Green Schools News

January began with a blast of colour as our very active Green Schools Committee decided to lead by example and tackle the litter on part of the N80. Wearing a combination of neon ‘Neat Streets’ and ‘National Spring Clean’ vests we set about picking litter and raising awareness. Much encouraged by the passing cars we decided to continue the initiative on the following Friday as well.

We are currently working on the Water Theme in the Green Schools Programme and are extra conscious not just of saving water but also of valuing and promoting the natural water amenities in our area.  We are currently raising awareness of the river with a display of the photos we took when we spent the day on the river Barrow in late August. This is currently on display in the entrance area of the school and has been posted on our Twitter and Instagram pages. The Barrow is a beautiful river, which we should all take time to admire and enjoy. A group of students from Presentation College were involved last summer in a clean-up project and when the committee went on a boat trip we were delighted to see very little evidence of litter.

Our committee meets every Wednesday at lunchtime and new members are always welcome.

Shoebox Appeal

Ms Ryan along with the students at Presentation College, Carlow took part in the Christmas Shoebox Appeal again this year. The TY students had a keen interest in helping out with this project and over 30 students volunteered to help out. Every day over three weeks, five different TY students from our school volunteered at the Team Hope Shoebox appeal collection point in Carlow. Every day they met with the coordinator and she explained what they would be doing for the day. At the collection point, they checked the contents and prepared each of the shoeboxes for delivery around Christmas time. When they first went in, a number of the other volunteers showed them around the unit where all of the shoeboxes in Carlow were being collected. They showed them where each station was with all of the different fillers that came under the different categories. They had to check each shoebox to ensure that each had enough useful items for the young children to use. Some of these items included something to wear – such as a hat or some socks, something for them to use in school – such as pens and a notebook and something to wash with such as a toothbrush and toothpaste. The students felt good about themselves about partaking in this volunteering for such a worthy cause. It was a very enjoyable and rewarding experience for them and they hope to do it again next year. Students from other year groups and staff also assisted through bringing in filled shoeboxes which will make some child’s day happier at Christmas.

Second Years attend the Young Scientist Exhibition

By: Maya Brennan and Anna Miller

On the 9th January one hundred and forty Second Year students boarded three buses to go to the BT Young Scientist exhibition in the RDS, Dublin. We had a great opportunity to look at the many range of projects on display and this will help us with ideas for our CBA’s which are coming up soon. We also watched interactive shows which were very interesting and great fun. We learned quite a lot from these shows.

As the saying goes “time flies when you are having fun” and this was true.  Before we knew it our time was up and we had to board the buses back home. This exhibition was great fun and hopefully we will get to enter a project ourselves in the near future. We would like to thank all the teachers who came along with us and especially Ms. Bradley who organised the trip.

Academic Tracking Programme

Second Year students are scheduled to individually meet with a teacher twice this year as part of our Academic Tracking Programme. The first round of meetings is currently taking place. Teachers help the students to reflect on all of their academic marks to date, and discuss their academic progress. Students also set their own improvement targets to work towards for the Summer Tests. During the meetings the teachers also make a note of any school-based extra-curricular activities that the student is involved in so that we can record this on their Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement after Third Year. Both students and teachers are finding these meetings to be very positive and helpful, as the students can see that the school is taking an active interest in their learning and their progress and if there are any problems students can be pointed in the right direction for help. It’s also an opportunity to affirm and support students for their efforts both inside and outside the classroom.

Second Year Trip to Dublin

By: Maya Brennan and Anna Miller (Second Year)

On January 9 one hundred and forty Second Year students boarded three buses to go to the BT Young Scientist exhibition in the RDS, Dublin. We had a great opportunity to look at the excellent range of projects on display and this will help us with ideas for our CBA’s which are coming up soon. We also watched interactive shows which were very interesting and great fun. We learned quite a lot from these shows. As the saying goes “time flies when you are having fun” and this was true.  Before we knew it our time was up and we had to board the buses back home. This exhibition was great fun and hopefully we will get to enter a project into it the competition in the near future. We would like to thank all the teachers who came along with us and especially Ms. Bradley who organised the trip.

Youth Orchestra Prepare for Concert

Carlow Youth Orchestra rehearse in Presentation College and many present and past students are involved in the orchestra under the leadership of Majella Swan. Pictured is the group of musicians as they prepare for their upcoming ‘IAYO Festival of Youth Orchestras’ on Saturday February 8 in the National Concert Hall. More details next week.

Brother Hubert Silver Shield won by the Boys of Presentation College

Congratulations to our First Year Gaelic Football team who recently won the Brother Hubert Silver Shield for Football.

Match Report by Sean Breen – Player

This year was very tough for Presentation College Carlow, but we managed to win two out of three games in the group stage, which meant that we would be playing against CPC Kilcullen in the Brother Hubert Silver Cup Final. We knew that it would be a very tough final playing against CPC who are a very strong side. We were proven right when CPC took an early lead putting us under great pressure and forcing us to play better than we had in any of our previous matches. We eventually got into the game and late in the first half we went ahead for the first time. From then on we were playing as if nothing could stop us. It was not meant to be for CPC Kilcullen, but they were deserved runners up. It would not have been possible for us to even get to the final if we did not have our three amazing managers – Mr. Mahon, Mr. Murphy and Mr. O’Connor who gave up their time to train us and organise all of our matches. As a result of our dedicated team effort we earned for ourselves the Brother Hubert Silver Cup.

Catholic Schools Week

This week there is a special display in the entrance area of the school encouraging everyone to take a look at the beautiful Barrow River – the second longest river in Ireland. As the theme of Catholic Schools’ Week is ‘Living in Harmony with Gods’ Creation’ we are encouraging everyone to take a walk and to marvel at the beauty of the river, which flows through our town.

Mental Health

Mr. Niall Ni Mhuiri a retired psychiatric nurse gave a very worthwhile talk on mental health to all TY students in Presentation College, Carlow on Monday January 27.