T.Y. students went hiking and mountain biking yesterday and had a wonderful day in the Sliabh Bloom Mountains at Kinnity along with Mr. Noone, Ms. Fleming and Ms. Ward.

Mr. Noone

Last week there was a busy programme of events, speakers and workshops as part of Racism Awareness Week. A number of teachers also took time during regular class activities to investigate connections with Racism and the importance of solidarity with people in a minority or excluded as represented in their subject.

On Tuesday Mr. Travers officially opened the streets of Naas CBS at the 2nd Year assembly. All of the corridors in the school were attributed street names for the week through the work of 2nd Year CSPE classes. The street names celebrated people, events, organisations or movies related to Racism. Passing through the streets and reading the information pages with them provided lots of learning opportunities to the school community.

On Tuesday and Wednesday Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI) worked with 2nd Years through sport to learn important messages of inclusion and not allowing themselves to be too easily influenced in their behaviour or attitudes.

On Tuesday the 5th Year classes were invited to talks and workshops with the Kildare Traveller Action Group who presented three talks to the boys to learn a little about Traveller culture and their experience of discrimination in Ireland.

On Thursday Marton from Show Racism the Red Card addressed the 1st Year assembly and presented workshops with classes 1A and 1E in the library. Marton helped the 1st Years come to a better understanding of some of the key words, statistics and stereotypes associated with Racism. On Thursday also Cybsil from the Movement of Asylum Seekers Ireland (MASI) worked with T.Y. students and some 6th Years to learn a little about the challenge of Asylum in Ireland. This talk also emphasised how living true to the values and ethos of our school would leave little room for discrimination or Racism to exist.

We hope that the activities and displays around the school have helped our students to learn more about Racism and has encouraged them to show solidarity to those on the margins of our society in school and the wider community. A special thank you to Ms. Fennell’s 2nd Year groups and Ms. Cowper’s art classes who created wonderful displays for the assembly hall.

Mr. Stephens

It was a pleasure to welcome parents of our Transition Year group into the school last night as part of our TY Parents Evening.

Our TY students put together an exhibition showcasing many of the areas that are incorporated into our TY programme.

The lads also presented some of their portfolio to their parents, peers and teachers. I have received fantastic feedback about the quality of these presentations and I am hugely grateful to our students for the effort they put into the evening.

I want to take this opportunity to thank parents for their continued support. Without this, the year would not be in any way as successful as it is.

A huge thank you is also owed to Mr.Travers and the management team, the  teachers and support staff of our TY group who are so dedicated to the students, the caretakers Anthony, Alan & Timmy who are always on hand to help, and the school secretaries who do so much work behind the scenes.

I have included some images from the evening for you to view.

Thanks again,

S.Coy

Dear TY Parents and Guardians,

This Thursday evening (11th April) you are invited to our TY parents evening here in Naas CBS. On the evening, your sons will take the opportunity to showcase to you some of the work that they have been doing in Transition Year.

From 16.30 onwards the evening will begin with an exhibition in the assembly area. This exhibition will showcase all of the areas that are included in the TY Programme within Naas CBS, and give you the chance to speak with our TY students about their experiences. There will also be some refreshments and tea/coffee available.

At 17.15 the lads will take you to the relevant classrooms where they will each present a piece of their portfolio to you, other parents, teachers and peers. Once everyone has presented in your room, the evening will be finished.

We hope that you can make the evening.

If for any reason you or your son is unable to attend please let me know via email sc@naascbs.ie

I look forward to seeing you on Thursday.

Regards,

Stephen Coy

TY Coordinator and Year Head

A reminder to students to work on their competition entries and have them ready for Racism Awareness Week after the Easter holidays.

Mr. Stephens

Hard luck to the 1st Year Soccer Team who lost the Leinster Quarter Final yesterday to Dundalk De La Salle. The game finished 1-1 after extra time and then went into a penalty shoot out. Difficult way to exit the competition as they had a wonderful season. Well done to all the lads who got involved with 1st Year soccer this year. 

Ms. Kilcoyne and Mr. O' Neill