This week was most definitely a fun filled five days for the TY’s and one that was packed with a variety of things!

To begin with, on Tuesday, two of our TY Reps travelled to Google Headquarters to participate in the annual SID (Safer Internet Day) ambassador training for the country wide committee of Webwise. Within Webwise, the girls are part of a Youth Panel consisting of 30 members from all over Ireland. Here’s what the girls had to say about the day:

“This day was most definitely the highlight of our participation on the Youth Panel so far this year. Our job was to train the SID Ambassadors and make them feel welcome and included in everything that the day had to offer. We ran workshops and led a group of 9 others from all over Ireland. It was a fabulous day and one that we most definitely learned a lot from but also one where we got to share our knowledge regarding topics such as cyberbullying and awareness regarding online safety. It was also lovely to see around Google as well! 

On Thursday all of the TYs students attended a careers talk led by Ms. Porter and Ms. Bannan (The guidance counsellors) in the lecture theatre. This meeting broadly discussed the results of the My Future Choice Aptitude tests the TYs completed in November and Leaving Cert Subject Choice 2023. We were shown two websites, Careers Portal and Qualifax, that both have very useful information on all Leaving Cert subjects and the requirements of every CAO course. We highly recommend that all students check out these websites and the other information that has been posted on their Careers Google classroom regarding subject choice. 

In addition, each TY student will have the opportunity to meet with a career guidance counsellor to discuss their subject choice for the Leaving Cert. These meetings will be arranged over the coming weeks. Ms. Bannan will be meeting with students in TY 4 & TY 5. Ms. Porter will be meeting with students in TY1, TY2 & TY3. Please note that the deadline for submitting Leaving Cert subject Choice on VSware is the 15th of March 2023.

15 Students finished their 13 weeks of Toastmasters on Thursday evening. Well done to Rachel Davis, Ingrid Marron, and Ciara O’Loughran for representing Our Lady’s in the showcase with their excellent, well written speeches on the following topics:  Movies, Luck, and “The Sound of Music”. Here’s what one student had to say about their experience:

“I really enjoyed Toastmasters. I have developed many skills like my communication and public speaking. I am also now more excited and confident about preparing speeches in the future. As Secretary, I had the opportunity to liaise with other students and to organise the agenda for half of the term. I would really recommend Toastmasters to others because it was a very encouraging environment and it gave me the opportunity to work in a group and get to know new people.” 

As you can see Toastmasters is a great opportunity to get more comfortable with public speaking and practice speech writing. We would highly encourage students to sign up for the second block of this wonderful course. Make sure to complete the form on google classroom asap as the deadline is today!

The Active School Flag class has been planning lots of events for wellbeing week which is coming up in March. These events include Monday Groovers which will be during lunch in the sports hall, the Walkway Challenge, and the Colour Run which will take place halfway through the week. We look forward to taking part in all of these activities and seeing the Active flag class in action!

The Junk Kouture class has been working very diligently over the last few weeks in order to ensure their designs are ready for the 2023 Junk Kouture competition. They have been staying after school and working through lunchtimes to ensure that their creations will be completed by the competition’s deadline next Friday the 27th. We are all so excited to see these creative designs representing Our Lady’s on the catwalk and have no doubt that the judges will be blown away by our Junk Kouture class’s creativity.

Next week will be the TY’s last week in school before they head off on their two weeks of work experience and then go straight into the February midterm. Next Wednesday after school the Dublin Barista School will be hosting the Beginners Barista Course for all the students who have paid. We look forward to seeing all the cups of coffee that are created and the aroma that will waft through the corridors! 

Finally just a couple of reminders. It is vital that everyone fills in their work experience form for week 3 as soon as possible as credits will be deducted if they are not handed in on time. As well as this google forms have gone up regarding sign up for the Great TY Bake Off and sign language. We are hoping to get Tech4U up and running very soon but in order to do so we need as many volunteers as possible, feel free to bring any older person to help them improve their technological skills!

Thanks for reading and we hope everyone has a lovely last week before work experience!

Saibh Gormley and Maria Hennelly

Contributed to by Rachel Davis and Saoirse Larkin

Commiserations to our valiant Senior Camogie who fell just short in the B Championship Final. It was a very physical game between two very good teams. Ultimately it was not our day.

The Transition Year Term Report is now available to view on VSware. Please choose the "2022 Transition Year December Assessment" option in the Assessment tab to view.

Students were given a schedule of appointments yesterday for the PTM tomorrow. Parents can also check their schedule online using the same log in details they used to book the appointments:  https://ptmorg.com/parentlogin.php?School=60860Q

Many thanks.

ActiveConsent*

Parents of TY students are invited to attend an ActiveConsent* seminar on the 20th February 2023  at 7pm. This is a very beneficial seminar for parents and guardians as it will help you to understand what course your daughter will be undertaking in school. Please be sure to register at the link below. Many thanks.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/active-consent-parents-guardian-carer-seminar-tickets-464249852807?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Starting tomorrow, we will be extending our canteen service to the breaktime before after school study. In order to avail of this service students must pre-order on the Get Fresh website by choosing the After School Study menu. There will be limited service this week with cold food served, however, we hope to offer hot food from next Monday onwards. Please note that all food must be consumed during the break as it is not permissible to eat during the study session.

5th and 6th Year students who wish to support at the Senior Camogie Final on Friday in Santry can secure their place on the bus by paying on EasyPayments (SUPPORTERS Bus Camogie Final Santry 20th Jan).

Please note the following:

There are 77 seats available and the first 77 payments in will get the seats.

Supporters should wear their tracksuits and school coats on Friday, in addition to warm layers underneath, hats, gloves, scarves, etc.!

Payment for the bus will be taken as consent for the student to partake in the trip.

6th Year Art students may not attend as classwork being completed at the moment forms a part of the Leaving Certificate result.

The bus will leave school at 11.10am approx. and it is hoped to be back in school for afternoon classes.