CARLINGFORD BLOG
From Monday the 19th to do Thursday the 22nd of February our year went to carling ford adventure centre in Louth for a school trip. This trip was one of my favourite school trips to date. We left early Monday morning and took the bus up. Once we arrived we were told our rooms and left to get settled in. After we had all put away our bags we had lunch and headed out to our first activity. For my group this was zip lining. I had great fun on the zip lines, and also helped some of my classmates who were scared complete obstacles. We went home and had dinner and then moved to the sports hall. My groups night activity was games. My group came second, and I found that I have a talent for eating dry wheetabix. Most of the year spent that night playing ping pong and chilling in the common room. This was a fun way was to catch up with some of my friends in the other group. The next day we had more activities, canoeing and laser combat. The canoeing was cold and we were wet but once I got into the flow of things I began to really enjoy it. However it was the laser combat that I really enjoyed. We were split into two different groups, red and blue. For the first game, my red team beat them easily. On the second game, we managed to beat them with out any deaths on our team. We played two games of capture the flag, that we one both of. I eliminated at least 5 people from the other team each game, and I was actually pretty proud of myself. Next we had activities, such as frisbee golf and aeroball. My team came ur still in the golf thanks to Connor and I. I enjoyed the aeroball and archery as well. The night activity that night was a blindfolded obstacles course. I enjoyed it because of good company but otherwise it was pretty boring. That night again was spent in the common room with my friends. On the last day we had ziplining and a sky heights thing, as well of the crystal maze. I really enjoyed the ziplining because I was next to a few friends of mine. It was really fun and very freeing when we zipped through the trees. Then we had a sky height thing. It involved climbing up to a pizza box sized platform 30 ft high. It was really scary and shaking up there, but I really enjoyed it. The next part of it was a team work activity to see how far up we could get. Conor Josh and I were a team and we managed to get to the very top, which I think was the best out of all the groups. The final activity for the trip was the crystal maze. It was a series of challenges to test team work and leadership. I really enjoyed these challenges. I was elected as team leader of my group and we managed to complete all the activities in the time given. When it was time to pack up and leave I was actually quite sad to leave. All in all I really enjoyed this trip. I had a great time with my friends and started some new friendships too. If I could make one change it would be that the two groups were mixed up at one point as I found it hard to talk to some of my friends in the other group. However would completely recommend that all fourth year students participate in this trip
From Monday the 19th to do Thursday the 22nd of February our year went to carling ford adventure centre in Louth for a school trip. This trip was one of my favourite school trips to date. We left early Monday morning and took the bus up. Once we arrived we were told our rooms and left to get settled in. After we had all put away our bags we had lunch and headed out to our first activity. For my group this was zip lining. I had great fun on the zip lines, and also helped some of my classmates who were scared complete obstacles. We went home and had dinner and then moved to the sports hall. My groups night activity was games. My group came second, and I found that I have a talent for eating dry wheetabix. Most of the year spent that night playing ping pong and chilling in the common room. This was a fun way was to catch up with some of my friends in the other group. The next day we had more activities, canoeing and laser combat. The canoeing was cold and we were wet but once I got into the flow of things I began to really enjoy it. However it was the laser combat that I really enjoyed. We were split into two different groups, red and blue. For the first game, my red team beat them easily. On the second game, we managed to beat them with out any deaths on our team. We played two games of capture the flag, that we one both of. I eliminated at least 5 people from the other team each game, and I was actually pretty proud of myself. Next we had activities, such as frisbee golf and aeroball. My team came ur still in the golf thanks to Connor and I. I enjoyed the aeroball and archery as well. The night activity that night was a blindfolded obstacles course. I enjoyed it because of good company but otherwise it was pretty boring. That night again was spent in the common room with my friends. On the last day we had ziplining and a sky heights thing, as well of the crystal maze. I really enjoyed the ziplining because I was next to a few friends of mine. It was really fun and very freeing when we zipped through the trees. Then we had a sky height thing. It involved climbing up to a pizza box sized platform 30 ft high. It was really scary and shaking up there, but I really enjoyed it. The next part of it was a team work activity to see how far up we could get. Conor Josh and I were a team and we managed to get to the very top, which I think was the best out of all the groups. The final activity for the trip was the crystal maze. It was a series of challenges to test team work and leadership. I really enjoyed these challenges. I was elected as team leader of my group and we managed to complete all the activities in the time given. When it was time to pack up and leave I was actually quite sad to leave. All in all I really enjoyed this trip. I had a great time with my friends and started some new friendships too. If I could make one change it would be that the two groups were mixed up at one point as I found it hard to talk to some of my friends in the other group. However would completely recommend that all fourth year students participate in this trip
BT YOUNG SCIENTIST
On the 12th of January I, along with some other TY students in my year, went into the BT young scientist expedition in the RDS. We went in by bus at 12:30 pm and got there at about 1pm. It was a great atmosphere with some awesome projects. Although some projects were boring, most projects were clever and interesting, and a lot of them applied to parts of my everyday life. I really enjoyed the day and would love to enter this competition next year.
On the 12th of January I, along with some other TY students in my year, went into the BT young scientist expedition in the RDS. We went in by bus at 12:30 pm and got there at about 1pm. It was a great atmosphere with some awesome projects. Although some projects were boring, most projects were clever and interesting, and a lot of them applied to parts of my everyday life. I really enjoyed the day and would love to enter this competition next year.
KAIROS
On Thursday the 12th of October my class went to a studio to film a movie that we had previously been preparing in English class. We were told to come up with short film that was around 10-20 minutes long. We decided to base ours on the TV show, "I'm a celebrity". We spent several English classes deciding on roles and writing a script. We then took a bus to the studio in maynooth. I was an actor so I got changed into my costume and began to practice my lines. We did several run throughs of the film before filming the real thing. The finished project came out really well. Overall I really enjoyed the experience as it really put us in charge and allowed us to see what is required to film a movie. I am looking forward to seeing our film as I think it will be funny and cool to see ourselves on the screen. I would definitely recommend that this exercise is continued for TY students.
On Thursday the 12th of October my class went to a studio to film a movie that we had previously been preparing in English class. We were told to come up with short film that was around 10-20 minutes long. We decided to base ours on the TV show, "I'm a celebrity". We spent several English classes deciding on roles and writing a script. We then took a bus to the studio in maynooth. I was an actor so I got changed into my costume and began to practice my lines. We did several run throughs of the film before filming the real thing. The finished project came out really well. Overall I really enjoyed the experience as it really put us in charge and allowed us to see what is required to film a movie. I am looking forward to seeing our film as I think it will be funny and cool to see ourselves on the screen. I would definitely recommend that this exercise is continued for TY students.
TY CAMPING TRIP
On Wednesday the 13th of September the fourth years of st gerards school received our junior cert results before traveling to lough Dan to camp for two nights. We were told to pack our own clothes, food and tent for the trip. After receiving our results we packed up the bus and set off. When we arrived at the campsite we split into our groups and began to set up our tents. I felt grateful to the planning of Ralph and Ryan while setting up the tent as they seemed to have planned for everything. We made ourselves lunch from our food provisions and I was left feeling stupid for buying my instant noodles in Aldi, as they tasted awful. After lunch we went on a five km hike down by the lake. Although there was a lot of complaining, I enjoyed the fresh air and the company. After arriving back to the camp we wasted time until dinner. I played card games and passed around a rugby ball with some of my classmates. I also spent time teaching the new students how to pass a rugby ball. At dinner time we cooked up beans and steak. Thanks to the cooking of Luke it was actually a pretty decent meal. After dinner I went up to the barnhouse. We played cards and had a pull up competition, both of which were very fun. We all headed down to the campfire to stand around it. Music was played on speakers and a few people attempted to sing along. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the campfire and felt really comfortable in the presence of my friends. When it was time for bed we all headed off to our tents. However we didn't sleep for another several hours because of the chants being called out. The next morning, after a lovely breakfast of bacon and cereal, we headed out on another hike, this one over four times the length of the previous day's. Although it felt like we were walking forever and it was all up hill (I still don't understand how that was) I actually had a good enough time. I talked to a few people who I hadn't spoken to in a while, and also met a few friends of mine who were off camping with their school. When we got back down to the camp we headed down to the lake for a swim. However I found it was too cold to go in beyond my waist. After arriving at the camp and drying up, we were all given burgers by the teachers there. Although it was probably because of my bad diet that trip and how tired I was, those burgers were the best I had ever had. The rest of the night was spent playing cards in the barn and talking by the fire. It was a very fun and relaxed night. Again we had trouble getting to sleep because of the chanting from the tents. The next morning I woke up to screaming girls outside. I was tired and grumpy but I managed to squeeze in another hour sleep before I had to wake up. I had my breakfast and began to pack up my stuff. I really enjoyed the camping trip as it was entertaining while also being relaxing after receiving our junior cert results. I cannot wait for the next trip that I go on in forth year.
On Wednesday the 13th of September the fourth years of st gerards school received our junior cert results before traveling to lough Dan to camp for two nights. We were told to pack our own clothes, food and tent for the trip. After receiving our results we packed up the bus and set off. When we arrived at the campsite we split into our groups and began to set up our tents. I felt grateful to the planning of Ralph and Ryan while setting up the tent as they seemed to have planned for everything. We made ourselves lunch from our food provisions and I was left feeling stupid for buying my instant noodles in Aldi, as they tasted awful. After lunch we went on a five km hike down by the lake. Although there was a lot of complaining, I enjoyed the fresh air and the company. After arriving back to the camp we wasted time until dinner. I played card games and passed around a rugby ball with some of my classmates. I also spent time teaching the new students how to pass a rugby ball. At dinner time we cooked up beans and steak. Thanks to the cooking of Luke it was actually a pretty decent meal. After dinner I went up to the barnhouse. We played cards and had a pull up competition, both of which were very fun. We all headed down to the campfire to stand around it. Music was played on speakers and a few people attempted to sing along. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the campfire and felt really comfortable in the presence of my friends. When it was time for bed we all headed off to our tents. However we didn't sleep for another several hours because of the chants being called out. The next morning, after a lovely breakfast of bacon and cereal, we headed out on another hike, this one over four times the length of the previous day's. Although it felt like we were walking forever and it was all up hill (I still don't understand how that was) I actually had a good enough time. I talked to a few people who I hadn't spoken to in a while, and also met a few friends of mine who were off camping with their school. When we got back down to the camp we headed down to the lake for a swim. However I found it was too cold to go in beyond my waist. After arriving at the camp and drying up, we were all given burgers by the teachers there. Although it was probably because of my bad diet that trip and how tired I was, those burgers were the best I had ever had. The rest of the night was spent playing cards in the barn and talking by the fire. It was a very fun and relaxed night. Again we had trouble getting to sleep because of the chanting from the tents. The next morning I woke up to screaming girls outside. I was tired and grumpy but I managed to squeeze in another hour sleep before I had to wake up. I had my breakfast and began to pack up my stuff. I really enjoyed the camping trip as it was entertaining while also being relaxing after receiving our junior cert results. I cannot wait for the next trip that I go on in forth year.