Monthly Archives: October 2014

T.Y Retreat-Ballintubber Abbey

Chaplaincy, News, Transition Year

This year’s T.Y class had an opportunity to step-back and take time out from the normal pressures of school life when they engaged with their Retreat. With the early start of 8am, the class travelled to Ballinatubber Abbey in Co. Mayo. There, they were met by Fr. Frank Fahy and his team. Through workshops, discussion and meditation, the team focussed on self-esteem and wearing masks.

In the afternoon the T.Y class journeyed some of the Tóchar Phádraic (the ancient pilgrim path to Croagh Patrick).Part of this pilgrimage involved a journey through a forest area, where everyone was encouraged to spend time in silence with God. At the end of this there was even a little time to search in the muck…!

TY Science Trip

Transition Year

Our Transition year group recently travelled to Dublin for their science trip. The focus of the trip was sustainability and biodiversity, with the group travelling first to The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin for a sustainability workshop. The workshop was very enjoyable, with the group receiving a tour of the gardens while learning about the importance of sustainable living in the modern world. After this, it was on the The Natural History Museum, aka “The Dead Zoo” where students learned about the importance of biodiversity in Ireland and throughout the world. A highly enjoyable day was had by all.






TY’s & Active Age Computer Class

Chaplaincy, Transition Year

This year’s T.Y students have just started an outreach link with our local Active Age group in Ballinamore.

They have decided to work with Active Age and offer a series of computer lessons. These lessons are being offered to members through one-to-one sessions over a number of weeks. So everyone is getting a chance to learn what they want and at their own pace.

Yesterday was the beginning of these lessons. Members of Active Age visited the school, attended class for an hour and at the end there was even time for tea and a little tour of the school.

Mental Health Conference

Chaplaincy, Transition Year

On Tuesday the 7th of October Transition Year Students attended a Mental Health Conference in The Bush Hotel in Carrick on Shannon. When we went in we chooses two of three workshops. The workshops were an Introduction to Mindfulness, Optimise Your Mind and Stress Management. Before these workshops we were given a speech by Shane Martin, who is a psychologist in the field of education and founder of Moodwatchers, he give us ten steps to a healthy mental health. After that we got a very moving speech from a student from Manorhamilton called Conor O’Hagan about when he did ‘The Cycle against Suicide’. We had a great day interacting with other schools and we helped to strengthen our mental health and how to calm ourselves in tough times.

 

Official Opening of Ballinamore Community School

News

Monday October 6th will remain a landmark in the history of Ballinamore Community School as the day of our Official Opening and Blessing. Our long dreamed of day arrived under the threat of rain but emerged as a day of sunshine  – an omen for the future perhaps.  Special guests on the day were An Taoiseach Mr. Enda Kenny TD who officially opened the school and Bishop Leo O’Reily who Blessed the new building.  Also in attendance among the 300 invited guests, staff and students were representatives of the Department of Education, BAM Building & Management, the NDFA who managed the project, Trustee Representatives, Board of Management, Parents Association, former staff and Public representatives.

Official opening of Ballinamore Community School Photos

Aware Bag-Pack

Chaplaincy

On Thursday 25th and Friday 26th of September, our transition year class and fifth years got the opportunity to do a bag pack for the great charity AWARE. Aware is an organisation that helps and works with people who are suffering from depression. The bag pack was held in Tesco, Ballinamore. We raised over three hundred euro due to the generous community in Ballinamore. All the students helped out in the bag pack and Aoife Curran, Megan Mc Manus and Kate Reynolds helped to organise the fundraiser.

 

First Year Ladies Football Blitz

Gaelic Ladies

A very successful blitz was held in Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s GAA pitch today, 7/10/2014. There were four school’s participating including Ballinamore CS ( 2 teams ), St. Clare’s, Manorhamilton ( 2 teams ), Elphin and Drumshanbo.

The blitz began at 10.30 am and concluded at 1:15pm with each school playing four matches. Ballinamore’s two teams, the Cats and the Lions won all there matches and played each other in the final.

Thanks to all who took part including our 5th year girls, namely Aileen Maguire, Julie Reynolds and Carla Le Guen. A great day was had by all.

First Year Girls Football Blitz

REUNION FOR THE CLASS OF 1984

News

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If you started with this group of students in ’79, or joined the class along the way, we are having a reunion. This also includes those who may have left the class before Leaving Cert. We would like to invite our former teachers to join us too.
DATE: Saturday 25th October in Smyths Siopa Ól from 8.00. Mass at 7:00pm in St. Patricks Church Ballinamore. If you know anyone who was in this class group, please let them know!