1st Year Enrolment 2021
Opening Year Service
We had a beautiful online prayer service which was put together by Mr Diarmuid Haugh. The theme chosen by the RE Department this year was “be brave, be wise, be kind”. Mr. Haugh edited together prayers from Fr Lorcan, Junior and Senior students, the RE team, Mr. Flynn and Mr. O’Connor into a seamless, cohesive video held together by the inherent theme. The video was played at the same time throughout our school community and we hope the combination of prayer, reflection and song gave courage and good cheer to the Coláiste.
It was a challenge to come up with a meaningful service this year and be together in a safe way. We would normally have assembled together in St. Cronan’s Catholic Church. Many thanks to Ms. O Gorman and Ms. Loughnane who came up with this innovative and poignant prayer service. Special thanks to our students, Emma Phelan, Rory Hogan, Karlo Pohjanen and Ciara Kavanagh. We thank Fr. Lorcan for coordinating the Service and making it so meaningful for everyone. We wish all our staff and students a restful and safe midterm. Remember “Be brave, Be wise, Be kind”.
Geography Field Trip
Mr. Slattery’s 6th Year Geography class undertook their Leaving Cert field trip this week. Travelling to the Glenbarrow river on two separate days, the students carried out their experiments and gathered their information for the project which is worth 20% of their overall grade at Leaving Cert. Well done to all the students who put in a huge effort during the day. Thanks to Mr. Delaney and Mr. McCormack for accompanying the students on the trip.
Teddy Bears Picnic at Orange Hill Wood
By Elyse Hearns and Róisín Tuohy:
Due to the current circumstances with Covid 19, unfortunately this year’s Transition Years are unable to take part in their usual activities, such as going on overnight school excursions. As a year collective along with our Year Head, Ms. Mulrooney, we had a bright idea to go on a Teddy Bears Picnic to Orange Hill Wood. Our first thought to a Teddy Bears Picnic seemed childish, we soon understood the meaning of it.
We were divided into groups of ten, to ensure social distancing and started to make our way to orange hill, with the help of past teachers Mr. Dennison and Mr. McGrath driving in front and behind us to ensure our safety. Due to the current guidelines, we all wore our face coverings to stay Covid 19 safe. As seeing a group of young students on the road could be unnerving for elderly drivers, we wore Hi-Visibility Vests and kept well in, staying socially distanced.
From the school, we walked about 4.5km to the woods and had a quick break where we met a local man, Joe Coughlan. He told us many interesting stories about the history of orange hill wood during the Cromwellian Plantation. After that, we started on our route into the woods where we walked through briars and brambles and across planks to get to our picnic spot. While the walk was long, students feared that Covid 19 would be the only subject to talk about, however, having the teddy bears was a great conversation starter to talk to peers you wouldn’t get the chance to talk to regularly.
Most of our students were very creative with the names of their teddy bears and the reasons for them. Like, Leah Kirwan. Her teddy was called Fluffy, because it was fluffy although little trace of its original fluffiness now and because it was her very first friend. Orlagh Phelan’s teddy was named Bob, this was because her granny gave it to her, and she named him after her favourite singer Bob Marley. Christine Fitzpatrick’s teddy was named Jared. Her friend Kelly named him Jared and now that links a strong bond between the two.
After we stopped for lunch, we made our way back through the forest. Regardless of our tiredness, we all persevered and made it back to the entrance and then to the school.
Everyone enjoyed the day, and we want to give a special thanks to Ms. Mulrooney, Ms. Cleary, Mr. Haugh, Mr. Smith, Mr. Ahern, Ms. Shanahan and Ms. O’Brien.
Well done
Well done to 2nd Year student Dayna Quinlan who was a guest on Tipp FM Radio station on Sunday 18th October. Dayna appeared on ‘Premier Irish Music’ live video with the presenter Owen Lonergan singing ‘Girl on Fire’ and her own composition ‘Lock it down’. She accompanied herself on piano also and did herself, her family and her school proud.
Congrats
We send our congratulations to all our students who are part of County panels for both hurling and camogie. Sharon Shanahan (6th year) is Captain of the Offaly Minor Camogie team and Andrea Scully (5th year) is on the Laois Minor Camogie team, Luke Watkins (6th year) is on the Offaly Minor hurling team, Kenny Lee (6th year) is on the Tipperary Minor panel and Orlagh Phelan (TY) is captain of the Offaly Under 16 Camogie team. Well done to all and best of luck with your upcoming matches.
