In September 2011 the Transition Year programme was launched in Ballinamore P.P.S. Twenty students are taking part in this programme which includes academic, vocational and social education. Since September students have been involved in various activities both inside the classroom and beyond. The following is a taste of what our students have experienced so far…..

Portfolio
Students have started to create their portfolio of work and learning experience which will be ongoing throughout the year.

Defibrillator Training
All students have recieved traing in the use of AED’s. This took place on Monday 28th & Tuesday 29th November.

 Adventure Weekend
On the weekend of the 1^st -3^rd September our Transition year students camped on Lough Allen.  This also formed part of their GAISCE requirements. By all accounts a good time was had by all.

Social Awareness
Students have begun their social awareness programme.  Sharon Tuhoy from St. Vincent de Paul visited the school on two occasions.  As a result the students have completed a project on homelessness.

Car Drive Education Programme
After a six week programme students will:

• Have been shown the financial aspects of motoring.
• Have explored how much it costs to buy a car, to have it insured, taxed and maintained.
• Have improved their knowledge of road safety after a visit from the Garda Siochana.
• Have been made aware of different types of insurance.
• Have in theory bought a car, taxed it, insured it and made aware of how to apply for a loan and the terms and conditions associated with it.  A visit by two bank officials took place.
• Have sat a mock theory test.
• Have studied and learnt the Penalty Points System.
• Have taken part in a driving lesson.

GAISCE
Students received a presentation regarding the Presidents Awards.  All of our Transitions Year students are currently involved in the GAISCE awards.

Organics/Agriculture
In September our Transition Year students visited an Organic Centre in Rooskey as well as the mart and veterinary clinic in Mohill.  This visit also included a visit to the Teagasc Office.

 

 Business & Enterprise
Along with our LCVP students the Transition Year students attended an enterprise and business seminar in Carrick on Shannon

 

 ECDL – Computer Literacy
A year long programme is under way which will result in our students receiving a European Computer Drivers License. To date they have completed and passed online 3 of their modules.

Religious Education
On the 6^th October a full day was spent in the Emmaus Retreat Centre in Swords, Co. Dublin TyReligionRetreat2011

 Mentoring
Some of our Transition Year students applied for mentoring positions.

Geography
An exploration of the Karst Features associated with the Marble Arch Caves was completed by our Transition Year students when they visited the Caves on the 23^rd September.

 

 French – French Assistant Marie Hermet
Of enormous benefit to our Transition Year students is the arrival of our French assistant who will focus on expanding their oral and aural skills.  Marie will also introduce them to French culture and prepare them for our Culture week later in the year.

English – Film Studies
Transition Year students have begun comparing Irish Films under various modes of comparison which will enhance their skill set for approaching Senior Level English next year.

Home Economics
A successful cake sale with our first years took place on the 25^th October.  All of the food sold was prepared by our Transition Year Students.

 

 Science
All of our Transition Year students submitted projects for the Young Scientist Competition. Congratulations to Joe Wilson, Josh Gilheaney and Daniel Gallagher who were successful in their applications.

ICA workshop
Members of the ICA visited our School displaying and making traditional Skills and Crafts.

 

 Genealogy/Logainmneacha
As part of their History course our Transition Year students have researched their family tree by visiting the library to explore census records. Sean O Suilleabhain the Co. Librarian visited the school giving an insightful talk on the history of place names in Leitrim.

Yoga and Badminton
Yoga & Badminton is taking place in December

 

Work experience
Our students are currently on work experience (14^th – 18^th November), during the week Ty students will experience what it like to work at The Star newspaper, a third level college, a veterinary clinic, national schools, accountants  and a farm to name but a few work placements. The School would like to thanks all those employers who have facilitated this work experience.

Coming up……

• Preparation for Seachtain na Gailge.
• French Day will take place – a celebration and awareness of French food, film and culture.
• Continued involvement in our Social Awareness Programme.
• CPR and First Aid Course on the 28^th & 29^th November.
• A presentation on the Papal Awards.
• A visiting speaker – introducing students to setting up their own business.
• Organise our Christmas Variety Concert.
• Begin preparations for their own Transition Year Radio programme which will be aired live on Shannon side Radio in March/April.
• Ice Skating.
• Participate in a “Peer 4 Peer” Educational Programme.

On Wednesday 25^th May Mr Mullen and 9 pupils attended the Green School’s Award ceremony in the Galway Bay hotel, Salthill, Co. Galway.

Our school is unique in that each of the three campuses that makes up Ballinamore PPS were awarded a Green Flag for the second time.

The second flag was awarded for ENERGY CONSERVATION. More details to follow. Each of the schools are now making plans to seek their  third flag which is based on WATER CONSERVATION.

Green schools is co-ordinated by Mr. Mullen, Miss Colum, Miss Cooney and Miss Fahy along with their science, CSPE, Home Economics and Ag. Science classes.

 

The 2011 Ballinamore Post Primary Schools annual magazine is now available.

It can be purchased from the school or in local shops.

Congratulations to the Ms. Convey and the School Magazine Committee.

Nineteen of our 4th year students were awarded with their Bronze medals and certificates signed by the President of Ireland Mary Mc Aleese at an awards ceremony in the Kilmore Hotel, Cavan. The awards were made on behalf of the President by Sean Gallagher, entrepreneur and Dragon, from the Dragons Den.

Congrats to all those involved!!!

 

Below are some photos of recent field trips, which include:

• Geography Biodiversity Study
• Religion Trip to the Mosque in Dublin
• Home Economics trip to Scollans Butchers
• History trip to Kennedys Folk Museum

 

 

The official launch of Healthy Living Week 2011 began with a fun Health Quiz for 1^st/2^nd/3^rd years. Students brushed up on their knowledge of food, sports, body science etc. Congratulations to the following class winners-

1A Frances Farry

1B Ruth Mc Niffe

2A Mark Plunkett

2B Michael Wrynn

3A Liam Costello

3B Tara Fitzpatrick

Special thank you to Willie’s Fruit & Vegetable Shop who kindly donated hampers as part of the prizes. First Year students took part in a volleyball workshop in the Sports Complex where Ms Fahy & Mr. Nolan taught students how to play volleyball. Students thoroughly enjoyed learning a new sport. Ms. Connolly organised orienteering activities for 2^nd and 3^rd year students on the vocational school grounds and a game of Rounders for 4^th and 5^th years in Feilms. Congratulations to Sarah McWeeney and Roisin McHugh who won prizes for the Healthy Living Poster Competition.

Guest Speakers during the week included Caroline Murray (Turning Heads Salon, Carrick on Shannon) who spoke to 3^rd year girls on the importance of having a good skin care routine, caring for skin properly and applying make up the right way. Students were delighted with all the tips and tricks that Caroline gave them and Siobhan Mc Girl even got a makeover using MAC makeup products. Siobhan Doran (Dental Hygienist) gave an excellent presentation to 1^st and 2^nd years on caring for teeth. Siobhan brought in lots of samples of different teeth and showed an excellent power point to display visually the effects of not caring for your teeth. She discussed the quantities of sugar in foods that we consume on a daily basis which was an eye opener for some students and teachers!! Students also received a goodie pack of products to bring home and use (toothbrush, toothpaste etc). Leitrim County Player Gary Reynolds also visited the school during the week to talk to Junior and Senior Boys Football Panels on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and what sort of commitment it takes to be on a county panel.

The teacher COOK OFF took place at lunch on Wednesday and saw Mr. Duignan and Mr. Mc Cafferey cook against each other. Both were given chicken, new potatoes, garlic, ginger, lemon and a multi pack of vegetables to cook with and 15 minutes to create a dish. It was interesting to see two different ideas from the same ingredients- Mr. Mc Cafferey produced ginger and lemon flavoured chicken with rustic style potatoes and baby vegetables while Mr. Duignan experimented with the spice rack and created an Indian flavoured chicken dish which lay on sliced new potatoes and a stack of baby vegetables on the side. With the joys of modern technology we carried out a vote using the clapometer on an I -phone to find the winner and Mr. Nolan chief deliberator announced it was a draw.

Tug o war competitions took place in Feilms where 4^th v’s 5^th yr boys started off the proceedings. Fourth years came well prepared for the weather and bet the fifth year boys team. They then went on to pull against a male teacher team and bet them too. There was a mixed teacher tug of war game to end the lunchtime activities. Despite the weather it ended up being great fun as the rest of the students watched on at teachers and students slipping and sliding all over the place.

Due to some teachers sustaining injuries over the Easter holidays the soccer match against the 5^th year boys has been postponed to a later date when everyone is back on form. Overall the week was a great success and everyone made a conscious effort to think about their lifestyles i.e. foods we eat and activities to get involved in. Thank you to the Student Council who helped promote the week and to the teachers that took part in or helped organise activities. Without the help and co-operation the week would not have ran so smoothly.

 

When an old prefab was removed, it was decided to make a garden, using the foundations. Much work was carried out on filling the foundation with soil and fertiliser. The Second Year Science Class decided to plant some seeds such as cabbage, beetroot, onions, lettuce, nasturtiums, turnips and broccoli, before the Easter break.

These were left to germinate over the holidays. Thanks to Mr. McCaffrey and Peter Flynn who watered the seedlings.

Now the seedlings are ready to plant into the seedbed and we hope to enjoy the vegetables when we return after out Summer holidays.

Second Year English students enjoyed a trip to the local library for a storytelling experience. They were accompanied by their teachers Ms. Banks and Ms. Convey. A worthwhile event for all concerned.