Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by Cian Belton and Niamh Hanley

General News

Last week every family received a card to sell lines for our School’s annual Easter Hamper Raffle. This fundrasier is supported by the Parents Council to raise funds for the school. We ask families to try their best to fill as many lines possible on the cards. The draw will take place on Friday 7th April.

Well done to our Junior Cert students who completed their Music and Home Economic practicals last week. Well done also to our Leaving Cert students who completed their Music practicals and also their French and Spanish Orals last week.

1 st years held a bake sale in aid of Daffodil Day last week. Our staff also held a coffee morning in aid of Daffodil Day. Daffodils were also sold in the school . An incredible €1300 was raised . All proceeds went to Cancer Research.

Well done to Aoife Nolan, Emmalee Morgan, Emma Ballesty and Brona Cox who have been working in the Art room to complete a green schools art project, as we are hoping to achieve our green flag.

Well done to Mr. Dempsey and his 6 teams of 5 th and 6th year students who attended the Bond Trader Challenge in AIT last week. Congratulations to Jack Kenny, Conor O Brien, Conor English, Eoin Connell and Cathal Murtagh, who came first and won an Amazon Fire tablet each and to James Foley, Gavin Rynn, Neil Kilbane, Aaron Farrell and Ellen Kelly who came second out of a total of 42 teams.

TY News

Thanks to TY3 who promoted "Show Racism the Red Card" last Wednesday at lunch time.

Ms. Cribben captured silly moustached head shots of our students in a photo booth. These were presented on a Display in the Study hall, linking each student to a nationality across the world.

TY students that are undertaking the Pope John Paul II Awards are continuing to attend Thomand Lodge Nursing Home every day for the last three classes.

Thanks to Rob and Elaine from Bank of ireland, Ballymahon who held interviews among TY students for various positions in the school bank on Friday last. Successful candidates will be announced shortly.

Last Friday Angela from the Volunteer Centre spoke to TY students on the benefits of volunteering with clubs, charities and societies in their communities. Thanks to Angela for coming in and giving the talk.

Sport

Commiserations to our U17 boys’ Soccer team and their coaches Mr. Burke and Mr. Broderick who lost the Leinster Semi-final in Leixlip on Tuesday 28th March to St Killians of Bray.

Best of luck to our U16 girls’ football team and their coaches Mr. Bohan and Ms. McCann who have their All Ireland Final on Sunday 2 nd April. They travel to Clane, Co. Kildare where they will face St. Angelas, a strong side from Waterford. Throw in is at 3pm. All supporters are welcome.

Well done to James Murphy and Josh Manning who went to Manchester to play with Longford Rugby club last weekend.

Congratulations to Cian Belton and Longford Athletic Club who came 2nd in the U17 boys 4X 200m relay last weekend.

Thought for the week:

“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results.”

Willie Nelson

Athletics

On Thursday March 30th a group of 1st year athletes travelled to AIT to compete in the Connaught Indoor Athletics Competition.  It was a very successful outing and enjoyed by all. Thanks to Leslie Finnan for helping to organise.

The teams were:  

Girls - Melissa O’Kane, Jill Glennon, Lauren McGuire and Casey McNamara

Boys – Jack Gallagher, Michal Kajan, Cathal Farrell and Brendan Finnan.

Results:  Boys and Girls came 2nd in the Relay. Lauren came 1st in the Sprints. Brendan came 2nd in the High Jump and Long Jump.

Well done to all.

Good Luck in the Final!

A Surprise for Mercy Girls Football trainers Mr. Bohan & Mrs. McCann!!! TY students created this caricature board and presented it to the teachers in the open area today!
Well done to the creative TY students: Cormac Cahill, Clare Shaw, Cian Belton, Eve Corrigan, Joshua Manning and Laura Harkin.
Good luck to all the girls footballers in the final!!!

Bond Trader Challenge Winners

Last Friday, 30 of our 5th and 6th year students travelled to AIT to compete in Bank of Irelands "Bond Trader Challenge". We had six teams compete in a 40 team competition and two of our teams placed 1st and 2nd. The winning team consisted of LC students; Conor English, Conor O Brien, Jack Kenny, Owen Connell and Cathal Murtagh. Well done boys!

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

by Cian Belton and Niamh Hanley

General News:

A total of €673 was raised at Lá Glas for Cancer Research on the 15th of March. Thanks to all who donated towards this important cause.

Good luck to the Junior Certificate Home Economics and Music students who complete their practical examinations over the next two weeks. Also good luck to the Leaving Certificate students who complete their Music practical and Oral exams over the next two weeks.

The second years enjoyed their annual retreat last Thursday. Thanks to OM Rahara for facilitating an excellent experience for all the students.

TY News:

On Wednesday last Mr Seery accompanied James Carroll, Sam Maxwell and Cronan Flood to Longford Student Entrepreneur Exhibition 2017 in Longford Shopping Centre.

Congratulations to the lads who came first in the competition and will go on to represent the School and County in the All-Ireland Student Entrepreneur competition later this year in Croke Park. The name of their company is “J and S Kitchen Aid” and they have designed a tool which one puts on the spine of a knife which helps chopping veg.

Thanks to Bronagh Gorham, Catherine Reilly, Sorcha Duncan and Clodagh Kiely who went to the Homework Club last week. Thanks to Bronagh Gorham, Catherine Reilly, Sorcha Duncan, Clodagh Kiely, Rory Howlin, Odhran Doherty, Cian Belton and Matthew Duffy who went to the Day Centre during last week.

Last week 35 TY students attended an FRS Farm Safety course at Ballymahon Mart. The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all students .Thanks to Mr. Munds who organised the day.

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Healthy Eating Team

The Healthy Eating team of Sarah Dillon, Caoimhe Lohan, Clodagh Kenny, Aisling McCormack, Roisin Leen, Dylan Farrell, Laura Harkin, Kian Gilmore, Sam Maxwell, Sean Donohoe, Cian Belton, organised a Healthy Eating day on Thursday. They organised a fruit and veg tasting station in the open area. They also helped raise awareness by putting up posters around the school.

Sport:

Congratulations to our U16 Girls’ football team who have qualified for the All Ireland B Final which takes place on 2nd April. They were convincing winners over Coláiste Oiriall, Monaghan in their All Ireland B Semi Final at the 3G pitch at Breffni Park last week. Thanks to their coaches Mr. Bohan and Ms. McCann.

Congratulations to our 2nd year Girls’ basketball team who won the Regional final against Our Ladies, Castleblaney in Dundalk IT last week. They are now through to the All-Ireland playoffs.

Congratulations also to our 1st year Girls’ basketball team who were victorious in their Regional Final against St. Louis, Monaghan in Dundalk IT. They are through to the All-Ireland playoffs on the weekend of 6th and 7th May in Limerick. Thanks to their coaches Ms. Carr and Mr. Dempsey.

Thought for the week:

“Your life is not a wheelbarrow nor a wagon, so expect no one to pull or push you to where you want to be... let your effort take you there!!!" Mduduzi Mundalamo

Daffodil Day

Well done to our 1st year students who participated in the Bake Sale for Daffodil Day in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. There was an impressive selection of homemade cakes and buns to be bought.
The students and staff of Mercy Secondary School supported the event raising a massive €460 between a bake sale and staff coffee morning.

€670 was raised earlier during La Glás, which amounts to total of €1130 fundraised for Irish Cancer Society by our School this year. Thank you for all your support!

Congratulations

Congratulations to TY student Cian Belton on winning an Athletics Ireland National Silver medal as part of the Longford Athletic Club U17 Boys 4X200m Relay Team on Saturday 25th March 2017 at Athlone IT International Arena. This is the second year in a row that this Relay Team has reached the All-Ireland podium as they won the set of Bronze medals last year in the U16 race. Team members: Cian Belton, Nelvin Appiah, Cian Nolan and Niall Moran

Longford Student Enterprise Winners

Congratulations to our TY students who won first place at the Longford student enterprise awards. They were mentored by Sadie Wheatly who is contracted by the Local Enterprise Office to work with TY students in the county. James Carroll, Sam Maxwell and Cronan Flood (J&S Kitchen Aid) came up with the idea of producing a product which enables one to chop fruit and vegetables without hurting your hands.  We are indeed proud of our three students who formed this successful business.  

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Mercy Ballymahon Notes

by Cian Belton and Niamh Hanley

General News:

Our 6th year LCVP Class completed their interviews for their LCVP portfolios last week. These portfolios will contribute towards their final grade in their Leaving Cert. Thanks to their teachers Ms. Keegan and Mr. Burke.

 On Wednesday our 5thyear LCVP students visited Abbeyshrule airport as part of their LCVP course. Thanks to their teachers Ms. Bohan and Mr. Burke.

On Tuesday 3 senior student council members Gavin Rynn, Áine Bannon, Gary Sherdian and Ms. Donohue attended the Ceist Student Leadership conference in St. Pats Institute of Education. The speakers included Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Minister for Education Richard Bruton.

Seachtain na Gaeilge:

Bhí seachtain na Gaeilge ar siúl an tseachtain seo chaite. Cuireadh a lán imeachtaí ar siúl in ar scoil. Bhí tráth na gceist ag an gcúigiú bhliain, bhí ceilí ag an gcéad bhliain agus b’é buaic phoinnte na seachtaine ná Lá Glas. Bhí sé ar siúl ar an gCéadaoin. Bhí gach duine gléasta in éadaí glasa. Bhí ceolchoirm sa halla agus bhain gach duine taitneamh as. Cinnte, tá An Ghaeilge agus Cultúr na Gaeilge beo beathach i Meanscoil na Trócaire Baile Uí Mhatháin

TY News

On Friday 10th four barristers came in to our TYyear and presented a workshop on the life of a barrister.

TYs travelled to Belfast on Thursday 16th March. They visited the Titanic Centre and Falls Road/Shankill districts of the city. A great day was had by all students. Thanks to Ms. Casey, Ms. Quinn, Ms. Matthews, Mr. Walsh, Mr.Larkin and Helena Mollihan who volunteered to go with the TYs.

Thanks to the Samaritans who gave a talk to the Tys last week about Mental Health.

Thanks to Elaine Donnelly, from Bank of Ireland who met the TY students who sent in their CVs’ applying for various postions in the school bank.

23 TY students vistit the Nursing Home every week as part of their Pope John Paul II Award. Thanks to Ms. Matthews for her work in coordinating the project.

Thanks to Harry Pendred, Rebecca O’Kane, Aisling Mc Cormack, Aoife Gerety and Matthew Gunning who attended the Day Care Centre last week.

Sport

Congratulations to the U17 Soccer team and their coaches Mr. Broderick and Mr. Burke who have reached the Leinster Semi Final after a victory over Gaelscoil Reachrann Donaghmede on Thursday last.

The couch to 5k continues weekly at lunch time. Thanks to Ms.Carr for all her hard work in coordinating this event.

Our TY girls had their Volleyball workshop all day last Tuesday. They now are ready to coach the local  primary school children.  

Thought for the week:

"Life is a just like a text book. Every day is a chapter. If you write the chapters of life in a meaningful and sequential order, you will get success in your life."  Srinivas Vissapragada

February artists of the week

Well done and congratulations to our February 2017 winners of Artist of the Week.

Lauren Corlett 2nd year student for her detailed shading technique s displayed in her portrait created in pencil. Aoife Keenan 2nd year art student for her expressive painting techniques in acrylic paint displayed in her interpretation of "Skull of a skeleton with burning cigarette (1887) by post impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh.
Dija Virkutyte 2nd year student for her creative printmaking techniques in her Lino Print design.

Headlice Information

Dear Parents/Guardians/Students

We request that all students check their hair for headlice, in particular junior students. This year there is a recurrent problem of headlice. To eliminate this problem we need everyone’s co-operation. Some parents are annoyed and understandably so, that there are students with headlice who are not taking the necessary precautions and getting treatment. This is very frustrating.

Below is letter with information received from the HSE about headlice and what treatment is required. They recommend two - three treatments to get rid of the headlice. I appreciate that this is expensive but it is necessary.

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

by: Aoife Kavanagh and Ellen Kelly

Exams:

The third and sixth year students are glad to be finished their mock exams. They are now preparing for their orals, practicals and completing their different subject projects over the next few weeks.

News:

On Friday 3rd of February, our 5th years had a talk from Declan Reidy of Sligo I.T, who informed the students about the courses the Institute offer after Leaving Certificate and also about employment opportunities after qualification.

Well done to the Art Ice-cream Committee, who raised €225 last week to fund their trip to Glass Hammer Art Studios in Rhode, Co. Offaly in March.

Well done to transition year students Clodagh Lohan, Clodagh Kenny, Shauna Costello, Bronagh Gorham and Orla Kenny who sat their volleyball coaching exam last week. This exam gives the students access to the practical module for the qualification to coach volleyball in local primary schools. Volleyball Ireland will organise the practical module during next term.

Thanks to transition year students Jamie Birmingham and Lochlann Healy who help out with G.A.A coaching in St Matthews’s primary school.

Well done to the first and second year girls’ basketball teams who beat Carrickmacross on Monday the 13th Feb. Thanks to their coach Ms. Carr.

Thanks to the parents who attended the seminar provided in our school by the Triple P on Wed 15th Feb. The Triple P, “Positive Parenting Program” is a parenting intervention training program with the main goals of increasing the knowledge, skills, and confidence of parents and reducing the prevalence of mental health, emotional, and behavioural problems in children and adolescents.

Thought for the week:

It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen –Claude M Bristol

TY Ice Cream Day Fundraiser

Well done to TY students who held an Ice cream day to raise funds for an art tour to visit glass artist Michelle O Donnell of Glasshammer studios in Rhode Co. Offaly. The event raised €225 well done to all involved. 
 

Leinster Winners

Congratulations to our U16 Girls fooball Leinster Winners after a brilliant come back. Well done!

Mock Exams Timetables

Download timetables:

North Connacht Schools Athletics

On Thursday January 26th, seven students travelled to Calry in Co. Sligo to participate in the shools cross country competition.  Oisin Lane competed in the Intermediate boys event. Brendan Finnan and Daniel Hayden competed in the Junior Boys event, while Jack Gallagher competed in the Minor Boys event. Lauren Maguire, Melissa O’Kane and Casey McNamara competed in the Minor Girls event.

Results were not posted on Tues and we will publish them as soon as we get same. We do expect that a number of the athletes will progress to the Connacht Final on Tuesday February 7th.

Thanks to Michael Lane and Leslie Finnan whose help was greatly appreciated on the day.

A group of our students performed during Action Plan for Rural Development announcement, which took place yesterday in Ballymahoh Library. The great news were announced by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys.

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes By: Cian Beton and Niamh Hanley

General News:

Thanks to Ms. McTiernans 3rd year C.S.P.E. class, who collected €134 by running a bake sale for their action project in aid of Bóthar.

Thanks to all the transition year students who sang carols in the Day Care centre before Christmas. Transition year students continue to visit the Day Care centre and the homework club in St. Matthews each week.

Ms. Cribben, Ms. Bruton, Ms Ryan began an art club in our school in December. This art club continues every Monday at lunchtime in the art room. It aims to provide an oppurtunity for students to gain experiences in art work. An art competition is held each week.  The winners work is displayed in the open area each week. The winners are as follows: Week One: Rachel Maguire, Week Two: Jessica Silva, Week Three: Laura Grzeskowiak.  

Mr. O Rourke’s Leaving Cert Physics class enjoyed an enjoyable Physics revision session at N.U.I. Maynooth last week

A lot of hard work is still on going with the Green Schools committee who are aiming to have the school awarded the Green Flag

Transition Year:

Over the month of January each TY group will have travelled to Kairos Studio in Maynooth. Karios is a media production and training facility.  Each group will learn how to make and produce a short video clip. Thanks to Ms Towey who already has attended with 2 groups

All TYs completed a First Aid course last week with Martin Mulvey. The TYs recieved basic training in CPR. This training is very important as it could be used to save a life in the future.

All TYs will be doing Irish Dancingevery Tuesday morning with Máiread Casey for the next five weeks.

Sport:

Congratulations to our u15 boys’ soccer team who were triumphant over Tempel-Michael College on a scoreline of 3-2 last week. Congratulations also to our u19 boys’ soccer team who were also victorious over Mullingar Community College on a scoreline of 6-0 last week, they have now qualified for the West Leinster Final. Thanks to their coaches Mr. Burke and Mr. Broderick.

Commiserations to our Concern Debating team consisiting of Aaron O’Connor(C), Denny Hebron, Conor O’Brein and Niamh Dennehywho lost the debate against Athlone Community College. They were proposing the motion that “The UN should be dispanded”. Thanks to their mentors Ms. Towey and Ms. Matthews. 

Congratulations to our senior boys’ football team who triumphed over Kilbeggan by a point last week in the Leinster championship. They are now through to the Leinster quarter final. Thanks to their coaches Mr. O’Gara and Mr. Larkin.

Commisertions to our u16 boys’ basketball team who failed to qualify for the All Ireland Semi Finals on Sunday Jan 15th. The qualifiers were held in our school gym.  The boys were victorious over CTI Clonmel by 12 points but lost out to St. Michaels Rosscarberry by 6 points which means Rosscarberry go on to the All Ireland Semi. Thanks to their coach Mr. Dempsey.

Transition year art students of Mercy Ballymahon Secondary School  have commenced an innovative and creative art project with visiting artist Michelle O' Donnell.

Michelle is a Glass Artist who specializes in the production of bespoke Glass Art.

Michelle operates from a large purpose built glass studio and Gallery in Rhode in Co Offaly Ireland.

During this learning experience the transition year students will get the opportunity to create their own personal unique designs and work closely with artist Michelle O Donnell in her glass studio to create beautiful glass art sculptures which will be displayed within the school.