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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
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1st Year Sustainability Bingo – “Young people demand change” Pope Francis.

1st years all took part in a very fun, interactive and competitive Green Schools challenge before Easter inspired by Pope Francis’ quote in ‘Laudato Si’ that “young people demand change”. They took part in litter pick ups, planted seeds and shrubs, went on walks and spread sustainability awareness. Well done to all who participated and thank you to all students and teachers who made this a major success. 

As part of Green Schools in our final week of term all first years were given the opportunity to take part in the Eco Bingo Initiative. Students were given five respective tasks with the first person to complete these tasks in each class given a prize. All other participants then were entered into a raffle. 

Over 70 students completed many of the challenges which included:

1. Going on a 1k walk. 
2. Planting something at home. 
3. Taking part in a school wide litter pick up. 
4. Collecting two Re-Turn Bottles each. 
5. Completing a sustainability poster on reused paper from the recycling bins. 

Students really enjoyed this initiative and the competitive spirit to make our school a more Green and Sustainable place was very evident in our final week of term. A donation will be made to Green Foundation Ireland from our bottle collection. 

Mr Creaton and the entire Green Schools Committee are extremely appreciative of the help, support and coordination of all first year tutors, 1st year CSPE teachers, Ms Cawley, Ms Reidy and anyone else who helped us in making this initiative a fantastic success! 

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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
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Reminder! Blood Clinic in Ballaghaderreen

Reminder!!!!! There will be a Blood Donation Clinic on May 8th next. Please consider donating. Details attached. 

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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
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SVP Future Fashion Champions

Congratulations to our seven St Nathy’s College representatives from Mr Creaton’s TY religion class on becoming the first ever SVP Future Fashion champions. They overcame extensive competition from lots of other schools to earn this momentous title.

Our story Our team consisted of 7 people: Sonya Radchenko-Designer.Kayleigh Collins-Model.Shola Cuddy-Panel Speaker.Isabella O’Neill, Cian O’Connor, Caoimhe Finn and Shaunna McCrudden were all assistants to the entire process.  Right after we were told the theme from Helen in SVP West the thought came to mind that the image of a turtle was the most interesting to implement, because we also thought that a jellyfish, fish or mermaid had most likely already been someone's idea, so we wanted something unique. For us, this was the first experience of creating clothes, so everyone discovered new skills they look forward to harnessing further in the future.  To create the look we had to go to the svp store and take recycled clothes and sew the entire look. In the end we used:  1. For the top we took a top that we found in Carrick on Shannon and glued on beads that our local svp store gave us and on top of it we tied a ribbon from an old dress we had.  2. A petticoat that we found in the store and we cut it so that it would give more volume to the main skirt, it was white and lacy. 3. The top skirt is blue and shimmers with purple, made of a material similar to silk, onto which we ironed two patches in the form of a starfish and a shell. 4. For accessories we used old gloves, beads that we remade and bows that we made ourselves. We found the shoes in the wedding section and glued the same rhinestones on them as on the top.  The longest and most difficult process of creation was the turtle shell, we created it using the paper mache technique. We made a frame out of cardboard and filled it with paper that would no longer be used. We painted it according to the design of the shell and glued my old bag inside of it.  The main topic is how fast fashion affects tutles. Fast fashion has a significant negative impact on sea turtles, primarily through plastic pollution, which is often associated with the production and disposal of clothing made from synthetic materials. Plastic Ingestion: Sea turtles often mistake plastic waste for food, causing blockages in their digestive systems. This can lead to starvation or even death. Research shows that up to 50% of sea turtles ingest plastic, and in young turtles, it can impede digestion and development. As soon as we entered the hall we immediately thought that we had significant competition with other schools, but in the end we won thanks to fantastic amounts of votes both online and in the audience itself. When we were announced the winners we did not immediately understand, but we were very happy that we won the first fashion show in the field of SVP, for us it is like the beginning of the history of something huge. We are very proud of our work and it was an honor for us to represent the school, our TY year and Mr Creaton’s religion class! 

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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
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Easter Egg Hunt for First Years

Transition Year (TY) students were very busy last Friday organising a fun Easter egg hunt for First Year classes. Great fun was had by all. 

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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
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TY Students getting ready for Spring

Keeping sustainability in mind, TY students used old pots to plant  bulbs in the glorious sunshine.  Students learned about the importance of regularly checking in on plants during hot weather, and bottom watering their pots using rainwater harvested in the distant past when we had rain! Students used watering cans to fill water into a wheelbarrow and then allowed the pots to sit in the water soaking up their fill.  This is a great way to conserve the precious resource of water.  

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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
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Sustainable Development – Goal 15

Small actions can make a big difference! Last week some TY students put together a bug hotel in less than 30 mins with some old pallets and bits and pieces of leaves, twigs, branches and various other items from our composting area.  Instead of going to waste we now have a home for the insects and microorganisms, to add to the biodiversity of our school grounds.  We located this hotel in a lovely shady spot which will encourage some moisture to gather making it an evening more suitable spot for them to take up residence.   A little biodiversity action that works towards sustainable development goal 15 - Life on Land. The goals are well explained by the following linkhttps://www.concern.net/news/sustainable-development-goals-explained

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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
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International Day

International Day in St. Nathy’s College 

We were proud to host our first ever “International Day” in school last Thursday 10th April.  It was a vibrant celebration of culture, diversity, and community. Students from many different countries proudly dressed in their traditional national costumes, showing their rich and colourful heritages. The huge “Assembly Room” was alive with colour, music, and excitement as students and staff gathered to take part in the festivities. 

One of the highlights of the day was the incredible array of food. Students brought in delicious dishes and delicacies from around the world — everything from spicy curries to sweet pastries, aromatic rice dishes to hearty stews. Each table offered a taste of a different culture, and everyone enjoyed sampling new flavours and learning about the stories behind each dish. 

It was a truly wonderful event that reminded us of the diversity that exists within St. Nathy’s. People connected through shared stories, laughter, and a genuine curiosity about each other’s backgrounds. A very enjoyable day was had by all, and the event left everyone feeling proud of our inclusive and welcoming School of Sanctuary.  

 

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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
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2nd Year End of Term 4 Rewards

As Term 4 drew to a close and much awaited Easter Holidays were about to begin, it was time yet again to delve into the data to see the winners of the tutor groups with most and least amount of negative points in 2^nd Year. This is a group effort and requires the concentration, respect and hard work from everyone within each group to gain the coveted prizes!  The winners of the tutor group with the Least Negative Points this term were Mr Kelly's 2D Group who also received some treats in the lead up to Easter. Well done to you too! Once again, I have to thank our dedicated, patient and hard-working 2^nd Year tutors for their continued guidance and support this term. Thank you to Mr Hennigan, Ms Conlon, Ms Scally, Mr Kelly and Ms Herron All to play for in the final term, so who will come out on top at the end of 2^nd Year?All that is left to say is to have a wonderful Easter Break with family and friends!Mr. Brennan      

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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
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Our Creative Process Going Behind the Words, Within the Story, and Through the Mist of Time.

Over the past few weeks, Ms. Munnelly’s TY students at St. Nathy’s College have been stepping into the shade of a long-standing cherry blossom tree to explore how imagination, historical research, and creative expression can be used to re-imagine Ballaghaderreen’s past.

Led by Anna King, these ongoing workshops are rooted in a creative non-fiction process that honours historical fact while connecting the past to the lives and questions of young people today.

In the last few sessions, students were introduced to key figures and ideas: Anne Deane, Michael Davitt, the Ladies Land League, and the symbolic power of cherry blossoms in Irish history.

They then broke into smaller groups to mind-map, draw connections, and begin weaving creative responses from historical threads. Last week, we refined the historical narrative at the heart of our project. Building on earlier sessions, where students created research-based mind maps, we began shaping these insights into a story. We explored some of the hidden and overlooked layers of history, while holding space for imagination, storytelling, and the act of reclaiming narratives like those of the Ladies Land League. As part of the process, Anna wrote a short fictionalised scene: a quiet conversation imagined between Anne Deane and Michael Davitt beneath the cherry blossom tree. They speak about Charles Stewart Parnell’s intentions to disband the Ladies Land League, while a stranger lurks behind the tree, holding a secret letter... The piece closes with three evocative prompts to help the students continue the tale:

Who was the stranger behind the tree?

What did he overhear?

What secrets lie in the crumpled letter beneath the cherry tree?

The story was recorded and played back in class.

Students responded in pairs with their own creative reconstructions, using storytelling techniques such as inner monologue, flashback, imagined dialogue, and shifting narrative perspective. These exercises encourage emotional depth and literary freedom; they allow students to interpret, question, and reimagine history on their own terms. We have also begun exploring how these layered stories might be presented.

Early ideas include narrated audio stories, pen and ink drawings, painted scenes of the garden conversation, oil and acrylic impressions of cherry blossoms in bloom, and close-up studies of bark textures and falling petals. Some students are experimenting with photography and videography, capturing the ephemeral magic of nature and memory in motion.
We will be continuing this work in our next session on Thursday. Keep an eye out for more creative developments as the stories beneath the cherry tree continue to unfold. This project is Funded by Creative Ireland & Roscommon County Council. More info: https://www.annaking.ie/the-cherry-blossom-tales

Contemplative Art & PoetryA Creative Ireland Funded Projectwww.annaking.ie

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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
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Give Blood, Save Lives!

Please consider giving blood at St. Nathy's College,  on the 8th of May 2025, from 15:50 to 20:00.

Why Should We Give Blood?

1. Saves Lives – Blood donations are crucial for patients undergoing surgeries, cancer treatments, childbirth complications, and accident victims. One donation can save multiple lives.

2. Helps Patients with Medical Conditions – People with conditions like anemia, hemophilia, and severe infections rely on blood transfusions to survive.

3. Supports Emergency Situations – Hospitals need a constant supply of blood for emergencies. Natural disasters, accidents, and surgeries can create sudden demand.

4. Encourages Community Support – Donating blood creates unity and care within communities, ensuring everyone has access to life-saving treatment.

5. Health Benefits for Donors – Regular blood donation can improve heart health, reduce harmful iron levels, and promote the production of new blood cells.

Participating in this blood drive is a simple yet powerful way to make a difference. #EveryOneCounts

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