November 2007

COMHAIRLE NA N-OG
A group of four Coláiste Eoin students are members of Co. Carlow Comhairle na nOg. The group meets with other teenagers from the county to discuss issues relevant to their peers. Sadhbh Byrne, Anna Byrne, James Byrne and Paddy Doyle met with representatives of the County Sports Partnership who are currently putting together a six-year plan to promote sport in the County. The students spoke of the difficulties of transport to matches, pools, etc. when living in a rural area. They recommended more facilities such as skate parks and cycle paths. We sincerely hope their input is appreciated and we thank them for their commitment

TRIP TO R.D.S
A group of fifth and sixth year students travelled to the R.D.S on the 20th September. The careers fair is one of the largest in the country and really helps students as they try to decide which direction they will take in the near future.

GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP
On Friday 14th September a group of 21 Leaving Cert took part in a Geography Field Study in Kippure Estate Co. Wicklow. As part of their Leaving Cert Programme the students must complete a Field Study Project. The students did a river study, which was extremely hands on and involved actually getting into the river and climbing valley sides. Students learned how to measure the speed of a river. They drew sketch maps of the area and calculated the gradient of a river. The trip was useful and informative.

TRIP TO KILKENNY
Second Year travelled to Kilkenny with their class teachers on an educational trip on Thursday last. The students visited Kilkenny Castle home of the Butlers, the guided tour was informative and the beautiful grounds inspirational.

NEW FIRST YEAR STUDENTS
On Tuesday 18th September the Meitheal Group accompanied the first year students into Carlow. This was the first trip organised for the group and they went to the cinema to see The Bourne Ultimatum and to McDonalds. Meitheal students are on hand at all times to look after, advise and help the first years with any of their worries or enquiries. The trip was a great start to the year. On The 26th October the Meitheal group brought the first year students to Carlow. The group went to The Dome and all had a great day.

TRANSITION YEAR NEWS
Well done to all the Transition Years on their brilliant results. At present classes are taking place in Taekwondo, dance and horse riding will be organised shortly. Students have settled into class work as they continue with regular classes.

THE CENTRE FOR TALENTED YOUTH
Congratulation to Sadhbh Byrne who was short-listed for a recent essay concerning eco-awareness. The competition is open to students who have reached the criteria set down by the Centre For Talented Youth. Well done Sadhbh.

START OF YEAR SCHOOL SERVICE
Coláiste Eoin held a short service to welcome back the school students, staff and community. Bishop Michael Burrows, Rev. Stella Durand and Fr. Whitney attended the service.

STUDENTS COUNCIL
Congratulations to the following students James Byrne, Aine Byrne, Podge Smith, Nicole Curran, Darren Mc Grath, Rachel Tallon, James O’Brien, Ciara Heffernan, James Doyle, Stacie Byrne, Robert Tompkins and Emma Kelly who were elected class representatives to the Student Council. The group are currently receiving training, as their job requires a major amount of commitment and leadership skills. These skills may not come naturally to all those involved and we are confident that their training will assist them. The job is vital to all the members of the school and an opportunity for everyone to voice their opinions.

TAEKWONDO
The Transition Year students are taking part in Taekwondo. The sport is hugely popular in the area and the student’s benefit greatly from the skills of both self-discipline and body co-ordination. Once again Jimmy Dowling from Tullow is coaching the students and the course is proving a huge success.

PLOUGING CHAMPIONSHIPS
The T.Y. class travelled to Tullamore to visit the Ploughing Championships. The day was a huge success despite the dreadful weather conditions. There was plenty to keep everyone amused with stalls etc. to cater to every taste.

TY SHOW
Transition Years had another dance class with the hugely talented and highly dedicated former student Niall Mc Carney. Niall is currently at University but has managed to find the time to help our students prepare for their show. He has completed the finale for the evening and the Transition Years offered their suggestions for rehearsal over Halloween. Transitions went on work experience from Monday 22nd—Friday 26th October.

COUNTY SPORTS
Coláiste Eoin came 2nd in the annual County Sports held in St. Laurence O’Toole Athletic Club on Wednesday. The overall winners were Borris but the 50 students from Coláiste Eoin did extremely well to hold off the Gaelcholáiste. Everyone did extremely well however Cathal Fitzgerald, Eoin Fitzgerald, Ronan Byrne, Jackie Kinch, Macayla Flynn, Tony Brash, Liam Byrne and Kellie Byrne put in out standing performances. Well done to all involved

SENIOR HURLING
Unfortunately the Senior Boys Hurling team were defeated by Tullow C.S this week. The boys did tremendously well however and maintained pressure on the opposition throughout, Tullow took the victory by a narrow four point margin.

5TH YEAR ESSAY COMPETITION
Well done to the fifth years who completed a very interesting essay for a science competition? The title was Genetic Engineering Panacea or Pandora s Box. The students found the essay challenging yet interesting and hopefully will do well in the competition. The title certainly led to stimulating debates in the classroom.

YOUNG SCIENTIST COMPETITION
A number of Transition Years have submitted entries to the Young Scientist Competition. Sam Whelan, Caroline Murray and Tara Joyce are working on The Effects of Juice of Tooth Enamel. James Byrne, Padraic Dunne and Alex Hayes are assessing how sleep contributes to performance or lack of. Kevin Mc Carney, Willy Byrne and James O’Brien are working on evaluating performance.

LEINSTER SCHOOLS DEBATING COMPETITION
On Monday 7th of November Anna Byrne and Sadhbh Byrne will represent Coláiste Eoin in the first round of the Leinster Schools Debating Competition. The motion for the evening is that This House Would Ban Boxing. The girls are opposing the motion. We wish them every success as they compete for the first time in this auspicious competition. There will be plenty of support in Trinity on the day.

NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Congratulations to Anna Byrne 5th year who recently appeared on the R.T.E show No Experience Required. Anna was selected from hundreds of contestants to compete to win a weeks work experience in Ferry’s Solicitors. Anna was not the winning candidate but she did herself proud on national television. WELL DONE.

TRANSPORTABLE MURAL PROJECT
Congratulations to Coláiste Eoin and art teacher Ms. Hunt on being chosen as one of the 15 schools nationally to take part in the N.A.P.D Creative Engagement Project. Schools all over the country were asked to submit a proposal. Following deliberation Ms. Hunt came up with an idea based on Irish mythology incorporating aspects of Irish literature and culture. The final product will be a portable visual story. The N.A.P.D. were inspired by the idea and will fund half the project. An artist will work with students to help develop their ideas and Lar Griffin has kindly agreed to work with Coláiste Eoin. Lar is well known for his mural work and so should be a great help to all involved. The completed work will be displayed in school and also on loan to public bodies.

BOARD OF MANAGEMENT CHANGES
The Chairperson of the B.O.M. Ms. Noreen Whelan welcomed two new members to the Board recently. Mr. J. Kennedy, V.E.C. nominee and Ms. A. Gartland, Community Representative. Mr. Kennedy is the Parent Representative on Co. Carlow V.E.C. and Ms. Gartland is Principal of Knockananna National School. The Board also extended best wishes to Mr. J. Byrne, Parent/Guardian Representative on his retirement and thanked him for his dedication while serving on the Board. An election to replace John as the male Parent/Guardian Representative will be held in due course.

PARENTS ASSOCIATION
The Parents Association A.G.M. was held on 23rd October and the Officers for 2007– 2008 are Chairperson—Ms. Carol Byrne, Secretary—Ms. Jenny O’Regan-Byrne and Treasurer—Ms. Catherine Doyle.