Volume 11 Issue 1 Our Lady’s Bulletin

Introduction It is hard to believe that we are half way through the first and longest term of the school year. Already so much has happened as you will see from this Bulletin. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate our Leaving Certificate Class of 2012 on truly fantastic results in August and wish them the very best in their new life paths. A special word of congratulations to Frances Ryan & Donaghy who have been awarded the very prestigious Naughton Scholarships. Also our Junior Cert Class really surpassed themselves and they too deserve all our congratulations. A highlight of the new year so far has been the number of new teachers who started with us in September. I want to warmly welcome them all to Our Lady’s. Already they are making their mark in the classroom, Basketball, Football & many other areas. I want to wish all our students & their parents a happy & peaceful mid-term. There will be many more activities and adventures over the coming months and of course a great deal of work

Transition Year News Leaving Certificate Naughton Scholarships T.Y. Induction – Belfast Results Congratulations to Frances Activity Centre 29th August Wednesday 17th August was a Ryan & Fearghal Donaghy Congrats to Emma Heavin and very big day in the lives of last from Class of 2012 who were Ryan Callan who were chosen years 6thYears. It was marvel- the sole recipients of this pres- from over 350 students to take lous to see the delight and tigious award in Co. part in the Trinity Physics Dept sheer happiness of those young Monaghan, based on their Transition Year Experience people as they received the excellent Leaving Cert results Key Programme – residential results of all their efforts. This in Maths & Science. from 19th – 21st November year’s results were truly spec- ************************ 26 students were chosen for tacular with results in all areas First Year Mass One Community Different being above the national took place on 25th Sept Cultures and will go on a trip to average. Congratulations & celebrated by Fr. Walshe. The Derry during the midterm best wishes to the young theme of the Mass was Students in Peer Educators people and a sincere thank you ‘Doorways—exploring all the will deliver a presentation to 6th to all staff for their efforts. new doorways in Our Lady’s’ Class students in Nov. ************************* & wishes were expressed for a Partners in Learning Caoimhe Junior Cert results productive & happy six years Duffy &Noah Donnelly The Junior Cert. Students also for this 1st Year Group. Forensics Workshops 24 Sept did extremely well & have set Opening School Mass Psycho –Spaghetti 25 Sept themselves up very well for Was attended by all students Good Luck to Muireann Senior Cycle. Well done to all & staff in St Mary’s Parish McHugh, Caoimhe Duffy & of you. Church on 6th Sept with the Lauren Carville who will do ************************* theme being ‘The Olympics’ their work experience.in Nevin Higher Options ************************ Maguire’s restaurant, Blacklion Conference Remembrance Service Work Experience 5th—9th Nov All Leaving Cert Students Takes place in the Convent Mental Health Week – All T.Y. travelled to the RDS, Dublin Chapel on Nov 7th. at 7:30. All Students will attend a workshop Thursday 20th Sept. This family members and staff who presented by Aware afforded them an opportunity would like to remember a Oct. Drugs Talk and Talk on to inform themselves about loved one who has died are ‘Life with Autism’ college courses invited. ************************* ************************* ************************ Science Olympiad: Congrats to Chemistry Olympiad Well Mercy Day Emma Heavin & Eimear Quinn done to Duffy & Was marked on 23rd Sept by who will train for the EU Ciara McGarrell who have Sr. Celine giving a thought for Science Olympiad been invited back to participate the day & a talk to 1st Years Gaelic Games Basketball LCA U/16 Boys: competed in the U-19 girls have made an im- Coffee Morning raised €505 in Rannafast Cup against Inis pressive comeback to “A” aid of Castleblayney Cancer Eoghain Donegal, St. Colman’s basketball and are sitting, with Society. Well done. Newry and Omagh CBS giving full points, on top of the leader Sonairte Visit this organic a good account of themselves in board in the league. They trav- garden was enjoyed by the all games. elled to Glenmire, Cork on horticultural class on 1st Oct Senior Boys: Games will com- Tuesday 16th Oct to play first ************************** mence October 22nd. Our Lady’s round of the cup. Unfortunately Taste of Monaghan have been drawn in a group after a very close 40minutes Twenty five Home Economics with Acquinas Belfast, they lost this game despite an students enjoyed this culinary Rathmore Belfast, La Salle Bel- excellent overall performance experience on Fri 4th Oct. fast and St. Louis Ballymena. with Nadine Rice top scorer in ************************** GAA Module: GAA module the game. Music Dept have undergone functional U-16 girls have had an unfortu- Spraoi: Our traditional group of screening test &fitness testing. nate start to their campaign los- musicians and dancers are pre- U16½ Girls lost their opening ing their opening matches. They paring for their audition to com- game by 7 points to a strong St travel to Waterford on Mon 17th pete in the Eisteddfod in Llan- Louis, Carrick outfit despite im- Oct to face St Angela’s in the gollen in July 2013. pressive performances from first round of the cup. Choir: With a performance in Muireann Atkinson, Niamh U-16 Boys One win and one the National Concert Hall and Callan & Aine McElroy defeat in the league. Next game their audition DVD for the Late All Star Trials Good luck to Glenties in the cup. Good per- Late Toy Show behind them, Emma McKenna, Niamh formances from Dillon Duffy, they are now busy rehearsing Callan, Michaela McQuaid & Barry Kerr and Romans Serskis. for a show in Iontas in Nov as Aoife Duffy in Nov. Senior Boys- Excellent start well as the school Christmas Senior Girls are currently pre- with 2 league wins and 1 cup reflection and their performance paring for their opening round win. Next game the 2nd round of in the local carol service. After fixture against St Louis the All Ireland Cup against this it will be full steam ahead to Monaghan Virginia. Good performances record our DVD for the Lunchtime League saw Cian from Gytis Norutis, David Mc Walton's Music Competition. O’Connor captain Monaghan to Mahon, Mark Mc Gee and ************************* 1st Yr title while Frank Mc Vicar. LCVP Visit to Monaghan Connolly ‘s side captured the Mushrooms on 5th Oct. 2nd Yr title. Well done

Upcoming Events: Mon 5th Nov. School re-opens after Mid-term Mon 5th - 9th Nov TY Work experience Mon 12th Nov. 3rd Year PTM 4..15-6.45pm Mon 19th Nov. 6th Year PTM 4..15-6.45pm Mon 3rd -7thDec 1st, 2nd & 3rd Yr Christmas Exams Mon 10th Dec Staff Meeting 9.00-11.00am TY Teacher/Parent Information Exchange 12.30 - 3.30pm 1st Year PTM 4.15-6.45pm Fri 14th -18th Dec 5th Year Christmas Exams Wed 19th-21st ~Dec 1st & 4th Year Christmas Exams LCVP Work Experience Fri 21st Dec Christmas Holidays Mon 7th Jan School re-opens

Tel: 042 9740351 Fax: 042 9749197 Principal: Mr Gerard McGuill E-mail [email protected] Web: www.ourladys-blayney.ie Deputy Principal: Mr Finbar Brohan