Safer Internet Day – February 5th 2019.

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Safer Internet Day (SID) is an EU wide initiative to promote a safer internet for all users, especially young people. It is promoted in Ireland by the PDST Technology in Education and Webwise.

The Theme for Safer Internet Day is “Together for a Better Internet“. Safer Internet Day 2019 will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 5th. Over 100,000 young people across Ireland joined the celebrations last year. This year St Louis will host a lunchtime event to mark the day. There will be an Internet Safety Quiz at lunchtime today February 5th @12:50pm in Room 45.

 

Check out the link below for information on staying safe online. There are sections for both parents and children.

Safer Internet Day

 

Transition Year Students reap rewards of ties with DkIT.

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In January 20 very lucky TY students got the opportunity to spend a week in DkIT for an Enterpreneurial Week.
Below is the article published by DkIT on the event followed by a report written by one of our own TY students who participated – thank you very much to Emma for her very enjoyable report! DkIT was so impressed with our students that they have already agreed to a similar event next year.
“Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) recently welcomed 20 Transition Year (TY) students from St. Louis Secondary School, Dundalk on campus as part of the Institute’s Entrepreneurial School Week Programme. The week is designed to develop students entrepreneurial, creativity and innovation skills. The programme is delivered by a multi-disciplined team comprised of members from School of Engineering, School of Health & Science, School of Business & Humanities, as well as the Regional Development Centre.

The aim of the programme is to enable TY students to recognise entrepreneurial opportunities. Exploring possibilities is designed around the broad concept of the entrepreneurial mindset and will facilitate TY students to:

  • consider what it means to be ‘entrepreneurial’;
  • recognize their entrepreneurial potential;
  • identify sources of entrepreneurial opportunities;
  • develop problems solving skills
  • creatively engage in identifying opportunities that could benefit others.

Colman Ledwith, from the School of Engineering and Bridget Kelly from the School of Health and Science organised the Entrepreneurship Secondary School Week.

Speaking during the event Colman said,

“I believe it is important to get students involved in entrepreneurial activities at an early age to enable them to develop curiosity and confidence to explore their own entrepreneurial ability. I have been extremely impressed by the ideas presented by TY students this week.  The various workshops held allow them to recognise their own potential.”

Also speaking on the day, TY student Inga Mainule said,

“The activities throughout the week really helped me learn to think outside of the box more. There was such a mix of activities. We really got to try everything from engineering to marketing. I love coming to these programmes in DkIT so much that I’ve already signed up for another one!   Coming to DkIT is always such an exciting experience for me. We spent a lot of time here last year when our school burned down and I loved the atmosphere and the environment – it’s great!”

Fellow Transition Year Student, Victory Isyola added,

“This week has been so much fun. It has really brought out our competitive streak! Everyone is so keen to win each competition or come up with the best idea. I love that we have been given the opportunity to work with our hands and do something practical. I usually hate the engineering side of things but this week we were given the task of making a paper bridge without any glue or tape or staples and the bridge had to be sturdy enough to withstand 5 times the amount of paper used to create it, it was tough but we persevered as a team and then we got it! I was so proud of all the work we put in.”

The Programme is facilitate by staff from across the institute – all contributing to its success. Staff involved in the delivery of the programme are Bridget Kelly (Health & Science), Garrett Duffy (Regional Development Centre), Brendan Mac Quillan (retired lecturer Engineering), Neil Mc Loughlin (RDC), Kate Johnston (Business and Humanities), Fergal O Rourke (Engineering), Paul Durcan (Engineering ) and Colman Ledwith. The support team consists of Orlagh Devine, Nicola Larkin, Louise Mc Caul, Grainne Mc Kenna, (All Engineering Administration) John Collins, Pat Mc Carthy Jim Connolly (All Technical Support Staff). The programme is funded by the HEA.”

Originally published on DkIT.ie/news January 24th 2019.

Report by Emma Lynch, TY.
I really enjoyed being part of this workshop up in DKIT and I feel as though all the others who took part would agree with me in saying that it was a very helpful workshop in which we learned, saw, and tried things that very few people get the chance to.
Throughout the week people from various departments in the college came in to speak to us about how their department relates to creativity and how import creativity is in the world that we live in.
Before we even went to DKIT Coleman and Bridget spoke to us about what to expect from this week long workshop and put us into pairs, giving each pair two words which we felt went hand in hand with creativity, we were then told that we had to produce a video log from our week in DKIT based on these words.
On our first day in the college Garrett came in to speak to us about breaking existing patterns and thinking outside the box and how this is vital for any company to do well. I really enjoyed this session because while we learn a lot we also got to have lots of fun doing it as we were asked to solve various problems.
His session was followed by a session on engineering, specifically designing building and testing. This session was given to us by Brendan from the engineering department. Our task was to make bridges using only paper. This proved to be a challenge but it was a great exercise to get us thinking creatively and we had a good laugh doing it too.
We had another session on protecting ideas and intellectual property which was given to us by Neil. This was very interesting and was a topic most of us knew very little about. Neil also made this session as interactive as possible so at no stage were any of us bored.
Kate from the business department in the college led a session in which we learned about marketing. We were first asked to design packaging and come up with a name for a new product, a healthy bar. After doing so we were asked to come up with a place to sell the product. a way to promote it and a suitable price for it. We then presented our ideas in groups and voted on which product we liked the best. Inga and Victory won. This session was my favourite. We had great fun doing it but at the same time learned so much about marketing techniques.
Fergal spoke to us about energy preservation and how engineers help this. This area isn’t one that I would normally be very enthusiastic about. Fergal however managed to make it very exiting and I would no like to learn more about the topic.
On the Thursday we had a session on design and manufacturing and led by Paul and this was an amazing session. We got to design our own phone stands using computer software and then cut them using a laser cutter. In the afternoon Bridget brought us to the microbiology lab and we got to use microscopes to look at different bacteria.
I really enjoyed this course and would definitely recommend it to any future TYs if the opportunity arose for them to take part in it.
I developed many amazing skills, gained insight and learned things that aren’t on our general curriculum.
Thank you to DkIT for this experience, and to Ms Galligan, TY Co-Ordinator for facilitating such a great week of Active Learning for us all.

Aisling, Julie, Kaiya and Sophie enjoying the TY Enterpreneurship Week at DkIT.

Ty students coming to grips with their design ideas for a new healthy bar.

First Year Entrance Assessment February 9 2019

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As agreed by all schools in Dundalk, the Assessment Day for incoming First Years will take place on February 9th 2019. Details of your daughter’s time will be given to you.

Below you will find both the PowerPoint Presentation given to parents of incoming First Years, and a cover letter from the Principal which was sent to you at the end of November.

We look forward to meeting your daughters again next week.

 

Cover letter for 1st yr parents Sept 2019

First Year Induction Nov 13th 2018

MESSAGE FOR PARENTS FROM HSE REGARDING MUMPS OUTBREAK

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Please can you take a moment to read the following message from the HSE about an outbreak of mumps in the North East of the country.

 

Mumps Parents Letter for schools 15-01-2019

 

Information for Parents on the Whole School Evaluation 2019

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Attached below are two documents for your perusal regarding the current Inspection in St Louis. They were previously posted but our website has just changed its host site so some posts were lost. Thank you for your understanding.

 

wse_mll_information_note_students

wse_mll_information_note_parents

Class of 2018 presented with their JCPAs by past pupil Niamh O’ Neill

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Last year’s third years were in for a wonderful surprise when they headed to the Chapel Hall just before Christmas to recieve their JCPAs. The Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement is the new Junior Cycle Certificate which replaces the old Junior Certificate. They are distributed in November or December each year which gives time to students to query results and have them rechecked before the certificate is generated. Last year Roisín Ingle of The Irish Times came to the school to present the certificates but this year the school invited one of its own past pupils, doyenne of fashion Niamh O’ Neill.

Niamh who has worked in the past with both John Galliano and Diane Von Furstenberg came home to set up her own fashion label in 2012 in Ireland and hasn’t looked back since. She is a regular visitor to the school, having previously being honoured with the Sr Claire Past Pupils Award.  Deputy Principal Mary Glmore was delighted to welcome Niamh to the school. ” The JCPA is very different to the old Junior Certificate. It contains an area for each girl to highlight her personal achievements in school outside of the academic ones. It is a lovely certificate of achievement and so we in St Louis like to make a fuss to celebrate all the Other Learning Experiences of every girl.”
Principal Michelle Dolan said: “Our ethos here in St Louis is about so much more than just the academic achievements of our students. it is wonderful to see the Dept recognising that too in this new certificate. It shows the whole education received through all the extras that go on in the school every day. We were delighted that Niamh, who is such a great role model for the girls, was able to present the awards. It made for a very special day for them and for the parents who attended to wupport their daughters.”
Well done to everyone! 

Marshes Shopping Centre donates Chromebooks to St Louis

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Marshes Shopping Centre last month presented 20 Chromebooks to St Louis Secondary School in the first donation of their new community initiative.

“900 people are employed at Marshes Shopping Centre, and many have strong links to the school,” said Aoife Kerley of Marshes Shopping Centre.

“The donation forms part of Marshes’ social initiative, Marshes Community Fund, which supports local causes put forward by Marshes customers.

“As Marshes is involved with a number of local causes, we received a lot of requests to assist the school and are very happy to help.”

The donation was warmly welcomed by both the Principal and Deputy-Principal of St Louis Secondary School.

“The gift from Marshes is very generous and well-timed, especially as it fits in perfectly with targets around the promotion of digital literacy in our school,” said principal Michelle Dolan.

“We plan to use the Chromebooks for the accelerated reader programme which has been rolled out to first years.”

Deputy Principal Mary Gilmore echoed Ms Dolan’s sentiments, saying that the donation will be a great benefit to school life.

“The generous gift from Marshes supports our work in enhancing the digital skills of our Junior Cycle students,” she said.

“This support is very welcome and is timely in given that the Department is aiming for high levels of student engagement in learning through teacher use of the digital learning framework, so students can become engaged thinkers, active learners and
knowledge constructors .”

 

 

 

Parent Nominees for St Louis Dundalk Board of Management 2018-2021

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Parents are presented in order of their declaration of interest.

All text below is from candidates.

Please make sure to have your say and send in your vote by Thursday December 13 @4pm.

 

 

 

Candidate 1- Jennifer Ray

 

I am a parent of a child at St. Louis and two other teenage children.  I’m also a teacher of Business subjects and French at Ó Fiaich.  I have years of experience teaching secondary school students, PLC students and adult learners.  I am co-ordinator of the pre-university arts programme at Ó Fiaich where I am involved with academic, learning and support as well as pastoral care of students. I also have 12 years of experience as school secretary including organisation and administration of duties for board of management.

 

As parent representative I could bring a 360 degree perspective of knowledge, but most importantly, I would intend to use my knowledge and experience to effectively represent parents of students at St. Louis.  I would hope to do this in the most collaborative and positive way, in the best interests of our children and students.

 

 

 

Candidate 2-Amanda Shearman

My name is Amanda Shearman, I would like to become a member of the board of management as I think it very important to be involved in the education of our children.  I was on the parents’ committee from Nicole stared primary school and continued it until my other daughter left this year.  I was very involved in the school, I was head parent for the school for communion year and confirmation. I always look at thing in all different views before I decide and respect everybody option. I get on very well with people I would like to think of myself as a people person. I take great pride in everything I do and always willing to step up when needed. I am very aware of children first as I have a cert in this area.

 

Mother of three children, well known to people in the community. Always eager to go the extra mile to help people. Always willing to give a helping hand,  has  been hands-on involved in the parents’ council in the Castletown Girls school over the years when children were attendees of the school. If the school need anything done Amanda would be the first to be called and would help no questions asked.  Very hands on and always goes the extra mile to make sure the task is done to the highest standards. Always help with parents supported them if they need help and always kept any issues private and only discuss any matters with the correct people in question.

 

 Candidate 3 -Eimear Cosgrove

 

FAMILY
My name is Eimear Cosgrove. I’m originally from Carrickarnon, Ravensdale and I now live in Ath Lethan, Dundalk.

I am a proud past pupil of St. Louis. I have continued the St. Louis tradition in my family by sending both of my daughters to the school.

My oldest daughter is now a past pupil herself, having received an education at St. Louis which enabled her to study law at Oxford University and qualify as a solicitor.

My younger daughter has recently started her St. Louis journey, having commenced in first year in August.

EDUCATION
After leaving secondary school I attended the University of Ulster, at Jordanstown. I studied Communication at degree level and Marketing at post graduate level.

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
Having spent some years working as an Executive Officer in the Department of Justice and Equality, I am very aware of the importance of working towards equality and justice for everyone in our society.
My work encompassed communicating directly with people from all walks of life and from many different countries and ethnic groups.
It also entailed being part of an advisory group for the Department in relation to the implementation of revised case work procedures.
I have also gained experience working in the sphere of education while lecturing at DkIT.

PARENT
My role as a parent (like most other parents) can often be demanding, but has also enabled me to gain additional attributes; such as patience, listening skills, empathy, understanding and advocacy skills. 087 6879198

EFFECTIVE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT MEMBERSHIP

In my view, the role of parent/guardian representative on the school BoM entails being an effective communicator and forging strong links between the parents/guardians and the school in an open, honest and transparent manner.

I feel that my background in the field of communication would enable me to facilitate and promote home-school links and help to ensure that the school creates and maintains efficient and clear channels of communication, information and consultation with the parents/guardians.

It is important to ensure that the voices of all members of the school community have a chance to be listened to by the school and that the school respects and values diversity in our community.

My interpersonal communication skills help to enhance my ability to relate to all of the parents/guardians of the school’s students and to be an effective advocate for them.

I strive to be a friendly and very approachable person and I am always happy to listen to the views of others.

WELLBEING OF STUDENTS

Whether or not a student is a high achiever, needs additional support, excels in extra-curricular activities or has a disability, every student matters equally.

The wellbeing of our daughters in St. Louis is of paramount importance. Working to ensure that the school prioritises a positive and healthy learning environment is of utmost importance to me and is imperative in enabling all of the students to reach their full potential.

 

 Candidate 4 -Luke Martin

My name is Luke Martin. I am born and raised in Dundalk .Many people would remember me as one of the candidates in local and general election in 2007 and 2011. For the past 15 years I work as an information officer for Parental Equality.  This organisation support equal rights for both parents. I have worked in a FAS scheme with the Rugby club. I’m also involved in Social Services organisation Meals On Wheels. This voluntary service provides hot meals for elderly community members. I’m also involved for general meetings and fundraising events .

I think I would be a suitable candidate for BoM patents representative as I have two daughters who currently is attending St.Louis school and my experience with Parental Equality and Meals on wheels.  I am very social and honest person who is not afraid to voice my opinion and stand up for what is right.

 

 

Candidate 5 -David Minto

Name David Minto
Born 27-02-1968

Father Albert Minto (RIP)
Mother Briege Minto
Family of 6 kids
Married to Deirdre Minto
Daughter Kayla Minto
Member of Dundalk Chamber of Commerce
Vice President for the last 2 years
Chairman of the organising committee for the St Patrick’s day parade also the world record Santa run in Dundalk where over 5500 Santa’s ran for 1 mile.
Avid Dundalk FC Fan and Volunteer.
Currently Business development manager for CX+ sport and subsidiary of Horseware Ireland
CX+ supply clubs and schools, E.G. Athletics Ireland, Dundalk Football Club, Drogheda Utd, Coleraine FC, Marist, DKIT, St Louis, O Fiach…

 

 

TY September Report

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September, like every month in St Louis Dundalk, was a busy one for the Transition Years. At the start of term the girls met up and were assigned to new class groupings, which is usual. It allows the girls to create new friendships whilst maintaining older ones. Their first outing was to Newgrange House, an adventure centre. There the girls completed a 25 km hike, which fulfils one strand of the Gaisce programme, but also found time for other activities including canoeing, abseiling, and a few karaoke sessions.

Once the girls arrived back to school their academic programme started. The girls get the opportunity in TY to experience all subject areas covered at Senior Cycle, and sometimes the girls find new passions which determine their choices for Fifth Year. This year in keeping with the Dept’s emphasis on Wellbeing, the students will have a short intensive programme working on enhancing the work done in this area at Junior Cycle.

Then it was time to hear what show will be done this year. The girls will be putting on “All Shook Up” from March 12-14 2019 in the Chapel Hall, under the tutelage of Ms Elaine Byrne, Ms Siobhán Higgins, Ms Kate O’ Byrne and Ms Lynne Rice. The hall has been ringing to the sounds of Elvis while the girls work on their moves and grooves.

That same week was also an exciting one for another very different reason. The girls received their Junior Cert results. It was heartening to see that their time in DkIT had not affected results adversely. There were tears of delight and hugs galore.

The week after was busy too. The girls took part in the Opening Mass, which took place at school this year because of Storm Ali, which prevented us from heading to The Redeemer Church as is usual. There was something very special about attending mass in the Chapel Hall this year, with the last vestiges of the fire evident in the stained glass window that are being repaired in Germany at present. There was a beautiful atmosphere as the whole school community gave thanks for saving our school and giving us back so much. That same week a group of TY students headed to Carrickmacross  for the SVP “Youth for Justice” conference.

Last week the girls headed to the Marble Arch Caves in Co Fermanagh where they researched both surface karst features and underground calcite features as part of their TY Geography programme. That same week they had a guest speaker visit from Gaisce to let the girls know of the different requirements to qualify for the Bronze Award.

Minister Bruton announces launch of School Excellence Fund – Step Up Project – Department of Education and Skills

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Nine schools from across the country have been chosen to participate in the school improvement programme. St Louis was chosen as a reult of its effective practice in the delivery of the New Junior Cycle programme. 

Department Press Release: 

“The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton T.D.,  announced the launch of the School Excellence Fund – Step Up Project last Friday in Athlone.

Nine schools from across the country are participating in the initial pilot phase taking place over the coming school year.

The Step Up Project focuses on supporting schools to ‘step up’ in the delivery of the new junior cycle programme. Schools will work together and will be supported by the Inspectorate, who will help with planning and the JCT, who will provide additional teacher training.

The School Excellence Fund approach, which focuses on encouraging local collaboration and innovation, is key to delivering on the governments overall ambition to making Ireland’s education and training service the best in Europe by 2026.

Teachers from each school participated in an opening seminar in Athlone last Friday, where they met with members of JCT and the Inspectorate to refine their Step Up Project plan for the year ahead.

Making the announcement, Minister Bruton said, “The opportunity provided by the Step Up Project will empower participating schools to move to highly effective practice in their implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle. In this way, they will impact positively on student learning and their experience will be used to support other schools as they engage in Junior Cycle reform. I welcome the collaboration of the Inspectorate and Junior Cycle for Teachers in facilitating appropriate and effective professional learning for the schools in this initial stage of the project”.

It is timely that an opportunity be provided for schools to reflect on teaching, learning, assessment and reporting in these three subject areas and to identify how the quality of provision and implementation, both for those specific subjects and for the overall Framework for Junior Cycle, can be raised to the highest level.

Schools participating in the project are required to take a school self-evaluation approach in reviewing their current implementation of the Framework in one or more of three subject areas: English, Business Studies and Science. Schools will be encouraged to identify areas for improvement and will be supported in developing and implementing actions leading to improvement in their chosen areas. Learning from the project will be disseminated to all schools.”

Deputy Principal Mary Gilmore who attended last week’s event along with staff members Róisín Mallon and Anne Marie Kirk is delighted that we have been chosen to participate in the project. “This is a wonderful endorsement of the whole school’s engagement with the New Junior Cycle programme. We are delighted to be given the opportunity to work with the inspectorate to ensure the learning experience for St Louis girls is of the highest calibre.”

Pictured below are: AnneMarie Kirk, Science teacher St Louis Dundalk, Dr David King, JCT, Róisín Mallon, Business teacher St Louis Dundalk, Sinéad Tuphy, Co-ordinator of Step Up Project JCT, Mary Gilmore, Deputy Principal St Louis Dundalk, Eoghan Evesson, Deputy Director JCT, and Emma Gallagher, JCT.