A Note from the Principal

Dear Parent/Guardian,

As we come to the end of this academic year we can look back on a number of highlights. “The Pirates of Penzance”, the “Brigidine Bicentenary” celebrations, Fashion Show, Foreign Tour to Italy and Slovenia, Outdoor Pursuits to Westport and the “Tractor Run” plus all the sporting achievements etc.

I want to thank all the students, parents and teachers who contributed so much to the life of the school and who represented the school so well during the year.

On behalf of all the staff, I wish to express our best wishes to all the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate students who are embarking on their written examinations. We hope that they will be successful and achieve all that they and their teachers have worked so diligently for.

I wish to remind all parents/guardians of the changes to the structure of the school day, which were previously notified on the 26th March 2007.

With effect from 29th August 2007, the structure of the school day will be as follows:

Monday – Thursday
Registration 9.00 a.m. Classes finish at 3.50 p.m.

Friday
Registration 9.00 a.m. Classes finish at 1.15 p.m. (No lunchtime break)

I hope that all our students and staff have an enjoyable and safe Summer holiday.

Mr. Patrick Flynn

School Transport 2007-2008
Parents/Guardians are advised to make application as soon as possible on behalf of their children for school transport for the school academic year 2007-2008. Transport Application forms are available from the school office.

Reopening 2007-2008
August 20th – 23rd School Transfer Programme (Incoming 1st Year pupils)

Wednesday, 29th August 1st Year Pupils Only
Thursday, 30th August Transition Year and 5th Year Pupils Only
Friday, 31st August All Pupils Except Transition Year and 5th Year Pupils

Transition Year News
Transition Year students travelled to Mondello Park on Monday 21st May. They participated in the “Early Start” Programme, which included one and a half-hours classroom session on Rules of the Road and attitude to driving. They also had a driving lesson each, where they got to drive around the racetrack (speed limit 40 M.P.H.) A brake reaction test and braking distance test was also included, as was a visit to the Mondello Museum. The day in Mondello was a very worthwhile experience. It was made possible by the sponsorship of Mr. Marcus McCormack of DNG McCormack Properties and Mr. Tommy Hickson of Supervalu. Mr. Larry Earle provided transport free of charge for the day. We are very grateful to all of them for their generous support.

The Transition Year class has been involved in a Drug Awareness Programme over the past couple of months. It was run by Co. Carlow Drugs Initiative. It culminated in a Drug Awareness Campaign Day on Thursday, 24th May. The students put up posters in the school canteen, gave out a newsletter, ran a workshop for twelve 2nd year students and also held a sports afternoon for all 2nd year students. It was very successful and thanks to Leanne and Angela for their work with the class.

Achievements Night
Achievements night took place on Tuesday 29th May. The night began with a student presentation of prayer, drama, music and dance. The students also had a display of their work set up around the hall. They were then presented with a folder of certificates that they had achieved during the year. Included in this folder were certificates for ‘Song School’, ‘Early Drive’, ‘Drive for Life’, ‘Swimming,’ ‘C.P.R.’, ‘Drug Awareness’, ‘Carlow County Enterprise Board’, ‘Transition Year Participation’.

Highlights of the year included the Carlow County Enterprise Board Mini-Company Competition. Fionnán McNamara and Denis Kelly won 3rd Prize in the Student Enterprise programme for their Tie business ‘M.D.F.’. Conor Redmond and Craig Mulhall also won a prize for marketing. They ran a sweatshirt business. Congratulations to both groups. Another highlight of this year was the day the students spent in Modello Park. They participated in the ‘Early Drive’ programme. Another very valuable course they participated in was C.P.R. run by Alan Moran of ‘Hibernian Healthcare’. Many thanks to Alan for his time and effort in providing this course.

The students were involved in the ‘Robocup’ competition run by the National College of Ireland. Mr. Luke Hade and Mr. Tommy McCall each sponsored the purchase of the Lego Robots. Many thanks to them for their generosity. One of the teams ‘Flatboy Beat’ Emma Jane Hade, Shaun Frayne, Claire Long, Keith Dempsey and Dean Kelly won a prize for ‘The Most Innovative Costume’. Another excellent course run by Vincent P. Martin is the ‘Public Access to Law’. The students have a day course on the workings of the court system and then have to run a court case themselves. Mr. Len Roche and Mr. Charles Bergin sponsored this course, many thanks to both for making this possible.

Other activities enjoyed by the students included their trip to Lugnaquilla, Peer Education Drugs Awareness Workshop, Songschool – where students compose and record their own song, Film Day – where students learn about film making, Ice skating, 3 weeks work experience, GAA coaching and Gaisce.

The ‘Student of the Year’ was shared this year between Helen Hobson and Fionnán McNamara. Congratulations to all TY on a very successful year.

Ms. K. McMahon

TY Mini-Company
Congratulations to Denis Kelly and Fionnán McNamara on winning 3rd Prize in the Carlow County Enterprise Board Competition fun for Transition Year Mini-Companies. Fionnán and Denis sold handmade silk ties and their business was called M.D.F.

Craig Mulhall and Conor Redmond also won a prize for ‘marketing’ their sweatshirt business.
Congratulations to all students involved.

Ms. K. McMahon
TY Gaisce:
On May 17th and 18th Transition Year students took part in a Gaisce Adventure Walk. Gaisce is the President’s award for young people and there are three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Students must participate in 4 different categories: community involvement, physical activity, achieve a personal skill, and an adventure. The adventure consists of a 25-kilometre walk and overnight camping. This year the students did the Barrow Walk in honour of the Barrow celebrations. All walked from Borris to Graiguenamanagh to St. Mullins to Drummond. Upon arrival at Drummond Hall, a home cooked meal was provided, and despite tiredness, soccer games were enjoyed. Next morning bright and early all started on the homeward treck and arrived back at the school about 3.00 p.m. Thank God for the beautiful weather. Despite aching muscles, tired feet and overall tiredness, it was well worth the effort for all the laughs, the peace, and the fun. Medals will be distributed in September. We would like to encourage as many as possible to continue and work for their silver medals next year.

Robocup Competition
Transition Year class travelled to the National College of Ireland, Dublin on 10th May to compete in the National finals of the Robocup Competition. Three teams reached the finals, two dance teams and one rescue team. The dance team “Fatboy Beat” got medals for the most innovative costume. The team included Emma Jane Hade, Shaun Frayne, Claire Long, Keith Dempsey and Deane Kelly. All students enjoyed the day where they met students from other schools around the country.

K McMahon

Leaving Cert. Biology Trip
On our return to school after the Christmas holidays our Leaving Certificate students made final preparations for the Biology Laboratory Day in NUI Maynooth. We revised the experiments (again) so that they would be thoroughly familiar with the work they were to carry out in Maynooth. Our bus left the Church car park at 8.00 a.m. and arrived just after 9.30 a.m. and settled in to our new surroundings of the Biology Teaching Laboratory.

Professor Teresa Redmond addressed the students who came from four different schools. The schedule for the day was explained to our students, safety procedures were outlined and white coats were issued. Over the next few hours our students (in groups of 8) were guided through many of the Mandatory experiments by Ph.D. students from the Biology Department. Topics such as DNA extraction, production and analysis of alcohol, the factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis were discussed and the relevant practicals done. Our students became University students for the day and like the other students enjoyed lunch in the College canteen. A busy afternoon with more experiments followed.

Finally, a very tired group made their way to the bus at 4.30 p.m. Teachers and students enjoyed the apples and mandarin oranges handed out to them on the way home. They were accompanied on the trip by their Biology teachers, Mr. Duke, Ms. Gartland and Ms. McQuinn.

As we prepare now for the Leaving Certificate Examinations reference is often made to the experiments carried out on that day in early January.

Ms. M. McQuinn

French/German Scholarships 2007
Congratulations to the following pupils in winning scholarships in the European languages taught at Tullow Community School.

French:
Aoife Metcalfe 5thYear
Elizabeth Dermody 2nd Year

German:
Michael Byrne 5th Year
Niamh O’Connor Byrne 2nd Year

The teachers of the French/German languages department would like to thank all pupils who showed an interest in these scholarships.

Outdoor Pursuits
The annual trip to an Outdoor Pursuits Education Centre took place from Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th April. 39 students accompanied by two teachers, Ms. McMahon and Mr. Smith travelled by coach to the Horizon Centre in Westport, Co. Mayo. On Friday, activities included hillwalking, and surfing. Half the group climbing or struggled up Croagh Patrick. The views of Clew Bay were fabulous, as the weather was bright, sunny and warm. There was a treat of delicious cake when the students returned to the centre at the bottom of the mountain.

The other half of the group went surfing at Carowinsky beach. The conditions were perfect for beginners on the waves and the activity was enjoyed by all. Friday afternoon saw the groups switch activities.

On Saturday again the groups were divided up into different activities – canoeing, rock climbing, archery, team building skills and rope climbing. Everybody was well exercised and ready for sleep when the bus arrived at 6.00 p.m. to take everyone home. We arrived back in Tullow at 10.30 p.m. Thanks to Mr. Smith for organising another successful Outdoor Pursuits weekend.

Ms. McMahon

Soccer Success
Congratulations to our ladies soccer teams who won the double this year. The U18 team who beat Kilcullen 1 – 0 in the final on 19th December 2006 with a fantastic goal from Kellie Nolan.

Kellie then went on to score the winner for the U16 team against St. Kevin’s, Dunlavin. Both teams trained very hard throughout the year. They thoroughly deserved both wins. The ladies are now feared by every team in Leinster.

U18 Team
Ciara Smith, Leon Maher, Jessie Finnegan, Sinead Finnegan, (Capt.), Patricia Kehoe, (Vice-Capt.), Helen Hobson, Sara Hobson, Kellie Nolan, Valeen Joyce, Leanne Tumelty, Michelle Kehoe.
Subs: Niamh Mullins, Margaret Farrell, Siobhan Finnegan, Claire Long, and Amanda Bowes.

U16 Team
Ciara Smith, Melissa Coughlan, Alex O’Brien, Helen Hobson, Leanne Tumelty, Killie Nolan, Niamh Mullins, Siobhan Finnegan, Jessie Finnegan, Patricia Kehoe, Megan Doran.
Sub: Margaret Farrell

Athletics
Since December 2006, a group of athletes have been training with Ms. Kelly. They endured gruelling training and improved immensely. On Wednesday, 2nd May they travelled to Kilkenny for the Minor and Junior South Leinster Athletics Championships, all athletes did extremely well. Robyn Elleker, Patrick McCall, Bredeen Rooney, Chloe Nolan, Eoin Byrne and Joseph Sunderland.

On Friday, 4th May Sara Hobson, Helen Hobson, Laura Proctor, Adam McDonagh and Leanne Tumelty travelled to Kilkenny for the Inter and Senior Sth Leinster Schools Athletics. All athletes participated well in particular Sara Hobson (Gold – Senior Long Jump) Adam McDonagh (Gold – Inter 100m) and Laura Proctor (Bronze – Inter Javelin). Well done to all.

These athletes then trained to compete in Santry, for the Leinster Schools Athletics Championships. The standard was high, Adam McDonagh 3rd in the Inter 100m and Sara Hobson 3rd in the Long Jump. Sara now goes on to the All Ireland on 2nd June in Tullamore. This is a fine achievement considering it is her first time in competition.

Adam has now made the Leinster Schools Athletics team for the Tailtean Games, the oldest games in the world. He also has a possibility of making the Irish Athletics team.
Well done to all our athletes and the best of luck to Sara and Adam.

African Mission Project:
As part of the Brigidine Sisters’ Bicentennial celebrations, the Brigidine Sisters are sponsoring a group of 15 volunteers for a mission immersion experience to Nairobi, Kenya, in June. Emma Jane Hade and Siobhan Smithers from the school with Sr. Mary (Chaplain) are travelling with the group from the other Brigidine schools and leave on June 6th. As a token of appreciation to the Brigidine Sisters for all their contributions to education in TCS one of the goals this year was to raise money for this mission project. A huge amount of support was generated and people were very generous. Over the year several fundraising projects were initiated: no uniform days, sponsored silences, bag packing, bingo, but the tractor run proved to be the most popular. The Young Farmers drove their tractors to school and with sponsorships raised €8,000. We are very grateful to the many businesses that helped sponsor the project also and to the Gardaí for their support. On May 4th, a cheque for €10,000 was proudly presented by Mr. Flynn, Principal, to Sr. Anna Creagh, Brigidine Provincial. Emma Jane and Siobhan will be able to bring back first hand information on how this money was spent on the missions and I am sure they will have many stories to tell and many picture to display. We wish all a safe trip.

Second Year Retreat:
Second years took part in an outdoor retreat/pilgrimage this May. Classes set out on different days to Kildare. The first stop was at the Curragh to see the jockeys taking the horses for their morning gallop around the racecourse. Also on the Curragh is a sacred space surrounded by trees and the students entered this space to pray at the peace pole and to enter the labyrinth. As they entered the labyrinth in silence they prayed for inner peace and healing. The next stop was to St Brigid’s Cathedral (Church of Ireland). One group got special attention as they were allowed to climb the
7-story tower for good behaviour. Having toured the church they visited St. Brigid’s Catholic Church where the largest St. Brigid’s cross, up until 1st February is displayed. The largest St. Brigid’s Cross is now displayed on the grounds of TCS. From the churches they made their way to St. Brigid’s Wayside Well and Meditation Garden. Prayers were recited at the various Prayer Stones. Each stone represents an aspect of Brigid’s life. 1 - Brigid of the land. 2 - Brigid, the peacemaker. 3 - Brigid, friend to the poor. 4 - Brigid - open hospitality 5 - Brigid, woman of prayer. Then each student was allowed to walk down around the healing well and pray for their own intentions. This retreat will help them in preparation for the Junior Cert. journal work. Each group really enjoyed the experience.