St. Joseph’s Secondary School Rochfortbridge News – May 2020

Young Social Innovators 2020: Highly Commended

YSI Project “Wonderful Waste” has been highly commended in the Young Social Innovators of the Year All Ireland Finals 2020! This is a fantastic achievement as only ten projects were highly commended from schools all across the country. The following is a reminder of what their project entailed:

The project examined the issue of waste and how disposable items have become in modern living. The main focus was to get people to think about the unnecessary waste they produce and to come up with ways to use second hand items and waste in useful and creative ways. This is where the idea of designing a cookbook for using leftovers came from. Having completed a survey and research the class designed and tested recipes to use up commonly left over food.

Along with their cookbook, which is ready for printing, they have plans to plant their own herbs to use in our recipes, they have organised a book and clothes swap, are in the process of organising a mobile phone collection for charity and had started making eco-bricks (before school closure).

Well done to all involved!

TY’s Runners Up YSI Senior Waste Category

Well done to ‘The Plastic Plague’ team members: Dylan Enright (team leader), Kieran Daly, Dara Gorman, Lorcan Murphy and Nojus Radzunis, Transition Year, who have been awarded Runners Up in the Senior Category of the Young Environmentalist of the Year Award! “Our project is based on the concept of recycling in our school and reducing the amount of plastic we use. We have taken many actions to promote our project. These include social media campaigns, PowerPoint presentations, posters and finally a competition for first year students where they made an Eco – Model Project made from recyclable material only, to raise awareness and to show that they care about our planet. The Eco Schools committee had already banned plastic bottles and plastic cutlery in the school canteen. We worked with them and we feel we have made a positive impact on our Environment and we will continue to work on our project in the future” We had two entries that made it to the final and well done also to ‘The Carbon Cubs’. Emma Flood was their group leader and also in her team was: Grace Gunning, Niamh Fleming, Holly Davitt, Jack Quinn, Luke Leacy, Sophie Burke, Ciara Doran, Jack Dalton, Johnathon Salmon and Leo Hennessy. Their aim is to reduce the energy waste in the school. Both teams will receive a Native Irish Tree for our school and the winning team will each receive a trophy. The final was held on YouTube  and can be viewed from link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmo_PnQwr5k

Sixth Year Assembly

We had an online assembly with our Sixth Years this morning and it was fantastic to see so many of our students logged in. We thank you for joining us. Ms Alford addressed the students on many of the pertinent issues for them at the moment, most particularly the Leaving Cert and any news that we have on that to date. She congratulated the students on their hard work during this time and encouraged them to keep working and striving and to not lose sight of their dreams and goals. She reminded the students that these are all still very much attainable even if the journey has changed. She also included the serenity prayer which has wisdom for all of us during this time. Ms Carroll spoke on behalf of the guidance team and reminded the students of the importance of family and time spent together. Sixth Year Head Mr Dempsey also spoke great words of encouragement and motivation. He gave a reminder that teachers are very keen to work with students to guide revision and spoke of the importance of this class contact time. There was an opportunity for the students to ask any questions that they had and they were reminded that we are all here for them, at any stage, to offer support, guidance and help.

TYPB Project: Copecast

Massive well done to all the students in TYB who have successfully produced a podcast series called ‘Copecast’. The students wish to make a difference for those struggling with a negative mindset and a lack of motivation. We are thrilled to introduce the first two instalments in the podcast series. Episode 1 is hosted by James McHugh and Sarah Goonery who speak to Ms. Ann Brennan, psychotherapist in creative therapy. This copecast addresses self image and how to effectively manage peer pressure. Episode 2 is hosted by Patrick Flanagan who speaks to Ms. Denise Flanagan, a life coach and bioenergy therapist. This copecast addresses how to create a positive mindset and a sense of self-belief. This is of great benefit to all in the current climate. The Transition Year students from Rochfortbridge hope you enjoy their productions and wish to thank all those involved!

Please find the link to our copecasts in the bio section of our Instagram page @cope_cast. Alternatively please click on the links below: