Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
St. Joseph's Secondary School, Athboy, Co. Meath
This was a recent trip to Perri Crisps, Ashbourne
VISIT OUT: On the 9th of January 2002 our 5th year L.C.V.P class went to 3-COM,Dublin.It took us approximately 1hr 35mins to arrive at 3-com. ------------- went in to reception and introduced the class and the teachers. Then we exited the bus, we were shown to a room where we waited for ------------- to come and tell us about the company. He explained what and how everything was made. Then we were spilt into groups of 10 and we were shown around the floor. We were given safety goggles by one of the guides. It was amazing to see that by pressing one button a machine would lift boxes from cart to cart. After we had finished the tour of the floor we were brought back to the room and they answered any questions we had. After all the questions asked and answered, we headed back to the bus and on to Blancherstown. Where we had 1hr to get lunch. After all stomachs full, we were then of to Trimfold, Trim. Louise went in to reception and introduced our class, again we were taken into a room, our guide gave us as much information about the company as he could, one aspect that we were all interested in was that, there are only 2 factories in Ireland that produce envelopes.. He gave us a tour of the factory and free samples of some of the products made. When our tour was complete we entered the room again, he answered questions that were asked. Then we were back on the bus and on our way home to Athboy. Overall our day was enjoyable, we learned allot about products made in different companies.
VISIT IN: On the -------2001, we had a guest speaker "GERRY MC LAUGHLIN" in to give our L.C.V.P class a talk on "DISABILITY" . Firstly he started off by telling us the different types of Disabilities there are. It's unbelievable to think about the poor people that have to cope with their disability through their life. Not only the person themselves, but the people around them have to learn to cope with their Disability, their family and friends. Gerry had a lady with him on his second visit, She had a daughter with Down- syndrome. She explained what it was like to be told that your daughter had a Disability. She kept asking herself questions l
ike "HOW" and "WHY". She then went on to tell us about, what it was like to watch her child grow up. Her little girl wasn't the same but they didn't love her anymore or any less than their other children, she needed special care and they gave that to her. From that love and care their little girl isn't so little anymore, she has become an independent woman living on her own. People with a Disability might not be or look like us but they have feelings just like us. People like them need their space and only by giving them that space will they learn to cope with the way life is going to be for them. So if you see a person walking down the road with other people like them a simple hello wouldn't hurt. Cause you never no you could get to like them and work with them. Gerry then finished and a big round of applause was given to both Gerry and Fionnula for their talk.. This was again a very interesting talk and it open a few eyes for our class.