Monthly Archives: February 2014

Ceremonial walk to our New School

News

This morning, the 26th of February 2014 we made the long awaited move to our new school. To mark the occasion we held a ceremonial walk starting at the Vocational School and ending at the main entrance to the new school.

Students and teachers departed from each of the schools with the doors been locked for the last time on each building as they were passed. Mr. Padraig Leyden (Principal) and Mr. Diarmuid Mc Caffrey (Deputy Principal) led the school community on this historic occasion.

It was wonderful to see the local community and well wishers on our way on our final walk between the school. Local and national media were present to record the event.

Offical handover of keys to Ballinamore Community School

News

This morning February 11th 2014, the keys to the new Ballinamore Community School building was officially handed over by Mary McKeon on behalf of BAM FM to Maire O’Connor, Chairperson of the Board of Management of Ballinamore Community School. Also pictured in the photo below are Padraig Leyden (Principal) Diarmuid McCaffrey (Deputy Principal).

  • Students will begin the move to the new school building from Monday 24th February.
  • Enrolment for next year takes place the following Saturday March 1st from 10.00am to 12.00pm.
  • Also that afternoon the school will be open to the general public for viewing from 2.00pm to 5.00pm

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For a sneak preview of some of the facilities in our new school complex, check out the photos below….

 

TY Trip to Dublin

Transition Year

On the 29th of January the Ty class went to Dublin for trip to the children’s ombudsman’s office, European parliament office and Dáil Éireann in Dublin. They first went to  the Children’s Ombudsman Office were they got to say what they think about education in Ireland at the end they were divided into groups and each group got to say what think education should aim to do and they got recorded giving their opinions. They then went over to the European parliament office and were given a talk about what the European office does in Ireland and all about it in different countries in the EU and the members on the EU in Ireland. They finished with a Quiz. The final place for the TY class to visit was the Dáil Éireann. There they got a guided tour of Lenister house, they got to sit in the gallery and look down on the dáil in action. They then got to meet some of the Leitrim TD’s and get photos with them. The day was enjoyed by all.

Science Week

News

Transition  Year Electric  Bike  Cycle  2013

On  November  26th  2013  the  Transition  year  students  with  Mr.  Mc  Caffrey,  Mr.  Duignan  and Ms.  Colum  went  on  an  electric  bike  cycle  down  by  the  canal  as  part  of  the  travel  theme  in  the  green  schools  programme.  The  electric  bikes  were  supplied  by  Seamus  Gibbons  who  has  an  electric  bike  business  in  Leitrim  Village.  It  was  a  beautiful  morning  and  students  and  teachers  had  an  enjoyable  and  energising  cycle.

 

Young  Scientist  2014

The  third  year  students  with  Ms.  Colum  and  Ms.  Mc  Walter  travelled  to  the  RDS  in  Dublin  to  the  young  scientist  exhibition.  Mr.  Geoghegan  and  his  transition  year  students  were  competing  at  the  competition.  Students  had  an  enjoyable  and  educational  day  at  the  young  scientist  exhibition.

 

Science  Week 2013  First  Year   Heart  Dissection 

As  part  of  science  week  Ms.  Colums  first  year  classes  1A  and  1B  dissected  the  heart.  All  students  had  the  opportunity  to  dissect  the  heart  and examine  close  up  the  different  parts of  the  heart   and  examine  their  functions.

 

Science  Week  2013  -First  Year  Samba  Sound

First  year  students  took  part  in  a  workshop  on  samba sound  facilitated  by  Ms.  Colum.  Students  had  the  opportunity  to  play  different  instruments  and  also  make  the  cross-curricular links  with  the  topic  on  sound  in  science  and  sound  in  English  and  music.

 

Anti – Litter  Workshop

All  the first  year  students  took  part  in  an  anti-litter  workshop  as  part  of  the  green  schools  litter  theme.  Students  had  the  opportunity  through  the  medium  of  drama  to  discuss  issues  and  perceptions  concerning  gum  and  littering.  All  students  enjoyed  the  workshop  and  learned  the  importance  of  not  littering.

 

 

Science  Week  Essay  winners  2013

During  science  week  Ms.  Colums  first  year  and  second  year  science  classes  took  part  in  a  science  essay  writing  competition.  The  first  year  students  had  to  write  an  interesting  story  on  the  journey  of  food  through  the  digestive  system  and  incorporate  all  the  new  science  terminology  on  the  digestive  system.  The  second  year  students  had  to  write  a  report  on  their  ecology  field  trip  to  the  Vocational  school.  Well  done  to  all  the  winners.

 

Science  Week  Walk  2013

All  the  first  year  students  with  their  teachers  Ms.  Colum,  Ms.  Early  and  Ms.  Cooney  took  part  in  a  walk  down  by  the canal  as  part  of  exercising  a  healthy  heart  during  science  week.  Students  also  had  the  opportunity  to  look  at  the  beautiful  leaves  and  flora of  the Ballinamore area. 

 

Second  Year  Ecology  Trip

Ms.  Colums  second  year  science  class  took  part  in  an  ecology  field  trip  to  the  Vocational  school.  Students had  the  opportunity  to  use  pooters,  quadrats,  line  transects,  soil  thermometers,  magnifying  glasses  and  sweep  nets  to  examine  the  local  flora  and  fauna  at  the  Vocational  school.

 

Fifth Year  Agricultural  Science

The  fifth  year  agricultural  science  students  carried  out  an  experiment  on  silage  quality  during  science  week.  Students  had  silage  samples  from  Leitrim  and  Cavan.  Students  measured the  pH  of  the  silage, the  dry  matter  content,  plant  composition  of  the  silage  and  also  the  moisture  content  of  the  silage.

Catholic Schools Week

Chaplaincy, Transition Year

This year Ballinamore Community School had a very busy week recognising and celebrating our ethos. The week was an opportunity for staff and students to recognise: our history, what is at the heart of everything we do here, and how all of our work is rooted in the example of Jesus.

Many different activities were planned, by the Religion Team, for  our students over the week. Even different subject areas embraced the celebration too, with wordsearches and poetry to give an example.

1st yr students had an opportunity to meet with their Mentors for an afternoon and make some St. Brigid’s Day Crosses. Afterwards, Fr. Sean Mawn visited the school and blessed the crosses.

2nd yrs travelled to Knock Shrine, Co. Mayo for a one-day Retreat facilitated by the Youth Ministry Team there. Students had an opportunity to pray and reflect while also doing a tour of the Shrine and visiting the museum.

All 3rd yrs received a Prayer Card and some had an opportunity to also make some St. Brigid’s Crosses.

Senior students had an opportunity to look at specific material in Religion class, for Catholic Schools Week and to make crosses. They too received a Prayer Card, containing prayers for students.

But the major celebration of the week was on Thursday. The whole school attended a Mass in the parish, celebrated by Fr. Tom McManus. Our Transition-Year class helped to organise, prepare and participate in the liturgy. A big challenge for T.Y, well done.

Well done to staff and students for making such a great week possible.