What’s Happening in St Josephs’ November 2020 .
November saw a number of students representing their School in National Finals , the National Scratch Competition, SciFests’ National Finals and for the first time ever Junk Kouture National Finals ,what an achievement for those involved. November is a special month for remembering people we have loved and lost , the RE Department made this extra moving this year. The Music Department have been in demand performing at the Remembrance Mass and other special events that will unfold as we get close to Christmas . The Annual Fundraising Campaign for SVP continues this year in spite of COVID-19 . Science Week, Diversity Week Thanks Giving @STJ and College Awareness week were all celebrated here in St Josephs.
Riaghan Boardman (2A) participated in the National Scratch Competition 4th Nov 2020. He had an interview with the judges where he presented his project and answered questions about his design process. The award ceremony consisted of guest speakers, Dr Amin Anjomshoaa, Lero, Marie Curie Fellow, National University of Ireland Galway who talked to the students about Data Stories: Why data has become vital as never before?". Riaghan won the 1st-3rd year category.A worthy winner, well done .
RE Department : In November we Remember
In November we Remember launched with a call for Parents, Students and Teachers to add loved one to our virtual book of Remembrance.
The Remembrance Garden looked wonderful with lighted candles , some beautiful wooden carvings , thanks to Ms Dooleys’ Grandad . 'Hope is the thing with feathers, That perches in the soul'
The extended School Community was invited to join in the Celebration of the Remembrance Mass with a link to the Live webcam from St Maurs Church , a source of comfort to those who had lost loved one this year.
The RE Department and Music Department & Music Group contributed hugely to this successful celebration .
Science Week 2020 November 8th to 15th
Science week went virtual in 2020 . This years theme ‘Choosing our Future ‘ made for interesting viewing .Here in St Josephs we celebrated with a display of Famous Scientists , shout out to the Famous Female Scientists . First and Second Year Science students enjoyed a special Science Week Kahoot. Congratulations to those who made it to the virtual podium. Third Year students had the chance to hear from Engineers and Researchers working with Industry 4.0 Technologies and ask questions .One of St Josephs’ questions answered at 11:50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8DSMk4fM_o&feature=emb_title&ab_channel=IrishManufacturingResearch
Who Wants to Be a Kahootaire challenged the Third Yr Science students testing their knowledge of STEM.
TY got a Taste of the Future. Multi award-winning broadcaster, Jonathan McCrea brings them on this virtual journey. Plants, Mushrooms, Insects, Algae, Big Data – all are features on the journey of food from the farm to your plate. This event highlights Teagasc research that’s changing the direction of that food journey, and gives you a Taste of the Future! Talk available here The TY Astronomy class heard from Caoimhin de Bhailis from Blackrock Castle Observatory Cork via Zoom ,a fact-filled presentation to kick off the Module 2 .
Fifth and Sixth Yr Chemistry students joined students all over Ireland linking in with TCD Chemistry Careers Event . They also got a chance to hear some Stories from the Lab, TCD Chemistrys’ latest Outreach event.
Thanks to all the Science Department for their input in challenging circumstances.
Diversity Week 16th -20thNovember 2020
TY students flying Flags from countries all over the World greeted students as they arrived to School on Monday 16th November , an upbeat start to St Josephs' first Diversity week Watch here .Sixth Year Politics& Society students with help from Ms Quinn, Ms Kinsella and Ms Brophy had a week of Activities planned . These included a SPHE lesson on Diversity , an opportunity to explore Diversity ,Inclusion and Belonging . Student made Diversity Posters were displayed on the Walls to encourage engagement from everyone who walked by.
A Zoom call with AidLink explained the link St Josephs' School has developed with Uganda .
The Students and Staff were invited to take part in a Tik Tok Challenge Jerusalema , with great success Watch them here .
Tik Tok Challenge -
1F - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXLUgYrD0m4&feature=youtu.be
4C - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF-VEqdVk1Y&feature=youtu.be
4B - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf8AEZ-EsB8&feature=youtu.be
Staff Tik Tok Challenge https://twitter.com/_MsLeahBrophy_/status/1329709139942117376
Sixth Year Students Heather and Michael interviewed members of the School community to hear their views Listen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5pvo8OLhjY&feature=youtu.be
Diversity Week finished on a high note with a non-uniform day on Friday .Year groups were asked to wear a particular colour, students formed a wonderful rainbow outside . The Drone shot was a great success. https://twitter.com/N_Quinn90/status/1329895367790505986
Congratulations to all involved, the first Diversity week but not the last .
SciFest National Final 21st Nov 2020
St Josephs' Secondary School was represented by Fifth Year Students Stephen and Oisin at SciFests' National Final. Their SciFest@College Winning Project ARES: Using Artificial Intelligence to Detect Firearms will compete in this Event. The Event had a wonderful line up of inspirational speakers and presenters Programme of Events , the duo loved been part of this historic event . Great experience of virtual judging for the students who will be involved in BTYSE 2021 in Jan , they will have plenty of advice for the TYs .
Pop- Up Concert
Fifth Year LCAs General Education task brought a Pop-up Stage to the Basketball Courts , supported by the Music Group. The class wanted to take the opportunity to raise awareness of the great work of Jigsaw in supporting students mental health .
#STJsings4SVP
The usual Bag Packing for SVP can’t take place this year . #STJsings4SVP launches a three week fundraising campaign with the first of three virtual busking performances recorded ‘at home ‘ on 23rd Nov , an " Aslan approved " performance of Crazy World was second on 30th Nov and a special virtual meeting up of Friendly Voices and Prosper Fingal Go-Fund me link makes donating easy . Click ,Listen and be awed .
Saying Thank You 25th November
Taking the time to say thanks continued this year Ms Kinsella talked to different members of our school community. She asked them what they were thankful for and if there was anyone they would like to thank. Here are their responses, I hope you enjoy the Video. The occasion was marked by gift bags for the Staff and Students.
Junk Kouture National Final Smock Alley 27th November
After their success in the Regional Competition in the Helix earlier in 2020 Conal and Kelly were eagerly awaiting the opportunity to compete on the National Stage .Unfortunately like many events it was postponed but finally Conal and Kelly got their chance. They can be justifiably proud of this achievement .
College Awareness Week CAW 2020
Last week, November 23rd - 27th, College Awareness Week took place in St Joseph’s Secondary School Rush despite Covid 19 restrictions. This year the school embraced the new normal and the virtual world making sure the students still benefited from this fantastic initiative. College Awareness Week promotes the benefits of going to college and helps students to become college ready. It is a wonderful opportunity to begin the conversation with our students about going to college and helps them to realize that having a post -secondary school plan is really important and necessary.
Last week St Joseph’s had virtual guest speakers and talks from third level Education Institutions that have all welcomed our 6th year students in the past, including Trinity, DCU, Maynooth University, UCD, TUD and NCI. We also had Community Mentoring programmes for TY’s, Workshops with Fujitsu and past pupils who virtually discussed their college choices with classes. There were also CAW activities and lessons organised for all year groups in the school which took place in their classes,along with appreicticeship talks with the ESB.
The school was also honoured to host Mr Justice McKechnie & Mr Justice Charlton of the Supreme Court as part of the Comhrá outreach this week. College Awareness Week has always been a very successful, beneficial and fun week in St Joseph’s and this year was no different.Photos of the events available here