Wellbeing Week
St. Mary’s Student Council members presenting a cheque for €700 to Arklow Cancer Care
The St. Mary’s Wellbeing Week 2019 proved to be very successful and enjoyable week. It’s purpose was to increase awareness of the activities and behaviours that contribute to our Mental and Physical Wellbeing. In designing the calendar for the week we were mindful of the key Wellbeing Indicators as identified by the Department of Education, while also responding to needs identified by students through our Wellbeing Survey and our Creative Schools committee.
A wide range of events took place each day during classes, at lunch time and after school. Some of the highlights included a nutrition talk with Darina Johnston, classroom energisers, and mindful breathing exercises over the intercom to calm us all down! Our creativity was stimulated with a range of workshops and activities from felting and Origami to sugar craft and a beauty/ make up class with Lauren O’Reilly. Workshops on ‘Special Effects Make up’ with Cathy Devis and Stage Combat with instructor Jay Cosgrove proved a big hit with teachers and students alike.
Our physical needs were well taken care of with a wide range of daily sporting activities which included lunchtime rounders, Dizzy Penalties the ‘Run for Europe (4,500 km at last count!), the Pound Drumming Fitness workshop. Ballroom and Hip Hop dancing with Laura Gannon, Couch to 5k and the Form 1 students went on a walk to Glenart. The whole school came out to cheer on the Form 6 students as they were shown how to play rounders and win by the very energetic teachers and on Friday Real Madrid were victorious in the final of the Soccer Tournament beating Barcelona 3-0. We also hosted a Non-Uniform Day, the proceeds of which were donated to Arklow Cancer Support as we remember those who are not enjoying such good health at this time.
SCIFEST 2019
St. Mary’s SciFest Winners
This years TY students went to Carlow IT on Thursday 23rd May to take part at Scifest at College. The group returned triumphant winning six of the twelve awards available on the day.
Special Merit award: CJ O’Neill and Andrea Murphy: ‘Teenage vaping – a new epidemic.
Chemistry Award: Aimee Bodell: ‘Take a SAND against water wastage’.
Newstalk overall best communicator: Liadain O’Sullivan: ‘How to build Happiness.’
Environmental Award: Elizabeth Kent and Maeve Shortall: ‘Rounding up the bees, is there round up in our honey.’
Leah Weldon and Marguerite O’Donovan won two awards: They won a special award called: ‘Making a Difference’ Sponsored by Specsavers:
They were then awarded the Overall Best Project at Scifest Carlow IT for their project: ‘When a flood is near, we will get you clear.’
The girls are now automatically entered into the National final for Scifest where they will showcase their projects in a competition against all the other regional Finalist. Congratulations to all the students involved and to Joanne English for their hard work and dedication.
Pilgrimage to Knock
Twenty six Form 5 Students accompanied by Ms. Karen Fanning and Ms.Elizabeth O’Dea travelled to Knock in County Mayo on Thursday May 9th to celebrate the life of Donal Walsh and to attend his sixth anniversary Mass. The day began with inspiring talks by Anna Geary, Mícheál O’ Muircheartaigh, and Philip Mulryne and the girls then attended a selection of workshops before the highlight of the day, the celebration of the Mass. The message of the day was hope and the girls attitude and behaviour gave their teachers great hope that the future is safe in their hands.
 St. Mary’s students with Micheal O’ Muircheartaigh at Knock |
 St. Mary’s 5th Year students at Knock Shrine |
GAA
St. Mary’s Junior GAA County Finalists
St. Mary’s Junior GAA team had a very successful season winning the Wicklow B County final against Scoil Conglais on May 2nd with an impressive score of 11-11 to 2-7 Their coach Niamh Ni Bhroinn was delighted with their performance and would like to thank Frances Keegan, Noel Morris and Kevin Quigley for all their help during the year and Lora Doyle for accompanying the team.
St. Vincent de Paul Conference
On Wednesday 10th April the St. Vincent de Paul Conference attended a reception in Arklow municipal offices to honour the achievements of the recipients of the Garda Youth Awards. The girls were congratulated by the Cathaoirleach and the town Councillors on the contribution that they make to their local community. The Cathaoirleach spoke to the girls about the importance of community and looking after everyone in our community.
St. Mary’s College Belarus Volunteer Programme
St. Mary’s Belarus Volunteers
On Sunday the 26th of May a group of twelve transition year students from St. Mary’s college in Arklow set off for a week’s long volunteering trip to Belarus. The students were accompanied by three teachers.
The students and teachers spent one week volunteering in the Gorodishche orphanage. Gorodishche is a small remote village situated over two hours outside of Minsk.
The trip was organised through the Irish charity group ‘The Burren Chernobyl Project’ who offer care and support to the service users all year round. This is the second year of St. Mary’s College Belarus Volunteer Programme and its association with the Burren Chernobyl Project.