What Are We Doing to Protect The Earth From Global Warming?

The Green School students have been extremely busy in recent weeks continuing on with our recycling in the school. A new team of enthusiastic Transition Years has taken over the collection of new recycling boxes in the classrooms and GPA. You may have noticed our new plastics bins in some rooms which have three compartments for paper and tetra-paks, plastic bottles and bottle tops. These bins make the collection of litter and waste much easier and faster. We are already planning to buy new ones in January because they are working out so well.

A PowerPoint presentation about the work we do has just been updated by Darragh Fleming and Luke Donnegan of 2nd year and is now ready for presentation to junior classes. It explains the work that we do and shows the positive differences that have occurred in the school since we began our work three years. It also tells you some of the little things you can do that will make a difference to protecting the earth from global warming. Keep a look out for it.

As well as that, we began the work needed to get a second Green Flag for conserving energy. Teams of students recently finished a survey of every room and office in the school and noted every room and office in the school and noted every electrical appliance that is used during the day. It's fact that every machine that is left on standby is using a lot of power. Not only is this a waste of money but the power is largely created by fossil fuels which we know emit the Greenhouse Gas CO2. Our next job will be to tell you about this and to encourage you to conserve energy in school and at home.

Now that we have a few things on the go we are always looking for new students who would be interested in joining us and helping out. Everyone is welcome to come to our meetings on Monday at 1.30 p.m. for about 20 mins. Many thanks to all the loyal lads who are helping out and doing great work to protect the environment for all of us now and in the future

Emmaus Retreat

Going to the Emmaus Retreat Centre was an amazing experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a bit of relaxation, an escape from the busy world we live in today and to receive a deeper understanding of themselves and others.

When we arrived, we were welcomed and shown around the building and grounds. We split up into groups and played "Emmaus Bingo", we discussed each others personalities and we drew pictures that examined our personalities even deeper, and our role in this world.

We learned a lot from these simple exercises. We even learned new things about people we thought we knew. We were invited to lunch and enjoyed the warm meals with the great atmosphere. After lunch we went into the common room, where we played the guitar and the piano, watched Ricki Lake and played football.

After lunch it was time for meditation. Many of us nearly feel asleep it was so relaxing. After our meditation we were all very happy, relaxed and enlightened. We returned to the bus and returned home. It was a worthwhile day with many great experiences and new memories to remember and enjoy.

Transition Year Gets Off To A Flyer!

When I was asked to writs this article on how Transition Year has gone so far, I wasn't sure what to mention. So much has been going on since the start of the year that it is only when I sat down to think about it all that I realised now much our class had got involved in.

In the past 3 months we have run a successful mini-company, taken swimming lessons, a fire safety course, competed a period of work experience, gone on a trip to Connemara and gone on guided tours of Dublin.

As individuals, many of us have signed up for the Gaise awards and the Edmund Rice Awards, entering the young Scientist Exhibition and joined the E.U. debating competition. Others have written a film script as Gaeilge for TG4, been elected to the student council - the list goes on.

Certainly there are ample opportunities to do weird and wonderful things that you will, possibly never get the chance to do again. Transition Year is unique in that a lot of emphasis is placed upon developing your confidence and social skills. It gives you a great chance to make friends too.

The one disadvantage to Transition Year is that is can be quite stressful. Even though there are no exams and few tests, there are plenty of projects to be completed and depending on how many extra-curricular activities you take on you may find yourself with a lot of work to do. However, I highly recommend it, if you're not in a hurry to get out of school!

Transition Year Christmas Cards

Well done to "Something Christmassy" and "Christmas Theme", the Transition Year mini-companies, for having sold a huge amount of Christmas cards this year. They have accumulated approx. €4000 in sales to date and cards are still available in the school for €5 per pack. All profits will be donated to the following Charities: Dublin Simon Community, Heart Children Ireland, Zambian Mission Fund and Friends of Calcutta. Special congratulations to Stephen Chapman (TYPA) and Ben Murphy (TYPA1) as they were responsible for the design of the cards and thanks to Ms. McQuaid for her support and dedication during this process.