Borrisokane Community College School Notes 08-12-2014

January 7, 2015

Christmas Concert: The Christmas concert was sold out both nights at Borrisokane Community College this week. The first half of the show involved singing from the choir and musical performances from the school String and Traditional groups. Michael Tooher and Louise Ryan, both extremely talented pianists entertained the audience with their beautiful playing. The first half of the show ended with Reece Courtney-Bowler, Leanne Rafferty and Jack Cavanagh singing, Timmy Cullinan performing a comedy sketch including the renowned Brendan Grace ‘Bottler’ and a first year dance act. The dancing troupe also won the North Tipperary ETB talent competition this week held at the school, and will represent the school in the Tipperary County final contest.  The Transition year students performed Blood Brothers in the second half of the show and received a standing ovation both nights. Performances from the two lead brothers, Cian Darcy and Danny Maguire, were exceptional. Without doubt both students have potential future careers in acting. The female lead roles, Sarah Ryan and Niamh Cahalan also demonstrated outstanding acting ability. Other cast members who performed brilliantly their lead roles were Leontien Friel-Darrell, Cathal Tighe, Barry Hogan and Declan Mc Grath. With over eighty students in the Transition Year and all of which were involved in various aspects of the concert from back stage to musical support etc. all can be most pleased with their performances.  The show was a roaring success and reflected the hard work of the students and teachers over the last few weeks. The show ended with a wide selection of sponsored prizes from local businesses being raffled and won by members of the audience. Well done to all!!

Christmas Market: Borrisokane Community College successfully launched its first annual Christmas German market.  On Thursday last close to 60 stalls set up throughout the school’s Autism Centre and main foyer.  All the businesses did very well and some sold out before the end of the even including, Brocka on the Water restaurant and Barry Cahalan’s Sheep cheese. The student businesses did extremely well with the LCVP group making huge profits. They will use the money raised to fund an educational trip and generously they will donate €200 to the Cycle against Suicide campaign. The stall selling the Suicide awareness bracelets sold out rasing a further €300. Michael Seymour fed many visitors outside with his organic lamb burgers. Rose Country Cottages sold many jars of chutney and granola. Jewellery from Kathy Howell was very popular and extremely reasonably priced. There was a huge selection of fine baking from the Cake up artist, Kathleen Grace, and students had baked cupcakes and fudge, all well received. The LCA’s completed their task by preparing, presenting and selling jars of jam, chutney, curd and homemade brown bread guided by their teacher’s Miss. Eimear Cahalan and Ms. Cornelia Walsh. The Art department and their teacher Ms. Eileen Forde sold out their magnificent pieces of work in minutes and now have a long list of orders they will now complete.  Ms. Forde, also a committee member had designed the layout of the market which was praised by all. Una Bergin’s flowers filled the area with a beautiful colourful visual display and aroma’s. She also commented on how supportive, respectful and helpful all the students had been throughout the day and evening. Michael (Mixer) Carroll, the schools’ catering provider, once again provided mouth watering turkey, beef or ham filled rolls at an extremely reasonable price.  He was delighted with the success of the event and has secured future catering bookings.

All monies received from the stalls will now fund the support services provided by the school to help promote positive mental health. The event was highlighted on the day by Tipp FM who visited the school and did a recording with Ms. Suzanne McMahon, Deputy Principal, and Ms. Mary Brady a member of the committee. The extremely positive feedback from the many visitors and the stall holders has ensured this will become an annual event that will become no doubt bigger! Well done to all the staff and students who once again represented the school extremely well and helped to create such a joyous, festive and warm event. Next year Santa will be there to join the face painters and nail artists that entertained the younger visitors.

Mental Health Day: On December 12th next the school will host an event to promote health awareness. Tipp FM has recorded a piece with Ms. Suzanne McMahon and two of the students from the Health Promoting School committee, Killian Carr and Robert Gernon.  This will be aired before the event to highlight it and the theme – positive mental health.  Music Group, Heathers, will perform their song ‘Forget me Knots’ live, the theme tune for the Campaign against suicide. The founder of the Cycle against Suicide, Mr Jim Breen will talk at the event.  Other speakers at the event include former Tipperary hurler, Seamus Hennessy and Bressie. Students this week took one of the 5 a day for mental health, Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give and wrote a message. Each of these messages will be hung by ribbon onto a tree to represent the promotion of positive mental health. The tree will be unveiled on December 12th.

RDS Craft Fair: On Friday December 5th over seventy Home Economics students with their teachers visited the Craft Fair in the RDS Dublin.  This will students ideas for projects that will be completed over the coming months.

 

 

 

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