The Adult Education Programme for the Autumn Term begins Tues 23rd. September. The following classes are running:
If you wish to join a class you can just turn up tomorrow night. Further info available in the Adult Education Section.
Mr Dempsey introduced the word ‘Lachrymose’ and the three Rs. Click on the link to see the Powerpoint: Third year assembly 22nd September 2014
Mr. Fitzgerald and his TY Environmental Class made an appearance on the RTE News on Friday. The Big Beach Clean is taking place this weekend all over Ireland and our students’ research and dedication to keeping The Velvet Strand clean forms part of this national campaign. Click here to see the report.
Friday 26th September is a Staff Development Day as on the calendar. There are no classes for students.
Congratulations to Joseph Dunne, Ryan Kelly, Stephen McInerney Foran and Ultan Ó’ Moráin who today received the Sean Lemass Award for Excellence in Enterprise from an Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D. and Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’ Sullivan, T.D.
The boys were accompanied to the Department of Education and Skills by Ms. Eithne Deeney, Principal and Mr. Donal O’ Mahony, former Transition-year coordinator, now with Junior Cycle for Teachers. Their company is called Surfwatch.
The Sean Lemass award, unveiled in 2009, on the 50th anniversary of his appointment to office, aims to boost business skills and interest among young people. Mr. Lemass was instrumental in founding Aer Lingus, Bord na Móna and other state bodies.
SurfWatch is software that uses a proprietary algorithm to estimate real time wave height from video imagery. The mathematics underlying the software was developed by Ultan Ó’ Móráin. Joseph Dunne, Ryan Kelly and Stephen McInerny Foran worked with Ultan and founded SurfWatch in order to market the software.
Thanks to all the teachers who helped the students to their success. The competition is administered by the Professional Development Service for Teachers via their Transition-year Mini-company Get up and Go competition and the Local Enterprise officers. (Images: www.finfacts.ie and Mr. O’ Mahony).
Badges were presented by Ms Deeney, Sr Geraldine Mullen and Mr. Fitzgerald to our new Prefect Leaders today. Head Girl, Ailbhe Twomey; Head Boy, Ultain O’ Morain; Deputy Head Girl, Rhiannon Curtis-Davis and Deputy Head Boy, Mark Gray were selected from amongst the prefects by students and staff. We wish them all the best over the next year and thanks all who put themselves forward. Photos on the right.
Mr Dempsey told the Third years about World War One and Kismet today. Click here to learn more:Third Year PPT
Well done to all of the teachers who were doused with icy water by the lucky students who were picked out of a hat. Mr Hand organised the challenge and participated. Ms Maher, Ms Dolan, Ms O’Brien, Ms Hughes, Ms Moran, Mr Curran and Mr Murphy were soaked in aid of Motor Neuron Disease. Thanks to all of the students who contributed.
Our annual Seamus Heaney Reading Week starts on Monday 15th September. As part of our literacy programme we have told all students to have a novel in their bags and at certain times during the week they will be asked to ‘Drop and Read’. Teachers will stop the class and students will read quietly for that period. Students representing each year will also be reading extracts from their favourite novels and telling the school why they like them over the intercom.
Well done to our Transition Year and Fifth Year students who received their Junior Certificate results today. The TY students had a morning of fun and dance thanks to past pupil Jean Gill in the PE hall prior to the big event. Ms. Deeney has sent a letter to all of the relevant parents emphasising the importance of family support and positivity when results are received and a family focus during celebrations. Thanks to their teachers, tutors, Ms. Norris and their parents for all of your support over the last three years. Photos are on the right.