Homework was the LCTP theme for September and there were a few Leaving Cert students (O ye of little faith) who thought that the various homework posters (Homework – Just Do It, Homework – Yes You Can, Homework Is The X Factor and A Vote For Homework Is A Vote For Your Future) were at best a little silly and at worst a complete waste of time – until September 29th that is – the day on which one of the posters featured in an Irish Times article on former European Parliament President Pat Cox’s visit to the school.

Amazing how attitudes suddenly change. (There’s even talk now of a film.)

The poster campaign was designed to stimulate thinking about (and doing) homework and by all accounts the overall response has been very encouraging. Of course for homework regulars it’s simply been business as usual, for some others it’s a case of becoming reacquainted with an old, somewhat neglected friend while for many it may have been the start of a deep and truly meaningful new relationship, one that will last from here to eternity (or maybe just to next June.)
     If you’re uncertain about how long you should be spending on your homework, the recommended time is 3 hours a night, increasing the closer you get to Mocks and the Leaving Cert itself (I know scary isn’t it?). But there’s no need to panic (yet). First things first. For now just be sure to get all your homework done every night and then you can build up gradually from there. Remember - even the longest journey begins with a single step (Chinese philosophy). Your best effort – that’s all we ask. (Cheryl Cole’s philosophy). 

LEAVING CERTS – TAKE A BOW !!!!!

On Monday, September 28th, former President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox visited the school to speak to Leaving Cert students about the Lisbon Treaty. Irish Times journalist Kathy Sheridan reported on the event after which she interviewed Mr. O’Rourke and four Leaving Certs, Daire Dalton, Andrew Gavin, Akhlaque Khan and Darragh Maguire. Absolutely gushing in her praise of the audience (little did she know) she commented that ‘The time allowed for the questions was distinguished by the intelligence of those asking them’. High praise indeed so well done to everyone concerned. A copy of the article including colour photo is on the ‘enclosed’ notice board.

ELEVEN HONEST MEN (AND THE RED COW)

Even though the school plays no part in the organisation or running of the ‘Debs’ we ask you to give your full co-operation to the eleven members of your Debs Committee. The Debs will be held in the Red Cow Complex on the Naas Road, Dublin 22 on September 3rd, 2010. The estimated cost is €67.50 per person or €130 for two. A €10 deposit is now required. You can pay Andrew Gavin/Cathal Kennedy (6P); Ciaran Geraghty (6T); Eric Smyth/Daire Dalton (6R); Stephen Jordan/John Sheridan (6i); Barry Kirwan/Ross Gore (6C); Patrick Fox/Colin Wickham (6K) and Andrew Gavin/Cathal Kennedy (TY’s). The rest of the money due will be collected in two future instalments.

THEATRE: THE THINKING (WO)MAN’S PS3

Any Leaving Cert with a modicum of intelligence and taste (and there are some) knows Theatre is cool. So a Theatre Trip has been organised for Friday, November 6th, to the Ramor Theatre in downtown Virginia, Co. Cavan to see Frank McGuinness’s play ‘Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme’. Leaving Certs with a touch of culture and class can get full details from Ms. Molloy in the IT Library any lunch time 12.35 – 1.25 up to and including this Wednesday, October 7th. Be there (or you’ll miss it).

PERFECT PREFECTS

After a long debate involving Ms. Luddy (and Ms. Heaney) and the Senior Prefects it was agreed that in future the Prefects would wear distinctive red ties. The Prefects act as the perfect role models for Junior students and always carry out their duties in a totally selfless manner (of course being a Prefect also looks good on CV’s and in references.)
     Being a Prefect is a responsible position and each and every one of them deserves thanks for the work they do.

2009-2010 Senior Prefects (Alphabetical Order)

Kevin Barnwall; Mark Barry; Jonathan Browne; Ian Carney; Andrew Crowe; Jonathan Devlin; Brian Dillon; Michael Donnelly; Mark Gallagher; Andrew Gavin; Gordan Finnegan; Andrew Finney; Ciaran Flynn; Patrick Fox; Cian Hughes; Cathal Kennedy; David Kennedy; Eoghan Lawlor, Darragh Maguire; Shane McDonnell; Alan O’Connor; Brad Peppard; Ryan Preston; Glenn Whelan; Colin Wickham, Cian Wilson.

OCTOBER – PLANNING AND ORGANISATION MONTH

Assuming that you’re now doing all your homework (a major assumption I know) but assuming that you are, the next stage on your life journey to success is Planning and Organisation. I feel an anecdote coming on.
     An American tourist was totally lost somewhere in North Meath (isn’t everyone) so he stopped a local and asked the way back to Dublin. ‘You know’ the local says scratching his head, ‘you’d have a better chance of finding your way back if you weren’t startin’ from here at all’. Confused? Well, let me explain.
     At the moment many of you are like the American tourist. You can’t figure out how to get to where you want to go because you haven’t a clue where you are now. Before you can set your sights on UCD or TCD or DCU or DkIT or Maynooth you need to know what your current position is as regards your Leaving Cert subjects and courses and that’s what October’s theme is about – PLANNING AND ORGANISATION.

     So here in 3 easy stages is what you need to do over the next few weeks to get organised.

1. CHECK YOUR TEXTBOOKS – go through all your exam subjects and check if you have all the books you should have. If you’ve lost any – get replacements now – not next week or next month but now. If you were told to buy exam papers get then immediately before stocks run out (as they always do).

2. CHECK YOUR COPIES/NOTES – again check that you have all the homework copies and notes you have used since the start of 5th Year. All of these will be needed for revision so if there are any gaps in your notes now is the time to fill them. Now. But remember if you borrow notes from anyone it is your responsibility to return those notes as soon as possible and in the same condition as when they were given to you. Hand writing notes is much better than photocopying them. Writing them down helps you remember them better.

3. MAKE A LIST OF THE TOPICS IN EACH SUBJECT – once your textbooks, copies and notes are sorted out you should make a list of all the different topics you have already covered or will need to cover in each subject. Start revising those you have already done.

Once you’ve carried out steps 1, 2 and 3 you’ll be better organised and know where you stand in relation to each of your exam subjects. Another useful exercise at this stage would be to find out how many points were needed for your chosen College courses for 2009. Then add up what you got in your last Summer Exams. The difference, if there is any, will be all the motivation you’ll ever need.

THE TWO MAIN ENEMIES OF LEARNING

Not going to bed early enough and not eating breakfast are your two main enemies in LC year (that and spots of course). Everyone knows that without sufficient sleep you are constantly tired and cannot concentrate properly. The same applies to eating breakfast. No breakfast – no energy – no energy –  no concentration. It’s a vicious circle. So remember – bed before eleven and breakfast every morning (porridge preferably and not much sugar). The energy boost provided by sugar comes and goes all too quickly leaving you even more tired than before.

IMPORTANT DATES

October Mid-Term – Monday October 26th – Friday October 30th
Leaving Certificate Christmas Examinations – Thurs/Fri November 19th and 20th
Leaving Cert Parent/Teacher Meeting – Thursday December 3rd
Long weekend – School Closed Monday December 7th and Tuesday December 8th
UCAS Applications for Colleges in Britain/Six Counties – Mid December
Christmas Holidays – School Closes Tuesday December 22nd

Kevin Mallon – LC Year Head