Mary Poppins

On Wednesday the 16th of December our whole year went to the Bord Gáis theater to watch the production of Mary Poppins.  I have previously seen the musical on broadway and so I had some of the merchandise which I wore when we were going to see it.

The day started off by getting on the bus at 9:05 and heading into Dublin City.  We got dropped off just around the corner from the theater so it was a short walk to where we had to go.  I was getting a few weird looks off people for wearing my fabulous 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' T-shirt and holding up my umbrella when there wasn't cloud in sight.  

We were allowed to go off for lunch anywhere we wanted as long as we were back at the entrance for 2 O'Clock, so Orla and I went on the hunt for a nice place to eat (McDonald's) but we weren't sure of the area so we didn't want to risk getting lost so we just went to spar.  I got some lovely wedges but I wasn't hungry so I didn't finish them. 

After we ate we had loads of time to just walk around the area so everyone just sat on some benches and took pictures and stuff.  Of course I was the one to sit in some sort of brown/orange mess and I couldn't do anything about it until I got home.  I just hid the stain in all the pictures so it was no problem.  

At 2:00 we all queued up and got our tickets, we went inside and found our seats after walking up about 500 stairs.  There was some hassle with the seats but we sorted it out and it was okay.  The play was very good and I would really recommend it i really enjoyed it and had a great time.  On the way home eveyone was very tired so we all just slept.

School Bank.

Our school has teamed up with Bank Of Ireland to set up a school bank.  There are five roles in the school bank; Branch manager, assistant manager, sales and marketing, audit specialist and myself customer service official. Today, Monday the 7th of December was our launch day.  We set up our tables in reception in the class before lunch and we nervously awaited our first customers.

Once lunch started not many people were coming over as they weren't really sure about what it was but soon enough the reception was packed and we were swamped with people.  We knew it was going to be difficult since it was our first week but it was good because we had two representatives from bank of Ireland there to help us.  Along with many registration forms we were also given iPads where students could register online.  It was very stressful at the time but it was a good experience in the end. 

First aid Workshop

One of the first workshops we did in TY was the First-aid workshop.  This workshop was so much fun and was so interesting,  we had it before results night so it was very handy in case we ran into a sticky situation on the night.  Our instructor was so funny he was always making jokes and was very punny also (punny = pun+funny).

We learnt how to do CPR, how to help if someone is choking whether it be a baby, child or an adult, we also learned how to wrap up someones arm and what to do if someone is having a seizure.  We went through lots of different scenarios and lots of role plays that could happen in our life time.  Thankfully I didn't have to use any of these techniques on the night but i will remember them in case I ever do have to use them.

At the end of the workshop we had to fill out a report form, so to say how good it was and whether we recommend it for next years TY's.  I gave it five stars as I found it very interesting.  Just as we were leaving we were given a little card which has instructions on CPR tips without the lips, so basically how to give CPR without 'Mouth-to-mouth'. I always have it with me in my purse whenever I go out if I ever need it.

Kilkenny Art Trip

On the 24th of September our whole year went on a trip to Kilkenny on an art trip, the two teachers who came with us were Mrs.Brogan and Mrs.Carpenter.  We went on one large coach and another small coach.  We were split into groups for our buses and there wasn't many on my bus so the bus was nice and quiet for the long trip down to kilkenny.  we left the school at 9:05 we didn't even go into school we just got our itineraries and got on our bus.  When we got there we were already late and so we were in a very big hurry to the cinema, we got to the cinema and we were allowed to buy popcorn and sweets before we went in.  The cinema was really warm but it was kind of nice compared to the cold outside.  The movie we got a special screening of was called 'The Song Of The Sea'.  It was such a good movie and it had an amazing story line, I love all the characters Irish accents and the drawings and animations were so cute and very well drawn.  My favorite character was either Cú the dog or Saoirse the innocent little sister who also ends up being a Selkie.

straight after our cinema trip we walked back up to the castle, almost getting run over by a few cars here and there,  In the castle there was a a workshop/showroom thing where we got to learn all about how it was made and all the components that are used to make up the movie.  we got to see things such as first sketches and final drafts.  We were also told all about how people got the ideas for the characters and how much work was put into each second of the movie.  It takes 12 drawings to make one second of the movie.  The final room we went to had a real life set up of one of the characters from the movie it was so cool and interesting to see and the character was very funny so I found it funny too. 

After our groups little tour around the castle we got to have lunch some of us went to the little cafe and got tea and a snack, we were allowed to roam around the castle so we went down to the market and Eilis bought a chocolate cake pop. We took lots of pictures and talked to lots and lots of tourists who loved our 'catholic school' uniform.  We got loads of funny photos and group pictures in front of the castle.  There was so many pretty things to take pictures of such as the beautiful gardens.

carlingford

Our night away this year was to Carlingford adventure centre in county Louth.  We left on the 17th of September at 9:05.  Everyone was very excited as we were told it was one of the best parts of Ty, so on we went on our long long bus journey.  Everyone was singing and laughing and having fun all ecstatic for what was to come.  When we arrived at the centre we were led to a big common room with lots of couches lining the walls, we all sat down some sat on the floor because there wasn't enough room with everyone's big bags, bags as big as Mt.Everest.  We were then split into our two groups, group A and group B, I was in group A.  the groups were mainly just our classes with a few people switched around but everyone got to stay with their friends.  we were told what our itinerary was for the day and then we got ready and put our bags in a store room.  Group B went to do water activities and my group went on what seemed to be the longest walk ever to challenge island. Challenge island was all mainly just bonding activities and it was so much fun.

When we came back after challenge island we went for lunch and then we went to get ready for water activities, while we were sitting having food we were put into our rooms. I was in a room with 11 other girls: Aoife, Susan, Claire, Eilis, Erin, Caoimhe, Aoife, Lucy, Laura, Tara Laura.  We had enough sweets to feed the population of Africa but we that didn't stop us from eating until our stomachs hurt. After water activities we had free time then we went on our night hike, group B went first and did the blind hike while our group played a few games.  Once it was our turn we walked up to the forest and began to blindfold ourselves, we had no idea what we were in for.  we all had to make a train holding the person in front of us' shoulders while we couldn't see at all.  It all worked out well no one was lost and we were told we were the best group they'd ever had to do it, that made us all proud.

when we got back to the centre we were allowed to have showers or to go to the Chinese or just chill around in the common area.  The Chinese was full of people all getting their 3 in 1's or spice bags which were super super spicy. then i just chilled and played some games in the downstairs common area and we all just talked and had fun.  Once the clock struck 11 we were all sent up to our rooms but we didn't really mind because our room 32 was so much fun anyway.  We played games like never have I ever (besides the alcohol) and truth or dare or even just asked each other questions and got to know one another, there was sad questions with tears and happy questions with laughs and it was a night filled with emotion.  I was knocked out on my bed at around 3 which i thought was pretty late but obviously wasn't because others were still up while i was sleeping.

the next morning we went and had breakfast and then went on another activity this time we went to zip it, it was fun but kind of boring because I've done it so many times before.  We had a very mean instructor called john who was funny at times but other times he was just mean, it was his last day anyway so we tried to make him happy and have fun.  after that w went back to the centre and just chilled around and went to the shop and saw a few nice boys;) jk.  Then we were all sad leaving on another long bus journey home, even tho most people were asleep it was still a fun ride home.  W got back at 3:20 just in time for school to finish and all went home probably to sleep and shower.  The past Ty's were right it was one of the best parts of Ty so far.