The first week of the final school term has been typically busy with a range of activities, academic, sporting and social taking place. 6th year Agricultural Science students faced their project assessment on Thursday, another important element of the Leaving Cert. completed. It is often overlooked just how much of the overall Leaving Cert. total is completed in advance of the June sitting with 40% allocated for Oral Irish and 25% or 20% for project work in subjects such as DCG, Technology and Geography among others. For those taking music the practical exam makes up 50% of the subject total. For L.C.A. students there is a much greater degree of continuous assessment and they have this week completed their personal reflection task. We wish them all continued good luck with their studies. The Transition Years have been busy working on their YSI projects over the past number of months and Ms Cullens group have been rewarded with selection for the showcase event on Wednesday next. This is a considerable achievement given the large number of entries from schools nationwide. Well done to all TYs and their teachers for the work put in to the projects. The school showjumping team (pictured above) visited the stables of Michael Halford in Kildare on Wednesday before going on to the Punchestown Races. Past pupil, Shane Foley who is stable jockey for Mr Halford showed the boys around the yard, identifying the horses and outlining the use of the various facilities. We thank Shane and Mr Halford for the generosity of their time and likewise thank another past pupil, Ritchie Galway, manager of Punchestown Racecourse for organising the group’s visit to the races. Two foreign trips leave the school this weekend as 40 TY students head for London before crossing the channel for France and a visit to Paris. Meanwhile the 2nd years go to Manchester to take in the crunch premiership game between City and Everton before spending an afternoon at Alton Towers. We hope they all enjoy the experiences and thank the teachers who take the time to travel with them and look after them. The college U-14 hurling team were desperately unlucky to lose by 2 points to Kilkenny CBS in the Leinster ‘A’ hurling semi final on Thursday conceding a last second goal from a long range free. The team can take great encouragement from their display which highlighted the improvement they have made over the course of the campaign. Thanks to Mr Wall and Mr Purcell for all their efforts in coaching the side. In South Leinster track and field college boys won treble gold with Joe Mooney taking the intermediate walk in a new record time with fellow Adamstown man Ryan Carty Walsh winning the Junior high jump and Oisin Griffin of St. Josephs claiming the Minor boys 1100m. Great credit to them and all the athletes who competed for the school. Finally, a reminder that the 6th year Graduation mass takes place in the college sports hall on Sunday May 11th while Good Counsel’s Got Talent now takes place on Wednesday, May 14th.
