Mercy Secondary School Ballymahon

TYs

Last Wednesday, TY students participated in a very educational workshop regarding car safety. Thanks to Michael Gleeson from Car Safety Demonstration Ireland. TY girls are preparing for the Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition that will take place in Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone, on November 19. This competition aims to encourage girls to play a more prominent part in public life, improve the art of communication and to develop self-confidence and personality. Two girls will be selected from a group to include: Aisling Cahill, Robyn Hinkley, Charlotte Madden, Grainne Murtagh, Emma Goulding and Ciara Casey. Best of luck to all involved. Thanks to Ms Nevin for promoting this competition within the school. Students from TY3 group have been visiting the Day Centre in the convent house to assist with and entertain senior citizens.

World Mental Health Week

Last week was World Mental Health Week and our school took great pride in joining in the celebrations. Ms O Neill and a group of TY students were busy organising activities throughout the week aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues among young people. The ‘Walk In My Shoes’ fundraiser collected over €900 and this money is been sent to Patrick’s Mental Health Foundation’s leading awareness and fundraising campaign. There was lots of laughter on the day at the crazy shoes and socks as staff and students got into the spirit of things.

Academic achievements

We would like to congratulate fifth year students, Oisín Bennett and Amy Gill, on being selected by the State Examinations Commission to attend the National Science Olympiad in Dublin, October 26. Congratulations to Kevin Quinn who received a scholarship from NUIG based on his fantastic Leaving Cert results. Kevin is studying Financial Maths and Economics. Kevin will be one of just fifty-three students to receive the scholarship on Thursday, October 17.

Sport

Hard luck to our Junior ladies football team who were beaten on Tuesday, October 8 by Gallen Community School. Thanks to their coaches Mr Munds and Ms Egan. Hard luck to our Senior boys’ football team who played against Moyne in the North Leinster League. This was a very exciting game with little to separate the two teams until the final whistle. Thanks to their coaches Mr Seery and Mr O Gara. The Junior Soccer team played St Josephs Rochfortbridge on Friday last. This was in the Cup. They unfortunately were beaten. The score was 2-1. Thanks to coaches Kevin Stansbury and Reina Flower.

Concern Debating

We would like to wish Ms Egan and the Concern Debating team the very best of luck for the year ahead. The team consists of Katie Gallagher, Paul Prior, Jack O’Connor, Jimmy Beirne, Amy Gill, Ciarán O’Hanlon, Shane O’Hanlon. Good luck to all.

Exam Fever

The Moctober exams began last Tuesday for all third and sixth years. Good luck to all involved.