Presentation Secondary
School Thurles
Latest News
8/2/12
All-Ireland Linguistics Olympiad:
Eight budding linguists from Junior Cert, TY and 5th Year, Lia Grogan, Aida Izydorcyzk, Aoife Long, Julia Wysopka, Megan Dunne, Beth Ryan, Charlene Tam and Mairead Ryan, tested their wits against the languages of the world including Haitian Creole and Yolmo - a Tibeto-Burman language as the 2012 qualifying round of the All-Ireland Linguistics Olympiad (AILO) took place in our school on January 30th. The international contest challenges secondary school students to apply logic and reasoning skills to solve complex puzzles in unfamiliar languages. In solving the problems, students learn about the fascinating world of computational linguistics.
A record 700 students from 60 schools across the country hosted qualifying rounds of the competition this week, with the top 100 performers going on to compete at the national finals at Dublin City University (DCU) in March. The winners there will win the opportunity to represent Ireland at the International Linguistics Olympiad in Slovenia in July 2012. This is our second year to participate in the Olympiad and last year eight of our students qualified for the national final, with 6th Year Emer Ryan coming 10th in the national final.
Comórtas An Phiarsaigh – Gael Linn- 2011/2012:
Molaimíd go hard na spéire an fhoireann díospóireachta ó Meánscoil na Toirbhirte a ghlac páirt sa dara babhta den Chomórtas Díospóireachta Gael Linn i gCúil an tSúdaire, Co. Laoise le deanaí. Labhair na cailíní (Sorcha Nic Éinrí Captaen na foirne, Bríd Ní Kemerer agus Lia Ní Gruagáin) go muiníneach agus go soiléir i gcoinne an rúin “Tá an tír seo loite le hábharachas”. D’éirigh thar barr leo ar an oíche i gcoinne foirne ó Coláiste Íosagáin, Cúil an tSúdaire; Coláiste Cistéirseach, RosCré agus Coláiste Droichead Nua, Cill Dara.Rachaidh na cailíní ar aghaidh anois go dtí an Craobh Réigiúnach agus go n-éirí go geal leo. Míle buíochas do na muinteoirí Gaeilge agus Roinn na Gaeilge a chabhraigh agus a threoraigh leo ar son na Gaeilge.
Comhghairdeas leo as a ngaisce!
Student Council :
The student council has been busy in recent times with numerous initiatives. Our anti-bullying campaign (a follow up on last year’s campaign) went well. This time the emphasis was on cyber-bullying, on-line safety and on-line etiquette. ‘Think b4 u click’ summed up the advice we wanted to get out there, that is, to be cautious about giving out personal details and careful about causing any offence. Kate Brennan, Emily Chadwick, Emma Finlay, Nelly Donoghue and Katie Donoghue all won prizes for their stunning artwork, promoting this worthwhile message. A survey to see if cyber-bullying is common was also conducted.
Many thanks to all those students who helped with our Vincent de Paul Toy Appeal at Christmas. Your contribution was much appreciated.
The Youth Service Centre in Thurles recently met us and we had a very interesting workshop, brainstorming ideas and developing best practice. On the 24th of February we are having a ‘Crazy Socks and Dots Day’ to fundraise for the forthcoming trip to Calcutta by some of our TY students, Grainne O’ Dwyer, Mags Mockler, Edel Costigan, Zoe Stevens and Susie Kennedy. It will be a fun way to raise funds and also raise awareness of poverty in far-away places.
Other upcoming events include our Talent Show, kindly overseen by our dedicated music teachers. The Student Council make up part of the judging panel and the worthy winners will perform during the interval at our annual Fashion Show in March. They will also perform at our school concert to celebrate all the talent there is in our school and to welcome our German Exchange Students. The Student Council enjoys working with staff and management.
Transition Year Cultural Trip :
On Thursday, the 26th of January, the Pres TY's made their annual cultural trip to Dublin. With an early 7am start, and not returning home until 11.30, it was a tiring, but a very memorable day!
Our first stop was the exquisite Dublin Castle. We learned of its past and present importance, hosting guests such as the Queen, Barack Obama and our very own, Michael D. We then continued to Leinster house, where we watched a debate and and learned the history of our Parliament.Our final stop was the Gaeity Theatre, where we saw the brilliant, Robinson Crusoe. With laughs a plenty, songs galore and the occasional 'He's behind you!', we had a great time! Of course there were opportunities throughout the day for a spot of shopping on Grafton Street. But the highlight of the day was most definitely meeting our President, Michael D. Higgins, who was present at Dublin Castle this particular day. He was more than willing to join in a group photo with us, and told us to enjoy our day.
We'd like to thank all the teachers involved, and especially our Year Head, Ms. O' Keeffe, who organised our day out !
By Shauna O’Flynn TY
Bake Sale For Calcutta :
Six Transition year students – Edel Costigan, Grainne O’ Dwyer, Niamh Phelan, Zoe Stevens, Susie Kennedy and Mags Mockler,held a bake sale on Friday the 20th of January to raise funds for “The Hope Foundation”.The cake sale was a great success and the money the girls raised will go towards funding their trip to Calcutta with members of the Hope Foundation on the 20th of March.
Law Day :
On Monday the 23rd of January Kate Hedigan BCL came to give our class a talk about Law Education. Most of us did not think it would be very interesting but our opinions soon changed after about 10 minutes into our day! She captured our attention by giving us a resume of her own career. During the morning session we discussed what we knew about the legal profession and legislation today. We discussed cases that we had heard of and what we knew about them. Kate also explained to us the differences between the work of a solicitor and a barrister. We learned what life in a prison would be like and I can tell you it would not be nice! Kate told us about cases she had dealt with and explained how a case developed. At the end of the day we were divided into groups of six and each group was given a court case to act out and Kate was the judge. While some cases were of a serious nature, surprisingly some cases had a humorous element to them. It was a very successful day and every student in Transition year thoroughly enjoyed it. I think a lot of people changed their opinion about the legal system and law as a profession.
By Lydia O’Toole TY
Transition Year Work Experience :
This year we have a TY group of 102 girls and finding work experience placements for that many girls during the same week was going to be a challenge. Thankfully everyone found a place where they could go and learn more about day to day work and many thanks to those who facilitated us. All of us really enjoyed our last work experience week in November and we are eagerly looking forward to our second exposure to the world of work. Our placements range from primary schools to pharmacies and some girls have the chance to work in Dingle Ocean-world Aquarium, Bord Na Mona, the blood labs in St. James hospital in Dublin and with fashion designer Lousie Kennedy! And of course we must mention our local businesses and their willingness to give us a chance, without whom we could never have successful work experience. We appreciate the opportunity and hope everyone benefits from the week! Thanks to our teachers, and to our new temporary employers for their help and support.
By Mary-Claire Hanafin
Mathematics Quiz :
On Friday January 27th, the annual IMTA Mathematics Quiz for Leaving Certificate Higher level students was hosted in our school.Five teams participated from schools around Tipperary. The Presentation were represented by Kiera Heffernan, Fionnuala Kennedy, Kate Kerrane and Karen Bohan. There was a very high standard in scoring with the Borrisoleigh team taking the honours overall. They will go forward to represent Tipperary in the Regional finals hosted in UL.
CSPE Action Projects :
As part of their CSPE action projects two 2nd year classes Naomh Caoimhin and Naomh Ciaran chose to raise funds for the Irish charity ‘Heart to Hand’. ‘Heart to Hand’ works with people in need in countries such as Romania, Albania and other Eastern european countries. Fr.Celsius Tierney CC Holycross has been working with the charity over the past number of years and spoke to the students about the work of the charity.The classes sold pens and are holding a cake sale to raise much needed funds to enable the purchase of hygiene products for the people in need in Albania. Many thanks to all for their support.
Cross Country :
Our cross country athletes had a very successful first day out to their season at the East Munsters Cross Country event in Waterford IT recently. In the Minor Girls event 1st Year Shonagh Cleary finished in 8th position which qualifies her for the Munsters.Hazel McAuliffe, Emma Hatton, Carrie Nevin and Bronwyn Stevens also ran well. The Junior Girls team finished in silver medal position led by Karen Kennedy 2nd Year, who was the 3rd individual to cross the line. She was closely followed by Nicola Loughnane, Sarah McKevitt, Emily Walsh, Courtney Ryan and Leah Fox. Best of luck to these girls who will represent the school in the Munster Cross Country to be held in Cork IT on February 9th.
1st Year Girls Munster Soccer:
Presentation Thurles travelled the short distance to Cashel on Friday last to take on Cashel Community School in the curtain raiser of the 1st Year Munster Soccer League.
Presentation Thurles, boasting the All-Ireland Futsal runners-up players along with a number of newly discovered talents, showed their superiority from the off and it wasn’t long before they had amassed a lead. Goals from Hazel McAullife, captain Sarah McKevitt, Cara O’ Connor and Shonagh Cleary made the task impossible for the home side and then further strikes from Norah Kennedy and Niamh O’ Mahony compounded their misery.
The game ended 15 – nil to the girls in red, a result which has certainly sent out a warning signal to all other schools who have, themselves, dreams of Munster glory over the next couple of months. Presentation Thurles are the team to beat in the Munster league and cup this season.
The Presentationmade it two wins out of two in the 1st Year Munster Soccer League when they comfortably saw off the challenge of St. Mary’s Secondary School Newport. The red outfit travelled the bumpy road to the Limerick border to face the county Tipperary side and as with the first match against Cashel, the game was very one-sided.
Nine goals in the first half and another six in the second thirty minutes meant that for the second game running the Presentation girls notched up an incredible fifteen goals without reply. The girls’ focus now shifts slightly with the upcoming CUP fixture against Cork side Nagle Community College to be played, along with the remaining league fixture against Villiers Limerick as well.
1st Year Panel (as of 02/02/2012): Christine Coffey, Sarah McKevitt (c), Niamh O’ Mahony (vc), Hazel McAuliffe, Niamh Ryan, Robyn Moore, Shonagh Cleary, Megan Woodlock, Norah Kennedy, Cara O’ Connor, Bridget Delaney, Katie Lowe, Sophie Loughnane, Melissa Dee, Bronagh Morrissey.
Equestrian News :
On Sunday 22nd of January two teams from the Presentation Secondary School Thurles equestrian club competed in another leg of the inter-schools show-jumping competition. The competition took place in Thurles in association with Rockwell college.
The first team to jump was the 'maroon' team. The four riders were Ellen Nihill, Mae Doyle Ryan , Lia Grogan and Aoibheann O'Neill. It was the first time for the four girls to compete in the inter-schools competition and to represent their school in the equestrian competition. All four competitors jumped really well and displayed great skill and ability.
The second team to jump was the 'navy' team. The four members of this team were Charlotte Hatton, Aveen O'Neill, Lucy kennedy and Vicky Barton. The navy team also jumped really well and had some clear rounds but were also unlucky at some of the more challenging fences!It was a great day out for all in Presentation Secondary School Thurles and we are looking forward to the next round of the inter-schools competition. Well done to all of the eight girls who competed.
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