Open Evening 2016 CONTENTS
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Coláiste Bhríde Christmas Newsletter 2016 Open Evening 2016 CONTENTS 3 Maths in Col áiste Bhríde Malawi - Self Help Africa t was over a year ago when 4 TY News Ithe journey with Gorta Self Help Africa began with Krystian Jacobczak, Anne- 6 LCA News Marie Doyle and teacher, Aidan Douglas being selected to travel to Africa to visit some 7 Career Guidance of the projects in Burkino Faso. Unfortunately, a coup in the country made the trip 8 Student Leadership unfeasible and the new target Krystian and Anne-Marie country was Malawi for the with some locals Halloween Midterm 2016. From 9 Student Council that time on it was constant fundraising, vaccinations and mental preparation. Finally the trio joined a party of 14 teachers and students from around 10 Debating Ireland and set off for the heart of Africa. The sprawling, dry landscape was an immediate shock to the senses but the group adjusted quickly and spent their first day visiting Self 11 - 13 Snippets Help Africa headquarters. After a short security briefing, they made their way to Phirilanjuzi school. Along the way, the visitors were shocked by the small thatched huts that served 14 - 19 All the Latest Sporting as homes. Herds of goats and cows rummaged through piles News of rubbish, while men, women and children farmed the land using special hoes. On arrival at the school, 1082 children ran to the bus clapping and singing ’Muzungu,’ meaning 20 Scholars Awards foreigner in remarkable synchronisation. Two unforgettable days were spent here, dancing, playing traditional games and attending classes. 21 Snippets This was followed by a visit to a local village where the group were greeted by the female representatives of the savings scheme which S.H.A. had established. This day ended with a 22 Foreign Exchanges and Tours reception in the home of Irish Ambassador, Áine Herne. The next few days were spent visiting villages, an agricultural college and the beautiful Lake Malawi as well as enjoying a 23 Literacy & Green Schools safari boat ride. A very different group of people arrived back at Dublin airport the following week, each with a different story to tell and a completely new outlook on the world we 24 Tom Murphy live in. The warm heart of Africa was so welcoming and provided an opportunity to experience an entirely Krystian, Anne-Marie and Mr. Douglas different way at a local school of life. 2 MATHS IN COLÁISTE BHRÍDE First Year Maths Quiz in the computer science and Maths area. This was followed by an eye-opening tour of the ll first yearGoogle premises, where over six thousand people Astudents are employed. Students were very impressed came together on with the endless free food on every floor, Friday last for the swimming pool, gym, swings, relaxation rooms, an inaugural First Year amphitheatre, table tennis, chess and pool, not to Maths Quiz. This mention the bird’s eye view of the Dublin skyline. is a new initiative In the afternoon, the students worked in groups organised by the with the other schools to solve complex puzzles Maths Department presented to them by the Canadian mathematician, and Numeracy Dr. Gordon Hamilton a.k.a. Dr. Pickle. The problems Winners of the First Year Team in the school. focused on graph theory and formulating Maths Quiz Teams of four conjectures, which is an important skill for engaging participated in eight rounds consisting of three or with the Maths syllabus. Overall a very worthwhile four questions but under strict time constraints. trip. At the end of these gruelling rounds, only one point divided the 1st and 2nd place teams but five teams shared 3rd place and had to complete a tie-breaker round. This could still not divide the teams so a further tie-breaker was held from which a winner emerged. A perpetual shield was awarded to the 1st place team of Victoria Dranko, Katelyn Walker, Aoife Kennedy and Sam Carroll. 2nd place went to the team of Emma Byrne, Sophie Doran, Shona Byrne and Liam Byrne. Finishing in 3rd place was Abbie Byrne, Ella Austin Joshua Kinsella and Gearóid Boland. Prizes were awarded to all placed teams. Winners of the Senior Cycle Maths Quiz All students are to be commended for the positive and enthusiastic approach they took with the quiz and for their exemplary behaviour throughout, Senior Cycle Maths Quiz especially during the nail-biting tie-breakers! he senior maths quiz took place on a Friday Trip to Google Headquarters Tmorning in October in the gym. Teams of four, comprising of fifth and sixth year higher level ight of our T.Y. students had the opportunity to Maths students battled through eight rounds of Evisit Google HQ in Grand Canal Dock in Dublin tough questions. The lead changed hands several this term. Coláiste times as the quiz progressed and the competition Bhríde was one of was close right to the end. It was great to see the only five schools students working together to solve the problems to be invited as they were faced with. After the final round, only a result of the one point separated four teams. After a challenging activities held in tie breaker, the first, second and third placed the school during teams were announced. Congratulations to James Maths week. In Tyrrell, James McSwiney, Katie Goland and Natasha the morning, Byrne who were placed third, Charlotte Redmond, they attended Warner Figueras, Aoife Kehoe and Tara Kinsella who an information were second, and the winners on the day Martin session which Quinn, Emma Poole, Emer-Rose Kealy and Richard Some TY students at covered possible O’Toole. The three placed teams were presented Google HQ careers at Google with vouchers. 3 TY NEWS Baltinglass Induction Day Gaisce ll Transition Year students are currently Aengaged in their Gaisce activities from Physical Recreation, Community Involvement and Personal Skill. Students are expected to receive their bronze Gaisce awards in May 2017. TY Law class to Four Courts wenty three of our Transition Year students had Tthe opportunity to visit the Central Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin in November. The aim of the trip was to provide the students with an Induction Day in Baltinglass understanding and insight into the Irish Courts System. Participants on the day were offered the he first outing of the year for our Transition Year opportunity to partake in a mock trial facilitated Tstudents was when all of our TY students headed by a barrister of the Courts Service. This allowed to Baltinglass Outdoor Centre in September for an them to fulfill various court roles including a judge, action packed day. Students participated in archery, barristers, solicitors, witnesses and members of the canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, the zip line and jury. In addition, our students and teachers were orienteering. A great team building and bonding fortunate enough to be afforded the chance to sit experience was had by all. in on actual court proceedings, including a murder trial. The experience was both gripping and eye- Academic Choices opening. t the beginning of their Transition Year Careers Open Day in Maynooth University AProgramme all students engaged in an in-house induction session. During this day, students made ll Transition year students attended the Open choices from a myriad of modules and long courses. ADay in Maynooth University this year. Students Academic choices were explained and carefully attended lectures, lab demonstrations and campus selected. For these academic choices, students activities. Maynooth University was a popular benefit greatly from having an extra year to work at destination for the Leaving Certificate students of their core subjects in preparation for their Leaving 2016. Certificate examinations. TY Law students on a recent visit to the Central Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin 4 An Triail he Irish Department brought our TY students Tto a production of An Triail in Dublin. This was to prepare and enhance students’ language skills in preparation for Senior Cycle and Leaving Cert examinations. Open Evening ll T.Y. students presented their mini-companies Aat our Open Evening in November. A wonderful selection of goods and services went on display with many excellent professional presentations. We commend the entrepreneurial endeavours of each A visit to the NUIM Open Day group of students. Lots of learning is happening. Awareness Day tudents travelled to Castletown, Co Laois Sto participate in reflection, meditation and discussion. Students immersed themselves fully into the experience and had a very meaningful and enlightening day. Work Experience lans are in place for placements this February. PStudents are engaging in a myriad of different disciplines. We wish all of our students well as they make their entry into the world of work. Mini-Company displays at the Open Night Irish Language Workshop céal, an Irish language workshop from High SRock Productions came to Coláiste Bhríde to TY Modules work with our Transition Year students on Thursday, e have moved into our second semester of 29th September. It is designed to build students’ Wmodules to include Swimming, Equestrian and confidence in spoken Irish and also to improve key Gym club. Students are participating in Y.S.I., Sage, skills of presentation. They provided all the props, Junk Kouture, Italian, Music, Japanese, Engineering, sound effects and special effects to enable the Digital media, Home Economics, Drama, Road students to learn Irish in a humorous and creative Safety and Programming and Coding. way. ECDL tudents are working their way through their SE.C.D.L. modules and sitting all examinations. First Aid wo of our class groups have completed their TFirst Aid module.. Students learned how to deal with cuts and grazes, scalds and burns and life threatening conditions requiring C.P.R.