Further Success for BT Young Scientists

  • 28 January, 2022
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 5th year student Jane Oakely and 4th year Erica O’Brien whose project ‘Ants face the maze: light pollution’s effect on Camponotus nicobarensis’ navigational compass‘ came 1st in the Biological Sciences Senior Group Prize in the recent BT Young Scientist enjoyed further success this week. Doctor Fidelma Butler of the school of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences in UCC met with the girls to discuss further dissemination of their research. Dr. Butler was so impressed with the detailed and scientific content of the project that she invited   Erica and Jane as guest speakers to present their project findings to representatives from the LIVE Ecomuseum and the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve at a monthly stargazing webinar next Thursday, February 3rd. Each month, a special guest is invited to discuss their research relating to the dark skies and their impact on the ecosystem. The girl’s findings on the effect of artificial light on ant’s navigation will most certainly be an interesting talking point at the webinar!  We are delighted for the girls that their incredible work has been recognised and applauded by Dr. Butler. Truly exciting times ahead!

National Winner

Congratulations to  TY student Isobel Murphy who won the nationwide mural design competition organised by Languages Connect. Isobel’s wonderful design was inspired by her strong interest in languages. A key component of her design is the use of sign language to spell out the word ‘language’ across the image. She wishes to emphasise that the one thing that we all have in common is the use of language. The hands in the image represent diversity in all communities. Isobel has something else to look forward to, as part of her prize involves a professional artist coming to the school to paint her design on a wall.

 

 

Extra Curricular

 

Irish Debating

Trua don fhoireann díospóireachta-commiserations to the Irish debating team who narrowly missed out on a place in the regional finals last night against Belvedere and Sandford Park. Both judges were full of praise for Alison Forde, Grace Branagan-McGale and Cerys O Mahony. Míle buíochas do Ghael Linn for hosting such a great competition, and best of luck to the other schools in the next round.

Hockey

All of hockey teams have been very busy this week competeing in the Leinster League.

Congratulations to the  following teams.

Senior A   who drew 1:1 to St Kilian’s

Senior B hockey team who beat The High Scholl 3:0.

 

1st year hockey team who beat Mount Temple 1:0.

Commiserations to our 2nd year hockey team who were beaten 3:1 by Mount Temple.

 

 

Loreto Hockey Tournament

Our First year hockey players enjoyed participating in the 8×8 Loreto Hockey Tournament this week. Many thanks to all our TY students who have given so generously of their time to coach and encorage our budding 1st year hockey players .

 

 

Venerable Mary Ward Week

This week we celebrated Venerable Mary Ward Week and Catholic School’s Week. As part of our celebrations,  Mary Ward’s charisms have been designed and were erected in recent weeks on Gracefield House.  They are a constant reminder to us to be people who strive for justice, sincerity, freedom,  truth and joy in our lives. These values are at the heart of our school ethos and are as relevant today as they were for Mary Ward’s contemporaries.

We celebrated Mary Ward’s values in many different ways. Assemblies were held with 1st and 2nd year students where they learned about Mary Ward’s life. 1C decorated a ‘Mary Ward Wishing Tree’ where they placed their own wishes using one of Mary Ward’s five values.
One of Mary Ward’s charisms is Joy as she always wanted the students in her schools to be happy. We thought that hot chocolate and a chat would bring a smile to the 6th years in the run up to their mock exams.

 

Many thanks to Sr Kathleen for sharing this beautiful prayer with the Ember Ignite teams earlier in the week. A special thank you to the Ember team whose hard work made the week so memorable.

 

 

 

Loreto Community

Congratulations to our 1st, 2nd and 3rd years who received their certificates and wristbands for taking part in the Loreto Virtual Camino which was organised by Ms. Ferris who is the Loreto Networks Sports Coordinator. This very successful initiative involved all the Loreto schools in Ireland participating in a virtual Camino.

An Ghaeilge

1B and 1J enjoyed a walk around Balbriggan today, creating videos based on the áiseanna and siopaí of Baile Brigín for their Irish class. Maith sibh!

 

 

Mock exams have begun for 3rd year students this week and will continue until Friday 4th February.

Transition Year students will go on work experience for the next three weeks. We wish them well and know that they will be fantastic ambassadors for the school.

Leaving Cert Students will commence their mock exams on Monday 7th of February-18th February inclusive.