Games For Gambia

13th, Mar, '15

Last night we had an all night soccer marathon in aid of Gambia. Every year the school raises money to fund a project out in Gambia, so far they've built a school, and a well which has greatly improved their community. Every year a group of T.Y students go out and visit the village but unfortunatly this year we couldn't go because of the ebola epidemic. But they're planning on sending a few of us in fifth year.
  The soccer marathon was in the school, and we were put into teams of six. There were 50 of us all together. I think they were expecting a bigger turnout.  My team lost every game we played, but I didn't mind because I knew I was bad at football and I was dead on my feet because I was so tired. Whenever we weren't playing soccer we got to chill out. My friend brought a tent so we all crowded into that and talked, and laughed, and ate lots and lots of sweets. There were pool ables, foosball and air hockey. They also set up a projector and put on Iron Man. It was really really fun. Most of us wore onsies also, we looked ridiculous.
There are going to be awards for the winning team and best goal, they wont be announced till Monday.  There might be one for worst team for us, haha. Overall we managed to raise €1875 which is amazing. I hope we can do more for Gambia soon. I'm not really into soccer so this event didn't really suit me, but I did it because it's a good cause and I had lots of fun. I did't have to play that much football anyway and I got to talk to my friends. It went on from 6p.m to 6a.m so everyone was completely recked by the morning. I think I only managed to stay awake by eating lots of sweets. I went straight to bed as soon as I got home till about 3p.m, so I still got a full 8 hours of sleep.
I'm glad I took part in this event, even though i'm not good at football. I got to know a few of my friends a bit better and I am proud of how much we raised.

Me and Hannah in the tent.

Bronwyn in her onsie.

Everyone half falling asleep while watching the    other matches.

Mentoring

12th, Mar, '15

I started mentoring with a first year english class today. I hadn't originally signed up to do mentoring, but I made myself do it afterwards, I was lucky they still had space, which I am glad of. Basically I go to the english class for three periods a week and help them with their work. I only started today and they seem like a nice bunch. I also know the teacher quite well because I help out at homework club with her, and paired reading. For the next class I have to help them act out a poem by W.B Yeats for a competition, which should be fun. But today I just talked to them about the Ghealtacht because all the first years were going for the weekend. They had a lot of questions and were suprised when I told them they wouldn't have time for wifi. I hope we will get along well.

Print Making

10th, Mar, '15

So I started the print making module a week ago, I had started off in scratch programming but I didn't like it, because I do prezi in the mornings also so six classes of computers was a lot for one day, and I enjoy art so I thought I would do print making... again. I have done it before and carved out a lino picture. But the module has changed slightly and we're doing a mosaic inside the T.y office of a womans face with cog wheels coming out of her head to represent ideas. It is very pretty and we got to smash up tiles for it which was fun, although it made my ears ring for a while afterwards. I had to draw the face for the design and I am not much good at drawing faces, but i'm sure it will be fine once we start to actually mosaic it. We have to get the size right for the wall as well before we start to put it all up. Other groups in the class are doing other projects. Some are painting, some are doing lino and some are doing chalk drawings, they are all very very beautiful. I'm glad I got to do this module again, but a bit differently this time.

One of the other groups drawings.

               Smashing tiles for our mosaic.

Our plans for the mosaic.

Amnesty Bullying Workshop

9th, Mar, '15

For the last two periods of class we had a bullying workshop. It was run by people from Amnesty International which are w worldwide organisation that tackle discrimination of all kinds. They showed us videos about their organisation and then we got into groups to discuss what discrimination is and how to inform people about it. It was quite fun and we got to make a poster about what we thoguht were the most important basic human rights. After seeing the videos about worldwide discrimination I saw it in a new light. I had never thought about it on such a global scale before and it is a real issue in todays society. Living in Ireland i don't see it that much and people are usually equal. But in other countries women are seen as inferior, and some people are abused by the colour of their skin. Amnesty international help spread awareness and fight injustice. I was glad I got to do the workshop and I look at discrimination in a new way now.

Bag Packing

6th, Mar, '15

I also went bag packing today in Tesco's in aid of St. Kevin's Tara Hill school. Only previous students from that school got to go bag packing. I left before lunch for the rest of the day, from 12 till 3. It was quite a quiet day and a lot of people didn't want their bags packed. I am also quite shy when it comes to asking people if they want their bags packed. But we had fun anyway and talked to each other. I don't know how much we raised after but it wasn't a whole lot, but I suppose anything helps and the people who did donate were very generous.

                                 Seán and Catherine

Positivity Project

6th, Mar, '15

One of my friends, Grace had the idea to do a positivity project in our school. In involved writing up thousands of sticky notes to put one on every locker in the school, and each one had a positive phrase or quote on it. It was an amazing idea and a couple of my friends got involved, but it was a secret to everyone else. We spent the week writing up hundreds of sticky notes each. It was quote time consuming but we knew it would be worth it. Grace put a lot of work trying to find quotes to write out.
Then today, in period three, which was our p.d class, we went in groups of two to each area and stuck all the notes up. It didn't take that long and a couple of students and teacher on the corridors between classes stopped to look at us and ask what we were doing. They all seemed to think it was a good idea.
Once we finished putting all the ones up in the area we were designated to, we went and helped some of our friends in the other areas, Once we had finished putting them all up, we stopped to admire all our work and effort, and to take lots of selfies. There was only five minutes till class ended once we finished so we waited to see people reactions. My stomach was in butterflies. Once the bell sounded people came out of class smiling and going to their lockers to read their sticky notes. We could hear some people saying it was a good idea, and how great it was. It really payed off and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. I was so glad we did it. Obiously a lot of the lads threw theirs on the ground and took them off other lockers, and were basically rude about it and didn't think about the effort that went into it. But everybody else seemed grateful.
Once everyone had gone back to class, my friends had to tidy up all the post it notes on the ground. It was sad to see all our work only lasting a few minutes, but at least it put smiles on peoples faces like it was supposed to.

UCD

5th, Mar, '15

We went on a trip to the University college of Dublin (UCD) today. It was a compulsory trip for the whole year. I was so glad they put on this trip because I would love to do the vetinary course there when I leave secondary school and I wanted to see the campus for myself before I decided. When we arrived were lead into one of the lecture rooms. Everyone was pulling out the little tables and I was very dissapointed they had none for left handed people. We were given a talk about the university, about all its course, whats required and what you'll be qualified for once your finished them. Also some students form the school talked about how they got into their courses and changed them all the time to suit what they wanted to do. It was very informative. They also talked about the different clubs and sports teams in the school. They had some very unique and interesting ones. Most of my friends gave a laugh of delight when they heard there was a Harry Potter club. I did too. They seemed to have an awful lot to offer and I was already keen on attending there.
After we had the lecture we were shown around the campus by ambassador students. IUt was a massive place and nobody could remember where they were going. They had a gorgeous library, swimming pool, gym and canteens. They also had their own vetinary hospital there for students to learn in. They are the vets for Dublin zoo nearby. The student who showed us around talked about all the facilities and how some parts were being renovated by the government and lots of money was going into it. It was a very modern style building and was light and airy. I loved it so much. After being shown around my the students we were dropped off in the canteen to have our lunch. They had lovely food in it, unlike the canteen in our school, the had nice healthy stuff to and lots of variety.
Everyone had a laugh and I think a couple more people want to go to UCD now. After I saw it, I have definatly made up my mind that I want to go there. They seem to have the best vetinary course that I want with the zoo being so close. Some other people were dissapointed because they loved the campus but their isn't a course there that they want to do. But overall most people liked it.

The lecture room.

One of the pop art pieces around the campus

      One of the murals on the campus.

S.P.C.A Awards Night

2nd, Mar, '15

Tonight there was an awards ceremony to recognise all the help from the volunteers at the North Wexford Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. I was invited, although I helped out at Muckyhounds for the week. A lot of people turned up for it, even some of my friends. It was quite a simple ceremony where everyone clapped and lots of photos were taken and we all got certificates as a thank you for our help. I felt like I didn't deserve mine because I didn't directly help out with the s.p.c.a, but I was still happy and honoured to be there. It was quite a quick ceremony and there was tea and bicuits at the end, but I didn't stay for that, I went home to a nice cup of tea and telly. But it was fun to hang out with my friends at a fun event, and I really appreciate the amazing work the s.p.c.a do, they re-homed over 500 animals last year with all of the volunteers help.

Junior Cert Awards Night

26th, Feb, '15

Tonight we had our awards ceremony for all those who got A's in the junior cert exams.  It was on in the Amber Springs Hotel in Gorey. To be honest I think they should have rewarded anyone who did well in general, because someone who could have gotten all B's could have done better than someone who got one A and the rest C's. But I was glad to be meeting up with my friends anyway and it was fun. It didn't take them long to hand out all the awards, I hadn't realized how well people had done/ I got three awards for geography, home economics and art. I felt bad because I had to step over peoples feet each time to get my award, but they kindly smiled anyway as I stood on their toes. After we all got our awards we got to all talk and congratulate each other. There were tea's and coffee's and suprisingly nice juice. I had lots of fun, but I wish more of my friends could have been there.

Work Experience

16th-20th, Feb, '15

For the past week I have been doing my weeks work placement in Vaughan's Vetinary Clinic in Gorey. For the rest of the school it was their mid-term break, it was the only time they could offer me to work there, but I was delighted to be doing it at all. On the first day I was just learning the ropes. I knew one of the vets because he lives close to me, so I mainly watched the operations he was doing. It was quite fun and I got to interact with some of the animals. At times I just had to wait around for things to pick up again. I got to see a few operations, only really spaying and neutering of cats and dogs. I was still quite shy around the staff aswel, but they were very welcoming and nice. When things were quiet in the morning I took some dogs for walks from the S.P.C.A next door, which was relaxing and fun.
The second day was a bit more eventful. I went on a call out to a farm to test cows for TB and take some bloods. I have never really been in a farm enviroment before so it was a bit of a change. I didn't get to do much of the hands on work, I mostly just had to watch and learn, which I was glad of because I don't think I would have been much good at it. It was quite cold ad tiring as there were so many cows to get through, but once we finished we were kindly given a full Sunday dinner by the farmers there. It was quite awkward because I didn't know the farmers at all and barely knew the vets I was working with, but it was very tasty. We went to another farm after that again but only for a few more minutes. I usually was there from 9a.m till 3.pm which went by quite fast.
On the third day I got to see a lamb being born which was very new. It was so adorable also. At the actual vets clinic from 2-3p.m, it is really busy, people come  in with their pets for consultations which I got to be present at. This was my favourite time of the day. It was mostly dogs and cats being brought in for vaccinations which was quite funny. I learnt that dogs are very like us humans when it comes to injections. Some of the don't even notice you've put a needle in them, and others bawl and whine and screech. I didn't realize they were like this.
On the fourth day I got to go to another farm, one of the farmers cows was sick, its stomach had turned and was causing it discomfort. I got to use a stethoscope while Brendan (the vet) tapped on the cows belly, it made a strange noise like it was a tin can being hit. Then after that, we were brought in to a shed full of calves. My heart just melted, they were so adorable. They were well taken care of and weren't too shy so they came up and licked my hands. This was a very rewarding experience and probably one of the highlights.
The last day was the usual at the clinic. Tidying up and watching the operations. There were so many types of medicines, I didn't know how they remembered all the names. I got to use the stethoscope again during the consultaions on a dog which had a murmur in its heart, it sounded like a bad radio signal at times, or like a microphone being blown into.
I was very sad when I had to leave because the time flew by and I really enjoyed it. I learned so much and it was very rewarding. It has been one of the best experiences in my life. I had always wanted to be a vet and going into it I was worried I might be put off the idea once I saw the blood and other stuff. But I want to be a vet even more now. I would love to go back there again and hep out. The staff were very nice and by the end I got along with them very well. It has shown me that I definatly want to be a vet, no matter what it takes. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
I'm am very sorry I don't have and photos because I didn't have the right opportunities to take any. I wish I could have but it was too busy.

WIT Robots

11th, Feb, '15

Today my science class and a few fifth years went on a trip to the Waterford Institute of Technology to learn about the robots and what they exactly do there. I was almost not going to go because i'm not very interested in technology, but I told myself at the start of the year I would do everything, so I made myself go, I was glad of this decision. The bus journey was just over an hour and a half long and by the time we got there my legs were aching. We first went into a room filled with lots of gadget things and a few robots, it looked very technical. We were introduced to the team there (I was suprised to see one of my brothers friends there who had been in our school before, I almost didn't recognise him) Our group was then split into two and the other group went to a seperate room.
For the first half we were given a lecture on all the robots in the room and about the projects they were working on. They had a very cool robot that could do a rubix cube. He explained how it was all very mathematical also. A lot goes into them that i never even realised. The coolest robot by far though was the virtual presence robot (like the one Sheldon made in 'The big bang theory'), it was connected to a computer with a webcam, and the person at the computer controled it. You could drive it anywhere from the computer and your face showed up on the robot. You could watch, and talk to people form the robot whilst staying in the room in front of the computer. I got to drive it which was fun. They also had a large robot arm that could lift heavy weights which I got to control also. When else would I get the chance to control robots. It was very fun and interesting. They used lego to build the rubix cube robot and they bought a segway machine from smyths toy store to build the virtual presence robot. They said it was way cheaper that way and worked just as good.
Then for the afternoon session we switched places with the other group. We were in a room filled with computers which were connected to little robots with wheels (like toy cars), what we had to do was programme them to move to a certain place. This was easier said than done so I let my friends Hannah do all the programming while I watch, it was like chinese to me. In the end, after getting it wrong a lot, we got the robot to move. It was quite cool because it moved to wherever we placed the red dot. I still don't understand technology, it is amazing. Time seemed to fly by while we were there. The very last thing we did before we left was interact with one of their main robot projects. It was programmed to track your face and count. It was amazing, they said it was taking them quite some time to do.
Overal I was so glad I went on the trip. It was very interesting to see all the robots and I learnt a lot about how difficult it is to build and programme them. I don't think I would be much good at it though so I wont go down that career path. But robots are simply amazing. I admire the effort they put into building them.
On the way home we stopped at McDonalds. I didn't get food there but my friends seemed to enjoy their meals. We had a good laugh and talked about the robots. Everyone seemed to enjoy it a lot. I then fell asleep the rest of the way home because the hour long journey is just too exhausting. My friends aren't very nice whenever someone falls asleep on the buses, but luckily, they know not to mess with me.

Texaco

10th, Feb, '15

Today I finally finished my texaco piece. It didn't take as long as I expected, but I think if I had more time I could of done a better job. But hopefully I have done enough to get even a merit award. I just love the photo, so I hope I did her proud. The picture will be sent off with everyone elses from the school soon. I'm quite proud of my piece.

Burgers...mmmm

9th, Feb, '15

Today in our double home economics class we made burgers and wedges. It was a lot easier than I expected. We added crumbled up crackers, dijon mustard and cumin powder to the mince and fried them on the pan, then built it up with onions, lettuce and tomato sauce. The wedges were simple, just chop up a potato, throw them on a tray with oil and bake.
This was the nicest burger I had ever tasted, not joking. The mustard in it added so much flavour. They were quite big burgers and I managed to eat one and a half. I will be making these burgers again definatly. (If you have ever watched 'How I met your mother', I felt like Marshal when he tried the worlds best burger, it was that good, that was how I described it to my friends)

Although the wedges were easy to make, they stuck to the tray a bit and the really thick ones were a small bit undercooked, but the rest were crunchy and lovely.