|  |  | | News for School Year 2010 - 2011 | | | June News 2011
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St Pauls CC U15 and Half Hurling - Div 2 County Champions
Our hurlers recorded an impressive win over Tramore CBS in the Waterford Colleges County Final in May. This was an exciting game all through played in splendid conditions in Walsh Park. St Pauls eventually won a hard fought contest on the scoreline 3-8 to 2-5. Players that stood out on the day for St Pauls College were Tony O'Brien & Ryan Coady in defence, while Jack Flavin was sharp in the forwards. Man of the Match was Martin Holohan.
St Pauls CC U14 Hurling - Div 2 County Champions
May was an exciting time for our young hurlers as they also won the Division 2 U14 County title in a pulsating game against Ring. Six points seperated the teams at the end but it was very close all the way through. Darryl Swift, Craig Norris, and Derry Farrell stood out in defence while captain Dale Hayes was rock solid centre field. In attack Ben Moran and Dean Finn were very lively, however man of the match went to our goalkeeper Keelan Cassidy who gave an outstanding display in goal. St Pauls CC 3-11 Ring 2-8.
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Congratulations
Congratulations to Gráinne Hughes, SNA, St. Paul's Community College who was married in February last. Staff and students wish her a long and happy marriage. Congratulations also to staff members Lorraine Whelan, Michelle Browne, Linda Cusack, Helena O’Connor and Elaine Lawlor who all had new babies since the end of the last school year. Good luck to all the new mothers and their families.
| May News 2011
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One Book One Community Inter-Schools Quiz
Eight students from St. Paul's Community College took part in the One Book One Community “Secret of Kells” Inter-Schools table quiz held in St. Saviours NS last week. The quiz involved teams from St. Paul’s BNS, St. Paul's Community College, Presentation Secondary and Primary schools and St. Saviours NS. First Year students Kevin Hoare, Saoirse Cullen, Kursten Power Hennessy, Eoin Lanigan, Colin Hurley, Ryan Denton, Patryk Poczatek and Aaron O’Regan proudly represented the school and all our first year students in a close fought quiz, picking up lots of spot prizes along the way. Well done to all our first year students for taking part in the reading project and to the parents, teachers and SNA’s who helped out along the way giving lots of help and encouragement. Special thanks to City of Waterford Library and our own school librarian for help and sponsorship. Hopefully all our students will continue the reading habit developed by continuing to read more books and we hope to continue the project in the new school year.
Pictured above are the group of students who took part in the quiz pictured in St. Saviour’s NS school library.
JCSP make a Book
Earlier this month, class 2T made the trip to Cork to attend the annual JCSP Make a Book exhibition in the Millennium Hall. Their book, entitled 'Mummy Look What Happened' was on display along with dozens of others from various schools around the South of the country. The students worked on producing the content of their book in history class over the past few months, and spent much time working on the design with their art teacher. 'Mummy Look what Happened' takes a look at various eras in history, ranging from the Egyptians, voyages of discovery, ancient Ireland and many more. Included with the historical information were pictures of the students themselves, dressed in the attire from that particular era.
Following the exhibition, the students made a much anticipated visit to see the new baby giraffe in Fota Wildlife Park. A thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all, and the class were highly commended on their finished product.
The picture below shows the students who took part in the Make a Book Project.
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FIFTH YEAR TRIP TO MANCHESTER
Fifteen of our Fifth Year students enjoyed a great weekend away in Manchester before the Easter holidays. All football fanatics, the boys were thrilled to get the visit off to a great start by taking part in a training session in Manchester City’s training ground, Platt Lane, on Saturday morning, when they were put through their paces by one of Man. City’s coaches .
On Saturday afternoon they attended the Tottenham vs Wigan match in DW stadium. After the game some of the students were lucky enough to meet some of the Wigan players, including James McCarthy and Conor Sammon.
Sunday morning was spent shopping in the Airndale Centre and then on to their second match. This time it was Man. City vs Sunderland in the City of Manchester Stadium.
After the match the group enjoyed pizza in the Trafford Centre and then it was time to to go to Holyhead and begin the homeward journey.
All in all the trip was a wonderful success and the students would like to thank Ms.Mai O’Keeffe, Mr. Derek O’Brien and Mr. Ray Malone for all their hard work in organising it.
Pictured below are :
1. Fifth Year students from St.Paul’s Community College with Conor Morrissey from Waterford who is a member of the Manchester City Youth team.
2. The Fifth Year boys at a training session in Platt Lane.
3.A Welcome on the Big Screen for St Pauls at the Manchester City vs Sunderland game.
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April News 2011
|  |  | Sun Life present 20 PC's to the school and a cheque for E85 (see news below)
| SCIFEST WINNERS
Congratulations to 5th Year students Joseph O’Mahony and Philipp Merz, overall winners in the “Maths in Science” category of the SCIFEST Competition held in W.I.T on Thursday last with their project which investigated the modern computer technology of MP3 players. The Science Department would like to congratulate all the other science students who entered the competition and whose projects were highly commended by the adjudicators.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS FUNDRAISER
The staff of St. Paul’s held a fundraising coffee morning on Friday last to support local Special Olympics athlete, Colm Brennan. Colm is a member of the Irish Special Olympics soccer team which will compete in the World Games in Athens this summer.
SUN LIFE Donates Computers
Our school was delighted to accept delivery recently of 20 desktop computers kindly donated by the Sun life Insurance Company who are a Canadian Company based in the Industrial Estate near AIB Bank on Browne’s Road. The Company also presented a cheque for E850 to school Principal, Mrs Anne Curran as well as some school stationery to be distributed to students. Our school is delighted with the Sun Life donation and we would like to thank their community liaison and IT technical departments for organising and distributing the PC’s to our school. They will be put to good use.
Surf & Blokart as Gaeilge
On Thursday 31st March, four transition year students from St Pauls, Conor Mc Bride, Kieran Joy, Brandon O Callaghan and Luke Mitchell participated in a days "Surf & Blokart As Gaeilge" in Tramore. It was hosted by Billy Butler of Freedom Surf School, and there was a camera crew from" Ponc XL" on location to record two programmes which will be shown on TG4 in April. The boys are pictured below at Tramore Beach and Tramore Surf School with all the participants on the day. |  |  | | | Scholarship Award for Niks
Pictured below is last years Leaving Certificate student Niks Zubarevs from St. Paul's Community College who was awarded a prestigious Academic Scholarship in Aircraft Systems (B.Eng.) by Carlow Institute of Technology. The scholarship is worth E1,200 and staff and students in St. Paul's would like to pass on heartiest congratulations to Niks.
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March News 2011
| Science Teachers win Award
Well done to our three Science teachers who won a recent interschools essay competition. Pictured are Ms Kelly, Ms Brennan and Ms Hennessey. |  |
Seachtain na Gaeilge Winner
Pictured below is Emma Burke from Class 1A who was the winner in the sticker/poster design category for Seachtain na Gaeilge, held recently in the school. Emma designed and produced very professional bi-lingual stickers. Well done to Emma.
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Science for Fun Project Awards
Pictured below are a group of second year students who were presented with Storm Cinema prize vouchers by Mrs Curran, Principal, for their winning projects in the Science for Fun programme. Entries included projects on "Space Fashion", "Junior Cert Rocket Science Math", "Animals in Space", "Mission Logo" and "The Science Bit". Also pictured are Ms Hennessey, Science Teacher and Mr Lohan, Programme tutor. Well done to all our aspiring atronauts! |  |
Mr. Tomi Reichenthal (pictured below), Holacaust Survivor, with groups of students who attended his talk in our school library. | |
VISIT OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR
On Wednesday 16th February St. Paul’s was priviliged and honoured to welcome to the Library Holocaust survivor, Mr. Tomi Reichenthal. The talk, organised by school librarian, Ms. Hilary Cantwell in conjunction with the Holocaust Education Trust Ireland, was attended by all Transition Year students as well as 5th and 6th year History and German students. Several members of staff and representatives of the local community were also present.
Those lucky enough to be there on the day were enthralled for well over an hour as Tomi recounted his incredible life story- his experiences of as a young Jewish boy growing up in Slovakia and then his horrifying account of being removed at the age of nine to the infamous concentration camp Bergen-Belsen. His description of the horrors of life there and the dreadful scenes he witnessed brought home to his spellbound audience the reality of genocide that we can usually only read about in history books.
At the conclusion of his talk, Tomi warned his young audience that the roots of the anti semitism he witnessed were to be found in the use of racist remarks and comments. He urged those present to be very vigilant in this regard and to be brave enough to speak out against such comments in the future.
Following his addresss Tomi kindly stayed on to answer questions and pose for photographs with the students and accept a presentation from the school to mark the occasion of his visit.
Tomi is in the process of putting the finishing touches to his life story and we look forward to its publication in April this year.
ENGINEERING WEEK
Students from St. Paul’s Community College were thrilled to be included in this year’s Engineering Week in Waterford Institute of Technology just before mid term. Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Programming were all incorporated in the timetable for this event.Students were treated to a variety of lectures, demonstrations and workshops dealing with topics ranging from The Effects of Heat, and Maths in Our Lives to the history of the Enigma code breaking machines during World War 2. This week’s introduction to Engineering is extremely relevant in encouraging many of our students to consider careers in this field, and our thanks to W.I.T and our own Science Depoartment for all the work involved in organising it.
WATERFORD RCSI MINI MED PROGRAMME
Other students exploring career options were 5th years John Long and Eoin Hurley and TY student Conor McBride whospent mid term attending the Mini Med Programme organised by Waterford RCSI . On Wednesday and Thursday last in WIT they attended lectures on different aspects of medicine- Forensics, Anatomy, Ophthalmology , Psychiatry etc. On Tuesday and Thursday the setting was WRH where there were further lectures and career information as well as practical sessions on First Aid, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and Clinical Skills. The students were afforded a rare opportunity to witness surgery first hand when they observed a keyhole gall bladder operation via a live link from Beaumont Hospital.
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Students from Second and Fifth year are busy working on their group projects in time for entry to SCIFEST which will be held in WIT in April.
MICHAEL SWEETMAN EDUCATION TRUST
The Michael Sweetman Education Trust was established in memory of the economist and pro- european Michael Sweetman, who was tragically killed in an airline crash in 1972. Each year the Trust runs a competition for students in Vocational schools and colleges, the prize being a four day trip to Strasbourg, the highlight of which is a visit to the European Parliament.
This year we are delighted to congratulate twins Sarah and Sonja Mylett from class 6L on their success in this competition and being selected to represent the Waterford area on the trip to Strasbourg on April 8th. We wish them well and look forward to hearing their experiences and impressions on their return.
STUDENT COUNCIL
On Tuesday 15th February six members of the Student Council travelled to Dublin for the launch of the new Student Travel card for Teens. The idea for this new card arose when a national forum for young people identified the cost of public transport as a major issue and concluded that existing travel cards were geared more towards third level and were very complicated for secondary school students to obtain.
The venue for the event was Connolly Station where the new card was officially launched by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews.
St. Paul’s Community College is one of a small number of schools selected as Student Travelcard Agencies and the Student Council members can now process applications within the school. There has been a great deal of interest in these cards , which not only offer discounts of up to 41% on public transport, but also discounts in other outlets , such as Champion Sports, McDonalds and Topshop.
One Book One Community – “The Secret of Kells”
A literacy initiative to promote reading in schools and homes in the Ballybeg, Larchville and Lisduggan areas will be launched on Friday March 11th in St. Paul’s Boys National School Lisduggan. The literacy initiative is titled “One Book One Community” and is the work of the home school community liaison scheme’s Local Committee in conjunction with the Junior Certificate Schools Programme (secondary schools) including local HSCL teachers, parents, school library and Waterford City Library. The book chosen for the initiative is The Secret of Kells by author Eithne Massey, and based on the film of the same name which was nominated for Oscar Awards in 2009. Her Worship, Mary Roche, Mayor of Waterford will launch the initiative in the presence of invited students and guests in St. Paul’s BNS on Friday.
Two secondary schools : St Paul’s Community College and the Presentation Secondary School; and three primary schools : St Paul’s Boys National School, Presentation Primary School and St Saviour’s National School; are involved in the initiative. One Book One Community is an event that encourages people of the same community to read the same book at the same time. From now until the Summer our schools and community becomes one giant book club. Not only will students and pupils in each school read The Secret of Kells during the course of the initiative, their parents, friends, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, grannies and granddads are also encouraged to read about the heroic adventures of our early ancestors and celtic traditions, all based around the famous Book of Kells, which can be seen on display in Trinity College Dublin.
The project is primarily funded by the Department of Education and Skills, City of Waterford VEC and Waterford City Library. The schools are very indebted to Niamh Baldwin and Waterford City Library for sponsoring the books. Michael Moylan from Heritage Ireland is visiting students and pupils in first year and sixth classes in the participating schools this week to encourage their reading of the book, provide some historical background information and explore historical aspects around the book. Many activities and events are planned around One Book One Community including an inter-schools table quiz and a resource pack will be distributed to all schools involved.
Thanks must go to the dedicated parents on the Local Committee for their work and planned efforts in putting resource packs together and for their dedicated work on the Committee so far in preparing the project for its launch. The books are being distributed this week also and hopefully pupils, students and all in our community will be busy reading and bringing the joy of reading from the school into the home and wider community. Anyone who wishes to become involved please contact any of the schools, Waterford City Library or your local bookshop. The book is available in the book shops for the duration of the One Book One Community initiative and the DVD of the film “Secret of Kells” can be purchased in Tesco for €5.00.
| February News 2011
| STUDENT COUNCIL
At the last meeting the members of the Student Council were thanked by Principal Mrs. Curran for the great work they had done in organising a very enjoyable and successful First Year Disco in the school in the week before the Christmas holidays.
In order to raise awareness of the Student Council the members will be available to meet with students every Wednesday at reception during the eleven o clock break. This will give students the opportunity to discuss issues or make suggestions they would like raised at Council meetings.
HISTORY/PHYSICS LECTURE
Senior History and Physics students were treated to a guest lecture this week by Robert O’Connor, who lectures in Engineering and Computers in W.I.T. The intriguing title of the lecture was ‘ Could your phone take you to the moon?- the power and elegance of the Apollo Guidance Computer’. It was a fascinating and informative talk and especially useful to History students who study the Moon Landing as a Case Study in Leaving Cert. Many thanks to Robert who gave so generously of his time and we look forward to his next lecture to the same group next month when he will talk on another fascinating subject, that of the Codebreakers in World War 2.
VISIT BY HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR
On Wednesday , 16 February we are priviliged to welcome to St Paul’s Mr. Tomi Reichental, a Holocaust survivor, who will speak to our students on his experiences of Nazi occupied eastern Europe, his family’s fate and his own personal account of the horrors he witnessed in Bergen Belsen Concentration Camp. There is a great deal of interest among the students in this event but places will have to be limited to Transition Years and Senior History and German students. However we hope to make a recording of Mr. Eichental’s talk to use with other classes at a later stage .We feel such an opportunity is invaluable in spreading awareness of the Holocaust, in ensuring that nothing like it can ever happen in the world again and to encourage all our students to embrace tolerance, inclusion and integration. We are very grateful to Ms Hilary Cantwell, school librarian, and the Holocaust Education Trust Ireland for their help in organising this visit.
TRANSITION YEAR
This week saw our Transition Years students begin their Community Work module. For the next five weeks they will spend Tuesday afternoons working with a variety of schools , projects and organisations, including St Joseph’s and St. Martin’s schools, Simon Community, Brothers of Charity Belmont, Charity shops and a variety of Youth Projects in the city. We wish them well in this new venture and trust they will find their work rewarding.
LADIES GAELIC FOOTBALL
Congratulations to St. Paul’s Junior Ladies Gaelic Football team who defeated Cork team, St. Fanahan’s as well as Ardsciol Mhuire from Limerick on Tuesday last. These great victories mean that the team can now look forward to the Munster Final when they take on Kerry team, Causeway Comprehensive, on Saturday 12 February. A bus for supporters will travel to the match and students, parents and supporters from the community are encouraged to attend and cheer on the team. Please contact the school for details.
CSPE ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT
Class 3T have been busy with their CSPE Action Research Project over the last couple of weeks. Choosing the Key Concept of Stewardship for their project, they invited Ms. Ella Ryan of Waterford City Council to come to the school and speak to all First year students on the effects of litter and chewing gum on the environment. After the talk there was a very useful question and answer session with Ms Ryan and Class 3T. The next component of their project followed, when members of the class undertook a spring clean in and around the school.
FISHING CLUB
Congtatulations to David Vereker, 2nd Year on winning our Fishing Competition in Passage on Wednesday of last week. Second place went to Curtis Connolly, third place was Shane Barry and fourth was Marek Heinso.
We wish every success to Curtis Connolly, 2nd Year, who will represent Munster in a national angling competition in Coleraine, Co. Derry at the weekend.
STUDENT PROFILE
Conor Reidy 5th Year
Conor Reidy is a 5th Year student with a very busy schedule. Along with his school work, Conor is a deeply committed and hardworking young man who deserves great credit for the selfless way he gives of his time to others.
Every Thursday evening and every Saturday morning Conor works with Special Olympics Ireland soccer section in training their five- a -side and eleven- a- side soccer teams in the Presentation School sports hall.
Conor’s interest in Special Olympics Soccer began last year when, in Transition Year, he undertook as part of the Gaisce ( The President’s award) to volunteer with the teams. On completion of the Gaisce Conor continued his work over the summer months, accompanying the teams on regular trips to matches and tournaments in Dublin, Cork and Limerick.
His dedication and commitment, and indeed his popularity with the squad members , were all referred to in a glowing tribute to him at from Denis Hegarty, Chairman of the Waterford branch of Special Olympics Ireland at last year’s Transition Year Graduation, when Conor was the deserved winner of the Community Award.
We wish Conor every success in his continued work with the teams.
Leticia Boratto
St. Paul’s will be sad to say goodbye to Brazilian exchange student Leticia Boratto when her six month visit here comes to an end in two week’s time. Leticia is from the city of Belo Horizonte and came to Ireland to fulfill her ambitions of travelling to other countries, of learning about different cultures and societies and of course of improving her proficiency in the English language.
Leticia settled in very quickly with her wonderful host family, the McGarry family in Ballygunner. When she started in St. Paul’s she was initially placed in Transition Year, but within a few weeks she transferred to Fifth Year and very quickly involved herself in all aspects of school life. Recently she gave a very interesting presentation, complete with slides, to her English class on the history and culture of her native country . Her fellow students enjoyed hearing about life in Brazil and Leticia’s accounts of the different education system, the social problems, the vibrant music and dances and the famous Carnivals of Brazil.
Lecitia said of her experience ‘I’m so happy to have had this opportunity because I have learned so much over the last six months and have memories I will keep for the rest of my life. It was about more than learning the language, although that was important, but also about learning to be independent, to be more efficient and aware of my own responsibilities. As the months passed i got more used to the new routine with my host family and my new school. I’ve met many new people and have learned about different cultures, different views and personalities. This has been great because I was learning with them and building new relationships.
I would like to say thank you to my host family for being so good to me all the time and of course to St.Paul’s Community College and all the staff- always so helpful. I met some amazing people here and I won’t ever forget them.’
Although Lecitia promises she will come back to Ireland one day, she is now very much looking forward to reuniting with her family at the end of the month. St. Paul’s wishes her every success and happiness in the future.
| January News 2011
| STUDY SKILLS
Two Study Skills workshops will be held in the next two weeks for 5th and 6th Year students. Mr. Paul Thornton from the Second Level Support Service will conduct these workshops and speak to the students on the importance of effective study and exam preparation. To further stress the importance of home study, Mr. Thornton gave a talk to the parents of these students on Monday last, highlighting how they can play their part in advising and supporting their children to prepare for exams, improve their study skills and strive to achieve their full potential. This talk for parents will be repeated on Monday next.
INFORMATION EVENING
On Monday evening last, Mr. David O’Grady, Career Guidance, held an information evening for parents of 6th Years, explaining the CAO application process and the ACCESS entry programme to college.
FIFTH YEAR PARENT TEACHER MEETING
A very well attended Parent Teacher meeting for our 5th Year students took place on Monday last, after the Study Skills talk. The next Parent Teacher meeting will be for 2nd Years on February 1st.
AWARE TALK
On Thursday 13 January Mr. Karl O’Reilly from AWARE spoke to Transition Years, 5th Years and 6th Years on the importance of good mental health. He later facilitated a workshop with the TY Young Social Innovators group, whose project this year will focus on Suicide Prevention. Many thanks to Karl for increasing awareness on these important issues.
COLLEGE AND CAREERS
Our 6th Year students attended Open Days in Waterford Institute of Technology and Waterford College of Further Education on Tuesday last, while on Monday next our Transition Years will travel to Dublin to attend a Careers Exhibition in the Aviva Stadium.
SCIENCE NEWS
Transition Year and 5th Year Physics students attended the Tyndall lecture on Light in WIT this week. The Science Department is looking forward to its TY Physics Programme organized by WIT which will be underway in the next few weeks. All Science exam classes have by now received their 19 week revision programme of study in preparation for the June state exams.
FISHING CLUB
Our next outing will be on Wednesday of next week to Passage East. This will be our third competition this year and we wish all our young anglers every success.
| Science for Fun Photos
Below are some of Class 2S who took part in the Science for Fun programme before Christmas. Thay are pictured building and launching their rockets.
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Class 2S have spent four double science periods engaged in studying Space Flight and the Apollo Missions of the 1960’s and the science of rocketry. They also designed and built their own rocket. The Science for Fun programme is an initiative of the Home School Community Liaison Scheme and the JCSP in St. Paul’s. The programme was facilitated by Mr Lohan with the help of science teacher Ms Kelly, JCSP librarian Ms Cantwell and parents Lynda O’Shea, Eileen Gould, Mary Kelly, Joan Barry, Anne Murphy and Geraldine Burke. A new programme in Science for Fun will take place starting in January with the other second year science classes. |
December News 2010
| TRANSITION YEAR CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
Our Transition Year classes are very busy this week putting the final touches to their Christmas Craft Fair, which will be held in the School Hall on Wednesday next December 15th from 7 to 9 pm and again on Thursday Dec 16th from 10 am to 3 pm.
The students have been working in their Craft classes towards this since September and are looking forward now to showcasing their achievements. With the help of their Art, Woodwork, Metalwork and Home Economics teachers, they have produced some fantastic Christmas decorations including tree ornaments, napkin rings and candleholders. As well as the ornamental items there will also be some mouth watering Christmas cakes, puddings, sweets and cookies for sale.
Under the supervision of their Year Head, Mrs. Mairead Collins, the students have put in a tremendous effort for the Fair, not only in making the items for sale, but also in organising and decorating the Hall, making and distributing posters and flyers to advertise the event. We wish them every success next week.
TRANSITION YEAR SECOND TERM
The Transition years have settled well into their second term, with new courses and activities. Their Tuesday afternoons this term see them taking courses in one of the following- Glass Engraving, Golf, Beauty Therapy and Swim/Gym at Kingfisher.
FISHING CLUB
Our most recent outing was in Passage East just before the cold spell. A very successful competition yielded a fine catch of different species including cod, coalfish, flatfish and ling. First on the day were Curtis Connolly and Adam Flynn with the runners up Igor Bronikowski and Marek Heinso. Our next outing will again be to Passage before Christmas, weather permitting.
Below are some of our students and Mrs Collins pictured at our Craft Fair just before the Christmas Holidays.
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First Year JCSP Metalwork Project
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Above is a photo of class 1P with their Metalwork Project for their jcsp initiative.
They made a Menorah to celebrate Hanukkah, the "Festival of Lights," .The menorah
is among the most widely produced articles of Jewish ceremonial art. The seven
branched menorah is a traditional symbol of Judaism, along with the Star of David.
In Metalwork class last year the class made an advent wreath stand, a Christian tradition
that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent. The Class worked very well on this project
and it emphasises our multi denominational approach to education.
| November News 2010
| School Closed
Due to the very poor weather conditions the school will be closed on Monday November 29th. Please listen to WLR FM for further updates.
| NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
The Science teachers and students have had a busy but very enjoyable week actively participating in a variety of events to mark National Science Week.
In the run up to this event all Second Year students worked on their science projects, the topics ranging from the engineering of Waterford’s new bridge to wind power energy. Prizes for the winning project will be awarded next week.
On Monday twenty of our Junior Cycle students attended the W.I.T Bubble Show and there was great excitement when the students found themselves actually encapsulated in gigantic bubbles.
On Tuesday the senior Physics and Chemistry students attended a lecture in W.I.T on Water Treatment by Dr. McGuigan of the Royal College of Surgeons, while in the afternoon Dr. McGuigan delivered another lecture on the Physics of the Body to Junior Cert students. On Tuesday too senior Biology students were enthralled to hear Dr. Marie Cassidy, State Pathologist, talk about her work.
On Wednesday in the school library all First Years were thrilled by a visit from the Kilkenny based Reptile Zoo. Students were fascinated by the snakes, lizards and tortoises, with the tarantulas and scorpions being the most hair raising.
In W.I.T on Thursday all Transition Year students attended local lecturer Dr. Robert O’Connor’s lecture, in which he outlined how the technology in our phones today is greater than that which took the Apollo astronauts to the Moon.
All in all it was a great week for all science students and a big thank you to the Science Department for all the organisational work involved.
TRANSITION YEAR.
Next week sees the end of Term 1 for Transition Years. All students are reminded they must have their assignments and projects in all their different subjects submitted for grading by Friday next. Completed work will form part of their end of year portfolios. Term 2 for Transition Year begins on Monday 22nd. November.
TEAM HOPE CHRISTMAS SHOE BOX APPEAL.
Transition Year Religion classes are very busy organizing the annual Christmas Shoe Box Appeal. On Tuesday next over 50 filled and wrapped gift boxes will be ready for collection and transported to needy children in Eastern Europe and Africa.
NEW BREAKFAST CLUB
A new Breakfast Club, open to all students, will be run on a trial basis from Monday 15th November and will continue until Christmas.
First Year FAI Futsal Waterford Finals
On Thursday last we hosted the 3rd FAI Futsal Waterford Finals. 5 schools took part in total including St. Paul’s, De La Salle, Waterpark, Mount Sion and the Abbey. This was a fantastic day for all involved with Waterpark and Mount Sion contesting the final and Waterpark running out eventual winners.
Both St. Paul’s teams did well on the day. In the opening match of the day our A team took on our B team and both teams went in level at half time, however the A team ran out winners in a tight second half. The A team then went on to beat De La Salle 2-1 in their second game. After falling behind early on, goals from Dale Keating and Dean Finn Forde secured victory. Going into their last game the A team needed to beat Waterpark for a chance to get into the final, however they lost out narrowly 2-1.
Many thanks to Gary Power, FAI Development Officer, for running the tournament and to Mrs. Collins for the use of the sports hall for the day.
Team A: Larry Connors, Dean Finn-Forde, Dan Coad, Aaron Fahey, Eamonn Mitchell, Maurice O’Brien, Dale Keating, Ben Moran and Bradley McDonald
Team B: Ryan Power, James Cleary-Winters, Ned Connors, Keith Rellis, Joe Daley, Conor Burke, Pawel Jungowski, Jake Sullivan-Sheehy, Ben Rogan, Matthew Jacob and Chris McGrath
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October News 2010
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DEMOCRACY IN ACTION - STUDENT COUNCIL ELECTION
On Wednesday 20th October this year’s St. Paul’s Student Council election took place when Class 3P undertook to run the event from start to finish as their Action Research project in C.S.P.E.
They began by organising sub-committees to deal with different aspects of the election such as gathering the nominations, publicity/ awareness, making the ballot boxes and organising the ballot papers as well as the register of electors.
On the day itself the Russell Library was transformed into a very impressive Polling Station, complete with actual polling booths, made by the students themselves with the help of their Woodwork teacher, Mr. Collins. The 3P students notified each class when it was time to vote, met them at the Library, checked the names on the register of electors and directed them to the polling booths.
The election went so smoothly that the actual count was able to get underway in the afternoon.
Congratulations to the newly elected members of the Student Council:
First Year: Beth McCarthy and Kirsten Power-Hennessy;
Second Year: Craig Brophy and Jamie Aldridge
Third Year: Martin Voogma and Shane Roche
Fourth Year: Kate Cassidy and Jack Buckley.
Fifth Year: Luke Carroll and Gary Williams
Sixth Year: Lloyd O’Mahony.
Well Done to Class 3p and their CSPE teacher, Ms. Ryan, for all their hard work.
FIRST YEAR WELCOME SERVICE
On Tuesday afternoon last all First year students and their parents attended a Welcome Service in the school. Fr. Pat Fitzgerald of St.Paul’s welcomed everybody to the school and congratulated the students on their great start in First Year.
Representatives of each class brought up symbols to represent the diverse and inclusive community shared in the school, these included a globe, flags, books, flowers and sports jerseys, while other students lit candles, and read prayers and poems. The service concluded with lively singing, accompanied by Fifth Year music students.
After the service students, teachers and parents all enjoyed tea, coffee and cakes, provided by the Home Economics Department. A special word of thanks to School Chaplain, Ms. Tobin, for all her hard work.
FIRST YEAR DAY OUT
On Thursday 21st. October the First Year trip took place to Piltown Woods. Accompanied by their Year Head, Class Tutors and the Transition Year Mentors, the students had a wonderful time orienteering and camp building, before enjoying a great barbecue in the autumn sunshine.
ST. PAULS FISHING CLUB
The Fishing Club recently participated in an Inter Club Angling Competition in Carlo. Best for St. Paul’s was Shay Lanigan, while Shane Roche won the individual prize.
At a recent club competition in New Ross, the winners were Marek Heinsoo and Aaron Waters.
St Paul’s Fishing Club meets after school every Wednesday; any interested students please contact Mr. Collins.
BADMINTON
There is a new Badminton Club in the school for First Years. The club meets every Tuesday after school in the Sports Hall, interested students please give their names to Mrs. Kavanagh.
FOCUS IRELAND
On Friday last all Transition Year students attended a talk in the library on Focus Ireland to raise awareness about the growing problem of homelessness in our society.
ONE WORLD CENTRE
Four of our Transition Years are taking part in One World Development Education Project. They attended a series of workshops at Edmund Rice Centre, Mount Sion over the last few weeks to explore issues of poverty and, inequality from local and global perspectives.
Part two of the project is a visit to local Primary school s next month where our students will facilitate workshops on Millennium Development goals.
HSCL Science for Fun
The new HSCL/JCSP “Science for Fun” programme was introduced to parents last Wednesday in the school when eight parents were trained to take part in the four week programme which supports the Junior Certificate Science/Maths and Leaving Certificate History curriculum. The programme is based around “Rocket Science” and the Apollo Missions to the moon in the late sixties / early seventies. The programme involves students building and launching their own rocket whilst understanding the dynamics and mathematics behind rocketry. We hope to roll out the programme with second years after mid-term.
Photo: Mr Lohan, Science for Fun facilitator, speaks about the programme during the parents training morning held in our school library last week. |  |
English Language Classes
Parents of the International families attending St. Paul's Community College are attending English language classes in the school every Thursday morning. We wish them all the best and hope they all enjoy the course. Other parents are attending the Family Communication and Self Esteem Parenting Course being run in liaison with the HSE. This is held every Thursday morning in the Mount Sion Centre from 9.30am to 12.00pm. We wish these parents all the best also. Parents should contact Ger Lohan, HSCL teacher, if they are interested in any of the courses on offer by the school.
MINI COMPANY
The Transition Year Business students have started their mini company. Every Friday at breaktime, students and teachers can buy all their stationery requirements- pens, pencils, plastic folders, lever arch folders, dividers etc from the TY shop at Reception.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES
The Tuesday activities are up and running with the Transition Years enjoying Soccer Coaching in the Sports Hall, Surfing with the Tramore Surf School or Horseriding at Stonehaven.
FAILTE IRELAND
Fifteen Transition Year students will shortly participate in a six week Failte Ireland Catering Skills course in W.I.T.
MATHS WEEK IRELAND
Next week is Maths Week and the Transition Year Maths classes will attend two seminars in W.I.T. On Monday they will hear a lecture entitled ‘Science of Secrecy’ and on Wednesday they return to W.I.T to attend a lecture on ‘Probability in Practice’
POBAL PROJECT
Last week two representatives of the Pobal Project spoke to the Transition Year students in the Library to introduce and explain this initiative. Organised by Waterford Group Link, this project is a personal development project and includes modules on Team Building, Personal Development, Creative Arts, Sports and Recreation, Social and Community Development and Job Seeking Skills, with the added bonus of a Residential Weekend Away. On successful completion of the course the students will receive a Pobal Certificate. Closing date for receipt of applications is October 15th. Interested students please contact Sr. Anne.
CHEERIOS CHILDLINE BREAKFAST MORNING
Well done to all involved in a very successful fund raiser on Thursday last, when our Transition Year Home Economics students organised and hosted the Cheerios Childline Breakfast Morning for all our First Years. In return for a donation to Childline, the students enjoyed a delicious and healthy breakfast of Cheerios, fresh fruit, tea and toast, prepared for them by the TY students and teachers. The Home Economics class then hosted a coffee morning with freshly baked scones for the staff with the proceeds also going to Childline.
| September News 2010
| PARENT TEACHER MEETING
The first Parent Teacher meeting of this school year took place on Tuesday last for the current Leaving Certificate group.Teachers were very gratified by the great attendance on the day while the parents and the students themselves found it a very useful and practical meeting. The next Parent Teacher meeting will be for the Junior Cert classes later this term.
FIRST YEAR PRAYER SERVICE
Preparations are underway for the First Year Prayer Service to be held in the school on October 20th. This is a very important occasion in the school year as it affords us an opportunity to formally welcome all our new First Years and their parents into the school community of St Pauls.
Kildalton
Following on from the success of their visit to the National Ploughing Championship last week, the Transition Year Biology class will attend the Open Day in Kildalton Agricultural College in Piltown on Friday of this week.
Law Course
A group of our Transition year students are taking part in a Public Access to Law Course. This course prepares them for participation in the National Mock Trial Competition, the finals of which take place in the Four Courts in Dublin in May 2011. They have already started work on their case material and look forward to working with leading barrister, Mr. James Fahy, who will assist them as they prepare for the competition.
Mentoring Programme
Twelve of our Transition Year students are taking part in the school’s Mentoring Programme this year. After successfully passing the application and interview stages at the end of last year, the Mentors had two training days in August to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary for their work with the younger students. They were actively involved with our new First Years during their Induction Course in early September and continue to build on their relationships with their particular mentor group by visiting them regularly and helping them out in some of their practical classes.
Visit to Garter Lane
A group of Transition Years had a very enjoyable afternoon recently in Garter Lane Arts Centre when they attended a Writing Workshop with two successful writers, Kevin Stevens, author of ‘This Ain’t no Video Game Kid’ and Tom O’Neill, author of ‘Old Friends; Lost Tales of Fionn Mac Cumhaill’
CAMOGIE
Congratulations to our girls Under 16 Camogie team who had a great win over Clonmel last week in the 7 a side Camogie tournament
Hurling
Hard luck to our Senior Hurling Team who were beaten in the opening round of the Munster Hurling Championship by Dungarvan CBS. We now play Tipperary in the next round and all the lads are wished the best of luck.
Home School Liaison
Parents interested in doing a course in digital photography, first aid, health and beauty, cooking, keep fit or yoga are asked to contact Mr Lohan. We hope to run the “Maths for Fun” programme with first years in November and the new “Science for Fun” programme with some second year classes. Parents interested in helping out on these programmes please contact the school. Any parents interested in joining the Parents Council in the school please contact Lynda O’Shea through the school office (051-355816). Please visit our school website at www.stpaulswaterford.ie
| PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIP
On Tuesday last a group of over thirty of our Transition Year and Fifth Year students travelled to Athy, Co. Kildare to attend the National Ploughing Championship. This was a wonderful opportunity for so many of our city based students to broaden their horizons and witness all aspects of the agricultural sector. Wonderful weather on the day and the huge crowds and great atmosphere all contributed to making this a most enjoyable day.
TRANSITION YEAR
The Transition Year students have already started on their BT Young Scientist Projects, preparing their proposals for the first round of the competition which takes place at the end of October. We wish them the best of luck in their work.
Next week our TY students will decide on what Community Work they will get involved in as part of their Gaisce Bronze Medal requirements.
6th YEAR PARENT- TEACHER MEETING
On Tuesday next the first of the year’s Parent Teacher Meetings takes place, when the parents of our Leaving Cert students and the students themselves will have the opportunity to meet the teachers on an individual basis to discuss progress, study plans etc. This year’s meeting is taking place early in the year to establish valuable contact between the school and the parents in this crucial final year for the students. This contact will be followed on later with reports on students’ progress as well as information meetings on career options and college entry procedures.
AFTER SCHOOL STUDY
After School Study is well underway in the school now and runs from Monday to Thursday each week from 4pm to 6pm. There is a big interest in this facility this year and there are only a few spaces remaining. Any student interested in attending please contact Ms. Woods.
STUDENT COUNCIL ELECTION
Preparations are in hand for the election of this year’s Student Council. As in previous years, the actual election will be undertaken by a Third Year Class. This year it’s the turn of Class 3P. who, under the guidance of their CSPE teacher , Ms Ryan, will organise the event, with the students themselves taking on everything, from making and displaying posters, collecting nominations, organising and printing of ballot papers, running the election itself and of course the counting of votes. Their reports on the whole process will be examined as their Action Research Project in their Junior Cert C.S.P.E
| WELCOME
The management and staff would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to all our new First Year students and hope they will all be very happy and successful in St. Paul's.
At the other end of the spectrum we welcome too our new PLC students and wish them every success on their Engineering, Secretarial and IT courses.
CONGRATULATIONS
Heartiest congratulations to all our Leaving Certificate students of 2010 who can be justrifiably proud of the marvellous results they received in August. Their success was followed this week by the great results of our Junior Cert and Leaving Cert Applied Students. Well done to all and best wishes for continued success in the future.
GRADUATION BALL
St Paul's Graduation Ball was held in Woodlands Hotel on Thursday 26th August. This event was a wonderful occasion, with all our students and their partners looking amazing as they celebrated the end of one phase in their lives and the exciting beginning of another. A large number of staff members were present to share the celebrations and Year Head Mrs. Anne Kavanagh and the Class Tutors were delighted with the beautiful bouquets presented to them by the students. We all wish the Class of 2010 every success in the future.
STAFF NEWS
Congratulations to Ms Lorraine Whelan on the birth of a baby girl during the summer and to Ms Helena OÇonnor on the recent birth of her baby boy.
Congratulations to staff members Mr. Keith Bailey and Ms Aoife Keane who announced their engagement in August.
PARENTS COUNCIL
Once again this year we are all greatly indebted to our marvellous Parents' Council for their wonderful work organising the school's Book Rental Scheme. This is a huge undertaking for our volunteers and their hard work and dedication is greatly appreciated by the students, their parents and the staff of St .Pauls.
TRANSITION YEAR
This year's Transition Years have had a busy start to the year, settling into their new subjects and modules and planning projects and initiatives.
On Tuesday morning last in the Russell Library Mr. Stephen Peers of Gaisce Ireland addressed sixty four interested TY students and outlined what would be required of them in order to achieve their Bronze Medal Gaisce Award.
Later on Tuesday the TY students had a very successful afternoon orienteering in Ballyscanlon Woods. This was facilitated by Maria Hennessy of Manor St. John and our thanks to her for her part in making this such an enjoyable occasion.
The Tuesday afternoon activities will be up and running in a couple of weeks when the students can look forward to getting involved in a number of activiities such as Horseriding, Surfing and Soccer Coaching.
Home School Community Liaison
Places are still left on the following programmes for parents. Digital Photography, Cook It!, First Aid, Keep Fit, Health and Beauty and Yoga. Enquiries to office or Mr Lohan at 051-355816
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Click here to read last years school news and happenings 2009 / 2010
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