The 2011 Ballinamore Post Primary Schools annual magazine is now available.

It can be purchased from the school or in local shops.

Congratulations to the Ms. Convey and the School Magazine Committee.

Below are some photos of recent field trips, which include:

• Geography Biodiversity Study
• Religion Trip to the Mosque in Dublin
• Home Economics trip to Scollans Butchers
• History trip to Kennedys Folk Museum

The official launch of Healthy Living Week 2011 began with a fun Health Quiz for 1^st/2^nd/3^rd years. Students brushed up on their knowledge of food, sports, body science etc. Congratulations to the following class winners-

1A Frances Farry

1B Ruth Mc Niffe

2A Mark Plunkett

2B Michael Wrynn

3A Liam Costello

3B Tara Fitzpatrick

Special thank you to Willie’s Fruit & Vegetable Shop who kindly donated hampers as part of the prizes. First Year students took part in a volleyball workshop in the Sports Complex where Ms Fahy & Mr. Nolan taught students how to play volleyball. Students thoroughly enjoyed learning a new sport. Ms. Connolly organised orienteering activities for 2^nd and 3^rd year students on the vocational school grounds and a game of Rounders for 4^th and 5^th years in Feilms. Congratulations to Sarah McWeeney and Roisin McHugh who won prizes for the Healthy Living Poster Competition.

Guest Speakers during the week included Caroline Murray (Turning Heads Salon, Carrick on Shannon) who spoke to 3^rd year girls on the importance of having a good skin care routine, caring for skin properly and applying make up the right way. Students were delighted with all the tips and tricks that Caroline gave them and Siobhan Mc Girl even got a makeover using MAC makeup products. Siobhan Doran (Dental Hygienist) gave an excellent presentation to 1^st and 2^nd years on caring for teeth. Siobhan brought in lots of samples of different teeth and showed an excellent power point to display visually the effects of not caring for your teeth. She discussed the quantities of sugar in foods that we consume on a daily basis which was an eye opener for some students and teachers!! Students also received a goodie pack of products to bring home and use (toothbrush, toothpaste etc). Leitrim County Player Gary Reynolds also visited the school during the week to talk to Junior and Senior Boys Football Panels on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and what sort of commitment it takes to be on a county panel.

The teacher COOK OFF took place at lunch on Wednesday and saw Mr. Duignan and Mr. Mc Cafferey cook against each other. Both were given chicken, new potatoes, garlic, ginger, lemon and a multi pack of vegetables to cook with and 15 minutes to create a dish. It was interesting to see two different ideas from the same ingredients- Mr. Mc Cafferey produced ginger and lemon flavoured chicken with rustic style potatoes and baby vegetables while Mr. Duignan experimented with the spice rack and created an Indian flavoured chicken dish which lay on sliced new potatoes and a stack of baby vegetables on the side. With the joys of modern technology we carried out a vote using the clapometer on an I -phone to find the winner and Mr. Nolan chief deliberator announced it was a draw.

Tug o war competitions took place in Feilms where 4^th v’s 5^th yr boys started off the proceedings. Fourth years came well prepared for the weather and bet the fifth year boys team. They then went on to pull against a male teacher team and bet them too. There was a mixed teacher tug of war game to end the lunchtime activities. Despite the weather it ended up being great fun as the rest of the students watched on at teachers and students slipping and sliding all over the place.

Due to some teachers sustaining injuries over the Easter holidays the soccer match against the 5^th year boys has been postponed to a later date when everyone is back on form. Overall the week was a great success and everyone made a conscious effort to think about their lifestyles i.e. foods we eat and activities to get involved in. Thank you to the Student Council who helped promote the week and to the teachers that took part in or helped organise activities. Without the help and co-operation the week would not have ran so smoothly.

Second Year English students enjoyed a trip to the local library for a storytelling experience. They were accompanied by their teachers Ms. Banks and Ms. Convey. A worthwhile event for all concerned.

During the recent Ballinamore Drama Festival , Ms. Convey’s Second Year English Class got to enjoy a workshop in Drama. This was given by the adjudicator John Carty. Students got to do warm up exercises and then learned about improvisation on stage. Lastly they had to put what they had learned into practise.
Fun was had by all !