St. Brigid’s Presentation continue their encouragement of alternative means of travelling to school

Amy Doyle and Evie Fahy at the launch of the #andshecycles campaign in Trinity College Dublin

Last year saw St. Brigid’s launch their 5 days 5 new ways initiative to encourage alternative means of travelling to school. St. Brigid’s has hit the ground running to continue this campaign with just a month being back to school. During the summer saw the school put in place a brand new covered bicycle shed for students to store their bikes during the school day. Last Friday saw 1^st years undergoing a cycling skills workshop led by An Taisce where students were showed the basic skills required for cycling a bicycle. They then cycled a route around the town putting in place such things as their safety hand signals needed in order to cycle on the road. 1^st year student Evie Fahy and 2^nd year student Amy Doyle travelled up to Trinity College Dublin last Thursday along with Green Schools Co-coordinator Sheree Murphy for the launch of the #andshecycles campaign. This is a campaign that is going to be rolled out all over Ireland during the next couple of months in order to encourage more girls cycling to school. Green Schools Co-coordinator Sheree Murphy said “Only 1 in 250 girls all over Ireland cycle to school, this is a figure that St. Brigid’s are trying to raise. There are so many benefits from cycling to school such as it allows you to be more independent, gets you exercising, good for your mental health, wakes you up and helps reduce your carbon footprint .”Walking and Park and Striding are still very much a focus as well as cycling to school for St. Brigid’s.

Sisters who cycle to school Amy and Rebecca Doyle, Lynne and Evie Fahy under the St. Brigid’s new bicycle shed.

Lucy O Sullivan, Dave Brookes (An Taisce), Cliodhna Sweeney, Cliona Doolan and Sheree Murphy (Green Schools Coordinator) during the 1st year cycling skills workshop

Climate Action Day

Below are some photos taken from our recent Climate Action Day held in the school.

Junior All-Ireland Camogie

Michelle Costello Kate Lynch and Niamh Leen

Members of the Junior All-Ireland Camogie team, Michelle Costello and Niamh Leen {captain} visited the school to discuss their historic victory over Limerick and to showcase the cup. They acknowledged the commitment and dedication of our 5th year student, Kate Lynch who was on the panel of this victorious team. They also promoted the sport Camogie and informed the students that commitment and hard work does pay off.

Bryan O’Leary visits St. Brigid’s Music Students

St. Brigids Senior Music Students were treated to a presentation and performance by Bryan O’Leary. Grandson of Sliabh Luachra legend, Johnny O’Leary, TG4’s ‘ Young Musician of the Year 2014’ spoke at length about his grandfather and the music of Sliabh Luachra. Bryan has just returned from a US tour with his band ‘The Conifers’ . Bryan was joined by Ms Healy in playing a selection of local Slides before the end of a very educational and enjoyable presentation.

INEC Variety Performance

St. Brigid’s Transition Year students wowed a packed INEC on Tuesday the 22nd of October with a Variety Performance directed by Fiona Crowley. From musical theatre, singing, recitation, gymnastics, sean nós dancing, Irish traditional music and dancing, extracts from JM Synge and set dancing the audience were highly entertained.

Éabha Healy (wizard) before show began!	Ailbhe Gallagher, Éabha Healy as Wizard and Tara Donnelan before show started on stage!!
	Éabha Healy, Niamh Horgan, Ailbhe Gallagher, Amy Myers during dress rehearsal getting ready to practice Jesus Christ superstar!!!

Jnr Certificate Results

Congratulations to the students of St. Brigid’ Killarney who received their Junior Cycle results last Friday. Students were rewarded for their hard work and dedication.

Jessica Leahy, Claire Ahern, Clodagh Caroll, Martina Filip, Bailey Carlton, Saorise Bartlett, Lisa O’Halloran and Ellen Farndon	Kate McCarthy, Amy Leahy, Tara Donnellan, Melissa Carroll, Claudia Counihan, Sarah Lyne and Ailbhe Gallagher
Rebecca Kenny, Emma Myers, Katie O’Connor, Sarah McGrath and Caitlin Cronin	Caitlin O’Connell, Saorise Coffey and Jenny Cronin

Respect Week

As part of Respect Week,3rd Year students I St. Brigid’ Secondary School received a talk from Mr. Finbar Walsh, father of Donal Walsh and one of the founders of the Donal Walsh Live Life Foundation.

Mr. Walsh spoke about Donal’s courageous journey and touched on topics important to young people today.

It was a privilege to have Mr. Walsh and we know that all our students took something from today.

“A door will open, anyone can find their own door, it’s takes a lot of courage to ask, take time and ask.” Donal Walsh 1996 – 2013.

Football

St. Brigid’s competed in the FAI Post-Primary Schools Futsal Competition at the ITT Sports Academy in Tralee
They won their group games against Castleisland CC, Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine (Kenmare) and Pres Tralee.
A semi-final win against Pres Castleisland saw St. Brigid’s face Kenmare in the final after they had accounted for a strong Mercy Mounthawk side in their semi-final.

The final was a thrilling encounter, St. Brigid’s did not get off to the best start and although they had most of the possession, an outstanding Kenmare side (going for their fourth title in a row) were soon up 2-0.
However, just on the stroke of half-time St. Brigid’s managed to claw it back to 2-1 to set the stage for a second half showdown. St. Brigid’s started much better and soon managed to go up 3-2, then controlled the game thereafter, eventually running out 6-2 winners! Well done to all players involved.