Enniscrone Jesus and Mary Secondary School
28/09/2005

THE SCHOOL extends a warm welcome back to all the staff and students this year, especially those who have joined our school as first years, as well as Robyn Mahon, who has come into third year, and Verona Loughney, who comes into fifth year. We hope that they will enjoy a happy and healthy time here at Jesus and Mary.

This September heralds huge changes in our school. We remember those who have retired with warm affection – Anne Fleming, Carmel Hughes and Michael Clarke. We hope that they enjoy their retirement in health and happiness with their families. Good luck to Sandra McLoughlin; we hope that you also enjoy your break. We welcome Ms Teresa Irwin Brogan as Vice Principal, good luck with your new job!

We also extend a 'cead mile failte' to our new staff - Ms Eilish Griffin joins the staff to teach Religion and Career Guidance; Ms Geraldine McHugh has joined to teach Geography, Business Studies and Post Leaving Cert Courses, Ms Emer Ryan will teach English, Irish and learning support. We hope that they will feel very happy working in our school. We also welcome Ms A Cawley who is a fourth year student in Mater Dei lnstitute of Education; joining the staff on work experience to teach History and Religion. We wish her every good wish in her forthcoming studies.

POSITIVE LEARNING PROGRAMME: Mr John Killeen has re-introduced the Positive Learning Programme with juniors. This programme focuses on key areas to encourage students to achieve in the areas of homework behaviour and class work. The programme will be introduced to first years after mid-term.

It has been introduced to second and third year students since September 12. Second year classes will compete against each other for a variety of awards. Third year students have an individual programme linked with their homework and Junior Cert programme. When students achieve special merit in class they are awarded and compete for individual merit. Well done to Mr Killeen and David Kenny for all their hard work on this working programme.

TY BONDING DAY: On Friday morning, September 9, the transition year class set off to Castlebar with Mrs Timmons as the organiser. Their first step was to visit the bowling alley. The Tys split themselves into teams and got ready to bowl. Everyone really enjoyed themselves. It is reported that the students had 'great craic'.

After the bowling students got to know each others strengths and weaknesses playing pool and chatting. Afterwards their trip was to the Museum of Country Life in Turlough, Castlebar, where they were treated to a guided tour of the grounds and the collection of historical objects in the museum. It was quite educational. They watched a video of past times in an Ireland that is barely recognisable in our world today. At the end of the day, the 'bonded' students returned to Enniscrone to roll their sleeves up and get stuck into a very active transition year. Thank you to Mrs Timmons for taking the students on their trip.

CYCLING CHAMP: Congratulations to Patrick Clarke, Leaving Cert, who is now national champion in two Junior Men events for Track Cycling. He has also achieved fourth and fifth places in the Time Trail and Road Race Championships, along with several first and second places in races in Ireland and good placing in Belgium and Holland during the Summer. He will attend the Championship Dinner in 'City West Hotel' in October to receive his two gold medals. Well done Patrick!

STUDY SKILLS: On Friday, September 2, the Leaving Cert students engaged in a full day seminar on study skills. On Monday, September 19, where will be a similar seminar on study skills for the third and the fifth years. The seminar is been organised especially for the third and fifth years to aid them with their learning and study skills. There will be a talk for all the parents in the school from 8pm to 9.30pm on Monday, September 19. The talk will be given by Martin Naughton. Mr Naughton is an educational consultant who specialises in giving exam students advice on study skills and how to learn.

LEAVING CERT OPTIONS: The Leaving Cert students will travel to the Higher Options in the RDS on Thursday, September 22, with their LCVP and Careers' teachers, Ms Clodagh Brady and Ms Eilish Griffin. This conference will give them tips and ideas about college application in the coming year. We hope they benefit from their day.

TY PRODUCTION: The Transition Year students have already begun to work on their production. Over the coming weeks students will work on producing 'Skool of the cross bones' for production before Christmas. Good luck to all involved. Thanks to Ms Clarke, TY co-ordinator.

EXAM RESULTS: Well done to the Leaving Cert and Junior Cert students on their exceptional results. As usual our students shone out with some of the best results in the county. Well done to all of these well deserving students, their hard working parents and their teachers.

SPORT AND SOCIAL: Sport and social activities have begun in earnest in our school again this year on Tuesday and Wednesday from one to two o'clock. Activities include gaelic football for girls and boys, basketball, badminton, board games, computer club and much more. We look forward to all our students getting involved in the extra curricular activities.

RELAY TEAM: Well done to the Enniscrone Relay team of fifth year students Darragh Tuffy, Alan Tuffy, David Clarke and Liam Varley who represented Sligo in the Community Games Finals in Mosney, County Meath in August in the All-Ireland Relay Competition. The boys were runners-up in the event.

HORSING AROUND: Well done to Stephen, Brain and Diarmuid Howley on their riding success in Millstreet, County Cork, over the Summer. These students were high achievers in various categories in national competitions. Well done!