Nessan's Newsletter The Year Ahead First Term Monday 26th August 2013 20th December 2013 Mid-Term 1 Monday 28th October 2013 to Friday 1st November 2013 inclusive Christmas Holidays: All schools close on Friday 20th December 2013 All schools reopen on Tuesday 7th January 2014 Second Term Tuesday 7th January to Friday 11th April 2014 Mid-Term 2 Monday 17th February to Friday 21st February 2014 inclusive Easter Holidays All schools will close on Friday 11th April 2014 All schools will reopen on Monday 28th April 2014 Third Term Monday 28th April 2014 to Friday 30th May 2014 State Examinations Commence on Wednesday 4th June 2014 Parent Teacher Meetings 2012 3rd Year & 6th Year Wednesday 20th November 2.30 to 5.45 2nd Year, 5th Year & TY Wednesday 22nd January 2.30 to 5.45 1st Year Wednesday 12th February 2.30 to 5.45 Pre-Leaving Certificate & Junior Certificate Examinations Will commence week of 3rd February 2014
In Memorium This, the first Newsletter of the new academic year, is dedicated to the memory of three of our students, who tragically lost their lives over the last three months. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families and friends of Joseph, Katie and Chloe at this time. May they Rest in Peace.
September Edition
2013
The National Ploughing Championships
The Ty class left the school around 7:45am on Wednesday morning 25th September. After a few false starts we were off. We were all excited and exhausted before we set off at all – we did not know what to expect on our trip into the wild unknown. We stopped at the MID WAY junction 17 for a snack and luxury break. Martin Stokes ate so much we thought he would burst. Eventually we reached the Ploughing Championships around 10:30a.m. At the entrance the Gardaí requested to search our belongings and person before we left the parking area. We had good fun having a bit of banter with the Gardai, they were joking with us as we passed through the gates. We all received a wrist band to gain entry into the Ploughing. Once inside we agreed our meeting spot beside the TIN MAN and the Watson large machinery stand. We sat on the huge rollers while we waited for Ms. Kelly & Ms. Dennison to check up on us. TEAM E got distracted for the first meet up @ 12:30pm but they were not very far away and were very safe outside the Irish Farmers Journal stand getting a map when Ms. Dennison rang them. Adam O Brien bought a traditional tweed peeked hat for the occasion, Christopher Rosenberg looked trendy in his trilby hat, Yuta Marino wore wellingtons for the first time ever, Antonia Kappner never witnessed such a spectacle of country life, Kane Troy bought a farmers’ stick which he tapped everybody on the head with on the way home, Jason Hannon was captivated by the huge lifestock specially bred for the food export market. The exhibitions that we found most interesting were the genetically modified animals, sheep shearing, the carnival, the crash simulator, sheep dog trials and the food court. Some of the girls in our group also got their face painted. As we were leaving we saw the hunt chase trials through the hedge. It was very fast and looked like great fun. Everybody had a great day and we were exhausted when we got home. We bought Mr O’ Brien (Principal) a farmers’ stick to hang up in his office. The stick was christened “Patience!!” We presented the stick to Mr. O’ Brien on Friday with a Queen-cake that Ms. Dennison had made us as a treat as we were so good on the trip! Cian Killeen was the Comme Chef!! They were yummy!! More photos on page 2...
LCA 2 Work Placements
LCA 2 are beginning their Work Placement on Monday 14th October for two weeks. The following are their Placements and where you may see or meet them. Corpus Christi Primary school: Michael Bennett, Jonathan Woodland, Daniel McInerney, Adam O’Connell. The Swan (a beauty salon, Watchhouse Cross): Kelly Blake Curtis. St. Munchin’s Community Centre, Kileely: Jody Moloney and Nora Doyle. Superdrug, Wlliam Street: Kelly Quinn. O’Reilly’s Hair and Beauty, William Street: Chloe Brazil Sheehan. Moyross Community Enterprise Centre: Lorna Cronin and Robert O’Leary. Ms.Brennan
Examination Success
Jason Hannon and his parents with Mr. O’Brien proudly displays his award for achieving the highest results at St Nessan’s CC in the Junior Certificate examinations in June 2013. Grainne Hackett with her mother and Mr. O’Brien proudly displays her awards for achieving the highest results at St. Nessan’s CC in the Leaving Certificate 2013.
Congratulations to all our Students on their excellent Junior Certificate & Leaving Certificate Results
Break a leg! From Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th October TY students and older persons groups from across the city and county will look at how both groups interact, the way in which we communicate with each other and our learning from one another. The audience will be encouraged to look at changes or interventions for achieving more positive outcomes. This drama workshop will be held in the Belltable and will be facilitated by our very own TY Students from St Nessan’s Community College. Ms. O’Brien
Safety Street
Our three actresses clockwise from top are Shannon, Lisa and Antonia
Safety Street 2013 initiative has been organised and funded by the Limerick City Community Safety Partnership Ltd (LCCSP). The nine students taking part are Antonia, Christian, Ronan, Jonathan, Shannen, Lisa, Nicole, Adam and Kayleigh. We wish them well and commend them for all the hard work A special word of thanks to Ann Blake and all involved with Limerick City Community Safety Partnership. Mary O’ Brien
More photos from The National Ploughing Championships
1st Year reading is a turn up for the books.
1st Year Reading is a turn up for the books. Well done to all 1st Years who are reading Buddy by Nigel Hinton. This is part of a massive literacy drive within the school to encourage all our students to read. When they finish their 1st book, all 1st Years will receive JCSP Postcards home plus a Reading Achievement Certificate. All 1st Years are now involved in a JCSP Book Club where they read and review a set book .This is in addition to their Library Reading Class every week in the school library and also their monthly involvement in Drop Everything And Read. Ms Marie Toomey.
Word Millionaire
All 1st Year students have been challenged to read over one million words over the last few weeks. They all started this reading intervention in September and are now all busy counting, recording and charting the collective achievement of the class. Which class will reach the one million target-Watch this space!! M.S.Readathon is a motivational reading programme whereby the student reads 5/6 books over a set period while also raising money for families living with Multiple Sclerosis. All 1st Years are currently involved in this programme as well. Each participant will receive a small gift to thank them for reading and there is also a special MS Readathon Library Award for the best reader. Winners will be announced at the upcoming JCSP Awards.
Drop Everything And Read
This is part of our whole school approach to Literacy and the incorporation of Literacy as a key element in all subject plans is recommended. This is a great way of promoting reading across the whole school. The idea is that, at a set time during the day, everyone stops what they are doing and reads for 30 minutes. It is a shared experience, which gets students talking about books and reading while conveying a strong message that the school believes in and supports reading. All students are encouraged to borrow a book beforehand from our well stocked library. 1st Years have participated in several D.E.A.R. workshop already so they are well versed with D.E.A.R. Ms Marie Toomey JCSP Coordinator.
St. Nessan’s Community College JCSP Library Initiative Keep an eye out for our JCSP Library Initiative brochure which explains in detail what the Library Initiative is all about.
The Only Way is Up A number of 2nd year and TY students are participating in ‘The Only Way is Up’ Competition which the University of Limerick launched in September. On the 9th of October 2013 we received confirmation that our school was one of only 11 schools in all of Ireland which qualified for the next stage of the project. The Irish Centre for Composites Research (IComp) based at the University of Limerick, through its partnership with NanoRacks LLC, announced a once in a life-time opportunity for one lucky Irish team of transition year students: the opportunity to design an experiment and fly it on the International Space Station (ISS). Dr. Norah Patten, Communications and Outreach Manager for IComp and project leader commented that: ‘The Only Way is Up’ is the first of its kind in Irish history; allowing a project designed by Irish transition year students to spend 30 days orbiting the Earth. The microgravity experiment will fly to the ISS on-board a launch vehicle, scheduled for launch in autumn 2014. We had a visit from Dr. Norah Patten on the 15th October and a presentation was made to discuss more about the project, microgravity, NanoRacks and what is needed from us over the next few months. Next March (2014), the grand final event will take place in the University of Limerick. From all the projects presented on the day, one winner will be selected and will win the ultimate prize of flying an experiment in space.The students involved are Kevin Hanley, Jason Hannan, Jamie O’Connell, Jonathan Roche, Christian Rosenberg, Jack Downey, Jay Hickey, Evan Graham, Luke Hogan and Jack Dillon. The project will be the first of its kind in Irish history to send research by transition year students to be tested in space for 30 days orbiting the earth. The microgravity experiment will fly to the ISS on-board a launch vehicle, scheduled for autumn 2014. Students and schools interested in taking part should log onto www.IComp.ie Mr. Doyle
European Languages Day – 26th of September
Cosmo Club proudly introduces Our World of Languages! Our World of Languages is world-wider than we thought!!!!! Between students and staff, the whole school community should be proud to have so many different languages: Irish, English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Croatian, Punjabi, Urdu, German, Polish, Russian, Czech, Slovenky, Italian, etc. The Cosmo Club proudly spoke a few words of their native languages. St Nessans strives to celebrate cultural and language differences. During European Languages Day on the 26th of September, St Nessans celebrated World Languages Day instead. Madame Andre
Failte Romhaibh! Kangei Willkommen
A big welcome to Yuta Morino from Japan and Antonia Kappner from Germany who have joined the Transition Year class. We hope you will be very happy during your stay in Limerick. Ms. O’Brien
Sports Update
North Munster Soccer 2013
FAI Munster 2013
The draws have been made for this years North Munster Soccer competition and it’s going to be an interesting year for St. Nessan’s CC.
In the Munster First Year Cup - St. Nessan’s are in an qualifying group with Col.Mhuire Askeaton & Crescent Comprehensive with the top 2 of 3 qualifying. In the Minor Trophy - Nessan’s will play the winner of Tarbert CS & Kilmallock, whilst in the Junior Trophy, they will play Kilmallock. In the John Murphy Cup for the u19’s - Nessan’s are in an qualifying group with Listowel C.C and SMI Newcastlewest where the top two will also proceed to the next round.
In the First Year Cup - Nessan’s are grouped with Crescent Comp, Shannon Comp, Colaiste Chiarain & St. Caimins from Shannon. At u15’s level, the qualifying group consists of Crescent Comp, Shannon Comp, St. Clements & St Mary’s from Newport. At u17’s - Nessan’s qualifying group is made up of St Mary’s Newport, Borrisokane & Crescent Comp. Finally at u19’s level, St. Nessan’s have St.Clements, Borrisokane & Crescent Comprehensive for company. Tough groups but nobody said it was going to be easy.
This Christmas SCROOGE IS COMING Contact Details : St. Nessan’s Community College, Moylish Park, Limerick. Phone: 061 - 452422 Email: info@stnessans.com www.stnessans.com