Another Wonderful
Activity Day and Open Night in Coláiste Mhuire
An exceptionally well attended Activity Day for prospective 6th
Class students and Opening Evening for students and their parents took place on
Tuesday, November 24th 2015. The Activity Day provided students with
a valuable opportunity to sample the Coláiste Mhuire experience and, taste what
pupils can look forward to as a new member of the learning community in August.
The Opening Evening also enabled parents and students to personally meet and
greet staff and, view the school’s facilities.
Principal Emma O’Malley in addressing the gathering outlined
the school’s ethos and our fine tradition, both academically and otherwise, of
serving the local community of Ballygar and surrounding areas for over sixty
years. Fifth Year students, Laura Farrell and Brian Maloney shared their
insights on what it is exactly that makes Coláiste Mhuire such a happy,
learning community and a hub of activity.
A most enjoyable day was shared by all present. For a Coláiste Mhuire
Information Pack please contact Principal Emma O’Malley on 0906624740 or smcballygar@eircom.net
TY trip to Galway
Our Transition
Years experienced an informative and educational day out in Galway city on
Monday last. The day began with a walking tour of the city with students being
informed of the geographical, historical, Gaeilge, French, Spanish, Art and
cultural aspects of the City of the Tribes.
Amongst the
highlights were Eyre Square, Lynch’s Castle, St Nicholas Church, Galway
Cathedral, NUIG, Salmon Weir Bridge, Spanish Arch and the Claddagh.
Monday afternoon
was spent at the Black Box Theatre attending a production of An Triail to
enhance their Irish studies.
Bhain gach duine
taitneamh agus tairbhe as an lá. Mar a deireann an seanfhocal ‘Is minic a
bhíonn siulach scéalach’
Thanks to their
teachers Ms Mc Andrew, Ms Higgins and SNA Ita Keane for organizing the trip.
German Exchange 17th – 25th
October 2015
An Irish perspective by Rosie Mc Guinness
On Saturday 17th
October my brother and I were introduced to our exchange partners from Germany,
Chiara and Estelle. We met them at
Coláiste Mhuire at 4pm. We came home and introduced the girls to our
family. We showed them to their room and
let them unpack and unwind. We went for
a walk through the forest to Centra and showed them around the town a little
bit. After meeting with Gerard’s friend
and his exchange partner, we came home and got ready to go to the musical in
the Mattie McDonagh Centre. Everyone who
performed was very energetic, according to Estelle and Chiara. After the musical Estelle and I went to a
party. Chiara went to bed as she was
tired after such a long day of travelling.
The next day,
Sunday, we went into Athlone to do some shopping. We had coffee and tea and it was lovely. We got to know each other a lot better.
On Monday they
came to our school. Estelle went with
Gerard to his classes and Chiara spent the day with me. She thought that our teachers and classes had
an easy-going and relaxed atmosphere about them. The school itself is very small compared to
their school in Germany. The day went by
quickly and they got to experience school life in a small town like Ballygar.
On Tuesday the
girls and Gerard went to Connemara in Galway.
Unfortunately I was unable to go as I was doing tests in school. On Wednesday we went to Lough Key Forest Park
in Boyle, Co Roscommon. We took part in
Boda Borg challenge. Estelle and I were
on the same team. Our knees were sore
and bruised after all the climbing and crawling! We got 2 stamps and were quite proud of
ourselves. However, before going to Boda
Borg we went on a boat trip from Athlone to Clonmacnoise. There we saw the
historical site and the remains from the monks who lived there and learned
about St Ciaran’s Fair City. It was a
tiring day and I was glad to get home and into bed.
We were on the
road again early on Thursday to see the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and the
Ailwee caves. We also got to see the
Birds of Prey show which I found very interesting. The Burren is a lovely landscape and
different from what they seen in Germany.
In the Ailwee caves we learned a lot about the history of the caves and
the formation of some of its features.
We had an amazing
week with our German friend and thank you to Ms. Casey for organizing the
exchange for us!
Our trip to Ireland
Report by German
student Chiara Drewes
After a quick
flight we landed on the green island.
Already in the bus to Ballygar we had a beautiful view of the
island. Before this we only knew that
view from the Kerrygold advertising. It
was just like the ads! Everywhere I
looked there were green hills and pretty cows!!
As we arrived in
Ballygar at the school, the Irish welcomed us with a lovely banner, “Welcome
St. Michael’s”. That was so nice. With excitement and anticipation we waited
for our host families. In the evening we
saw the students of Coláiste Mhuire perform an energetic musical at the Mattie
McDonagh Centre in Ballygar. After an
exciting day, finally we could sleep.
We spent our
Sunday with our host family. We watched an important rugby match for
Ireland. For the Irish, Rugby is as
popular as soccer for us in Germany.
By staying with a
host family you can directly experience the Irish traditions and customs. For example we found out that the Irish
haven’t got the same taste as the Germans.
They eat bacon, sausages and toast – with pleasure, in the morning! They
call this the ‘full Irish’!
On Monday we
accompanied our exchange partners to our friendly host-school, Coláiste
Mhuire. We could start the day relaxed, because
here the school begins at 9 o’clock.
There is about 250 students in the school. Many of them learn German. For most of them it’s due to the wish to
visit Germany sometime. Many associate
Germany with the Oktoberfest, which they would also like to visit.
On Tuesday we went
on a trip to Connemara. The landscape is
marked by the diversity of plants. The
blaze of colour could be compared to a picture of Claude Monet.
On Wednesday a
Viking ship brought us along the river Shannon to Clonmacnoise, where we toured
an old monastery, which is a museum today.
The “Whispering Door” impressed us most, which the monks used to
communicate. Afterwards it was time for
a bit of sport and fun in the riddle park, the Boda Borg in Lough Key Forest
Park.
On Thursday we
dared to go in to the dark Aillwee Caves, into the 1.3km long cave in which
bears hibernated. Ireland has no Eiffel
tower, no Brandenburgertor or Big Ben.
But instead it has the imposing, natural Cliffs of Moher. These miracles of nature are one of the
highlights of Ireland, which characterise the island.
After getting a
sense of Ireland from the trips, we had a slightly unusual schoolday on
Friday. We had a sports day for all our
students. Besides the normal sports like
soccer and basketball, the sports-mad Irish showed us their favourite sport,
hurling. It is a skillful fast game and the boys and girls were so passionate
about it!
Despite a strong
competitive streak and patriotism (Ireland v Germany), we got along
wonderfully, and had lots of fun.
Now, as our trip
draws to a close, it could be said that you can’t compare the little country of
Ireland that nearly only consists of nature, with the crowded industrial
country of Germany, where there’s always a lot going on. But Ireland has a calm, relaxed atmosphere, the
people also contributing with their own quiet manner.
The little island
will remain in our memories, as well as the friendly folk in Coláiste Mhuire
and our wonderful host families. I look forward to the return trip of our new
friends to Germany!
Ladies U-16 Football
Coláiste Mhuire under 16 ladies football team had a
comprehensive victory over Coláiste Èinde of Galway City in Salthill on
November 18th. Despite extremely strong winds and cold weather during the game
the girls still managed to score a really impressive 8-06! On top of the great
win our team were delighted to receive compliments from the referee after the
match for their good manners and sportsmanship. Well done to Ms. Cuddy and her
young charges!