jesus&marysecondaryschool

As another busy school year draws to a close we would like to take this opportunity to wish our exam classes every success during their exams, also we’d like to wish our Leaving Cert students every success and happiness in the future. We returned to school on January 7th Christmas Reports along with the December Newsletter was sent to parents. Staff attended inservices in DCG, School Development Planning Initiative , Networking, Serco training for secretary and there was Career Guidance Training Course in Dublin. Transition Year students have been busy again this year more of their news on the TY page. The Catholic bishops of Ireland designated January 26th to February 1st to be Catholic Schools Week. Our school attended Mass in the local church to celebrate this event. Also individual Religion classes held discussions and prayers related to Catholic Schools Week. Students also attended Mass on Ash Wednesday. A gymnastics coach worked with First Years. LCVP interviews took place on February 3rd. Ballinglen Ballycastle Artists displayed work in the Ballina Arts Centre which was attended by Second year , Transition year and Senior Art students. There were Retreats for First Years, Second Years and Third Years to Knock and for TY’s to Skreen. We had parent/teacher/student meetings for parents of Second and Fifth years on January, 26th and for Transition years on March 12th. On February 3rd we celebrated St. Claudine Thévénets day - foundress of the school. Students received sweets and we had a half day on the 13th to celebrate. A student teacher from St. Angelas, Sligo was with us on teaching practice. We held a Healthy Schools Week - Geraldine Jolie from the HSE visited the school for a Healthy Schools Inspection and was very happy with the work being done. Billy White SPHE coordinator visited the Healthy Schools Team led by Ms. Martina Ryan and Ms. Helena Ryder. We held our enrolment night on February 26th - 55 new students enrolled. Martin Donohue visited with students and gave them a brief presentation on Fóroige. Jesus and Mary Novice Jenny Bourke gave a presentation to senior students regarding vocations. Leaving Certs went on a geography fieldtrip with their geography teachers. We had our mid term break from February 16th to 20th. Mocks for exam classes were on February 26th to March 6th. We held a Presentation Night to parents of Third Years regarding Transition year and also a Presentation Night for parents of TYs and Third Years regarding senior options and subject choices. There was a cookery demo from Bord Bia for senior students. Ms. Corcoran along with students raised money for Trócaire and a representative from Trócaire gave a presentation to senior students. We had a Dedication Ceremony for the garden seat in memory of all deceased members of the school community - this was organised by the Student Council with Ms. Kenny. During May the Irish, French and German Orals took place for Juniors and Seniors. Home Economics Practicals took place and there was also exams in FETAC, LCVP, Computers, Construction Studies and Art. FETAC External Examiner attended the school. First and Second Years had their tours to Delphi. Senior students were given the MMR Vaccination by the Health Service Executive. There have been many other events that have taken place throughout the term all are mentioned in the pages of this Newsletter. So Happy Reading ............

BANK OF IRELAND NATIONAL STUDENT AWARDS
CONGRATULATIONS to David Doherty, Bernadette Kilcullen, Rebecca Ruane and Team Leader - Laura Naughton who were national winners in the Bank of Ireland National Student Awards in the Junior Group Category. Laura, David, Bernadette and Rebecca are Home Economics students who under the guidance of their Home Economics teacher Ms. Mulcaire embarked on a project to create school awareness about healthy eating. The group conducted a research programme to track beef ‘traceability’ to raise awareness of the different stages that beef produce goes through from source to consumer. In doing so, they interacted with various local suppliers within the food chain and highlighted the importance of increased consumer awareness of food safedy guidelines, the need for a healthy diet, and consumer guidelines for food choices. The judges were impressed with the scientific approach that was undertaken by the group. They also recognised this as an important project that would educate both the school and the larger community about the importance of a healthy diet. The teams goals are to continue raising awareness within the school of the need to have a healthy diet and to encourage students to consider the source of food that is consumed. The Bank of Ireland Awards are in their fourth year as a national competition, commentating on the award, Donal Flynn, West Regional Manager, Bank of Ireland said “ These awards give us a prestigious platform to recognise students who have excelled in many ways, not only academically but as members of their communities. I congratulate them on their wonderful achievement and I wish them continued success.” The team attended the Awards Ceremony in the Osprey Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare on Friday, May 8th along with their parents, Ms. Irwin, Principal and Ms. Mulcaire. Thanks to Ms. Murphy for bringing the project to the groups attention and giving them the initial information. The students pictured together above top and pictured above right at the awards night with the presenter on the night TV personality Hector.
BANK OF IRELAND NATIONAL STUDENT AWARDS
CONGRATULATIONS to David Doherty, Bernadette Kilcullen, Rebecca Ruane and Team Leader - Laura Naughton who were national winners in the Bank of Ireland National Student Awards in the Junior Group Category. Laura, David, Bernadette and Rebecca are Home Economics students who under the guidance of their Home Economics teacher Ms. Mulcaire embarked on a project to create school awareness about healthy eating. The group conducted a research programme to track beef ‘traceability’ to raise awareness of the different stages that beef produce goes through from source to consumer. In doing so, they interacted with various local suppliers within the food chain and highlighted the importance of increased consumer awareness of food safedy guidelines, the need for a healthy diet, and consumer guidelines for food choices. The judges were impressed with the scientific approach that was undertaken by the group. They also recognised this as an important project that would educate both the school and the larger community about the importance of a healthy diet. The teams goals are to continue raising awareness within the school of the need to have a healthy diet and to encourage students to consider the source of food that is consumed. The Bank of Ireland Awards are in their fourth year as a national competition, commentating on the award, Donal Flynn, West Regional Manager, Bank of Ireland said “ These awards give us a prestigious platform to recognise students who have excelled in many ways, not only academically but as members of their communities. I congratulate them on their wonderful achievement and I wish them continued success.” The team attended the Awards Ceremony in the Osprey Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare on Friday, May 8th along with their parents, Ms. Irwin, Principal and Ms. Mulcaire. Thanks to Ms. Murphy for bringing the project to the groups attention and giving them the initial information. The students pictured together above top and pictured above right at the awards night with the presenter on the night TV personality Hector.
Mobile Phone Collection
Well done to the school and the local community who collected over 500 old mobile phones in order to receive a defibrillator for the local community, the task was organised by C&C Cellular. Pictured below Ms. Corcoran and students Cathal Mullaney, Lorna O’Brien, Rebecca Wright and Jonathan Tiernan, Ms. Irwin, Principal along with Maureen Byrne and Fr. Kieran Holmes representing the local community.

GREEN SCHOOLS NEWS
The members of the Green Schools are currently working on obtaining the schools third Green Flag under the theme of water activities, members have successfully raised awareness of water conservation and are currently working on obtaining the water flag. Keeping the water theme in mind students took part in a coastal clean up in connection with the Enniscrone Tidy Towns Committee. We were also visited by guest speaker Kevin Barry from An Táisce, Kevin gave a talk to First, Second and Fifth Year students about global warming and creating environmental awarenss. Kevin is pictured right with students and pictured above left students hard at work on behalf of the Greens Schools Committee.
TIDY TOWNS
On Tuesday, April 29th Transition Year and First Year members of the Green Schools Committee along with Science teacher Ms. Ryder participated in the Enniscrone Tidy Towns. With Enniscrone Committee member Michael Harkins, students donned reflective jackets and picked up rubbish from all around the town. A big thank you to the students and Ms. Ryder.

GIRLS ACTIVE
THE GIRLS ACTIVE PROGRAMME RAN FROM SEPTEMBER TO APRIL COORDINATED BY MS. MOHAN. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED GYMNASTICS, HIP HOP DANCE, SOCCER, HOCKEY, KICKBOXING, MARTIAL ARTS, SELF DEFENCE AND BEACH WALKS. MEMBERS ATTENDED THE “GIRLS ACTIVE FESTIVAL” IN SLIGO IT WHICH WAS A MULTI-ACTIVITY DAY, ENJOYED BY ALL. WELL DONE TO ALL WHO PARTICIAPED. THANKS TO MS. RYDER FOR HER HELP.

Memorial Seat Dedication Ceremony
On Friday, March 27th the Student Council held a Dedication Ceremony to complete their work on the “Rememberance Seat” project. Fr. Holmes blessed the seat and prayed for deceased members of the Jesus and Mary Community including Sisters, Students, Parents and Staff. Students were involved in fundraising at the school Talent Night and appreciated the support of students and local sponsors. Damien McGuinness gained valuable experience attending the Sligo Youth Council. Members reported their work to the Parents Council. Thanks to the school community for your support. The Council works hard to improve the school environment. New members are always welcome! Please put your name down for the elections in September. Special Thanks to Ms. Kenny for all her hard work with the Council.

Irish Cancer Society Fundraiser
Students - Gráinne Boland, Emma Connolly, Sinéad Cowley and Aisling Fleming raised much needed funds for the Irish Cancer Association. The girls with help and support from their teacher Ms. Mohan raised 736euro for the organisation. They held a raffle and screened a movie to raise the funds. The students thank everyone who helped them raise the money and the local shops who donated prizes. Thanks to all who bought and sold tickets. Thank you to Mathew Hunt from the Irish Cancer Society pictured left with the Principal, Ms. Irwin,Ms.Hanley,Deputy Principal.
Ms. Mohan and the girls . WELL DONE TO ALL! NTASTIC ACHIEVEMENT!

TALENT NIGHT
“ENNISCRONES GOT TALENT” TOOK PLACE IN THE SCHOOL HALL ON MARCH 19TH. TALENTED STUDENTS FROM FIRST YEAR UP TO LEAVING CERT TOOK TO THE STAGE AND ENTERTAINED A PACKED HALL. TALENT ON DISPLAY RANGED FROM MODERN DANCE, IRISH TRADITIONAL DANCE, GROUP AND SOLO SINGERS, INSTRUMENTALISTS, TRADITIONAL MUSICIANS AND ROCK BANDS. A GREAT NIGHT OF ENTERTAINMENT WAS HAD BY ALL. WELL DONE TO ALL WHO PERFORMED AND HELPED ORGANISE THE NIGHT.
First Year Rugby
Over January and February Corey Brown from Ballina RFC took First Year boys for Rugby Training. They attended two Rugby Blitzs’ over the year. The above photograph was taken at a blitz in Castlebar on March 11th.
Mr. Rooney accompanied the boys.
Athletics - Ms. Timmons took a group of students to Sligo for Athletics, two students - Emily Burns and Cian Mulrooney qualified for the All Ireland Finals. Emily and Cian both achieved second place at the Connaught Finals in the Long Jump and the 1500 respectively. Well Done!

FIRST YEARS ON TOUR TO DELPHI PICTURED ABOVE SECOND YEARS ALSO HAD THEIR TOUR TO DELPHI

More News.... Well Done to.... Ione Byrne and Barry Tuffy who competed in the European Surfing Championships last November, Ione achieved eighth place. Sarah Helly who played with Darren Clarke in the Proam in Beltray during the Irish Open. Tom Mahon, Cathal Mullaney and Zak Casey who were on the U15’s golfing team that achieved third place in Connaught. Thank You’s to Michael Duffy and Conor Gormley who assisted with Gaelic football coaching this year. Also to Cory Browne, Ballina Rugby Club who spent five weeks with our First Years and organised two rugby blitzs’. Thanks also to John Drivers who spent five weeks teaching gymnastics to our First Years.

Leaving Certs had Geography Fieldtrips with Ms. Murphy & Mr. Saunders

U-17 Connaught Finals - The Junior Boys’ Gaelic Football Team were runners up in this years U17 Connaught Finals Championship. They played Belmullet in the final and were marginally beaten. Well done to Mr. Killeen and the team.

TRANSITION YEAR PAGE
TY’s along with their teachers and coordinator Ms. Clarke have been very busy this year. TY’s had a Retreat to Knock. They had a presentation night where they gave a presentation to Third Years and their parents on TY. They attended a CPR personal learning programme organised by the Irish Heart Foundation. There was a Parent/Teacher/Student meeting for TY’s on March 12th. A group won First place in the County Enterprise Boards Students Enterprise Awards. Students received Drivers Ed classes from Gill Driving School. As part of their Gáisce Awards students attended a weekend in Achill. Since January TY’s have had a four day school week as on Fridays they’ve attended their Work Experience Placements - placements varied from Solicitors, National Schools, hairdressers, nurseries to garda stations and many more . Much thanks to Ms. Murphy for helping to organise their Work Experience. A big thank you to Ms. Clarke for all her hard work in organising events for students and always keeping TY exciting.
SPICE UP YOUR LIFE!
TY’S SPICED UP THEIR SCHOOL DAY WITH THE HELP OF CHEFS - NASHISHE AND VERUCKE OF THE ‘BOMBAY TANDOORI’ INDIAN RESTAURANT IN ENNISCRONE. NASHISHE AND VERUCKE GAVE AN INDIAN FOOD DEMONSTRATION TO TY STUDENTS. THE COOKERY LESSON BEGAN WITH BOTH CHEFS EXPLAINING WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO MAKE AND WHAT INDIAN INGREDIENTS THEY WERE USING - WHICH INCLUDED A WIDE RANGE OF HEALTHY HERBS AND SPICES. STUDENTS GOT TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE INGREDIENTS BEING USED BY THE CHEFS, GETTING TO SEE AND SMELL THE VARIOUS INGREDIENTS. THEY LEARNED HOW TO PREPARE TASTY INDIAN DISHES AND GOT TO SAMPLE DISHES THAT WERE FRESHLY PREPARED BY THE CHEFS - THESE INCLUDED TIKKA MASALA, PILAU RICE, NAAN BREAD, CHICKEN KORMA AND ONION BHAJI. STUDENTS WITNESSED HOW EXCITING INDIAN COOKING CAN BE, AND ALSO DISCOVERED THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HOMEMADE INDIAN CUISINE AND SHOP BOUGHT. A BIG THANK YOU TO BOTH CHEFS AND TO HOME ECONOMICS TEACHER MS. MULCAIRE, FOR ORGANISING THE DEMONSTRATION.

TY TRADE FAIR PICTURED ABOVE. STUDENTS RECEIVING DRIVING CLASSES FROM INSTRUCTORS FROM GILL DRIVING SCHOOL.

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE!
TY’S SPICED UP THEIR SCHOOL DAY WITH THE HELP OF CHEFS - NASHISHE AND VERUCKE OF THE ‘BOMBAY TANDOORI’ INDIAN RESTAURANT IN ENNISCRONE. NASHISHE AND VERUCKE GAVE AN INDIAN FOOD DEMONSTRATION TO TY STUDENTS. THE COOKERY LESSON BEGAN WITH BOTH CHEFS EXPLAINING WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO MAKE AND WHAT INDIAN INGREDIENTS THEY WERE USING - WHICH INCLUDED A WIDE RANGE OF HEALTHY HERBS AND SPICES. STUDENTS GOT TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE INGREDIENTS BEING USED BY THE CHEFS, GETTING TO SEE AND SMELL THE VARIOUS INGREDIENTS. THEY LEARNED HOW TO PREPARE TASTY INDIAN DISHES AND GOT TO SAMPLE DISHES THAT WERE FRESHLY PREPARED BY THE CHEFS - THESE INCLUDED TIKKA MASALA, PILAU RICE, NAAN BREAD, CHICKEN KORMA AND ONION BHAJI. STUDENTS WITNESSED HOW EXCITING INDIAN COOKING CAN BE, AND ALSO DISCOVERED THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HOMEMADE INDIAN CUISINE AND SHOP BOUGHT. A BIG THANK YOU TO BOTH CHEFS AND TO HOME ECONOMICS TEACHER MS. MULCAIRE, FOR ORGANISING THE DEMONSTRATION.

TY MINI COMPANIES
TRANSITION YEARS PARTICIPATED IN THE COUNTY ENTERPRISE BOARD’S STUDENT ENTERPRISE AWARDS. THEY SET UP THEIR OWN MINI COMPANIES AND PRESENTED THEIR PROJECTS ON MARCH 19TH IN SLIGO WITH THEIR TEACHERS MS. KILCULLEN AND MS. MARTINA RYAN. CNFC ENTERPRISE - CÁIT O’REILLY, NIAHMH CREAN, FIONA COYNE AND CHANTELLE WILLIAMS WERE THE SENIOR OVER ALL PRIZEWINNERS AND WERE ENTERED INTO THE NATIONAL FINALS WHICH WERE HELD IN TULLAMORE ON MAY 14TH. A GREAT DAY WAS HAD BY ALL. TY MINI COMPANIES PICTURED LEFT.

GÁISCE PRESIDENTS AWARDS
Students particpated in an overnight adventure activity in Achill as part of their Gáisce Presidents Awards. They spent a weekend in Achill trekking and camping on the beach. They were accompanied by Ms. Clarke and Ms. Duffy, Special thanks to Ms. Hughes for all her help. More regarding the Awards Ceremony in Sligo on the following page!
Well Done to all involved!

Young Scientist Exhibition

A selection of this years Transition Year students took off to Dublins RDS for the Esat BT Young Scientists Exhibition with their Science teacher, Ms. Ryder. A great day was had by all, as they spent the day observing the participants stands, which were very interesting. A lot of knowledge was taken away from the RDS by the students from the event. There were many interesting and varied activities at the event.
An Gáisce
SIX STUDENTS ACHIEVED THE SILVER AWARD AND TWENTY-FIVE STUDENTS ACHIEVED THE BRONZE AWARD. LOTS OF COMMUNITY WORK WAS COMPLETED BY STUDENTS DURING THE YEAR. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE STUDENTS WHO MET THEIR CHALLENGE. STUDENTS ATTENDED A PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS CEREMONY HELD IN THE SLIGO PARK HOTEL. STUDENTS WERE PRESENTED WITH THEIR AWARDS BY MICKEY HARTE, TYRONE FOOTBALL TEAM MANAGER AND MICHAEL COLLINS, AN GÁÍSCE ORGANISER.

Young Environmentalist
Students presented two projects this year for the Young Environmentalist Awards. Project 1 “On your bike”- Building up awareness to other students and the community about car emissions and the impact these fumes have on the environment. The aims of the project was to encourage students to cycle/walk to school, to get active and fit, to encourage less use of cars, to build an awareness of greenhouse gases and the harmful gases that cars produce and pollute the environment with. Project 2 “Terraforming Mars”- A hypothetical process changing the surface of Mars to make it suitable for earth life to live on it. While doing this the group educated people about environmental issues and the amount of damage done to the earth throughout the years. Students pictured below with their haute couture designs - all reusable & recycled materials. Thanks to Ms. Ryder for her hard work and well done to the students who participated for giving their time and support to such a worthwhile cause.

BOM Members
Mr. Pat Sweeney, Fr. Kieran Holmes, Mr. Pat Maughan Ms. Patricia Evans, Ms. Teresa NcGuinness, Ms. Teresa Irwin and Ms. Mary Hanley. Ms. Sandra McLoughlin, Ms. Gerardine Mulcaire and Mr. Liam Naughton.
POSITIVE LEARNING PROGRAMME
FIRST YEARS PARTICIPATED VERY ENTHUSIASTICALLY IN THE POSITIVE LEARNING PROGRAMME THIS YEAR. SECOND YEARS COMPLETED VERY WELL BUT THE EVENTUAL OVERALL WINNERS WERE 2A. Well done to everybody!
Healthy Schools
Healthy Schools has had another very sucessful year under the leadership of Ms. Martina Ryan. There was a cookery demo from Ms. Dufficey from Bord Bia, there was also a Healthy Schools Week ran in the school. Much thanks to the Healthy Schools Committee for all their hard work and dedication to educating us all on Healthy Living! Well Done to you all!
Body Exhibition and Zoo visit

On March 1st Transition and Fifth Years had a trip to Dublin and went to the Body Exhibition and Dublin Zoo. The Body Exhibition was held in the Ambassador in Dublin. The exhibition consisted of the internal and external parts of dead bodies. It showed diseased and healthy body parts. This exhibition is of great value to science students and is very educational for them. Then students visited Dublin Zoo. It was a great day, it was both fun and educational, everybody had a great day.

POSITIVE LEARNING PROGRAMME
FIRST YEARS PARTICIPATED VERY ENTHUSIASTICALLY IN THE POSITIVE LEARNING PROGRAMME THIS YEAR. SECOND YEARS COMPLETED VERY WELL BUT THE EVENTUAL OVERALL WINNERS WERE 2A. Well done to everybody!