It was great to see the TYs back in action for their first full week after the Christmas break. They have been very busy! 

Many of the TY students completed their 8 weeks of sign language this week. Here’s what one student had to say about the classes: “I did the sign language classes as part of my Gaisce and I really enjoyed them. I am proud to say that I can now sign my name, the alphabet, my favourite colour and shop, all the days of the week and lots more!  I would really recommend it to others as it is a great thing to do and a life skill.”

We would like to say a huge thank you to Bernie for coming into the school and giving up her time to teach us.

Any students who would still like to sign up for language now can! The opportunity is still there and we would encourage all students to sign up for either a beginner level class or a second block of sign language (intermediate level), which will take place very soon. Sign up is currently available on Google classroom. 

The Senior Camogie joined the Junior team in reaching the Championship Final on Tuesday when they beat Loreto Balbriggan 6-8 to 3-5. We would like to say a huge well done to everyone involved especially to the TY students who are members of the teams. Their dedication has really paid off and we look forward to cheering them on in the finals. 

The TYs were delighted to hear from Alison O'Connor about life as a journalist on Wednesday! Alison told us about her pathway to becoming a journalist, and the challenges she has faced as well as sharing her tips for the new generation of journalists. We would like to thank Alison for giving up her time to give us a very insightful talk. 

Well done to Nikishi Polgolla, TY5, who reached the final at this year's BT Young Scientist Exhibition with her project  'An Investigation into the use of herbal plant extracts that are effective against antibiotic resistant bacteria in skin infections. 

Students taking part in the Generation Euro competition met on Friday to practice for the round one questionnaire. The OLS Bank also met this week after last week's interviews and training with Laura Ryan from Bank of Ireland. We are looking forward to the OLS School Bank being up and running very soon. 

TY students had the opportunity to sign up for Tech4U this week. Tech4U is a community initiative that OLS has run in the past to great success. The school would welcome elderly members of the community into the school to help them upskill their technological skills. Tech4U will be led by TY students and will involve students helping to teach the elderly vital technological skills. We would really encourage all TY students to sign up for Tech4U as it is sure to be a really rewarding experience and can be used as part of their Gaisce. It is also a chance for students to give back to the community and brighten an older person’s day. Tech4U will be beginning very shortly so please keep an eye on Google classroom for updates. 

TYs can now take part in ‘Look into Law’, a free online course created by the Bar of Ireland. The course includes four lessons where students can learn about Ireland’s legal system and how the Law is reported in the media. We would encourage any TY student who is interested in the area of law to check it out on google classroom.

There is also an opportunity for TYs to sign up for Design Your Future City, a free week-long programme that will take place between the 20th-24th of March 2023 where students will explore the science and technology behind a smart city. The programme’s only requirement for students is that they are curious and enthusiastic about creating a better future for their communities and cities. All details about applying have been posted on Google classroom.

For those who have signed up for Strength and Conditioning Classes please attend this coming Monday from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. These classes will be a great opportunity to get moving and active in the New Year.

Are you a talented baker who has dreamed of going on the Great British Bake off? Well, you will be delighted to hear that the annual TY Bake Off will be taking place next month! Make sure to fill in the application form ASAP to be in with a chance of being crowned OLS Star baker! 

This week the TY’s modules swapped over so students have got the opportunity to try a second module. 

However, the Chinese class did not change as they will continue working towards completing their exam at the end of the year and receiving their certification in Chinese.

Here’s what some of the TYs had to say about each of the modules. 

• Chinese: I have really enjoyed Chinese so far as it has been a great opportunity to learn a new language. Topics we have covered include introducing ourselves, counting to ten, and our family. It has also been really interesting to also learn about China’s rich culture and traditions such as the Chinese New Year and the Spring Festival. 

• Film Studies: I really enjoyed film studies as I learned a lot of techniques used by filmmakers such as camera angles, lighting, and much more. I enjoyed comparing films to each other as I got to see how different filmmakers use these techniques differently to each other. I would recommend film studies to everyone as it’s really beneficial because it was a very interesting module and it can be linked to English for exam questions about identifying techniques in a film 

• World Affairs:  World affairs is all about learning about current affairs and how they are affecting the world around us. We studied several different topics such as gun control in the US and North Korea. These topics were interesting because we got to see people living very different lives from our own. We also studied the human rights controversies surrounding the World Cup in Qatar as that was very topical during our block. I would really recommend it to other students as it really opened my eyes to global issues.

• Music: Every week we learned about the different eras of music and the composers of that era. We also learned how to play the ukulele. We learned several different chords and then played songs on the ukulele. We practiced a piece in groups each week to perform at the end of the module. Each group chose different songs and there was a beautiful, wide array of instruments played on the last day. 

• Home Economics: I really enjoyed doing the home ec module and all the fun things we got the chance to cook and bake. We made cinnamon rolls, pizzas, stir fries, muffins, and many more! I learned some new techniques and recipes I never had used before doing the module. I also loved how many choices we had for what we were making each week. We also learned lots about what it would be like to take Home Ec as a leaving cert subject. 

• Philosophy: Philosophy overall was great and very enjoyable. We researched a wide variety of philosophical questions that got us deeply thinking about the world. We also watched the Truman Show, a movie that follows an insurance salesman who discovers his life is a reality tv show. I found that this module was definitely worthwhile! 
  
  

Payment for the highly anticipated barista introduction course was due this week. The course will take place on Wednesday the 25th of January. 

Exciting news… students can now sign up for the Advanced Barista Course which will take place in March 2023. The course will be a full day and will equip you with the skills required to be a Barista. Every student who completes it will receive a full qualification at the end and it may assist in securing part-time or Summer work.

The deadline for the Google form for work experience block 2 (30th January-2nd February) is today. The form for block 3 must be completed as soon as possible with all the necessary details of the work experience placement. 

Next Friday the 20th, the TYs will complete their third development day and we look forward to hearing all about it. All details have been posted on Google Classroom. 

Just a gentle reminder for parents/guardians to make sure that their daughter is keeping an eye on the TY Google classroom for the various events, information, and forms that are going up each day!

The TY reps have been working very hard to create a video for Term Two of TY. The fabulous Reps can’t wait to show you everything the TYs have been working on and participating in from going on their first week of work experience to receiving their Junior Cycle results! Watch this space!

Maria Hennelly, Saibh Gormley and Matilda Murray 

Contributed to by Alannah Brandon, Eliana Flinter, Isabel Kelly, Dea Moloney and Saoirse Larkin

New Year New You

The Active School Flag Class are excited to show you all what fun events we have planned for the new year! If your new year resolution is to get more active and be healthier, now is the time to get started. Our active walkway has fun activities such as walking debates and much more. Check our noticeboard in the GPA for regular updates, you can also get updates on our moving board which will be seen throughout the school. We hope to see you all on our walkway this year!

#YourHeartNeedsToBeatSoGetActiveOnYourFeet 

Wellbeing Week

Wellbeing week is being run by the Wellbeing Committee and the Active School Flag Class. For the first three days of Wellbeing Week we will have a variety of activities! On Monday lunchtime we have Monday Groovers run by ASF. On Monday and Tuesday at lunch we will have the ASF walking challenges for house points on the active school walkway. On Wednesday we will have a colour run which will take place during the last class. We are very excited for Wellbeing Week and we can’t wait to see you all taking part in the different activities!

#YourHeartNeedsToBeatSoGetActiveOnYourFeet

The Extra Curricular Term 2 2022-23 timetable is attached below as PDF. Check out the numerous sports and clubs available in OLS.

A reminder that these slots must be booked, as per previous letter, by this evening (deadline).

Many thanks.

Double Trouble

Please read the attached letter regarding the booking system for the 2nd Year Parent Teacher Meeting on Thursday 19th January. The deadline for booking appointments is Thursday 12th January.

Many thanks.

Tuesday, 17 January 2023, from 6.30pm

The evening's agenda will include presentations from representatives of CAO (focusing on the application process) and the IGC (focusing on choosing courses). Throughout the event an online Q&A facility will be available for attendees to chat with representatives of CAO and a number of the Higher Education Institutions.

Spaces for the live online event are limited: a recording will be available from noon on 20 January for those who were unable to attend.

The link to register is now open at www.cao.ie/webinar 

Your daughter has been given a letter from the HSE to bring home explaining new advice regarding a reduction in the number of vaccine doses needed.

Many thanks.

Senior students can check their Careers Google Classrooms for information on this upcoming virtual session (Thurs 19th Jan 6.30pm).