Report from teacher, Stephen Flack

This Easter, I had the opportunity to attend an Erasmus course for teachers on Outdoor Learning and ICT Integration in the vibrant city of Valencia, Spain. Set among sunny skies and inspiring surroundings, the course brought together educators from across Europe, and gave us fresh tools to bring learning to life beyond the classroom walls.

During the 6 day course, we explored how to improve our digital skills and use ICT outdoors.
We discovered how outdoor-friendly apps and digital tools can be useful for designing cross-curricular, creative, and student-centered tasks and we looked at the value of using our natural surroundings as powerful learning environments

From group discussions, hands-on activities and cultural exchanges, the course reminded me how much learning thrives when students move, explore, and engage with the world around them.

I am looking forward to returning to school to introduce outdoor learning activities that integrate technology and spark creativity. I am also looking forward to sharing these ideas with colleagues as part of our Erasmus+ journey.

Report from teachers , Frances Palmer and Ava Healy

During the Easter break, we embarked on an Erasmus course in the heart of Florence, delving into the dynamic world of artificial intelligence. We explored innovative AI tools through dynamic workshops, active learning methodologies, and peer assessment. 

We met educators from a range of countries such as Latvia, Canary Islands and Germany. It was interesting to hear about their schools and exchange teaching styles and experiences. This collaborative environment fostered a deeper understanding of the positive and ethical use of AI in the classroom, and has inspired us to look at new approaches to teaching and learning.

We are truly grateful for the enriching opportunities provided by the Erasmus+ programme, which continues to inspire innovation, collaboration, and lifelong learning in our school community.

Make sure to get your copy of this month's The Bridge for fantastic coverage of our recent musical Grease. Sincere thanks to journalist Brian Byrne @TheKilcullenDiary for his coverage of the wonderful performance by our TY students.

We had the lovely opportunity to meet the extraordinary dogs, Archie and Murphy, who work hard to monitor our ports and airports with their handlers John and Ian from Revenue Customs and Excise this week. We saw the dogs working as they discovered cash and drugs in the demonstration bags. We learned about the training both the dogs and their handlers receive and the very close bond they develop over the dog’s career and retirement. It was a fantastic experience and we are very appreciative to John and Ian for taking time out of their busy schedule to visit us. 

Saturday study takes a break while the oral exams begin this weekend and will return on May 10th after the Easter holidays and the bank holiday weekend. 

The very best of luck to all students over the coming week in their oral exams. 

Good Afternoon,

This evenings meeting is for the students and parents of our current 3rd year group. During the webinar you will hear important information about next year's TY programme. The meeting begins @ 7pm. 

The zoom meeting link was sent via email earlier today and is also attached here:

https://zoom.us/j/99036853882?pwd=bcr3Y6zlUDLUClqaoLiagwsqvfzb4G.1

The TY Community care class created handmade notes of good luck and wishes ahead of the 6th year Oral examinations that will take place soon. 

These notes were hand delivered to each 6th year student. The TY Community care class hope that this helped in some small way as they prepare for these examinations. 

Best of luck to all 6th year students.

-TY Community care class. 

We had a lovely Chat and Connect session with our 5th year students during their RE class today.

The session began with students writing letters to themselves that they will open on their Graduation Morning in 6th year. 

Students enjoyed a hot drink and some nice sweet treats. 

It was lovely to give the students time to chat and enjoy each other's company. 

Thank you to the 5th year RE teachers for organising this. 

Ms Mills

We gathered some of our 5th year students today for a special assembly with those who achieved the highest results in their 5th Year Christmas Exams to acknowledge their ongoing Academic Success and to celebrate their hard work to date. Ms McDonnell Guidance Counsellor spoke about the statistics from LC 2024 and how this group of students are reaching such high grades already that are often limited to small groups of students across the country. Ms Duffy Guidance Counsellor spoke to the students about positive self talk and remembering how well they are doing and how proud they should be of themselves.

Students were encouraged to always do their best and to keep aiming high.

Very proud of this group of students!!

Well done all. 

Ms Mills