Nessan’s NewsletterDecember Edition 2011

22nd DecChristmas ConcertChristmas Holidays

Ho Ho Ho,21st

3rd Year Awards Ceremony

20th DecChristmas Exams Begin

16th DecChristmas Food

Appeal Launched15th Dec

2DA Visit to the cinema15th Dec1st Years

Poetry Competition1st Years

Christmas Card Competition2nd Years Christmas Poster Competition

13th DecTY Students on Leadership Course facilitated by PAUL

Partnership12th Dec

1st, 2nd Year Girls Limerick League Basketball Matches v’s Gaelcholaiste.

8th Dec1st & 2nd Years

Basketball v’s St. Enda’s8th Dec

5th Year EngineeringTY visit to LIT

7TH Dec1DI attend Mass

in Moyross Church.5th Dec

3DA attend 5th Year/TY Options Workshop

5th DecTY Full Day

Drama Workshop facilitated by

PAUL Partnership.

22nd DecemberChristmas Concert

11.15 - 12.30 23rd December

Kris KindleChristmas Holidays

All here at the news letter, Mr. O Connor, Ms. Toomey and the staff & students of St. Nessan’s C.C wish all

our readers a very Happy Christmas

and a Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from all the staff at St. Nessan’s C.C

TY students were involved in a Drama Workshop on Monday 5th, 9-3.30pm. This was facilitated by PAUL Partnership. This was a great opportunity for the students to dip into and sample some acting, role play, dialogue, various character roles, staging and setting and they brought the whole lot to the stage at 2.55pm. They all engaged with the process and appreciated the opportunity to work with actors and a director.Show Time! TY were given the opportunity to showcase the days’ work it was an opportunity for us all to sample some first class theatrical entertainment, for free! Due to seating arrangements we could only invite some 1st Year classes to the performance but they really enjoyed it and it gave them a taster of the varied TY programme. Ms. M Toomey.

TY Drama Workshop

On Thursday the 16th of December, students from second year accompanied by Ms. Nally and Mr. O Connor went to storm cinema to watch Puss in Boots in 3D as a reward for their improved behaviour and not having notes in their journal since mid-term. Years before meeting Shrek and Donkey, the adorable but tricky Puss in Boots must clear his name as a wanted fugitive. While trying to steal magic beans from Jack and Jill, the hero crosses paths with his female match, Kitty Softpaws, who leads Puss to his old friend, but now enemy, Humpty Dumpty. Together, the three plan to steal the beans, get to the Giant’s castle, nab the golden goose, and clear Puss’ name. It was hilarious in parts and enjoyed by all, with some great 3D effects throughout.

Puss in Boots

Staff Zone

JCSP News Well done to 3DE who have just successfully completed their MS Readathon reading programme. Each student in the class read 3 books in a 6 week period . This is a motivational reading programme conducted nationwide by MS Ireland designed to encourage students to discover the joys of reading. Take a bow 3DE

Read all about it

Also just a follow up to National Board Game Playing DayIn recognition of the school’s participation in this initiative we have just received a voucher for 6 free board games from Hasbro worth over €200. Game on! Thanks to all the students and teachers who got involved on the day. Ms. Marie Toomey.

Well done to Rebecca Hannon 1 Di on winning this year’s poetry competition for Christmas. Enjoy reading it!

Christmas Poetry Competition

Christmas Oh Christmas, I love it so much,I want some hot chocolate, or even some punch,Lots of lovely colours everywhere,Lots of turkey for Dad to share.Mammy is chilling out watching X-Factor tonightYou’d better be quiet or she’ll give you a fright.Happy Christmas to all, be good and have funOur work for another year is well and truly done.

Anything goes in this year’s Christmas show-oh Yes it does!!We have a combined mix of music, dance, instrumental and choir. Its a reliable mix similar to last year and should be lots of fun.It all begins on Thursday 22nd Dec at 11.15 - 12.30ish. We wish to invite all students, staff and parents to the show. Thanks to all involved - Shane Guerin, Jessica Lam, Shane Dundon, Chloe Kelly, Thelma Connors, Claire Markham, Chloe Kinsella, Gary Dillion, Jake Gilligan, Ellen Tobin Hogan, Cillian Cassidy, Erin Sheehan, Jodi Moloney, Samantha Quinn, Nicole Dundon, Nicola Murray, Kelly Grimes, Angelique Coughlan, Shannon O Neill, and not forgetting the 6th Year ensemble!Wishing all a happy Christmas and all the very best for 2012.Ms. Marie Toomey.

Christmas Show Ho Ho Ho!!.

For the last six weeks, Dave Griffin who works for Dell in Raheen has been our Junior Achievement volunteer. He has been doing the Economics of Staying in School programme with us. He has mentioned various jobs and the requirements needed by employers for them.

His classes also included looking at who you are as a person, what success means to you and how all the small things we do in life add up. He showed us that success was ‘making what you want’ actually happen. It was really funny when he came in talking about the Economy and budgeting the very same day the real budget was announced. He said it’s grand to dream and to want to be the best but you have to be able to go out and achieve

these goals and dreams. Success is not all about being rich and famous. It’s more about the goals you want to accomplish and seeing the changes that you want in life.The most exciting part of the programme was when we staged mock interviews in the class with Dave. One student was the employer and the other was the jobseeker. The three

interviews were done by Jessica and Aaron, Christian and Rachel and Stefan and Jack. Dave was very happy with our performance and so were the teachers. The interviews were inspiring for the other students who watched. Dave then presented all of us with our Junior Achievement Certificates and we headed over to celebrate with tea and biscuits in the Parents’ room. Before Dave left we gave him a Thank You card signed by everyone thanking him for the great work he did with us. We

would like to thank DELL for letting Dave out of work to do the programme with us and Ms. Campbell-Cuddihy for letting Ms. O’Sullivan have our Geography class time to do something different.By Kevin Hanley and Jason O’Callaghan 2DE

Junior Achievement – Dell - 2DE

The 3DA class would like to thank the students of St. Nessan’s for their generosity on Jersey Day. Over €200 was collected and is on its way to Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (Limerick Branch).We would like to thank the student council for allowing the class to hold the Jersey Day. We would also like to thank Thomas Meehan and Lisa Roche for inspiring us to undertake this project. Thomas did a parachute jump for Cystic Fibrosis. Thank you to the teachers and students who completed ques-tionnaires and surveys. Bobbi-Marie O’Callaghan.

Cystic Fibrosis “Jersey Day”

Special Congratulations to Kim Kiely (1st Year) on winning the Christmas Card Competition and Devlyn Young (2nd Year) on winning the Christmas Poster Competition by creating an poster to advertise St. Nessan’s Christmas Concert.Each student was given time in I.T. class to take part. Every one put in a great effort and really enjoyed taking part as it was a lot of fun, but there could only be one winner from each year and in my opinion they are really worthy winners as there work shows.I’d also like to pay a special thank you to Ms. Carew and Ms. Kierce-Ayers for giving us the opportunity to take part. Also thanks to Limerick Printing for printing the winning poster which is displayed around the school.Presentations and awards will be made to the winners after the Christmas concert which will take place on December 22nd.By Jack Walters 2DE.

St Nessans Christmas Card and Poster Competition

Devlyn Young’s winning poster

At the moment all LCA2 students are working really hard at their tasks. They have three due in January so they are all putting in a huge amount of effort at the moment. Raymond, Nicola and Stephen have been creating awareness around the issue of road safety in our school. Michael has been making PowerPoint presentations based on the army and the work that they do. Kayleigh has been inviting guest speakers to our school to talk about women in politics. Adrian, Daniel and Joshua have been handing out surveys as well as inviting the IT’S OKAY drug awareness group in to talk to our class. Eddie, Jamie and Paul have been also been handing out surveys and also attending Céim ar Chéim to find out information about the issue of crime in their area. On top of this the students have been going to the gym, doing first aid courses working with after school clubs and doing beautician courses as part of their personal reflection task. The class will spend Monday the 19th and Tuesday the 20th of December writing up these tasks. Ms. Beaumont

On Wednesday the 7th of December Cllr.. Maria Byrne attended our school to speak to the students about women in politics. This was part of Kayleigh Sheehan’s L.C.A. task. This was an action that Kayleigh had decided to do to create awareness to the class about the role of women in politics. All of the L.C.A. class got involved and asked different questions. We were very grateful that Cllr. Byrne was able to come to our school to talk about this worthwhile issue.Ms. Beaumont

Cllr. Maria Bynres talks with LCA about women in politics

All at Smile School Completion Programme would like to wish all the staff and students of St. Nessan’s a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Leaving Certificate Applied News

On Thursday the first of December the L.C.A. 2 class went on a trip to the lifesaver programme that was being held in the South Court hotel. It was a really beneficial trip as it showed the students how important road safety is. It started with a re-enactment of a road traffic collision. We saw first-hand what the police and paramedics do at the scene of a car crash. It was very realistic and I really think it sent a strong message to all students to never ever drink and drive. We were then taken into the hotel and were shown a sequence of videos relating to road safety. We were also spoken to by guards and paramedics who deal with road traffic collisions on a daily basis.

The videos were very powerful and we were shown interviews with the families of people who had been affected by car crashes. We also saw interviews with victims of accidents and their long road to recovery. The final video shown was that of a young American girl who received serious burns as a result of a crash with a drunk driver

and the life she now has to live as a result of this. It was a very hard video to watch but I think it really sent a strong message to all the students that attended. This trip was part of the road safety task that three L.C.A. 2 students (Nicola, Raymond and Stephen) are doing at the moment. Ms. Beaumont

LCA - You’re a Lifesaver

The Student Council President Christina Counihan would like to take this opportunity to welcome all its new members. Each class is represented by a class prefect who sits on the student council body. The prefect is elected by his/her follow classmates and represents their views. The Student Council would also like to take this chance to wish all the students and staff of St. Nessan’s a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

The Student Council

Newsletter Design and Layout: Michael O Connor Newsletter Editor: Marie Toomey

Get With It! A parents’ guide to filtering technologies

There are many ways that you as a parent can help to protect your children from these dangers and ensure that your child’s online experience is happy and productive.• Talk to your children about poten-

tial dangers on the internet and your concerns.

• Make surfing the internet a family activity especially with younger children.

• Set family rules for using the internet such as when it can be used and for how long.

• Ensure that your children never give personal information or meet with an online ‘friend’ without permission.

• Keep the computer in a busy room iin the house where you can see it.

• Encourage your children to talk to you about anything uncomfortable they may find on the internet.

Top Tips for safer use of social-networking sites

• Set profiles to private so that only people you know and have granted permission to can access your page.

• Guard personal information online: even private profiles are not 100% secure.

• Think before you publish: information and photographs which are published online are there forever.

• Online ‘friends’ aren’t always friends: be cautious when communicating with people online you don’t know or trust.

• You aren’t anonymous online: behav-iour online can damage your real life reputation.

• Don’t respond to communication which makes you feel uncomfortable: tell a parent or a trusted adult about the situation immediately.

Dear parents,I would like to wish you all a Christmas filled with peace and love. A huge thank you to all of you who supported us as a staff during the year,by coming in, ringing, texting, going to parent teacher meetings and signing journals!As you know it takes team effort to educate our darlings.I will be inviting you to join some parent classes in January and really hope you come.Also, can I remind you there is a parents room here, come in and use the computers, make tea, meet friends or admire the lovely view. By coming in or by keeping in touch, it shows your child you care and that is what we are all about.May 2012 be a year of love and peace in your homes and communities and may we all continue learn together.Much love always,Teri (0868739745)

‘Be Cool - Stay in School’ SMILE School Completion Programme

HSCL Message from Teri