Newsletter Vol 1 No.2 |
Newsletter Vol 2 No. 1 |
Newsletter Vol 1 No.3 |
NEWSLETTER VOL.2 NO.1 JAN- FEB 2000
Students seek solution to Traffic Problem
Less then a third of people surveyed in Abbeyfeale believe that a by-pass is the answer to the Towns ongoing traffic problem. Nearly two-thirds however support the introduction of a traffic warden. These findings emerged from a detailed investigation and analysis into the traffic situation and town plan by Leaving Certificate students from 5A3. The pupils now intend presenting their report to future meeting of the Community Council and will shortly publish their findings on the web.Over the last six months, the students have used a number of different methods to compile their report ( a part of their Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme). They first build up a picture of the average daily flow of traffic into the town by counting the number of cars in a given time span over the week. A school visit by Michael Griffin, (Area Administration Officer) and Mark Collins (Limerick County Council Road Engineer) shed some expert light on the problem. Some members of the class undertook to study the effect of a bypass on other towns specifically Rathkeale. The class viewed the new town plan and devised a detailed questionnaire. The questionnaire complemented a short video film in which members of the public and the local business community were interviewed on the streets of the town.
The resulting surveys displayed a wide variety of opinion. Lisa Sohier (Brosna) who conducted the video interviews said "We found strong opinion on both sides of the by-pass argument". While the written questionnaire shows almost universal acceptance of the notion that there is a traffic problem in Abbeyfeale, the one hundred respondents were divided on the root cause of the problem. Just over 50% put the blame on the motorist and cited illegal parking as the main contributory factor. Only 14% blamed bad road design. While only 31% believed a by-pass was a solution to the towns traffic problems, 43% believed that a by-pass would serve as an advantage to businesses in the town.
Interestingly only 25% of those surveyed had comments regards the Town Plan. This according to Michael O Connor (Athea) " suggests that people aren’t informed about what is going to happen". He believed that "this was a pity as the town plan is important to the wider community. It is not just about adding few more parking spaces
Past Pupils profiled
Vocational School Students who sat their Leaving Certificate exams in June 1999 have progressed into a number of different areas, including third level, trades, further training and the workplace. We spoke to two of them to find out how they were getting on, Helena Quinn and Brian Mulcahy are both from Abbeyfeale. Helena is studying first year Computer Systems in the University of Limerick. Brian is in Galway studying first year Science. Both are enthusiastic about their new colleges. Helena enjoys the emphasis on teamwork and the fact that the course is quite challenging: ‘...Every day there is something new to achieve’. Brian is impressed by the modern campus in Galway and the course he is studying. Both experienced a culture shock in terms of class size. Brian’s science class is made up of 200 students, while there is 250 in Helena’s. Both mentioned that they had to study quite a bit in order to keep up with the requirements of their respective courses. Yet both have enjoyed a healthy life outside the lecture hall. Helena is active in the Student’s Union and was recently elected first year rep which entails representing the interests of over 4,000 students. Brian particularly enjoys city life as there is a great variety of entertainment on offer. He recommends that students go for a course that they like and are interested in. Helena agrees advising this years students to learn about the course they are planning to do. She stressed that it is important that your first few weeks in college be spent getting accustomed to your surroundings and making friends. ‘It should not be a time for worrying about whether this is the right course for you’.Beyond the Classroom Door
Not all learning is done in the classroom. Some of the most worthwhile educational experiences for pupils can come from out-of-class trips. This term, seventy second years went to the Science show organised by the institute of technology in Tralee. The show ‘The physics of colour’ was visually spectacular and the pupils found it challenging. It focussed on areas such as mixing of colours and use of lights. Graffiti theatre company from Cork staged a special performance of ‘Who’s breaking’ for 4th year students in the school. 75 students crowded into the local community centre for this contemporary gritty urban drama which depicted alienation, relationships and some of the stresses of being a teenager in the 90’s. For many students the show was a real eye-opener as it kept them enthralled from start to finish. The experience was consolidated when the cast and director took an hour out after the performance to discuss the play with the pupils.Sports Round Up
Football: The school won its first county title of the year in October when it triumphed over Newcastle West in the under-18 football final. In good conditions at the Demense, Newcastle West , the Abbeyfeale team started nervously and were only narrowly ahead at half-time. However, a heroic display in the second half saw them emerge convincing winners on a scoreline of 4-11 to 2-5. Team: Terry Brosnan, (M’Collins) Michael Reidy, (Athea) (0-1), Paul Curtin, Sean Collins, (Brosna) Joe Kelliher, (A’Feale) Tony Curtin, (Brosna)Maurice O’ Connor, (A’Feale) Kieran Long, (K’Hel) Gerard O’ Connor, (Athea) (0-1), Joe Lyons, (M‘Collins) (0-3), Joe Vaughan, (Athea) (1-3), Connie Brouder, (M’Collins) (2-0), Thomas Mc Golderick, (Brosna) Martin Chawke, (Athea) Andrew Lyons, (Tour) (0-2). Subs: Mark O’ Connor , (Brosna) (1-1) for Thomas McGolderick. David Quaid, (Athea) Michael Casey, (A’Feale) Donal Gleeson, (M’Collins) Mark Healy, (A’Feale)Declan Brosnan, (M’Collins) Liam Murphy, (Tour) DJ Murphy,(A’Feale) Gerard Brosnan, (M’Collins). In both under–14 and under-16 the school teams have recorded a number of wins and are still involved in competition at time of print. Cross country: The school will have at least two and maybe three runners representing it in the all-Irelands this year. This follows the excellent performances by James Doran, Mike Broderick and Mairead Lane in the Munster schools hill-race, held I Millstreet this February. James Doran, (Brosna)finished third in the senior race. Mike Broderick, (Abbeyfeale) came in the top five in the intermediate, while Mairead Lane finished in the top ten of the junior race. Basketball: The girls basketball team began their season with an exciting, closely fought game against Newcastlewest in January. The team are this year sporting a new kit which includes tracksuits bearing the school name.
NEWSLETTER VOL1 NO.3 APRIL-MAY 1999
Leaving Cert Applied
From September of this year, post Junior- Certificate students will be offered a new choice. It is expected that around 55 students will continue on the traditional Leaving Cert path choosing between honours and ordinary level, most hoping to go onto third-level or further training at the end of their time in the school. However another group of between 18 and 20 students will be choosing to take a slightly different path. They will the first group to take the new Leaving Cert. Applied (L.C.A.).
What is the L.C.A?
It is a two year self contained course. On completion of the course, students will be awarded a Leaving Certificate from the Department of Education.
Who is the L.C.A aimed at?
It will suit the students who prefer the idea of entering the workforce directly after the Leaving Cert. Those who wish to pursue further education can gain admittance to PLC courses. It is ideal for those students who find the academic Leaving Cert. Unsuitable for their requirements.
What does the L.C.A. student do after they are finished ?
Over 2,000 students completed the L.C.A. in 1998. Of these over half have gone into further training or education, (i.e CERT courses, Apprenticeships, PLCs). 38% have gone straight into employment.
How is it different in content?
Courses prepare students for adult and working lives. It recognises the talents of all students and emphasises forms of achievement and excellence, which the established Leaving Cert. has not recognised in the past. Ongoing assessment over the two years will replace the one big exam. Specialist options the pupil can take include, Technology, Hotel Catering and Tourism, Office Skills, Horticulure/Agriculture and Community Care amongst others. Work experience is an integral part of the course.
Mighty Munster Champions
The school captured its first Munster title in football when it overcame the challenge of Kildysart (Co. Clare) in Ballyhahill on May 19th.
Th team competing in the competition for ‘1st years’ had blazed their way through the qualifying rounds defeating Dungarven, Carrick-on-Suir and Borrisokane en route.
On the day of the final, the team got a boost when the rest of the first years travelled to give their vocal support. They were also delighted to see, some parents making the trip.
The match itself was played in windy conditions which made shooting from a distance difficult. Passes also tended to go astray quite easily.
However, our First years ability to keep their passes short contributed to the heroic victory. Our half-time lead of 1-9 to 1-2 was a cause for some nerves as we were against a strong wind in the second half. However, superb teamwork combined with accurate shooting and intelligent defending led to us running out winners on a scoreline of 3-17 to 3-4.
Team: Martin Kelliher (A’feale), Michael Quirke (M’Collins), Matthew Tierney (Athea), Colm Browne (Brosna), Christopher McCarthy (T’glantine), David O’Sullivan (M’Collins), Denis Stack (Brosna), Joe Kelliher (A’Feale) (0-2), Stephen O’Connor (Athea) (0-1), Michael O’ Sullivan (K’goshel) (0-6), Billy McKenna (Athea) (0-3), Michael Galvin (A’feale) (1-0), Mark Reidy (Athea) (1-2), Padraig Dillon (Duagh) (0-3), Jeremiah Healy (A’feale) (1-0).
Study Success Story
Since January of this year over 50 students have availed of the new evening study classes. The classes give students an opportunity to study in a quiet, supervised environment in the school.Students from first year right up to fifth year have been turning up daily from 4.p.m. to 6 p.m. The classes have proved particularly popular with the Leaving Cert. students. The evening study is supervised by teachers but as one pupil commented," Even if it wasn’t supervised, I don’t think there would be much messing. Those who are there are pretty serious about it."
NEWSLETTER VOL.1 NO.2 DEC-JAN 1999
Students Demand Justice
A group of students have recently pledged to promote human rights and work against injustices. They have formed a branch of Amnesty International in the school.
P.R.O Helena Quinn explained what Amnesty is about;" It is a worldwide human rights movement that campaigns for the release of prisoners of conscience, fair trials for political prisoners. It wants an end to torture, disappearances and political killings all over the world".
Helena also outlined how the branch was formed,"A few months ago a group of students, concerned with human rights, got together and decided to become members.
According to Amnesty, students who join will be kept active "writing letters to...governments...who are engaging in the deprivation of human rights. Students will also take responsibility for increasing Amnestys profile.
Quiz Team Victorious
The school quiz team truimphed recently in the first round of the Examiner schools quiz. Their opponants from the Presentation, Listowel and CBS, Dingle wilted in the face of a strong last round from Abbeyfeale. The Examiner quiz has a reputation for being very tough and most of the large audience in the Grand Hotel, in Tralee were left baffled by some of the questions which ranged from Greek Mythology to popular culture to politics and current affairs.Thankfully the hours of preparation that our team had put in during the previous week stood to them and they now wait for the next round in February. The team is Paul Curtin, Nioclas Leonard, David Healy and Lorcan Curtin.