Entirely Interactive

Hello:)

Yesterday, Wednesday the 23rd of May all of Ty went to an exhibition hosted by Intel in Trinity College. It was an interactive workshop and we were introduced to things like robots, ultra books and new types of laptops.

It was a really interesting and different day. It was amazing to go to Trinity college because I have never been there before and it could be a my future college who knows?

Check out http://www.tcd.ie/ for news on upcoming events!

A chance at experession

Hello:)

I am going to write this post about what I thought blogging in TY was like. Before TY the word blog was a an alien word to me. I had no clue what it was or why we were doing a blog.

During TY I found that I actually like blogging. I liked writing down what I was doing every week in TY and about the new experiences I had. I also enjoyed reading other peoples blogs and finding out what they liked about TY. It was interesting to read other peoples blogs and their impressions of our different TY events.
My favorite thing about blogging in TY was reading comments on my own blog. I would advise anyone who has access to any form of computer to write a blog. It is a great way to voice your opinion and give your view.

It was also a great achievement that our TY blog was a finalist in the Edublog Awards and that we won the Eircom Junior Spiders Award.

Set up your own blog on www.blogger.com !

That's all for now....




Here is the moment that we won the Eircom Junior Spiders....

And the winner is....

Hello:)

On Tuesday the 8th of May all of TY competed in Scifest. My project was called Onion Tears and my aim was to find out why onions make people cry and how to prevent this.
A good few entries from St. Wolstans won and we all had a great day. I think it was a good experience to present my project in front of judges. The girl who won had an excellent project and her project title was biodegradable or non biodegradable.
I really enjoyed Scifest and working in a team.
Check out http://www.scifest.ie/ if you want to enter Scifest 2013!

The end of an era

Hello:)

I think its time that I write a reflection on TY so that incoming TY's can read it and see what is coming. Lets start with saying that it is NOT  a doss year, capitals intended. I have done so much new things this year.

My highlights would be my two work experiences and going to Carlingford. Other things I really enjoyed were collecting on Lollipop Day, taking part in the Swim a Mile with a Smile, Scifest and going on the Gaisce hike.
In TY I have never been short of anything to do to say the least. We got a countless number of projects as well as the normal Christmas and upcoming Summer Tests. I feel like my confidence has improved this year also things like presenting our Science Projects in front of all of TY.

I will miss TY when its over it will be hard in fifth year not going on amazing trips every week and doing projects on all sorts of interesting topics.Check out http://www.stwolstans.ie/  for pictures of all these events!

That's all for now....

Banba's Party

Hello:)
 This Friday class Banba is having our TY party! We are still in the process of deciding a theme for our party though. Each TY class gets to decide what kind of party they want to throw and when they want to have it.
Class Fodla threw a party at Christmas and class Eiru are throwing a party at the end of the year.

 TY is coming to an end and I think this is the first year that I am actually going to be sad that the school year is ending. We have done so much in the space of just one year. Things like going to Carlingford, The Younge Scientists Exhibition, Swim a Mile ,Gaisce and many more. It will be really emotional on TY night to say the least....

Walking in the Wicklow Mountains

Hello:)

 On Friday the 27th of April some of TY is taking part in the Presidental Gaisce Award! It is the country's most prestigious and respected Award Programe. Basically, you can get three medals; Bronze, Silver and Bronze. I am taking part in the Bronze Award. I had to start or continue on with three activities. One that was to do with sport, another was a personal skill and finally something to help the community!You have to do 13 weeks in the three activities and an extra 13 in one of your choice. For my sport's activity I continued with my swimming as i am a member of Clondalkin Leisure Centre.For my personal skill I started something completely new which was piano. I am in love with playing piano now and im so glad I started it! For my community involvement skill I supervised the Homework Club in school.

 This Friday is the final part of our Gaisce, the hike. We are going to Kippure Estate in the Wicklow Mountains. It will be great fun and to learn more about the Gaisce Award check out http://www.gaisce.ie/ That's all for now....

The Cruelty in Conflict

Hello:)

Over the past few weeks in Religion we have been learning about conflict particularly in an African country called Rwanda. The conflict occurred between the Hutus and the Tutsis. An estimated 800,000 Rwandan's we killed during this mass genocide in 1994.

We watched two movies about this conflict:
1. Sometimes in April
2. Hotel Rwanda

Both of these movies were very emotional to watch. Thousands of people were murdered just because they were a Hutu or a Tutsi. I preferred Hotel Rwanda because I thought it was easier to understand and I liked the characters better. My favourite character was Paul. He cared for so many people and always had a moral courage.

The Hutu interhamwah called the Tutsis cockroaches and said they all had to be extinguished.The interhamwah used machetes to kill most Tutsis. The conflict all began when Tutsi rebels bombed down the Hutu Presidents plane. This conflict was horribly cruel because thousands were brutally killed.

I found both movies very sad to watch and I was very angry to know how little help the Rwandans got from the rest of the world. I would like to go visit Rwanda in the future because I would be interested in seeing how the country has improved in more recent years.

Hotel Rwanda




Sometimes in April

Smiling and Swimming

Hello:)

On Friday the 20th of April all of TY is taking part in a charity event called Swim a Mile with a Smile! I cant wait for it! It is an event to raise funds for Crumlin Children's Hospital and Barretstown camp for seriously ill children.

We are going to the National Aquatic Centre to do the swim. I am hoping to swim half a mile but I don't think I could manage the full mile on my own.

Make sure to check out http://swimamile.webnode.com/ to find out all about the swim!

Jack Black VS Florence and the Machine

So shake him off oh woah...

Hello:)

Last night was the music night! All of class Banba performed Shake it out by Florence and the Machine. We had been practising this since Christmas so I hope we did a good job. I really enjoyed the music night because everyone was so excited and we also got to watch School of Rock while we were waiting to perform.

We also had a final rehearsal yesterday in the hall which went well but I think that the final performance was much better. The music night took place started at 7.30 and we were in the second half.

Also for the next two weeks it Easter! It will be nice to have a long break.

Make sure to check out http://florenceandthemachine.net/ for everything you want to know about Florence and the Machine.

That's all for now....

For the First Years....

Hello:)

Yesterday all of my class Banba hosted a sports day for the first years. It included events like, the high jump, the javelin, the sprints, the relay, the 600m run, the discus and many more! Everyone one in our class got the opportunity to plan an event. Myself and Sally were in charge of the Sprints.

We had to organise all of the first years into heats and then lay out of all of the cones. As well as giving our results to the judges. It may not sound like alot of work but it was. Fortunately, it was a beautiful and sunny day. The first years were competing to what class was the sportiest. The classes are Saphire, Pearl, Ruby, Amber and Emerald. Class Pearl won by getting the most points.

Make sure to check out all of the pictures at http://www.stwolstans.ie/

That's all for now....

Not a doss year

Hello:)

Today I realised that I have alot of upcoming projects due for the next few months. So far we have to do a statistics project in maths. We have to compare surveys from 20 first years and 20 sixth years. We are comparing scary movies between the two groups.

Today, I was given a home ec. project. We have to design our dream room and include colour, texture and pattern. We also have a history project which is the one I am most looking forward to doing. We can pick any historical topic we want and have to do a report on it.

Whoever came up with that TY is a doss year is lying!
That's it for now....

Upcoming and Past Events

Hello:)

Last week in TY was La Glas. This was a day that all of the students dressed up in green to celebrate St.Patrick's day. It took place during Seachtain na Gaelige. The prefects organised the ceile and it was a fun event! 

The next big event for TY is the Swim a Mile with a Smile. I have done it once before and it will be amazing to do it with TY.

That's it for now....

Options Decisions Options Decisions

Hello:)

Today is another typical Thursday in TY. The main thing on my mind today is that our subject option forms for fifth year are due in tomorrow. It will be a weight lifted off my mind to have this out of the way with.

After what feels like a full year making my mind up I have finally made a final decision. I am happy with what I picked and I hope I made the right decision.

In other news, yesterday all TYs had an Internet safety talk and did an assalt course.

That's it for now ....

Feel the beat

Hello:)

On Monday the fifth of March all of my class(Banba) had a percussion workshop. It was a fantastic experience.

We learned about African style music and all had our own drum.The drum is called a Jimbay not a Bongo! We also learned some new dance moves! You could feel the beat like a pulse through the drum when you were playing it.

I really enjoyed this workshop and the new thing I learned alot of new things.

Every day is different

Hello:)

It has been a long time since my last blog but that is because I have been so busy. Last week was my final work experience. I went to my old primary school Scoil Mochua. It was amazing , brilliant and fantastic!

I spent my week following a timetable that my supervisor had kindly made up for me. I never had a boring moment. I was with all classes from Junior Infants right up to Sixth class. I was taking part in P.E classes , art classes , arranging books , shared reading and much much more.

My favourite part was meeting all my old teachers again and the students were so friendly and welcoming. I have learned that I have a bigger interest in primary school teaching then I thought. I would definitely recommend this work experience to anyone with an interest in teaching . The last thing I learned was the is never a dull, boring day in a primary school. Every day poses new challenges and is different.


Check out http://www.scoilmochua.com/ for more information!

Saint Brigid

Hello:)

This post is just going to be about St.Brigid with a few interesting facts about her life. Our TY class Banba designed our schools prayer room. It was a memorising experience and it is something we will never forget.

1. Brigid was born in 453 and she is the patroness of Ireland and the patron saint of Kildare.
2. Her feast day is the first of February.
3. Up until she was 18 she worked as a slave at her father's court with her mother.
4. When she was 18 she knew that her life would be devoted to God and she left her home.
5. She was inspired by the teachings of St. Patrick.
6. Brigid devoted her life to the sick, poor and elderly.
7. Brigid died in 524.

It was nice to learn about such an influential Irish woman.

My Geography Project

Our trip of a lifetime

Pillows that make Profit

Hello:)

This week I am going to discuss Mini Company. Well, our Mini Company has been doing quite well. We have had a lot of orders and our deadline is coming up. We have to make a three minute presentation to two judges and sell our product!

Our mini company is called Codladh and we sell travel pillows. Mini company has been very interesting to take part in this year. It is a completely different to anything I have done before and it is a lot of fun.

That's it for now....

The Drama of the world of work

Hello:)

This week in TY the two main things we did was go to a Drama competition and started to organise our second work experience.

The Drama competition went well. I had a small part in our drama we called," What are you looking at?". I also helped write the script. It was a great day and the other three plays from TY were also great. My favourite was the play that class Eiru did that was based on the song Concrete Angle. It was a very memorable day!

Today in guidance the issue of our second work experience was brought up. I am going to Aghards Primary School. This is my work experience I have been so excited for since the start of TY. I get to spend a week in my old school and get to see all my old teachers again. To say I cant wait is an understatement.Check out http://www.scoilmochua.com/

That's all for now....

What to do when the bell rings for the last time?

Hello:)

As part of Ms.Leahy's blog challenge I am going to dedicate this post to places I would like to go when I finish school.
When I leave school I want to go everywhere basically. The places I most want to go to are India, Australia, Italy, Scotland, Brazil and Thailand. These are the countries that intrigue me the most.

In India I would love to see the Taj Mahal. Also, as Bollywood. In India I really want to visit Venice, Rome and Verona. Ive heard so many amazing things about the outback in Australia and how its like a different world down there. The main country I want to visit is Scotland. It just fascinates me. I have fallen in love with the few pieces of history I have heard about the country and I need to see it.

That's it for now....

The Future and Beyond....

Hello:)

This week has been a very confusing week for me personally. The pressure is on again to pick out what options I have to do for leaving cert. I really don't like picking out what subjects I have to do. I don't like thinking that I abandoning so many subjects and closing doors on possible career paths.

I have an idea of what subjects I want to pick but no idea what career I want to go into. It bothers me that I have pick a career idea at 15. Then next year its fifth and I have to think about CAO points and college courses. I'm just hoping I pick something that is right for me and I don't make a mistake. I am terrible at making decisions unfortunatley.

If anyone one else is as confused as I am go online to http://www.careersportal.ie/ to help you decide what subjects you might want to pick for leaving cert or what jobs you would like to pick.

A Second Home

Hello:)

Well I think its time I write a post about what life is like in St.Wolstans and our school community. Before I started first year I was beyond nervous. I was petrified to be honest. I thought id get lost and get in trouble and miss primary school way too much. But going into secondary school has been one of the best experiences  in my life. Especially going into a school like St.Wolstans. I just remember feeling comfortable and excited. Our school has a great atmosphere and general vibe.

In particular during the Junior Cert. All of the teachers cared how we got on and helped us with anything we were stuck on. Our school also offers a lot of sport and other creative activities like choir.

It feels great knowing that every morning I am coming into an environment that is generally fun and comforting. If you have any problems there are countless amounts of teachers and staff you can talk too.

Visit http://www.stwolstans.ie/ to find out everything there is to know about St.Wolstans!

Dedication to a Patron

Hello:)

This week in religion our class Banba is preparing a special place dedicated to Saint Brigit. On the 1st of February is is Saint Bridget's Day. So, as a class group we a designing the prayer room in remembrance of Saint Bridget. She is the Patron Saint of Kildare and the Patroness of Ireland. She had a lot of empathy for the poor and sick and see is a very influential woman.

That's it for now....

Its the little things that make the big difference

Hello:)

I am going to dedicate this post to discussing the environment and how important it is to take care of it. I am by no means an environmental activist but I do my part in taking care of it.

I take care of the environment in my own small ways. For example, I always turn off the tap while I am brushing my teeth and turn off the lights when I leave a room. These a only two very minor things which I par-take in but imagine if everyone did just these two small acts. Imagine how much water would be conserved and how much energy saved!

I believe its the little things that count and that they make a big difference. So I encourage anyone who is reading my blog to next time you are brushing your teeth to turn off the tap!

This is just a simple clip showing the beauty of our world and why we should save it:

Back into the swing of things

Hello:)

This is the first week back from our Christmas holidays. Besides the horrible early mornings and homework again it is nice to see all of my friends again and be back into a routine.

The main event on the TY calender this week is that the BT Young Scientist Exhibition is on this Friday the 13th. A few groups from TY have gotten through to the exhibition and I wish them all the best of luck! Sadly my group didn't make it but it will be a great experience all the same. It will be great to see all of the projects and the range of ideas in the different schools.

Check out http://www.btyoungscientist.ie/ for all of the pictures and information about this years exhibition and how to apply for next years if you are interested. Trust me when I say it is something worth seeing! That's it for now....