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.

Congrats to the Under 15 Soccer team who won their league group today following a 3-2 win against Templemichael College having gone behind to an early goal. The team had already achieved wins over St Finians College Mullingar and Wilson's Hospital.

Art Club

Art Club began Monday the 12th of December 2016 in Mercy Secondary School Ballymahon.

It will continue every Monday lunchtime in the Art room under the guidance of the Art teachers Miss Ryan, Miss Cribben and Miss Bruton.

Art Club is established to provide an opportunity for students who have an interest in art. The aim of the club is to provide a wide range of experience in as many artistic media as possible, and to discover and cater to the needs and interests of the students that join.

There is a social aspect to Art Club where students can interact with each other in an informal, relaxed atmosphere, while pursuing a shared interest.

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

by Niamh Hanley and Cian Belton

General News

Leaving Cert Art students visited the National Art Gallery last week where they saw 4 exhibitions. This trip is part of the Leaving Cert art programme. Thanks to Art teachers Ms. Bruton, Ms. Cribben and Ms. Ryan for accompanying the students.

Thanks to Ms. Nevin and Ms. Reynolds who accompanied leaving cert Irish students to an Irish play entitled ‘An Triail’ in Galway last Monday. This play is on their Leaving Cert Irish course.

Our Leaving Cert students enjoyed their annual retreat on Friday the 9th. The retreat was given by Pure In Heart. The students found the day most enjoyable and got a lot out of it. They also recommended it for next years Leaving Cert students.

The Leaving Cert and first year students exchanged their kris kindle gifts with their best buddies last Friday. Thanks to Santa for paying a visit and to Ms. Minogue for all her hard work.

Thanks to Ms. Malone and the music department for all their hard work in preparing the annual Carol service held in St. Matthews Church on Thursday last.

Reminder:6th class pupils planning to enrol at Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon for 1st yearSeptember 2017closing date is4pm on Wednesday  21st of December.

Uploaded by Ballymahon TV on 2016-12-16.

Transition Year:

Any TYs interested in signing up for the Bronze Gaisce Award should go to Mr. Dempsey for details. We encourage all TYs to try and achieve this award as it shows great skills that future employers will be looking for. Thanks to Martin Mulvey for providing First Aid course to our TY groups . The TYs are grateful for being given this opportunity to learn such an valuable skill.

Last Monday Orla Keane, Niamh Hanley, Ronan English and Aisling McCormack went to the Day Care Centre to to play the music for St. Matthews primary school carol service. Last Tuesday the same group also went to Thomond Lodge with pupils from St. Matthews to provide entertainment to the residents.

Another group of TYs consisting of Orla Keane, Niamh Hanley, Ronan English, Aisling McCormack, Chloe Freeman, Sarah Horan, Orla Kenny, Clodagh Keily, Eve Corrigan, Ciara Foxe, Laura Harkin, Roisin Leen, Bronagh Gorham, Jason Moorehead, Abhram Izzara, Feidhlim Maher, Rachel Lyons, Eimear Gavigan, Claire Shaw, Shannon o’Shea, Julieann Moran and Gareth Mulleady all went to the Rustic Inn Abbeyshrule to perform Christmas Carols for the IWA (Irish Wheelchair Association) on Tuesday last.

Thanks to Ronan Keane, Joshua Manning, Gareth Mulleady, Adam Ryan, Darragh Maher, Rachel Lyons, Clodagh Kenny, Orla Keane, Caoimhe Lohan and Kevin Lynch for attending the day care centre last week. Thanks to Conor Campbell, Josh Manning, Darragh Maher, Matthew Duffy, Sarah Dillon Clodagh Kenny, Orla Keane and Caoimhe Lohan for attending the Homework club last week.

Sport:

Mr. Burke’s 5thyear L.C.V.P. class organised a 5 aside indoor soccer tournament for 2nd year girls on Monday last. His 6th year L.C.V.P. class organised an indoor soccer tournament for 1st year girls recently. 

Mercy Ballymahon Under 17 Boys Soccer Team

Our U17  boys soccer team were successful against Temple Michael College, Longford on Tuesday last. As they finished in the top 2 of their group, they now qualify for a regional semi final. Well done to our u 19 boys and our U 15 boys soccer teams who beat St. Wilsons on Thursday last. Thanks to their coaches Mr Burke and Mr Broderick.

Thought for the week:

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. (E.E. Cummings)

Finally we would like to wish all our readers a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year.

TY Debating

Well done to Bronagh Gorham, Jamie Birmingham, Bradley Grey and Lochlann Healy in the Battle of the Wits Regional Final today. Having won the Longford competition they went on to represent the County well today.

Well done and congratulations to our very talented and creative 1st year artist Rachel, age 13 who won the Artist of the Week.

Rachel created an imaginative vibrant self portrait using markers to create a variety of patterns. Well done Rachel!

Thanks again to the Parents Council for their work in organising the very successful fundraising table quiz at the end of October. A great night was had by all. And we have collected €4514 which will go now towards School maintenance needs.

Pauric Connolly, past pupil, presenting new soccer kit to the school. Thank you to Pauric who kindly sponsored the new kit.

Pauric Connolly past pupil presenting new soccer kit to the school. Thank you to Pauric who kindly sponsored the new kit.

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

by Cian Belton and Oran Kenny  

General News:

Congratulations to past pupils, Charlotte Madden and Patrick Flanagan who received the Entrance Scholarship Award to UCD on Tuesday 15th. Patrick Flanagan also received the J.P McManus Award on Saturday last.

Thanks to Dylan Nugent, Josh Manning, Conor Campbell, Ronan Keane, Roisin Sheahan, Darragh Maher, Con Casserly, Rory Howlin, Leon Walsh, James Carroll, Oran Kenny and Danielle O'Leary attended the day care last week.

Thanks also to Daniel Lennon, Abraham Izarah, Max Nykoluk, Ross Coyne and David Mtisi who attended the homework club last week.

The I.S.T.A. ran their annual  Senior Science quiz in Athlone Institute of Technologyon Thursday 17th. We had 3 teamsattend, consisting of Robert Murphy, Jack Kenny, Dearbhaile Madden, Derek Shaw, Emma Donohue, Sarah Edgely, Cian Donohue, Chloe Murtagh and Daragh Nerney. Congratulations to the team of Derek Shaw, Emma Donohoe and Sarah Edgley who came 6th in the competition. They were joint 5th place and it took 3 tie breakers to separate the two teams. Thanks to Ms. Noone who attended the quiz with the students.

Open day/night:

Our annual open day and night for incoming first years for September 2017 will be held on Thursday 1st of December. Any student who would like to attend our open day and is attending a national school not serviced by one of our organised buses on the day may make arrangements by contacting Attracta or Joanna at 090 6432267. Parents are invited to attend our open night with their son/daughter on Thursday night at 7.30pm

Show:

Thanks to everybody who attended the show and all our TY year students who worked so hard behind the scenes to make it such a success. The entire school community, have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. This production has brought a great buzz to the school. We sincerely thank, Ms. Malone, Mr. Burke, Mr. Larkin and Mr. Broderick, who facilitated the production of ‘Through My Eyes’, an experience which we will never forget. We also thank our sponsors for their generosity in donating funds and spot prizes, both of which help enormously in making the show a success. We hope this show has lived up to expectations and we hope to see as large a crowd attend the next show in two years’ time.

Thought for the week:

The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless.

Through My Eyes show was a great and unforgettable success. Big thank you to all involved: students and staff and thank you to our lovely audience.

Letter to Parents re Withdrawal from supervision and substitution duties

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

School notes by Cian Belton and Kian Gilmore

General News:

Thanks to the Parents Council for their work in organising the very successful fundraising table quiz last Friday. Thanks to quiz masters Tommy and Ray for their work and to Katie Gallagher, accompanied by Paul Prior and  to Caillte for their entertainment. A great night was had by all. Well done to the Kilbane family who won first prize of €200with 92 points.

We held a quiz for TYs last week for the competition Battle of the Wits. The winning team are: Bradley Gray, Eanna Donohoe, Lochlann Healy, Shane Mahon and Bronagh Gorham.  The team will represent our school at county level.

Our first years held a Bake Sale Friday 14th. They raised a total of €282 which went to Team Hope, to help them with the Shoebox Appeal. Thanks to Ms. Ryan, Ms. Bruton and Ms. Towey for their help and guidance.

The week of the 19th to the 23rd of October was Maths Week. We held a number of different competitions throughout the week including: Guess the Volume of a Bin, How many post-its it would take to cover a locker and How many Revolutions a tyre would take to travel the length of our school. Posters promoting Maths Week were also put up around the school. The Prism Maths competition was held Monday 24th. There was also a fun maths quiz for 1st years which was held last Friday. The quiz was developed by our TY maths classes. Thanks to Ms. O Sullivan and Ms. Kenny for all their work.

A group of fifth year students and Ms. Mc.Tiernan attended a lecture by Irish author Re O’Laighleis in our local Ballymahon Library. It was most enjoyable and informative.

Transition year:

The timetable for Transition Year home groups changed this week. Seven of our students Leon Walsh, Rachel Lyons, Ciara Foxe, Cronan Flood, Dylan Farrell, Mikolaj Wijas and Sarah Dillon were given a fantastic opportunity by An Garda Siochana, last week. They attended the Criminal Court in Dublin on Tuesday, they went to the Garda Station in Longford on Wednesday and
to Westmanstown-Garda Golf Club in Lucan on Thursday.  Thanks to Ms. Kenny, Ms. O Sullivan and Ms. Casey for travelling with the students:

James Carroll, Sean Donohoe and Sam Maxwell attended the Day Care Centre last week. Orla Kenny, Ciara and Shannon attended the Homework Club last week.

Interviews were held by Ms.Malone, Mr. Burke, Mr. Broderick and Mr. Larkin for the leadership roles in our School Show “Through My Eyes” last week. Our Managment Team Consists of: Aisling McCormack, Managing Director; Ronan English, Assistant Mananging Director; Bronagh Gorham, Production Director; Kian Gilmore, Assistant Production Director, Dylan McCormick Moran, Sound director; Abraham Izarra, Assistant Sound Director; Rachael Lyons, Human Resources Director: Orla Keane, Director of Choreography; Catherine Reilly, Assistant Director of Choreography; Adam Ryan, Public Relations Manager; Kevin Lynch, Assistant Public Relations Manager, Chloe Freeman, Creative Director; Aoife Gerety, Assistant Creative Director; Cian Belton,  Finance Manager; David Doherty, Assistant Finance Manager; Orla Kenny, Sales & Marketing Manager; Brian Kelly, Assistant Sales & Marketing Manager: Roisín Sheahan Hair & Makeup Manager: Natalia Ochenkowska Assistant Hair & Makeup Manager: Sam Maxwell Front of House Director, Jason Coughlan Assistant Front of House Director: Petrina Carrigy Costume Director: Éanna McGrath Stage Manager: Jamie Bermingham Assistant Stage Manager:

Sport:

Our sports department had a very busy  week. Our U16 Girls’ football team were victorious over Scoil Mhuire, Longford. The 1st and 2nd year girls enjoyed a football blitz in Clonguish last week. They had four teams. The U16 and U19 Girls’ basketball teams lost their games against Dunshaughlan .The U14 Boys’ football team beat St.Finians, Mullingar.

Thanks to all their coaches Mr.Bohan, Ms.Egan, Mr. Munds, Ms. Carr, Mr. Dempsey, Mr.Walsh and Mr.Kenny.

Thought for the week:

Never give up on a dream because of the time it will take to accomplish. The time will pass anyways. (Earl Nightingale).

Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal

Well done to our 1st year students who were involved in the cake sale for Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal. A huge effort was made from making posters, baking to organising a hugely successful cake sale and raising a total of €295 on Friday 14th October.

Well done to all!! 

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes By: Aoife Kavanagh and Emer Tyrrell

Sport:

Well done to our senior and U16boys’ basketball teams who beat Kells last week. Thanks to their coaches Mr. Dempsey and Ms. Carr

Commiserations to our senior soccer team who lost their first game to Athlone Community College last week. Thanks to Mr. Broderick and Mr. Burke for training the teams.

Hard luck to our U16 boys’ football team and their coaches Mr. Seery and Mr. McCormack who were beaten by St. Mels recently.

Three first year boys’ football teams enjoyed a blitz held in Clonguish. Thanks to Mr. Kenny for coaching the teams and to the transition year students, Cian Belton, Oran Kenny, Jason Coughlan, Aidan O’Cealleagh and David Doherty who helped him on the day.

Good luck to our Concern debating consisting of Conor O’Brien, Dennis Hebron, Emer Tyrell, Aaron O Connor, Gary Sherdian, Neil Kilbane, Brendan Mc Keown, Niamh Dennehy and Conor English who are preparing for the first round of the concern debates away to Kilbeggan on Wednesday 12th October.  Thanks to Ms. Towey and Ms. Matthews for mentoring the team.

Lunchtime Clubs:

On Tuesdays the Creative Writing group meet in room 29 with Ms. McCann and Mr. O Gara. The Junior debating league has started in room 29 at lunchtime. On Thursdays the board games club meet in room 29 with Mr. O Gara.

Thanks to Ms. Nevin who organises “Ciorcal Cáinte” in room 21at lunch time on Fridays. This is a chance for our senior students to prepare for their oral Irish Leaving Certificate exam.

News:

The Christmas Shoe box appeal is beginning and Ms. Ryan, Ms. Bruton and Ms. Towey are looking for small non-perishable goods, toys or educational resources that fit into a shoe box. These need to be ready for collection on Nov 11.

Green Schools meetings and work is going on in pursuit of the Green flag. The first, second and transition year students are involved in an art poster awareness campaign to help promote proper use of recycling bins around the school. Thanks to Mr. Burke for all his hard work.

Mocktober exams for third and sixth years take place during week 17th to 21st of October. Good luck to all our students. The Junior Cert Art mock exam has been completed.

Auditions are taking place for acts for the  upcoming school show which takes place from Thursday November 17th to Saturday November 19th.

Thought for the week.

Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it. (Lou Holtz)

Table Quiz Night Fundraiser

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A table quiz night is being organised by our Parents’ Association on Friday 14th October in the school gym. The quiz will begin at 8pm. Tommy Cunningham and Ray Dolan will be hosting the show. Tables will have four members. Each table will cost €40 per table, but a student table will only cost €20. During the interval Katie Gallagher and Caillte a band composed of past and current pupils Mark McCormack, Patrick Flanagan, Jonathan Nally, Conor Beirne, Oisín Bennett, Áine McLoughlin, Ciara Casey and Conor O Brien and Kate Beirne will be providing the entertainment for the night. There will also be a raffle during the interval. All funds raised will go to Mercy Secondary School Ballymahon.

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes By: By Cian Belton, Kian Gilmore and Jamie Bermingham.

School Mass:

For the first time in our school’s history all our students and staff would not fit into St. Matthews Church, Ballymahon at the same time. As a result we had two Opening of the School Year Masses. We celebrated school mass for second to sixth year students on Friday September 23rd as we celebrated Mercy Day in honour of our founding sisters. This was followed on Wednesday September 28th with school mass for the first years. Thanks to Fr. Liam for celebrating the two masses. Thanks to the choirs and Ms. Malone for her work in preparing the music for both ceremonies and to the religion teachers.

Awards:

Congratulations to Conor Beirne who received a prestigious Naughton Scholarship at an Awards Ceremony in Trinity College on Saturday 24th. Conor won the award based on his excellent science and maths subject results in his Leaving Certificate exam and his personal Statement. Conor is studying Engineering in U.C.D. This is the third year in a row that one of our students has been awarded the Naughton Scholarship.

Congratulations to Patrick Flanagan who has won a JP McManus All Ireland Scholarship Award. Patrick is studying Economics and Finance in U.C.D. Patrick will receive his award on Saturday 19th November

Sport:

Congratulations to our U16 girls’ football team who got off to a winning start this year with a victory against Mercy Navan in Navan last Tuesday. Thanks to their coaches Mr. Bohan and Ms. McCann. Congratulations to our Senior girls’ football team who beat the Bower Athlone last Wednesday. Thanks to their managers Mr. Munds and Mr. Bohan.

Our U16 boys’ basketball team beat Lusk last Tuesday. Thanks to their coach Mr.Dempsey.

Two of our girls’ basketball teams played Virginia last week. Hard luck to U16’s who lost.  Well done to the U19’s who won their game. Thanks to their coaches Mr. Dempsey and Ms. Carr.

Transition Year:

Last week all TY classes had a talk from Youth Connect. Also Sadie Wheatley spoke with some transition year students about ideas for their mini companies. Two Ty classes have met with actor Alan Devin. Alan gave a Personal Development workshop which included ideas on speaking in front of other people.

All transition year students attended the Ger Carey show “Physco Spagetti” in the Back Stage theatre, on Monday 26th. This is a comic look into the life of a teenager. Thanks to their English teachers Ms. Gaffney, Ms. Daly and Ms. Towey for attending the show with them.

Thanks to Sean Donohue, Cronan Flood, Sam Maxwell and Dylan Farrell for helping out at the homework club in the Ballymahon primary School last week Also thanks to Lochlann Healy, Conall Mc Kiernan, Rory Howlin, Sean Donohoe, Cronan Flood, Dylan Farrell and Sam Maxwell for attending the Day Care centre last week.

We wish all our transition year students good luck in their work experience from 3rd to 7th October. Thanks to all the employers who support our students in providing the employment during the week.

Table Quiz Night:

A table quiz night is being organised by our Parents’ Association on Friday 14th October in the school gym. The quiz will begin at 8pm. Tommy Cunningham and Ray Dolan will be hosting the show. Tables will have four members. Each table will cost €40 per table, but a student table will only cost €20. During the interval Katie Gallagher and Caillte a band composed of past and current pupils Mark McCormack, Patrick Flanagan, Jonathan Nally, Conor Beirne, Oisín Bennett, Áine McLoughlin, Ciara Casey and Conor O Brien and Kate Beirne will be providing the entertainment for the night. There will also be a raffle during the interval. All funds raised will go to Mercy Secondary School Ballymahon.

Special visitors

Longford Ladies with Mercy Ballymahon students celebrating All Ireland win

On Tuesday 27 we welcomed some very special guests to the school- members of the victorious All Ireland winning Longford Junior Ladies Football team. They included past pupils Geraldine McManus, Claire Delaney, Michelle McCormack and Emer Dooley. Congrats to our other past pupils who were also on the team-Sarah Madden, Sarah Shannon and Michelle Noonan. It was a fantastic achievement. Congrats to all involved.

Other news:

Thanks to all the parents of first year students who attended the information meeting in the school last Tuesday 12th September. Thanks to Ms. Donohue, Mr. Walsh, Ms. Reynolds and Mr. Larkin for giving the information. Also thanks to Angela Egan from Midland Area Parenting Partnership who gave a very informative presentation on ‘Raising Competent Teenagers’..

Our first and second years attended a show called “Bin it” on Wednesday about the importance of disposing of chewing gum correctly.

Thought for the week:

The highest reward for a person’s toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it. John Ruskin