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Colaiste Phadraig
Zambia 2020 update:
11 of our senior students, along with five teachers, were due to travel to Zambia for an Immersion Project on 27th May until the 10th June 2020 for what would have been be the school's 2nd Zambia Immersion Project in recent years. The group were extremely busy and active fundraising for the trip for almost a year before came the devastating news that the trip would have to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Everyone involved was understandably very upset that they would miss out on such a potentially life-changing experience that they had set their hearts on for so long. It took a while for them to come to terms with this bitter blow but eventually they understood that they had to accept it and move on. They also had to decide what they would do with the funds that they had raised, which totalled an impressive 6,600euro. After a number of socially distanced meetings, it was agreed this week that the 11 students would each donate 600euro to a charity that was close to their hearts.
One student chose to donate his share of the funds to the Irish Cancer Society as his own family have had to bear the devastating consequences of cancer and he wishes to contribute to the fight against this terrible disease in a small, but very meaningful way.
Another chose Doctors Without Borders, in recognition of the phenomenal worldwide work it does for those that cannot afford to pay for medical help. The student was keen to point out how lucky we are to live in Ireland, with access to high quality healthcare and also many other health services we take for granted, and so believes that it is important to help those in areas of conflict and extreme poverty throughout the world.
600 euro was also donated to Jigsaw by a student as he felt that the charity that works with helping young people overcome mental health challenges and illnesses is especially needed for those that have struggled to cope with lockdown over the past 15 months.
Another student donated the 600e to Izzy's Journey as this cause is very close to his heart. Isabella Villena is a 10yr old girl from Palmerstown who was diagnosed with an extremely rare condition called Aicardi Syndrome as a baby. This is a genetic brain disorder that typically only affects little girls and Isabella was sadly born without a vital piece of her brain. As a consequence of this, she will need constant care and attention every day of her life and she will also need to take a range of powerful medications to manage daily seizures. Every day of her life will be a constant struggle for Isabella and her family and eventually Isabella's life will sadly be cut short due to this condition.
Another student chose St. Vincent De Paul because he recognised that more people are visibly struggling with isolation, loneliness and homelessness as a result of the pandemic and he feels that this well-established charity is extremely trustworthy, reliable and efficient with their donations.
A donation of 600euro has also been made to CRY Ireland (Cardiac Risk in the Young-a charity that raises awareness of Sudden Cardiac Death) in honour of our sadly departed past pupil Ryan McKeon and his father.
It really is heart-warming and truly inspiring hearing what the Zambia group have decided to do with their hard earned funds. We greatly commend the eleven students, Taha Ahmad, Jamie Clarke, Michael Connolly, Adam Devitt, Evin Dowling, Alex Jaji, Kevin Kelly, Alex Knowles, Conor McDonagh, Josh Murphy and Oisin O' Neill, on their kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity and compassion, which is very much in the tradition of Edmund Rice. The entire school community is extremely proud of our Zambia 2020 group. They have all been, and continue to be, outstanding ambassadors for our school and the CBS name in general.
St Joseph's College Lucan
Leaving Certificate
The 2021 Leaving Certificate examinations began on Wednesday, with English Paper 1. The very best wishes to all of our 6th year students who will be sitting the exams!
Virgin Media News!
We were delighted to have Virgin Media News at St Joseph's College on Wednesday! Wednesday was the first day of the 2021 Leaving Certificate examinations. A big thank you to Aisling Ní Choisdealbha and the Virgin Media News crew who interviewed a number of our 6th year students, after they had completed the English Paper 1 exam. Ms Jones and Mr O'Driscoll also gave their opinions of the English Paper. We were on the Virgin Media One news at 12:30 and 5:30. It's always exciting to see our students on the television! Well done to Ms Jones, Mr O'Driscoll and our 6th year students! The news article can be viewed on our website and Twitter accounts.
Silver Gaisce Awards
We were delighted to have our final group of Silver Gaisce recipients from 2020 receive their Silver Gaisce awards last week! A huge well done to Emily Carey, Maeve Montgomery, Nazia Rafiq, Asma & Belkisa Shala who have been waiting patiently for this day! The students also received their custom-designed Tee-shirts to mark the achievement! Thank you to Ms Bligh, who has been championing the very rewarding Gaisce programme in our school for many years. Gaisce or 'great achievement' is a self-development programme for young people between the ages of 15-25 and has been in existence since 1985. The Silver Award is the second level of the Gaisce Award.
Nazia Rafiq, Asma & Belkisa Shala and Maeve Montgomery with Ms Bligh and Ms Fitzgerald
Emily Carey receiving her Silver Gaisce Award from Ms Bligh
TY students modelled some iconic fashion trends at their end of year Fashion Show - Can you guess which one this is?
School website https://stjosephslucan.com
Follow us on Twitter: @STJosephs3
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