Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Olivia Hoysted and Amy Cox

Transition year:

A huge congratulation to our All Ireland winners of School Digital Champions, 2017-2018, Katie Gouldsbury, Liadhan Farrell, Tami Dania and Mateusz Bednarek. The Champions produced a video on Autism Awareness and entered it into the RTÉ Schools Digital Video Competition.  Theirs was chosen as the overall winner out of over 280 entries. As part of their prize they get a video production and editing training day at RTÉ headquarters in Dublin in September. They would like to give a huge thanks to Ms. Ryan and the students in  Narnia for all their co-operation and encouragement.

Congrats to our TY girls, Niamh Dempsey, Ellen Shannon, Laoise Nerney, Jill Dennehy and Ciara Mulligan, who came second in the Let’s Talk About Drugs National Media awards competition for their video on drug and alcohol awareness. They will attend an awards ceremony on the 16th May in Dublin. Well done to the girls and their mentor Mick Conlan.

Thanks to Bryn Peters, Ciaran Hanley and Dylan Coady, Ciara Mulligan, Ellen Shannon, Clodagh Dillon and Oisin Brogan who went to the Day-care centre last week. Well done to Olivia Hoysted who helped out at Bridgeway’s last week.

Thanks to Ms. Quinn who organised guest speaker David Cryan to speak  on ways of leading a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and healthy eating to TY students  .  David was one of the leaders in this year’s Operation Transformation

Following on from Alpha, Simon and his team from “Youth for Christ” came to the school and did activities with the TY students on Wednesday 9th May. The students took part in cage soccer, as well as a talk about spirituality.

The 38 students participating in GAISCE Bronze award completed a 20km walk as part of their adventure trip. They walked along the canal from Ballinacarrigy back to Ballymahon. Thanks to Mr. Dempsey and Mr. Munds who accompanied them.

All TY students had a sleepover in the gym on Thursday, the 3rd of May. Each student collected money, and in total they raised €1060 for St Martha’s and Bethany House, the Saint Vincent de Paul shelters in Longford. Thanks to the teachers Mr. Tansey, Ms. McGovern, Mr. Walsh, Ms. Fitzmaurice, Ms. Bohan and Ms. McCarron who supervised the students.

News:

A reminder for Leaving cert students that C.A.O. students can place their details on a priority waiting list for onsite accommodation in U.C.D.

Sport:

Congratulations to the first year boys’ basketball team and their coach Mr. Dempsey who won the All Ireland Final on Friday the 4th of May. They beat Mungret, Limerick in the final in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght. This is the first time for our school to win an All-Ireland at this level.

Well done to the under 14 girls football team who beat Bunclody in the Leinster semi-final on Wednesday the 9th. Thanks to Ms Mc Tiernan and Mr Seery.

Thought for the week:

When you can’t control what‘s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening. That’s where your power is.

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Katie Gouldsbury and Mateusz Bednarek

Tranisition Year:

On Tuesday the 1st of May, two TY groups attended an award ceremony for the RTE All Ireland Drama Festival Schools Playwright Competition. Congratulations to Sarah Cox and Edel Clabby whose scripts were shortlisted. They won two tickets to a show in the Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone. Thanks to Ms. Quinn and Ms. Flannery who went with the groups.

Well done to Zoe Guinane, Olivia Hoysted, Francesca McGreal, Shauna Gilbride and Rebecca Gill who helped out at Bridgeway’s and Lucy Anne Myhill, Niamh Dempsey, Brian Casey, Dylan Coady, Bryn Peters, Gordon Farrell and Ellen Shannon who helped at the day-care during the week.

On Thursday the 3rd of Maythe Ty’s had their annual Sponsored  “lock in” in the school’s gym. All money collected goes to the homeless shelters in Longford, Bethany House and St. Martha's.

Our four school Digital champions, Katie Gouldsbury, Mateusz Bednarek, Tami Dania and Liadhan Farrell enjoyed their tour to google headquarters in Dublin with Mr. Dempsey on Thursday last.

There was a bake sale held on Wednesday 25th April in aid of St. Luke’s Hospital. It was organised by a group of ty girls who plan to take part in the ladies mini marathon in Dublin on Sunday June the 3rd and the seven Ty boys who have volunteered to help at the marathon. Together with the first years contribution to their guest speaker from St Luke’s on Friday morning and other kind donations from the public they have raised a staggering €1,022.00 which is all going towards St. Luke’s cancer hospital. The VHI Women's Mini Marathon main sponsor Today FM have chosen to work with our school this year and are going to make a clip of the different events held in our school as the students prepare to undertake this challenge. This clip will be put up on their social media accounts so that others can donate to the Charity. This clip will also be used at the start line of the run to get the thousands of us geared up for the 10km to be completed. Big thanks to Mr. Walsh, Mr. Carr, Mr. McCormack and Ms. Quinn who helped the TY students with their guest speaker and warm up for the Today FM crew.

Sports

Mercy Ballymahon’s first year girls’ basketball team qualified for the All-Ireland playoffs in the University of Limerick on the 28th and 29th of April having won 6 of their 7 games in the Regional Competition. Parents, players, coaches and supporters made the journey to the sports arena in UL for a Competition which pitted Mercy Ballymahon against Loreto Letterkenny, Regina Mundi College and Clonaslee College.

Congratulations to the 1st year girls’ basketball team who, at the end of a long campaign, can say that they are deservedly one of the top eight teams in the country. Thanks to coaches Mr. Walsh and Ms. Carr for all their work with the team. We would like to thank all players, parents and Ms. Donohue for making it a memorable and successful weekend.

Thanks to the PE teachers Ms. Carr and Mr. McCormack who taught all their students CPR during their PE classes last week.

Well done to the u14 girls football team who beat St. Marys Edenderry in the Leinster Quarter final and now play Bunclody in the final. Thanks to their coaches Ms. McTiernan and Mr. Seery.

Last week was active schools week. Throughout the week students were informed on the importance of healthy eating and an active lifestyle. A simple exercise routine was called over the intercom and lasted for ten minutes each day. All students and staff were encouraged to participate. The 2nd and 5th years had a basketball tournament. The sixth years played the teachers in a volleyball game. There was an Art Competition held among 1st years to design a “Mercy Ballymahon Get Active” Logo and Slogan.

Other News:

Eleven of our teachers took part in staff golf outing on Friday 27th at Newforest Golf club, Tyrellspass. Congratulations to Ms. Donohue, Mr. Dromey and Mr. O Gara who won the tournament. Mr. Walsh got the closest pin and Mr. Bohan got the longest drive.

Our LCVP students completed their exam on Wednesday the 2nd of May.

Thanks to Moate business college who spoke to the leaving cert students last Thursday re post leaving cert courses available at their college in September next.

Our Narnia students enjoyed a tour to Tayto Park last week accompanied by Ms. Ryan, Ms. Costelloe,Helena Brady and Claire Doyle

Thought for the week:

If you want something you never had you have to do something you’ve never done.

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Tami Dania and Sarah Cox

Transition Year:

On Thursday 26th April, TY1 and TY2 visited Boda Borg as a part of their TY Logic class. They were accompanied by their teachers, Mr. Dromey and Ms. Daly.

TY students participated in a Farm Safety course held at the Ballymahon Mart on Wednesday 25th April. Students who attended : Keith O'Halleran, Patrick Smyth, Richard Sweetnam,  Chara Mtisi, Patrick Conlon, Eoghan Bannon,  Ella Mc Monagle,  Richard Prior,  Shane Prior,  Dylan Coady,  Bryn Peters,  Edel Clabby,  Dillon Ryan,  Jack Murtagh,  Ciaran Mc Donnell , Ciaran Hanley, Richard Laffan and Brian Casey. Thanks to Mr. Munds for accompanying the students.

Three TY students, Ali O’Connor, Zoe Guinane and Rebecca Gill, attended the science competition Scifest which took place in The Helix in DCU. The title of their project was ‘An investigation into the way in which digital devices alter our perception of time’. The competition took place on Tuesday the 24th of April. There were 350 students participating in the event and 166 projects.

The girls’ experiment involved participants reading an extract from a book in a physical copy and then from a digital device. In each case the participants had to read for what they estimated to be two minutes. They were timed and the actual time and the perceived time were recorded. The experiment was carried out on over 200 people. A survey was also carried out on over 250 people and it included questions regarding lifestyle in relation to their use of digital devices and reading. The results they got proved that there is a relationship between our perception of time and the use of digital devices in which digital devices lengthen our perception of time.

The girls received great feedback from the judges and were awarded Best Project in Life Sciences for the Intermediate/Senior Category. They received D.C.U hoodies and want to say a huge thanks to their science teacher Ms. Fiona Noone.

Thanks to  Brian Casey, Gordan farrell, Jacob Kajan, James Murphy, Ryan Shannon, Niall McGarry, Liadhan Farrell, Amy Cox, Lucy Ann Myhill Sean Kenny, Laoise Nerney and Olivia Hoysted for visiting the Day Care Centre this week and to Francesca McGreal and Shauna Gilbride who visited the Bridgeways homework club last week.

Sport:

Congratulations to Mr Dempsey and the first year boys’ basketball team who beat Abbey Grammar Newry, Knockbeg College Carlow and St Brendan’s Belmullet at the All Ireland playoffs on Tuesday the 24th of April which were held at Mercy Ballymahon. They are now through to the All-Ireland semi-final against Old Bawn Community School, Tallaght, which will take place in the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght on Friday the 4th of May.

Commiserations to Ms. Carr and the second year girls’ basketball team who lost just one of the three games at the All-Ireland playoffs on Friday the 20th April which also took place in Mercy Ballymahon. The girls beat the Presentation Killarney and Coláiste Einda, Galway before losing to Mercy Waterford who are current All Ireland champions

News:

First year students visited Knock for their annual retreat on Thursday 26th of April. They were accompanied by TY students, Sophie Hogan, Caitlin Farrell, Rebecca Gill and Zoe Guinane and teachers, Ms. O’Reilly, Ms. Fitzmaurice, Mr. Larkin and Mr. Walsh.

The Ag Science students completed their orals on Thursday last. This Oral exam and project is worth 25% of their Leaving Certificate Ag. Science exam.

Our school trustees CEIST have been seeking volunteers to help out at the World meeting of families in August 25th and 26th. To date 40 students from Transition and 5th year have volunteered. They will be helping out during the Pope’s visit to Ireland in Croke Park and the Phoenix Park and will be staying overnight at another CEIST school in the Dublin area. Thanks to Mrs. Bohan for coordinating the students.

Thought for the week:

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use the more you have

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

 Notes by: Olivia Hoysted and Amy Cox

TY

Thanks to Mairead Casey who has completed the Irish dancing and Jive classes for TY students. They all had great fun.

Thanks to a Keith from IT Tallaght who came to talk to the students about Computer Science and Coding last week. The students found it very interesting and informative, and enjoyed it immensely. It was a hands on approach with a holographic virtual reality part to it.

Congratulations to Rebecca Gill, Zoe Guinane, Shauna Gilbride, Olivia Hoysted and Francesca McGreal who were selected to go and help out at Bridgeways Resource Centre. 

TY students Patrick Conlon, Evan Chalmers and Seadhna Ryan ran a basketball tournament last week, in the gym. They raised €60 for the Day Care centre. Thanks Mr. McCormack and Ms. Carr for facilitating this event

Thanks to Ciarán Hanley, Gordan Farrell, Brian Casey, Clodagh Dillon, Lucy Anne Myhill, Oisin Brogan, Laoise Nerney, Jill Dennehy, Múirín Claffey, Shauna Gilbride, Francesca McGreal, Ciara Mulligan Ellen Shannon, Niamh Dempsey and Cormac Dixon who attended the Day Care centre last week.

Good luck to Shauna Gilbride and Francesca McGreal who are working on a Ty Year book, which will contain memories and achievements of the class and will be on sale at the end of the school year.

The School Digital Champions team of Liadhan Farrell, Tami Dania, Katie Goldsbury, Mateusz Bednarek, have been busy submitting the work they have done behind the scenes in producing a video to RTE. They have submitted the actual video for Autism Awareness to School Digital Champions headquarters. This video may be viewed on You tube. As part of the project the team will get a site tour of Google headquarters on May 3rd.

Mercy Secondary School Ballymahon School Digital Champions are proud to present to you our autism awareness video. We made this in the hopes of maybe changing our society's opinion and educating you, in simple terms, about autism. Enjoy!

Sports

The U 14 girl’ football took part in a blitz last Thursday organised by the Leinster Council. They have also qualified for the U14 Leinster 1/4 finals next Friday.  Thanks to their coaches, Mr. Seery and Ms. McTiernan

Commiserations to first year boys’ football who were defeated by Cnoc Mhuire, Granard last week. However they have qualified for the Leinster quarter final after beating St. Marys Edenderry and Moyne Community School recently. Thanks to their coaches, Mr. Larkin and Mr. Kenny.

Other

Well done to the Leaving Certs who took part in their Leaving Cert Irish orals last week. Also well done to the Junior Cert students who completed the Home Economics practicals last week.

A reminder to 6th year students, that applications for the Naughton Scholarships are still open. 5th year students are encouraged to sign up for at least one of the summer courses at N.U.I.G, NUI Maynooth, U.C.D., or Athlone I.T.

Thought for the week:

You may not be able to control every situation and its outcome, but you can control your attitude and how you deal with it

Digital Champions

Good luck to our TY students in RTE competition Digital Champions which aims to encourage young people to use digital technology. Please watch the video about Autism Awareness below. Students made this in the hopes of educating and maybe changing our society's opinion on autism. Enjoy!

Shorter Version:

Longer Version:

FanTAXtic competition

Good luck to TY students Ali O'Connor, Shane Prior and James Murphy who take part in “FanTAXtic” competition run by Irish Tax Institute.  For the project students had to answer four questions about the sugar tax while being recorded on a 2 minute video.

The winning team members will receive individual pairs of Beats headphones and a €500 cash prize for the team. The school of the winning team will receive a €500 cash prize. Winners announced Tuesday 1 May 2018.

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Tami Dania and Sarah Cox

It was with great sadness that we heard of the death of our beloved retired teacher and colleague, Mrs Carmel Casey during the Easter holidays. She is remembered as an excellent teacher of Irish and History who had a great love for her subjects. She was extremely hardworking and always had high expectations for her students. Her caring nature was very evident through her work at Mercy Ballymahon. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Jimmy and family at this very sad time.

News:

Thanks to Michael John Harney a past pupil who spoke to 6th year students about the various pathways to where you want to go and what you want to do with your life after the Leaving Cert.

5th year Interviews for the role of helpers on the Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage were held before Easter and congratulations to the two successful candidates Ciara Healy and Kevin Lynch. A huge thank you to Sr. Úna and Sr. Angela who interviewed all the candidates.

Thanks to all who supported the annual Easter raffle. €3,400 was raised. The raffle was held on Friday 23rd of March. The winners were as follows; 1st prize, B & B in the Wineport and Dinner for two was won by Chloe Freeman. The 2nd prize, €100 voucher won by Emer Gavigan. The 3rd prize, an Easter hamper was won by Paulina Zajac. The 4th prize, an Easter hamper went to Claire Beirne. The 5th prize, an Easter hamper was won by Mr Walsh. The seller’s prize was won by Dúileach Ryan and Michael O Leary.

Well done to all the students who did their Music and Home Economics practicals, French and Spanish orals last week. Irish orals are on this week.

Sport:

The U14 girls’ football team, coached by Mr. Seery and Ms. McTiernan, won the last match of their group stage against the Sacred Heart Secondary School, Tullamore. They are now through to the knockout stages of the competition.

Commiserations to the senior boys’ football team, coached by Mr. O’Gara and Mr. McCormack, for their loss against Cnoc Mhuire, Granard in the Longford League final held in Pearse Park on Thursday 22nd of March.

Congratulations to the 1st year boys’ basketball team, coached by Mr. Dempsey who won the Regional final against Colaiste Óireall on Thursday 22nd March.

Transition Year:

Thanks to the School of Excellence Safe Driving team , all TY students have now completed a Safe Driving course.

Thanks to Ciara Mulligan, Ellen Shannon, Ciaran Hanley, Brían Casey, Gordan Farrell, Jakub Kajan, Niamh Dempsey, Clodagh Dillon, Bryn Peters, Dylan Coady and Ciarán Hanley and Lucy Anne Myhill for helping at the Day Care Centre last week. Well done to Rebecca Gill, Zoe Guinane, Francesca Mc Greal and Shauna Gilbride who helped the Bridgeways Girls Youth Club last week.

Anti bullying ambassadors, Olivia Hoysted, Patrick Conlon, Evan Chalmers, Ali O’Connor and Sophie Hogan, attended an Anti-bullying talk in Coláiste Baile an Chláin, Galway  on Wednesday 21st of March.

Thanks to Geraldine from Samaritans who spoke about the work of the Samaritans to all TY classes last week

Transition year students – Rebecca Gill, Ali O’Connor and Zoe Guinane under the guidance of Ms. Noone are participating in the Scifest competition in DCU on the 24th April with their project entitled “An investigation into the way digital devices alter our perception of time”. The project involves reading a piece of text for 2 minutes on a digital device and then again on a hard copy. The participants must estimate when they think the 2 minutes are up while their actual times are being recorded. The results are then analysed to see whether using a digital device changes perception of time. Also they have produced a survey regarding people’s use of phones and watches. They are analysing if people who wear watches have a better perception of time elapsed.

James Murphy, Shane Prior and Ali O Connor are working on Sugar Tax Competition organised by the Irish Tax Institute and which is open to transition year students. They have to upload a two minute video presentation by Monday 18th of April. Thanks to Mr. Staunton for his guidance.

Thought for the week:

Remember the 3 time rule

1.     Look over work before class

2.     Listen in Class

3.     Look over after class

 Information heard 3 times can be remembered up to 9 weeks later.  For information heard once, 50% can be lost within 24 hours. Following the 3 time rule is what is expected of students in College.  Start today, make a difference. 

Kate Coffey Talk -2nd Yr CSPE

2nd Year CSPE Students held an interactive talk on Thursday April 12th on development in Sri Lanka with Kate Coffey, receipient of The International Volunteer of the Year Award for 2017.

Kate is originally from Cork but now lives in Vancouver in Canada and was presented with the award on Capitol Hill in Washington DC last December.

Kate spoke to the students via Skype live from Vancouver at 4.40am local time and a little over 7000kms from Ballymahon.

She outlined her experiences in Sri Lanka - from helping small business owners to sustain and grow their business with the support of the VEGA / Biz program (Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance) to highlighting the perils of rural existence in Sri Lanka. Kate shared with 2nd year CSPE students some case studies on the individuals and busineses that she has met and helped.

The lesson was a nice example of how technology is bringing the outside world directly into the classroom and enabling speakers who are remotely based to share their own experiences with our students. Mr Burke and the 2nd Year CSPE class were delighted with the talk and are continuing to research this topic by visiting Kate's personal blog -"From Bowen to Bangladesh". 

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Katie Gouldsbury and Amy Cox

Ty:

All TY students learned how to play “Bridge”, with Margaret Larkin last week culminating with a Competition on Friday.

Thanks to Ryan Shannon, Niall McGarry, James Murphy, Lucy Ann Myhill, Ellen Shannon, and Dylan Coady who visited the Day Care centre this week.

On Wednesday the 21st, all TY groups went to the Longford Arms Hotel for a Mental Health photography exhibition where one of our students Meghan Finnan was placed first.

Sport:

A big congratulations to the 2nd year girls’ basketball team who won their regional final against Colaiste Oireall in Kingscourt, Co Cavan on Tuesday last. They also beat  Scoil Mhuire Longford in their semi-final. Thanks to Ms. Carr for all her hard work in coaching the team.

Congratulations to the 1st year girls’ basketball team who beat Dunsaughlin in their regional semi-final last week. Thanks to their coach Mr. Walsh.

Commiserations to our second year boys’ basketball team and their coach Ms. Flannery, who were beaten by Bush CC in the regional semi-final last week.

First year boys’ basketball team beat De La Salle recently in the regional semi final and won the regional final against Colaiste Oireall on Thursday the 22nd in Dundalk. Thanks to their coaches Mr. Dempsey and Mr. Walsh

Well done to the 1st year boys’ football team who beat Edenderry in the Leinster league last week. Thanks to their coaches Mr. Kenny and Mr. Larkin.

Other:

All 5th year LCVP students were on work experience as part of their coursework from Wednesday 21st to Friday 23rd March. Thanks to all their employers who gave them this opportunity to complete this module of their course.

Well done to19 students from first to transition year who have been trained as Anti Bullying Ambassadors for our school. Their training took place in Galway on Wednesday 21st March and they all received the Diana Award. Thanks to Ms. O Neill for mentoring the students.

Ms. Donohue, Mr. Larkin and Mr. McCormack attended the launch of the new LC P.E. program as a leaving cert subject in Portlaoise last week.  64 schools in the country have been selected to introduce the pilot program to 5th year students from September 2018. We are thrilled to be one of the selected schools.

6th year students who are interested in studying in the STEM subject area at 3rd level are reminded that applications for the Naughton Scholarship are now open.

Thought for the week:

There are considerable benefits to having an attitude of gratitude. When we make a conscious effort to focus on the things/people for whom we are grateful in our lives, we lift our own mood, and thereby the mood of those around us.

We wish all our readers a Happy Easter and our third and sixth year student’s good luck as they prepare for their oral and practical exams which will take place during the first two weeks on our return after the holidays.

Easter Raffle Results

Congratulations to winners of our Easter Raffle! 1st Prize Chloe Freeman (Seller Sophie Freeman), 2nd prize Eimear Gavigan (Seller Niamh Gavigan), 3rd prize Paulina Zajaczkowska (Seller Alan Hajdrich), 4th prize Claire Beirne (Seller Claire Beirne), 5th prize Sean Walsh.

Sellers' prizes went to Dúileach Ryan and Michael O'Leary.

Thanks to our Sponsors: Tom Rowan, Teresa Ryan, Get Fresh Catering, 9 Arches Restaurant and Antoinette Beirne.

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Claire Beirne, Dearbhaile Rooney and Evan Chalmers

TY:

All TY students participated in a Safe Driving course last week. The course consisted of a practical session in which they learnt various things ranging from how to change a tyre to the effects of being under the influence of alcohol when driving and did some driving. They also sat a mock theory test. Thanks to “Irish Driving School of excellence” for their work.

On Wednesday 14th March TY 1 and TY4 had a retreat in St. Mels College. This was in conjunction with their Alpha course. Thanks to Ms. Bohan and Mr. Staunton for accompanying the students.

21 TY students involved in Young Social Innovators attended a speak-out in Ballinasloe on Wednesday March 14th. They spoke about their project on self esteem “Photo, Photo on my screen putting down my self esteem” before a panel of judges. Thanks to their mentor Ms. McGovern. They await to hear their results.

Thanks to Mairead Casey who continues teaching  sean nós dancing with all the TY’s.

Ciaran Hanley, Dylan Coady and  Shane Prior went to the Daycare Centre to help with serving dinners and to chat with the senior citizens.

Sport:

Congratulations to the first year girls’ basketball team and their coach Ms. Carr who beat Dunsaughlin in the regional Basketball semi-final last week. Well done to the 1st year Boys basketball team and their coach who beat play Dé Là Salle in their regional semi-final last Wednesday.

Congratulations to the U14 girls Gaelic football who beat Loreto Mullingar in the first round of the leinster league last week, and they also won their blitz in Newtownfor.bes  last Wednesday . Thanks to their coaches Mr. Seery and Ms. McTiernan

Well done to the 1st year boys’ football team and their coaches Mr. Larkin and Mr. Kenny who beat Moyne last week in the Longford league.

Congrats to our 3 U14 girls’ football teams who took part in the Longford blitz last week. Well done to our two teams who played each other in the final

Seachtain ng Gaeilge:

Bhíomar ag ceiliúradh seachtaine na Gaeilge an tseachtain seo chaite. Seo a leanas cuid de na himeachtaí a bhí ar siúl. Bhí Tráth na gceist ar siùl ar an Luain ag fiche chun a haon do na scolàirí ar fad. Bhí pop up Gaeltacht ar an Mháirt. Bhí Lá Glas ar an gCéadaoin. B'é buaicphoinnte an lae sin ná agallamh leis an leas phríomhoide. Bhí comortás an lae ar  chlár digiteach na ndaltaī. Bhí seisiún ceoil ag am lóin. Ag deireadh an lae fogríodh buaiteoir an chomórtais postaeir. Is ár dteanga í. Bímis brodúil aisti.

Thought for the week:

A Dhia,

           Deonaigh dom an suaimhneas, Glacadh leis na rudaí nach féidir liom athrú, Misneach na rudaí a athrú is féidir liom, Agus an gaois an difríocht a aithint.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

Mental Health Ireland’s Art & Photography Competition 2018

Congratulations to Meghan Finnan TY Student on being shortlisted for the Mental Health Ireland’s Art & Photography Competition.

The National and Provincial winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on: Thursday 15th March from 5pm – 7.30pm in the Atrium in Dublin City Council Office, Wood Quay, Dublin 8. Good Luck Meghan!

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Tami Dania & Sarah Cox

News:

Over 40 students from Mercy Secondary School Ballymahon were randomly selected to take part in the OECD’S PISA 2018 survey which assesses the skills and knowledge of 15 year old students in reading, literacy, mathematics and science. Approximately 6500 students from 150 schools across Ireland took part in the PISA survey. It’s a computer based test and took place in our school on Tuesday 6th March. The parents of the selected students, school principal and English teachers were also asked to complete a questionnaire. Thanks to Mr. Larkin for coordinating the tests and to all who cooperated and completed the tests.

Longford College of further Education spoke to sixth year students about post leaving cert courses available at their college on Thursday 8th of March.

TY:

Well done to our Junk Kouture group, comprising of Bláthnaid Mc Donagh, Dearbhaile Rooney and Claire Beirne, who competed at the Western Regional Finals in Helix in Dublin on Wednesday 7th March.  15 out of 82 competitors got through to the next round. We are very proud of our competitors but unfortunately they did not get through. However they are still in with a chance of been selected as a wild card. Thanks to their mentor Ms. Bruton.

Thanks to Brian Casey, Ciara Mulligan, Ellen Shannon, Bryn Peters, Niamh Dempsey and Gordan Farrell for visiting the Day-care centre this week.

TY’s entered the final Module on Monday 12th of March. The four classes rotate Module every 8 weeks. Each Module includes different courses.

Irish dancing classes are continuing to take place every week with Mairead Casey.

On Wednesday 7th March, the 24 hour sign up sign off challenge in aid of Trócaire took place from 12:00 midnight on Tuesday to 12:00 midnight on Wednesday. Students signed out of all their social media platforms for 24 hours to raise money for Trócaire. The event was promoted by the students from TY3. There was also a bake sale held. €327 was raised in aid of Trócaire.

On Thursday 8th March, all TY students went to Belfast for a history trip organised by Ms. Casey and Mr. Tansey. They visited the Titanic Museum, Shankhill and Falls Road. They had a great time.

On Friday 9th of March, Paul from Getwest met all TY students to discuss their outdoor pursuits trip in May.

The following students Edel Clabby, Jenny Kelly, Abbie O’Shea, Danny Hewitt, Mateusz Bednarek, Chloe Molloy have been busy preparing their Y.S.I. project on self-esteem “Photo, photo on my screen putting down my self-esteem”. Thanks to Ms. McGovern for her work in mentoring the students.

Congratulations to TY photographers Abbie O Shea and Meghan Finnan who have been shortlisted to appear in the National Exhibition after been shortlisted in the Mental Health Ireland’s Art & Photography Competition. Their work will appear in the Art & Photography Exhibition which will run from the 12th – 15th March in Dublin City Council Offices on Wood Quay. The National and Provincial winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 15th March from 5pm – 7.30pm in the Atrium in Dublin City Council Office, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.

Basketball:

The 2nd year boys’ basketball team, coached by Ms. Flannery, beat Drogheda Grammar School on Wednesday the 7th of March. Well done to the 1st year boys’ basketball team, coached by Mr. Dempsey, who beat Scoil Uí Mhuire, Louth on the same day.

Well done to the 2nd year girls’ basketball team, coached by Ms. Carr and the 1st year girls’ basketball team, coached by Mr. Walsh, who beat Castleblaney away last week.

Thought for the week:

What I have cannot be measured, nor can it be timed. You cannot put a number on it. Willpower and heart are what take me to the next level. (Chase Reynolds).

St. Vincent de Paul

The annual sleepover in the school gym raised money for Bethany House and St. Martha’s homeless shelter Longford run by St. Vincent De Paul. Thanks to Mr. Broderick, Mr. Kenny, Mr. Burke, Ms. Matthews, Ms. Nevin and Ms. Bohan for supervising.  

Pictured are Val Delaney from St. Vincent de Paul with Narnia representants. 

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Katie Gouldsbury and Amy Cox

TY:

All TY students have now completed their training in First Aid with Martin Mulvey. Thanks to Martin for sharing his knowledge with the students. On Wednesday February 21st, TY groups 1, 2 and 4 attended the AXA Safe Driving presentation in the Backstage Theatre in Longford. Thanks to Mrs Bohan and Mr. Walsh for accompanying the students. It was a thought provoking event highlighting the responsibilities of all the car drivers and the tragic  consequences of unsafe road use.

Thanks to Dylan Coady, Brian Casey, Bryn Peters, Jack Murtagh, Ciaran Hanley Richard Sweetnam, Matthew Jordan, Keith O’Halleran and Richard Laffan who helped out at the Day-care Centre this week.

All the TY’s are enjoying an Irish dancing workshops with Mairead Casey over the coming weeks.

The TY students involved in the Lighthouse programme are continuing to help prepare the confirmation classes in St. Matthews Primary School. They accompanied the students to St. Mel’s Cathedral and Diocesan Centre on the 22nd February for a day of spiritual preparation for their confirmation. They all had a great time.  

Sport:

Hard luck to the U 19 boys’ basketball team and their coach Mr. Dempsey who lost by a point after extra time in their All Ireland semi-final in Tallaght on Friday 9th February. Thanks to all the supporters.

Commiserations to the Senior girls’ football team who lost by a goal to Trim on Friday 16th  February in St. Lomans GAA Mullingar with a final score of 4-9 to 5-3. It was a close match with Trim scoring the final goal in injury time. The 2nd year boys’ basketball team lost to Nobber in Kingscourt last week. They have 2 wins out of three games and they await confirmation of whether they qualify out of their group stages or not.  Thanks to their coaches Ms. Flannery and Mr. Dempsey

Hard luck to the Concern Debate Team of Emer Tyrell, Arron O’Connor, Denny Hebron and Amy Cox who lost their debate against Davitt Community College in Castlebar on Thursday February 9th. Thanks to their mentors Ms. O’Reilly and Mr. Staunton.

Other:

Congratulations to past pupil Stephen Mulledy who was a recipient of the AIT inaugural “Scholarship of Excellence” programme 2017/18.  This scholarship was established to celebrate the achievements of students receiving over 500 points in their Leaving Certificate examination. The school was represented at the event by Stephen’s former Year head Ms. Honeyman.

Congratulations to our Junk Kouture western Regional finalists! - Claire Beirne, Dearbhail Rooney and Blathnaid McDonagh, 3 TY students who are representing Mercy Secondary School Ballymahon in the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture 2018 Regional Finals, which will be held on March 7th in The Helix Dublin. Thanks to their mentor Ms. Bruton. Make sure to vote through the schools Facebook page or junkkouture.ie. Their piece is titled “Seas The Day”.

Thanks to Mike Shortt and “An Tobar Nua” a Galway retreat team who gave all the 3rd year students their Retreat on Friday the 23rd of February. They all had a very enlightening and enjoyable day.

Thanks to all the parents of our incoming 1st year students who attended an Information evening on February 20th. Presentations were given by principal Ms. Donohue, Guidance Counsellor Ms. O Neill and Wriggle.

Thanks to all of the 1st years’ parents who attended the parent teacher meeting on Thursday  22nd of February.

The LCVP students have been very busy with recorded interviews on Monday 26th February and Tuesday 27th February.  

Congratulations to all the students who did their JC in 2017 and received their official Junior Certificates of completion (the JCPAs) recently. The Department of Education now rewards students for their non-academic activities within the school during their Junior Cycle.

Thought for the week:

Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have.

Seas The Day - How to Vote

The Regional Final Vote, 19th - 23rd February: this vote is for all regional finalists. 

TO VOTE ONLINE:

Step 1: 

• Download

app.junkkouture.com

Voting will only take place on this app.

Step 2: 

• Register

  Registered voters is the only way we can make sure the same person doesn’t vote repeatedly so that we can keep voting fair. You can vote daily. 

Step 3:

• Vote for 'Seas The Day' Mercy Ballymahon

Mercy Ballymahon Notes

Notes by: Katie Devlin and Sarah Murtagh

Sport:

Congratulations to the 2nd year girls Basket Ball team who beat Dunshaughlin Community College and to their coach Ms. Carr last Tuesday. Also congratulations to the first year girls’ basketball and their coach Mr. Walsh who beat the same opposition. Both teams have won their first two group games

Good luck to the u19 boys’ basketball team and their coach Mr. Dempsey who are playing the all-Ireland semi-final this Friday in Tallaght Co. Dublin.

News:

5th year LCVP students visited Abbeyshrule Airport on Thursday as part of their LCVP Enterprise course. They now have to prepare an Action Plan and a Summary Report. Thanks to their teachers Ms. Bohan and Ms. Keegan for organising the trip.

Transition year students have completed their second and last week of work experience now. Thanks to all the employers who afforded our students this valuable part of education.

Safer Internet week has been celebrated in Mercy Secondary School Ballymahon under the theme "Be in Ctrl". Safer Internet Day was on Feb 6th and Ms. O Neill completed a workshop with all year groups on internet safety. Elements of student wellbeing, encompassing our school mission statement, respect, anti-bullying, friendship, resilience, connection and responsibility were covered in the workshop. Three follow up lesson plans will be delivered in their Junior Cycle SPHE and Senior Cycle TY Religion/SPHE classes.

Thanks to Ms. O Reilly , Ms. Ryan, Ms. O Neill, Ms. Donohue, Mr. Kenny and Mr. Larkin together with TY students Ali O Connor, Oisín Brogan, Zoe Guinane, Sophie Hogan, Meghan Finnan and Caitlin Farrell who looked after the incoming 1st year who sat their assessment tests on Saturday Feb 3rd.

Just to remind parents of first year students  that a parent teacher meeting will take place on Thursday the 22nd of February from 4.15pm to 6.45pm. This is the last parent teacher meeting of 2017-2018 school year.

Well done to all the third and sixth year students who have completed their mock exams over the last two weeks.  Thanks to Ms. Keegan and Ms. McManus who coordinated the exams.

Thought for the week:

“Life is not a competition; life is about helping and inspiring others so we can reach our potential” (Kim Chase)

Debating

Congrats to our senior debating team, Emer Tyrrell, Aaron O'Connor, Denny Hebron and Amy Cox who reached the knock out stages of the All Ireland Concern Debating competition. They gave an outstanding performance last night against a great team from Davitt College Castlebar. It was extremely close and the result did not go our way. Thanks to their mentors Ms. O'Reilly and Mr. Staunton for all their guidance and support. Thanks to the great supporters who travelled to the event.

Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture 2018 Regional Finalist

Congratulations to our western regional finalists!! - Claire Beirne, Dearbhail Rooney and Blathnaid McDonagh, Ty students who are representing Mercy Secondary School Ballymahon in theBank of Ireland Junk Kouture 2018 Regional Finalists, which will be held on March 7th in The Helix Dublin.

To vote online:

• Please download the junk Kouture app. & vote
• Vote for Seas The Day Mercy Ballymahon 
• The Regional Final Vote, 19th - 23rd February: this vote is for all regional finalists. 

TICKETS

Please note that Junk Kouture has no control over ticket sales, they are sold independently by the venues. 

Tickets have sold out in previous years within 3 hours of going on sale, so be fast!

Tickets go on sale for this years regional finals from each of the venues at 9:00am on the 19th of February.

Website: http://thehelix.ie/

Contact No: (01) 700 7000

Email: info@thehelix.dcu.ie

JC & LC Mock Exams Timetables