Build a Bank

On the second of March six students travelled to Cork for the Build A Bank regionals, the students who travelled to Cork were Ciaran Power, Samantha Lyons, Elaine Whelan, Caoimhe Quinn, Helena Walsh and Emma Quirke. They left at nine o’clock in the morning with their mascot Jerome (the skeleton). The bank name was “The Big Bank Theory” and their slogan was “The Science of Saving”. They had done a lot of work in preparation for the competition and were excited to be a part of it. When they reached the Clayton hotel where the competition was being held the first thing they did was get into their costumes (they were dressed like characters from the big bang theory tv show) and then they proceeded to walk around and size up their competition and discovered many amusing pun names and students dressed as lobsters or wizards. The judges came around and asked questions about the bank. After that there was lunch (which left a weird taste in your mouth) then the results but first we had a rave. Yes. A rave. They had music blaring and lights flashing amd they ordered us to dance a dance that they had taught us. There was prizes for the best dancers one of which went to a lobster the other to Thor. In total five teams got through to the nationals. Even though the Colaiste was not included, the bank members intend to continue to provide the service to the students. They had a great time at the competition and would recommend that next year’s TY’s take part.

Munster Schools’ Semi Final Debate, UCC

The debate took place in a packed room in UCCand there was many extremely talented debaters present but it was all right because Coláiste Dún Iascaigh had one of their best on it: Emma Quirke. She was up against several other Munster schools these were: Laurel Hill, Colaiste Spiorad Naomh, Christian Brothers College Cork, Castle Troy, Ard Scoil Ris, Glenstall Limerick, Saint Annes Templemore, and Sacred Heart Clonakilty. But they were no match for Emma and her enthusiastic supporters.

The motion for the debate was that “this house thinks that American intervention should be put to an end” so basically America should stop sticking their noses into everyone else’s business. Emma was in favour of the proposal put forward and in my opinion she crushed it. Now I personally would not like to be against Emma in anything, there is a reason everyone wants her on their team in PE; she is unstoppable!!! But of course her opposition didn’t know that yet but they would certainly find out. The debate began at five thirty and each speaker had seven minutes to speak during which anyone could ask them for a “point of information” and then make a statement against what the speaker said and the speaker would have to quickly respond before going back to their speech (so basically it is a fancy way of saying “oh hang on a second I am going to just interrupt you here in the middle of your speech and tell why everything you are saying is wrong). Emma was the ninth speaker and when she stood up she blew the adjudicators away with both her delivery and how she possessed the ability to take down the entirety of her opposition’s speech in one sentence for example “America doesn’t intervene for humanitarian reasons but rather for corporate ones”.  After all the speakers had done their thing everyone was sent upstairs for some pizza (which by the way there was not nearly enough of) and given the chance to chat and size each other up while the adjudicators made their decisions.

After this everyone was brought into a room to hear the results. Two teams and two individuals (six in total from each of the two debates taking place) were allowed through to the final of the Munster debates. I have honestly never heard such excitement from my peers we were screeching and clapping like some sort of deranged group of seals. Emma has now reached the finals this is a huge achievement and both her peers and teachers Catriona Fennessy and John McCarthy could not be more proud of her.

The final will take part in the Aula Maxima in UCC. Emma is Tipperary’s only representative in the final and along the way she has taken down some considerable opposition.

Young Social Innovators

This programme aims to foster personal commitment to making a difference in social issues and pursuing a more equal, fair and inclusive society. It brings about an insight and involvement in local and national community issues and challenges. Fostering positive relationships with young people and the community.

This year five Transition Year students took on the issue of health and well-being. They identified their specific social issue as obesity and in particular the issue around the over consumption of refined sugars. To tackle this problem they under took a number of activities. They decided to work with the local day care centre. The aim of this was to try and build rapport with the elderly in the centre. To gain a sense of what foods meant the most to them and to discover if any recipes had a story to tell. After a series of conversations, they decided that everyone enjoys treats or desserts regardless of age or gender. This does not have to be a negative. Like with everything once it is done in moderation. Following on from this a recipe book developed. The students wrote the recipe book ‘Baking it Better’. Included in this book are all the favourite traditional recipes from the residence of the day care centre. Along with a healthier version of the same dessert that the students developed. The book then became a traditional, modern and educational book of recipes.

The overall aim of the project was to raise awareness on healthy baking and how it can be done in a simple but very tasty way. All the while, decreasing refined sugars while increasing the nutritional value of sweet treats.

The students went on to represent Colaiste Dun Iascaigh in the Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick. They were asked to show case their project in two minutes on stage. The students had a great reaction to their performance and now they eagerly await the results of their efforts.