Opening School Mass
On Tuesday September 24th we celebrated our opening school Mass in the Cathedral, where the theme of the Mass was Respect. The prayerful tone of our Mass was set by our school choir who sang as the students entered the Cathedral. Our school chaplain Fr. Vincent Stapleton highlighted the theme of Respect and its importance as we go through life. Many thanks to the parents and Presentation Sisters who joined us as we celebrated our new school year.
Culture Night
Well done to our students who took part in Culture Night on Friday 20th September in St. Patrick’s College, Thurles. Our students showcased their talents through music, song and dance to the crowds that gathered to celebrate arts, heritage and culture in the town. Many thanks to our music teachers for all their hard work in ensuring this event was a success.
Higher Options College and Careers Conference 2019
Our Leaving Cert Students attended the Higher Options Careers conference at the RDS Dublin recently. This was a great opportunity for our students to seek information on course choices and entry procedures to Irish, UK and European higher and further level institutions including PLC’s, apprenticeships and opportunities within the public service. Over 180 universities, higher education colleges, further education colleges, professional bodies and Gap Year organisations were represented. There were career talks on Art and Design, Science, Engineering and Construction, Social Services, Agricultural Science, Nursing and Midwifery. There were also lectures on the CAO system, the HEAR and DARE schemes, studying in Europe, Oxford and Cambridge entrance procedures and the SUSI grant system.
Transition Year Law Education Day
Transition Year students had the opportunity to learn about a career in law recently. Kate Hedigan, a solicitor with experience in Criminal Law, was the facilitator for this day long “Law Ed” workshop. The students were informed about the legal profession and many other aspects of the law. Later in the day they had the opportunity to take part in a mock trial with students acting as witnesses, prosecutors and defendants in a court setting. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the day and we thank Kate for sharing her experiences.
Trip to Ploughing Championships
Our 5th year Agricultural Science students and our Leaving Certificate Applied students attended the National Ploughing Championships in Carlow recently where they enjoyed a worthwhile event that celebrates the culture of rural Ireland. The girls visited stands to learn how to farm in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. They experienced the latest innovations in automation and cutting edge agri-tech products. The event afforded the girls the opportunity to investigate the various career opportunities that are available in the agricultural sector. The students made great memories and collected enough free pens to see them through the Leaving Cert!
Senior Soccer
The Presentation girls began the defence of their Munster title with a home game against Coláiste Iósaef, Kilmallock on Wednesday last. An uncharacteristically slow start from the Thurles girls saw them fall behind in the opening minutes as some weak defending saw the Limerick girls take full advantage and take an unlikely lead. However this only served to focus the reigning Munster champions and Michaela Lawrence fired the Presentation level with a great finish from an Aoibheann Clancy assist. The remainder of the game was defence against attack as the Presentation girls laid siege to the Limerick goal and goals from Aoibheann Clancy (2), Grace Flanagan (2), Chloe Shorley and Emma O’Sullivan saw Presentation run out convincing winners. Next up is a much stiffer test against Ursuline Waterford in Round Two.
Final score: Presentation Thurles 7 Coláiste Iósaef, Kilmallock 1
Presentation Thurles selected to display an exemplary class as Gaeilge.
We were honoured that our school was the only school in the country to be chosen by the Junior Cycle Teachers (JCT) Gaeilge Team to display an exemplary class in action. The JCT team recorded a third year (honours) Gaeilge class, Naomh Odhrán, under the guidance of their teacher, Ms. Lewis.Students displayed their language skills working individually, in pairs and in groups, to achieve the success criteria as set out in the learning intentions.This recording will be used by the JCT in workshops throughout the country to assist teachers of Irish in implementing the new Junior Cycle Programme. We are very proud of the girls and their teacher Ms. Lewis, who has been to the forefront in delivering and promoting Gaeilge as one of the Core subjects in Junior Cycle. The high standard displayed in the class on 17th October was testament to her dedication, support and enthusiasm in creating a positive attitude to our native language.
Meánscoil na Toirbhirte abú!
‘Seussical’ a Super Successful Show!
On Saturday October 19th the curtain came down on our annual school musical, and what an amazing show it was! A huge congratulations to all staff and students involved. The audience was captivated from the moment they entered the hall and were transported to the world of ‘Dr Seuss’. Thanks to all staff members who helped to make this show a resounding success. Especial thanks to our Production team led by Patricia McElgunn, Musical Director Patrick Conlon, Show Co-ordinator Dearbhla Neville, Set Designer John O’Donoghue and Set construction Donal Taylor, David Taylor and David Cooke. The students thoroughly enjoyed taking part in Seussical and we look forward to next year’s production.
Climate Action Week Oct 14th -18th
Last week was Climate Action Week in Pres Thurles with students involved in a host of activities. Our Green Schools committee made a pledge tree, displayed in the school hall. The student body wrote their name on a leaf to make a pledge to reduce waste, to use reusable water bottles and to use the correct bins.6th year students gave a presentation to 5th and 6th years encouraging them to use the correct bins, to stop using single use plastics and to reduce, reuse and recycle. Students were informed of climate facts each day on the school intercom and Instagram (presthurlesgreenschools) and students were encouraged to do ‘one good thing’ to improve climate change. Some of our junior students made bird feeders and insect hotels. These will help to increase biodiversity on our school grounds. Students participated in a W.O.W. (Walk on Wednesday) A biodiversity poster and meme competition was run in the school. TY’s carried out a litter clean up, while 2nd years conducted a habitat study of the school grounds. It was a week in which the future of our planet took centre stage in our school.
Junior Football
Pres Thurles 5-12 Coláiste Dun Iascaigh 2-5
The Pres footballers qualified for the 2019/20 Junior football Munster Quarter Final thanks to a comprehensive victory on Tuesday last over near neighbours Col Dun Iascaigh, Cahir. Goals from Aoibheann Clancy and Emma O’Sullivan in the opening quarter set the tone as Pres Thurles made all the early running. Molly O’Dwyer made three fantastic saves in quick succession as the away team threatened to force their way back into contention. Helen Cleere, Anna Finn, Caitlin and Ciara Shelly were marshalling an excellent Pres defence and the relentless running of Kate Ralph and Joan O’Keeffe in midfield afforded the Pres forward lines lots of opportunities. Olga Maher, Aoibheann Clancy and Emma O Sullivan helped themselves to further goals as Pres sealed the victory and now look forward to a Munster Quarter final after the Mid-Term break.
Maths Week 12th-20th October
The idea of Maths Week originated in 2005. Since then it has grown to attract participation from as many as 300,000 people annually across the island of Ireland. Maths Week is an important way to help learners of all ages to enjoy maths and that was very evident in the school throughout the week. Students engaged in table quizzes, orienteering involving solving maths problems; solving simultaneous equations, pi dingbats and looking through their maths eyes. Well done to all the maths teachers and their students for participating in this worthwhile event.