GuthSceine2012 - Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine

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Guth Sce?ine 2011:Layout 1 25/05/2012 15:58 Page 6 POBALSCOIL INBHEAR SCÉINE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS! Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine celebrated its first 10 years on the 28th October, 2011. It first opened its doors on the 10th September, 2001, the day before the infamous 9/11 disaster in New York and the two events are inextricably linked for those of us whose memories go that far back! Bishop Bill Murphy celebrated Mass for the whole school community in the packed School Gym, with participation from Reverend Michael Kavanagh, Church of Ireland and Jean and Ed Ritchie from the Methodist community in Kenmare. This very special ceremony involved staff and especially students in many ways; a symbolic opening dance, the school orchestra, the school choir on their first big outing, as well as participation in the readings and liturgy throughout. Distinguished guests included Father Michael Murphy, former Parish Priest and Chairperson of the Board of Management, Mr Padraig O RI ordain, the current Chairperson of the Board of Management, Board members, retired Principals of the former schools as well as many retired Staff. Speeches followed from the Bishop, Mr Padraig O Riordain and Mr Dermot Healy, Principal, all of whom referred to how the school had grown and developed as a centre of excellence for education as well as an important part of the community of Kenmare over the last ten years. This was an occasion for everybody to feel proud of what has been achieved so far as well as a reminder that Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine will continue to evolve and live out its mission statement way into the future. The ceremonies concluded with a Grand 10th Anniversary Raffle for the students with several prizes of cameras, iPods and a First prize of a laptop which was won by Kevin Quill from LC2. A huge thank-you must be given to everybody who worked tirelessly to make this day so special, you are too many to mention here but your contribution is hugely appreciated. The pictures here show some of the highlights of the day. a New LIbrarY fOr pObaLSCOIL The new school library was opened in January, this year. Relocated from the third floor, the Old Staff room was transformed into a modern library, situated right at the heart of the school. With new shelving and seating, along with a bright colour scheme, students have an attractive and practical place to study as well as the opportunity to loan books, of course! The library has a computerised loan system which makes it very easy to keep an eye on everything. Pauline, our librarian has done a wonderful job in setting the whole place up and making it an inviting place for students and staff alike, while Ms Dineen keeps an eye on keeping the book stock up to date. There is a suggestion box for students on books to buy and a number of computers for research. Some statistics from the library….. the number of items in the library is 1918 and the most popular titles are …Holes by Louis Sachar, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and How I live now by Meg Rosoff! We hope that the library will foster a life-long love of reading now and into the future and would encourage everyone to use this great facility. P.S. We do have a wish- list of books we hope to get for the library in the future, if interested, please contact the Office. GUTH SCÉINE 2012 ● PAGE 5
Guth Sce?ine 2011:Layout 1 25/05/2012 15:58 Page 7 fIrSt Year MeNtOrING prOGraMMe: The first things I questioned about the Mentoring Programme was what do they do, what age are they and did they go to the school? My perspective of it was it would help me with my locker and find my way about the school. It was even better when I found out that my mentor was a Leaving Cert. I liked the way they showed me my rooms one by one. It helped me a lot to have a mentor to ease me into the school’. Amy Switzer, JC1. ‘I was very excited about starting school but also worried about finding my way around the school, trying to find the different classrooms that were on my timetable for each day. The Mentoring Programme helped me because my mentor showed me each room one at a time and they gave me a map of each building, ie the main building and D Block. It took a few weeks before I knew my way around the school and where I had to go. The mentors showed me where one room finished, eg 9A, and another one started,eg 10A. They showed me the different corridors around each level of the main building and the D Block. It was very helpful because now I know where every room is and have no trouble at all’. Millie Reilly, JC1. ‘Coming into a new school you would want to make new friends. If you came into the school with a small class then it is hard to make friends. By being in a mentoring group with other students in your year you can get to know people more easily because it would be easier to make friends in a smaller group of people’. Damian O’Shea, JC1. Since 2005 Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine has operated a very successful Mentoring Programme. Conscious that the transition from primary school to second level can be a challenging time, Pobalscoil Inbhear GUTH SCÉINE 2012 ● PAGE 6 Scéine has a programme in place which aims to make that transition a little easier for students. At the core of the First Year Transition Programme are the Mentors, who are Leaving Certificate students who volunteer their time to help first years settle into their new surroundings. The year began with Mentors meeting first years on their first day in our school and helping them read their timetables, open lockers and in general to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings. In each group there are three First Years and one Mentor. Weekly meetings were the norm for September, with meetings fortnightly from then on. These meetings gave students the chance to speak with their mentors, discuss any concerns that they may have or get extra help with understanding how to use their locker or how to read timetables. September also saw all first years and mentors participate in a quiz. Everybody worked in their mentor groups and battled through eight rounds of questions. Tomas Daly, Jonathon Kool and Harry O’Connor, with mentor Denis Downing, were victorious on the day. Arlene Jonker Kerry O’Shea and Siobhan O’Sullivan, with mentor Sarah Topham, were runners up. Emer O'Riordan, Guidance Counsellor. Many thanks to the Mentors 2011/2012: Michael Casey Brian Clifford Katie Cooper Molly Davies Denis Downing Shaunagh Downing Jennifer Egan Max Fursman Michael Godfrey Laura Haynes Johan Jonker Frank Wallace Ashlee Keane Yosta Keressens Stacey Lee Cian Long Katie Lynch Ann Marie Mahony Caroline McCarthy Aisling Urwin Sadhbh Moriarty Elaine Murphy Roisin Murphy Carmel O’Leary Sandra O’Shea Eibhlin O’Sullivan Eoghan O’Sullivan Sarah Topham Tom O’Sullivan Caitriona Rice Richard Rice Adrian Spillane Andrew Meagher Caoimhe Kavanagh Shauna O’Sullivan L.C.1 aNd J.C. 2 hIStOrY trIp tO dUbLIN It was an early start had by all on the morning of March 29th as we headed off for Dublin. This start was not appreciated by many, but I think that we all thought it was worth it in the end. After the long journey up, we were glad to stretch our legs on a tour around Kilmainham Gaol. Hear we got an insight into what it was like to live and work in a gaol. We also got to see the cells where many of the Irish rebellion leaders were imprisoned, the chapel, the room where prisoners were kept before their hanging, and the grounds where many of the men that took part in the Easter 1916 Rising were executed. That afternoon, we were taken to the Leinster House by our faithful bus driver companion, Verner. We got a tour of the Dáil, Seanad and all the famous halls of the building. We were very fortunate to meet up with our local Senator Mark Daly, and some of us even got to meet Senator David Norris. After this, it was back to the hotel for the usual fight of who got what bed, and a lovely meal. Later that evening we went to the cinema to see The Woman in Black. Many of us were not too keen to see this movie, and are still regretting the fact that we did. The next morning, after several nightmares, we headed off to Glasnevin Cemetery. This was not the most desired location, considering the film we had seen the night before. This cemetery was set up by Daniel O’Connell as a place where people of any, or no religion, can be buried. Glasnevin is the burial place of many Irish heroes. Some of these are Daniel O’Connell himself, Charles Stuart Parnell and Michael Collins. We followed this tour by visiting Croke Park. It started off with a film about the park on a match day, and then we got a tour of the whole grounds. We saw the dressing rooms, where the teams warm up before a match, the players lounge and the park itself. We were told the history behind the names on all the stands, and even ventured up to the top row of seats. It was then back on the bus to Verner, to begin the trip home. The History tour was a very informative one with great insight into the country’s past, particularly over the past 200 years or so. Everybody enjoyed the trip and we all returned home with a little more knowledge of our Irish history. Thanks ever so much to Mr. Rogers and Ms. Sanford for organising such a wonderful trip and here hopes another History Tour in 2013. Anna O Sullivan LC 1 paSt pUpILS Share theIr fUrther edUCatION & thIrd LeveL experIeNCeS: tY Science egg drop experiment This year we were delighted to welcome back a number of past pupils who spoke with students about their study pathways since leaving Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine and their future plans. Former president Josh Crosbie spoke with students in September about the Radio Broadcasting course he undertook for two years in Colaiste Stiofan Naofa in Cork city. He told students how undertaking a ‘vox-pop’as part of a Leaving Cert Applied Assignment spurred him on to look in depth at broadcasting. Having successfully completed his course in CSN he is now studying in the University of Sunderland. In February, as part of Engineers Week 2012, Keith O’Sullivan informed potential engineering students on the new and emerging engineering sectors which can supply career opportunities following their degree. Keith, who holds an Honours Bachelor of Civil Engineering Degree and also a Masters Degree is currently in the middle of a PhD in offshore engineering and ocean energy. Amanda McCarthy, who holds a FETAC Level 5 Award in Nursing Studies, met interested students in March and informed them about her Nursing Studies course in Tralee Community College and also spoke in great detail about her present course of study. Amanda is presently in third year in the Social Care Degree in IT Tralee. She told students about the topics of study in the course, her work placements and also brought along some of her notes and textbooks to show students what they will study in the course. As well as past pupils visiting to inform students on their courses, students also benefitted from the visits and informative presentations given by representatives from ITT, CIT, Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Shannon College of Hotel Management, UCC, Tralee Community College and Pallaskenry Agricultural College. As always we are very grateful for the time these colleges give to come and visit and speak with our students. Emer O’Riordan, Guidance Counsellor
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