Rice College NewsSecond Term • 2014-2015 Issue 65 • March

Michael RabbetteSchool Principal

Congratulations to Nathan Lally, Ballinvoy, Aughagower, Westport, who graduated recently from GMIT Galway with an Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Nathan, son of Margaret and John Joe Lally, is a past pupil of Rice College, Westport.

Past Pupil graduates

Edmund Rice Schools TrustIontaobhas Scoileanna Éamainn Rís

UCD Scholarships for Past-Pupils

Rice College students entering four different faculties in UCD were recipients of Entrance Scholarships. Joseph Hastings, Con Doherty, Robert Lee and Niall McGovern (Absent from photo) are pictured at the Awards ceremony in UCD with School Principal Mr. Michael Rabbette, who was presented with a commemorative plaque for the school

GMIT awarded John Hewer an Entrance Scholarship to recognise his academic excellence in achieving over 500 points in his Leaving Certificate at an Awards reception at the “G” Hotel Galway. John is studying Furniture Making and Design at GMIT, Letterfrack Campus. John is pictured with School Principal, Mr. Michael Rabbette and with his mother, Ms. Petra Hewer, Deradda, Sheeaune, Westport.

GMIT Scholarship for John Hewer

RICE COLLEGE NEWS Con. Junior (A) League Champions 2015 Rice College Westport 3 - 10 St. Jarlath’s Tuam 1 - 08

Back L-R: Martin Connolly (Joint Manager), Oisín McLaughlin (1-0), Eoghan McLaughlin, Robbie Harper, Chris Nevin, Mark Moran, Darragh McNulty, Fintan McManamon, Manus Smyth, Jordan Donnellan, Keith Joyce, Alan McHale, Declan Shanahan, Emmet Rowley, Louis Hoban, Andrew Ferson, Andrew Currid, Stephen O’Malley (0-6)Front L-R: Michael Brady, Michael Gallagher, Eoin Rowley, Padraig O’Haire, Mickey O’Brien, Paul Lambert, Aaron O’Flaherty, John Ryan, Colm Moran (Capt) (2-1), Eoin Conway, Ben Doyle, Pat Lambert (0-3), Alan Kennedy, Luca Ó Riain, Shane Conway (Joint Manager)

A tremendous contest laced with great football, copybook defending and brilliant scores saw Rice College defeat St. Jarlath’s College, Tuam in the Connacht Junior “A” League football final at the Connacht Centre of Excellence, writes Austin Garvin in the Mayo News.The 1st half was played at lightening pace both teams matching one another with score for score until Jarlath’s were awarded a penalty, which was duly put away, putting them 3 points ahead. Stephen O’Malley put Colm Moran through for a great goal followed by a point from Paul Lambert, leaving the teams deadlocked at 1-6 each at half-time.Colm Moran’s goal in the 1st minute of the 2nd half, scored from a Keith Doyle cross, was the tonic our boys needed. Jarlath’s were restricted to just 2 points in the 2nd half. Oisín McLaughlin soloed through the Tuam defence from mid-field burying the ball in the back of the net. Further points followed from Paul Lambert and Colm Moran. It was a great win, all thanks to the boys themselves, who gave everything on the day and to their Joint Managers, Martin Connolly and Shane Conway.

Colm Moran (Capt) accepts the trophy

Con. Juvenile (A) League Champs 2015 Rice College Westport 3 - 13 St. Colman’s C.morris 2 - 08

Back Row L-R: Kevin McLoughlin (Manager), Declan Shanahan, Cian Cassidy, Stephen Loftus, Ruairí Spellman, Liam Doheny, Conor O’Toole, Daniel Horgan, Andrew Currid, Robbie Harper, Emmet Rowley, Paul Jennings (Westport RFC).Front L-R: Josh Conway, Caoimhín O’Brien, Cian McAlister, Luke Tunney, Darragh Ludden, Thomas Johnston, Darragh Lavelle-Fabby, Luca Ó Riain, Sean Murray

Rice College lost to Presentation College Headford on the week following on a 34 - 7 scoreline

Rice College 36 : St. Mary’s Athenry 0Junior Development Schools Cup

Back Row L-R: David Blane, Westport GAA; Iarla Keane, Stephen Loftus, Rory Brickenden, John McGlynn, Liam Hanley, Manus Smyth, Matt Horan, Cian Geraghty, Eoin O’Neill, Jordan Donnellen, Patrick Chambers, Ryan Heraty, Gareth Jordan, Fergal Macken (Joint Manager), Brian Roache (Joint Manager).Front Row L-R: Adam Letourney, Kevin McGuire, Luke Tunney, Daniel McGovern, Sean O’Hanlon, John Keane, Emmett Rowley (Capt), Caolan O’Brien, Pat Chambers, Jack Carney, Oisín Moran, Sean Moore, Mark Moran

Rice College had an emphatic win over St. Colman’s College, Claremorris in the Connacht Juvenile (A) League Final at the Connacht Centre of Excellence.Rice College led by 1-4 to 0-1 after ten minutes. The points came from Emmett Rowley, Matt Moran, John McGlynn and Jack Carney. The goal came from Jordan Donnellan, scoring 3-2 from play on the day.Rice College led by 2-11 to 1-5 at half-time. Both sides scored early goals after the break. Rice College: M. Smyth; C. Kennedy, J. Keane, L.Tully; L. Hanley, R. Brickenden, G. Jordan; E. Rowley (0-1), M. Horan; P. Lambert (0-3), M. Moran (0-3), J. McGlynn (0-2); S. O’Hanlon, G. Donnellan (3-2), J. Carey (0-2).Subs used: S. Loftus for G. Jordan; O. Moran for L. Tully (inj).The MAIN MAN was John Donnellan because of his sheer work-rate and his influence on the game. In addition to scoring 3-2 from play, John looked dangerous every time he gained possession.

Soccer U17 V Athenry

Back L-R: Killian Kilkelly, Joey Smyth, Brian O’Malley, Chris Heanue, Darragh Walsh, Paddy O’Malley, Padraic O’Haire, Peter Corcoran, Jack Murphy, Pat JoyceFront L-R: Paul Coffee, Paul Lambert, Eoin Rowley, Eoin Conway, Aaron O’Flaherty, Stephen O’Malley, Mickey O’Brien

Rice College Supertouch Hurling team Defeated St. Colman’s Claremorris by 3-12 to 2-2

Let’s face it, we were short 8 players through injury and illness, endured a 2 hour journey to Athenry and a pitch that was heavy going. It took us a while to get going, conceding a goal after five minuets. We dominated the rest of the half with decent chances going to Peter Corcoran, Killian Killkelly and Stephen O’ Malley. At the other end, Paddy O’ Malley made a terrific save as they nearly went two up on the stroke of half time.We went out all guns blazing after the break and finally made the breakthrough. Stephen O’ Malley on the shoulder of the last defender got in and took his chance brilliantly chipping the onrushing keeper. The rest of the half was nip and tuck.At the start of extra time, we lost Jack Murphy through injury. Athenry made a fortunate and heartbreaking breakthrough, just as penalties beckoned. Going straight down the field we nearly equalised with the last kick of the game, but sadly, it was not to be - losing out 1-2.

Back L-R: Ms. Sandra Hall (Joint Manager), Nathan Heanue, Conor Gallagher, Yanick Sheerer, Mark O’Grady, Michael Grimes, Ethan McEvilly, Donal Ó Buachalla, Kevin Geraghty, Ms. Niamh Hoban (Joint Manager).Front L-R: Mark Gannon, Dylan Bourke, James Walsh, Darragh Ludden, Jack Carney, James Gallagher, Caolan O’Brien, Conor Calvey, Darragh Grimes, Hugh McEvilly

Scores: Donal OBuachalla (2-1), James Gallagher (0-5), Jack Carney (1-3), Conor Calvey (0-2), Ethan McEvilly (0-1).

Emmet Rowley (Capt) accepts the trophy

U14 Badminton Team 2015

Connacht Schools Runners-upL-R: Matthew Dillane, Peter Geraghty, Sean Hanley, Darren O’Malley

U16 Badminton Team 2015

Doing themselves proud in the Connacht Schools competition were L-R: Colin Hope, John Groves, Ben Allen, Marley Hoban and Niall Kelly Congrats to their Manager Ms. Sandra Hall

All-Ireland Cross-Country Minor team Silver medalists 2015National Championships Clongowes Wood College

Connacht Junior (A) Champions 2015 Rice College Westport 4 - 8 St. Gerald’s Castlebar 0 - 4

Back L-R: Martin Connolly, Joint Manager; David Blean, Westport GAA; Robbie Harper, Oisín McLaughlin, Jordan Donnellan, Padraig O’Haire, Andrew Ferson, Manus Smyth, Aaron O’Flaherty, Darragh McNally, Chris Nevin, Alan McHale, Louis Hoban, Mark Moran, Michael Brady, Andrew Currid, Emmet Rowley, Shane Conway, Joint Manager.Front L-R: Michael Gallagher, Ben Doyle, Alan Kennedy, Eoin Conway, Paul Lambert, Colm Moran (Capt), Keith Joyce, Mickey O’Brien, Fintan McManamon, Eoin Rowley, John Ryan, Pat Lambert, Stephen O’Malley, Luca Ó Riain, Eoin McLaughlinBoth teams spared no effort in serving up a contest, despite the very testing weather conditions at the GAA Centre of excellence in Bekan. Rice College was the better side with more quality players in key positions. Rice College excelled in the way they defended, retained possession, counter-attacked, creating and finishing their goal chances. Rice College were in the driving seat at half-time leading 2-1 to 0-2 and continued to dominate to the finish. Best of luck in the All-Ireland semi-final V Good Counsel College, New RossRice College: F. McManamon; J Ryan, A McHale, B Doyle; K Joyce, P O’Haire, Pat Lambert; Eoin Rowley, R Harper; E Conway, C Moran (2-2), O McLaughlin (1-0); A Kennedy (1-3), S O’Malley (0-2) Paul Lambert (0-1). Subs used: J Donnellan for E Conway; D McNulty for E Rowley; E Rowley for O’Malley; A Flaherty for McLaughlin; M Brady for E Rowley (bl. card); A Ferson for Paul LambertThe Main Man was Colm Moran. The Centre-forward was excellent, scoring 2-2 and playing a captain’s part throughout.

Back L-R: Fergal Macken (Joint Manager), Killian Heaney, Donal Ó Buachalla, Cian Moore, Luke Dawson, Brian McManamon (Joint Manager).Front L-R: Tim Campion, Sean Doherty, Dylan Stanaway, Mark Gannon, Ronan O’Donnell.

University scholarship for Glen Hastings

Glen Hastings, Westport receiving a University scholarship award in Commerce and Accounting from the President of NUI Galway, Dr. James J. Browne. Glen, son of Maurice and Kate Hastings, Deerpark East, is a past pupil of Gaelscoil na Cruaiche and Rice College, Westport

Be vigilant . Don’t be afraid to say “No”!

A third of parents admit they rarely, if ever, check their child’s online activity despite one in six children saying that they have been the victim of cyber-bullies. A new survey, carried out by the National Association of Principals and Deputy-Principals (NAPD), found that fewer parents are checking their child’s online behaviour, which could lead to an increase in cyber-bullying or young people accessing inappropriate material. To film or photograph someone without their knowledge is an illegal activity and not just a school rule. To upload this information is even a bigger offence and again is subject to criminal proceedings. Placing a once-off offensive or hurtful public message, image or statement on a social network site or other public forum where that message, image or statement can be viewed and/or repeated by other people is regarded as bullying behaviour. It wasn’t too long ago I can remember the “do’s” and “don’ts” of letting your child surf the internet. Placing the home PC in a public area in your house was good advice. Now since the introduction of the Smart Phone, which all children have, they have access to everything! Is your son allowed to have free access to Wi-Fi in your home? As parents it is up to us to set boundaries and say “NO” on occasion, that’s our job! One of the biggest problems to be dealt with in schools is when parents don’t parent. Set your own rules and regulations, don’t let the phone into the bedroom when you son is doing his homework and study. What can be more intrusive to productivity? Just 46% of parents nationally said they checked what their child does online each week. 30% of parents said they check their children’s online activities infrequently or never. One in six children surveyed say they were cyber-bullied, while one in 20 has admitted they were a perpetrator, while only 4% of parents said their child has been the perpetrator of cyber-bullying. There is a decrease in the number of parents who believe their child has been cyber-bullied, down to 10pc in 2015. While the drop in the number of parents who check their child’s online activity frequently may suggest parents believe cyber-bullying isn’t as much a problem as it used to be, the statistics tell another story. One in six children say they have been cyber-bullied and we urge parents to remain vigilant and inspect your son’s usage before it’s too late and don’t be afraid to say NO!

Patrick Heneghan takes National award in Graphics and Construction Studies

Patrick Heneghan, a student in LCA 2014, received 3rd place in the country in the subject Graphics & Construction Studies. He is pictured receiving his award from Senator Gerard Craughwell at the Annual TechnoTeachers National Awards ceremony in GMIT, Galway campus on March 7th 2015. Also in the photo are LCA coordinator Ms. Julie Kennedy and chairperson of the TechnoTeachers Association, Mr Tony Harrison. At this ceremony 42 awards are given to the students achieving 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in all the Technology subjects at both Junior and Leaving Certificate Level in the 2014 exams. An extremely proud moment for Patrick, his family, his teacher Mr John Gallagher, who was unavoidably absent on the day, and the LCA team in Rice College.

Sports scholarship to UCD for Con

Con Doherty at the UCD AD Astra awards where he received an elite sports scholarship to UCD. This year 72 scholarships were presented to elite students from the academic, sporting and performing arts disciplines. Con now has access to the top experts in his triathlete field who will assist his progress in both University and International competitions. Deputy Principal, Patrick McNamara attended the ceremony. Pictured with Con are his parents Eithne & John Doherty.

Colm Moran (Capt) of Rice College, Connacht Junior “A” Champions 2015, accepting the trophy from John Tobin of the Connacht Council

RICE COLLEGE NEWS RICE COLLEGE NEWS

Homework Club in Rice College

TY students enjoy Film Reviewing

Last October, the “Homework Club” was launched in Rice College for our first year students. Every Tuesday and Thursday after school students gather to get their homework done with the assistance of two teachers, Ms. Aoife Caffrey and Ms. Shauna Roberts. This initiative was set up to help students develop their literacy and numeracy skills as well as adopting good study techniques for the future.The Homework club is open to all our first year students. We encourage everyone to take part and all are very welcome.

2nd. Year Tea-Party Parisien Tea

By Miss Géraldine Walsh professeur de français

Farm Safety

Farm safety is a very central issue for all agricultural science students. On Tuesday 16th December Tom Gill from Teagasc Westport came to Rice College to discuss farm health & safety with the 5th & 6th Year agricultural science students.We chatted about how each person can stay safe when working or visiting the farm. Mr Gill spoke about the statistics of farm related accidents & deaths in Ireland. He also discussed the new farm safety scheme set out by the Department of Agriculture, food & the Marine. The agricultural science students are constantly working on their farms to gain information for class and their projects. It is vital that all our students keep safe when working on the farms. Pictured below are some students from the 5th year agricultural science class with various objects, booklets & signs, related to farm safety, that they collected from their farms and we discussed in detail in class. Remember, avoid the worst and put safety first!

By Ms. Sharon Costello Science teacher

Top film reviews presented by L-R: Sean Tierney (Runner-up), Cian Dunne (Winner) and Damien Doherty (Runner-up). They are pictured with their teacher Ms. Aoife Caffrey

for the Mayo News

Transition Year students embarked on a project as part of their English class, in which they would learn the process of review writing from beginning to end. This began back in November when the editor of The Mayo News, Michael Duffy was invited to speak to the students about the key elements of review writing. Mr Duffy also launched a competition for all our TY students to write a review and the winning review would be published in an edition of The Mayo News. We decided to attend the WWII Movie ‘Fury’ at Mayo Movie World for the next (and most enjoyable) stage of the process- the viewing. From here students transformed their scraps of notes from the movie into reviews fit for publication. The English department had the difficult task of whittling down all entries to just three. The finalists were Damien Doherty, Sean Tierney and Cian Dunne. Cian was selected as the winner by Mr Duffy. His review: Dealing with the realities of war, was subject to much praise from teachers as well as Mr Duffy. It was published in The Mayo News in January. Well done to Cian, our finalists Damien and Sean and all TY students who took part.

The Department report on SPHE and RSE inspection of last October was very favourable to Rice College, as indeed it must always be. Still, it is most assuring and self-satisfying for the teachers involved in delivering the programmes and for the parents of pupils receiving the programmes to be told by the Department Inspectorate that the aims of the programmes are being achieved.On the question of Subject provision and whole school support, the Inspectorate made the following observations:1. There is very good whole-school support for SPHE which is embedded in the school’s wide-ranging pastoral care provision. There is very good collaboration in supporting student’s welfare and a cohesive range of student-support structures exist. Noteworthy initiatives, such as the pastoral care team, the mentoring programme, a “Positive Living” week, and “Mind-Out” programme with outside facilitators, as well as a range of guest speakers supplement the SPHE programme well.2. In conjunction with the neighbouring all-girl’s school, TY students benefit from some shared curriculum access as well as being involved in a range of positive initiatives, such as a joint musical, a cultural tour as well as anti-bullying programmes.3. A large team is involved in SPHE delivery and teachers display a high level of commitment.4. The school’s engagement with SPHE-related training is significant and reflects great commitment from the Principal and SPHE teachers. Several teachers have training in RSE and there is a commitment to continue to avail of RSE training as necessary. Whole-staff in-service has also been provided in various SPHE related areas.5. The school informs parents of students’ progress in SPHE appropriately through school reports, letters, the school newsletter and annual parent-teacher meetings.

SPHE and RSE School Inspection

Our 2nd Year French class took part in a “Tea Party” competition organised by Leargas. Leargas is a government body that promotes languages. The competition involved organising a typical french Tea Party and to write a review of the event in French.The students were very eager to participate in this co-curricular activity because it allowed them to taste authentic French food and to speak French. The boys decided that they wanted to dress up like French men and procured some moustaches and berets.During the Tea Party they spoke French and played boardgames in French. The students really enjoyed the food and the macaroons were a big hit. We, unfortunately didn’t win the competition, but it was very much enjoyed by the students.

There has been and still is much debate about the Junior Cert Reform or the new ‘Junior Cycle Student Award’ as it is called, which is to replace the current Junior Certificate system. As of yet, very little is known as to how this new program is to be implemented, and indeed assessed, a big bone of contention among parents, teachers & the department at present. However, it is understood that there are new components included in this reform program such as Oral Presentations for example, which, are due to be assessed in Spring 2016 for our current 1st year students. To-date, our English class, 1A are well underway with their preparations for this component of the exam. After reading a prescribed novel, of which there are approximately 21 to be read, students had a number of tasks to complete before preparing for their ‘mock’ presentations or ‘practice-runs’ as we like to call them. Each student presented their findings to their class about the novel ‘Ghost Hawk’ and their critical analysis of same, in the form of an ‘Oral Presentation’.Albeit a little nervous as it is a big task to stand up in front of one’s peers to discuss a topic, students were very impressive in their presentations. They displayed a confidence in themselves, in their coursework and in their understanding of the task. Each had their very own unique way of delivering their report, hence enabling students to learn from one another. On completion, the students were given an ‘Observation/Recommendation Report’ to help them to improve for the real assessment in 2nd year which is to be visually recorded as outlined by the Department of Education. These reports were then sent home to be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to the school to be kept on file for future reference. The work of all students is also being kept in their Portfolio Work Folders, again in-line with the Department of Education’s changes.

Junior Cert Reform & Oral Presentations

By Miss Susan Mannion Teacher of English

Antoine Tessier 1A presenting his findings to the class

SUSI – 2015 Student College Grants

It is planned that the 2015 application information will be available on-line and will open on April 9th, this year. The final date by which to apply is August 1st, 2015.Courses considered eligible must be full time and lead to a major award between Levels 5-10 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).Students who attend a Post Leaving Certificate course of two year duration, and those who take an Undergraduate course here in Ireland or in other European Union (EU) countries, as well as in anywhere in the European Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland, are eligible for grant aid. Postgraduate courses in Ireland or Northern Ireland are also considered.The relevant criteria are available on www.susi.ie and should be consulted regularly before making an application. This is a means-tested process where choice of course, possible further progression in education, residency, nationality and household income are all important in the decision being made. Students have been made aware of the Reckonable Income Limits and Grants Table in mid-February. Maintenance grants are payable to qualifying applicants over a nine month period. Students should inform SUSI of any and all material changes in their circumstances, such as if they have been granted a deferral by a college, and are obliged to reapply annually while in college. All communication with SUSI may be done on the F16 Form available on the site.Best current advice from SUSI is to have applied early; otherwise, they may run the risk of not receiving their grant on time. Farming families and self-employed families are also urged to have made tax returns on time and have their accounts in order as soon as is possible, as this will obviously impact the entire process. Documents inspected include P45/P60/P21, Revenue Self -Assessment Statement, a full set of Trading Accounts, Bank Statements, Interest details and Private Pension Statements.Members of Institute of Guidance Counsellors have been advised to ask applicants to be open and up front regarding all relevant income. Please note that SUSI has direct access to data held by Government Departments such as the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection. The SUSI Support Desk is available as follows, according to their brochure dated Nov. 2014, distributed in Jan. 2015: Email: support@susi.ie, Tel: 0761 087 874, Facebook.com/susisupport and at Twitter.com/susihelpdesk

By Ms. Anne Donald-Joyce (Guidance Counsellor)

‘Young Social Innovators’ (YSI)

‘Young Social Innovators’ (YSI) is running successfully in the Transition Year programme at Rice College. This is Ireland’s largest social awareness and active citizenship programme for 15-18 year olds, involving thousands of young people in the country each year. Amongst the social issues on which action projects were carried out this year by our transition year students in Rice College are: Isolation, Drug-Abuse, Alcoholism and Homelessness. Our YSI teams have been working on these action projects since September, with the help of their teachers and YSI guides: Martin Gill, Ríona Prendergast and Shauna Roberts. The rewarding work carried out this year by our Rice College YSI groups includes raising money for the Simon Community Homeless Service through organising a football tournament at the school, raising awareness of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and innovating ways in which to help against Isolation in the community. Our Rice College YSI teams presented their chosen social issues and the work they have carried out at the Young Social Innovators Annual “Speak Out” in the Royal Theatre in Castlebar on March 5th. Each group successfully put their social issue on stage in the two minute “Speak Out”. Well done to the Transition Year boys as they did themselves proud!

Examples of our TY presentations

with Martin Gill, Ríona Prendergast and Shauna Roberts

As the transition year flies by, the students have been actively engaged in various projects since we returned to school after the Christmas holidays. From student enterprise, to Build a bank challenge, driving lessons, poetry slam, careers week, law programme, work experience, to name but a few. The students have applied themselves really well and represented the school in various competitions during the past few months. Lots of time, effort and energy was put into the various activities and the students excelled.Over the next few weeks the students will be going on a trip to Belfast to see the abundance of history and culture the city has to offer. They will complete their Gaisce overnight camping expedition, which will involve lots of activities, cooking their own food and camping out. The main event, towards the end of the year will be the trip to Munich. 84 students will travel and I hope everyone will enjoy the experience. Finally they will have an end of year interview, followed by their graduation service. How fast the year goes! I hope you enjoyed it.

Transition Year 2014-2015By Mr. Martin Gill TY Co-ordinator

By Ms. Niamh Hoban& Ms. Paula Behan

Mini-Beast Motel for Rice College together with Leaf Pile

In natural habitats there are endless nooks and crannies where mini-beasts, properly known as invertebrates, can shelter. Crevices in bark, holes in dead wood, piles of fallen leaves, gaps between rocks, hollow plant stems, spaces in dead logs – all these can provide a home for the myriad small creatures that need somewhere to nest or to escape from predators or bad weather. Established gardens can also provide lots of hiding places, but gardeners often like to tidy away the debris where invertebrates might live. Schools may feel pressure to keep their plots tidy and in a new garden, or one that consists of containers surrounded by hard surfaces, the amount of natural cover will be limited. We can help provide more homes by creating bug hotels, which are often interesting and attractive creations in their own right.

Why do mini-beasts need motels?

TANKS of FURYOn the last Wednesday in January, classes 1C and 2A made the short trip to Castlebar to visit St. Joseph’s Secondary School’s World War 1 Exhibition. Their teachers, Ms Jordan and Ms Duffy, accompanied them and delighted in showing the students around their alma mater. The exhibition was organised by the Transition Year students of St. Joseph’s and their teachers. Our young men got to see what trench life was like and also got an insight into the lives of some Mayo men who fought in the war. They also learnt about the causes of the war and the role of propaganda in encouraging men to sign up and those left at home to support the war effort financially.We all enjoyed the exhibition. It was interesting, educational and thought-provoking, giving a local slant to ‘the war to end all wars’. We would have loved to have brought our TYs as well but the exhibition coincided with their excellent Arts week programme. Sincere thanks to St. Joseph’s for inviting us and for organising a fantastic exhibition. Keep an eye on RTE’s ‘Nationwide’: their cameras were rolling during our visit and may well have captured a few Rice College boys enjoying the exhibition.

Students visit World War1 ExhibitionBy Marianne JordanTeacher of History

Attending the exhibition L-R: Patrick Conway, Chris McNally and Aodh Tempany-Gallagher with teacher Ms. Leah Duffy.

Seachtain na Gaeilge 2D Trip to Achill Gaeltacht

Deirdre Ní Riain - Muinteoir Gaeilge

“Seachtain Na Gaeilge” was celebrated in Rice College from the 1- 17th March. Students took part in various activities in classes such as poster competitions, songs and bingo. 2D Irish class went to the Gaeltacht on the 12th March, students attended Coláiste Acla and took part in activities such as gorge-walking, bog-snorkeling, abseiling and many other activities. The lads had a great day and improved on their cúpla focal.

This term, 2B & 2D History classes were given the task of completing a research project over their midterm break. Students were asked to select a topic of interest from the Second Year history course and write a newspaper report or a case study. Students were encouraged to include primary sources. The completed projects were of an extremely high standard. Projects were graded on the basis of originality, use of primary sources and presentation. The overall winners were: Cillian McNeela (2B) James Moran (2D) and Thomas Tunney (2D).

2nd Year History Projects

Study history, study history. In history lies all the secrets of statecraft. (Winston Churchill)

By Niamh Hoban - Teacher of History

1C Religion students recently participated in a celebration of the Jewish Passover. The Passover is a celebration of the freedom of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. The ritual involves eating symbolic foods from the Sedar Plate (unleavened bread, bitter herbs, charoset, parsley, a roasted egg, shank bone and salted water). These foods symbolise the contrasting harshness of slavery and the joy of freedom. The students acted out the ritual by asking the four key questions and finishing with the concluding cheer, ‘Next Year in Jerusalem!’

1C Celebrate the Jewish PassoverBy Ms. Niamh Hoban - Teacher of Religion

John Garvey 2nd Yr. Art student displaying his “Mother’s Day” Creation. Teacher Ms. Kennedy