Index of reports
(Click on title)
As the school year comes to a close, several events are planned for students. The first is a 'Leisure Day' for the Second Years. This event includes talks from members of 'Alanon' and Limerick Drug Squad. This is followed by three one-hour sessions of Yoga, Line Dancing and a beautician advising on skin care. Instructors from the Yoga Centre in Limerick and beauticians from Visage and Foxhall have kindly offered their services for the events. Click for photos.
An 'Evening of Recreation' has been planned for all Fifth Year and LCA1 classes on Wed. May 16th. Also, the Minor and Junior basketball teams will be in action at the Limerick League semi-final on Sun., May 13th, in the C.B.S. gym. The Senior team has already qualified for the finals and we wish them well.
Dagda Dance Co. are working with the Transition Years in a two-day workshop in preparation for their 'Parent's Night' performance. Also this month, about 100 students are heading to The Burren Outdoor Education Centre for kayaking, windsurfing, caving, rock climbing and other similarly exciting activities. Another group are going to Clonshire Equestrian Centre for a taste of horse riding. Courses in self-defence, salsa dancing have been recently running and prove very popular. Over thirty students took part in the Gaisce Awards competition, by developing new skills, new sports interests and partaking in an overnight hike in Killarney.
For further details on upcoming events in May-June, go to the Notice Board.
This fun-packed fortnight brings an extremely busy year of activities to a close. These activities included choir, aerobics, badminton, hockey and gaelic football. The record of many of these activities are recorded below.
The First Year 'Skipathon' is now a venerable annual tradition at Scoil Carmel. It involves an afternoon of skipping relays, where all First Years take turns with the skipping rope, all in a good cause. Money from the event is given to selected charities. The date of the event is yet to be fixed, but it will take place near the end of this term in the School Gym. Watch the Notice Board for developments. As always, an afternoon of mayhem and madness is guaranteed!
Horse riding at
Clonshire.
Line dancing instructions.
Make-up instructions!
Getting to grips with sailing!
This is a collage
of stained-glass style art work, made of individual A4 size units by the
students of Transition Year for their Parents Night on May 23rd. It doubled as a
backdrop to their stage production of 'The Crucible' and as an art
exhibit in its own right.
As part of their Task for the Leaving Cert. Exam, the LCA 1 group presented a sampling of foods from six different regions from around the world on April 3rd. They split up into smaller groups, each group studying the culinary traditions and music and dance of these places: China, Texas, Italy, France, Ireland and Spain. Each group had to prepare and present a full dinner menu, using the ingredients, cooking and presentation methods traditional to each culture. They also learned a traditional music and dance routine from the area they studied and demonstrated their skills at these before an enthusiastic audience. Some photo highlights are below.
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'Funiculi, Funicula' - the Italian waiters dance. |
'Yeee-Haaa'! The Texan Line Dance. |
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Two of the written exhibits on display in the Hall for the festival. |
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Part of the Irish Food Exhibit. |
The Spanish Food Exhibit. |
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Another written exhibit on show at the festival. |
The Principal, Mrs Doyle congratulating the LCA 1 girls for their great work. |
Spring, 2001.
Compiled by Laura M.
Young
Playwright of the Year 2001
School
Bank
We are proud to
announce the recent
opening of the school bank. Its opening
hours are 12.50pm -1.15pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. Many students
have opened new accounts and are making regular lodgments.
Feile
Luimni
We are proud to report that our class distinguished
itself at the 2001 Feile Luimni in the persons of Anna, who won first and Sarah,
who won third in solo singing. Well-done girls!
Y.E.S.
Competition
The finals of the schools Young Entrepreneurs Scheme
took place in Jury’s Hotel on Monday, 26th February. Many second
level schools from the Limerick area were involved. The two teams which
represented Scoil Carmel were "Munster Schools Index"
and "Mobile Madness". Unfortunately,
they were pipped at the
post, but they acquitted themselves admirably.
Social
Outreach.
All Transition Year students will
be on a two week social outreach placement
Self
Defence 
Our Self Defence course started on
the 15th February and will continue for eight weeks. Our instructor,
Mr. Mike Carroll is teaching us different moves and techniques of self-defence He
also gives classes after school on Mondays. All are welcome!
The
Afro – French Connection
Lou and Dominique visited our
French class from the Congo in central Africa. Dominique opened up a new world
for us by talking of his native country and his experiences in Ireland. Lou, who
is from Nigeria, talked to us on racism. The workshop (which was organised by
the Midwest Development Education Centre) ended with question time. Since French
is the official language of the Congo, Dominique delivered his talk through the
medium of French and Lou, who is multi lingual, ably assisted him.
Preparation
for Social Outreach.
On Friday he 9th March
Fr. Pat Seaver came to the class to help the girls to reflect on and prepare
spiritually for their social outreach programme. It was a great benefit to
everyone.
European Young Consumer Competition.
Visits
to Raheen Health and Leisure Centre.
By Karen McL.
The Raheen Health and Leisure Centre opened its doors to us on February 6th. The sessions are on Tuesdays, 11.30 - 12.30. We are able to try out different gym equipment, like treadmills, rowing machines and exercise bikes. Darragh, the manager, has been most helpful to us , showing us how to use the equipment and for organising a three week circuit training programme. We all enjoyed the experience, so much so, some of us have decided to go there on a regular basis.
Our thanks to Darragh and Mrs. Power for organising this very worthwhile experience!
The
Transition Year Self Defence Module - a report by Aisling P.
As one of our Transition Year modules, we got the
opportunity of doing self-defence. Mr.
Mike Carroll, a Black belt in Waza Kai, conducted
an eight-week introduction course with us.
To start us off Mike showed us how to roll (tumble) and
punch properly. Also he showed us three kicking techniques: The Instep Kick, The
Ball of your Foot Kick and The Roundhouse Kick (which was very popular!).
Then we got onto the serious stuff! He showed us
different blocks, strikes, throws, arm and wrist-locks, breaks and rape
prevention techniques. During three of the classes Mike brought in two girls who
had green belts to prove that all the techniques could be used successfully on
someone bigger and stronger than you.
On the whole, everyone really enjoyed it and would
recommend it to anyone interested in learning how to protect themselves or as a
sport.
This year the T. Y. group have enjoyed a great variety of activities and learned a variety of new responsibilities and challenges. Community involvement was the focus of the programme, which included mini-companies (manufacturing and selling products and providing services), taking work-experience and social-outreach, which involved community service. They gained new skills in First Aid, sports and music, which included cutting their own music CD. One of the students, Fiona, was awarded the prestigious 'Playwright of the Year, 2001' for her one-act play. The group were introduced to the art of public speaking and took part in several competitions. The culinary skills of the group were honoured in the 'European Young Science Food Competition' when they ended in the top ten entrants out of seventy participating schools.
All three of our basketball teams have now qualified for the
semi-finals of the Schools League. The match schedule was very busy since
Christmas, with matches against Charleville, Presentation School, Bruff and
Salesians. Training has been in full swing with Sheila and Mairead, with extra
coaching sessions from our visiting American coach, Kevin Ellery. The coaching
has paid off by giving the teams peak fitness for their victories so far. They
will need this commitment for challenges ahead before Easter.
A six-Week course in self-defense begins on Monday, February 12th. at 3.45pm in the School Hall. These classes have proven very popular in the past, and this course is already booked up. Our visiting instructor, Mike Carroll, also coaches the Transition years in a special self-defense module.
In our other P. E. classes, we have just ended the Table-Tennis
module and are now taking tests and measurements with First and Second Years,
volleyball with the Third Years and orienteering with the L.C.A.2 group.
Transition Years have just begun a six-week programme on Leisure and Fitness
which involves working out at Raheen Health and Leisure Centre. It is even
reported that some Dads and Mums have been persuaded to accompany daughters to
the gym in the evenings!
Well done to all around!
Basketball:
Senior, Junior and Minor teams have all been very successful so far in both League and Friendly games. All teams are coached by Sheila Clancy. We are also very fortunate to have the coaching skills of Kevin Ellery from Kentucky, U.S.A. So far, so tough, but so good! This is the third year we have our own fully qualified student referees for the Junior and Minor matches. We also have our own qualified Table Stewards to supervise and record match details.
Badminton:
We have set up a new Badminton club this year. It meets after school, with Ms. O'Sullivan in charge of coaching and administration. Competitions kick off after Christmas. Best wishes to all involved!
Gaelic Football:
This is another new sport introduced this year. Ms. Murphy is organiser and Catherine Murphy, a past-pupil of Scoil Carmel is coach. About twenty girls train every week in Ballinacurra Gaels football grounds and they continue to be dedicated to the cause despite the mud-bath that outdoor sport can be at this time of year!
Aerobics:
Friday after school sees an exodus to the Gym for a major aerobics session - lots of hard work, loud music, and fun. Ms. Murphy sets the pace, which is very tough and the proof of its success in seen in the crowds returning for more every week! (See the photo in the "School Tour" section)
First Aid:
Students in Transition Year were given a course in First Aid this term, which included resuscitation techniques. (See photo).
Table Tennis:
Table Tennis begins after Christmas in the P.E. classes and during Lunch Break. We will then have our annual In-House competitions, always very popular. We are the only school in Limerick equipped to have Table Tennis on the P.E. curriculum. This is due to years spent acquiring seven top grade tables, which makes it possible to accommodate large groups.
Physical Education in the school now includes the following activities:
Basketball, Badminton, Soccer, Uni hoc, Gymnastics - (educational and formal), Dance - (creative, national and jazzmic), Table Tennis, Rounders, Yoga, Tests and Measurements
Students are encouraged to participate in sports outside in their own communities. We have swimmers with the Limerick and Seal Swimming Clubs. Students compete in outside activities like horse riding, show jumping, karate, athletics, and rowing with St. Michael's Rowing Club. In the latter sport, a "warm up" involves a five-mile jog, rain, hail or snow, before the real training session begins!
All credit is due to the commitment and tenacity of our sporting students. May they prosper in their sport and above all, bring happiness to themselves and to others.
There is a rich variety of sports activities offered to students at present. We are competing in league Basketball, Gaelic Football and in Hockey competitions. All teams have had a promising opening to the match season. The First and Second Year and Senior Basketball teams have all been successful so far in their competitions.
The Gaelic Football team.
Our newly formed football team (photo), have taken no time to make their mark on the local sports scene. Formed just two months ago, they are already on a winning streak. This photo shows them leaving the Ballinacurra Gaels playing pitch after a fine win over their opponents, Salesians.
Wintery weather has ended matches for the time being, apart for one match against F. C. J., Bruff, Co. Limerick.
We are lucky to have 25 dedicated team members who train every Wednesday. They include beginners and experienced players and their commitment to their game bodes well for the future of the sport in the school.
The trip the the outdoor pursuits centre at Cappanalea, Co. Kerry.
Our students had a great time and brushed up on their fitness in the
Cappanalea Adventure Centre, near Killorglin, Co. Kerry, recently. The
three day trip included training in canoeing, hill and rock climbing, abseiling
(see photo) and many other activities guaranteed to raise a sweat and the
heartbeat. Everyone, teachers included, were delighted with the
experience. A wonderful break from school!
The Hockey Team is growing stronger this year. Their trainer, Marie Bartlett (who has already done immense work for hockey in the school and in the district) is doing great work with them. They have won their two friendly matches to date. Their commitment should bring rewards during the competition season.
Badminton Training occurs each Tuesday after school with Ms. O’Sullivan as coach. All age groups in the school are catered for. Competitions haven’t started yet, but will be announced shortly.
Aerobics have begun this term on a regular schedule, every Friday after school. It has proven to be very popular in a very short time. Many of the Fifth Years and Transition Years are taking this activity as part of their Gaisce award. The activity promotes fitness, rhythm, and relaxation.
Lunch Time sports activities are available to everyone interested. These include:
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Tuesday: Basketball·
Wednesday: Badminton· Thursday: Unihoc
LCA1 class goes to Dublin!
On Oct. 25th, the L.C.A. 1 group set off for Dublin at the early
hour of 8am. We visited the "Ceol" Centre in Smithfield. This is an
interactive centre to promote Irish music and dance.
Some of the more adventurous students hit the heights of Dublin City when they braved the journey to the top of the Smithfield Chimney, which towers over the area and provides panoramic views of the inner city.
At the time of writing, the group are on a two-week work experience with various businesses in the local Limerick area.
LCA Tasks are in preparation.
The LCA1 and LCA2 groups are assigned to various tasks throughout their
two-year course, and Department of Education and Science inspectors regularly
assess their individual input. The LCA1 group are working hard at their tasks at
present, which concentrates on a traditional Irish Christmas Concert, to which they
are inviting local Senior Citizens. It will be performed in the school and an
impressive array of entertainment is lined up for the evening. They are learning
some Irish folk dances, such as the ‘Military Two Step’, ‘The Siege of
Ennis’ and ‘The Virginia Reel’. They are also creating their own sequences
throughout the show. Irish songs on the evening will include ‘The Water is
Wide’ and ‘Trasna na Dtonnta’. This pleasant programme is topped off with
light refreshments prepared by the group for the audience. An old time waltz
will provide a fitting end to what promises to be a perfect evening’s
entertainment.
The Sixth year students are looking forward to their overnight retreat, from Monday, 18th, to Tuesday, 19th of December. They will be travelling from the school to the Castletown Retreat Centre, in Co. Laois. The Retreat Centre is run by the De La Salle Brothers. Students who were there before, were very happy with their experience and recommended it to others. The Transition Year group particularly enjoyed their retreat there in late October and the LCA1 group will be going there for their retreat on the 19th and 20th of February, 2001.
