Green Schools Campaign

The Green Schools project has started again and we are well on our way to making the school a cleaner place.The Green Schools committee meet twice a week and monitor the progress of the school and make suggestions.The committee consists of one or more reps from each year and the teachers Mr. Corbett, Mr. P.Ward and Ms. McGrath.An action plan has been made and different jobs have been given out. Recently, six new bins were given to the school by Dublin City Council and are now located around the school. A second year class has taken over the running of the recycling boxes as part of their action project for C.S.P.E.We ask all students to put any waste or recyclable material in the designated bins provided.

From Trinity Types to FAS Fixers

Whatever their preferred destination, students are catered for by the guidance department. During the past month, many of the Leaving Certificate pupils headed for the hallowed environs of TCD, NCAD and Blanchardstown IT whilst the LCA's went to the FAS Training Centre in Finglas. After Christmas, they will be bound for UCD, NCI and all of the Colleges of Further Education. Right now, Junior Cert, students are in the throes of doing aptitude tests. Fifth years will shortly be attending Ireland's biggest careers exhibition, FAS Opportunities 2005 in Croke Park. Lots done - more to do!

The school's IT provisions have simplified acquiring careers information. Qualifax and Career Direction are just two of the useful databases available on the school's system. Students can also borrow this software from the school library. There is no licence necessary for the installation of the software on home computers. For those who like an old fashioned read, the library also has an extensive stock of career and college publications.These are all part of a comprehensive service provided by the school which varies from careers guidance to crisis counselling. Students and parents are invited to contact the principal or guidance counsellor for details.

Gaisce and Edmund Rice Awards

There are two awards programmes now up and running in St.Aidan's. Firstly, there is the Gaisce (President's) Award which is a non-competitive achievement award open to any young person between the age of sixteen and twenty-five.

Students have to achieve in four different areas.These include community involvement (doing some work in the community), personal skill (learning how to swim or play guitar), physical (play a sport) and adventure (over two days).

Gaisce awards are usually offered to transition year, but are open to any senior students interested. So to have a bit of fun and improve the content of your C.V., join up - after all, it only costs €5 to sign up.

There are three awards available under the Gaisce scheme - bronze, silver and gold. Quite a number of St.Aidan's students have acquired the latter two in the past.

Meanwhile, the Edmund Rice Award is an achievement award offered by the Edmund Rice Organisation. Students are asked to give twenty hours voluntary community service. Generally, this is done by transition years or any senior student interested.

Both awards are certainly a worthwhile commitment and are definitely worth at least being considered by many students in the year ahead.

Mr. P. Ward
(President's Award Leader and Edmund Rice Award Coordinator)

Debating

St.Aidan's entered senior teams for two competitions since the beginning of the year.

Trinity College Historical Society Mace Debating Competition

This took place in TCD on Friday 19th November and Saturday 20th November 2004. St. Aidan's was represented by Robert Chapman (5th Year) and Alan Doyle (6th Year). 48 teams from schools throughout the country took part in 5 rounds of 'Mace' debating: an impromptu debate in which the motion and speaking order was provided only fifteen minutes before each round. Despite respectable performances, St.Aidan's did not go forward to the semi-finals.

Denny All-Ireland Debating Competition

St.Aidan's entered three teams in this major competition, formerly sponsored by ESB. On Tuesday 23rd November, our first team, headed by Noel Rock (6th Year) and Shane Reilly (5th Year) proceeded from their 1st round debate at U.C.D. and, subsequently, go forward to round 2 in January. On Monday 6 December, Robert Chapman (5th Year) and Alan Doyle (6th Year) failed to get through as a team - though Alan did get through as an individual. Unfortunately, our third team, Declan McKeown (5th Year) and Liam Flaherty (5th Year) didn't qualify, although Declan got an honourable mention from the judges.

It is hoped to organise a number of 'friendly' debates with other schools in the locality after Christmas. Many thanks to everyone involved for their organisation and research as well as those who attended the debates to support St.Aidan's.

The debate teams would also like to extend their special thanks to Mr. Cantwell for all the dedication and support that he has shown during the last three months as, without his hard work and encouragement, this would have been impossible.