Sophie wins 'Angel Pin' award

A huge congratulations to Sophie O'Grady, a Transition year student, who was chosen as one of the finalists for the Irish Wheelchair Association's 'Design an Angel Pin Competition'. Sophie's design was chosen as a finalist out of thousands of entires. 

Sophie represented the school superbly at an awards ceremony in Athlone on the 14th March. Sophie's pin will be on sale this coming November, so be sure to support Sophie and a great cause.

Gaisce Awards

Well done to Chloe and Caoimhe on receiving their Gaisce awards, completed when in Transition year, from their Gaisce PAL. Mr. Campbell.

Transition Year Students receive Journalism Awards

Well done to two 4th year students, Ali and Sarah,  who won awards in the Press Pass writing competition which is an annual journalism competition for Transition Years. It is run by Newsbrands Ireland. This year, there were over 7,500 entries and our school was the only school that brought back two national winners. Ali and Sarah  were 2 of 14 finalists who were invited to the award ceremony that took place on the 14th of March in the Convention Centre, located in Dublin. Ali  wrote an article, entitled, 'Nathan Carter; A Sit Down With One Of The Nation’s Leading Country Artists.' She received a trophy for coming 2nd place in the Features category. Sarah  also wrote an article, called, 'Irish History's Most Valuable Gift.... And Why We Must Strive To Preserve It'. She received a trophy for coming 3rd in the Features Category. Well done to both students and their teacher Ms.McLoughlin.

Transition Year Mini Company

Transition year students have been busy over the past few months forming  mini companies. On Wednesday 10th Feb they presented their companies to the judges. Below is a sample of some of  those companies.

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Mini Company

• Mini company 2.jpg

  http://www.stmaryscollegenaas.ie/images/ty20152016/Mini company 2.jpg

• Mini company 1.jpg

  http://www.stmaryscollegenaas.ie/images/ty20152016/Mini company 1.jpg

• mini company 3.jpg

  http://www.stmaryscollegenaas.ie/images/ty20152016/mini company 3.jpg

• mini company 4.jpg

  http://www.stmaryscollegenaas.ie/images/ty20152016/mini company 4.jpg

• mini company 5.jpg

  http://www.stmaryscollegenaas.ie/images/ty20152016/mini company 5.jpg

• mini company 6.jpg

  http://www.stmaryscollegenaas.ie/images/ty20152016/mini company 6.jpg

• mini company 7.jpg

  http://www.stmaryscollegenaas.ie/images/ty20152016/mini company 7.jpg

• mini company 8.jpg

  http://www.stmaryscollegenaas.ie/images/ty20152016/mini company 8.jpg

Mini-company is a competition run by the Board of Enterprise Ireland for Transition Years, giving them an opportunity to see how business are sourced, run and operated, with bonuses like learning about communication, marketing and effective team working.

Two examiners came in from the Board, and first looked at the stands the groups set up in the hall, and then had each group up to speak about their mini-company, and essentially pitch their idea to the examiners. All the groups did particularly well in this aspect, with no one letting their nerves get in the way!

However, not everyone could get through, and the winners (who will now go on to the county finals) were Sixth Sense, Ineffable and Sofizzticated.

Sixth Sense provides sensory kits for young children or children with special needs targeting the five senses and the sixth sense is fun. The kit contains a toy for each sense. Sight- light up balls. Sound- A maraca. Smell- Flowers. Touch- Bean bags. Taste- Recipies. And fun- A shoelace toy! If you are interested in buying this product, Barker and Jones Naas are now stocking them. The team members are Ciara Kealy, Sherena Flynn, Niamh Evans, Emma Martin and Anna MacGabhann.

Ineffable provides good quality, affordable make up brush sets. These sets sold out quickly, so if you are interesting in getting one, you better be quick! The team members are Kerry Henthorn, Madeline Hearney and Orla Maguire.

Usually, the examiners can only allow two teams through. However, due to a great mini-company and fantastic
presentation, they bended the rules and allowed a third mini-company through, Sofizzticated! Sofizzticated
sell homemade and hand crafted bath bombs! Coming in a range of scents, one can buy bath sets which include two bath bombs and a candle. The team members are Allie O’Brien, Eimear Ryan, Ciara Jacob and Eva Murphy.