ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist National Finals 2018
T
wo Students from St.Brigid’s Presentation School Killarney have reached the National finals of the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards with a project entitled “Lichen and Air Quality: Is the Air Quality in our area poor and how can we tell?”.
Transition year students Ava Moynihan and Mairead Bennett recently completed the semi-final stage at the Munster ECO-Den held at University College Cork. They impressed a panel of Expert judges by pitching their Eco-action project to secure a place in the Finals, which take place on May the 22nd at the Mansion House in Dublin. There was great excitement in the School when the project was shortlisted for the finals, where they will join 80 other groups from all over Ireland.
Air pollution is one of the biggest threats to our generation and this Young Environmentalist project helps to raise awareness on this topic. To inform school students, the girls held presentations about Lichen and Air Quality during Science classes. In addition to this, they also held a poster competition for the first year students, which allowed them to utilize their creative skills while learning something new. Finally, the girls held a nature walk for students, from which they collected data and produced their results. The students themselves hope that raising awareness in their School community will have a positive effect on the wider environment.
How you can help?
Ava and Mairead are calling on the public to vote for their project for the People’s Choice Award 2018; an award decided by online public poll. Voting is open from the 7th to the 18th of May on www.ecounesco.ie (Click “Young Environmentalists Awards” logo and click on the St. Brigid’s Photo/project).The winner will be announced at the finals.
The ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards is Ireland’s biggest all-Island celebration of youth ECO-Action. Since 1999, the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards has recognized and rewarded the environmentsl actions of thousands of young people aged 10 to 18 who are working to protect, conserve and enhance our environment through local environmental action projects, making a difference to their lives and the lives of others locally and globally.
Billy Vincent Award 2018
Second year students enjoyed the sunshine at Ross Castle as they embarked on a physical challenge to walk over 10km to complete the final part of the Billy Vincent Award 2018.
Couch to 5K Fundraiser for The Kenya Education Project
A Couch to 5k fundraiser was held for Eddie Sheehy’s The Kenya Education Project this month. We raised €510,with donations coming for students, the school and the wider school community.
Eddie Sheehy came to St. Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School on May 29th to thank all those who participated and donated to the Kenya Education Project. He also presented Certificates of Appreciation to the girls in St. Brigid’s who ran 5k in aid of his project.
St. Brigid’s Killarney are UCC Salter’s Institute Festivals of Chemistry Winners
The winning team were first year students Ellen Kennedy, Chiara White, Leah Vinluan and Rita Akter. Congratulations to the girls on their success.
TY Trip to Cahirciveen
Photos below are taken from the overnight stay in Cahirciveen for Transition Year students. On this trip the TY’s enjoyed coasteering, visited the Skelligs Chocolate Factory and received a tour of the Valentina Life Boat. The students had an action -packed two days of adventure and fun! The trip is the finale of excursions for the St.Brigid’s Transition Year students of 2018.
AWARD CEREMONY
Siobhan Burns (winner of the CEIST Award 2018], Mary Burns and Roisin Moore.
The students of St. Brigid’s Secondary School celebrated their annual award ceremony on Thursday morning 24th May. The ceremony was held in the school gym which was packed to capacity with parents, students and staff.. The audience was entertained by wonderful music and singing from the choir and music students including an amazing solo by Ora Mordant.
The categories of awards included School Council, Art, Music ,Science, Mathamatics , Excellence in Sport, P.E., Outstanding Contribution to School spirit, Full School Attendance, , Technical Graphics, Design And Communication Graphics, , L.C.A. Student of the Year, Poetry Aloud ,Generosity of spirit ,Public speaking ,Young Entrepreneur ,The written voice ,Hidden Heroine, Photography, Model United Nations ,The Amber Flag ,Cycle against Suicide Ambassador Award ,School goes Orange Day and Labhairt na Gaeilge.
Guest of honour was Moira Murrell ,past pupil and C.E.O. of Kerry County Council ,who addressed the audience with her memories of the time she spent in St Brigid’s emphasising the importance of education. She also encouraged the students to return and settle in Kerry after they have travelled the world, reminding them that there are wonderful job opportunities in the county.
This year was the fourth year of the Ceist award which is presented to students in 107 Ceist schools around the country.
The award is a perpetual trophy and is awarded after a process of teacher nominations to a 6th year student who best reflects the core values of CEIST, namely promoting spiritual and human development, achieving quality in learning, showing respect for everyone, creating community and being just and responsible. This year the award was presented to Siobhan Burns.
(First year Presentation Cup Final winners) Sarra Neher, Alicia Burke, Sophie Dennehy and Chloe Hue.
A special award was presented by Tom Tobin and Anthony O’Connor from Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club to Emma Quirke in recognition of her incredible contribution to Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club at the Castleross Swimming club every Friday night.
Ellen Kennedy (Winner of the Picture Perfect Photography Competition)
Following the presentation of most of the awards, a 6th year slide-show prepared by Mr. Hughes entertained a captive audience.The Princip Ms. Moore then addressed the audience and congratulated each and every student on their contribution to the school in the past year .She also made special mention of those who work quietly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of St Brigid’s ,with special mention of the office staff ,canteen staff and the caretakers Kevin and Tim.
Principal , Roisin Moore, Aaron Benson, Ciara Carroll(recipient of the Orla Benson Award 2018]and Fiona Carroll.
The final award was the Orla Benson Memorial Award. Orla was a past pupil, who died tragically in 1995. Since 1997 her family generously sponsor a bursary in her memory. The recipient is a 6th Year student nominated by teaching staff based on the following criteria:
Hannah O’Leary,Marie O’ Donoghue and Roisin Chambers
Full participation in the life of the school, has co-operated with peers and staff, has used leisure time in a creative way, has shown leadership qualities, has shown a sense of humour and is full of the joys of life and like Orla gave time and talent to help those in need. Aaron Benson, Orla’s brother presented the award to Ciara Carroll who received a standing ovation from both students and staff .
A wonderful day was had by all.