What's happening in Carrick-on-Shannon Community School

Reporters: Chloe McGuinness, Nathan Mahon, Grace Collins, Amy Moody.

Wellbeing Week
This week showcased the very best of Carrick CS. As a community school, we see our school as more than just four walls. Our school is more than just the textbooks and whiteboards. It’s the giggles beside the warm radiator, the encouraging word on the sidelines of a pitch or on the bottom of our copies. It’s the comforting taste of homemade soup in the GP area on a cold day or the new topic in class that just hits home. It is also the buzz of weeks like we have just enjoyed that makes this school ‘OUR’ school.

This week students and staff organised and participated in a huge array of fun, educational and creative activities to celebrate ‘Wellbeing Week’
Each day started with a member of our student council highlighting a different aspect of wellbeing and practical steps we could take to help improve our own wellbeing. They also outlined the various activities which would be running during the week.
Students of all years scoured the school in search of clues to complete their ‘School Scan Treasure Hunt’.
Nothing beats a cup of tea and so students and staff also mulled over the ‘Mug Shot Mystery’ competition where you had to figure out what mug or cup belonged to what teacher. There were theories flying left and right as to who owned what, with some teachers not even knowing their own mug by the end of it.

It was almost impossible to escape the positivity in the school, from flash mob trad, classical and rock sessions at lunch, to motivational posters and slogans covering the walls. Students also got an opportunity to ‘send’ some happiness with our ‘Positive Post Station’.
Thursday saw yet another sweet treat in the form of an ice-cream for the whole school outside in the fresh air.
TYs were keen to supply our readers with some colourful photos and busily created some beautiful selfie boards.
Finally the week came to an end with the ‘Monster School Quiz’, where year groups and tutor groups battled it out for the coveted title.
We would like to thank all the teachers, management and staff for their hard work in preparation for this week but a special word of thanks to Wellbeing Coordinator, Ms McNulty for all her hard work in organising this week.

Meet the Team
Our media team took a well deserved break this week and tucked into some treats during their weekly meeting. This also gave us an opportunity for a rare glimpse at just some of the many faces behind the camera and articles.
Over the last number of months this team has worked hard to bring our readers all the latest news and excitement from around our school. This group of students from across the year groups meet weekly to plan, write, photograph and compile all the notes for the paper.

The Media Team in Carrick-on-Shannon Community School.

Sport
Last Friday the 24th February the U14 girls had a great victory against Ballyhaunis at home in Carrick. The girls have just one game left, so we wish them the best of luck! A big thank you to Lidl Ireland Serious Sport for our new jerseys.
Our juvenile boys had an away game on the 2nd of March in which they played St Muredach's in Ballina. Unfortunately, it was not their day, losing by 2 points. They play St Louis Community School next on the 16th March, it’s an away game so we wish them best of luck!

World Cup
Our first and second years have been taking part in what has been an extremely competitive Carrick Cup Football Tournament held at lunchtimes. The group stages have just ended and we now have our 4 semi finalists! Next week Brazil will play Argentina in Semi Final 1 while France take on Germany in Semi Final 2 which promises to be two exciting encounters!

Leaving Certs on Tour
On the 28th of February our 5th and 6th year history students went on a trip to Dail Eireann and Dublin Castle. The students had guided tours in both of the locations. They went with their teachers Mrs Garvin and Mr Henry.
In Dail Eireann they got to meet Senators, TD’s and Ministers which they thought was very interesting and something they might not have gotten to do themselves so they liked the opportunity they had.

In Dublin Castle they had the opportunity to see where the President is inaugurated as well as getting to see state apartments, and of course learning about the history of the famous castle dating back one thousand years.
And ending the fantastic day the group went to Liffey Valley afterwards for food and some shopping.
Our Leaving Cert students were busy this week getting some hands-on learning. Ms Farrell and Ms Greene accompanied biology students to Dublin Zoo on Wednesday 1st March on their Ecology trip where they took part in a very interesting workshop.
Finally our LC German students stayed a little closer to home, getting to know their home town a little better. Safe to say they loved their Schatzjagd.

Fairtrade Fortnight Fun!
This week three of our TY students Grace Collins, Chloe McGuinness and Caoimhe Ffrench attended a meeting with Sister Nora, members of the county council and students from local secondary and primary school to discuss all things Fairtrade.
Monday the 27th of February marked the beginning of Fairtrade Fortnight. Our school will be participating in a march next Monday through the town to spread awareness about Fairtrade.
On Monday a farmer from Africa will be joining us in the march to share how Fairtrade has impacted his and his family’s life.
Overall, it was a great experience, and we are very excited about all the things coming for Fairtrade Fortnight.