Jakob demonstrating German Macaron biscuits

Big Thank you to Jakob who demonstrated German biscuits to our TY students and sent us recipe for these lovely Macarons!

Macarons

Ingredients:

3 times the white of an egg

250g icing sugar

Pinch of salt

Bit of vanilla aroma

250g ground almonds or ground hazelnuts

Whole hazelnuts and almonds for the decoration

First pre-heat the oven. Then beat all the eggs and add first the icing sugar(sieving) and after that the rest carefully into the bowls. Now put little pieces on a baking paper. Don’t put them to close together they will rise! Finally put them for 20 to 30 minutes in the oven at 150 degrees.

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Katie Gouldsbury and Amy Cox

TY

All TY groups have had their first day of their First Aid course completed by now. They will get their second day after Christmas. Thanks to Martin Mulvey who gives the course.

Thanks to Gordon Farrell, Patrick Smyth and Seadhna Ryan, Edel Clabby, Amy Cox and Liadhan Farrell who visited the Day care centre this week.

The Young Social Innovators team consisting of 21 Transition Year students are currently working on a Self-esteem Awareness video starring students from every year. The title of their project is “Photo, Photo on my screen, putting down my self-esteem”. The aim of their project is to raise awareness of the damaging effects of social media on self-esteem. The video will be posted in the New Year. Follow their journey on @ysi_mss. Thanks to their mentor Ms. McGovern.

Sports:

Commiserations to the u 16 boys’ football team who lost to Edenderry last week. Thanks to their coaches Mr. Dromey and Mr. Farrell.

Other news:

Well done to the fifth and second and first year students who completed their Christmas exams last week. We hope that they all went well. Thanks to Ms. Keegan and Ms. McManus who helped to organise the exams.

Congratulations to Aishling Farrell and her friend Maeve Newton who won this year’s Christmas FM Song contest. They also got through the first two rounds of auditions for the Late Late Toy Show with the song “This Christmas” which they composed and performed. Aishling also performed this song at the annual Carol Service and was supported by the School Choir on Monday the 18th Dec in St. Matthews Church Ballymahon. Thanks to Ms. Malone for all her hard work.

Also well done to Cathal Higgins his brother Thomás, his sisters Katie and Lily who also got through two rounds of auditions for the Late Late Toy Show with the song “Mistletoe” composed by themselves

The sixth years enjoyed an information talk about post Leaving Cert courses available at N.U.I.G. on Thursday last.

Thanks to John Pridmore who provided the annual retreat day for Leaving Cert students last Friday.

Thought for the week:

Don’t wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Sarah Cox and Tami Dania

Transition Year:

Thanks to Bryn Peters, Ellen Shannon, Dylan Coady Eoghan Bannon, Katie Farrell, Chara Mtisi and Rebecca Gill for visiting the Day Care Centre this week.

On Monday 4th December TY 3 and TY 4 went on a day trip to Boda Borg at Lough Key Forest Park as part of their Logic class taught by Mr. Dromey. Thanks to Mr. Walsh and Mr. Tansey for accompanying the students on the trip.

Congratulations to Shane Prior, Sean Kenny, Gerard Brennan and James Murphy who came fourth in the Regional final of Battle of the Wits which was held in Athlone on Wednesday 6th  December. Thanks to Ms. Bohan for mentoring the team.

TY students sat their CAT assessment on Thursday 7th December. It was organised by Ms. O’Neill and will help students when selecting their subjects for Leaving Cert.

TY students went to Portlaoise to watch the U16 girls’ football match and then made their way to Dundrum for ice skating and a day of shopping. They were accompanied by Mrs. Bohan, Ms. Duffy, Mr. Staunton and Ms. Nevin.

Sport:

Congratulations to the U 16 boys’ basketball team trained by Mr. Walsh, who beat De La Salle from Dundalk in the regional final with a score line of 53-20. Also congratulations to the U19 boys’ basketball team coached by Mr. Dempsey and Ms. Flannery who beat O’Carolan College, Nobber in the regional u19 final by a score line 36-34 after extra time. Both teams are now through to the All-Ireland playoffs

Basketball U16 and U19 Regional champions

Commiserations to the U 16 girls’ basketball and their coach Ms. Carr who were beaten in their regional final by Castleblaney in Mullagh on Monday 4th December. However the girls have the opportunity to qualify for the all-Ireland play offs as they are the runner up in the  regional final.

Hard luck to the U16 girls’ football team, trained by Mr. Bohan and Ms. O’Reilly, who lost their Leinster A semi-final match against Portlaoise on Tuesday 5th December.

Congratulations to the U 19 boys’ soccer team, trained by Mr. Burke, who qualified for the knock out stages of the league after beating Mullingar Community college on Friday 1st December. They lost their second group game to Strokestown.  

School Walk:

A sincere thank you to all who supported the annual school walk which raised a total of €3786. Congratulations to Oisin Lane who was the first student to complete the route, Liam Glennon the second, Bradley Gray the first senior boy and Aileen Price the first senior girl. The prize draw winners for the annual school walk were Edel Clabby, Ella Hogan, Áine Dalton and Anthony Flynn.

News:

Our annual Open night was held on Thursday 30th November. Once again a huge crowd attended and the closing date for enrolment for 1st year September 2018  is 4pm 20th December 2017.

Thanks to all who supported the Christmas Shoe Box Appeal organised by Ms. O’Reilly.  Over 100 boxes have been sent to Team Hope.

Rehearsals are in place for the annual Carol service which will take place on Monday 18th Dec in St. Matthews Church, Ballymahon at 8pm. Thanks to Ms. Malone for all her hard work.

Thought for the week:

Everything you do now is for your future. Think about that. (Kushandwzdom).

Team Hope Shoebox Appeal

Well done to all our students who took part in Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal this year. Donated boxes will be delivered to children in the communities mainly in Eastern Europe, former Soviet Union and Africa. Thank you to Ms. O'Reilly who organised the collection.

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Sarah Cox and Cormac Dixon

John Paul II Award:

Congratulations to the students who received their Bronze John Paul II awards from Bishop Francis Duffy at a ceremony in St. Mels Cathedral recently; Feidhlim Maher, Ciara Healy, Zoe Gallagher, Róisín Sheahan, Orla Keane, Maryann Lynch, Aisling McCormack, Ciara Nally, Harry Pendred, Matthew Gunning, Conall McKiernan, Jason Moorhead, Brian Kelly, Clodagh Kiely, Catherine Reilly, Karen Victory, Kevin Lynch, Cian Belton, Caoimhe Lohan, Rachael Lyons, Clodagh Kenny, Eve Corrigan, Claire Shaw, Daniel Lennon, Eoin Mulvihill, Bronagh Gorham and Orla Kenny. Congratulations also to Áine Bannon who received the Silver John Paul II award on the same day.

Sport:

Heartiest congratulations to our senior girls, Emily Farrell and Rachael Lyons who participated in the Soroptimist Public Speaking competition this week. The event was held in Athlone Community College on Tuesday night, with several schools from the locality participating. The competition was steep with an excellent display of knowledge, skill and ablilty by all the girls' involved. Rachael Lyons 5th year will go forward to represent the region in the Leinster final in January. We wish her every success in the next round. Thanks also to their mentor Ms. Ruth Gaffney

The Under 19 Boys’ basketball team, coached by Mr. Dempsey and Ms. Flannery, won their match on Friday 17th November against Corolan College. The u 19 and u 16 boys’ basketball teams are now through to the regional playoffs.

Commiserations to the senior Boys footballers who were beaten by Ballymahon Vocational School, in the Longford/Westmeath Final at Pearse Park last week. Thanks to their coaches Mr. McCormack and Mr. O Gara.

Congratulations to Sean Kenny, James Murphy, Gerard Brennan and Shane Prior who won ‘The Battle of the Wits’ table quiz held in Longford Library on Tuesday 21st November. They now go on to represent Longford in the Regional Finals in Athlone on the 6th December.

NARNIA students enjoyed a day out at Laser Tag in Athlone with Ms. Ryan and Helena Brady on Tuesday 21st November.

Well done to Mr. McCormack and Ms. Carr and all the first year students who held a Gymnastics display in the gym on Monday last.

The first year boys are enjoying a lunchtime Pella competition organised by Mr. Larkin and some transition year students.

Transition Year

Thanks to Oisin Brogan, Eva Harkin, Lucy-Anne Myhill, Ciaran Hanly, Eoghan Bannon, Sophie Hogan, Megan Finnan, Katie Gouldsbury and Gordon Farrell, who went to the Day-care centre this week;

TY2 and TY3 students enjoyed a Holy Spirit Day as a part of their Alpha course in St. Mel’s Diocesan Centre on Wednesday 22nd November. Thanks Annette Evans and her team of volunteers Mona, Catherine, Mary, Jim and Gerry for running the course and to Ms. Bohan and Mr Staunton for accompanying the students.

Teresa Dooner from Killashee gave some TY students a demonstration on her Bread Making recipe that reached 2nd place in the ICA All-Ireland Bread making competition in recent years. Thank you Teresa for your time and expertise, your Bread was gorgeous.

Alan Devine completed his workshop with Transition year students on oral presentations.

Art Exhibition

The ‘Imaginations Run Wild’ art exhibition was held on Thursday 23rd November in the Study Hall of the school. It was opened by Longford artist Phil Atkinson. Thanks to TY students Patrick Conlon, Mark Mealia, Sean Mulleady and Cathal Higgins helped organise Ms. Bruton organise the exhibition.

Agricultural Science

Thanks to Mr. Munds and Mr. Walsh who took 5th and 6th year Ag. Science students to a farm talk based on the Irish beef industry in the Ballymahon Mart on Wednesday 22nd November. Guest speakers included Angus Woods, chairman of the Irish beef industry and actor and playwright Seamus O Rourke.

Monthly Weather Report from our school weather reporting team: Francesca Mc Greal and Matthew Jordan October 2017

Temperatures were quite mild with an average of 13 degrees Celsius. Soil temperature fell gradually from a high of 14 degrees Celsius at the beginning of October, to 9 degrees at the end of the month. Wind direction was mostly from a southerly direction which kept our temperatures mild and our precipitation as rainfall. Grass growth was measured for October at 5cm, which is good and undoubtedly related to our mild conditions.

Open Night and Enrolment

Our Open Night is taking place on November 30th at 7pm. 6th class pupils and their parents/guardians are invited to attend. Closing date for enrolment is Wednesday December 20th, 4pm.

Thought for the week:

If you stumble make it part of the dance.

Public Speaking

Heartiest congratulations to our senior girls, Emily Farrell and Rachel Lyons who participated in the Soroptimist public speaking competition this week. The event was held in Athlone Community College on Tuesday night, with several schools from the locality participating. The competition was steep with an excellent display of knowledge, skill and ability by all the girls' involved. Rachel Lyons 5th year will go forward to represent the region in the Leinster final in January. We wish her every success in the next round. Thanks also to their mentor Ms.Ruth Gaffney.

Art Exhibition

LOCAL LONGFORD ARTIST

PHIL ATKINSON

Will Exhibit his artwork &

Open

MERCY BALLYMAHON

Art Exhibition

IMAGINATIONS RUN WILD

@7pm

Thursday 23rd

November

In The Study Hall

ALL WELCOME

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Sarah Cox and Tami Dania

Open Night:

Mercy Secondary School Ballymahon will hold our annual Open and Enrolment Night for incoming first year students September 2018 on Thursday 30th of November, starting at 7.00pm. All details may be obtained on the school website.

Leaving Certificate:

Dearbhaile Madden and Derek Shaw who received Entrance Scholars Awards from UCD

Congratulations to students from our Leaving Cert class of 2017. Emma Donohoe who was awarded an Entrance Exhibition Award 2017 from TCD and to Derek Shaw and Dearbhaile Madden who were awarded Entrance Scholars Awards from UCD. Derek and Dearbhaile will receive their awards at the Awards Ceremony on Thursday the 16th November. Emma will receive her Award at the Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 21st of November.

Thanks to Ms. D. Daly and Mr. Tansey who arranged a river field study trip to Derrygonnelly  for the leaving certificate geography students on Friday 27th October. This is part of the L.C.geography project which will be submitted by the end April 2018. This project is worth 20 percent of their final exam.

Sport:

The Senior girls’ football team, coached by Mr. Bohan, Mr. Munds and Ms. O’Reilly, won their match against Moyne recently.

Hard luck to the U16 boys’ football team, coached by Mr. Dromey and Mr. Farrell who were beaten by Mercy Kilbeggan in a challenge game recently.

The U16 girls’ football team, coached by Ms. O’Reilly and Mr. Bohan, lost their match against  Loreto Navan on Tuesday 7th November.

The U 16 girls’ basketball team won their game against Scoil Mhuire Longford recently and hard Luck to the U 19 girls’ who were beaten by the same opposition. Thanks to their coach Ms. Carr.

Well done to Seadhna Ryan on winning Silver in the Connaught schools u16 swimming championships held in Claremorris. Seadhna will now compete for the Connaught Inter Provincial team in the spring of 2018.

Transition Year:

Alan Devine has completed his workshop with three TY groups, and our public speaking soroptimist team of Emily Farrell (6th year) and Rachel Lyons (5th year). The workshop gave tips on gaining confidence in public speaking.

Thanks to Helen Emerson who presented a Cognitive Behaviour course on Mental Health to two of our TY groups.

Margret Larkin returned to complete the module “Health for life” with all transition year groups last week

Thanks to Mark Mealia, Patrick Smyth, Patrick Conlon, Richard Sweetnam, John KilBane, Ella McMonagle, Niall McGarry, Ryan Shannon, Richard Prior, Katie Gouldsbury, Danny Hewitt , Liadhan Farrell, Gordon Farrell and Urte Vityte for visiting the Daycare Centre recently .

Thought for the week:

“Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you’ll be able to see further.” Thomas Carlyle 

Senior Debating Win

Congratulations to our senior debating team who won their Concern debate against Moate CC tonight. Team members L-R, Denny Hebron, Amy Cox Emer Tyrell and Aaron O Connor. Congratulations also to their Mentors Mr. Staunton, Ms. O'Donovan and Ms. O'Reilly.

John Paul II Awards

Congratulations to 22 students who received John Paul II Awards in St Mels Cathedral yesterday.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our past pupil Emma Donohue who has been selected for an Entrance Exhibition Award  in Trinity College as a result of high performance in her Leaving Cert Examinations.

Also congratulations to Dearbhaile Madden and Derek Shaw on receiving UCD Entrance Scholars Awards in recognition for their academic achievement in their Leaving Certitifcate.

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Amy Cox and Katie Gouldsbury

News:

The winners of the first year maths table quiz were Hannah Daly, Cian Molloy, Daniel Egan, Ryan Casey. Thank you to all the teachers and TY students who helped organised the quiz.

Six representatives from the student council, Feidhlim Maher, Ali O Connor, Zoe Guinane, Saoirse Mc Loughlin, Daniel Egan and Joseph Carrigy attended the Comhairle na nÓg in the Longford Arms Hotel on Thursday 18th October. A very enjoyable day was had by all. Past pupil Shiona Cahill was a guest speaker on the day. Well done to Feidhlim Maher, Daniel Egan and James Carroll who were elected onto the Longford County Comhairle committee.

The TY groups have swapped over timetables and will now experience a range of new subjects.

Thanks to all the parents who attended the parent-teacher meeting on Thursday 26th. Our next parent teacher meeting is on Thursday the 9th of November for parents of third year students and Thursday the 16th of November for parents of 6th year students

Alan Devine presented a workshop on communication and public speaking to T.Y.1 students. Everyone had a great day and learnt some valuable new skills. He will be back in November to work the other T.Y. students.

On Tuesday 24th all Ty students went to Tuard Ard Moate for a one man comedy show, “Psycho Spaghetti” performed by Ger Carey. This show looks at the working inside the mind of a teenager. Thanks to Ms. Flannery, Ms. Quinn and Ms. Bohan for accompanying them.

Thanks to Dearbhaile Rooney, Claire Beirne, Blathnaid McDonagh, Chloe Molloy, Cora Norton, Paddy Conlon, Ali O’Connor, Rebecca Gill and Zoe Guinane who visited the Day-care centre last week.

TY students, Ciara Mulligan, Jill Dennehy, Niamh Dempsey, Ellen Shannon and Laoise Nerney are putting together an anti-drink/drugs ad for a competition which is being run by the Longford Garda. Sean Mulleady, Mark Mealia, Patrick Conlon and Ciaran McDonnell are busy preparing an art piece for the school art exhibition “Imaginations run wild”, which will be held in the school on Thursday 23rd of November at 7pm.

Well done to Joseph Kenny, Maciej Gorski and Matthew Jordan who took part in a Health and Safety Quiz run by the NISO in A.I.T. recently. Thanks to Ms. Bohan for accompanying the team.

TY students who took part in NISO quiz in Athlone

Sports

Congratulations to the U16 and U19 boys basketball teams who both won their matches against Coláiste na Hinse on the 24th of October. The U16s won on a score line of 48-17 points. The U19s had to work much harder.  The game twoed and froed throughout and with 30 seconds to go our lads were down by 2 points. Some exceptional team play led to captain Neil Kilbane's shining moment, equalising with only three seconds left sending the game into extra-time. It was in extra-time that the Ballymahon men showed their true class outplaying the opposition in every facet of the game.  After the additional time, Ballymahon finished the victors of this exceptional game 62:55.Well done to their coaches Mr Dempsey and Mr. Walsh.

Thanks to Damien Sherdian and the Games Development committee in Longford who organised the first year boys’ football blitz in Pearse Park last week. We entered 4 teams and won most games. Thanks to the coaches Mr. Kenny and Mr. Larkin

Congratulations to our Concern debating team of Arron O’Connor, Denny Hebron, Emer Tyrell and Amy Cox who won their debate against Borrisokane Community College in Tipperary on Monday 23rd.  Thanks to their mentors Ms O’Reilly, Ms O’Donovan and Mr Staunton.

Thanks to all who supported our annual School Walk on Tuesday 24th of Oct which helped to raise money for the school. To date over 2600 euros has been collected.

Thought for the week:

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will. (Vincent Lombardi).

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Tami Dania and Sarah Cox
News:
Maths Week took place in our school from the 14 th to the 22 nd of October. The prism maths
competition took place. All students were invited to respond to a poster competition on the
corridor and drop their answers into a box at the office. Many other maths activities were
done by first years including a maths table quiz on Friday.
Well done to the third and sixth years who completed their mocktober exams last week. The
first parent teacher meeting will be held on Thursday 26 th of November from 4.15 to 6.45
pm for parents of transition year students.
Thanks to Katie Gallagher, Paul Prior and Painted Skies who performed in our School on
Friday 13 October at 8pm. A great night was had by all.
Representatives of the Green Schools Committee visited all classrooms last week to remind
students to use the appropriate bins.
Sport:
Hard luck to the senior boys gaelic football team, trained by Mr. McCormack and Mr.
O’Gara, who lost their match against Rochfortbridge and to the U14 boys football team,
trained by Mr. Larkin and Mr. Kenny, lost their football match against the Ballymahon
Vocational School last week.
We wish our Soroptimist team of Rachael Lyons and Emily Farrell the best of luck as they
prepare for their first competition in November. Thanks to their mentor Ms. Gaffney
The annual School Walk will take place during the week beginning the 23 rd of October. We
ask that all families make a contribution. All monies raised will go towards the P.E. and
Music departments.
Transition Year
Thanks to Lucy-Ann Myhill, Alison Dennehy, Clodagh Dillon and Ellen Shannon who visited
the Daycare Centre Seadhna Ryan, Dearibhaile Rooney and Claire Beirne last week. Thanks
to Ms. O’ Neill, Ms. O’ Reilly and Mr. Larkin who accompanied all TY students to a Career
information day in Roscommon and Athlone I.T. last Wednesday
Mental Health week
Mental Health Week was held last week and a competition was held for best dressed and
craziest socks and shoes. The winners are as follows:
Best dressed: Gavin Rynn, Craziest socks and shoes, Arron O’ Connor and runner up was
Alicja Krol.

Thought for the week:
Always remember that the future comes one day at a time.

Art Exhibition

5th year art students are organising an art exhibition for November 23rd. All students are asked to submit work for November 16th.

Health and Safety Competition Midland Final

Well done to Joseph Kenny, Matthew Jordan and Maciek Gorski who took part in Table quiz for Health and Safety in the Workplace run by NISO in AIT on 19/10/17.

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Julieann Moran and Niamh Hanley

News:

The school celebrated the opening of the new school year mass for first and sixth year students on Tuesday followed by mass for all the other students on Wednesday in St. Matthews church, Ballymahon. Thanks to Fr. Liam who celebrated the masses and to Ms. Malone in the Music department for supplying such uplifting music and to the Religion department for all their hard work in preparing all for the masses.

Thanks to Kay Mitchell who spoke to our 6th years about post leaving certificate courses available at Maynooth University last Thursday.

The transition year students enjoyed their first work experience of the year last week. Thanks to all the employers who provided our students with this valuable opportunity.

The annual School Walk will take place during the week beginning the 23rd of October. Sponsorship cards will be distributed to all families and we ask that the cards be returned before that week. Funds raised this year will go towards extra funding for the P.E. and Music departments in our school. Congratulations to Karl Mc Inerney first year who won the competition to design the poster to be used in the sponsorship card.

Karl Mc Inerney's picture which won Poster Competition

Mrs. Bohan’s second year business class enjoyed a visit to Kepak last week to support the topic Enterprise which they are studying at the moment.  Thanks to Brendan O Sullivan who spoke to the class and answered their questions.

Mental Health/Mind Fest Week.

In preparation for Mental Health Awareness week which will be taking place from October 9th our Mental  Health Awareness Ambassador team of Cormac Dixon, Jenny Kelly, Cora Norton, Dylan Coady, Caitlin Farrell, Meghan Finnan, Zoe Guinane, Sophie Hogan, Bryn Peters, Evan Chalmers, Ali O’Connor, Seadhna Ryan, Gerard Brennan, Erin McCormack and Ryan Shannon are busy organising many events. These events include Mood tests, playing favourite music during lunch and break times. Crazy Shoe & Sock Day will happen on Tuesday, and €2 will be collected from each student as a fundraiser for pieta house. All students will enjoy a “Zumba” class in the gym. A Mental Health Awareness Talk will be delivered by the TY Wellness Ambassadors to all classes. 5 Minutes Mindfulness and a Table Quiz for 1st to 3rd years  will take place on Friday.

Sport:

Our senior boys’ football team were victorious over Moyne Community School. Thanks to Mr. Mc Cormack and Mr. O’Gara for coaching the team.

Hard luck to our U16 and U19 Girls’ basketball teams who narrowly lost their games against Castleblaney last Thursday. Thanks to their coach Ms. Carr.

Well done to Emer Tyrell, Denny Hebron, Amy Cox and Aaron O Connor who were selected to represent our school in the forthcoming debating competition. The subs include Edel Clabby, Olivia Hoysted, Jenny Skelly and Shane Prior. Preparation for the Public speaking competition “the knights of St. Columbanus” is under way also. Thanks to Ms. O’ Reilly, Ms. O’ Donovan and Mr. Staunton who mentor the teams.

Fundraiser:

An Evening with Katie Gallagher, Paul Prior and Painted Skies will take place in the School Study hall on Friday 13 October at 8pm. Tickets available from school office €10. Buy in advance to avoid disappointment.

Thought for the week:

Falling down is an accident, staying down is a choice.

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

by Tami Dania and Sarah Cox

News:

Thanks to all the first year parents who attended the information night last Thursday.  Ms. O Reilly and three first year students, Aaron Kenny, Shane Burke and Abbey Doherty gave a lesson on the use of I pads in the class room. Thanks to our guidance team Mr. Larkin and Ms. O Neill who spoke about study skills, homework management and changes in adolescence. Ms. Donohue and Mr. Kenny also spoke at the meeting.

All student council members attended a Leadership Workshop given by Sean Kelly from “the Super Generation - group Leadership Programme”.

5th & TY students attended the Engage Art Exhibition in Longford on Wednesday 27th September with Ms. Bruton. They got a tour of the gallery and information on the various artists who completed the various displays.

Sport:

Congratulations to our U 16 and u 19 boys’ basketball and their coaches Mr. Walsh and Mr. Dempsey who beat Gormanstown last week.

Three first year teams attended a 7 a side football blitz in Clonguish last week. Thanks to the CountyBoard for organising the blitz and to  Mr. Kenny, Mr. Larkin and 6 TY students; Gordan Farrell, Seadhna Ryan, Dylan Coady, Jack Murtagh, Sean Kenny and Evan Chalmers who coached our three teams.

1st year boys Gaelic footballers

Transition Year:

Margaret Larkin has been presenting her Health for Life workshop to all the Transition year students.

On Wednesday Saide Wheatly, our mini company mentor met with all our ty students to discuss and advise them about setting up mini companies.

Thanks to Muirinn Claffey, Lucy-Ann Myhill and Bláthnaid McDonagh who helped out at the Daycare Centre last week.

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)

School Walk Poster Competition

Congratulations to the talented Karl Mc Inerney 1st year art student who won the Mercy School Walk Poster Competition. Thanks to all the 1st year students who entered the art competition it is great to see such talent in our school.

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Cian Belton and Niamh Hanley

News:
A group of TY girls and Ms. Quinn would like to thank all the staff, students and parents who baked cakes and bought at their bake sale for Longford Hospice on Friday the 28th of April. It was a great success and raised €503. After fundraising for this very worthwhile local charity, the TY girls, Ms. Quinn and Ms. Mc Tiernan are all looking forward to the second half of their challenge, to complete 10km at the Women's Mini Marathon in Dublin on the June Bank Holiday weekend.

Graduations:

Well done to the Transition year students who graduated last Tuesday night after a very busy year. Thanks to their year head Ms. Bohan for all her leadership during the year. Wednesday last the Leaving cert students had their last day at Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon, They enjoyed an afternoon of sport and chat after their barbeque. This was followed by the graduation mass on Thursday night. Thanks and to the Religion Department for their work in preparing the mass, to Fr. Liam Murray for leading the mass and to Ms. Malone for all her hard work with the choir.  We wish them luck in their study and in their life’s ahead.

Awards

We held our annual awards ceremony last Tuesday and we congratulate all the students who received awards for their work over the year. Some of the awards were: Leaving Cert Student Of The Year; Kate Beirne, Ceist award Winner Emma Donohoe, Mercy AwardWinner Eddie Mc Loughlin, Leadership award Winner Rachael Lyons. In the sports category we congratulate Rachel Dillon Senior, Aisling McCormack u 16 and Clodagh Lohan under 14 sports girls of the year. We congratulate Shane Mahon Senior, Ros Claffey under 16 and Seadhna Ryan under 14 boys sports person of the year.

In the Creative category Hannah Jackson and Anna Peters shared the senior art award whileBlathnaid Mc Donagh won the junior art award. In Technology Derek Shaw got the senior award and Jack Murtagh got the junior award. In Music:  Conor O'Brien was awarded the senior and Favour Ogunsakin was awarded the junior music award.  For D.C.G. it was Derek Shaw who won the senior and, Amy Cox won the junior. In Home EconomicsAndrea Higgins won the senior and Amy Maxwell won the junior awards. Réalt na Gaeilgewas won by Oisín O’Reilly at senior level and Cathal Keenan at junior level. The Physics awards were won by Robert Murphy and Derek Shaw

Mercy Award 2017

Ms. Donohue (Principal), Eddie McLoughlin, Mr. Walsh (Deputy Principal)

Leadership Award 2017

Ms. Donohue (Principal), Rachael Lyons, Mr. Walsh (Deputy Principal)

Student of the Year Award 2017

Ms. Donohue (Principal),  Kate Beirne, Mr. Walsh (Deputy Principal)

Nominees for Student of the Year Award 2017

Front row: Ruth Kavanagh, Kate Beirne (Winner), Conor O Brien, Kevin Manning. Back Row Ms. Honeyman (Year Head), Edward Mc Loughlin,  Niall Keane, Ms. Donohue (Principal

Mr Walsh with Parents Council Representatives

Breada Greaves, Mr Walsh (Deputy-Principal), Jo Gallagher

Attendance Awards

Attendance Awards

Attendance Awards

Attendance Awards

Athletics:

Congratulations to Oisin lane, won the 2K walk and came 3rd in 3K Run, Brendan Finnan came 3rd in Javlin and 2nd in 200 m hurdles and Jayne Walsh got 3rd place in 1200 m walk at the Connaught finals, in Athlone IT recently and qualified for all Irelands on 2nd June in Tullamore,

Well done to Cathal Farrell and Jack Gallagher who competed in the 200m and 800m sprint in the N Connaughts earlier.

Thought for the week:

Not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing will change unless it is faced…… James Baldwin

Pool Table Handover

The traditional pool table handover between 6th and 5th years students took place today.