SBK Hearts for Heroes Collection

The Hearts for Heroes project was begun by an Art teacher in Dublin. The aim of this project is to create “Heart” pictures to show our appreciation for all those working on the Frontline so we can stay at home safe. Under the guide of our own art teacher Alice Quiltar the St. Brigid’s students have come together to crate their very own Hearts for Heroes collection. We are hoping to display all this work in the school upon our return.

Formal Friday Fundraising

St. Brigid’s Secondary School Killarney urged its students, teachers, parents and staff to get dressed up for Formal Friday which is a novel nationwide initiative by Today FM to raise funds to support charities aiding frontline staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.

St Brigid’s Secondary School embraced the project which encouraged people to wear ball gowns, tuxedos or their favourite fancy attire and dress up in solidarity for those put on their uniforms every day to help those most in need.
The only rule was that those who dress up must also donate to the fund which raised over €150,000 nationwide. We in St. Brigid’s we delighted to contribute to the success of the Formal Friday initiative.

On #FormalFriday people can work-from-home in their old debs dress, tackle the housework in their wedding suit, exercise in the back garden in a slick going-out ensemble or mow the lawn in a double-breasted suit. All money raised will go directly towards supporting those working on the Covid-19 frontline including St James’s Hospital Foundation, Cork University Hospital, Mercy Hospital Foundation, Temple Street, Crumlin Children’s Hospitals and Feed The Heroes.
Below are some photos taken of the St. Brigid’s team fundraising:

Holly Power Wins 1^st Place in ‘Comórtais Óige’

Congratulations to Ms Holly Power who has won the ‘Comórtais Óige’ competition and secured 1st place in the senior students category. This competition was in conjunction with Seachtain na Gaeilge and Energia. Holly wrote a powerful piece ‘as gaeilge’ about her journey over the past year dealing with a cancer diagnosis and the struggles she faced maintaining a normal lifestyle of a typical 16 year old. Holly had just returned to school when the Covid19 pandemic struck – all of which is highlighted in this moving yet witty piece. Her standard of Irish and grá for the language is highlighted throughout the piece. Comhghairdeachas Holly. A great piece of positivity and good news in these trying times.

Upon hearing the news of her win, Holly had this to say:

I entered the ‘Comórtais Óige’ competition as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge, mainly because my Irish teacher Ms. Healy Rae persuaded me to! The category I chose was to write a blog. The piece could be based on any subject. After a lot of thought, I decided to write something original which was a light hearted twist on my own personal story. Reflecting on the journey of my cancer diagnosis, and having to repeat Transition Year. My piece gave an insight into my journey ‘as Gaeilge’ and I included a bit of craic throughout! It wouldn’t be me otherwise!

SBK gets the Green-Schools

The team at Green-Schools were very impressed with St. Brigid’s Presentation application this year. Congratulations to Green Schools Coordinator Ms. Sheree Murphy and her TY team over the last two years for their hard-work, creativity and innovation. Ms. Sheree and Principal Ms. Roisin Moore would like to thank everyone in the school for co-operating with different initiatives from bulb planting, litter picking, cycle workshops, walk on Wednesdays, ban on single use plastic in the school, swap shops, the list goes on ….. in order for the school to receive its fourth green flag for “Travel”.

As well as the school receiving the green flag for travel the school also renewed its last three flags for Litter and Waste, Energy and Water. The school in the last two years have been working closely in particular with Eileen O’Donoghue of Killarney Municipal and Killarney Tidy Towns in order to encourage more alternative methods of travelling to school.  “The school has seen great statistical evidence in their alternative methods of travelling to school. In just two years we have seen an increase in the number of students walking, cycling, park and striding as well as carpooling to school. It is great to see this increase from year 1 to year 2 despite there being more students in the school in year 2” said Ms. Sheree. Unfortunately, due the current situation, there will be no Green-Schools Awards Ceremonies this year but we look forward to receiving our Green Flag and certificate and hope to be raising of the flag in September.

6th Year Graduation 2020

Congratulations to the seventy nine 6th year St. Brigid’s Presentation students who graduated last Friday night (May 22^nd).  Firstly a Graduation Mass was held in St. Mary’s Cathedral at 7.00pm. The mass was streamed for all students, parents, teachers and the wider community to celebrate this special occasion. This was followed afterwards with an online awards ceremony. A special congratulations to Karis Koschan recipient of the CEIST award and to Niamh Coffey on receiving the Orla Benson Memorial award. Niamh had a surprise visit to her front door from Ms Daly who presented her with the award live on Teams. The 6th year students also read the letters they wrote to themselves on their first day in St. Brigid’s. Our 6th years really got into the spirit of the event by putting on their uniforms and participating with their parents at home.

CEIST Award Winner: Karis Koschan. Karis is pictured with her Year Head. Ms. Miriam Malone.	Orla Benson Memorial Award Winner: Niamh Coffey

TY Photography Competition

A group of Transition Year students organised a photography competition for all students in St.Brigid’s Secondary School this week with the theme of ‘Quarantine and Social Distancing’. The aim of the competition was to encourage students to get out of the house to do something creative, have a bit of fun and put their photography skills to the test! They received some wonderful entries!

Winning picture (taken by Magdalena Weglarz)