News from Drumshanbo Vocational School

Europe Day in Drumshanbo VS
As a European Parliament Ambassador School Programme school, our Senior Ambassadors Ms Traynor and Ms Feeney along with the Transition Year Junior Ambassadors, brought to a close their year of work with a special event to mark Europe Day.
Ireland celebrated its 50th Anniversary of EU membership this year, all schools in Ireland were asked to participate in a live performance of ‘Ode to Joy’ from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. This ballad became the anthem of the Council of Europe in 1972. In 1985, it became the official anthem of the European Community, and then the EU.
Thank you to Mr Guihen, Ms McDermott and Mrs Cullen for the huge work done to get the performance ready with the students. The students who performed ranged from 1st year - 6th year.

Devin O’Sullivan from FEAST visited Drumshanbo Vocational School where he did two workshops with our Transition Years and LCAs on ‘Zero Food Waste’.

Devin O’Sullivan from FEAST in Drumshanbo Vocational School
We were delighted to welcomed Devin O’Sullivan from FEAST to Drumshanbo Vocational School. Devin did two workshops with our Transition Years and LCAs on ‘Zero Food Waste’.
Drumshanbo Vocational School is part of the WorldWise Global Schools and we would like to thank them for the opportunity of learning so much about food and how we can reduce our food waste.
From our studies we have discovered that wasting food is a global issue that creates significant environmental, economic, social and ethical problems. Ireland, along with almost 200 other countries, has committed to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs including:
“By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.”
Reducing food waste has positive social and environmental impacts.

Transition Years undertook the Coaching Module of GAA Future Leaders and to coincide with it, Leitrim Sports Partnership delivered two workshops of Safeguarding 1 Courses.

GAA Future Leaders
Our Transition Years undertook the Coaching Module of GAA Future Leaders and to coincide with it, Leitrim Sports Partnership delivered two workshops of Safeguarding 1 Courses. Thank you to Elaine Igoe for coming to Drumshanbo Vocational School to deliver these courses.

Chief Fire Officers Conference in Kilronan Castle
The Transition Years, along with Mr Shannon and Ms Traynor, were recently invited to the Chief Fire Officers Association Conference in Kilronan Castle to view the display of Fire Service vehicles and equipment. They had a lovely morning and enjoyed the demonstrations by attendees at the conference.
Many thanks to Roscommon County Council for having our students and staff and to all who took the time to talk to the students.

Transition Year’s Sustainable Development Goals
Our Transition Years concluded their year of YSI and being leaders within our school community in encouraging action around change with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The students did a final workshop on ‘Championing the SDGs’ with Angela Horgan in order to get their certificates.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
The 17 SDGs are integrated - they recognise that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.

SciFest in ATU Sligo
A number of our students travelled to SciFest in ATU Sligo to showcase their projects with Ms Kearns, Mrs McBarron and Mrs Devaney. There were no winners on the day, but it was a wonderful experience for the students promoting their chosen science related topics to the judges and other students competing in the competition

Gaisce - The President's Award
We would like to congratulate our Gaisce - The President's Award Transition Years who have just completed their Adventure Journey, which coincided with Leitrim Sports Partnership bikeweek2023. A huge thank you to LSP for funding this part of our Bronze Awards with the help of Seamus from Electric Bike Trails.
The students explored the Blueway and stopped in Leitrim Village for ice creams. We used the wonderful Mayflower facilities to hold the indoor soccer and volleyball sessions and our own Music Room and Home Ec Room to hold the overnight session. Not much sleep was had, but wonderful memories were made as part of TY 2023.
Thank you so much to PAL Ms Traynor along with Ms Travers, Mr Guihen, Mrs Cullen, Ms McNabola and Mr Moran for helping the students complete this part of the award.

Second Year School Tour
Our 2nd Year students had a fabulous day at Baysports. The sun shone all day long and lots of happy memories were made. Our students had great fun at the Water Park. They then headed into Athlone for a little shopping and food. Thank you to their teachers Ms Kearns, Ms McBarron, Mr Hegarty, An tUasal Mac Raghnaill and Ms L Flynn for accompanying them and a special thanks to their Year Head Ms Devaney for organising the day.

Drumshanbo Credit Union Clued-In Projects
Well done to Ms Earley’s 2nd Year Business Studies class who presented their Drumshanbo Credit Union Clued-In Projects to Lena Shaw, Corporate Vision and Sharon Sweeney, Drumshanbo Credit Union Manager.
Clued-in is a resource that helps students to explore their relationship with money, the good and bad. It is a clever way to show the students that they can make smarter, more informed decisions. The students are be presented with their certificates in the Credit Union.