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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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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
• 8
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First Year Business Assignment

As part of their First year “Business Studies” assignment, Ms. Hughes’ class did an insightful walk through the town earlier today where they explored and analysed the diverse range of businesses that contribute to our local economy. The purpose of this investigation was to better understand the different types of enterprises operating within a small town in the west of Ireland, and how they cater for the various needs within our community. 

Before heading off, they were tasked with creating a detailed map of Ballaghaderreen. Students had to sketch the town's layout, ensuring that they marked the main streets, the landmarks and the existing business locations. This exercise allowed them to familiarise themselves with the geography of the town, which was crucial for identifying and categorising the various types of businesses they met. This also linked in with cross-curricular subjects such as Geography. 

As they strolled through the town, they observed and discussed the range of businesses. They paid particular attention to the size, scale, and specialisation of each enterprise. After noting these observations, they colour-coded each business type on their maps—helping to visually represent the diversity and spread of the town’s economic landscape. 

This active activity not only helped them gain a practical understanding of the business environment within their local community, but it also allowed them to apply theoretical concepts from their coursework, such as “Market Segmentation” and Business Classification”, and the role of small businesses in supporting regional economies. The exercise proved to be a valuable and engaging way to connect classroom learning with real-world applications. 

 

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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
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Seachtain na Gaeilge

Some images from Seachtain na Gaeilge where we all got into the spirit of things and  embraced our  language and culture.  

https://www.stnathys.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_7689.movhttps://www.stnathys.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/tr2.mov

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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
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1E teilifís

1E Gaeilge students wrote out scripts during Seachtain na Gaeilge and acted them out for their classmates. A well enjoyed task which focused on all aspects of Gaeilge i.e. Oral, Written and Aural. 

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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
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Huge Congratulations to Ruby Mc Donagh 1st year and Clara Cullinan 2nd year

Congratulations to Ruby Mc Donagh 1st year and Clara Cullinan 2nd year who have qualified to represent Ireland in The dance world cup in Spain next July.

What an amazing achievement!

Best of luck Girls

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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
• 11
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Poetry Competition Winners!

Congratulations to our Poetry Competition Winners!A huge congratulations to Saoirse Gaffney, who placed first, Sana Aftab, who placed second, and Ceola McDonagh, who placed third in the First-Year Poetry Competition!The competition’s theme was spring, and our talented first-year students had a week to craft their poems. Well done to everyone who participated—your creativity and effort were truly impressive!A special thank you to Ms. Herr and Ms. O’Boyle for organising this wonderful event. 

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• Catherine Farrell - PRO
• 11
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ATU Taster Day

TY students attending the ATU Taster Day. 

Students attended workshops in Engineering, Bio-Science, English Literature and Accounting to mention a few. They had the opportunity to meet lecturers, explore the college campus and experience a little bit of college life!

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