katelyn Brett. The second team with competitors Roisin Byrne, Ciara Byrne and Aisling Foley. Our open team included Aoife Doyle, Kate O’Brien, Anna O’Brien and Jenny Scott. It was an unlucky day for St. Brigid’s College as all teams had faults after the first two rounds, therefore not qualifying for the jump off. That brings us to the All Ireland Interschool Hunter trials held at the Kennels, New Ross, Co. Wexford on the 16th of March. St. Brigid’s College had one team of three, Eleanor Costello, Avril Collins and Aoife Doyle travelling. We were a strong team and had spent the weekend before schooling for this competition. All three of us were ready to take on the cross-country course and we were 17th to start out of 74 teams. We had warmed- up, and were ready at

the starting line. Nerves were shooting down our legs as we waited for the countdown to start. Both Horses and Riders were full of nerves and excitement. We were off! We were flying around the course of strong fences with Aoife Doyle leading followed by Avril Collins and Eleanor Costello. We arrived back at the finish line all safe but unfortunately, the team had a stop and a knockable down which knocked us out of the prizes but we were all happy with our performance and enjoyed the round. That led to the senior individual competition, where I, Aoife Doyle was competing in. I was 39th to go, out of a competition of 171 competitors. I was ready to go at the pocket with my horse eager to start. I waited for the countdown and we were off for the second time around the course. We went as fast as we could go and had cleared the three knockables. We crossed the finish line at a time of 3.59 which had been the best time all day with a clear round, I was delighted and had hoped to secure 1st place in the competition. Unfortunately, I was beaten by ten seconds, which put me in 2nd place. I was thrilled to have taken 2nd place in the All- Irelands and to have represented my school St. Brigid’s College in this competition. This year has been a good year for equestrian in St. Brigid’s College and hopefully next year will be as good a year and encouraging more students to take part in the interschool's and represent our school. By Aoife Doyle 5C

Members of St. Brigid’s Equestrian Team

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Boxing I recently took part in an All-Ireland Boxing final. I boxed in my semi-final on the 27th of April against Katrina Nevin from Dublin and won this fight with an overall score of 13-2. I fought in the final on the 3rd of May. Before my fight I met Peat Taylor, Katie Taylor’s father. He was a lovely man and it was an honour to get my picture taken with him and have him wish me the best of luck. I was fighting a girl named Aimee Dowling from Galway. It was one of my hardest fights yet. After the 1st and 2nd round I was only up by 1 point but managed to finish the 3rd round with 4 points clear. The final score was 11-7. After winning the All-Ireland I will progress to the High Performance training where people like Paddy Barnes, Katie Taylor, John Joe Nevin & Darren O’Neil have all trained during their sporting career. I

am so thrilled to be progressing to that level. And now I’m waiting for my Cedits fight. It’s just like another All Ireland but it’s more serious. If I win my Cedits I’ll get the opportunity to represent Ireland for a European Title. Last year it was held in Russia. My three coaches in the final were Shane Purcell, Ross Khoe and my Mother. I had a lot of support when I was boxing and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to watch me fight. I especially want to thank all my coaches, without them I wouldn’t be boxing and I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I love boxing and I would highly recommend it to anyone. By Courtney Doheny.2C Swimming St. Brigid's College student Jane Roberts, holder of eight Irish Junior records for swimming, has had an eventful year jet setting all over the globe representing Ireland. Jane's first trip brought her to Chartres, France where she competed at her second European Senior Short Course Championships. At this gala Roberts claimed her sixth record beating Britain's London 2012 Olympian Hannah Miley. Not long after competing in France, Jane caught a flight to Brandon, Florida where she

spent a fortnight on an intense training camp with the National Senior Squad and High Performance Director Peter Banks. After returning home from the States, Roberts jumped straight back into heavy training. Jane's next big gala was the Irish Long Course Championships where she hoped to return to the States by qualifying for the U.S Open Championships in California this August. Unfortunately Jane missed out on the time by .18 of a second. Roberts finished her season of competing in Glasgow, Scot land. There she represented Ireland at the Celtic Tri-Nations. Jane snatched her eighth record at this gala in the 50m back crawl. Jane clocked the touch pad at a time of 30.01,coming in second to Welsh Olympian Georgia Davies. Roberts is now back in The Watershed training for her next racing term in July.

Courtney Doheny Champion Boxer 2C Jane Roberts 5D

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Senior Badminton Team Back Row: L-R: Clodagh Keech, Aine Castles, Emma Hogan, Becky Lomax, Aisling Byran Front Row: L-R: Catherine Foley, Ciara Holden, Eilis Fitzgerald

Minor Badminton Team Back Row: L-R: Iris Castles, Mya Travers, Jade Audoire, Sarah Cashin, Eilis Keogh Front Row: L-R: Zoe O’Gorman, Alanna Dunphy, Kim Ryan

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Junior Football Team 2012/13 Back Row: L-R: Jenny Scott, Rachel Treacy, Grace Quigley, Antio Siegen, Fiona Fennelly, Laura Cuddihy, Katie Delaney, Keely Lambe, Anna Robinson, Lisa Hogan

Middle Row: L-R: Ms Donna Ivers, Laura Hennessy, Lena Butler, Becky Freaney, Loren Roche, Aisling Foley, Katie Alyward, Aoife Skelly, Shauna O’Meara, Ms Orla Casey

Front Row: L-R: Caitlinn Moore, Aine Lyons, Ashling Butler, Kate White, Aine Dunne, Crystal Byrnes, Lisa Donnelly, Margaret Foley

Junior Football Team

U14 Football Team U14 Football Team 2012/13 Back Row: L-R: Zoe O’Gorman, Kate White, Maggie Delaney, Aine Dunne, Emma Gander, Laura Hennessy, Lisa Hogan, Aoibheann Cody, Tanya Stanley, Caoimhe Maher

Middle Row: L-R: Ms Donna Ivers, Jade Audoire, Emer Lanigan, Charlotte Sealy, Natasha Stanley, Ailish Kehoe, Sarah Cashin, Mya Travers, Roisin Treacy, Emma Denny, Ciara Hogan, Rebecca Bourke, Ms Orla Casey

Front Row: L-R: Kerrianne Power, Kim Ryan, Cait Roche, Nicole Byrnes, Lauryn Corcoran, Alanna Dunphy, Lisa Donnelly, Margaret Foley, Kate Gleeson, Crystal Byrnes

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Junior Camogie Team

Senior Camogie Team

Junior Camogie 2012/13 Back Row: L-R: Anna Robinson, Michaela Kealy, Claire Kirwin, Amyleigh Cahill, Jade Butler, Lisa Hogan, Middle Row: L-R: Rachel Hughes, Megan Lacey, Kathy Long, Grace Foley, Aine Dunne, Alison O’Shea Murphy Front Row: L-R: Caoimhe O’Shea, Laura Hennessy, Caitlinn Moore, Maggie Delaney, Eabha Kirwin, Aisling Butler

Senior Camogie 2012/13 Back Row: L-R: Catherine Foley, Claire Kirwin, Michaela Kealy, Jenny Scott, Laura Cuddihy, Antoinette Maher Power, Jenny Logue, Niamh Phelan, Ciara Holden, Ashling Butler Middle Row: L-R: Rachel Buckley, Mandy Power, Gemma Long, Lena Butler, Becky Lomax, Loren Roche, Alison Bergin, Chloe O’Connor, Katie Coughlin, Aisling Foley, Jade Butler

Front Row: L-R: Kathy Long, Anna Robinson, Laura Hennessy, Caitlinn Moore, Eabha Kirwin, Caoimhe O’Shea, Caroline Murphy, Megan Lacey, Maggie Delaney, Aine Dunne

Senior Camogie Team

Minor Camogie 2012/13 Back Row: L-R: Kathy Long, Lauren Hennessy, Charlotte Sealy, Roisin Treacy, Eimear Foran, Anna Robinson, Michaela Kealy, Aine Dunne, Lisa Hogan, Alison O’Shea Murphy Middle Row: L-R: Claire Kirwin, Sarah Cashin, Ailish Kehoe, Natasha Stanley, Jade Audoire, Eimear Lannigan, Ciara Hogan, Lisa Donnelly, Rebecca Bourke, Maggie Delaney, Caoimhe O’Shea Front Row: L-R: Caitlinn Moore, Kate Gleeson, Zoe O’Gorman, Kim Ryan, Allanna Dunphy, Nicole Byrnes, Margaret Foley, Lauren Corcoran, Emma Denny, Eabha Kirwin

Minor Camogie Team

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SPORT

Senior Volleyball – 2012/13 Back Row: L-R: Avril Collins, Ciara Holden, Niamh Phelan, Catherine Foley

2nd year Volleyball Competition- 2012/13 Back Row: L-R: Claire Kirwin, Kathy Long, Anna Robinson, Kate White Front Row: L-R: Eabha Kirwin, Caoimhe O’Shea, Caitlinn Moore

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SPORT

Karate Fifth year student Claire Byrne achieved her First Dan black belt on 12/5/13 under Japanese Sensei Fumitoshi Kanazawa in Mayfielf, Cork. Also pictured is Sensei Denis Hogan, Sixth Dan black belt, instructor of Carrick-on-Suir and Callan Karate clubs. Claire trained for nine years in these two clubs. School run/walk St Brigid’s is holding an 8km walk / run on Friday the 17th of May in aid of the school.

We look forward to a day where both staff and students can enjoy the benefits of feeling young and fit!!

All students will be rewarded with refreshment on arrival back to the school followed by a school raffle. Prizes will match the day’s activities with beauty treats and

sporting clothing signed by the boys in blue, the Leinster rugby team.

Well Done Everybody!

Claire Byrne receiving her black belt

Orange Team School Run 3rd years

Red Team School Run Leaving Certs

Ms. Casey starting the School Run

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SPEECH AND DRAMA EXAMS 2013: Teacher: Ms McDermott On the 14th of May, nine girls will do their Speech and Drama exams with a visiting examiner from 'The London Academy of Music'. The exams will entail writing and delivering a speech. The speeches are on a variety of topics such as "Will an AIDS free world be achieved in our life time?" "Is the developed world responsible for poverty in the developing world" and "Euthanasia" to name but a few. Sight reading and the theory behind speech is also part of the exam. The length of the speech is determined by the grade we are doing; grade four is four minutes, grade five, five minutes and so on. For grade seven and

eight an impromptu speech is also part of the exam. These titles can be about any topical issue at the moment and we will be given 30 minutes on the day to write a two or four minute speech. We meet each Wednesday during lunch with Ms McDermott to practise our speeches and theory. We are all looking forward to our exam and are hopeful we will all do very well. By Aoife Broe 5C, Eilis Fitzgerald 5C and Michaela Reilly 5D

Concern Debate update The first sixteen teams in round one proceeded to round two in April. Callan came joint seventeenth! However despite narrowly missing the next round the team was very happy with the placing out of 120 schools.

The students were delighted to be awarded Best New School in the Competition. Congratulations to Aoife Broe (Capt.), Eilis Fitzgerald, Katie Power and Michaela Reilly. The girls acknowledge that, along with their own efforts, it was the support of everyone involved that clinched the award of Best New School for St. Brigid’s College, with Concern referring to the “debating fever” that hit the school! They want to thank their coaches, Ms M. McGlynn, Ms J. Kennedy, Mr P. Power. They are grateful to Ms C. Broderick, Mr Liam Roche and Mr John Murphy for their help with catering and setting up the Library when Callan hosted the debates. The support of their classmates and other students who attended the debates, made the tea, passed round the biscuits - eating plenty themselves we noticed!! was really appreciated also. (You know who you are!).

The team would like to encourage the incoming fifth years to prepare and audition for debating and public speaking teams net year. ive it a goit’s for everyone!

Ms. McDermott and the Speech and Drama class

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CEIST Debate On Friday 26th of April, the four debaters Katie Power, Aoife Broe, Michaela Reilly and Eilís Fitzgerald took part in the CEIST Schools debating competition hosted by Scoil Chríost Rí in Portlaoise. The girls were split into two teams for the debate. There were two rounds in the competition with two separate motions. The first motion was that “The House would allow the sale of kidneys.” After a tough first round and a long adjudication decision, both teams made it through it to the final round and had a very controversial topic to debate. The girls were allowed just fifteen minutes to prepare a four minute speech on whether or not “The House would legalise gay marriage.” After a heated final and lots of pizza, the results were announced. Eilís Fitzgerald and Michaela Reilly came 2nd in the overall senior teams category out of 18 teams and Katie Power and Aoife Broe came in 3rd

place. The girls were delighted with their achievement and they look forward to next year’s competition. Thank you to Ms McGlynn, Ms Kennedy and Mr Power for all of their hard work, effort and commitment throughout the year.

Aoife Broe and Katie Power

Eilis Fitzgerald and Michaela Reilly

Eilis Fitzgerald, 5th year and Angela Hegarty, 2nd year who reached the final of the Poetry Aloud competition in the

National Library, Dublin

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If you go down to the woods today...! The 3D CSPE class innovated a series of planned activites to promote National Tree Week recently. Concerned by media reports of the Chalara Ash Tree disease that has threatened much of our native woodland the girls sprung into action to raise awareness of the trees’ plight ( ash wood is needed to make hurls after all!), and the importance of stewardship. Backed by the Susliving(sustain,able living) initiative, they took on leadership roles, organising and engaging fellow students i n p r a c t i c a l l e a r n i n g experiences including actively planting trees to highlight the contribution trees make to improving air and soil quality as a food source and for biodiversity. Here is an outline of their sucessful innovative agenda ; Monday Power Point Presentations by 3D to fellow first and second year students; • The Chalara Ash Tree

Threat • Why Trees are Important • How to Plant and Care for a Tree Tuesday Susliving Planting Workshop with junior classes; • Creation of raised beds. • Planting of vegetables • Planting of Birch Walk- tree lined path

and native hedgerow • Potting bedding plants

• Creation of bird table • Installation of Nesting Boxes and Insect

Hotels Wednesday Guest Speaker Michael Power from Coillte and opening of Garden of Synergy • Talk given to all third years by Michael

Power about the woodland of Ireland and how Coillte manage, protect and preserve it. Coillte origins, harvesting methods, industrial applications, forestry training,

projections for the future. This talk was inspirational- and was delivered with such interest and such easy expertise- he has inspired the foresters of tomorrow (Thank you!).

• Opening/Naming of the Garden of Synergy by Michael Power.- In November we planted our school orchard. This area also has a spring garden and now, raised vegetable beds. In response to a competition,the winning name for the garden area came from fourth year

Michael Power of Coillte and students (L-R); Catherine Delaney, Katie Aylward, Hannah Quigley, Laura Cuddihy &

Lena Butler

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students Katie Delaney, Laura Cuddihy,Lena Butler and Katie Alward proposed the name “The Garden of Synergy.”Hannah Quigley’s talented grandfather skilfully made a beautiful name plaque to honour this which will take pride of place in the garden. Representatives from all classes were invited to attend.

Thursday Planting of Free Trees for Schools with third and second years. Having carefully collected tokens from the Irish Independent Newspaper- we were rewarded with Free Trees – which were (correctly) planted – with the help of second years. Friday First Year Art Competition “ Trees Our Past Our Present and Our Future”- third years organised an art competition on this theme for first years, they hung the art work in “The Corridor Gallery,” arranged a judging panel and organised a prize giving ceremony. After an interesting and busy week Ms.Kane and the 3D class would like to thank all the teachers, mentors, guest speakers and students who contributed to its success- it wood n’t have been as much fun without you!!. Class 3C’s Mock Election On the 12th of April the class of 3C held a mock election as part of their Junior Certificate Action Project. The class set up projectors, polling stations, a ballot box and polling booths in the Dem. Lab. There were

six parties running for the mock election. The parties were called Average Joes, 9 to 5 party, the Citizen party etc. Each party held a presentation on why people should vote for them. The presentations were very creative and interesting. The 3D’s were invited to the mock election to cast their votes. After everyone had heard the presentations, classes 3C and 3D voted for the parties they

wanted to win. The winning party of the mock election was the Average Joes. Everyone enjoyed the experience and it was a very productive event. By Jade Downey, 3C CSPE Class.

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LCVP 5th Year LCVP Class LCVP is a subject taken in 5th & 6th Year, which involves using our basic knowledge in a practical way and developing new skills along the way. At the moment we, the 5th Year LCVP students, are engaging in an Action Plan project concerning “Our Loca l Area. ” Following the Link M o d u l e s s y l l a b u s requirements, we have b e e n i n v e s t i g a t i n g numerous topics that relate to current issues c o n c e r n i n g o u r l o c a l community of Callan. Our projects have been based on a number of topics to do with Callan and the lives of the people who live there. For example: Tourism, Local Enterprise, Local Voluntary Organisations, the Social Services, and Opportunities for Employment. Our groups have been hard at work, many conduct ing interviews with local people. Each group used their own initiative, making phone calls (under the supervision of their LCVP teachers, Ms Campion and Ms Casey) and organising interviews in order to research the topic specific to their group. One group who were investigating “local enterprise, and the challenges facing them in the economic downturn” decided to contact Mr Jimmy Brett, of Brett Brothers Ltd. Mr Brett took them to the conference room, where he remarked on their impressive professional attitudes towards their LCVP project and their attention to detail in preparing

a questionnaire. Their findings were very informative and helpful in preparing their Action Plan. Another group visited Joe Kennedy, Callan’s local historian, asking questions regarding opportunities for tourism in Callan. They also carried out a questionnaire, this time concerning the local historical sites that attract tourists to Callan. He explained that the tourists, both national and in te rna t iona l , a re interested in what Callan has to offer. They also discovered that the annual Abhainn Rí festival attracts many to the town each year and that Callan contains much untapped potential for tourism. All in all, the 5th Years have found it to be a rewarding experience. Each group is now preparing to present the findings of their projects to our fellow 5th Years in the form of a PowerPoint presentation. The experience has helped us to improve and acquire numerous new skills, such as ICT, teamwork and organisation skills. We have achieved our

object ives, wh ich included finding out about our local area and passing on this information to our peers. The syllabus required that we complete an Action Plan, which helped us to further our a b i l i t y t o p l a n efficiently, a plan being “a predetermined course of action.” It taught us to be aware o f o u r l o c a l surroundings and the

everyday situations that affect our community.. By Megan Walsh and Shannon Greally 5th year Fund Raising On the 22nd of January St. Vincent de Paul visited St Brigid’s College Callan to receive a cheque of €540. Receiving the cheque on behalf of the charity was Margaret O’Driscoll (President of the Callan branch) and Brenda Farrell (Secretary). This money was collected prior to the Christmas holiday when all the 5th year LCVP students organised 10 activities of Christmas in the hope of creating a festive atmosphere in the school. The project proved to be a great success with a total of €540 raised. The money was collected through various activities including a teacher Vs. student soccer match, a non-uniform day and also a bake sale. The President and Secretary of the charity visited our school and explained to all 5th year students the valuable work that this charity does and how its main aim is to tackle poverty in

5th year LCVP raising money for St. Vincent de Paul

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all its forms through the provision of practical assistance to those in need. They informed the students that the donation was invaluable to them and that it will help them assist families in Callan who are relying on their support d u r i n g a v e r y challenging time. 6th Year LCVP We have had a very hectic year completing the second half of our Link Modules course. The L e a v i n g C e r t i f i c a t e Voca t iona l P rog ramme. (LCVP) is a two-year education p rog ram of t he I r i sh Department of Education and Ski l ls. The Programme combines academic study with a new and dynamic focus on self-directed learning, enterprise, work and the community. It aims to give students an opportunity to develop their interpersonal, vocational and technological skills. During our Halloween midterm we, the 6th year students, spread our wings into the world of work. All of the girls completed three days of work experience in a work place of their choice. The placements varied from farms to hospitals and primary schools to local businesses. I completed my work experience with ‘The Welcome Lodge’ self catering business in Harleypark. On the placement I developed my skills and aptitudes, and I learned all about running a business in the tourism sector. The experience thought me a

lot about the world of work and also about myself. After the midterm we completed our ‘Work Experience Diary’ as a part of our portfolio. This involved evaluating the work placement. After Christmas, we visited the local business , Keogh’s Model Bakery. Mr Billy Keogh gave us a tour of the bakery and took us through the bread making process. He shared his knowledge of the business world and gave us valuable life advice. In the words of Billy Keogh himself, ‘Business is a warzone’. With the knowledge that Billy Keogh had given us, we completed our ‘Recorded Interview’. This was a nerve-racking experience as many of the girls were uneasy about having a camera in such close proximity. But being well prepared and cleanly polished, we were in our comfort zone. After the interview, we made the final touches to our portfolio documents to ensure that they were flawless epitomes of perfection. When

the deadline for the portfolio arrived, we were glad to seal the examination envelope and to have that part of our l ives complete. From there, there was no going back. But this was not the end of our LCVP experience. We had one more hurdle to o v e r c o m e . . . t h e written examination. In the classes leading up to the first of May, we worked tremendously hard

to ensure that we could make our best attempt at the written paper. As part of our preparation for the exam, we invited Mary Lacey from the De p a r t m e n t o f So c ia l Protection to do a talk in our school. The mission of this department is to promote a caring society through ensuring access to income support and other services, enabling active participation, promoting social inclusion and supporting families. She deals with business closures and she was more than willing to help us study for the case study section of our paper which was based on this topic. The morning of the exam, the girls were anxious at the thoughts of completing our first Leaving Certificate written examination. The department posed a challenging paper but nothing that our class was not prepared for. The relief in the faces of the girls was evident when the papers were c o l l e c t e d . . . w e w e r e finished...finally!

6th year LCVP Class with Mrs. Mary Lacey from the Department of Social Protection

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Soccer Match As part of our LCVP programme to promote a festive atmosphere in our school we decided to hold a Teacher vs. Students soccer match on the 13th of December in our PE hall. Both teams on the day had 10 players and each team had a team mascot. The teachers had Ms Sheehan as their mascot and she was dressed up in a chicken costume. The students had Mary Kenneally as their mascot, she was dressed in a honey monster suit. It was great competition between the mascots as they kept the crowd going by cheering on the players. The s t u d e n t s h a d g r e a t determination and energy throughout the match but up until the final whistle the teachers held on and got a

Mr Power goal (despite being tackled by four players) to equalize the match. It then went to penalties. Ms Casey was first to step up to the mark and scored a cracker of a goal, but it wasn’t too late until Sarah Byrne levelled the match. We then went into sudden death and it was all down to

Michaela Reilly for the students and Ms Coste l lo f o r the teachers. Michaela`s shot was blocked by Ms Ivers, the superior goal keeper, who was, however, no match for the students! Ms Costello stood up and hit an excellent shot which went in to the back of the net. The teachers defeated the

students and Ms Costello received player of the match. Best of luck to the students next year!! The teams were as followed Students: Michelle Hennessy, Jenny Logue, Caroline Murphy, Michaela Reilly, Jane Roberts, Olga Lacey, Deirdre Carroll, Michelle Maher, Sarah Byrne and Joanne McSorley.

Ms. Maria Costello receiving her award for Player of the Match from Ms. Orla Casey

Mascot for the Teachers at the soccer match

Ms. Sheehan!

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Subject Choice Evening 6th February A talk on subject choice was attended by both first year and fourth year parents. The night proved to be a great success. The Guidance Department are always happy to support both students and parents in the three areas of educational, career, personal and social guidance.

Youth Work Ireland Youth work Ireland is offering a service known

as Teen Between. It caters for students between 12-25yrs of age who parents/ guardians are separating or divorced. The relationship breakdown does not have to have happened recently, as issues can arise at any time. If you would like more information on the service please phone 056-7761200. Career Talks The sixth year girls have continued to gain knowledge with regard to colleges and future careers. We had the pleasure of having guest speakers in from St Pat’s Drumcondra and NUI Galway. Kildare County council also spoke with the students about careers in engineering and technology. All visitors were very informative and should help the students in their future career choice.

C a r e e r , social and Per so na l n o t i c e board St Brigid’s college has continued to

update its careers notice board providing students with information around new course, college sport scholarships, the change of mind CAO process and college accommodation.

We have also welcomed a new Social and Personal notice boards. Students have information regarding contact details of outside agencies, tips for coping with exam stress and relaxation.

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Anti-Bullying Workshops St Brigid’s College guidance department has worked hard running workshops on the topic of bullying. We as a school feel that this has been of major concern in schools across the country and we are committed to bringing our knowledge and support to the students in our care. Aim of the workshops: to raise student’s awareness towards how the “bully” can b e r e f o r m e d , h o w bystanders can become more vigilant and supportive of targeted students and how is this can lead to making the lives of the targeted student happier. The workshop also focuses on how and what affects one’s self esteem. Work is done with the students to try and improve their self-esteem. Objective: we hope to create a place where the Three “R’s” can be developed, a culture where bullying is Recognised, Rejected and Reported. Workshop 1 The aim of this workshop is to raise the awareness of bullying and discuss what bullying is. A DVD (gotten from YouTube called 'Childnet International-

Cyberbullying') is shown to the student. After this clip has been shown the group discusses the different types of bullying that the victim in the DVD has been subjected to. Laminated sheets of feelings are then spread out on the floor. Each student has to pick up a feeling and discuss why they choose that particular feeling e.g. Anxious- the student who picked this card up may explain that if they were being bullied that it may result in them feeling anxious and they continue to explain why this may be the case. The purpose of this exercise is for the students to see the effect that bullying can have on the victim. At the end of this workshop the facilitator spends sometime talking to the student on where one could go for help

e.g. school guidance counsellor, classroom teachers, management, any employee within the school setting, parents, friends, ISPCC etc. Workshop 2 The aim of this workshop is to make the students aware that we all (bully, bullied and bystanders) have a huge part to play in reducing bullying here at St. Brigid's. The facilitator explains to the student what a bystander is and the bystander effect. They discuss the steps that they can take to help in facing up to bullying (5 steps involved). They discuss the effect of bullying on the bully and the bullied and how they have a part to play in approaching the bully and another approach for the victim. A song is then played

Anti-Bullying workshops with Ms. Deirdre Garrett

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and students are given out the lyrics. The song is called 'Caught in the crowd'. This song is about a girl who witnessed another student being bullied at her school. The song gives details of how awful she now feels about ignoring it and not doing anything for the victim back when they were in school. She talks about the guilt that she feels today over ignoring the role that she as a bystander had. Workshop 3 The topic area in this workshop is self-esteem. An inflated beach ball is used to represent a person’s self-esteem. When the ball is inflated it is resilient. The students are shown how when you drop the ball on the floor that it bounces back. The students now list things that may of happened during a normal day that could of lowered their self-esteem. Every time a negative statement is said

air is then taken out of the ball. The facilitator now shows them the shape of the ball and how when you push the side of the ball that it no longer pushes back out as quick as when it was fully inflated. The

ball is then dropped and the facilitator points out that the ball did not bounce back. Then the discussion moves onto how we can raise our self-esteem. Blow the ball back up as students put forward these positive suggestions. The beach ball is bounced as a final reinforce to what the group has been talking about. Then the facilitator and the students go through the 10 suggestions of how one can raise their self-esteem. The feedback was excellent from both teachers and students. Students felt that it raised their awareness of what aspects of their behaviour can actually be classified as bullying comments. They also felt energised about the part that they have to play in combatting bullying in their school. Teachers seemed very impressed with the workshops. They believed that the students now know

what bullying is, who to report it to and how we as a school go about stamping out bullying in our school so that we can offer a safe place for all our students. It is my recommendation that these workshops could be done with first year on their first day/ first week at St. Brigid's and that something is done on this topic with all year groups each term e.g. poster slogan competition, poetry regarding bullying comp, drama groups brought in, guest speakers for parents etc.

This workshop was followed up by the box and interview technique where each student is asked 5 questions. We, the anti-bullying committee, have gone through the responses and are committed to carrying out the standard procedures. All staff at St. Brigid's takes bullying allegations very seriously and we are working hard to reduce bullying and ensure that each student feels safe in their school environment.

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Transition Years visit the Criminal Courts! On the 11th of April, we set off for Dublin at 7am. We were going on a trip to visit the Criminal Courts. We had to separate into two groups. Ms Bradfield took the first group and Ms Sheehan took the second group as there were fifty students and they only took twenty five at a time. One group went in the morning and the other group went in the evening. The first group arrived at the Criminal Courts at 9:15 am. We entered the new modern building which had a lot of security and guards. We were greeted by a barrister and she carried out a mock trial with our group. We all had a role to play in the trail; some of us were barristers, solicitors, a judge, defended, accused, witnesses and the jury. After the mock trial we were allowed go into all different court cases. The cases were all about very different matters but were all very i n t e r e s t i n g . T o o u r disappointment a murder trial was postponed. A group of us went into a drugs trial which was a very interesting case. After a while we started to

watch many different cases to get a taste of what it would be like to work in the Courts. At one o’clock we went off to shop in Dublin city centre while the second group went into the courts. The whole experience was really worthwhile and introduced us to a completely different world than the one we are used to. By: Aoife Skelly 4D, Rachel Phelan 4D and Ciara Brett 4C.

Reality Living Reality Living is a project given to students as part of their Transit ion Year Business Course. Students have to give a presentation on how they imagine their lives will be in fifteen years. Students are asked to research possible degrees, jobs, estimated incomes and expenditures, houses, cars

and even family members! They must prepare an annual budget showing their income and expenditure and whether they could sustain their extravagant lives. V a r i o u s i n s u r a n c e s , mortgages and bills must be researched in conjunction with how students see themselves in the year 2028. A tax computation is also required showing the students income, perks,

benefits in kind, tax and tax credits. All of which has to be researched to match their possible careers. Students can present their work through images and spread sheets. The project gives s t u d e n t s t h e opportunity to see the

financial difficulties and careers that lie ahead in the future. I think it is a good project as it gives a good insight into what could lie ahead and how we will have to manage our funds when we are older. It was enjoyable researching the different types of houses, cars and jobs and imagining how our lives could be in the future. By Megan Lacey 4D

TY DIARY

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Lunch Time Walking Every day, the enthusiastic fourth years put their lunch time to good use by exercising. Some walk, some jog, and some run down the quiet and scenic road until they reach “The White House”. They are very appreciative of the teachers Ms Casey and Ms Bradfield who accompany them each lunch time as they prepare for their 25k walk in Kerry (Wed 15th – Thurs. 16th of May) for their bronze award in An Gáisce. They are also preparing for the 8k sponsored walk to raise school funds ( Fri 17th of May) around the bypass and they hope to encourage the other years to increase their pace and try their hardest. By Ciara Brett and Shauna O’Meara

The Kerry Walk “Getting ready for Kerry” is part of our participation in the President’s Awards (Gáisce). We must complete a 25km walk and like other T.Y. students we have decided to go to Kerry for our “monstrous” trek. To get ourselves ready we have begun walking every lunch time. Every day at 1:20pm the Transition Years change out of their uniform and into their walking clothes. Waiting outside are Ms Bradfield and Ms Casey to round up the girls that try to hide! . Then we set off for the Minnauns. There is a clear divide within the group with Ms Casey at the top of the pack with a number of girls who choose to run it every day. Ms

Bradfield is at the back driving on the rest and pushing them to reach the “white house” and spotting the people that turned around before they reached the house. Although the house seemed millions of miles away, everyone is able to reach it. By the time we arrive back at the school there is only enough time to sit on the grass for two minutes to catch our breath and wait for the others to come back and then change and go to class exhausted and overheated! Day by day we started to pick up the pace and we manage to reach any target we set ourselves. We are getting fitter and faster, which gives us more time to rest ourselves when we get back to the school. Overall I can safely say we will be ready for this memorial walk hopefully! Thanks a lot to the teachers for helping us to train at lunchtime when they could be having a nice cup of tea in the staffroom!

By Nicola Carroll 4C and Seána Carroll 4C

TY DIARY

TY Lunch Time Walkers

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The School Musical On the 19th-20th of December we performed our fourth year musical “We will shock you”. It all started in September when Michelle Wise from Dance Wise studios came to our school and taught us our dances for the musical. These included “crazy little things called love”, “radio gaga”,” killer queen”, “don’t stop me now” and many more.

Our whole year took part from the main characters, to the dancers and to the backstage crew. They were a lot of rehearsals and preparation in the months coming up to the musical.

There were lines to learn, the singing of songs and of course the acting on the stage. Our experience of the musical was a stressful, eventful, unusual and very enjoyable experience. We would like to thank the

teachers who helped make it possible, Ms Bradfield, Ms Sheehan, Miss. E. Ryan and Ms Briody. The support from many others was well appreciated too. By Shannon, Shannon, Nicole, Zara and Becca.

Self Defence On Monday 22nd of April 2013, a British police named Alex, came to our school to teach us self-defence. He told us about his own past experiences and what he had

witnessed during his time with the metropolitan police in London. He warned us about the dangers on the streets and thought us how to defend ourselves. It was a very informative class as

we learned how to give evidence in court. He taught us some small techniques to protect ourselves and our personal space at clubs, on the streets or wherever you feel vulnerable. Each small

move proved very effective when we practiced on one another. We were also taught a little on how to prevent an attack if you are jumped on from behind. After he taught us each manoeuvre, we all got to practice on each other which proved to be some laugh!. We have more classes ahead of us and we can’t wait to learn more ways to protect ourselves properly and to have fun safely! By Maria, Elizabeth, Nadine and Michelle Work Experience For my second week of work experience , in January, I went to Reptile village in Gowran. I enjoyed it so much I stayed for an extra week! There were lots of lizards, snakes and other reptiles. Every day I had to feed the reptiles. I would feed the carnivores, live crickets and grasshoppers and the herbivores ate different types of vegetables. In my last few days a reporter came in and swam with the crocodiles along with the owner, James Hennessy, and the manager, Megan Stacey. I really liked being able to handle the snakes and lizards. I would definitely recommend this for a place of work experience. By Rebecca Robinson 4D

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GIY Grow It Yourself Fourth Year Environmental s t u d i e s students are c u r r e n t l y involved in a GIY (Grow it Yourself)-Biodiversity project sponsored by Susliving. In terms one and two fourth years transformed the courtyard garden, Rachel Hughes and Aine Castles worked with their teacher to plant spring bulbs and a Malus Evereste Crab Apple Tree .The soil was upgraded and bark chippings added to finish the area. Also bird f e e d i n g t a b l e s a n d implements were put out. Thank you to our caretaker Liam who has maintained the bird feeders in this area to help our feathered friends throughout the winter! The other Environmental Studies students researched me thods to p romote biodiversity in the school grounds. As a result of their direct research the students created and shared their f i n d i n g s v i a g r o u p p r e s e n t a t i o n s , a n d sponsored by the Susliving initiative items were invested a result of their findings- eg Nesting Boxes, Bird Feeders, Bird Tables, Wild Bird Seed, Species of Native Irish Trees/

hedgerow, Apple Trees and raised beds-these are located in our new orchard, The Garden of Synergy, the Silver Birch Walk and our organic vegetable area. Moya Bryan and Clodagh Keech made Insect Hotels from native Irish woodland m a t e r ia l t o p ro mo te biodiversity – insects are checking in as we go to print!I n t e r m t h r e e t h e Envi ronmenta l Studies students enrolled on the Allison Online Horticulture Course. Each” Rainbow Group” selected a packet of vegetable seed- their task , to research how to cultivate , propagate and harvest their vegetable . Secondly, they had to prepare a presentation on this to share with their peers and thirdly, to demonsrate planting on same to class in newly created vegetable raised bed in school garden.(Vegetables anyone??) Thank you to all school staff and students and to our caretakers Liam and John who helped with and facilatated planting activities, and the Susliving Team w h o s e f u n d i n g a n d assistance helped with the development of these areas. By Loren Roche, Rachel Treacy and Roisin Browne

Mini Company Bullseye The Transition Year mini-company,” Bullseye” won the Food section of the Young Social Innovators Awards in the Newpark Hotel. Students Megan Lacey , C ia ra McGrath, Mary Mahon and Sive Marshall completed a business plan with the help of their teacher, Ms. J. Sheehan. They surveyed students to see if there was interest in cooked dinners after school on Wednesdays. In response to demand, the four students cooked in the Home Economics room each week and sold the meals to the students. The enterprise was highly praised by the judges and the girls received certificates and a lovely glass vase for the school.

L to R Mary Mahon, Ciara McGrath, Megan Lacey, Sive Marshall

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TY DIARY La Journée de la Langue Française The students of Ms Ivers’s Transition Year French class have taken on the task of organizing a French language day within the school, to promote the importance of learning the French language. A range of French themed activities will take place on Tuesday May 14th in the school. The idea behind this is to show the school community the benefits of learning French and how you can do it in a fun manner.

The girls have organised a jam packed day which even includes a French Breakfast!!!

Along with the above activities, the Fourth Year Students will also decorate the school with French colours and will post up French Tongue Twisters, French Slang and images of celebrities who speak French around the school, as well as labelling the school rooms with their correct French Title.

10 REASONS TO LEARN FRENCH : Reasons to Learn French 1: French is one of the most important languages in the world. French is an international language, spoken by over three-hundred million people on five different continents. French is the official language of many of the international organizations such as United Nations, NATO, the European Union, UNESCO and many more. French is also the third most used language on the internet after English and German. Reasons to Learn French 2: Tourism is Huge in France And Other French Countries. France alone attracts over seventy million visitors a year, but that doesn’t include other places that speak French like the Caribbean, Europe and some parts of Africa. Paris was recently named by Fortune Magazine as one of the Top Ten Global Cities. Overall, France is the second most visited tourist location in the world and knowing a little bit of French will make your travel experience that much better. It’s always good to know what your ordering before it arrives!

Programme of Events:

Class 1: 1st Year French Themed Table Quiz

Class 2: 2nd Year French Themed Table Quiz

Break Time: French Breakfast

Class 5: 1st Year Bingo

Lunchtime: Treasure hunt (All Clues in French)

School decorated in the French Colours

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TY DIARY Reasons to Learn French 3: Easier to Understand International Sporting Events French is always an official language used to announce events, winners, and medals at the Olympic Games. In Canada you can also follow hockey and baseball games in French. Automobile races (Le Mans and Monte Carlo), horse racing (Longchamps), tennis tournaments (French Open), and the Tour de France engage fans from around the globe. When you know French, the international world of sports is open to you.

Reasons to Learn French 4: French is One of the Most Romantic Languages Worldwide French is considered by many to be one of the most romantic languages in the world with its beautiful, rich, melodious rhythm of sounds. Reasons to Learn French 5: Learning French for International Business Knowledge in second language increases your potential business opportunities, because businesses planning to break into international markets should understanding that communicating in your target, demographic native languages increases confidence and builds trust among both parties. Reasons to Learn French 6: There are Scholarship Opportunities for French Studies Because of the higher demand for people speaking French, many of the world’s governments and agencies have been offering scholarships and other opportunities for individuals who are interested in French studies and learning the French language. Reasons to Learn French 7: Many of the World’s Greatest literary masterpieces Are in French People around the world are familiar with Les Miserables, The Three Musketeers, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Little Prince, and The Stranger. In fact, France has won more Nobel Prizes for literature than any other country. The French are also admired for their great philosophers, such as Descartes and Pascal, Rousseau, Voltaire, Camus and Satre. When you read French, you can enjoy these works and authors in the original. Reasons to Learn French 8: Wanting to Learn More About French Culture French is the language of culture opening your door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, and cinema. As you quickly realize when you look at the foreign film section of your local video store, France is one of the most prolific producers of international films. The Cannes International Film Festival annually attracts the attention of the world when the best films, directors and actors are named. When you understand French you don’t need to rely on subtitles to enjoy a French film. Reasons to Learn French 9: Learning French from English is very Easy Believe it or not, but over 40 to 50% of English vocabulary comes from the French Language. In fact, French has the most words spread out over many different languages. Learning French can even help you understand your own language better! French is also a good language to learn if you plan to learn other romance languages like Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian. Reasons to Learn French 10: Learn French as a Hobby/Love of Learning Languages. Maybe you are just one of those people that just enjoy learning languages for the fun of it!

French Breakfast organised by TY French Class

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D r e s s Design Every Friday for the last 6 weeks dress designer Joan Brennan was helping us with our ideas

for dresses made from recyclable material. She has made them possible for us. We learned lots of different skills for dress making like sewing etc. In the dress design there are different groups making dresses. We use a lot of material like newspapers, bin bags, cardboard ,old clothes, really anything that we could use.

By Grace Quigley, 4D Fashion Show Preparations for the T.Y. fashion show are in full swing, as we are sure you can tell by the music and all of us T.Y.’s walking around in our heels any chance we can get. The whole year is buzzing with excitement as we hear the hilarious and interesting stories Ms Bradfield and older students have been telling us about

previous shows. Joan Brennan has helped the year fulfil their dreams of making their perfect dresses for the fashion show. The various types of dress themes include: • Native American Indian • Dress with rose petals • Dresses made of

scarves and bin bags • Dresses made of bed

sheets Joan has been very helpful to us and we thank you. Modal Karen Morrissey, from the modal agency in Kilkenny, has been an amazing help to us all. She helped us prepare in so many ways, from helping us master our catwalk struts right up to the last detail of how to apply make-up proper ly. We great ly appreciate her help. The rest of the preparation lies in our hands, organising the final details of the night along with Ms Bradfield and Ms Sheehan who deserve a massive thank you. The selling of the €15 tickets is up to us. We are all so excited for the 8th of May. By Loren Roche, Rachel Treacy and Roisin Browne

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Gáisce-President’s Awards

Our Foreign Students 2012-2013 Enya Boehrer Swiss, Antonia Siegian Swiss, Lynn Bollgier German, Alessandra

Wildenhain German, Alisha Crowder American, Lisa Le Compte New Zealander, Fatima Caro Camunas Spanish

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Taize The Taize Community is a monastic order in Taize, Burgundy, France. There are over 100 brothers from Protestant and Catholic t r a d i t i o n s , f r o m approximately 30 countries across the world. Taize is one of the most important s i t e s o f C h r i s t i a n pilgrimage. Over 100,000 young people travel to Taize each year. This year two 5th year students Aisling Bryan and Claire Funchion will be travelling to Taize from the 22_26 of August. They will be given the opportunity to meet other young people from around the world and engage in spiritual and religious activities. They are

r e a l l y l o o k i n g forward to t h i s experience and they would like to take this opportunity to thank their religion teacher Ms H a h e s s y who has given them information on this trip and answered any questions they may have. Claire and Aisling were two of the five students in 5th year, along with Aoife Broe, Alison Bergin and Eilis Fitzgerald who received the Pope John Paul II Awards in September 2012. For this

award, each participant had to complete 20 weeks of both parish and community involvement.

They will leave in August and we look forward to hearing from them when they return.

Claire Funchion and Aisling Bryan 5th year

The School Choir,14th May 2013 on the day of the Schools Choir Event in the Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny.

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Religion News ♦ 1st February St. Brigid’s Day Prayer

Service.

♦ 7th March 1st year Retreat held in Westcourt

♦ 7th – 8th March Tròcaire 24- hour fast

♦ 22nd – 27th May Katie Power and Eliz- abeth McAliskey going to Lourdes on Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage.

♦ 22nd May 6th year graduation mass

♦ August Taize trip

Pope John Paul Award Recipients (community service)

L to R Alison Bergin, Claire Funchion, Ashling Byran, Eilis Fitzgerald

RELIGION

Leaving Certificate Graduation Mass, May 2013

The wonderful Leaving Cert. Graduation Mass, was celebrated in the School Sports Hall by Father McGrath, in the presence of the full student body, staff and parents. He made the occasion memorable and special for the girls. The theme of the Mass, “Forget Me Not”, was reflected in the Liturgy, music and artwork. We hope this will be central to the Sixth Year’s lives as they embark on the next stage of their journey.

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