Kerry footballer Colm Cooper visited Presentation College Carlow on Tuesday 14th May as part of the AIB Build-A-Bank Competition. The GAA All-Star took a two hour training session with the school football teams displaying some of the finer points of the game.

This year,being Bliain na Gaelilge, there is a stronger focus on Irish language activities at Presentation College Carlow. Some First Years in particular have demonstrated a deep interest in the native tongue. At the end of April, Class1A1 directed and performed the play ‘Pluirin Sneachta’ and it proved to be a most enjoyable experience for all. To add to the excitement, the results of the Seachtain na Gaeilge National Competitions were announced a week later and Sadhbh Redmond, a First Year student, was pleasantly surprised to see her name on the winner’s list for the seanfhocal competition. Sadhbh got second place in the Junior Section and was awarded a cash prize and a certificate. Her entry was an artistic interpretation of the seanfhocal ‘Ni feidir ceann criona a chur ar cholainn og’ (‘You can’t put an old head on young shoulders’). Comhghairdeas mor le Sadhbh. 

Students from 2A1 and 2A5 Religion classes went on a tour of the mosque in the Islamic Centre in Clonskeagh, Dublin as part of their studies of World Religions. The students enjoyed an informative and educational tour around the interior of the mosque and also learned about the various traditions and rituals associated with the Islamic religion. The students were accompanied by their teachers Mrs. Maher and Mrs. Coburn and a great day was had by all.

‘Take Away My Way’ Competition
Congratulations to Viktorijia Vilcauskyte, Transition Year student of Presentation College Carlow who has reached the All Island Final of the Take Away My Way Cookery Competition. This competition is run in by St Angela’s College Sligo in conjunction with Safefood Ireland. The competition asks secondary students around Ireland to choose their favourite take away dish and modify it to create a healthy take away dish alternative.

Active School Week takes place in Presentation College from Monday April 29th to Friday May 3rd .This week highlights the importance of P.E., physical activity and sport in school and reinforces the Active School Flag which was achieved last year. Active School Week concludes with a Sports Day for all students. This year Monica Percy, one of the leaders in Operation Transformation, will be in the school during Sports Day and will present medals.

All Junior Cycle students in Presentation College had drama presentations on various social issues relevant to our times.  The workshops were facilitated by Mr. Michael O’Sullivan, Artistic Director with the excellent Humourfit Drama Workshop.First Years enjoyed a lively performance called ‘The Mighty Bully Brady’ with an anti-bullying theme while Second Years pondered on ‘Hooked’ ,a drama which dealt with a drugs issue. Third Years were entertained with a drama about dealing with stress and finding inspiration in ‘The Importance of Breathing’.These dramas are organised by the Guidance and SPHE departments and seek to augment,deepen and compliment learning on the Social Personal and Health Education programme at school.  

Congratulations to Laura Ward who finished 3rd and Niall Harvey who finished 6th, on both wining individual medals in the All-Ireland Cross Country in Belfast.
Athletics Training is now also back in full swing for the Track and Field which is coming up in May.

On Thursday, March 14th the Elverys Power Team of Ms. Claire Mc Glynn and Mr. Ger Dolan came to visit all 130 First Year students giving their expert advice to one and all on sport, exercise and healthy living. They provided an interactive presentation incorporating exercises and informing the students on self-motivation, the importance of sports, healthy living and POWER as an acronym for Positivity, Optimum Hydration, Wholesome Diet, Exercise and Recovery. All First Year students took part in a workout comprising of a full core, strength and conditioning workout. This presentation and workout proved to be a most enjoyable and beneficial experience.

Presentation College Carlow picked up yet more awards at the Eircom Junior Spiders Awards (Irish Internet Awards). The awards which recognise and reward primary and postprimary students for the innovative ways they use the internet through designing their own websites. The school had a total of three shortlisted websites; Schoolswise, Aptus Racing and Synergy Racing. However it was Lee Campbell along with teammate Pauric Dempsey and teacher Claire Mc Hugh who received the award for Best Web Design at the awards for their F1 in Schools Team website www.syneryf1racing.com.

Congratulations to Aoife O’ Sullivan, Kate Mulhall and Katie Cullen who won the ‘IRISH FEDERATION OF WOMEN GRADUATES’ PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION’ held in Trinity College on Saturday. The Second Year girls, representing the Trinity College graduates,took part in a hotly contested national final to become victorious, beating stiff competition from teams from NUIG, U.C.D. and Queens University Belfast.
The girls delivered exceptional and impromptu speeches on the various aspects of their chosen topics of Citizenship, Modern Technology and the Olympics, captivating the audience. After a brief deliberation of the distinguished and experienced judges, the girls emerged victorious on the day, taking home the much coveted“Poppy Corbet” perpetual trophy, to the delight of their English teacher Ms. Christine O’ Sullivan, Principal Mr. Ray Murray, Year Head Ms. Caitlin De Burca, their parents and many well- wishers who accompanied the girls to the venue. We look forward to hearing much more from these competent young ladies in the future!