Biodiversity
Description: One of the main aims of the biodiversity group this year is to update its plan for the next three years. Following on from a talk earlier in the year by Elaine O'Riordan, NUIG and a talk in January by Lorcan McCann, NUIG which was also attended by a representative from Oranmore Tidy Towns it was decided that the theme for our plan should be 'Pollinators and Wildflowers'. We decided on a number of actions to do over the coming months. One of them was to enter the Eco- UNESCO Young Environmentalist 2017. On 13th Feb with TY 1 we had a biodiversity workshop for the day where we worked on our submission for that competition and finalised actions to be done this year. The Biodiversity project is a cross curricular project working other groups in the school. The MGLD class work on this project. They have prepared an area of ground and have grown wildflower seeds. They help maintain 'An Gairdin Beag' beside the Astroturf pitch. They also do a variety of activities for feeding the birds. The first year art class, with Mr White, make 3D models as a project. They have chosen pollinating insects as their theme this year. Students are working on their models now. These models will be on display later in the year at the Pollinators awareness day in Renville Park. The Biodiversity and green schools group work together on different projects. Another aim of the project is to make nesting boxes for bees. The 'nesting box' group in TY are working with a first year class to make these. Our working partners are: Elaine O'Riordan and Lorcan McCann, Ecology Dept NUIG. Marie Mannion, Heritage section, Galway county council. Janice Fuller, consultant ecologist. Margaret McNulty, Oranmore Tidy Towns.
Chess Club
Description: The Chess Club’s primary aim is to teach students how to play chess and to offer a vital social avenue for students during their lunch time. It takes place in the school library. The Club recently received a valuable bursary form the Parent’s Association which will enable them to buy more equipment. It is wonderful to hear the happy, cheerful chatting coming from the Library whenever the Chess Club meet. They also enter various competitions throughout the school calendar and have even secured third place in the All Ireland Championships last year at Junior level.
Creative Writing Group
Description: The Creative writing Group meet to chat, collaborate, and discuss projects and literary pieces they may have. In previous years the goal had been to plan and help publish a collection of art and writing, named “The Book.” This year, the TY classes did this section. “The Book” was launched in the school on 25th of April as part of the Cúirt Festival of International Literature. The Launch night was a fantastic affair that brings staff, parents, students and the wider community together to celebrate the literary successes of our students. TY 1 are responsible for publication, submissions, the launch night and all other aspects of the publication as part of their TY Creative Writing Programme.
Cycle Against suicide
Description: Following a very inspiring talk by Jim Breen, given to a large number of students in Oct 2015, the school decided to apply to become an Ambassador School for this group. An application form was completed documenting all our work in the area of mental health as well as physical including the 5k run by the whole school, we were awarded the status of being an Ambassador School in 2016 (awarded plaque is displayed in front hall ). We hope to renew our status each year in our ongoing work, in supporting their message," it's ok not to be ok and it's absolutely ok to ask for help."
Faith in Action Project
Description: This is a whole school project, with a view to incorporating and involving all students and all staff to embrace the ethos and faith of Calasanctius College. We have undertaken a number of initiatives to raise vital funds to redesign and refurbish our school Oratory. Calasanctius Got Talent. Three individual talent shows representing three separate age groups- First Year, Junior and Senior shows. Each school based show highlights the talent that lies beneath the surface of our student body. The winners of these local shows will get a chance to perform in the Grand Finale that is called “Calasanctius Got Talent.” Calasanctius Clothes Bank: This bank is situated in the Aldi Carpark. It is envisaged that students, parents and members of the local community will participate in this initiative by donating a bag of recyclable clothes directly into this bank. The theme for our collection is based on the 40 days of Lent, “40 Bags in 40 Days.”
Friends First Programme
Description: ‘FRIENDS FIRST’ is a school-based positive mental health programme that promotes emotional resilience and reduces anxiety in children and adolescents. It is the only anxiety prevention programme acknowledged by the World Health Organization for its 12 years of comprehensive evaluation and practice (WHO, 2004). This research project set out to explore if ‘FRIENDS FIRST’ could be successful in reducing anxiety levels with young people in Irish post-primary schools.
Galway GSPA
Description: In December, this year, classes 1E, 2C and 2E made a very generous donation of food, treats, collars, blankets and toys to SPCA. Four boxes in total were filled and dropped into the animal sanctuary at Heathlawn, Kilimor. It helped to raise the students awareness of animals in need.
Green School Committee
Description: The theme of this year’s Green School Committee is “Global Citizenship Litter & Waste.” Every Two year the Theme changes for our Green School’s Committee. Our school strives to highlight the importance of caring for the world we live in. We were the first school in Galway to get “The Green Flag” and have maintained it since! Our Committee organise a wide range of student and staff based activities throughout the year: Action Days, Recycling clothes and bins, Fair Trade Fortnight, Biodiversity and many more.
Health Promotion
Description: In May 2016, Calasanctius College was awarded the Health Promoting Flag by the HSE. This flag was awarded on the basis of work completed and documented over a two year period. A Health Promoting team comprising of teachers, pupils and parents was formed and research into the requirements and needs of the school was carried out. Results led the school to focus primarily in the promotion of mental health in the school. Policies, evidence of extra-curricular activities, projects, all focusing on the promotion of mental health in the school, were all presented. These, along with the completion of a detailed application form, finally led to the school being one of the first in the west to receive the flag. The flag and plaque are on display in the front hall.
Morning Book Club
Description: The Book Club meets for half an hour each week. Students are encouraged to read and relax with a cup of tea or hot chocolate. These items are provided for the students. They are invited to bring their own book or to choose one from the library. Every month the students share their opinion of the book they have read with each other during a group discussion. They can also swap books if the wish.
Parent’s Plus Programme
This is a parenting course to help parents handle conflict, solve problems and get on better with adolescents. Topics covered include: • Getting to know and Connecting with your teenager. • Communicating Effectively and positively. • Negotiating rules and Boundaries. • Teaching Teenagers Responsibility. • Managing Conflict. • Solving Problems together. The programme was developed by Dr John Sharry, principal Social Worker and Prof Carol Fitzpatrick, consultant Child and adolescent Mental Health Psychiatrist in the Mater Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service. The focus of the programme is not on finding a cause of things going wrong in families or exploring the nature of childhood difficulties. It is more on helping parents find solutions to these problems and create more satisfying ways of relating to their children.
Positive Mental Attitude Group
Description: A group of TY students are part of a Positive Mental Attitude Group in the school. The main aim of the group is to become actively involved in activities/projects which may improve mental health in our school. Their main project last year was to prepare a piece of art work for the Students Leaders Congress for “Cycle Against Suicide”, and they will be very involved in the upcoming “Mental Wellness week.”
Science Quiz Teams
Description: Science Quizzes have been held on a regular basis for years in our school. All third year pupils participate in a Junior Science Quiz with the top four teams going forward to represent Calasanctius in an Inter School Science Quiz, which we have won for the last three years running. A Senior Science Quiz is held during Science week. Two Leaving Cert teams represent the school in the annual ISTA inter schools quiz.
Recycling:
Description: Recycling is incredibly important in Calasanctius College. There are various initiatives undertaken by staff to try to eliminate our carbon footprint. In some cases a charity will benefit from our efforts at recycling. The Laura Lynn Foundation Battery Collection is run on annual basis in our college. Unwanted and unused batteries are collected throughout the school. This organisation provides respite, transitional and crisis care for children with life limiting conditions, in their family home. “Children Win, Parents win, Environment wins.” Source Imaging is a company that recycles our old computers, scanners, ink cartridges and so on. We also offer Wee Recycling of Printers and goods that are offer 250kg for free. Recycling bins are in every locker area and all staff promote recycling