FIRST AID BLOG
On Monday the 16th to Wednesday the 18th of April, the TY year group did a first aid course in various parts of the school. The forms A and B were in the H block. Our instructors were called Paul and John. On Monday we spent the day listening to them talk about past experiences, and explaining what heart attacks and strokes are. We watched videos of stroke and heart attack victims, and did some light practice of CPR on mannequins. On Tuesday we split into two different groups. I was with Paul for the next two days. That morning we spent doing practical work like bandaging and CPR. That afternoon we went through lots of hypothetical scenarios. We learnt how to treat burns, cuts and even hypothermia. This was the most interesting of the days. On the last day, Wednesday, we had our practical exams. First we had a written test, followed by a practical scenario test. I was the only one in the class to get 100% in both. I am looking forward to receiving my results for this course as I am almost sure I got a high distinction. This was a very beneficial experience and i would recommend it is continued for fourth year students.
On Monday the 16th to Wednesday the 18th of April, the TY year group did a first aid course in various parts of the school. The forms A and B were in the H block. Our instructors were called Paul and John. On Monday we spent the day listening to them talk about past experiences, and explaining what heart attacks and strokes are. We watched videos of stroke and heart attack victims, and did some light practice of CPR on mannequins. On Tuesday we split into two different groups. I was with Paul for the next two days. That morning we spent doing practical work like bandaging and CPR. That afternoon we went through lots of hypothetical scenarios. We learnt how to treat burns, cuts and even hypothermia. This was the most interesting of the days. On the last day, Wednesday, we had our practical exams. First we had a written test, followed by a practical scenario test. I was the only one in the class to get 100% in both. I am looking forward to receiving my results for this course as I am almost sure I got a high distinction. This was a very beneficial experience and i would recommend it is continued for fourth year students.
MUSICAL BLOG
From Tuesday the 6th to Thursday the 8th of February we had our transition year musical. It was an extremely fun and uplifting experience for almost everyone involved. We started preparations for it back in November, with both singing and acting trials. Unfortunately I was in Australia for this time but I was not too upset. When I did return from Australia I took place in a dance practice once a week. At first I had no idea what I was doing but it felt really cool when I began to piece it together. As the time got closer to the shows, we began having practices more often. We organised costumes and did some full dress rehearsals. At first I was worried that it was never going to come together, but the more rehearsals we did, the smoother it began to look. With a week to go before the show, Aisling chose three lads and I to be stage hands for the shows. We had to help move props on and off stage, as well as moving the set around backstage. When it came to the week of the shows, we began practicing all day everyday. I was very busy because of my dances and my back stage work. The actual shows went really well. The Stars were really well prepared and practiced, and the background dancers were synchronised perfectly. We received loads of praise from the audience and our teachers alike. It was a fantastic feeling being up on stage in front of that many people. Looking back this was one of my favourite experiences of school life to date. I would really recommend that any upcoming fourth year students put their full efforts into this as it is well worth it.
From Tuesday the 6th to Thursday the 8th of February we had our transition year musical. It was an extremely fun and uplifting experience for almost everyone involved. We started preparations for it back in November, with both singing and acting trials. Unfortunately I was in Australia for this time but I was not too upset. When I did return from Australia I took place in a dance practice once a week. At first I had no idea what I was doing but it felt really cool when I began to piece it together. As the time got closer to the shows, we began having practices more often. We organised costumes and did some full dress rehearsals. At first I was worried that it was never going to come together, but the more rehearsals we did, the smoother it began to look. With a week to go before the show, Aisling chose three lads and I to be stage hands for the shows. We had to help move props on and off stage, as well as moving the set around backstage. When it came to the week of the shows, we began practicing all day everyday. I was very busy because of my dances and my back stage work. The actual shows went really well. The Stars were really well prepared and practiced, and the background dancers were synchronised perfectly. We received loads of praise from the audience and our teachers alike. It was a fantastic feeling being up on stage in front of that many people. Looking back this was one of my favourite experiences of school life to date. I would really recommend that any upcoming fourth year students put their full efforts into this as it is well worth it.
MARTIAL ARTS
On the 23rd and the 24th of October the TY had a two day course on martial arts and self defence. First we had a Theroy lesson on street attacks and how they could be avoided. Our instructor showed us videos of fights and mugging so we had an idea of what to expect. Then after break we moved down to the sports hall. We started off by learning about the human body and what part could be used as weapons. We split into groups to practice strikes, like the hammer fist, elbow and palm strike. It was fun hitting the pads. Next we learnt how we could use elbows and knees. We practiced there until lunch. After lunch we worked on takedowns and ground fighting. This was very cool and enjoyable. The next morning we had a refresher course. Then we learnt other takedowns and groundwork. Then we worked on weapons defence against knives, bats and guns. After lunch we had our assessment. It was very tiring and required a lot of strikes, running and push-ups. Overall I really enjoyed this course and would recommend that it is continued fo 4th year students.
On the 23rd and the 24th of October the TY had a two day course on martial arts and self defence. First we had a Theroy lesson on street attacks and how they could be avoided. Our instructor showed us videos of fights and mugging so we had an idea of what to expect. Then after break we moved down to the sports hall. We started off by learning about the human body and what part could be used as weapons. We split into groups to practice strikes, like the hammer fist, elbow and palm strike. It was fun hitting the pads. Next we learnt how we could use elbows and knees. We practiced there until lunch. After lunch we worked on takedowns and ground fighting. This was very cool and enjoyable. The next morning we had a refresher course. Then we learnt other takedowns and groundwork. Then we worked on weapons defence against knives, bats and guns. After lunch we had our assessment. It was very tiring and required a lot of strikes, running and push-ups. Overall I really enjoyed this course and would recommend that it is continued fo 4th year students.
I.T. NOT JUST FOR GEEKS TALK
On Friday the 29th of September my year had a talk on IT. This talk was aimed to show us that a career in an IT firm such as Google or Dell is a good idea. The woman taking the talk explained her job in the company Dell and how she really liked it. The man that was with her explained how computer science was a very good college choice for him as it allowed him to secure his job in Dell. It was interesting to see how people in IT worked. The talk was a good insight into Dell and other IT companies and I may consider IT as a career choice in the future.
On Friday the 29th of September my year had a talk on IT. This talk was aimed to show us that a career in an IT firm such as Google or Dell is a good idea. The woman taking the talk explained her job in the company Dell and how she really liked it. The man that was with her explained how computer science was a very good college choice for him as it allowed him to secure his job in Dell. It was interesting to see how people in IT worked. The talk was a good insight into Dell and other IT companies and I may consider IT as a career choice in the future.
BOXING
On Monday the 25th of September of September I had my first boxing lesson down in the sports hall after games. After putting on my hand gaurds and gloves, we began to work on basic punches and counters. This was tiring on my arms as it was after rugby. Then, next Monday I had boxing again. We worked on more punches and started putting them into combinations. Again this was tiring but it was also great fun. The next Monday we did the same thing again, with more complex combos. By this point I felt like I was really improving in boxing. The next week that we had boxing we played a game where we had to try and hit each other's elbows. I was the champion and was unbeaten for the session. While there were supposed to be two more weeks left in the boxing module I couldn't do them as I was going to Australia. However I really enjoyed this course and it is something I'd really like to continue out of school.
On Monday the 25th of September of September I had my first boxing lesson down in the sports hall after games. After putting on my hand gaurds and gloves, we began to work on basic punches and counters. This was tiring on my arms as it was after rugby. Then, next Monday I had boxing again. We worked on more punches and started putting them into combinations. Again this was tiring but it was also great fun. The next Monday we did the same thing again, with more complex combos. By this point I felt like I was really improving in boxing. The next week that we had boxing we played a game where we had to try and hit each other's elbows. I was the champion and was unbeaten for the session. While there were supposed to be two more weeks left in the boxing module I couldn't do them as I was going to Australia. However I really enjoyed this course and it is something I'd really like to continue out of school.
EAGLES FLIGHT WORKSHOP
On thursday the 21st of September my class took part in a project management workshop called eagles flight. We went over to the pavilion where we were divided into teams of 6. We were then explained the rules of a game called the Dutchman's lost gold mine. We were told the objective of the game and given 15 minutes to come up with a plan. The aim of the game was to travel to a gold mine, mine as much gold as possible and then travel home all in 20 days or less. When the game started, we all set out on our own paths. However, we quickly realised that we were playing as a class and that we should work together. We started sharing information and resources to help other teams. My team gave tents and supplies to benefit the class. After the exercise had finished, the man told us the point of the workshop. He explained how the decisions we made at the beginning of the game influenced our overall progress. He also told us that we were the first class that he had seen that learned to work together from the very beginning, and that's why we did so well. Overall I really enjoyed this workshop and would recommend that it is continued for all 4th years.
On thursday the 21st of September my class took part in a project management workshop called eagles flight. We went over to the pavilion where we were divided into teams of 6. We were then explained the rules of a game called the Dutchman's lost gold mine. We were told the objective of the game and given 15 minutes to come up with a plan. The aim of the game was to travel to a gold mine, mine as much gold as possible and then travel home all in 20 days or less. When the game started, we all set out on our own paths. However, we quickly realised that we were playing as a class and that we should work together. We started sharing information and resources to help other teams. My team gave tents and supplies to benefit the class. After the exercise had finished, the man told us the point of the workshop. He explained how the decisions we made at the beginning of the game influenced our overall progress. He also told us that we were the first class that he had seen that learned to work together from the very beginning, and that's why we did so well. Overall I really enjoyed this workshop and would recommend that it is continued for all 4th years.