Gaisce

President’s Award -Recipients 2007 (to date!)

This year was the first year we had a teacher participate in achieving the presidents award, so well done!

Students are once again about to embark on their Gaisce or Presidents Award journey, this popular event gives students the chance to encounter new experiences and develop new skills. The award involves the student executing four tasks, in different areas of achievement.    Above a Silver Medal is presented               

Personal Skill :

Students have tried brand new things, widening their dimensions and broadening their minds over a period of 26 weeks.Some have started yoga and are enjoying it greatly while some took up computer skills. Others have leaned more to the musical side and have decided to learn an instrument, some popular ones have included the guitar and the clarinet. Some have even taken up driving.

Mr. Keith O'Donnell teaching students guitar for their personal skill.

Community Involvement :

This module puts students into the community to facilitate a certain disadvantaged group. must for 16 weeks help and aid thus giving something back to the community. Some students are getting involved in the Red Cottage for refugees and Nazareth house which involves looking after the elderly. Other students also visited St. Cecilia's School to work with disabled children.

Physical Skill:

The 4th years seem to enjoy keeping fit and active. Many of them have taken up swimming in the complex, others go to the gym and take part in aerobics classes and some do Kick Boxing. Others have taken up rugby, soccer, or badminton. Some students have decided to take hockey on a more professional level to Sligo ladies every Thursday, hoping to improve their skills.

And finally the adventure weekend, which a student participates in after the fulfillment of their tasks. This entails an over night stay where students will experience new and exciting endeavors. This took place at the end of the school year.

Silver Presidents Award

A number of people have continued on with their Gaisce this year. Fifteen 5th years and two teachers departed to Belgium in order to complete the fourth condition of the Silver Presidents Award. Each morning they will complete a different stage of the canoe course, and after lunch they will be involved in other activities such as visiting Luxembourg City and Waterworld, while in the evening enjoying BBQ and treasure hunt. This is the first time such a large group have gone on to do the silver award.