Ursuline Awarded Tenth Green Flag
The Ursuline Thurles was awarded its tenth Green Flag at a ceremony in Kilkenny on Monday, 13 May. Amy O’Brien, Lily Murphy and Emer Commins from the Ursuline Green Schools Committee, accompanied by their teacher, Ms Rachel Spillane, accepted the flag on behalf of all members. This was in recognition of the Schools hard work in promoting local food produce and biodiversity. The student’s had an opportunity to share their insights and actions on caring for the environment and hear from students in other schools from Tipperary, Kilkenny and Laois on how they are promoting environmental issues among their student bodies. This was an inspiring event, displaying the stewardship of young people and the positive changes schools can effect when students and their teachers work together to make the world and greener place.
Ursuline TY students shortlisted for RTÉ Schools Playwright Competition
Congratulation to Maria Taaffe, Ursuline TY student, who was placed sixth overall in the RTÉ Schools Playwright Competition impressing the judges with her 2000-word scriptof her original play titled To Risketh or not to Risketh. Fellow TY Sophie Maher was shortlisted, along with Maria, out of 150 entries nationwide. Well done also to Siobhán Dowd, Chloe Fogarty and Marta Suska who also sent in scripts for the competition. The students attended an Awards Ceremony at the Dean Crowe Theatre in Athlone where they were interviewed for the RTÉ News2Day programme about their entries. They also enjoyed a talk by Dr Christa de Brún, poet, English and Drama lecturer in Southeast Technological University in Waterford. She spoke about the benefits of scriptwriting and the potential future value for students in developing their own creative writing gifts.
Hockey
Congratulations to Ursuline hockey players, Katya Shorten, Third Year, Gabrielle Morrissey, Second Year, Ailbhe Hally, Second Year, Emma MacDonald, First Year and Sarah Spain, First Year were selected to compete in the U15 National Hockey Blitz in Three Rock Rovers. This is a fantastic opportunity for the students to compete at the highest national level in Hockey.
LGFA
The Ursuline had three teams, comprising of 40 students who took part in the U14.5 County Football Blitz held in Rockwell last week. Competing against teams from 11 Tipperary schools the Ursuline was delighted with the day and how the UCT students played together. The A team brought home the cup from their division. In the final Lorna Ryan drew the Ursuline level with Cashel Community School while Melanie Flannery kicked over the winning point. Others who helped this squad to victory included Clíodhna Farrell, who was impressive in the backs and Claire Fitzgerald had a tremendous tournament to help her team to the win. Captains Jessie Shanahan and Bríd Woodlock accepted the cup on behalf of the team.
The B team led by Maeve Moloney and Ella Maher won group games to face a very strong Ballingarry side in the semi-final. The C team, captained by Annie Flynn and Phoebe Ryan were very impressive to reach the final, only to lose out on the title by two points. Well done to all players and to Mr McLoughlin and Ms Long for all their hard work with Ladies Gaelic Football this year.
Rugby
On Thursday, 16 May Ursuline Rugby players had a greatgame against their counterparts from Cashel Community School. Both sides played well, showcasing tremendous skill and determination on the field. The Ursuline girls were delighted with how they played and with a win at the end of the season. Congratulations to everyone on a brilliant season of rugby and a big thank you to Ms Fahey for her coaching and constant enthusiasm for promoting the game.
Ursuline TYs Trip to Kenya
On Monday, 20 May ten TY students and two teachers from the Ursuline Thurles headed to Kenya to meet fellow students and teachers from their sister schools in Kitui. The Thurles girls will be helping out in St Columba’s training centre and will immerse themselves in the life of the Kenyan studentswho attend classes there. This is one of the schools established by Sr Clare Ursula, of the Ursuline Community in Thurles, with the objective of educating girls in this East African nation. There has been a tremendous amount of fun-raising done this year to help with the running of the schools in Kenya. Best of luck to TYs Caoimhe Stakelum, Sophie Tooher, Ellen Jordan, Tessa Kearney, Emma Fogarty, Lilly Kavanagh, Lily Murphy, Emily Creagh, Aoife Queally, Nadine Slattery and teachers Ms Patricia Dwan and Ms Brema Coffey on their trip of a lifetime.
CPR4Schools Award
The Ursuline is thrilled to have won the CPR4Schools award. It is in recognition of the hard work done by students and staff in learning and teaching lifesaving CPR skills. This course was given by Mr Buckley and all students, from First Year to Sixth Year, got the chance to learn these vital life-saving techniques. Someday it might enable them to save another person in need of basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, more commonly referred to as CPR.
International Students’ Hike to the Devil’s Bit
The Ursuline’s International students are nearly ready to go home. It’s been an incredible opportunity for them living in a different country, experiencing the Irish education system and improving their spoken and written English. The school has loved having them and appreciates the diversity of culture they bring. On Friday, 17 May Ms Flanagan and Ms Callinantook them on a hike up to the Devil’s Bit where the students from First Year to Fifth Year enjoyed a picnic at the top of this historic Tipperary landmark.
TY Trip to Emerald Park
All four Ursuline TY classes had a brilliant day out in Emerald Park on Wednesday, 15 May. They had an early start to make the best of the day and had loads of fun on the amusements, in particular the hair-raising experience that is the Cú Chulainn rollercoaster, but no trip to Emerald Park would complete without it. It was a lovely finish to what has been a jam-packed year for them with lots of different learning experiences and a chance to sample different careers and hobbies.
TY Make-Up Workshop
Thanks to past-pupil and professional make-up artist Erin Hayden who was back in the Ursuline last week to do a workshop with the TYs. She showed them lots of handy cosmetic tips and let them in on some of her best make-up hacks. The students really enjoyed this tutorial and some lucky volunteers even got a full make over.