St. Bricin's invests for the smart economy

It was a wet and miserable for open night and enrolment in St. Bricin's College, but it didn't dampen the spirits of the large numbers of prospective students and their families who queued to register in what is to become one of Ireland's leading technology schools. As the Transforming Teaching and Learning ICT Plan 2010-2015 was launched by VEC CEO Colm McEvoy and members of the VEC Committee the previous week, there was great enthusiasm and buzz among staff and students about the future of their school. It is known for producing leading entrepreneurs and academics, and as a pilot school for computer projects for the Department of Education.Under the plan all first year students from September 2010 and over the next five years will engage with technology through laptop computers to access textbooks. This will have the added advantage of eliminating the number of heavy books, usually for a three-year syllabus, the average 12-year-olds struggle to carry on and off buses on a daily basis. Instead the Belturbet students will carry neat laptop bags to and from school. It will enable the students to access online materials, videos and teacher resources and the staff are prepared to take the lead in providing an education that will allow the students to communicate and collaborate in learning more easily than ever before. The textbook will be complemented with video, audio and interactive graphics, bringing information to life and engaging a generation that have grown up in a technological age. The school introduced laptops for Leaving Certificate Honours Mathematics two years ago, to enable the students work online at home accessing support materials and the Maths Department website. The new intake can look forward to an engaging start to their transition from primary school and will have plenty of IT support for them and their parents as they embark on an exciting chapter in their education. Instead of struggling with homework, the young pupils can expect to click into a teacher's podcast for their science experiment or a file which contains the image for their Technical Graphics drawing, the teacher's example for their Mathematics equations or the spreadsheet for Business Studies. The future is in good hands with these young pupils primed for the smart economy and a highly competitive global marketplace. Charity work Linda McGurren and Amy-Kate Toye-Mohan, two fourth year students attending St. Bricin's College Belturbet, completing their LCVP project this year, have raised money to support Cavan athletes from Clougher House, Rathcorrick Clougher House, attend this year's games Special Olympics Games, in Limerick. The fundraising campaign that will enable local athletes to participate included a raffle, a carol service and a sale of Christmas food and a hot chocolate morning in the school. On December 17 the girls organised a carol service with the school choir under the direction of Mr. Flynn, the new music teacher, outside the Post Office in Cavan. The girls also organised a successful sale of Christmas food and hot drinks on the last day of school. "The carol singing turned out to be a huge success and the people of Cavan were generous," said Linda. "We have to thank Ms McKiernan and Fr. Gerry Kearns, Redhills, our school chaplin, for their support and hard work. Without them, this event would not have been possible." The raffle prizes were sponsored by King Communications, Cavan, Meteor in Cavan, Gala, Belturbet, Diamond and An Post in Gilbride's, Belturbet, Multisound Cavan, Kodiac, Cavan and The Sports Shop, Cavan. Linda and Amy-Kate expressed their gratitude to the sponsors. The raffle was drawn in the Seven Horseshoes on December 21 when a school talent competition, Bricin's Got Talent, was also held. St. Bricin's principal Mary Sheridan expressed her pride in the girls: "We are proud of Linda and Amy for taking on this worthwhile task and doing such a wonderful job," she said. Amy added: "This project would not have been possible without the support of the staff in St. Bricin's. I would like to thank all members of staff for pushing us to achieve this and to thank you the whole community for being so generous and making our project so successful." V. de P. hampers The St. Bricin's Student Council doesn't miss an opportunity to get things done so before Christmas they began a project to support their community in Belturbet. A food appeal throughout the classes and the supermarket was tremendously well supported. The students packed hampers on the days leading up to the holidays and it was thanks to the schools support staff Pat Mundy and Martina Brady, who delivered the loads of hampers to volunteers for distribution. Thanks to all from the St. Bricin's School Community who gave generously to this worthy cause. Condolence The Student Council in conjunction with Belturbet Town Council opened a book of condolence for the community in the school reception area in memory of past student Andrew Grene, the political affairs officer with the United Nations in Haiti, whose funeral took place recently in Belturbet. He was killed when the UN building in Port-au-Prince collapsed during last month's earthquake. He previously worked as a speech writer for the UN secretary general Boutros Boutros Ghali. He is survived by his wife and three children, who are regular visitors to Belturbet, and his twin brother Gregory, a founder member of US based Celtic rock band The Prodigals. Cavan's Got Talent Congratulations to fifth year student Sarah Farrelly, who having won Bricin's Got Talent, has been selected for Cavan's Got Talent. Sarah will be accompanied by fellow student Damien Leddy when she competes on Friday, February 19. All in St. Bricin's will be supporting this rising star, who is destined for a wonderful future as a performer! Canteen A virtual classroom allows the senior construction class to learn alongside the construction and design team as the new extension, which includes classrooms and canteen facilities, has reached roof stage. Students are following the design stages with briefings from architects Gaffney and Cullivan and Alan Traynor Consulting Engineers as well as Vivian McCauley, main contractor. Parents and prospective students were able to view a display of the project by the fourth year students under the direction of Mr. Leonard. Club Gaeilge St. Bricin's College runs a Club Gaeilge every Wednesday during lunch break. Many fun activities are organised and the main aim is to promote and create a positive image for the Irish language. The following activities are currently taking place: An Fáinne - teachers Emer McKiernan and Macdara Murphy are organising interviews for a Fáinne for the run-up to Seachtain na Gaeilge 2010. Students who take part will be awarded Fáinní, gold, silver or bronze, depending on ability. Seachtain na Gaeilge - A range of activities will be organised for Seachtain na Gaeilge 2010, from Irish poster competitions and table quizzes as Gaeilge to Irish essay competitions, and each day of Seachtain na Gaeilge a first year student will read out Seanfhocal an Lae to each year group. A wide range of other activities including Irish singing and dancing will also be organised. A particular emphasis is placed on oral Irish during this week.