First Aid
First aid was an enjoyable course. It was run over 3 days. It ran from the 16th to the 18th of April. For the first day we covered a lot of the theory side of the course. We then practiced bandaging and wrapping. For the second day we learnt all about CPR and how to use a defibrillator when someone goes into Cardiac arrest. This was really interesting as studies show you will know someone who will go into cardiac arrest. On the last day we were examined on everything we had been taught and even had a practical on CPR. I was glad to get my first Aid Certificate as I needed it to be a sailing instructor.
Elearning
For the first time this year they replaced ECDL with Elearning. This is a computer course that tests your knowledge on different microsoft programs. We were meant to work through the quizes throughout the year. Our target was set by the computer after an initial test. If you reached your goal you receive a certificate on TY night.
Tiglin Talk
On Tuesday the 12th of December the TY group attended a talk presented by Tiglin, an organisation that helps the homeless and their addictions in Dublin. The members of Tiglin told us their stories. One went into detail about what life is like on the street and how he suffered from an addiction. This was a really touching talk and showed everyone in our year how serious these problems are. I think this will inspire us to work harder when fundraising as we know exactly where our money will be going. I was touched by this mans story and how he has rebuilt his life after going off the rails.
Eagles flight workshop
Jer
On Friday 22nd of October I took part in the Eagles flight workshop. The year group were split into two groups. One on the Thursday and one on the Friday. I entered the workshop early on Friday morning with an open mind. I had no idea what it was going to be. This was a good as I had not pre judged the whole thing. Jer introduced himself after everyone had arrived. Jer split us up into five teams and then gave us some information about the game and informed us about the background of the Eagles flight workshop. The game was called “The lost Dutch Mans gold”.
Jer announced that the game we would be playing would involve a lot of planning, working together and listening to one another.The aim of the game was to spend as many days as you could in the mine collecting gold. You also had to ensure that you would have enough days and supplies left to get back to base. Everyone was given twenty days to complete the course. The entire game was laid out like a board game and everyone had their own toy going around the course.The workshop really showed me through a fun and interactive way that in life it is so important to plan things out in advance and therefore you will be totally prepared for anything along the way. It also showed me that by listening to other people’s opinions in a situation, is just as important as having your own opinion because it can be very useful. I had a great day at the Eagles Flight workshop and would recommend it to anyone any day!
I only realised when Jer began to explain that every aspect of the game had a deeper meaning. He taught us how you need to organise yourself early on in every situation and start straight away, not leaving things to the last minute. Many hands make light work!!
Jer announced that the game we would be playing would involve a lot of planning, working together and listening to one another.The aim of the game was to spend as many days as you could in the mine collecting gold. You also had to ensure that you would have enough days and supplies left to get back to base. Everyone was given twenty days to complete the course. The entire game was laid out like a board game and everyone had their own toy going around the course.The workshop really showed me through a fun and interactive way that in life it is so important to plan things out in advance and therefore you will be totally prepared for anything along the way. It also showed me that by listening to other people’s opinions in a situation, is just as important as having your own opinion because it can be very useful. I had a great day at the Eagles Flight workshop and would recommend it to anyone any day!
I only realised when Jer began to explain that every aspect of the game had a deeper meaning. He taught us how you need to organise yourself early on in every situation and start straight away, not leaving things to the last minute. Many hands make light work!!
Enterprise talk
Serena
On Wednesday morning I was scheduled to have Economics but to my pleasant surprise I was informed that a guest speaker from the Wicklow enterprise board had come in to talk to us. We were informed mainly about mini companies and the competitions we could enter. It was very interesting as I was given an insight into how businesses work, are successful and make profit. We were informed about the criteria that we would be marked on if we entered the Wicklow competition. We were then given a task and split up into teams of three. Everyone was given a paper clip each and we were told to try and come up with as many uses as we could with a paper clip. One person in the group wrote down the ideas on a sheet of paper. This was very interesting as I saw the creativity and imagination of many of my fellow students and myself. This showed me that there are many other uses for items than what meets the eye. I found this talk very enjoyable and useful and look forward to more opportunities like these. This inspired me and many other of my class mates to think more about starting a mini company.
IT is not for Geeks
Marie and Aiden
On Friday 29th of December we received a talk call “IT is not for geeks”. It was presented to us by two guest speakers from the technology company Dell there names were Marie and Aiden. The focus of the talk was what it would be like to work in a company like Dell and what skills and traits you need to have to be hired into a company like Dell.
They began by explaining what they do within Dell and what skills they need to fulfil their roles. Marie told us that she was the Vice President of global recruitment for Dell. Although this had never been her ‘Dream job’ as a kid she wanted to be a social worker. Although she missed out on her course by one point in college so she did a degree in marketing and now she works in Dell even though she entered with no background in IT.
Aiden told us that when he left college he wanted to go travelling except he got offered this job in Dell and had to take it. He is extremely happy he took it as Dell sent him to work in many exotic country's anyway. He lived in Australia for a couple of years and he explained how he only need his computer to work and that he has a very balanced life between work and time off.
They then showed us that if you want to be hired by Dell now you will probably need a background in IT, versatile and have good teamwork.
We then did an exercise where we had to discuss in groups of four what careers we were considering. Then I stood up representative of the group and explained everyone future careers. I received a portable charger for this which I was delighted with.
Both of their jobs sound really interesting and the environment they work in looks brilliant. I really enjoyed this talk and it would open up my mind to a career in IT.
They began by explaining what they do within Dell and what skills they need to fulfil their roles. Marie told us that she was the Vice President of global recruitment for Dell. Although this had never been her ‘Dream job’ as a kid she wanted to be a social worker. Although she missed out on her course by one point in college so she did a degree in marketing and now she works in Dell even though she entered with no background in IT.
Aiden told us that when he left college he wanted to go travelling except he got offered this job in Dell and had to take it. He is extremely happy he took it as Dell sent him to work in many exotic country's anyway. He lived in Australia for a couple of years and he explained how he only need his computer to work and that he has a very balanced life between work and time off.
They then showed us that if you want to be hired by Dell now you will probably need a background in IT, versatile and have good teamwork.
We then did an exercise where we had to discuss in groups of four what careers we were considering. Then I stood up representative of the group and explained everyone future careers. I received a portable charger for this which I was delighted with.
Both of their jobs sound really interesting and the environment they work in looks brilliant. I really enjoyed this talk and it would open up my mind to a career in IT.
Health
Simon Harris
On Monday 6th of November the Minister of Health Simon Harris. We were very fortunate for this opportunity to arise considering his hectic schedule. Three year groups gathered in the Junior school hall and waited for his arrival. At 9:15 he entered the hall. He gave a brief introduction to the importance of well being and taking care of yourself. He then began to explain to us the new food pyramid which him and a team had worked very hard to make. He explained how it had changed drastically and that the old one was very outdated. As we can see in the diagrams, the carbohydrate section has changed dramatically from being at the bottom (5-7 servings) to the 5th section of the diagram (3-5 servings). Now, the section holding the amount with the largest serving on the food pyramid is there fruit and vegetable division. The reason why Simon and his team decided to switch these sections in the food pyramid was because health experts believe that we need more vitamins and minerals in our diets instead of carbohydrates. I thought that this talk was very interesting and educational.
Aware workshop
On Friday the 10th of November as part of well being week we took part in one of the aware workshops. It was on in the halla nua and around 25 of us did it on the Friday. This was Awares mental health programme. We were give a small booklet at the start and we slowly worked through it over the two hour period. The main thing we focused on was the coping triangle and how to implement it to deal with depression. So first you think of your thoughts on the matter. Then you pick out your feelings for those thoughts. Finally you think of actions you will do to solve your situation or problem and how to prevent it from happening again. We also spoke about identifying depression and bipolar. This was one area of the workshop I felt they could change as they said you had depression if you thought about death or even don't sleep well which I thought was ridiculous. We then used the coping triangle in real life situations and discussed among or groups on what course of action we would take. I didn't enjoy this workshop as I don’t think the coping triangle is an effective method of dealing with depression. Also I did not agree with their methods of identifying depression.
Mental Health
Alison Canavan
On Monday the 6th of November we received a talk from model and therapist Alison Canavan. She began by talking about her as teenager and how at a very young age she became a model and started traveling the world. She explained how she had everything she ever wanted but still wasn't happy. Even though she had a billboard in time square and an apartment on Central Park west she was unhappy. She returned to Ireland 17 years after she left and soon became aware she was pregnant. Although not wanting a child at first she now says it's one of the best things that's ever happened to her as her son brings such simplicity back to her life and stops her from stressing and worrying so much. She then got into yoga and different ways of relaxing such as breathing techniques. She very kindly talked a group of around 300 students through how to do her breathing exercises. Many found these very effective and would use them in the future to stop stressing. She also talked about how to enrich your life. She says by writing down three things you are grateful for each night you will become more content with what you have and not want anything else. Also by saying “thank you” three times each morning she is much happier. Lastly she talked about how to study by taking breaks often and breaking up the work. I really enjoyed this talk and loved the interaction.
Nutrition
On Thursday 10th of November we received a nutrition talk. We were informed that we need to be aware of how we are eating and digesting food even if it is healthy. Many people have bad digestion and this affects many things such as energy levels. She gave us several tips and foods we can eat that will improve our digestion. I am now more aware of what I drink and how I chew my food. This was part of well being week.