jesus&marysecondaryschool

DECEMBER 2009

Le Cheile
This Year the school became part of the Lé Chéile Schools Trust. To mark this we lit a candle during our Opening Mass, to make the school community aware we were now part of Lé Chéile. The School was visited by Sean Goan and Therese Davey officers of the Lé Chéile Trust. School reopened on August 26th with 50 New Entrants attending an Induction Day. This was followed by two days of Staff meetings and Staff Planning. First, Second and Fifth Years returned to school on Monday, August 31st, Third and Sixth Years on Tuesday, September 1st, Transition Years (there are 45 students in TY this year) on September 2nd and PLC Courses Commenced on the 7th. We would like to offer our congratulations to last year Leaving and Junior Certificate students on their success in their exams. Well Done! We would also like to wish the Leaving Certs of 2009 every happiness and success in their futures. Special mention for Anne Marie Sweeney, Anne Marie was awarded a Scholarship by UCG based on her Leaving Cert results. September 8th doctors from the HSE came to the school and gave students their booster injections. TY Bonding Day took place on September 16th. There is more TY news on the TY page inside. First and Second Years attended a football Blitz on September 18th and we held our annual Opening Mass for the school on September 18th and this was followed by a half day. September 22nd Fifth and Sixth Year Art students visited the Art Gallery in Ballina and Girls Active for Senior Girls commenced. Bishop Fleming visited with Leaving Cert students. Junior girls and Senior boys both played football matches during September and some students attended Golf tournaments in Ballina and Ballinrobe. In October Fifth years attended an Open Day in NUIG and Leaving Certs went to Higher Options in Galway. Senior and First Year boys and Junior Girls played football matches in October. The Student Council went to Sligo for Comhairle na nÓg and two students were elected to the Council. There was a meeting in the Enniscrone Enterprise Centre regarding the condition of the Castlefield. PLC Graduation Night took place. Mid Term was October 26th to 30th. In November Sixth Years and TY's received a presentation in NUI Maynooth. There was an Art Inspection by the DES - Feedback was excellent.


There was a meeting of the Parents Council. First, Third and Sixth Years attended a Study Skills Day. We held a Mass for deceased members of the school community, their families and friends. A non nuniform day was held to raise funds for the St. Nicholas' Christmas party, more on TY page. TYs travelled to Sligo, to the Hawkswell Theatre to attended the production of Psycho Spaghetti. We held a Science week from November 9th to 13th. Eleven groups applied to the Young Scientist Competition and four have made it through to the Competition, the other seven will be involved in an in-school competition. Subject sampling for First Years in Home Economics, Woodwork and Technical Graphics took place over 12 weeks, more on this inside. The St. Nicholas' Christmas party took place in St. Nicholas' school this year. More info on the party on the TY page inside. There were Parent/Teacher/Student meetings for First, Third and Sixth Years so far this year. The TY Production ' 'Debutantes Cabaret' was on the 25th/26th more on the TY page. Senior Art stundents attended a Portfolio talk in the Ballina Arts Centre. Leaving Certs went on a Retreat in Ballintubber. Junior boys took part in a football blitz in Tubbercurry and Leaving Cert students attended on Open Day in NUIG. On December 4th the Parents Council took First Years to Colooney for a fun packed evening and then brought Second Years on the on the 11th. We held our Carol Service on the 14th thanks to all involved for their hard work. Our Christmas tests for all students were on from the 16th to the 22nd. We broke for Christmas Holidays on the 22nd. UCD have invited the school to become part of a mentoring programme for a newly qualified teacher. A senior teacher will be trained as a mentor. Staff members attended AMCSS, ISLA, HSE, Lé Chéile, CAO, meetings and there was a Lé Chéile Charter meeting in Claremorrisas as well as Inservices in DCG, ASTI, Special Needs, Irish, Maths, Induction and Board of Management training.

Well done to Áine Ryan, Áine wrote a story entitled 'The worst of both worlds', during the summer holidays. She sent this, with a letter enquiring about work experience on a TV set to RTE. Lena Byrne a scriptwriter on Fair City, rang Áine and asked her to visit the set of Fair City. She visited the set in Dublin and spoke to Eilish Kent (Drama Executive) and Lena Byrne (Script Editor) about scriptwriting. She watched the actors filming and learned about how the scenes are made and edited. She also visited other RTE sets including Winning Streak, TOAST, and the studios where the Late Late Show is recorded. Well Done Áine!

Concern Fundraiser

On December 3rd students from Ms. Mulvanny's First Year Religion class took part in the Concern Fast. Students raised €566 for Conern. Well done to all who took part.

Public Speaking
Ms. Mulvanny's TY English students Claire Duffy, Rosanna Connolly, Katie Gilligan and Matthew Hallinan recently participated in the Sligo County Final of the National Public Speaking Project in association with Mental Health Ireland. Their speech was entitled 'It's tough being a teenager.'

PLC GRADUATION OCTOBER 20TH
Pictured above PLC students of 2008/2009 on the night of their graduation. Students are pictured with a FETAC Representatvie - Kevin MacBrien, who presented students with their Certificates, PLC Coordinator Ms. Mohan and Principal Sr. Mary Kelly. The presentation was followed by light refreshments. Well done to all on their success!

Science Week
Many events were organised for Science Week again this year. First Years participated in a Science Poster Competition. Second Years had a Science Quiz and Fifth Years demonstrated Biology, Chemistry and Physics Experiements for all First Year students. A great time was had by all. Well done to all the students who participated in the events, and many thanks to science teachers who organised the events and special thanks to Ms. Ryder for all her hard work in overseeing the weeks events.


BT Young Scientist
A total of eleven groups from our school entered the BT Young Scientist Competition 2010. 520 groups took part nationally and four groups from our school were successful and presented their projects in the RDS from January 12th-15th .One group were presented with a display award for their project.
Students involved in the Competition:
Group - David Doherty, Jeremy Geraghty and Sandra Gordon
Group - Liam Hallinan, Matthew Hallinan and Ruairí Munnelly
Group - Claire Duffy and Katie Gilligan
Group - Maeve Upton, Aoife Bourke and Kristina O'Dowd
Well done to all the students involved and their teacher Ms. Ryder.

Subject sampling for First Years in Home Economics, Woodwork and Technical Graphics took place over 12 weeks. Then a presentation by the career guidance teacher and the subject teachers was given to First Year students following that they chose which subjects they were interested in. Some of the First Year Home Economics students pictured

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Trócaire Fundraising
Guest speaker Aoife McTernan from Trócaire visited Fifth Year LCVP class as part of Enterprise Action Plan. LCVP students are currently working with Trócaire - fundraising and creating awareness about the organisation in our school community. Pictured below Fifth Year LCVP students with Ms. Mohan LCVP coordinator & Ms. Aoife McTernan, Education Officer with Trócaire.

Girls
Football
Well done to the Junior girls who took part in the 'Pat The Baker Post Primary Schools
Championship'.
Second Year Quiz
As part of
Science Week, Transition Year Students organised a Science Quiz for all Second Year Students.


Bank of Ireland Talk
Thanks to Rosaleen Lynn, pictured left,
from Bank of Ireland, Ballina, who visited
our school to facilitate Sixth Years with their
Direct Debits for applying to college.
Students were given a presentation
on job applications and careers in banking.

Study Skills
There was a Study Skills presentation to First, Second, Third and Sixth Year students by BOND educational Services took place on November 11th 2009. This Programme was very successful among our students as it focused and motivated them for the year ahead.

*Revision Day on exam techniques to be held in February.
*Best of luck to Sixth Year students making their college applications.
*Good Luck to TY students who are out on Work Experience. This takes place one day per week until the end of the school year. Thanks to all the employers for their support.

College Open Days
Senior Students attended Open Days in NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth, Sligo IT, St. Angelas College, Sligo.
Students attended Career presentations and were able to see what each college had to offer, they received information on many courses. Senior students pictured left at some of the Open Days, Top left, Students Kelly Murphy, Aoife Gordon and Laura Sweeney pictured with Kay Mitchell, Admissions Officer, NUI Maynooth. Second picture Damian McGuinness, Elaine Byrne and Natasha Bird at the NUI Maynooth Open Day. Third Picture TY students at St. Angelas College, Sligo Open Day. Many thanks to Career Guidance Teacher, Ms. Murphy for all her work!

Transition Years for 2009/2010 pictured above. 45 students joined TY this year along with Ms. Clarke as TYCoordinator. Transition Years had their Bonding Day in Ballina, they spent the day making an animation film with a group of adults with Special Needs; they then went on to follow a historical trail in Ballina and visited the Ballina Art Gallery to view the exhibition 'Altered Images'. TY's spent a week in the Gaeltacht, learning film making through the medium of Irish with Gael Linn. It was a fabulous experience for all and each one returned with an edited Irish film made by themselves. The films are very humorous and show many talented actors among our students. TY's attended the Hawkswell theatre to see Psycho Spaghetti - a one man play taking a look inside the teenage brain. The TY Play 'Debutantes Cabaret' took a comical look at the lives and loves of young Leaving Certificate students who are preparing for the most important night of their lives to date - the grad! The students are busy getting dates, buying their dresses etc. One girls stands alone, but earns the respect of all in the end. Lots of humour, sad tales and teenage craic runs through the plot. A cast of twenty-eight TY students performed the play on two nights (November 25th/26th). The students were busy rehearsing for the previous six weeks under the guidance of their director, Ms. Clarke. Well done to all involved and thanks to all who helped make the Play such a success. In January under the guidance of Careers Teacher Ms. Murphy TY's began their Work Experinence, one day per week until the end of the school year.

St. Nicholas' Christmas Party
TY students had a great time at the annual Christmas party for St. Nicholas' Special School in Ballina on Wednesday, December 2nd. This year the celebration was held in St. Nicholas' School itself, and not here in Enniscrone, this suited the students of St. Nicholas' better and we were happy to oblige. It was a great day of fun, games, song and music. We would like to thank all the staff and parents from St. Nicholas' for their hospitality and to everyone who supported our non-uniform day fundraiser. Thanks to local businesses Dunnes Stores, Tesco and Easons for their sponsorship. It takes alot of time and hard work to pull off such a successful celebration every year so we would like to offer a very special thank you to Ms. Mulcaire who puts so much into organising this event with students every year. Well done to all involved.

German Party
ON DECEMBER 14TH THE TRANSITION YEAR GERMAN CLASS TREATED FIRST YEARS TO A GERMAN CHRISTMAS PARTY. 1ST YEARS LEARNED HOW CHIRSTMAS IS CELEBRATED IN GERMANY. THEY SANG GERMAN CHRISTMAS SONGS, HAD GERMAN CHRISTMAS CAKE, COOKIES AND THE TRADITIONAL GERMAN DRINK 'GLUHWIEN'. FIRST YEARS ALSO RECEIVED A STOCKING FILLED WITH PRESENTS AND SWEETS. EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME. THANKS TO GERMAN TEACHER MS. HAMILTON FOR HER HARD WORK.

Transition Years picture with Sr. Mary Kelly, Principal, Ms. Carmel Hughes and Councillor Ms. Michelle Mulhern- The Jesus and Mary Secondary School Community making a presentation to Ms. Carmel Hughes and Councillor Ms. Michelle Mulhern who was representing the Ballina Arts Council.

Parents Council
Members of the Council are:
Teresa Doherty, Eddie Munnelly, Joseph Dunphy, John McGuinness, Tina Mitchell, Patricia Evans, Geraldine McDonnell, Gabrielle Wright, Teachers Rep: John Killeen, Board of Management Reps: Liam Naughton and Teresa McGuinness and Sr. Mary Kelly.
Parents Council
Members of the Council are:
Teresa Doherty, Eddie Munnelly, Joseph Dunphy, John McGuinness, Tina Mitchell, Patricia Evans, Geraldine McDonnell, Gabrielle Wright, Teachers Rep: John Killeen, Board of Management Reps: Liam Naughton and Teresa McGuinness and Sr. Mary Kelly.

Student Council
Eight students travelled to Comhairle na nÓg in December. Many thanks to Sr. Eileen who accompanied them. Congratulations to Michael Conway and Niamh Burns who were elected to the Sligo Youth Council.
Pictured below: back row:
Eamonn Sweeney, Fiona Coyne, Karen Feeney, Michael Conway, Elizabeth Dunphy, Joanne Feeney and Stephen Curley. Front row: Eanna Gordon, Niamh Tuffy, Aimee Duffy, Niamh Burns and Jordan Taylor. Missing from picture: Áine Ryan, Eoin Flynn, Harley Harrison, Kristina O'Dowd, Aoife Bourke and Dominic Bickerton.

GIRLS ACTIVE
The Girls Active Programme was launched by coordinator Ms. Mohan. The Programme is aimed at promoting physical activity for senior girls. Activies include dance, soccer
Kickboxing, aerobics, basketball and circuit training. Pictured above students with Ms. Mohan and Teresa Kilgannon from the Sligo Sports Partnership. Thanks to Ms. Mulvanny and Ms. Ryder for their assistance. New members are always welcome.

LOCAL HISTORY TOUR
AS PART OF THEIR EURO-STUDIES PROJECT TO WRITE A BOOK ON LOCAL HISTORY, BOTH TY CLASSES WENT ON A GUIDED TOUR OF ENNISCRONE WITH LOCAL HISTORIAN MR. PADDY TUFFY. BE IT 6000 YEAR OLD TOMBS IN THE CASTLEFIELD, TALES OF MEN WITH SHOVELS DIVERTING THE RIVER MOY OR HUNDERDS OF MASSACRED VIKINGS UNDER THE VALLEY OF DIAMONDS, THIS WAS A TRULY FASCINATING TOUR. THANKS TO MR. SAUNDERS FOR ORGANISING IT.

Carol Service
The Carol Service took place on December 14th. Thanks to the Soloists, Choir and Musicians who helped to create a wonderful Christmas Spirit in our school. Thanks to Ms. Moore and Ms. Mulvanny for all their work.

Art News
Fifth Year Art students attended the Ballina Arts Centre to see the Exhibition 'Altered Images' by Mayo Artists. Later in the term senior Art students attended a Portfolio course in the Ballina Arts Centre, there were guest speakers from NCAD, GMIT and Sligo IT.

Well done to Damian and Jason McGuinness on their great success in the All Ireland Fleadh. Congrats Boys!

Well done to Fifth Year students who organised a non-uniform day to raise funds for the Irish Heart Foundation.
A very worthy cause.

Leaving Certs wenton Retreat in Ballintubber Abbey. Students enjoyed a day of fun, song, group work and reflection hosted by a retreat team who work to facilitate student groups.

Thanks to the Parents
Council who organised two wonderful evenings of Ice Skating for First and Second Year Students.

Prize Giving Ceremony
ATTENDANCE:
First Years: Gold - Ciaran Rogan, Nicole Scott. Silver - Martin McManus, Megan Wall, Hugh Cawley, Richard Cuffe, Dáire O'Regan, Saoirse Murray, Aimee Duffy, Kieran Duffy, Trevor Kilgannon, Adam Scott, James Hannan.
Bronze - Karen Devaney, Jack Scott, Danielle Forde-Droy, Isla Wall, Jordan Taylor, Kelly Kilgannon.

Second Years: Gold - Conor Gallagher, Orla Caffrey, Sarah Curley, Niamh Tuffy. Silver - Cora Hannon, Laura Connolly, Dean Greer, Kira Connolly, Cian Mulrooney, Niamh Burns, Maeve Upton, Megan Burke, Aoife Bourke, Shane Wright, Katie Browne.
Bronze - Molly McCormack, Daniel Battle, Niamh Cowley, Aoife Mulrooney, Laura Murphy, Kristina O'Dowd.

Third Years: Gold - Tom Mahon, Laura Tuffy, Emily Burns. Silver - Jason McGuinness, Dylan Murray, Maria Naughton, Lorna O'Brien, Darragh Kearns, John Conmy, Shane Connolly, James Flynn, Peter Howley, Emer McHugh, Stephen Crean, Ronan Caheny, Jonathan Conway, Keith Earlis, Aisling Flynn. Bronze - Dan O'Connor, Conor Scott, Ciara O'Dowd, Ciara Reape, Megan Mullarkey, Lorna Hanley, Andrea Hegarty, Keith Earlis, Clodagh Culkin, Ryan Burns, Siobhán Alexander, Dyann Kilawee.

Transition Years: Gold - Brian Feeney. Silver - Áine Ryan, Luke Hanley, Shane Morrison, Daniel O'Neill, Ryan O'Brien, Michelle Feeney, Jeremy Geraghty, James Connor. Bronze - Eoin Flynn, Rory McGowan, Emma Mulrooney.

Fifth Years: Gold - Fiona Coyne, Caitríona Caffrey, Liam Hallinan, Mari Mahon, Silver - Karen Burke, Kevin Cawley, Eric McGowan, Molly Rogers, Paul Sweeney, Barry Tuffy, Deirdre Dalton. Bronze - Joanne Feeney, Karen Feeney, Darragh Gilmartin, Fergal Hannon, Daniel Nealon, Cáit O'Reilly, Karen Tighe.

SixthYears: Silver - Damien McGuinness, Shane Feeney, Emma Connolly, Aisling Fleming, Sinéad Cowley.
Bronze - Adam Taylor, Áine Kavanagh, Laura Sweeney, Shane Naughton, Tara Cawley.

ACADEMIC WINNERS:
First Years:
1st James Hannan, Kieran Duffy, Megan Wall, Eamonn Sweeney.
2nd Darragh Gillen, Ciaran Rogan,
Catríona Swift.
3rd Jack Kilcullen, Richard Cuffe, David
Mulderrig, Dáire O'Regan, Trevor Kilgannon, Katie Reape.

Second Years:
1st Niamh Cowley, Kira Connolly, Conor
Gallagher, Elizabeth Dunphy,
Jason Mulderrig, Shane Wright.
2nd Orla Caffery, Megan Burke, Cora Hannon, Molly McCormack, Laura Murphy, Maeve
Upton, Aishling Whitty.
3rd Stephen Curley, Aoife Bourke, Niamh Burns, Bronagh Gawley, Rhiannon Gage, Aoife Mulrooney.

Third Years:
1st Emily Burns, Karen Jacob, Cathal Mullaney, Tom Mahon, Ciara Reape.
2nd Shane Connolly, James Flynn,
Emer McHugh, Kevin McDonnell.
3rd Áine Coleman, Jonathan Conway,
Ryan Burns, Siobhán Alexander, Aisling
Keaveney, Peter Howley, Rebecca Wright, Ciara O'Dowd, Maria Naughton.

1A Prize Giving Winners and 1B Prize Giving Winners