Active schools week 2019

Last week was action packed in the Presentation Secondary School Thurles as we participated in active schools week. The week kicked off with the whole school participating in the 1 mile challenge around the school grounds. This challenge entailed the students and their very willing teachers walking, jogging or running a mile. On Wednesday, the long awaited teacher vs student bike race took place. Two stationary bikes were positioned in the main corridor and the aim of the exercise was to cycle the greatest distance throughout the day. Every year group took part and all participants thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Our Transition Years took part in a hike at Grange, Gortnahoe on Thursday and they enjoyed the fresh air, exercise and beautiful scenery. On Friday Leanne Fogarty held a fitness boot camp for the entire school. This was a resounding success and proceeds raised were donated to Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland. The final event of the week was a teacher vs 6th year tug of war contest which took place at lunch time on Friday. Many thanks to all participants for making this year’s active schools week such a great success.

Geography Field Trip

On Thursday 2nd May, the 5th year Geography class travelled to the Burren in North Clare to carry out their fieldwork. This comprises 20% of the total leaving certificate mark for the subject of Geography. Students and teachers were well prepared for a wet and breezy day on the beach at Bishopsquarter. The study was based on sand dunes and the girls measured parameters which included dune height, wind speed and wind direction.  Objectives included deducing how sand movement was involved in the formation of these dunes; and how human behaviour can interfere with dunes which form a protected environment of great ecological significance.

All Ireland A Soccer Semi-Final 

Pres Thurles 0

Pres Wexford 1

Munster champions Pres Thurles made the short trip last week to Thomastown to play against Leinster champions, Pres Wexford in a much anticipated All Ireland A soccer semi- final. In a great contest the Pres girls set the tone as they made all of the early running thanks to a superb work rate which has become the hallmark of this team. Kate Ralph was inspiring at midfield. Chloe Shorley and Henrietta Kiernan caused the Wexford girls a lot of problems. However, against the run of play Pres Wexford took the lead courtesy of a free kick that gave the excellent Roisin Dwan no chance. Pres thurles fought back with Molly O’Dwyer testing the Wexford keeper following great work from Ava Ryan.  The Pres Thurles defence, marshalled by the ever-reliable Ellen Maher and Rachel Ralph, was in complete control and both full backs, Aoife O’Reilly and Holli Maher, put in some great runs. Pres Thurles created the chance they had been waiting for when Chloe Shorley won a penalty, but unfortunately the ball went over the bar from the ensuing spot kick.  Caoimhe O’Sullivan’s introduction added a further threat to the Pres attack but unfortunately that all important goal proved elusive. The dedication and skill shown by this group of girls throughout the tournament augurs well for 2020.

School Inaugural Presentation Awards for Excellence 2019

On May 16th we celebrated our Inaugural Presentation Awards for Excellence 2019 was held in the school. Father Vincent was in attendance and music was provided by the school orchestra and trad group. Click here for list of winners and event program.

Below are photos taken of some of the winners on the day.

Musical Evening

Our annual Musical Evening was held in the school hall on Thursday May 9th where students from each year group displayed their musical talents to parents, staff and fellow pupils. Our First Year Choir opened the night with a rendition of the popular Million Dreams from the movie the Greatest Showman. Our school Orchestra and Traditional Music Groups played a selection of tunes including the much loved Marino Waltz by Dubliner John Sheehan. In addition to our choral groups and the Pres Singers who performed a rousing rendition of Tina Turner’s Proud Mary, we were treated to performances from soloists ,duets and groups from each year group. Throughout the night poetry, dance and music filled the Assembly Hall. Many of the performers on stage will travel on a trip of a lifetime to Tennessee, America next October where they will  perform in numerous schools. Well done to our music department and all those involved in providing us with a wonderful night of entertainment.

University College Cork Open Day

On Wednesday May 15th, our 5th year students had the opportunity to visit the UCC Campus. The girls received a tour of the campus and had the chance to chat with UCC students and lecturers at various information stands. Visiting a college is an excellent way of seeking out new information in order to make an informed decision on college choice. Overall the students enjoyed the day and gained a lot from the experience.

LCVP Students Fundraise for Temple Street

Well done to our LCVP students who made a donation of €1,000 to Temple Street Children’s Hospital recently. The students had organised two events for our 1st year students, including a Friday Mash Up and a Winter Wonderland which helped raise these impressive funds. Garda Sean Trainor and Garda Donnacha O’ Sullivan gladly received the cheque on behalf of Temple Street and spoke about the importance of fundraising for the hospital. Thank you to all the students involved.

Sixth Year Students Visit Convent

Our Sixth Year students, along with their class tutors and Deputy Principal Ms. O Callaghan, visited the convent where the Presentation Sisters held a beautiful prayer service to celebrate their final days in the school and wish them well in their exams. We thank the nuns for their kindness and the beautiful service.

TY Trip to the Gaeltacht

On Sunday 12th May, seventy five students set off on their trip to the Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht in Kerry. After a brief stop in Tralee, the girls enjoyed the views heading west through Gleann na nGealt until Dingle appeared below, bathed in sunlight. The first stop was at the famed Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, where the displays of tropical fish, sharks, penguins and colourful butterflies delighted all. After meeting and dining with the local Mná Tí in Ceann Trá the girls set off for the hall where they listened to an interesting lecture on local culture, history and literature.

After the lecture it was time for dancing which allowed the girls to show their skills at ceilí dancing. The second day of the trip was spent for the most part on The Maharees near the sleepy town of Castlegregory. The splendid weather made the day even more enjoyable as the girls took part in surfing lessons and enjoyed canoeing, water rafting and paddle boating. In the afternoon, the girls were treated to the breath-taking views of Ceann Sléibhe coastal drive including Com Dhinéol beach, the Blasket islands and antiquities including Gallarus oratory. After a long day in the fresh air the girls returned to a nourishing and well-earned dinner with their Mna Tí and once again danced the night away.

On the final morning the girls set sail on Dingle Bay to catch a glimpse of the famous Dingle dolphin, Fungi, and he certainly did not disappoint. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the trip to the Gaeltacht agus beidh cuimhní deasa againn le fada an lá. Míle buíochas do Roinn na Gaeilge a d’eagraigh an turas. ‘Beatha teanga í a labhairt’.

Tip to Kolkata with the Hope Foundation

During the Easter break fourteen Presentation Thurles Transition Year students travelled to Kolkata, India. The girls had spent the year fundraising for the HOPE Foundation through a variety of different events. As a result of their hard work the girls travelled to Kolkata to experience the HOPE projects which will be funded with the money they collected. These projects include the building of a new hospital, protection homes for boys and girls and a crèche in a slum area. While visiting the various projects the girls shared our own Irish culture through dance and song. The trip was humbling and life changing for the girls. While in Kolkata the girls also took part in cultural activities including a visit to the Jain Temple monument and shopping for saris in the marketplace. One of the highlights was rising at 5.30 am on Palm Sunday to attend Mass at Mother Teresa’s humble home. This experience encapsulates what Transition Year is all about.

An Post / Scéal Eile Writing Competition

Comhghairdeas to Ellen Bracken second year student, who was runner up in the An Post /Scéal Eile Writing competition. Ellen received a certificate and gift voucher for her excellent Irish short story, ”Tugann Harry Potter cuairt ar Thiobraid Árann ”. Táimid go léir ana bhródúil aisti.

Essay Winners

Congratulations to our fifth year students, Eimear Campion and Elizabeth Clancy, who were winners of the University of Limerick Law Essay competition recently.