Young Environmentalist Awards
Congratulations to Ursuline TY students Róise Glynn and Clodagh O’Dwyer on winning the Senior Eco-Health and Well Being Category at the Young Environmentalist Awards in Dublin on Thursday, 8 May. Róise and Clodagh have done a series of investigations into eco-anxiety and climate engagement among their peers. Through their study they have learned how worried young people are about the negative impacts of climate change. But on a positive note they discovered that by giving young people manageable, targeted and positive environmental changes to implement in their own lives they can reduce some of this eco-anxiety. They also learned that the more connected young people are with the environment the more likely they are to adopt greener, sustainable habits and the less likely they are to catastrophiseabout climate change. Their project was certainly an innovative and comprehensive one and it is fantastic their findings have been recognised with this national award.
Junk Kouture National Final
Well done to the two Ursuline teams of TY students who competed in the All Ireland Junk Kouture Final in Dublin on Wednesday, 7 May. Chrysalis and Presence Pitch Player showcased their sustainable, be-spoke designs on the catwalk and did themselves and the school proud.
Chrysalis, designed by Georgia Murphy, Katie Coonan and Leah Costello Corry was a monochrome creation inspired by transformation and mental health awareness. Made from a shower curtain, leatherette off cuts, a tree branch and industrial rubber, this butterfly themed dress was designed to reflect the importance of nurturing positive wellbeing.
Presence Pitch Player made by SinéadO’Dwyer, Katie Flanagan and Jessica Fogarty Quinn is a black and gold creation that symbolises the importance of the GAA in rural and local communities. The trio used the streamers released inCroke Park at the end of the All Ireland Final. GAA emblems and motifswere interwoven throughout the dress to produce an eye-catching outfit that pays homage to Ireland’s traditional games.
Well done to both teams on their fabulous designs and on getting to the National Final of Junk Kouture and to their teachers Mr English, Ms Annette Flanagan and Ms Erica Flanagan.
Young Economist of the Year National Awards
Congratulations to the Ursuline TY students who won silver medals at this year’s Young Economist of the Year National Awards. This is the first time the school entered this competition and so the students and their teacher Ms Hynes are delighted to have achieved so highly. They presented two powerful and insightful projects in Sligo last week. Firstly, they posed the very current question how will tariffs imposed by the USA government impact Ireland’s balance of payments and the Irish Economy overall. They also studied the Economics of Ocean Sustainability by investigating the future of Marine Ecosystems. Well done to Clodagh O’Dwyer, Lauren O’Dwyer, Charlotte Butler Clyne, Kara Young, Catherine Fitzgerald, Ruth Maher, Leah Banaghan, Libby Corcoran and Ella Brophy.
TYs
Ursuline TYs had two very different but equally interesting workshops last week. They got a chance to explore their natural rhythm through learning drumming techniques in the Big Bang Drumming workshop on Wednesday, 7 May. On Thursday, 8 May all TY classes had a follow up workshop with the facilitators Owen and Ger from Develop Me who also delivered a session to the classes at the very beginning of the TY year. This time they worked in groups to solve the problem of Tom’s Canyon Ford. From completing this task focused challenge the students gained a greater insight into what prompted successful outcomes and what inhibited them. Recently they also had a workshop delivered by Michelle Harding of the School of Life. This TY programme focused on etiquette training, life skills and introduced students to social skills appropriate for hospitality work or job interviews.
Hockey
Congratulations to Ursuline teacher and hockey coach Eimear Cregan who was awarded the prestigious title of Hockey Coach of the Year by Munster Hockey on Friday, 9 May. This is in recognition of her club coaching with Catholic Institute and her success with the Ursuline Minor A Team who won the Munster Cup and came second in the June Smith All Ireland Tournament in April. Well done to the Ursuline Thurles students who won awards with their Hockey Clubs also. Cashel/New Inn Under 16 players won the Munster U16 Division 1 Cup and Clonmel Hockey Club who won the Munster Women’s Division 5 League.
On Friday, 9 May the Ursuline Junior B Hockey team won the Munster Cup Final beating ScoilMhuire from Cork. After a tight and competitive start the UCT girls pulled away to cinch a convincing 3-1 win and lift the Munster Cup.
Well done to the Ursuline Minor Green team who beat Crescent in the Minor C Cup Final 3-1 on Tuesday, 6 May. The UCT girls went on the attack early with a Julie Shanahan goal who also set up goal number two which was finished by Daisy Craik-White. Captain Róisín O’Reilly was delighted to accept the Cup on behalf of the team.
Hard luck to the Ursuline Minor Yellow team who were beaten 3-1 in the Minor B League Final on Tuesday, 6 May. The team gave it everything and never let their heads drop even when the game got away from them. They have made huge progress throughout the year and put in a great effort in all games.
Well done to the Ursuline First Year Blue team who competed in the League Final against Bandon Grammar on Tuesday, 6 May. It was a thrilling, high energy match with every player giving 100% on the pitch. Despite the narrow defeat with Bandon winning out on a goal the Ursuline team gave incredible performances in all positions. They’ve been motivated and dedicated all year and reaching a League Final is proof of this.
LGFA
The Ursuline Minor Football team have secured a Munster Final place after beating Loreto Fermoy in the Munster semi last week. The standard of football was incredible with little between the two sides. Melanie Flannery was Ursuline’s top scorer with a final tally of 2-9. She kicked goals and points from every angle to give UCT the edge. Other scorers included Leah O’Connell 1-2, Robyn Carr 1-0, Emer Purcell 1-0, Saoirse Deegan 0-1, Phoebe Ryan 0-1, ÓrlaPamplin 0-1 and Aoife Moran 0-1. Best of luck to the Minors as they now prepare for a Munster Final.
Business and LCVP Talk by Conor Stakelum
Thanks to entrepreneur Conor Stakelum who spoke to Fifth Year Business and LCVP classes about establishing his own business ‘Retake’. Conor is a co-founder and co-director of the company and he gave the students a presentation on how he went about setting up thisdigital enterprise. It was a great way for students to understand th